[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 21 (Thursday, March 5, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H856]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THE SITUATION IN KOSOVA
(Mrs. KELLY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, democracy is struggling to take root in
Kosova despite the continued pattern of Serb violence against the
ethnic Albanian population. Parliamentary and presidential elections
are scheduled to be taken in Kosova on March 22. This will be the first
general election this volatile region has had since 1992 and it
represents a landmark event for the 90 percent Albanian population in
Kosova in their struggle for freedom and independence.
Today we are just hearing reports of artillery shelling and aerial
bombing of villages, part of a continuing pattern of violence against
the ethnic Albanian population by the Serbs. This must stop. I call
upon President Clinton to initiate strong measures, including tougher
sanctions against the Belgrade government of President Milosevic. For
the sake of the ethnic Albanian people in Kosova and a lasting peace in
this troubled region, we cannot allow this violence to continue.
____________________