[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 117 (Wednesday, September 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SERBIA DEMOCRATIZATION ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                     HON. MARSHALL ``MARK'' SANFORD

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 25, 2000

  Mr. SANFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support of H.R. 1064, The Serbia 
Montenegro Democracy Act of 1999. In April of last year, I offered a 
bill containing many of the same provisions of Mr. Smith's bill with 
the belief that we needed to come up with some alternative strategy, in 
dealing with Milosevic and the situation in the Balkans.
  In wake of the alleged fraud during yesterday's election, I believe 
it is as important now as it was last April that we begin focusing on 
what we are doing in the former Yugoslavia. What this bill attempts to 
do is look towards the future of the region, and I believe begs a 
larger point of what are we doing in that part of the world.
  For starters, look at the cost of our military operations in Kosovo, 
such as Noble Anvil, Joint Guardian, Balkan Call, Eagle Eye, Sustained 
Hope, Task Force Hawk thus far these programs have totaled over $5 
billion. Then add in the cost in Bosnia, roughly $8.95 billion. Lastly, 
add in other missions in the Balkans and the total amount of United 
States taxpayers money spent in the region since 1991 comes to $15.7 
billion. I have to ask the question, where does it end?
  We still have troops in Bosnia and Kosovo, despite promises to bring 
them home. If we have not begun to find some kind of alternative to our 
current strategy in Montenegro, history will repeat itself. The U.S. 
has already made commitment after commitment in the Balkans and a break 
away Montenegro would probably be no different.
  So I would applaud Mr. Smith's leadership for incorporating my bill 
into today's legislation. I would hope that this and future 
administrations come up with some kind of strategy other than sending 
troops and bombs through the sky with the Balkans, because that seems 
to be our current strategy. I think that this bill is a more effective 
and efficient alternative.

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