[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 125 (Tuesday, October 10, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H9589-H9592]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CALLING FOR LASTING PEACE, JUSTICE, AND STABILITY IN KOSOVO

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 451) calling for lasting peace, justice, and 
stability in Kosovo, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 451

       Whereas on June 10, 1999, the North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization (NATO) military air operation in the former 
     Yugoslavia victoriously concluded with the withdrawal of all 
     Serbian police, paramilitary, and military forces from 
     Kosova;
       Whereas after the NATO victory, the international community 
     mobilized assistance that helped feed and house more than 
     1,000,000 Kosova refugees before the first post-war winter;
       Whereas nearly 1,000,000 refugees and hundreds of thousands 
     of internally displaced persons attempted to return to their 
     homes in Kosova in the belief that a peaceful, stable, and 
     just society would be created through their diligent efforts, 
     supported by the international community;
       Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 
     (June 10, 1999) established the United Nations Mission in 
     Kosovo (UNMIK) as the sole administration of the province 
     until such time as its political status is decided;
       Whereas some 2,000 citizens were illegally detained and 
     kidnapped to Serbia by Serbian forces as they withdrew from 
     Kosova in violation of the Geneva Conventions and 
     international humanitarian law;
       Whereas an additional 5,000 Kosova citizens are believed to 
     be detained in Serbian prisons;
       Whereas the international mission in Kosova successfully 
     negotiated an agreement with the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) 
     to disband and publicly hand over its weapons;
       Whereas hundreds of Kosova Albanian citizens have been 
     prevented from returning to their homes in the divided city 
     of Mitrovice by Serb Kosova citizens who are believed to be 
     assisted by Serb paramilitaries who have illegally re-entered 
     Kosova;
       Whereas although the initiation of the recent operation 
     between the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosova (KFOR) and 
     UNMIK to confirm international authority throughout northern 
     Kosova is welcomed, KFOR and UNMIK must fully implement their 
     plan and take appropriate action to ensure that all residents 
     are able to return to their homes;
       Whereas the United Nations and the Organization for 
     Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have set the date 
     for local municipal elections in Kosova for October 28, 2000;
       Whereas the assertion of authority over the Trepca mining 
     complex by UNMIK is welcomed and an assessment of its 
     environmental hazards and financial viability should proceed 
     as quickly as possible in order to maximize employment for 
     Kosovar citizens;
       Whereas although daily life in Kosova in the summer of 2000 
     is significantly improved in comparison to the violence, 
     devastation, and chaos that plagued the region during armed 
     conflict in 1999, more must be done to develop a self-
     sustaining economy that discourages the rise of criminal 
     elements;
       Whereas, in view of the disproportionate share of the 
     military costs borne by the United States during the NATO 
     operation, the European Union has agreed that it will 
     undertake the major share of the costs for economic 
     reconstruction in Kosova;
       Whereas the European Commission and the World Bank have 
     estimated the costs for the reconstruction of Kosova over the 
     next 4 to 5 years at $2,300,000,000, with nearly half that 
     amount available to be spent by the end of 2001; and
       Whereas the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and 
     Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2000 (as enacted by 
     section 1000(a)(2) of Public Law 106-113) capped United 
     States pledges of assistance for Kosova at the subsequent 
     Kosova donors conference at 15 percent of the total resources 
     pledged by all donors: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) the European Union should continue to bear the primary 
     responsibility and costs for the economic reconstruction of 
     Kosova, and take all necessary steps to ensure that its 
     future budgets provide the required resources in a timely 
     fashion;
       (2) the administration of all baseline services such as 
     police, sanitation, water, telecommunications, and electrical 
     supply should be put into the hands of the people of Kosova 
     at the earliest possible date;
       (3) the strategy for economic reconstruction in Kosova 
     should be focused on utilizing private investment and 
     empowerment of the people of Kosova to take charge of their 
     livelihoods;
       (4) the United States Government should make it a priority 
     to promote noncorrupt government and business practices in 
     Kosova by providing judicial training and technical advice 
     and assistance to police, border police, and customs 
     officers;
       (5) the United Nations Security Council should demand the 
     immediate and unconditional return of all Kosova prisoners 
     from Serbia;
       (6) the international peacekeeping force in Mitrovice 
     should take immediate measures to ensure that all the 
     residents are able to return in security to their homes;
       (7) all the citizens of Kosova should avail themselves of 
     the opportunity to democratically express their political 
     preferences by participating in the elections on October 28, 
     2000;

[[Page H9590]]

       (8) the resolve of the international community to work 
     towards lasting peace, stability, and justice in Kosova will 
     not be deterred by Slobodan Milosevic's provocations within 
     the region; and
       (9) all citizens of Kosova should adhere to the principles 
     enunciated by community leaders at the Airlie House 
     declaration of July 23, 2000, where all parties agreed to a 
     rigorous Campaign Against Violence, representation of all 
     citizens in municipal councils, surrendering of illegal 
     weapons, a commitment to counter Slobodan Milosevic's 
     influence in Kosova, and to dissolve any other illegitimate 
     governing and security structures.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).


                             General Leave

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H.Res. 451.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have brought this measure to the floor of 
the House in order to call attention to some continuing problems in the 
international community's efforts to bring about a stable, just, and a 
lasting peace to the people of Kosovo.
  The Committee on International Relations approved this measure 
without dissent and it represents a bipartisan consensus on the part of 
our committee members on how to redress some of the difficulties in 
Kosovo. I ask all our House colleagues to join with us today in 
supporting H. Res. 451.
  Our principal concern is that the international community, rather 
than fostering a self-reliant, prosperous Kosovar-run Kosovo, is 
creating a new international dependency hooked on assistance funds and 
the presence of numerous international aid workers.
  What seems to have been overlooked in the current approach is the 
fact that prior to the move to strip away Kosovo's political autonomy 
in 1989, and even during the decade of oppression the Kosovars suffered 
under Milosevic, the Kosovar people demonstrated a remarkable amount of 
initiative and economic skill. These characteristics should be part of 
our strategy in restoring Kosovo's economy.
  Another problem is the plight of thousands of Kosovars who are being 
illegally detained in Serbia. Some of these individuals were taken in 
the final hours of Serbia's sway over Kosovo last June as virtual 
hostages. They include some of the leading intellectual lights of 
Kosovar society: doctors, lawyers, journalists and teachers.
  The fact that the international community has remained nearly mute in 
the face of their continued detention is disappointing, and the refusal 
of the U.N. Security Council to demand their immediate release is 
troubling and unacceptable.
  Until the Kosovar detainees have been released and accounted for, no 
real peace will be able to come to Kosovo. I would hope that the new 
government in Serbia under President Kostunica will cooperate in 
remedying this tragic situation.
  The important industrial town of Mitrovice remains a divided city 
where international peacekeepers have been unable to return hundreds of 
ethnic Albanian residents to their homes. Failure to resolve this issue 
leaves the shadow of possible partition hanging over Kosovo.
  Another problem in the U.N.'s approach to the Kosovo mission is the 
issue of who should be able to control and operate important economic 
assets such as the Trepca mines. Although there have been recent steps 
to explore reopening this most important economic asset for many 
months, the U.N. did not take any action because of its fears that Serb 
ownership would be an obstacle.
  Elections have been scheduled in 30 municipalities throughout Kosovo 
for October 28. This resolution calls upon all the citizens of Kosovo 
to avail themselves of the Democratic process and to peacefully express 
their political preferences. Let us hope that the adoption of this 
resolution and those upcoming elections will provide the beginning of 
the journey to a lasting and just peace in Kosovo.
  Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the House to 
support H. Res. 451.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Engel) one of the original cosponsors of this 
legislation.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from American Samoa for 
yielding me the time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.Res. 451. I am an original 
cosponsor. I commend the chairman of our Committee on International 
Relations for sponsoring this resolution and for the work that he has 
done on Kosovo and on so many other wonderful things in the House 
Committee on International Relations, and I am honored to cosponsor 
this resolution with him.
  This calls for lasting peace, justice, and stability in Kosovo. And 
it is something that is still illusive even after the successful 
American intervention there where we prevented lives from being lost, 
we prevented ethnic cleansing and genocide. I am very, very proud of 
the role that this country and this Congress have played in saving the 
Kosovar people, the people of Kosovo.
  I rise in strong support of this resolution because although the 
international community talks a good game, the European Union has not 
met its pledges even though it has contributed the majority of the 
funding for Kosovo reconstruction. This resolution calls upon the EEU 
to do so.
  As the resolution states, police, sanitation, telecommunications, 
electricity and water supply have not been adequately put forth for the 
people of Kosovo. It is too long. It must end.
  This resolution also calls, as the chairman pointed out, for the 
immediate return of all Kosovar prisoners still being held in Serbia. 
There are still hundreds of Kosovars in Serb jails, perhaps thousands, 
including Flora Brovina and Albin Kurti. They should be freed 
immediately and returned to their families in Kosovo.
  It is an outrage that when the Serbs were retreating from Kosovo they 
captured Kosovar Albanians and imprisoned them, dragged them to 
Belgrade, dragged them into Serbia, and imprisoned them where they 
remain today. These people should be freed immediately.
  This resolution also gives Congress an opportunity to discuss broader 
issues. I and all Americans congratulate the Serbian people for the 
birth of democracy in their land and for finally running their 
murderous leader, Milosevic, out of office.
  Yet, while the United States is certainly pleased of the changes in 
Serbia, there are significant issues which we must consider. The most 
important is the question of sanctions. We must be open to the new 
Democratically elected government in Serbia. President Kostunica needs 
the opportunity to succeed. Lifting some sanctions should be on the 
table, but lifting all should not.
  I agree with the actions of the Clinton administration maintaining 
visa restrictions against Milosevic and his lieutenants, but I am also 
concerned about lowering the outer wall of sanctions. Those must remain 
on Serbia.
  We have withheld international financial institution assistance 
because Belgrade was opposing the work of the International War Crimes 
Tribunal and denying Kosovars the right to self-determination. For the 
outer wall to crumble while President Kostunica rejects the tribunal, 
and he is rejecting it still, and Serbia is still acting as though 
nothing happened in Kosovo, is unwise.
  The new government in Belgrade must recognize the new reality in 
Kosovo. After the thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of wounded, 
it remains extremely difficult to ever imagine Kosovo again as part of 
Serbia. Kosovo deserves the opportunity to be dependent and the outer 
wall of sanctions against Serbia should remain in place until Serbia is 
prepared to be part of a solution, not the problem, in Kosovo.

[[Page H9591]]

  Independence for Kosovo is something that is right. And as the 
chairman pointed out, elections are being held later on this month and 
it will be the first opportunity for Kosovars to participate in 
democracy. And I would urge all of them do so. And that ought to be the 
first step in a free and independent and democratic Kosovo.
  There are still, however, many problems. Mitrovice is a divided city. 
The Serbs have occupied the mines and have not allowed the Albanian 
Kosovars to be able to establish any kind of economic viability because 
of the occupation of these mines. Those mines are part of Kosovo and 
should not be occupied by the Serbs.
  Mitrovice should not be a divided city. Albanians there are being 
prevented from returning to their homes. That must not stand.
  Finally, Belgrade must finally recognize the independence of Bosnia. 
Until Belgrade gives up on controlling lands on both sides of the Drina 
River and establishes permanent diplomatic relations with Bosnia, the 
Yugoslav state succession question will still fester.
  And by the way, while we are saying that the Kosovars have the right 
to self-determination and independence, and they must have that right, 
I believe the Montenegrins have as well.
  Yugoslavia is a fallacy. Serbia continues to keep the Montenegrins as 
part of so-called Yugoslavia and continues the fallacy that Kosovo is 
part of Yugoslavia. The Kosovar Albanians and the Montenegrins should 
have the right to self-determination and should have the right to 
establish their own democratic nations if they so desire.
  Therefore, while I rise in favor of this important resolution, I urge 
my colleagues to keep in mind the bigger picture in the form 
Yugoslavia. I urge all my colleagues to support H. Res. 451.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) the distinguished chairman of our 
Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) for his leadership in bringing 
this very important resolution to the floor today and to my good 
friends on the minority side and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) for his leadership and the gentleman form Connecticut 
(Mr. Gejdenson).
  This is the time for us to make this statement, and I think we are 
doing it collectively as a Congress. Hopefully our voices will be heard 
in Serbia.
  Mr. Speaker, I am an original cosponsor of H. Res. 451 and I strongly 
support its passage here today.
  In a series of hearings that we held on the Helsinki Commission, 
which I chair, the atrocities committed in Kosovo by Yugoslav and 
Serbian forces have been very amply documented and the continued 
incarceration of Kosovar Albanians in Serbian prisons were detailed in 
very numbing detail.
  The culpability of Milosevic for war crimes and crimes against 
humanity for which he has been indicted have also been made clear. It 
is also obvious that there is an unacceptable lack of security in 
Kosovo, evident in the frequent instances of violence and destruction 
in the period since the conflict ended.
  Last week, Mr. Speaker, major change finally came to Yugoslavia. The 
people voted to throw Slobodan Milosevic out of office. And when he 
would not leave, they took to the streets to make clear that they had 
had enough.
  While President Kostunica takes a nationalist point of view, he 
nevertheless appears willing to work towards democracy and the rule of 
law rather than create more problems.
  I was pleased to hear that he has already indicated his willingness 
to look into the cases of Kosovar Albanians who right now, today, are 
languishing in Serbian prisons.

                              {time}  2100

  I believe he will, and every friend of democracy fully expects him to 
do the right thing. At one of our Helsinki Commission hearings, we 
heard terrible testimony, horrible conditions about these people who 
have been held in these terrible prisons, Kosovar Albanians who have 
committed no crimes. We ask, we demand that they be released now, 
immediately. Let the Albanians go.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I think it is critical that we strongly 
condemn all of the violence which is occurring in Kosovo today 
regardless of the ethnicity of the victim, regardless of the ethnicity 
of the culprit. I have been a strong critic of Serbian repression in 
Kosovo in the past. As a matter of fact, when I met Milosevic the first 
time in Belgrade in the early 1990s, I raised the issue of his police, 
his thugs who are committing egregious abuses against the Kosovar 
Albanians and called on him and his thugs to stop it. But let me also 
say that none of us want to accept any wanton acts of violence whether 
it be revenge against Serbs or other members of minorities in Kosovo. 
Therefore, and I think this is important in the resolution, the 
Campaign Against Violence mentioned in this resolution is absolutely 
critical for all sides to accept and to implement. I would hope that 
the Albanians will criticize Albanians and Serbs will criticize Serbs 
when that Campaign Against Violence is transgressed. We need peaceful 
nonviolence in Kosovo and in Serbia. This resolution calls on all 
parties to stand down.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) for his eloquent support of this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Again my compliments and commendation to the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Gilman), the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Engel) and certainly the chairman of our 
Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for their primary sponsorship of 
this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this measure which enjoys 
strong bipartisan support. It is also supported by the administration. 
Congressional oversight of policy in Kosovo is remiss if it only looks 
at the inevitable problems that follow 40 years of communism, 10 years 
of apartheid and 1 year of brutal armed aggression. Responsible 
oversight must also recognize achievements as well as goals for future 
progress.
  After the NATO victory, the international community mobilized 
assistance that helped feed and house more than one million Kosovo 
refugees before the first postwar winter. The international mission in 
Kosovo successfully negotiated an agreement with the Kosovo Liberation 
Army to disband and publicly hand over its weapons.
  Although daily life in Kosovo has significantly improved compared to 
the violence, devastation and chaos that plagued the region during 
armed conflict a year ago, more must be done, Mr. Speaker, to develop a 
self-sustaining economy that discourages the rise of criminal elements.
  The European Union must also continue to bear the primary 
responsibility and costs for the economic reconstruction of Kosovo and 
take all necessary steps to ensure that its future budgets provide the 
required resources in a timely fashion.
  Mr. Speaker, the administration of all basic services such as police, 
sanitation, water, telecommunications and electrical supply should be 
put into the hands of the people of Kosovo at the earliest possible 
date. The international peacekeeping force in Mitrovica should take 
immediate measures to ensure that all the residents are able to return 
in security to their homes. And, most importantly, all citizens of 
Kosovo should follow the principles enunciated by community leaders at 
the Airlie House declaration of July 23 of this year which included 
antiviolence, representation of all citizens in local councils, 
surrendering illegal weapons, a commitment to counter Slobodan 
Milosevic's influence in Kosovo as well as dissolving any other 
illegitimate governing and security structures.
  Mr. Speaker, the winds of democratic change have swept through the 
region in recent days and months, bringing in democratic reform in 
Croatia and toppling Slobodan Milosevic from controlling Serbia. In the 
wake of these dramatic events, the resolution before the House today 
supports greater progress towards reconciliation within Kosovo and 
between the member nations of

[[Page H9592]]

southeast Europe to build a community of cooperating democracies and 
growing free market economies.
  Again I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from American 
Samoa for his support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, House Resolution 451, as 
amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________