Political Quotes

“I rise today to state my intention to vote against Senate bill 2042. This bill would lift the arms embargo against the Bosnian Government. I think we can all agree that the bloodshed in the former Yugoslavia has got to stop. We cannot afford to let this situation drag on. It is destroying this once fine country and its people. And the longer it continues, the more of a threat it is to its neighbors, U.N. peacekeepers, NATO troops, and all of the world. As we look at this tragic situation, we have to keep this in perspective, pick through all the conflicting messages and come to a reasoned decision. And I mean reasoned--not one based on flip-flop policies or on media coverage. We have to keep in mind that this is just one outburst out of many, many outbursts in this area of the world. This region has bickered over its borders for hundreds of centuries. This region is a powder keg ready to explode. Throwing more weapons into the arena is like throwing gasoline on a burning fire. I do not see how arming the Bosnians is going to do anything but fan the flames. We have to put this fire out and get all sides to the negotiating table. Too many times when all sides are at the table, the Bosnians see a sign from the West and grab onto it like a last straw. I am concerned that lifting the arms embargo will only give the Bosnians a signal, encouraging them to launch offensive actions.”