Political Quotes

“I rise today to speak on House Concurrent Resolution 42, a measure regarding the use of United States Armed Forces as part of a NATO peacekeeping operation to implement a peace agreement in Kosovo. At the outset, Mr. Speaker, I would voice my objection on procedural grounds to the rule authorizing debate today of H. Con. Res. 42, a measure on which the Democrats had no input and the Administration has not been permitted to comment upon. As we all know, Mr. Speaker, the fragile peace negotiations on Kosovo are being conducted by the six member Contact Group and international community as we speak. Because of the sensitivity of these on-going negotiations, this is the absolute worst time to hold a contentious debate on Kosovo in the House of Representatives. Mixed signals from the U.S. Congress concerning the U.S. role in Kosovo undercut the Administration's ability to forge a successful peace agreement between the warring factions in Kosovo. Already the situation is being manipulated by Serb leader Slobodan Milosevic, whose belligerence has been encouraged by perceived ambivalence in Washington. No doubt this has played a role in recent setbacks to the peace process, as exemplified by Milosevic's emboldened insistence to U.S. Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke that any political agreement based upon his country's acceptance of foreign troops is unacceptable. Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to vote against the rule on H. Con. Res. 42.”