Dianne Feinstein: “Mr. President, it is estimated that at least 250,000 Kosovar Albanians have been displaced by the violence and bloodshed…”

“Mr. President, it is estimated that at least 250,000 Kosovar Albanians have been displaced by the violence and bloodshed of the past several months, and that many are currently living in the forests, without access to adequate food, shelter or medical care. With winter soon approaching, we are on the verge of a major humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo, which is the direct result of a cruel and intentional policy directed by President Milosevic and carried out by Serbian security forces in Kosovo. The time has come--indeed, it is my belief that the time came long ago--for the United States, our NATO allies, and the entire international community, to back with resolve that what happened in Bosnia must not be allowed to happen again in Kosovo. For too long, we have stood by passively while Milosevic has acted in bad faith. He has made numerous commitments to halt the violence, such as that contained in his joint statement with President Yeltsin on June 16, and he has honored none of them.”