Ronald Dellums: “Would we use unilateral air power to save the Bosnians if they are being overwhelmed? If that does not work, will we…”

“Would we use unilateral air power to save the Bosnians if they are being overwhelmed? If that does not work, will we send in ground troops? Or will we say, ``Nice try,'' but leave the Bosnians to fate? This could further endanger American lives. Let me further explain. This amendment authorizes us to train Bosnian troops in Bosnia, thereby increasing the threat to American troops. This makes us more an ally of the Bosnians, an escalation of taking sides. The goal should be to seek a ceasefire. Mr. Chairman, brilliant comments notwithstanding, this is a war and intervention amendment, not a peace or peacekeeping amendment. It has those implications. We should continue to build on recent successes that brought an end to the sieges at Tuzla, Sarajevo and Garazde, to end the shelling and to continue to support this 1-month ceasefire with the hope that it would increase. In fact, the Bosnian Government could view this as an opportunity to launch offensive operations to regain territory in line with their three territorial imperatives.”