Tony Thurmond: “my amendment would address three items, funds in the future years defense program for operations in Bosnia, concern…”

“my amendment would address three items, funds in the future years defense program for operations in Bosnia, concern about the use of U.S. forces in a law enforcement capacity, and the status of establishing the NATO multinational security force. Funding for military forces participating in the NATO operation in Bosnia is the responsibility of the contributing nation. It is estimated that the U.S. costs of participating in the NATO operation will be close to $10 billion by the end of fiscal year 1999. The Administration has failed to provide adequate funds in the defense budget to fund U.S. participation in the NATO operation since November 1995, consequently reprogramming and rescissions of defense funds, as well as supplemental appropriations have been used to pay for those costs. In March, pursuant to legislation in the fiscal year 1998 defense authorization and appropriations bills, the President notified the Congress of his intention to extend the deployment of U.S. forces in Bosnia beyond June 30, 1998, and certified that it was in the national security interests for U.S. forces to remain in Bosnia so that conditions could be established to allow the implementation of the Dayton Accords without the support of a major NATO-led military force.”