Political Quotes

“I rise this evening to urge the United States to vote at the United Nations against renewing the partial lifting of sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro in return for their alleged blockade against the Bosnian Serbs. The 100-day probation period for blockade enforcement expires tomorrow, January 12, 1995. A positive action in the U.N. Security Council is necessary to renew the waiver. The language of the U.N. resolution granting the waiver stipulates the need for effectively implementing the closure of the border between Serbia and Montenegro and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I repeat, effectively implementing--not trying in a half-hearted way or even trying with good intentions. Mr. President, the standard of effectively implementing simply has not been met. On November 18, 1994, I sent a detailed letter to Secretary of State Christopher in which I outlined my concerns on this issue. Yesterday-- nearly 8 weeks later--I finally received an answer from Assistant Secretary of State Sherman. I hope that this inexcusable tardiness in responding to my request and desire is not indicative of a desire on the part of the State Department to keep this vital issue out of the public eye. Mr. President, the contents of Assistant Secretary Sherman's letter have only increased my fear that the administration is allowing a new overall concept for Bosnia--with which I profoundly disagree--to dictate its interpretation of the facts on the ground.”