Political Quotes

“I listened in disbelief last night as the President of the United States explained the tactical air strike command and control system for Bosnia. The local U.N. Forces ask the U.N. Commander, who ask the U.N. political advisor, who, if they get approval from New York, ask NATO, which ask an American pilot, and this is madness, to have individual air strikes with control in Bosnia, New York, and Washington. That is worse than anything that was done in micromanaging the Vietnam War. If we cannot find a clear mission with a clear theater campaign plan, with a clear and clean command and control system, we should withdraw any involvement. However, to have American pilots risking their lives, loitering like taxis while the U.N. Commander negotiates, to be used individually if a convoluted chain of command agrees to it, is crazy. Mr. Speaker, I would just ask every Member to read precisely what the President said last night is his approved chain of command for ordering individual air strikes. It is the worst misuse of American power, I think, since World War II.”