Bob Dole: “just a short while ago, CNN reported that the so-called U.N. safe area of Srebrenica had fallen--Bosnian Serb tanks have…”

“just a short while ago, CNN reported that the so-called U.N. safe area of Srebrenica had fallen--Bosnian Serb tanks have reached the town center and thousands of the 40,000 Bosnians in the enclave have begun to flee. The main argument made by the administration in opposition to withdrawing the U.N. forces and lifting the arms embargo on Bosnia was that such action would result in the enclaves falling and would lead to a humanitarian disaster. Well, that disaster has occurred today--on the U.N.'s watch, with NATO planes overhead. If it was not before, it should now be perfectly clear that the U.N. operation in Bosnia is a failure. Once again, because of U.N. hesitation and weakness we see too little NATO action, too late. Two Serb tanks were hit by NATO planes today--hardly enough to stop an all-out assault that began days ago. As a result, in addition to thousands of refugees, the lives of brave Dutch peacekeepers are in serious danger. Mr. President, there can be no doubt, the U.N.-designated safe areas are safe only for Serb aggression. What will it take for the administration and others to declare this U.N. mission a failure? Will all six safe areas have to be overrun first? It is time to end this farce. It is time to let the Bosnians do what the United Nations is unwilling to do for them. The Bosnians are willing to defend themselves--it is up to us to make them able by lifting the arms embargo.”