Nancy Kassebaum: “today I rise in opposition to both amendments that have been offered by the distinguished leadership of the U.S. Senate…”

“today I rise in opposition to both amendments that have been offered by the distinguished leadership of the U.S. Senate, both Senator Dole and Senator Mitchell. I do so reluctantly because I support elements of both amendments, but as the Congress speaks on this important and difficult issue, we must do so with great care and deliberation. I first want to express my deep dissatisfaction with the administration's Bosnia policy. For the past 2 years, America and its NATO allies have dithered on the doorstep of Bosnia. We have been unwilling to force our way in and unable to walk away. Instead, we have sent in food for the hostages, muttered angry threats, and lobbed an occasional bomb at Serb tanks. Mr. President, despite my serious concerns about the status quo, I do not believe that either the Dole or Mitchell resolutions offer an improved course of action. Both amendments urge a policy which is unwise at best--and dangerous at worst. The Dole amendment mandates that the United States immediately and unilaterally left the arms embargo. While I strongly support lifting the embargo multilaterally, unilateral action is, I believe, a serious mistake.”