Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker NATO has finally stepped in with an ultimatum to the Serbs regarding the eastern Bosnian enclave of Gorazde--stop shelling and withdraw or face NATO air power. It is shameful that Gorazde almost had to fall to aggression before we took this action, and over 700 people died in just a few weeks. Many of us had called for an expansion of the Sarajevo ultimatum in February; indeed, some of us have supported such decisions since the war started in 1992. Nevertheless, the ultimatum seems to be working. The Serb militants met an interim deadline, albeit very grudgingly, for an initial withdrawal from areas within 2 miles of Gorazde. The shelling has stopped, U.N. peacekeepers are arriving, and the wounded are being evacuated. We must now avoid the urge to point to this success, back off and forget the Bosnian situation, hoping that it now will work itself out. Time has taught us that this will not happen, and we must therefore keep up the momentum and pressure on the Serb militants. First, we need to ensure Serb compliance with this evening's deadline for the withdrawal from the approximately 10-mile area surrounding Gorazde. Second, we must come up with an acceptable, comprehensive settlement that meets the needs of the Bosnians and the international community has the political will to ensure implementation. Third, we must make it clear to the Serbs that there is no more piecemeal response to their barbaric behavior.”