Chris Smith: “Mr. Speaker, there is only one way to describe the Clinton administration's policy on arms embargo against Bosnia…”

“Mr. Speaker, there is only one way to describe the Clinton administration's policy on arms embargo against Bosnia: breathtakingly duplicitous. Duplicitous first in that the White House repeatedly and strenuously rebuffed congressional efforts to lift the illegal and immoral arms embargo in violation of Bosnia's legitimate right to self defense. Duplicitous in that the President authorized a policy which effectively sanctioned arms shipments from Iran, of all places, Iran, a terrorist state, to Bosnia via Croatia. This latest fiasco underscores the crisis of leadership we have seen time and time again over the last 3 years. I commend both Chairman Gilman and Chairman Thomas for their leadership in pursuing this matter. The House Committee on International Relations recently held a hearing on United States policy towards Bosnia which delved into charges that the Clinton administration approved or allowed Iran to ship arms to Bosnia. Frankly, that hearing raised more questions than it answered. Mr. Speaker, as a House sponsor of the bipartisan effort to lift the arms embargo against Bosnia, I am extremely concerned about the implications and consequences of such a policy should these allegations be substantiated.”