Bob Menendez: “Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose the Fowler amendment and to support the Gejdenson amendment. As we have this debate in…”

“Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose the Fowler amendment and to support the Gejdenson amendment. As we have this debate in this House at this time, a time that is poorly timed in terms of what the national interests of the United States are and ultimately how that may lead to the national security of the United States, we simply should not be having this debate at this time. Right now, as we debate, I am sure that Slobodan Milosevic is looking at this debate, and how we decide today sends him a signal as to how he will move, and move militarily. Even before we give an opportunity for peace to have a chance, we snuff it out with the actions on the Floor. The gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson) recognizes that the representatives of the respective parties are supposed to reconvene next week in France. We could not hold off until there was the opportunity for those parties to be brought together by the international community, led by the United States, to see if there is a chance to avoid countless numbers of murders, countless numbers of deaths? We could not give that simple opportunity for peace to take place? It was so compelling to proceed today? Mr. Chairman, this is not about enforcing our will. It is about enforcing, hopefully, an agreed commitment, an agreed commitment to peace.”