Benjamin Gilman: “This concurrent resolution of the House concerns the deplorable human rights situation in Kosova, a formerly autonomous…”

“This concurrent resolution of the House concerns the deplorable human rights situation in Kosova, a formerly autonomous republic of the former Yugoslavia. Its autonomous status under the consideration of the former Yugoslavia was revoked by Serbian President Milosevic in 1989, and many cite this action by Serbia as the beginning of the conflict which was to consume most of the former Yugoslavia in the years 1991-95. I commend the gentleman from New York [Mr. Engel] for introducing this resolution, and I am proud to be listed as a cosponsor. Many in the Congress, myself included, feel that it was a mistake to lift the sanctions against Serbia without linking this action with the situation in Kosova. The prospect for peace in Bosnia has raised hopes all over the region. However, the people in Kosova do not feel that hope. For them the lesson of Bosnia is that violence is a way to win concessions from the international community. They see the Serbs in Bosnia rewarded for their aggression by the creation of the so-called Republic of Srbska. What is the international community to say to the long-suffering people of Kosova who have seen their autonomy trampled upon by the Serbian authorities, the loss of their civic institutions and the denial of their most basic rights? Earlier this month the United States Information Agency opened an office in Pristina, Kosova. This will allow for a permanent American presence in the Republic to monitor human rights and the overall situation.”