Benjamin Gilman: “I rise in strong support of the McCloskey- Gilman-Bonior-Hoyer amendment to end the arms embargo of Bosnia because we…”

“I rise in strong support of the McCloskey- Gilman-Bonior-Hoyer amendment to end the arms embargo of Bosnia because we have been witnessing aggression and genocide in Bosnia on a scale not witnessed in Europe since the worst days of World War II. Inaction in the face of this barbarism is not an option. We must take action to end this tragedy in Bosnia. Let us no longer accept the fiction as we have in the past 2 years that all that is required is a little more patience--just a few more weeks to give the diplomats time to negotiate a settlement. For 2 years we have been patiently awaiting a negotiated settlement. But all that such waiting has brought to Bosnia is more death and destruction. Regrettably, it is anticipated that the latest cease-fire will be no different than past cease-fires. The Bosnian Serbs have already publicly indicated that they intend to resume fighting within 30 days. Bosnia cannot afford more patience. If we agree that we will wait no longer and that we must do something, there really are only two options. One is to end the arms embargo so that the people of Bosnia can acquire the wherewithal to defend themselves. The McCloskey-Gilman amendment will do precisely that. The other option would be to send United States forces into Bosnia to end the aggression and genocide. It appears that the administration has already started us down the road to direct U.S. military involvement.”