Daniel Moynihan: “as I stated on the floor yesterday, this is an extremely difficult issue. Unilateral lifting of the Bosnian arms embargo…”

“as I stated on the floor yesterday, this is an extremely difficult issue. Unilateral lifting of the Bosnian arms embargo gives me no pleasure. No doubt it is preferable for the United Nations Security Council to agree to fulfill its responsibilities and to lift the arms embargo. Better for Bosnia. Better for the Security Council. I find it significant that Senator Biden--an early supporter of lifting the embargo--is supporting the Mitchell amendment because he received a commitment from the administration that the United States will table a resolution in the Security Council to lift the embargo. In addition, the majority leader makes a powerful argument concerning the safety of the gallant U.N. peacekeepers and aid workers in Bosnia. I find elements of both proposals compelling. This is particularly true because I disagree with some of the proponents of the Dole amendment when they say that the United States has no stake in this contest, and when they oppose Senator Mitchell's endorsement of NATO involvement. Some who support Senator Dole's amendment say we should lift the embargo and then wash our hands of Bosnia. I disagree. In fact, if we are to lift the embargo we should be prepared to support the implementation of that policy with air power. Taken together, the two amendments constitute the strongest position. A unilateral lifting of the arms embargo, combined with multilateral air strikes.”