Thousands are dead, tens of thousands are homeless, and many more have fled the country.

Once again Milosevic carries out a genocidal campaign of ethnic cleansing, once again the international community is slow to react, and once again it is innocent civilians who must pay the terrible price that world indifference imposes.

The renewed violence in Kosova is but the latest example of the manner in which Milosevic attempts to use terror and murder to hold together the republics which made up the former Yugoslavia.

Perhaps no event better illustrates Milosevic's brutal policies than the recent massacre in the village of Racak, where 45 ethnic Albanians, many of whom were women and children, were found murdered by Serb military and police units.

unless we wish to see more massacres, more fighting, and more misery in Kosova, the peace negotiations currently underway in France must include a military commitment to enforce the peace.

Despots such as Milosevic and Saddam Hussein do not respect international law. They do not respond to impassioned appeals for peace and human rights.

The Kosovan people are running out of time, however. Humanity cannot stand idly by and witness further atrocities such as those committed in Racak.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, any peace settlement must also include an iron-clad commitment that the Kosovan people will have the opportunity that we often take for granted--the right of self-determination.