Jim Inhofe: “I have been very distressed, as many people have, over the recent developments in Bosnia, statements that have been…”

“I have been very distressed, as many people have, over the recent developments in Bosnia, statements that have been made, attributed to a number of our high-ranking officials, including Secretary of Defense William Perry. Many of us were quite outspoken in our opposition to sending troops into Bosnia back when the decision was made by the President and his administration. I can remember having the resolution of disapproval that I had with Senator Hutchison. We only lost that by four votes. One of the selling points on the floor was this is going to be a mission that will be completed, successfully completed, and the troops will be out in a period of 12 months. None of us believed that at that time. I can remember so well on October 17 of 1995, the Senator from New Mexico, Senator Bingaman, asked the question of Secretary Perry: 'What do we contemplate as far as a remaining presence once the one-year period is up, or once the IFOR troop development is complete? Would we expect to see some residual NATO force remain?'”