James T. Callahan: “I will admit I am in somewhat of a dilemma. I have spoken to this House in situations such as this on several occasions…”

“I will admit I am in somewhat of a dilemma. I have spoken to this House in situations such as this on several occasions during Desert Storm, when we first sent our troops into Bosnia, and now here we are back again this year talking about a similar situation. I read with interest, and in great depth the resolution of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), and I know that we are talking about probably a substitute or an amendment to the substitute of the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson). But, Mr. Chairman, in reading the original resolution, I find myself in a State of confusion because I do not know what to do. Certainly no one can disagree in the first part original resolution that this may be cited as peacekeeping operation. I agree with that. Certainly the part that the Congress makes the following findings about the conflict in Kosovo causing human suffering. I agree with that. The government of Serbia and the representatives of the peoples of Kosovo may reach some agreement soon. I agree with that. Then it says President Clinton has promised to deploy 4,000 troops to Kosovo. I disagree with that. But it is correct. When I was approached, as chairman of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs of the Committee on Appropriations, I disagreed with the President about sending our troops into Kosovo. I have expressed this to him. I have expressed it to the Secretary of State and to the Secretary of Defense.”