Political Quotes

Claiborne Pell: “I must oppose this amendment at this time because of its potential to undermine the strength of U.N. Security Council…”

On the recordApril 21, 1994
I must oppose this amendment at this time because of its potential to undermine the strength of U.N. Security Council decisions. While I would support the lifting of the embargo on a multilateral basis, I do not support a unilateral lifting of that embargo. The arms embargo is in place as a result of a binding U.N. Security Council action. Accordingly, I do not believe it wise to direct the President to lift the embargo unilaterally. A unilateral lifting of the arms embargo would set a very dangerous precedent. Other nations could choose to ignore Security Council resolutions that we might consider important, for example, such as the embargo against Iraq or sanctions against Libya. I believe that this amendment could seriously damage President Clinton's leverage with our allies at this delicate point in the negotiations over the three-pronged United States strategy on Bosnia that the President outlined yesterday.
Said by
Claiborne Pell
Democratic · Rhode Island
Source
govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Discussing the implications of an amendment related to the U.N. arms embargo during Senate floor debate.

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