Joe Cunningham: “why do many of us object to the stringent control of our forces under the U.N.? First of all, I take a look at Bosnia.…”

“why do many of us object to the stringent control of our forces under the U.N.? First of all, I take a look at Bosnia. We have men and women committed to war, and committed and executed that war, and the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, and the Vice President did not know that we had troops at war until after the fact. That was in Bosnia, and that is a fact. Second, in Somalia. I resent the gentleman that suggested and characterized our rangers as just wanting to get into action in Somalia. A democratic majority extended Somalia. That cost us billions of dollars. The administration changed that policy from humanitarian to go after Aideed. That was wrong. The administration then reduced our troops levels, making us very vulnerable. That was wrong. Three times the commanders asked for help. Why? For armored help. Because on two different occasions we had our troops captured, and cut and quartered, and their quartered bodies drug through the streets of Somalia. That was wrong. Mr. Chairman, we had 100 rangers pinned down, that it took us 7 hours to get to, and why? It is a 20-minute car ride to where they are. Take a look at it. Why? Because the U.N. tanks that were there would not commit. The U.N. troops had never used night goggles. Many of them were not English-proficient. It cost us 22 dead rangers and 77 wounded. That is wrong, my colleagues and Mr. Speaker.”