Sylvester Turner: “I am very disappointed today to note that when this bill comes back to the floor, it once again includes that…”

“I am very disappointed today to note that when this bill comes back to the floor, it once again includes that objectionable language. Here we are at a critical point in time in the peacekeeping operations, the peacekeeping negotiations, and we find that our Republican leadership desires to cut off funding for all operations in Yugoslavia on September 30. This House passed on March 11 a resolution authorizing the use of ground troops for a peacekeeping operation. I offered at that time an amendment to that bill which provided that the troops of the United States would be limited to 15 percent of the total force. This House, by agreement in an amendment crafted at the conclusion of that debate, accepted that language along with other reporting requirements. That was a sound and reasonable thing to do. I am advised by Mr. Berger this morning that the negotiations now regarding peacekeeping would limit the U.S. troop participation again to 15 percent of the total force. It is totally irresponsible for this House to be considering legislation that would ban the use of any funds, as of September 30, for peacekeeping operations in the Republic of Yugoslavia.”