Orrin Hatch: “I thank the colleague from Connecticut. Madam President, I rise as a cosponsor of S. 2042. More than 2 years ago, I…”

“I thank the colleague from Connecticut. Madam President, I rise as a cosponsor of S. 2042. More than 2 years ago, I called for the lifting of the arms embargo for the victims of Serbian aggression. The need for this action was clear then, and it is even more clear now: Only by creating a balance of power on the ground will Serbia accept a just, negotiated settlement. American policy in the former Yugoslavia has been morally and politically bankrupt. We have been an active partner in a policy of deference to the aggressor and indifference to the victims of aggression. The decision to impose an arms embargo was motivated by the understandable intent to try to restrain the conflict by cutting off the supply of weapons to the combatants. However, that concept was tragically flawed. Serbia and its allies in Croatia and Bosnia controlled the vast majority of the weapons from the arsenals of the former Yugolsavia and the bulk of the former Yugoslavia's arms and munitions factories. In theory, the arms embargo appeared even-handed. In reality, it fundamentally favored Serbia and enabled Serbia to launch its war of aggression at minimal cost and risk. Madam President, the Croatian and Bosnian people do not need our pity, they need our weapons. The world disarmed these peoples. The world told these peoples to put their faith in the international community. The result has been ethnic cleansing and unspeakable violence and atrocities.”