Political Quotes

“I would like to report on a recent trip which I made in my role as a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee to a very troubled region of the world. During this trip, I took quick but informative visits through Bosnia, Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Macedonia, Kosovo, and NATO South Headquarters, in Naples. To make this trip possible, I asked for and received the full support of the Department of State and NATO. I particularly wish to express my appreciation to Admiral Lopes, Ambassador Miles, posted to Belgrade, and Ambassador Hill, posted to Macedonia. In my view there are parallels and distinctions between the situation in Bosnia and the situation in Kosovo. Kosovo is an integral part of a sovereign nation--Yugoslavia. It is a civil war between the ethnic function of Albanians and Serbs. The parallels are to be found in the tragic tactics of this war. While both factions are open for condemnation for human rights violations, the preponderance of evidence weighs against the Serb forces--regular army and ``so-called'' police. Clearly, President Milosevic must be held accountable for the continuing destruction of dwellings, the farm land, and most of all, the continuing cruel repression against innocent people driven from their homes and land by the combined Serb forces. Currently, there are estimates in the hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing--many to the hills and forests near their villages.”