Ron Kind: “Mr. Chairman, I rise tonight in support of the base resolution as well as the Gejdenson amendment and in opposition to…”

“Mr. Chairman, I rise tonight in support of the base resolution as well as the Gejdenson amendment and in opposition to the Fowler amendment. Our debate today and this evening centers on one of the most serious and fundamental responsibilities that we hold as elected representatives of a free and open democracy, the recommendation to commit our military forces to a hostile or potentially hostile environment. I respect the fact that we as Members of this body should debate this issue fully. I am, however, concerned that the timing of this debate is suspect and, in fact, is very dangerous and can undermine the peace process that the administration has been engaged in in the Balkan region for some time. Former Senate majority leader Bob Dole, who recently returned from the peace negotiations in the Kosovo region, testified yesterday that Congress should wait to debate the deployment of American troops there until an agreement between the parties in the region has first, in fact, been reached. In fact, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has said the same exact thing. Delicate negotiations continue to take place in Europe, even as we debate this today. There is a plan to have the sides meet in 1 week to try to work out an agreement. And over the last few days hopes have been raised that such an agreement may be possible, even as heavy weapons pour into the area and shelling wracks the countryside.”