Russ Feingold: “the deployment to Bosnia of the International Force [IFOR] has passed its midway mark and I would like to review with my…”

“the deployment to Bosnia of the International Force [IFOR] has passed its midway mark and I would like to review with my colleagues what I believe has been accomplished to date, the many questions yet unanswered by the Administration, as well as the dangerous pitfalls I see on the road ahead. Mr. President, I was one of those who voted against the deployment of U.S. troops to Bosnia, to take part in the NATO-led effort to enforce the military provisions of the Dayton Accord. I was skeptical then, and remain so today, of Administration assertions that U.S. strategic interests in Central Europe or in the ``future of NATO'' justified this costly investment of troops and resources abroad. I took with a grain of salt Administration promises that U.S. troops would be out of Bosnia in a year's time and Administration assurances that it would work to level the military playing field between Serbs and Muslims. I maintained then--I reiterate today--that it is the Congress--the Congress--which had to authorize the deployment, after thorough consultation with the Administration. From all reports coming out of Bosnia, we are now paying the piper for moving without the careful deliberation and consideration of pros and cons that a real policy debate would have engendered.”