Speech #1060024624

I rise today to address the difficult issues that are before us relative to U.S. involvement in the ongoing NATO military action in Yugoslavia. The United States. in consultation with its NATO allies. has determined that the instability caused by the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo is a threat to the security of Europe. Governments of NATO agreed unanimously on joint military action over a month ago. with the intention of forcing the government of Slobodan Milosevic to end its policy of ethnic cleansing and to allow safe restoration of the refugees to their homes. The one thing that I think Americans have learned is that it is wrong to stand idly by while such atrocities take place before our eyes. History has also taught us that it is better to head off a problem than to wait until the problem has spread. Today NATO remains committed to continuing its military operations until its three objectives. safe return and selfgovernment of the refugees. withdrawal of the Yugoslavian troops from Kosovo and the insertion of peacekeeping troops to protect the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo are met. I support these objectives. and I support U.S. military action in order to achieve them. How long this action will last.