[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

KOSOVA: A NATION IN PERIL, PRIME MINISTER BUJAR BUKOSHI'S REMARKS

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HON. JAMES P. MORAN

of virginia

in the house of representatives

Thursday, May 16, 1996

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of my
colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, the grave situation that exists
in the Republic of Kosova. In this tenuous post-Dayton agreement
environment, the United States cannot idly stand by and wait for this
volatile situation to reach a crisis point. We must press for a moral
and equitable resolution to the Kosova question. I urge everyone in
this Chamber to read this speech by Dr. Bukoshi; his scholarly point of
view and firsthand knowledge present the Kosova issue in a succinct and
edifying way. The speech reads as follows:

Ignoring the Lessons of History in the Balkans

(By Dr. Bujar Bukoshi)

In the aftermath of the Dayton Accords, there remains
significant unfinished business to be handled by the
international community. Among this unfinished business is
the Kosova crisis.
Dayton recognized this reality. In fact, the document was
quite specific with respect to conditions that must be met by
Serbia-Montenegro before the so-called ``Outer Wall'' of
diplomatic, political and financial sanctions against the
Slobodan Milosevic regime would be lifted.
Regrettably, recent events confirm that some European
countries who signed the Accords have violated them by
prematurely extending diplomatic recognition to Serbia-
Montenegro. In doing so, Europe is setting the stage for a
new conflict.
It should also be noted that with respect to implementing
the Dayton Accords in Bosnia, the so-called ``Republika
Srpska'' has been extended de facto recognition, as NATO in
many instances has adopted what some have described as a
``can't do'' attitude toward implementation that has allowed
``Republika Srpska'' to escape many provisions of the
Accords.
In effect, the indicted war criminals [Radovan] Karadzic
and [Ratko] Mladic have won virtual statehood for ``Republika
Srpska.'' They have received something where there was
nothing.
In contrast with this is Kosova, which was recognized as
one of the eight political units of former Yugoslavia with
the rights and responsibilities accorded by that status. How
can the world expect Kosova, which had a distinct and
existing statehood, to now have nothing?
In Bosnia, and now by extending diplomatic recognition to
the forces of evil in Belgrade, some European countries have
exhibited a moral bankruptcy that should shock those who are
committed to peace, human rights, fairness, and justice.
Albanians in Kosova take such action as an insult that will
lead nowhere. By extending the mantle of diplomatic
recognition at the present time and under the present
geographic shape, the situation will lead to new crisis.
Recognition will never defuse the situation. To the
contrary, it sends a very bad message to the Albanians who,
for seven long years, have endured the apartheid imposed by
the Milosevic regime.
The message is simply this: Those who exhibit anti-social
behavior, who practice ethnic cleansing and perpetrate the
worst crimes against humanity since World War II will be
rewarded. Those who have fought oppression, who have stood
for freedom and democracy, who have resisted peacefully, will
be punished. In a cynical view of the situation, some
European countries seem intent on rewarding evil and
punishing good.
Although some European leaders have capitulated to the
sinister forces in Belgrade, the U.S. has--up until now--
maintained constant, consistent and committed. And we hope it
will continue to do so.
In my meeting with high-level State Department officials
Monday, they reiterated that the U.S. is not prepared to
recognize Belgrade, and that the ``Outer Wall'' sanctions
will remain in place.
They reaffirmed strong U.S. support for the non-violent
approach of the Kosova leadership in dealing with Serbian
repression in Kosova. They affirmed that the Kosova issue is
very high on the agenda and reconfirmed their desire to be
helpful in finding a peaceful solution. They said the U.S.
would continue to work with its allies in pursuit of such a
solution.
The U.S. position reflects an understanding of the lessons
of the past in the Balkans. Let us remember that in World War
I and World War II it was America that finally entered the
conflict and brought an end to the fighting.
Throughout the four decades of the Cold War, it was the
U.S. through its leadership of NATO that insured the peace
and the collapse of Communism. In Bosnia, the protracted
conflict continued until America took the initiative, brought
the aggressor together with the victims, and hammered out the
Dayton Accords.
We believe that U.S. leaders are looking at Kosova as an
opportunity for American leadership to be exerted before
there is a slaughter. This pro-active strategy would work,
provided America maintained the fortitude to finish the job.
As we move ahead in this post-Dayton period, the
international community would be well advised to recognize
the new realities and to remember the lessons of history.
Kosova is a state, and its political future must be
determined by its 2.2 million people. Serbia-Montenegro is a
pariah outcast. Evil must not be rewarded. You don't make the
criminal the policeman. Serbia cannot and should not be
granted mini-super power status.
If Serbia strengthens its alliance with a new Russian
coalition, the so-called ``USSR-II,'' that may result from
the June elections in Russia, a new Cold War may emerge, and
the very Serbia that some Europeans rush to recognize today
will become an enemy again, only this time more brutal, more
sinister and more potent.
Serbia wants to have it both ways: To become militarily
strong through arms from Russia, and to become economically
powerful through ties to the West. It cannot have it both
ways.
Baroness Margaret Thatcher said it best last August in
Aspen, Colorado: ``So what does history teach us? To me the
most significant lesson is: Never appease an aggressor. If we
do, he will only grow stronger and more confident, and to
secure his ultimate defeat will require greater effort and
greater sacrifice.''
The lessons of history are clear. Those who fail to learn
from mistakes of history are bound to repeat them. For our
part, the Albanians of Kosova would like to continue to
peacefully pursue freedom, justice and democracy. This is our
hope. This is our intention.

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