Congressional Record Statements
Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, 1 year people, mostly civilian today, the Republics of Slovenia and Ian were dead. Dozen of Croatian Croatia declared theft? Independence, Only hours later, the Yugoslav Ann’s launched an attack on Slovenia, This attack was the opening salvo In a barbaric war that has raged with in rubble and for Milosevic Croatia was just intensity for 1 year now—a practice, for Bosnia-Herzog war waged by Serbian President Slobo vina Milosevic and his band of crime- Milosevic Atlanta all those who nails just getting darted In Crow~ stand In the way of an ethnically pure atria They took their. Weapons and greater Serbia. Hitler-like tactics U) Bosnia. Milosevic is an old-style. Communist in Bosnia in Just it waits, over dictator, and a virulent nationalist In 40,000 people hate beta killed In the the mold of a Saddam Hussein, or yes most brutal fashion. Serb forces under even an Adolph Hitler. What he wants Is Belgrade’s direction targeted the not to advance the legitimate Interne*s people of Bosnia-Muslims, Croats, of the Serbian people—have Indeed and 3qbs, Yes Serbs and their cull those people have Interests just as lecture and livelihoods, Over a million intimate as those of the other tops Bosnians have been fetched from their which made up the former Yugoslavia. Homes. Thousands are in concentraEut Milosevic Is not about advancing Lion camps. And tens at thousands these interests but advancing his own 4ace imminent starvation in the cap-perverted agenda. That Is why the fatal of Sarajevo, and its suburbs.
Democratic Opposition of Serbia is surrounded by Serb forces perched planning another protest this weekend on the hillsides with marten, how it-In Belgrade protest against Melrose- zeros and cannons, Sarajevo has tic and his policies of war and repress- become a valley of death. Soon. . Cease fire come and go, and every Mr. President, as we look back over? Is news of yet another -events of this inst year. We see that strike against Innocent and even though Slovenia was the first to helpless civilians. Just yesterday. Serb be attacked by the Serbeontrofled militias gunned down a hospital bus in Yugoslav Army, Slovenia was the luck- Sarajevo. Killing a doctor and wounds lest of the Republics of the former in two nurses. Yugoslavia Milosevic and his fellow It Has been 12 months since slovenly thugs found ft too difficult to sustain was attacked. Why didn’t we respond? war in Slovenia, since Slovenia does to this aggression 12 months ago? not share * border with Serbia, More- Why did we wait so long? Over, Slovenia don not have * Serbian The international community should minority in whose name Milosevic have blown the whistle on Milosevic could claim to act. Months and months ago.
Other Republics were far less forte- Tragically, the world community Renate. Croatia next In line, came under sponge has been too little and late, more vicious attack. And, altar 10 wants at War, one-third of Croatia Just hope we are not too late.
I hope we are not too late lot the people of Bosnia And I hone that we are not too late for the other people of the former Yugoslavia who have not yet fully Mt the wrath on the
Belgrade war machine. We must consider whether the genocide In Bosnia is just a prelude to mass annihilation of the 2 million Albanians would live hi Kosovo.
What Is absolutely clear Is, that action must be taken now to end Milo-civics murderous rampage. I sin not suggesting unilateral military action.
Earlier this week, I called on NATO to begin immediately to implement a four point pratfall
First to authorize the use of alliance forces, if necessary, to reestablish peace in Bosnia and other threatened areas of the former Yugoslavia, such as Kosovo. Second, organic a standby force with the military o accomplish several urgently needed Initial tasks To close the airspace over Bosnia; To protect convoys of desperately needed humanitarian supplies, To plan for air strikes, if feasible, against Serbian positions in Brie, lad In Serbia. ?Third. consult with the CSCE, the United Nations and other appropriate
bodies. soperations using fourth issue an ultimatum to Milosevic to end his aggression and pull back his forces or face the consequences . so the bottom line is that Milosevic must be stopped now and in my view only NATO Is capable of stopping him
May 21, 1992
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE
S 7143
133
?KOSOVO
Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I received an urgent letter today from Bujar flu-koshi, the head of the government in exile of Kosovo. As my colleagues know1 the 2 million Albanians who live in Kosovo have been deprived of their fundamental Political and human rights. They have lived, for more than 3 years now, under the crushing weight, of repression. They are prisoners in Europe’s largest concentration camp run by Slobodan Milosevic.
But, despite their great suffering, the spirit and courage of the Albanian people thrives. That is evident in the letter sent to me by Prime Minister Bukoshi. He wrote to inform me about the elections that will take place in Kosovo this weekend; elections which the hard line Serbian Government in Belgrade has vowed to prevent These elections were called by Kosovo’s government In exile 3 weeks ago. Predictably, the Serbian Government has pronounced these elections illegal. Prime Minister Bukoshi conveyed to me his deep concern for the safety of the Albanians who participate In these elections. He warns that there could be a massacre in Kosovo this weekend. Mr. President, I don’t think that the Prime Minister’s concerns are far-fetched; indeed the shocking brutality of the Belgrade war machine, in Bosnia-Herzegovina makes violence against the Kosovo Albanians a very real possibility.
Nevertheless, the people of Kosovo are committed to the democratic patties. They are determined to pursue democracy even under the threat of brutal force. They have not been intimidated by the Serbian Government; they have not been weakened by the strain of martial law. The Albanians are going forward with these elections regardless of the consequences. Prime Minister Bukoshi, said in his letter, We are determined to defend our basic rights of free elections and proper representation.? He went on to say that as long as the Albanians of Kosovo do not have the right to choose their representatives and decide their future, There cannot be peace and democracy in either the former Yugoslavia or Europe.? Mr. President, Prime Minister Bukoshi is right. There will be no real peace In Europe until the Milosevic regime Is stopped, and until the Albanians of Kosovo are free. I will be watching this weekend?s events In Kosovo very closely, as will many of my colleagues. The Milosevic regime must know that its every move will be noted by the Senate and by the American people. Just this morning. the Senate unanimously passed the Yugoslavia sanctions bill This action clearly reflects the Senate view that Serbia Is a pariah state. And, any use of force against the Albanians by the Serbian military or Serbian police this weekend will only make the Senate more determined to Isolate and punish the Serbian Government.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous con-sent that Prime Minister Bukoshi’s letter be printed In the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
May 18. 1992.
Hon. Rosrurr Dots.
Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC
Dear Senator DoIe I am addressing this message of utmost urgency to you in a very difficult time for the three million Albanian brothers and sisters In the former Yugoslav-ia, and especially In Kosovo. Since May 4, 1992, when the Kosovo Parliament in Exile and the Government of Kosovo decreed to hold the elections in Kosovo (May 24, 1992) the already serious situation there has deteriorated even further. Serbia’s Government statement that no election will be permitted in Itosova be-cause they have been called by “. . . a non-existent Government, which Is in exile and Is illegal? has put us in a collision course with Serbia’s Armed Forces and Polka We are determined to defend our basic rights of free elections, and proper representation If the Albanian majority In Kosovo does not have the right to choose Its political representatives freely, and to decide how it would like to live, there cannot be peace and democracy in either the former Yugoslavia or Europe. Dear Senator: Your August 1990 visit to Kosovo has saved many human lives. Our people are fully aware of, and very grateful for it. Your powerful voice has repeatedly been a deterrent against Milosevic’s non-trusties in Kosovo, and elsewhere, Mil-lions of Albanians, who rely on and respect many friends around the world consider you, Senator, as their most powerful friend who has seen firsthand their suffering, and has always helped.
Today, we are facing a new and dangerous threat the onslaught by the Serbian Armed Forces and Police against the defenseless Albanian population in Kosovo.
The Impending massacre In Kosovo will make the massacres in Bosnia look ?a minor incident? compared to the ferociousness the criminals of Serbia are ready and whiling to show in Kosovo. We appeal to you to use your great moral authority in an effort to forestall what could be turned out to be a massacre of major proportions against our people in Kosovo. Again, thank you
Very truly yours,
flit Busaa Bukoshi,
Prime Minister, Government of the Republic of Kosovo
Mr. RIEGLE. Mr. President, will the Senator yield? I would like to associate myself with his remarks, and thank him for the statement on the Issue.
Mr. DOLE. I thank the Senator from Michigan.
Mr. PRESSLER. I would like to be associated with the remarks.
Mr. DOLE. I thank the Senator from South Dakota and the Senator from Michigan, who have been long-time supporters of the efforts to help free the Albanians, who are I think In the largest concentration camp in Yugoslavia in their own Province of Kosovo,
Vol. 138WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992No. 25
Congressional Record
ALBANIANS OF KOSOVO STRUG-GLE FOR 3 YEARS UNDER MARTIAL LAW
Mr. PELL. Mr. President. later this week, the Albanians of Kosovo will mark a somber anniversary. Three years ago on February 28. 1989, the Government of Serbia Imposed a state of martial law on Kosovo, borne to 2 mullion ethnic Albanians. Although the 1974 Yugoslav Federal Constitution after lanced Kosovo’s autonomous status. the Government. of Serbia ignored the law and abolished Kosovo’s autonomous status as well as its parliament. I believe it Is Important to commemorate this anniversary and.
accordingly. I recently joined In Introducing Senate Resolution 257. which calls attention to the plight of the Albanian population In Kosovo.
Mr President. in the past several months, much of our attention on the Balkans has focused on the conflict between Serbia and Croatia. Our concentration on that conflict Is understandable: ,An estimated 10.000 lives have been lost In a war that has threatened both reform and stability in the region. However. I believe that the situation in Kosovo is also a potential powder keg, and if ignited, it could lead to chaos not only in the former Yugoslavia. but in neighboring countries as well.
Even if the potential threat to regional security did not exist, however. I believe that from a human rights perspective, the Kosovo situation de-serves more attention than it has been receiving, During the last year. conditions have worsened, and some observers suggest that the Serbian Government has taken advantage of the war In Croatia, which has distracted inter-national attention, to step up its brutalization of the Albanians of Kosovo. In its recently released human rights report for 1991, the State Department found that: In the autonomous province of Kosovo, Serbian authorities intensified repressive measures against the majority Albanian population, eliminating virtually all Albanian-language schooling. They arrested and beat hundreds of Albanians on trumped-up charges and suppressed the Albanian community’s attempt to organize a referendum
on Kosovo’s future.. In March. Serbian police and army troops in Belgrade used force to repress large-scale opposition demonstrations to demand the Serbian Government’s ouster, resulting in two deaths and hundreds of injuries.
These actions by the Serbian Government are unjustified and unacceptable, and the United States must speak out more loudly against them.
Mr. President, a delicate cease-fire Is holding In Croatia, and the United Nations Security Council recently voted to send a peacekeeping force to the region. These are hopeful signs, but much more needs to be done to ensure the peace in the former Yugoslavia. The Issue of Kosovo must be ad-dressed in this context.
I would urge the administration to do so, and I would hope that the U.N. sponsored negotiations and the European Community sponsored peace conference on the former Yugoslavia will Include representatives from Kosovo, and that the Issue of Kosovo will figure prominently on the agenda.
February 27,
1992.
CONGRESSIONAL? RECORD SENATE
“We can’t sit around. We can’t Ret spoiled, making a false statement to Congress. We’ve got to act, It’s going to take persist- His penalty: probation and a $50 fine. once. It’s going to take determination. Mr. President, what was obvious 9 lie then quoted Coolidge on how nothing months ago is more obvious now. The can lake the place of persistence. Justice Department can do the mop? I would urge you when you leave here and go back borne that you be determined tip work needed to finish this investing persistent.
And if you are and work it gation. that way and get the people to work for you, we will re-elect one of the finest presidents this nation has ever had, said. Standing ovation.
WALSH KEEPS GOING AND GOING
Mr. DOLE. Mr. President. 9 months- ago this week, I sent a letter to then- Attorney General Dick Thornburgh, suggesting that the time had come to close down the Office of Iran-Contra Independent Counsel. Lawrence Walsh. Given the fact that the courts were overturning the convictions and throwing out the indictments won by Mr. Walsh, I concluded that the Justice Department could do a much better Job, at a greatly reduced cost. Today. Mr. Walsh, like the? Eveready Rabbit? In television commercials. Just keeps on going, and going, and going. And he keeps on spending and spending and spending tax dollars on a case that is going absolutely nowhere. Today, despite the fact that nearly a year and a half ago, Mr. Walsh, himself, said that the end of his investigation was near; there is no sign that Mr. Walsh will ?pull the plug? on his exercise In futility.
In fact, in a story in Monday’s Washington Times, Mr. Walsh Is quoted as saying that
when It comes to his investigation, It’s perfectly clear were talking [about] a long
time. Months, Not weeks. The article also revealed that Mr. Walsh hiss now turned over the day-today operation of the investigation to his deputy, and remains in Oklahoma 3 weeks out of 4, working on his book on the Investigation. And while Mr. Walsh fiddles with his book, his Investigation—housed In some of the most expensive Washington, DC offices—continues to burn tax dollars. Mr. Walsh himself, admits, that the investigation has cost at least $30 million. Others put the price tag much higher—perhaps
as much as $100 million when you include costs to the Justice Department, the Federal
courts. the CIA, and other agencies. And while Mr. Walsh may have the luxury of
an unlimited budget, those whom be is Investigating do not. The Washington Times
also reported that Joe Fernandez, a CIA officer, who was the subject of Mr. Walsh’s investigation, spent nearly $2 million to defend himself against charges that were eventually dropped. Richard Second could not afford his attorneys
anymore, after his legal bills went over the $1.2 million mark, so he opted to plead guilty to a charge of I for one, think that Mr. Walsh should now have the opportunity to work full-time on his memoirs.
And it we are serious about tax relief, closing the doors of Mr. Walsh’s taxpayer-funded
luxurious multimillion-dollar operation would be a good first step. Mr. BRYAN assumed the chair.
THREE YEARS OF MARTIAL LAW IN KOSOVO
Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, this week marks the third year of martial law in Kosovo, a province In the former Yugoslavia with a population that is over 90 percent Albanian. While democracy and freedom have triumphed in the rest of Eastern Europe, the future of democracy and freedom in Kosovo Is uncertain—indeed, it is only a fading hope in the hearts of the 2 million Albanians who live there, in the police state created by hardliner Siobodan Milosevic, the President of Serbia, part of the former Yugoslavia.
For more than 1,000 days. The Albanians of Kosovo have suffered great hardship under the crushing weight of Milosevic’s repression. For more than 1,000 days, Albanians have been forbidden to meet, to speak their minds. To express themselves politically or even culturally, to work peacefully, to earn a decent living. For more than 1,1300 days, the Albanians have lived with minimal food and virtually no medical care. But, worst of all, for more than 1.000 days, the Albanians of Kosovo have bad to live In a state of absolute fear and tenor. You may ask, what has life been like for the Albanian people in Kosovo during these past 3 years? I would like to share some facts with my colleagues: Albanian children have been barred from secondary schools in Kosovo, and only a small percentage of Albanian children my attend elementary school; Over 100.000 Albanians have been fired from their Jobs on political grounds; Over 2.000 Albanian medical professionals. Doctors and nurses have been fired; Nearly 250 civilians have been wounded by police during peaceful demonstrations; One hundred and five people have been killed by police since January 1. 1989, including 16 children; the assembly of Kosovo was shut down and Kosovo lost the political autonomy It had enjoyed for nearly three decades. Mr. President, when I visited Kosovo in July of 1990, I was shocked by the inhumane treatment of the Albanians by the Serbian authorities. I saw the S 2615
police in action; People were being tear-gassed and clubbed by police. At the time, 1 did not believe that the situation could worsen; But, Mr. President, I was wrong. It has worsened and terribly so.
Living In Kosovo Is living in a nightmare. The situation has so deteriorated politically,
economically, physically—that I doubt any of us can imagine the true extent of the
Albanian’s? Suffering. Mr. President. it Is important to remember why the ?Albanians are suffering. tie Albanians of Kosovo are suffering because they wanted, and still want, democracy and freedom. And. Under Slobodan Milosevic’s rule, wanting democracy
and freedom Is a crime punishable by death. Kosovo’s political leaders, Dr. Rug ova, Bujar Bukoshi bave pursued the goal of democracy peacefully, something’s secretly; they have not resorted to violence. Nevertheless, these efforts to bring democracy at Kosovo have been met with brutal violence and systematic repression. Albanian representatives have no voice in Kosovo or outside it. Because of Milosevic’s
opposition, Albanian representatives from Kosovo are being excluded from the European
Community sponsored peace conference on Yugoslavia—despite the -fact that Albanians
constitute the third largest ethnic group in what used to be Yugoslavia. Mr. President. events in Slovenia. Croatia. Bosnia. and Macedonia have brought Yugoslavia to an end. Yugoslavia is dead. That Is why It Is absolutely critical that Albanian representatives from Kosovo be allowed to participate in negotiations that will determine the
future of the 2 million Albanians in Kosovo. Mr. President, 2 weeks ago, the distinguished
Senator from New York. Senator DAMATO, introduced a resolution. (S. Ret 257), regarding the plight of the Albanian people in Kosovo I am proud to be a cosponsor. in my view, the I resolution is important because It calls on the United States to:
First, press for the immediate inclusion of an Albanian representative from Kosovo at the EC peace conference; second, condemn the Government of Serbia on this occasion of the
third anniversary of the Imposition of martial law on Kosovo; third, urge the United Nations to immediately send observers to Kosovo to monitor the situation there; and fourth, strongly support the aspirations of the Albanian people in Kosovo for democracy and self-determination .Mr. President, I urge my colleagues who have not familiarized themselves with Senate Resolution 257 to do so and to cosponsor this very important resolution. The United States must get more involved on the side of freedom and democracy in what used to be Yugoslavia. America Is the leader of the free world and the
Albanians of Kosovo are looking to us to help lead them to freedom.
United States of America
Congressional Record
PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 102 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
vol. 138WASHINGTON, TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 25, 1992No.23
RECOGNITION QF THE CONSTI-
TUTIONAL RIGHTS OF ETHNIC
ALBANIANS IN MACEDONIA IS
ESSENTIAL
lION. TOM LANTOS
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPEESENTATIVES
Tuesday, February 25, 1992
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker. as we have witnessed the establishment of independent re-publics in the territory that was formerly Yugoslavia, there are rising concerns about the protection of the civil and human rights of all ethnic nationalities and in particular the rights of ethnic Albanians. The latest area of grave concern, Mr. Speaker, is with ethnic Albanians in the Re-.public of Macedonia. In a recent referendum, the people of Macedonia voted that their Re-public should become independent The Re-public of Macedonia. However, includes a significant Albanian population. The last census of Yugoslavia. which was taken a decade ago, indicates that 20 to 25 percent of Macedonia’s population are Albanian. That number is wed above that ratio today, and it may well exceed 40 percent of the population. Unfortunately the newly proclaimed Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia, which recently went into effect does not provide guarantees of minority rights for the Albanians and other ethnic minorities In Macedonia. There are disturbing patterns emerging. Mr. Speaker, that raise questions about how this Albanian population is being treated. There are two in-stances that I would like to bring to the attention of my colleagues.
The first involves collusion between government officials in the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia. As you know, the Serbian Government has consistently followed a policy of suppressing the Albanian majority in the autonomous Province of Kosovo. Just a few days ago. two leaders of the Albanian community in Macedonia were invited to the United States to meet with members of the Congress and others in our country to present their case. In order to fly to the United States. they had to receive appropriate visas from our closest U.S. Embassy. which is in Belgrade. capitol of the Republic of Serbia. When they arrived in Serbia. they were arrested by Semi-an police and prevented from getting to the American Embassy to receive their travel documents. The following day when they attempted to board the flight to the United States. they were forcefully removed from the plane.
Mr. Speaker. this collusion between the Government of Macedonia and Serbia is a serious violation of human rights. These Albanian leaders were denied the right of free movement and travel, freedom of speech to present their case, and they were subject to police harassment and intimidation. I urge my colleagues to join me in condemning this action by Serbian police officials and the collusion of officials of the Macedonian Republic.
The second instance of concern relates to the educational opportunities provided for Albanians in Macedonia. In the Macedonian capital of Skcnte last year there were some 6,000 students who completed the eighth grade. Of those students, 3,800 were Macedonians and 3.200 were Albanians. For the 3,800 Macedonians, there were some 30 schools with instruction in the Macedonian language where they could continue their education. For the 3,200 Albanians, there was 1
school with 3 classes with instruction in the Albanian language-a total of 120 places for 3,200 students
it was incidents like these two that I have desalted, Mr. Speaker, that led Albanians in Macedonia to organize and conduct a roferendurn of ethnic Albanians in Macedonia on January 11-12 of this year. The question on the ballot was & either Albanians should be given political-territorial autonomy within the Mace. domain Republic. The vote was overwhelming in favor.
The Assembly for Political-Terri tonal Autonomy of Ethnic: Albanians in Macedonia wrote to the Council of Ministers of the European Community raising the issue of the treatment of Albanians hi Macedonia and requesting recognition and acceptance of their justified claim for political end territorial autonomy.
Mr. Speaker. I ask that this letter be placed in the Record and I urge my colleagues to reao it. it raises serious questions that must be considered before the status of the Republic of Macedonia can be recognized.
The ASSEMPLY FOR POLITICAL-TERRITORIAL Autonomy OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN MACEDONIA.
Gostivar, Macedonia, February 12, 1992.
THE Couxctz. or Monarchs or THE EUROPEAN
COMMUNITY.
Data Saw The Assembly for Political- territorial Autonomy of Ethnic Albanians In Macedonia highly appreciates the efforts made by the Commission of Arbitration for the solution to the crisis in the axes of the former Yugoslavia, particularly their engagement for the protection of human rights through the right for self-determination We read with a special interest the part of the Commission’s report that deals with Macedonia’s recognition by the EC and Its member states, We have noticed, with regret, in this report that the Commission has not taken Into consideration the Indisputable natural, historical and current facts
of life and activity of about 4O% of the total-population of Macedonia the ethnic Albanians, who declared themselves for the political-territorial autonomy of the territory Inhabited by theta in the Referendum held on Jan. 11 and 12. 1992.
What follows is only a short list of Indisputable facts that were underestimated or ignored in the Commission’s report:
(1)ethnic Albanians in Macedonia live on their lands as an auto chthoraous people:
(2)ethnic Albanians in Macedonia comprise a compact entity in the territory where they live;
(3) ethnic Albanians are a national entity distinguished by their own customs, characteristics. language:
(4) ethnic Albanians constitute the majority of the population of the region inhabited by them;
(5)the sovereign and nation-building status of ethnic Albanians guaranteed by article 1 of the 1974 Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia is degraded in the current Constitution to national minority states.
(6) there Is no mechanism such as consensus for instance, for the protection of human and collective rights of ethnic Albanians and other nationalities:
(7) the collective and individual human rights and freedom of Macedonians arc not limited according to the current Constitution whereas for non-Macedonians there are many limitations, All these facts also were underestimated and ignored in the current Constitution adopted on Nov. 17. 1991. On the occasion we express our convictions that ethnic Albanians in Macedonia are not against the independence of Macedonia and her recognition by the EC and its member states, on condition that their political -territorial autonomy is recognized as a step towards finding the right and just solution to the Alabamian question. In accordance with Final Helsinki Act of 1975 and the Paris Chart for a new Europe in 1990, which documents recognize the right for self-do-termination to all peoples, In the Referendum for Political-Territorial Autonomy of Ethnic Albanians in Macedon’s held In Jan. 11 and 12. 1992 th 17 municipalities (out of 34 in total in Macedonia) took part 360.928 voters out of 383,539 voters in total out of which 99.90% voted FOR the Political-Territorial Autonomy of the Ethnic Albanians In Macedonia.
On the basis of the above-mentioned facts we would like to let you know that without the solution to the ethnic Albanian question in Macedonia, that is, without the federalization of Macedonia, this region will remain unstable and volatile and will continuously threaten peace both in the area of the former Yugoslavia and the Balkans in general. Therefore we ask you to reconsider the statements In the report on Yugoslavia by the Commission of Arbitration concerning the international recognition of Macedonia.
Before making the decision on the recognition of Macedonia. the EC should take Into consideration the following facts: that ethnic Albanians did not vote for the cur-rent Constitution of Macedonia. that the population census in Macedonia is partially carried out and consequently the national structure of Macedonia Is not known and that ethnic Albanians declared themselves for political-territorial autonomy. For these reasons the EC. Before making the decision for the recognition of Macedonia. should made efforts for the realization of a new total population census of Macedon-nit under the supervision of the international institutions because Macedonians are not a majority population in Macedonia in comparison with all the others who live in it: The EC should engage In making changes in the current Constitution. and respect the political will of the ethnic Albanian people in Macedonia.
Continuation of House Proceedings of February 5, 1992, Issue
No. 13; and Proceedings of February 6, 1992, Issue No. 14.
Congressional Record
United States of America
PROCEEDINGS. AND DEBATES OF THE .102 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
Vol. 138WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1992No. 13
IN SUPPORT OP AUTONOMY
FOR ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN
MACEDONIA
HON. TOM LANTOS
or CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, February 5, 1992
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker. it has always been our Nation’s tradition to support the rights and aspirations of peoples who seek to express their will through peaceful and democratic means. In the Republic of Macedonia. formerly a pan of Yugoslavia. approximately 1 million ethnic Albanians are attempting to do just that. It is Imperative that we in Congress act to facilitate (heir objectives.
The ethnic Albanian population in Macedonia has long been treated by Macedonia officials as second class citizens. in fact, discrimination against Albanians is widespread. Macedonia seems neither willing, ready, nor able to secure for all of its citizens full human rights and full protection of ethnic groups and mi-not
Most disturbingly, the electoral laws of the Republic of Macedonia overtly discriminate against ethnic Albanians by minimizing their number and thus denying them proper proportional representation in the elected bodies, as well as in the organs of the Government of Macedonia There is serious violation of the principle of ?one man-one vote.?
For example, during the 1990 elections, it took approximately 3,500 votes to elect a Macedonian representative to Parliament. In contrast, roughly 0,000 votes were required to elect on Albanian to the same body. Thus, only.19 percent of the Parliament is made up of ethnic Albanian legislators while current estimates indicate that as much as 40 percent of the population is made up of ethnic Albanians.
The disproportionate ratio in the Macedonian Parliament is indicative of a long history of underhanded methods used to repress the ethnic Albanian population. These tactics are intolerable.
Mr. Speaker, because of the repression and discrimination suffered by Albanians in the Re-public of Macedonia, the Albanians there held a referendum on political and territorial autonomy on January 11th and 12th of this year. That must be seen as a reflection of intolerable conditions for the Albanians. It must be our goat, Mr. Speaker, to assure full civil, political and human rights for this Albanian population.
United States of America
Congressional Record
PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 102 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
VoL 138WASHINGTON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 1992No. 1
RESOLUTION URGING UNITED
STATFE DIPLOMATIC RECOG-NITION OP ThE REPUBLIC OP KOSOVA
HON. TOM LANTOS
Of CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Friday, January 3, 1992
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, today, a number natives of Kosovo must function as a ?Govern-of my colleagues and I have Introduced a ment-in-Exile” because of the repressive ac-House concurrent resection which expresses lions of the Government of the Republic of the sense of the Congress that the President Serbia.
should recognize the independence of the Re-The Republic of Kosovo is composed of public of Kosovo and extend full United States roughly 00 percent ethnic Albanians, yet these. diplomatic recognition to that Republic. I have Albanians are repressed in their own land. been joined In intruding Vt resolution by a The Republic of Serbia has Imposed severe number of my distinguished colleagues In the restrictions at freedom of speech, freedom of Congress, Mr. BROOMFIELD, the ranking mi- movement, freedom to work, and subjected minority member of the Foreign Affairs Commit- ethnic Albanians to illegal Imprisonment and tee Mr. BONIOR. the majority whip: Mr. the violation of their fundamental civil arid GILMAN, the ranking minority member of the human tights. These are not unsupported as-Subcommittee on Europe and the Middle sections, Mr. Speaker. These are charges that East arid Mr. Swut of New Hampshire. have been documented by our own State Us-All of us in the Congress, Mr. Speaker have paitnert in the annual Country Reports en witnessed with honor and dismay the tragic vi- Human Rights Practices for the past several olence and bloodshed which has taken place Yaws.
as a result of the ethnic violence between In the pest 2 years. we have witnessed the Serbs and Croatians in the former Yugoslav transformation of the fumier Soviet Union and Federation. That has taken place because of Cents and Eastern Europe. The process the failure to recognize the sovereign rights of that’s taking place In Yugoslavia is dimply an-the Yugoslav constituent republics and the other facet of that great ençtion of democratic failure to acknowledge arid observe the civil cy. The U.S. Government has welcomed the and human rights of these people. Independence and international sovereignty of
It Is Important that this mistake not continue Resale. Ukraine. Byelorussia, Kazakhstan, Ut, with regard to the Republic of Kosovo. There bekistan. Armenia. and the tivee Baltic Re, Is to question that the Republic of Kosovo publics of Lithuania. tame, and Estonia, arid has had a sovereign and recognized Identity hi other newly emerging peoples It is essential the past The Yugoslav Constitution of 1946 that we also recognize the sovereign will of recogr Szed the special aitonornous status of the Albanian people of Kosovo by recognizing Kosovo, and the 1974 Yugoslav Constitution their right to determine their own future and ? Continued to recognize Kosovo as one of the statue.
eight sovereign constituent territorial purist’s The people of Kosovo have expressed their comprising the Yugoslav Federation, wish for independence. In a popular reference
it has only been In the past few years that dump held in Kosovo during the period Sep-the status of Kosovo has been suppressed member 26-30, 1991. over 81 percent of the and denied by the Republic of Serbia In eligible voters of that Republic expressed their March of 1989. the Serbian Parliament denied opinion on Independence for Kosovo, and an the . autonomous status of Kosovo, and astonishing 99.81 percent of those who voted through action that was in violation of the favored Kosovo’s independence from Vugo-Yugoslav Federal Constitution denied and slavia. suppressed rights of the people of Kosovo. Mr. Speaker, the final act of the Helsinki .The suppression of the elected Government Conference on Security and Cooperation In of Kosovo and the imposition of martial law by Europe noted that ?aD peoples have the right, the Republic of Serbia followed this illegal and in luli freedom, to determine, when and as unconstitutional action. The elected represent
they wish, their internal and external political the United Nations the Final Act Of the
status, without external interference, and to Conference on Security and Co-operation In
Europe, the Charter of Paris for a new pursue as they wish their political. economic, Europe and other documents of the Confer sooai and cultural development .”once on Security and Cooperation In Europe Mr. Speaker, the people of Kosovo have misting to the Human Dimension: and the clearly and unequivocally expressed their wish Council of Europe convention for the Pro- 10 be independent of Yugoslavia end become section of Human Rights and Fundamental a sovereign state. We should recogrnc the Freedoms, including the protocols to that will of the people of Kosovo and extend to Conventlom
Whereas the Government of Kosovo has them diplomatic recognition, just ss we have affined its willingness to accept and ob-extended diplomatic recognition b other peo-serve all commitments and obligations de-pies of the former Soviet Union. I urge my cot-fined by the European Community as pie-leagues to join us in cosponsoring this resolu-condition. for the formal recognition of lion. Yugoslav republics wishing to be recognized as set forth In the Declaration on Yugoslav.
H. ConIs adopted Ln the Extraordinary Ministerial Resolution to express the sense of the Con-Meeting of the European Community in tress that the President should recognize Brussels on December 16. 1991.
The independence of the Republic of Whereas the Government of Kosovo has
Kosovo and extend full United States dip-affirmed Its support for the efforts of the
Lorna tic recognition United Nations and the European Corning Whereas Kosovo was constitutionally density to resolve the continuing conflict between the Republics of Serbia and Croatia; fined as a sovereign territory in the First Whereas the Government of Germany National-Liberation Conference for Kosovahas extended diplomatic recognition to the On January 2. 1944. and this status was con-Republics of Croatia and Slovenia, and the finned in the Constitution of the Socialist European Community has established prim Federal Republic of Yugoslavia adopted in civics for the recognition of the In depend- 1946. and the amended Tugoslav constituency and sovereignty of republics of the Uon adopted In 1974 preserved the autono-former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugo- mow ststaa of Kosovo and described It as salvia and the Republic of Kosovo fully sat- one of the eight constituent territorialisfies those principles
of the tugoslav Federation, and the effort Whereas it has been the policy of the
of the Government of the Republic of United States for over two centuries to ret-
Serbia to abolish the autonomous status ofognise and extend full diplomatic relations
Kosovo through the ado$Ion of an unlaw-to those nations whose people have freely
fut constitutional amendment on March 23.expressed their sovereign wish for lndepend-
1989, was done without the consent of theence and recognition as a sovereign state:
People of Kosovo: Whereas the Congress has traditionally.
Whereas the elected Assembly of Kosovo’s supported the rights of peoples to peaceful
adopted a Declaration of independence of and democratic self-determination; and
Kosovo on July 2, 1990, and proclaimed the Whereas pursuant to article VIII of the
Republic of Kosovo and adopted a constituent-.Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Sc- tion of the Republic of Kosovo on Septem-curity and Cooperation 6 Europe, ?all peo-
ber 7, 1990, based on the principles of self-pies always have the right, In full freedom,
determination, equality and sovereignty: to determine, when and as they wtsh their
Whereas a popular referendum was held internal and external political status, with-
in Kosovo during the period September 26-out external interference, and to pursue as
30, 1991, and in this referendum, 87.01 per-they wish their political, economic, social
cent of .11 eligible voters cast ballots and cultural development”: Now, therefore.
99.87 percent of those participating voted in be it favor of declaring Kosovo independent of Resolved by the House of Representative the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslav-(the Senate concurring). That It Is the sense of the Congress that the President Whereas the elected Government of (1) should recognize the independence of Kosovo, which now functions as a govern-Kosovo and undertake steps toward the es-ment-in-exile because the Government establishment of full diplomatic relations the Republic of Serbia has forcibly denied with Kosovo and this freely-elected government the ability to (2) should use United States assistance. function on the territory of Kosovo, has of-trade, and other programs to support the firmed its commitment to obscene inter-na-Government of Kosovo and encourage tire tionally recognized obligations for the pro-further development of democracy and a section of human rights, including the free market economic system .international Covenant on Cit-il and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic Social, and Cultural Rights of
United Scares of America
Congressional Record
PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 102 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
VoL 137WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1991 Na 177—Pan
House of Represeniatives
SOME OVERLOOKED YUGOSLAV
—–TRAGEDIES
HON. STENY H. HOYER
OP MARYLAND
IN THE HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, November 26, 1991
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker surrounding the crisis end conflict which we see today in Yugoslavia are important controversiaL and intenelated issues such as the self-determina-hon of peoples, the changing of borders, civil-ian control of the military and the actions a state may take to prevent Its own breakup. AS
chairman of the Commission on Security and
Cooperation in Europe—the Helsinki Commis-sion.l have already addressed these issues
extensively. including here on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Today, however, I do -not want to address these issues, ?Cr to presribe any particular
scheme which I feel could provide a just and lasting solution to the crisis in Yugoslavia. In-stead. I want to raise one apect of the many
personal tragedies being experienced by those individuals caught up in the crisis, if not
the conflict Itself.
Consider what is confronting the many young people in Yugoslavia—with their hopes and dreams for a bnght future in what is sup-posed to be the most rated, prosperous. democratic. and peaceful Europe ever—who are now suddenly being mobilized to fight in a conflict they do not want. Many of them have fled rather than be drafted into the Yugoslav military and taken to the battlefield. Ethnic Hungarians lrom Vojvodina and ethnic Albani-ans from Kosovo in particular want to avoid being sent to fight in Croatia. they do not view this as a conflict of their making or as serving their interests. Indeed, marry young Serbs feel the same way. They know that the use of force is not the way to resolve differences. even in regard to what may be very legitimate concerns regarding the situation of Serbs in Croatia. just as they know wide-scale repres-sion is not the way to address what may have been legitimate concerns regarding Kosovo.
Unlortunately. the authorities have attempt-ed to silence through intlitidation those who seek to act upon their nghts to lree expres-sion and assembly to protest the Yugoslav Army’s waging of war in Croatia. Recently, or-ganizers of and participants in peacelul gath-enngs in Vojvodina and Kosavo faced official intimidation, harassment and detention, inde-pendent voices in Belgrade have also been harassed. and their officers vandalized. As one Belgrade-based opponent of the war re-cently said in a Financial Tries article ?We Are Threatened: Any Opposition to the War I
Tantamount to Treachery.?
More specifically, the avert in Voivodina are a tailing example of this problem. in early November, Nenad Canak of Hoyt Sad and Janos Szabo of Ada. who have been publicly critical of the fighting in Croalia and the calling up of reservists, were both arrested, possibly because of the antiwar prota Five others also face charges for being involved In a meeting protesting the conflict. Canak alleged-ly was informed that he was going to be
called up for military service. and Szabo was
reported to be undergoing medical treatment for a heart condition. I am extremely con-
cernedindividualonly
crime appears to have been their protest of the war in Croatia. In Kosovo, Atarians are reportedly taken right off the streets and put into service. Meanwhile, more and more young people regardless of their Sic back-ground are going to the front and being killed.
This. Mr. Speaker, is not to say that fault for the current crisis can only be found on one side. Croatia?s record in regard to press free-donts and respect for other basic human nghts has had its share of shortcomings a well. But today I wanted to focus on this one issue: the young people who are being sent to the front against their will to fight in this senseless evil war. Their — plight often overlooked, can be added to the tragedy of the thousands who have died in the battle and the hundreds of thousands who have lost thee homes and possessions. Their loss on the battlefield is the loss of yotdhft$ and eager talents that could have been put to much better use in the creation of a new era of de-mocracy and prosperity in the Yugoslav re-publics and provinces.
For their sake. and for the sake of future generations. I therefore strongly urge that those officials in Yugoslavia who are responsi-ble for the continuation of the conflict to bring the fighting to a complete halt now. Recourse to force as a means to achieve political ends has been condemned by the international community. including the participating states of the CSCE process. and its continued use can only bong greater diplomatic isolation and economic decline. I cannot see how this is in the interest of anyone involved.