Letter to President Bush
BOB DOLE.
KANSAS
United States Senate
OFFICE OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADER
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-7020
May 22, 1991
The President
The White House
Washington
Dear Mr. President:
We are writing to express our growing concern about the deteriorating situation in Yugoslavia, and press reports that the Administration may be considering a resumption of American aid I Yugoslavia. As you know, current law authored by Senator Nickles -~ prohibits the provision of assistance,to Yugoslavia until (1) there is an. end to systematic human rights abuses and (2) there are free and fair elections in all six of Yugoslavia?s republics.
The refusal of the Serbian Republic and its allies in the Federal Presidency to permit Stipe Mesic to assume the Presiden is reason in itself to continue to withhold American aid, But is important to keep in mind that even should the Communist-run Serbian Government relent and permit Mr. Mesic to assume office the on~going pattern of gross human rights abuses documented by the State Department and many other responsible observers, particularly against the Albanian population of Kosova where martial law has been enforced for more than two years, and the failure of some of the republics to hold truly free and fair elections, will continue to disqualify Yugoslavia from receiving aid. Until significant progress is made on all these matters, the law prohibits the provision of any aid to Yugoslavia.
Mr. President, we know this is a particularly sensitive time in U.S.-Yugoslavian relations. We certainly share your determination that the United States not intrude in the internal affairs of Yugoslavia, or attempt to determine the future political structure of Yugoslavia. That is a matter solely up the people. of Yugoslavia to decide. But we do believe it is right, responsible and in our national interest for the United States to be positioned firmly on the side of democracy, and firmly against human rights abuses. We will be in that position if we follow the guidelines in existing law, and continue to withhold American aid until Yugoslavia and some of its constituent republics implement real reform.
Sincerely yours,
DON NICKLES
United States Senate
BOB DOLE
United States Senate