IIA

106TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. J. RES. 12

Authorizing the conduct of air operations and missile strikes as part of

a larger NATO operation against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

(Serbia and Montenegro).

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

FEBRUARY 23, 1999

Mr. SPECTER introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice

and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

JOINT RESOLUTION

Authorizing the conduct of air operations and missile strikes

as part of a larger NATO operation against the Federal

Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro).

Whereas Congress strongly supports the men and women of

our military forces;

Whereas bomber and missile strikes constitute acts of war;

Whereas only Congress has the Constitutional prerogative to

authorize war;

Whereas the unilateral Presidential authorization of military

strikes, however well-intentioned, undercuts that power

established clearly in the Constitution for Congress to

make such decisions;
2

SJ 12 IS

Whereas the autonomy of Kosovo, a region in southern Serbia, was abolished by the Serbian leader, Yugoslav President, Slobodan Milosevic in 1989 and 1990;

Whereas conflict between ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and

Serbian police led by President Slobodan Milosevic has

resulted in over 2,000 deaths since the end of February

1998 and has displaced nearly 400,000 people;

Whereas over one-third of Kosovo’s villages and an estimated

4,000 homes have been deliberately damaged or destroyed;

Whereas the assault on the civilian population has been reported to include atrocities which could be considered war

crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide;

Whereas the international community has spoken out repeatedly against Serbian human rights abuses in Kosovo;

Whereas the instability in Kosovo represents a significant regional threat;

Whereas Yugoslav and Serbian officials, reportedly led by

Slobodan Milosevic, similarly instigated, organized and

directed aggressive action against civilians in Croatia in

1991, and in Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995;

Whereas peace was only restored to the region of the former

Yugoslavia in 1995 when Yugoslav and Serbian officials,

including Slobodan Milosevic, were confronted with the

clear resolve of the international community to use force

against them;

Whereas, on January 30, 1999, the NATO allies authorized

Secretary-General Solana to order air-strikes anywhere in

Yugoslavia, if a peace settlement was not accepted by the

deadline of February 20, 1999, and subsequently extended to February 23, 1999;
3

SJ 12 IS

Whereas the United States participation in NATO military

operations is important in maintaining the strength of

the NATO alliance generally; and

Whereas congressional support and cooperation with our

NATO allies will send an important signal of national resolve that would strengthen the ability of the United

States to bring the two sides together toward a peace

agreement in Kosovo: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 That the President is authorized to conduct air operations

4 and missile strikes against the Federal Republic of Yugo5 slavia (Serbia and Montenegro) for the purpose of bring6 ing about a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Kosovo.

Æ