Скачать или смотреть USA: WASHINGTON: BIPARTISAN GROUP KOSOVO PEACE MEETING

(13 May 1999) English/Nat

A group of Republican and Democratic House members are seeking congressional support for a separate Kosovo peace framework to negotiate with Russian legislators.

In reaction, the Clinton administration denounced the effort as uncoordinated freelance diplomacy.

A group of eleven members of Congress met with representatives from the Russian Duma in Vienna late last month and worked out a framework for achieving a negotiated settlement in Kosovo.

Representative Curt Weldon, (Republican-Pennsylvania), leader of the bipartisan group, told the House International Relations Committee that the conflict was driving a wedge between the United States and Russia.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Mr Chairman, we think we have a document that for the first time we think can rally Democrats and Republicans, can allow us to come together and support this administration's effort to find an honourable solution to this conflict. One that the Russians are fully behind us. I'm concerned Mr Chairman, because if we don't take this opportunity, we're going to continue to drive the Russians away from us."
SUPER CAPTION: Representative Curt Weldon, (Republican-Pennsylvania)

The panel is considering a non-binding resolution to support the group's blueprint for peace - one that parallels most NATO demands but also would give Russia and China a say in the composition of a peacekeeping force.

Senior Democrat on the Committee, Representative Sam Gejdenson of Connecticut, denounced the initiative as bad policy.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I do think there is a problem with offering an alternative at this time and the interesting thing to me is that if Democrats or Democrats and Republicans had done this during the Gulf War, there would have been charges of treason."
SUPER CAPTION: Representative Sam Gejdenson, (Democrat of Connecticut)

Federal law prohibits private citizens from negotiating with foreign governments.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think we can afford to have one negotiator at a time and I think we send a very confusing message to both our allies and adversaries when we try to put a straight jacket on the Secretary of State's negotiating position. "
SUPER CAPTION: Representative Sam Gejdenson, Democrat of Connecticut,

Gejdenson's remarks brought angry responses from committee Republicans and one Democratic member of the delegation that met with the Russians.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"When you started you said the gentlewoman from Florida and that's nice but I am not a gentlewoman and if anyone thinks I was involved in treason or negative, I would ask them to step outside."
SUPER CAPTION:Representative Corrine Brown, (Democrat, Florida)

The State Department voiced opposition to congressional consideration of the resolution, even a non-binding one.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Our efforts are not helped and indeed they are hurt by uncoordinated freelance efforts at negotiating with Milosevic. One thing is consistent and constant about Milosevic, he always seeks to drive wedges, to split parties, he is a classic dictator who has learned to divide his opponents to conquer them. He has famously miscalculated NATO's resolve to see its action end on the alliance's terms - but his miscalculations are fed by any who send him mix messages about our resolve."
SUPER CAPTION: Thomas Pickering, U.S. Undersecretary of State

The proposal contains many features sought by NATO, including withdrawal of Serb forces from Kosovo and an armed international peacekeeping presence.


Both nations have insisted on an end to the bombing.

SOUNDBITE: (English)



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