WASHINGTON
- May 27 - A coalition of Congressional Democrats organized by Tennessee Congressman
Bob Clement and Illinois Congressman Rod Blagojevich, released a letter today
calling on President Clinton to impose a 72-hour cease-fire in the NATO bombing
campaign in Yugoslavia. The letter included signatures of more than two dozen
Democratic House Members who have supported the NATO bombing campaign. Clement
and Blagojevich made the announcement during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol.
"We are deeply concerned about the current situation in Kosovo and believe that
it is time to give diplomacy a chance," said U.S. Rep. Clement. "The best way
to demonstrate our commitment to resolving this conflict is a 72-hour cease-fire.
It is time for the United States and NATO to work with the Russians and others
to negotiate a peace settlement."
Blagojevich recently returned
from the successful mission to free three U.S. soldiers in captivity, led by Rev.
Jesse Jackson. Clement, a Colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard, toured
Bosnia last year, and saw first-hand the devastation and destruction in the war
torn region.
"Make no mistake- we support
the current mission in Yugoslavia. And we support NATO," said Clement. "But we
also support every effort at reaching a diplomatic solution for ending the Kosovo
conflict. It is time for the United States and NATO to show some real courage
and humility and allow diplomatic negotiations a chance to succeed."
Members who have signed
the letter include: U.S. Reps. James Barcia (MI); Rod Blagojevich (IL); Leonard
Boswell (IA); Michael Capuano (MA); Julia Carson (IN); Bob Clement (TN); John
Conyers (MI); Jerry Costello (IL); Elijah Cummings (MD); Danny Davis (IL); Anna
Eshoo (CA); Sam Farr (CA); Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX); Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick
(MI); Gerald Kleczka (WI); Jim McDermott (WA); Michael McNulty (NY); Carrie Meek
(FL); Gregory Meeks (NY); George Miller (CA); Major Owens (NY); Donald Payne (NJ);
David Phelps (IL); Bobby Rush (IL); Mark Udall (CO); and Melvin Watt (NC).
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