May 21, 1992
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE
S 7143
133


?KOSOVA
Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I received an urgent letter today from Bujar flu-koshi, the head of the government in exile of Kosova. As my colleagues know1 the 2 million Albanians who live in Kosova 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 prisons ers 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 Kosova this weekend, elections which the hardline Serbian Government in Belgrade has vowed to prevent
These elections were called by Koso-va?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 Kosova 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-Hercegovina makes violence against the Kosova Albanians a very real possibility.
Nevertheless, the people of Kosova are committed to the democratic pate-ess. They are determined to pursue de-mocracy even under the threat of brutal force. They have not been in-timidated by the Serbhjn 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 Kosova 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 Buko-shi is right. There will be no real peace In Europe until the Milosevlc regime Is stopped, and until the Albanians of Kosova are free.
I will be watching this weekend?s events In Kosova 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 Isoiate 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 mate-rial was ordcred 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 Kosova.
Since May 4, 1992, when the Kosova Parii-ment in Exile and the Government of Kosova decreed to hold the elections in Kosova (May 24, 1992) the already serious situation there has deteriorated even fur-ther. 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 represen-tatioa If the Albanian majority In Kosova does not have the right to choose Its politi-cal representatives freely, and to decide how it would like to live, there cannot be peace and democracy in either the former Yugo-slavia or Europe.
Dear SenAToR: Your August 1990 visit to Kosova 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 Milosavic?s non-strousities in Kosova, 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 de-fenseless Albanian population in Kosova.
The Impending massacre In Kosova 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 Kosova. 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 Kosova. Again, thank youi
Very truly yours,
flit Busaa Bukoshi,
Prime Minister, Government of the Republic of Kosova
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 Kosova,

133