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United Nations

House Passes Bill to End US Participation in UN Arms Embargo Against Bosnia

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The House of Representatives voted 298 to 128 in favor of a bill that would compel President Clinton to end American participation in the United Nations arms embargo against Bosnia. The bill, identical to one passed by the Senate last week, faces a certain veto from the President, who has met with lawmakers in a last-ditch effort to persuade them to change their votes. Despite the challenges ahead, lawmakers are moving forward with the bill, citing concerns about the war and the rights of the Bosnian people.

Key Takeaways:

  • The House vote was 298 to 128 in favor of the bill, with 93 Democrats and 205 Republicans voting in favor.
  • The bill faces a likely veto from President Clinton, who has 10 days to act after receiving the directive.
  • Lawmakers who voted in favor of the bill argue that ending the arms embargo is necessary to level the playing field and protect the rights of the Bosnian people.
  • Lawmakers who voted against the bill, including several Democrats and Republicans, are concerned about the potential deployment of American troops to Bosnia and the consequences of lifting the embargo.
  • Representative Susan Molinari (R-NY) called the vote a "date with destiny" and argued that the Serbs' actions constitute genocide.
  • Representative Lee H. Hamilton (D-IN) voted against the bill, saying that it would make a bad situation worse and predicting a wider war.
  • The bill's passage underscores the erosion of support for President Clinton's foreign policy in his own party.

Statistics:

  • 298 to 128: the final vote count in the House of Representatives.
  • 93 Democrats and 205 Republicans: the number of lawmakers who voted in favor of the bill.
  • 10 days: the amount of time President Clinton has to veto the bill after receiving the directive.
  • 25,000: the estimated number of American troops that could be deployed to Bosnia as part of a NATO operation to withdraw peacekeepers.
  • 318 to 99: the vote count in the House in June on a similar measure.
  • 103 Democrats and 25 Republicans: the number of lawmakers who opposed the measure.

Sources:

  • "House Passes Bill to End US Participation in UN Arms Embargo Against Bosnia" by The New York Times (No date mentioned in the original text)
  • Author James Traub (No date mentioned)
  • Representative Susan Molinari (R-NY)
  • Representative Lee H. Hamilton (D-IN)
  • Representative Bob Livingston (R-LA)
  • Representative David R. Obey (D-WI)

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