Transcript of the
Legislative Update
For the Week of March 1, 1999

Hello, this is Ron Paul with the Legislative Update for the week of March 1st.

There is no peace in Kosovo but, as of yet, there has been no bombing or deployment of troops. There is no easy solution, especially for dedicated internationalist, to Kosovo’s demand for independence. Conceding secession is a proper political solution to an oppressive government is something no nation/state want to do--even when that state is run by Slobadan Milosovec. Threats of bombing and promises of some vague autonomy with US troops acting as the policeman enforcing an impossible peace agreement can only lead to further instability--as all our military interventions have done since World War II.

The President threatens to bomb Serbia and send troops to Kosovo without Congressional approval ignoring clear Constitutional restraints. Troops continue to be exposed to danger in Bosnia where the mission is unclear and endless. For nine years we have been bombing Iraq and sanctions against it have served to enhance Hussein’s power while delivering untold suffering to millions of innocent Iraqis--especially the children.

The policy of foreign military interventionism is a policy that ought to be challenged by the American people and especially the Congress. It has not served us or the world well. Although we hear of plans for troop deployments and the President and the Congress ignore the Constitution, there have been many other occasions where intervention around the world has been secretive and dangerous. Actions by the CIA have undermined our security and served the special interests that control our foreign policy.

The CIA for nearly fifty years has chosen to support right-wing military dictators over left-wing military dictators. The dictators we have chosen to support usually are sympathetic to our commercial interests and freedom per se has rarely has been a motivating factor.

The secret support for the various dictators and other covert activities, outside the general knowledge of the people and even the Congress, has caused loss of life and has jeopardized our security.

It is now an accepted fact that the CIA participated in the killing of South Korean leader Diem, setting the stage for the disastrous and heart-wrenching Vietnam War. Our CIA put into power the Shah of Iran and we continue to suffer the repercussions. Our CIA was involved in arming Saddam Hussein against Iran and look at where we are today with Iraq. The same can be said about our support for the Taliban in Afghanistan which now harbors the anti-American Bin Laden. The stories are endless on how our open policy of intervention--such as is now ongoing in Iraq and Bosnia--and the covert activities of the CIA have led to perpetual problems for the US and the World.

Now is comes to light through the Guatemalan Truth Commission that the 200,000 people who died in Guatemala’s 36 year civil war was, for the most part, a result of the CIA supporting the military dictatorship. With these revelations the anti-American sentiment is once again ignited in Guatemala.

If efforts like this are prudent and needed for our security, they should be done openly with Congressional approval. If done in that manner, they would be done more thoroughly and quickly. When done secretly for the benefit of some commercial interests, the problems inevitably linger for long periods of time, goals are not achieved, hatred toward America grows and our national security, instead of being enhanced, too frequently is undermined.

A case can be easily made for the traditional American policy of non-entangling alliances, and unsubsidized and peaceful trade with all who are willing.

Thanks for calling.