20 March 2001

Senators at Marc Grossman Hearing Voice Concerns over Macedonia

(They laud nominee for under secretary of state)

By Ralph Dannheisser Washington File Congressional Correspondent

Washington -- Senior members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee homed in on the volatile situation in Macedonia in the course of a cordial confirmation hearing for Marc Grossman, nominated by President Bush to be under secretary of state for political affairs.

The hearing March 20 left little doubt that the committee would forward the nomination to the full Senate for its final action to approve Grossman, a career foreign service officer, for the number 3 post at State. A business meeting scheduled for March 27 would provide the next opportunity for the committee to act.

Committee Chairman Jesse Helms (Republican, North Carolina), greeted Grossman as "a very fine nominee" and, at one point, discussed with him the challenges ahead "as you assume your new position."

Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware, the senior Democrat on the committee, told Grossman he considered him to be "the best nominee to be sent up here" in Biden's 28 years in the Senate, with the possible exception of one Clinton administration budget official.

In a brief opening statement to the committee, Grossman said that his previous experience as assistant secretary for European affairs and his service at NATO had made him a believer in "the vital importance of our alliance relationships."

"I value deeply the ideals of freedom, democracy, peace-through-strength that this alliance represents," Grossman said. "It's those ideals that we will remember as we work closely with friends and allies to meet challenges and pursue opportunities in other parts of the world."

The issue of Macedonia, where ethnic Albanian guerrillas reportedly control increasing territory, was first raised in questioning by Senator Richard Lugar (Republican, Indiana), a former chairman of the committee, who asked whether the situation was being allowed to drift.

"I think the idea somehow that we are disengaged from this ... certainly isn't my observation in the past few days," Grossman responded. "I know that Secretary [of State] Powell has been involved with foreign ministers and others. We issued, I think, quite a good statement on Macedonia yesterday [March 19] from the department spokesman."

In addition, he noted, top officials from the European Union (EU), NATO and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have become increasingly involved in recent days.

"When you talk about the border, I mean, obviously NATO's mandate in (neighboring) Kosovo is to be in Kosovo. But I think that NATO can do a lot in terms of dealing with this border, and I think you'll see more of that in days to come," Grossman said.

"We support their (Macedonia's) territorial integrity," he declared.

"One of our objectives over the next few days has been to try to make sure that those Albanians who are not extremist, who wish to live in a unified Macedonia, become part and parcel of this conversation," the nominee said. "And I think that isolating the extremists is going to be one of the most important jobs over the next few days."

Senator Paul Sarbanes (Democrat, Maryland) took up the same issue when it came his turn to question Grossman.

"I want to join with my colleague in underscoring the importance of this situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, involving these ethnic Albanian insurgents.... If this violence continues, is allowed to fester, I think it has the potential of undermining stability not only in the Skopje regime but in the region as a whole," Sarbanes said.

When Sarbanes urged Grossman to report back to his department and the White House that "some indication of involvement and leadership on this issue" is needed, he replied, "I will."

Biden, too, addressed the issue, arguing that the Clinton administration had moved too slowly in Bosnia, and "waited till things had gotten out of hand" before intervening in Kosovo. "I'd respectfully suggest that's what's about to happen in Macedonia," he declared.

"I don't think you are acting in a forceful way," Biden said. "You know this area. At least force it on the agenda of your private discussions with the secretary (Secretary of State Powell)," he urged Grossman.

Following is the text of Grossman's opening statement as prepared for presentation:
(begin text)

It is an honor to appear before you today as President Bush's nominee to be Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.

I thank the President and Secretary Powell for the confidence they have shown in me and in our Diplomatic Service by this nomination.

Mr. Chairman, you will understand, I know, if I first thank both my wife Mildred, who is also a Foreign Service Officer, for being here and our daughter Anne. This committee has always recognized that the Foreign Service is a career that poses challenges for families. I owe a debt I can never repay to Mildred and to Anne for their support.

May I also pay tribute to former Under Secretary of State Thomas Pickering, a model of public service and devotion to our country.

This is the fourth time I have had the honor to appear before this committee in a confirmation hearing. I thank you for the support you have given me as Ambassador to Turkey, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs and Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources. I have benefited from my consultations with you and with your outstanding staff.

If confirmed as Under Secretary for Political Affairs, I look forward to frequent sessions here. The President and Secretary of State have underscored their determination to work closely with the Congress. You will find me ready to be part of that effort as Under Secretary for Political Affairs.

As Secretary Powell said to this committee during his confirmation hearing January 17, many are now discovering what we have been learning for over 200 years: that political and economic freedom work. Countries that wish to succeed need governments that respect the will of the people and economies that unleash the people's power to work and to create.

But some governments have not made a choice for freedom. And there are nations and groups at work to destroy democracy and attack those who practice it.

As the Secretary said in Congress on March 8, in this still dangerous world the United States must not "be afraid but remain strong; not be arrogant, but be humble; be willing to engage those who wish to be engaged with, and be willing to press back and to fight and deter those who will not be a part of this new world."

My experience as Assistant Secretary for European Affairs -- and my prior service at NATO -- made me a believer in the vital importance of our alliance relationships. We must never forget who our friends are. Mr. Chairman, I know you have said that NATO expansion was one of the great moments of your career; we erased the line Stalin drew across Europe. Having also worked on the enlargement of NATO, I value deeply the ideals of freedom, democracy and peace-through-strength that our Alliance represents.

We will remember these ideals and work closely with our friends as we meet challenges and pursue opportunities in other parts of the world.

President Bush has called the role of the United States in our time a "distinctively American internationalism." I look forward to helping the President and the Secretary of State in any way I can to implement that vision and ensure that America is more than equal to the challenges our great democracy faces.

It has been an honor to be the Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources. You can be proud of the people who work at the State Department. Our Foreign Service, Civil Service and Foreign Service Nationals are America's first line of defense. They work hard. Many live in dangerous places. They produce every day for America.

If confirmed as Under Secretary for Political Affairs, I will do my best to help Secretary Powell and this committee adapt our diplomacy -- and our superb diplomats -- to the changing world in which we work.

Thank you. I look forward to your questions.

(end text)