mr. inhofe: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that the i recognized for 15 minutes -- up to 15 minutes as if in morning business. officer 123er without objection. mr. inhofe: mr. president, i am rising now to respond to a statement that was made by our good friend from illinois a few minutes ago and to clarify -- i.t. kind of interesting that we look back and we -- it's kind of interesting that we look back and we find that when the democrats, when the republicans had someone in the white house and the democrats were trying to block a nomination, it was just the opposite as what it is today. in fact, i will read you -- at that time the senators in the leadership in the democrats -- barack obama, biden, clinton, shiewrmd and. mr. reid: all made a joint statement that the senate does not have to confirm presidential nominations and urged that the senate refuse to do so, especially in an election year. now, just the opposite of what the senator said. but, you know, i don't blame them. i don't blame

mr. chairman. >> senator inhofe. >> thank you, mr. chairman. it's hard for me to believe, general roz, it's been nine years. before that time you remember it as part of three different comes including the pac com. i remember back during the clinton administration i was opposed to sending the troops into bosnia and the excuse being used at the time was because of ethnic cleansing. i recall saying on the senate floor for every person that's been ethnically cleansed in bosnia there had been 100 in west african countries. it was something that was needed. it was brought up by senator -- i can't remember which one it was. i think it was cotton about berundi. that there is a problem. there are a lot of problems in africa. they don't rise to the top where you can see it but the president there is one that our state department opposed and i would like to know were you -- it is my understanding because i know him personally. i have been with him several times. i have been to berundi. he was put into office. but it was not an election. and the reason our