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Gingrich


Newton Leroy Gingrich; 43rd President of the United States






The bridge blew. The cars tumbled into the water below. The world changed forever.


US President Bill Clinton is in critical condition today after barely surviving an assassination attempt in Malaysia. While en route to visit a local politician in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, the President’s motorcade crossed over a bridge. The bridge turned out to be rigged with explosives, which were detonated as President Clinton’s vehicle passed over it. There were a total of seven killed. Among the dead are US Vice President Al Gore, who had joined the President on his trip to the meeting of the APEC (Aisa-Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum, as well as six members of the Secret Service. The remaining Secret Service agents mounted a daring rescue, which successfully saved the President’s life. Clinton was immediately taken to a hospital nearby, where he is receiving intensive care. More on the story as it develops.

-Associated Press, November 18th, 1998, 10:13 a.m. EST



US President Bill Clinton passed away last night while undergoing emergency surgery in Malaysia to repair damage done to his body caused by the assassination attempt the previous day.

-Associated Press, November 19th, 1998, 8:58 a.m. EST



Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, has been declared Acting President due to the recent deaths of both President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. Mr. Gingrich will retain the speakership until the selection of a replacement can be determined. After a successor is named, Mr. Gingrich will resign from the Speakership and be sworn in as President of the United States. More on the story as it develops.

-Associated Press, November 19th, 1998, 9:30 a.m. EST



An emergency session of Congress has elected a new Speaker of the House of Representatives to replace the outgoing Speaker, Newt Gingrich. In a unanimous decision, most likely due to Mr. Gingrich’s call for unity, House Majority Leader Dick Armey has been named as Mr. Gingrich’s successor. Mr. Gingrich officially resigned from his position as Speaker, and solemnly passed the ceremonial gavel to Mr. Armey, who graciously accepted it. House Majority Whip Tom DeLay was elevated to the position of House Majority Leader, with Representative John Boehner of Ohio claiming Mr. DeLay’s former position.

-Associated Press, November 19th, 1998, 6:00 p.m. EST



Newt Gingrich was officially sworn in as the 43rd President of the United States today following the death of his predecessor, President Bill Clinton, who had died along with Vice President Al Gore in Malaysia. Chief Justice William Rhenquist administered the oath of office to President Gingrich in the Oval Office.

-Associated Press, November 19th, 1998, 7:30 p.m. EST



President Gingrich addressed the nation last night. In his speech, which was broadcast on national television, the President gave his condolences to the families of President Clinton and Vice President Gore. He gave his assurances to the nation that he will do his best to uphold the Constitution of the United States and execute the duties and responsibilities of his new office. President Gingrich also announced that he has ordered a full investigation into the assassinations, and gave a solemn vow that whomever was responsible for this will be brought to justice. The President, in his speech, was quoted as saying, “Wherever you are, you cannot hide from us. You will pay for what you have done to us. We will find you. No matter where you go, no matter how far or how long you run from us, we will find you. Nowhere is safe.”

-Associated Press, November 20th, 1998, 8:30 a.m. EST


President Gingrich announced today that he has asked the members of President Clinton’s cabinet to join his new administration. The President said that the move was done to preserve stability due to the recent tragedy that has befallen the nation. President Clinton’s cabinet has agreed to serve under Gingrich for the time being. President Gingrich has said, however, that the arrangements are only temporary, to aid in the transition of power. Replacements will come in the following months.

-Associated Press, November 20th, 1998, 7:00 p.m. EST



Pennsylvania Representative Robert Walker has been nominated by President Gingrich to the office of Vice President. Mr. Walker awaits conformation by Congress later this week, where he is expected to be sworn in without significant opposition.

-Associated Press, November 22nd, 1998, 8:02 a.m. EST



Flags are lowered to half mast today as President Gingrich has issued a national day of mourning for the deaths of Bill Clinton and Al Gore.

-Associated Press, November 22nd, 1998, 8:05 a.m. EST



Recent polls show President Gingrich’s approval ratings are at 90%. Millions of Americans say they support the President, and want those responsible for Clinton’s assassination brought to justice.

-Associated Press, November 22nd, 1998, 10:22 a.m. EST



Robert Walker was confirmed as the new Vice President in a unanimous vote from both houses of congress. Vice President Walker took the oath of office and received a standing ovation upon completing the oath.

-Associated Press, November 25th, 1998, 4:39 p.m. EST



Those responsible for the assassination of President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore have finally been identified. The White House released the details of their findings. The assassination has been revealed to have been masterminded by a Saudi Arabian terrorist named Osama Bin Laden. Bin Laden’s last known whereabouts have been traced to somewhere in Afghanistan. President Gingrich, in a press conference this morning, reiterated his intentions to find those responsible, and vowed to capture Bin Laden. He was quoted as saying, “The enemy has been identified. We know who he is. We know where he is. Osama, we’re coming for you.”

-Associated Press, December 2nd, 1998, 12:15 p.m. EST


The United States has declared Osama Bin Laden to be a wanted man. The new American President, Newt Gingrich, said that the United States would stop at nothing to retrieve him from overseas. Bin Laden, who masterminded the assassinations of Bill Clinton and Al Gore, is widely believed to be currently residing in Afghanistan. This complicates US attempts to apprehend him, as the nation is currently involved in a brutal civil war between the Northern Alliance, made up of the current government of the Islamic State of Afghanistan and its allies, and a radical Islamic militant group known as the Taliban. Indeed, it was only in September of 1996 that the Taliban had succeeded in capturing the Afghan capital of Kabul. The Taliban controls the capital city of Afghanistan at the moment, as well as large chunks of territory in the south, where it has declared itself to be a new nation-state called the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”. However, despite their declaration, they have only been recognized by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates, with the government of the Islamic State of Afghanistan still being recognized as the legitimate government by the rest of the world. Bin Laden is rumored to be working with the Taliban, and aiding them in the ongoing civil war. Even further complicating things is Pakistan's support for the Taliban, and the fact that two out of the three nations to have recognized the Taliban as the official government are also two of America's key strategic allies in the Middle East.

-BBC World Service, December 8th, 1998, 10:09 a.m. EST



President Gingrich has issued statements to both the Northern Alliance and the Taliban in Afghanistan, demanding that whoever knows the terrorist’s whereabouts turn him over to the United States. More on this story as it develops.

-Associated Press, December 11th, 1998, 2:45 p.m. EST



Speaker Armey today announced that he is very hopeful that Congress will be able to work with President Gingrich to “bring the United States into a new era of smaller government.”

-Associated Press, December 11th, 1998, 5:16 p.m. EST



The body of President Bill Clinton has arrived today in the United States, returning home after its long journey from Malaysia in the Pacific. President Clinton’s funeral is scheduled to take place in January, after the holiday season. Vice President Gore’s body was also safely delivered from Malaysia.

-Associated Press, December 14th, 1998, 8:51 a.m. EST


The Gingrich Administration announced today that they have uncovered evidence that a terrorist organization by the name of Al-Queda, which operates out of Afghanistan and is believed to be connected with Osama Bin Laden, is in the process of preparing terrorist attacks on American soil. One of the administration’s chief concerns is that the terrorist group could be planning to hijack aircraft to use in their attacks.

-Associated Press, December 17th, 1998, 9:00 a.m. EST



US airports are stepping up security in preparation for the coming mass influx of travelers heading out for the holidays. Security is expected to be tighter than usual due to the recent terrorist scare involving suspicions that armed individuals may attempt to hijack airplanes. Major US airlines assure their travelers that they are taking every precaution to ensure that their passengers will be safe. However, despite this assurance, it has not stopped some people from cancelling their flights out of fear.

-Associated Press, December 19th, 1998, 1:42 p.m. EST



President Gingrich spent the holidays with former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and her family, as well as Tipper Gore and her family. It will be the President’s first Christmas in the White House since taking the oath of office.

-Associated Press, December 25th, 1998, 8:00 a.m. EST



The United States welcomes the New Year amidst a heavy cloud of uncertainty that awaits.

-Associated Press, January 1st, 1999, 12:01 a.m. EST



Both the Northern Alliance and the Taliban have released statements in response to America’s most recent demand, denying knowledge of the whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden. Each points the finger at the other, saying that the other one is hiding the terrorist.

-BBC World Service, January 3rd, 1999, 11:19 a.m. EST



Former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley announced during an interview with CNN that he will seek the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in 2000.

-Associated Press, January 4th, 1999, 4:15 p.m. EST



Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, at a rally in Hartford, Connecticut, announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in 2000.

-Associated Press, January 4th, 1999, 5:12 p.m. EST




Vermont Governor Howard Dean announced today that he will not be a candidate for President of the United States in 2000.

-Associated Press, January 5th, 1999, 3:22 p.m. EST



President Gingrich announced today that he will seek the Republican Party’s nomination for President of the United States in 2000. Although he claimed that this was just a formal announcement of intent, and that his focus will remain on capturing Osama Bin Laden.

-Associated Press, January 12th, 1999, 6:31 p.m. EST



Massachusetts Senator John Kerry announced today that he would seek the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in 2000.

-Associated Press, January 13th, 1999, 2:11 p.m. EST



President Gingrich met today with ambassadors from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, two of America’s key strategic allies in the Middle East. Together, they discussed their involvement in the ongoing Afghan Civil War, as well as their current support for the Taliban.

-Associated Press, January 16th, 1999, 4:19 p.m. EST


The funeral of President Bill Clinton was held today. He is survived by his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and his daughter, Chelsea Clinton. In attendance at the funeral were Senators Kerry, Kennedy, Kerrey, Wellstone, Graham, and Lieberman. Also in attendance was President Gingrich, who gave a tearful eulogy praising his predecessor for his service to the country, as well as speaking about their own friendship and the time they spent working together in government.

-Associated Press, January 17th, 1999, 6:21 p.m. EST



Texas Governor George W Bush announced today that he will not be a candidate for President of the United States in 2000.

-Associated Press, January 18th, 1999, 2:01 p.m. EST



Arizona Senator John McCain announced today that he will not be a candidate for President of the United States in 2000.

-Associated Press, January 19th, 1999, 8:42 a.m. EST




Senator Bob Kerrey announced his candidacy for President today.

-Associated Press, January 20th, 1999, 9:20 a.m. EST



US intelligence issued a press release today confirming that Bin Laden is living within territory controlled by the Taliban. President Gingrich issued a message to the organization demanding that they turn over the terrorist. A spokesman for the Taliban responded by claiming that if Bin Laden is living within their borders, they have not been able to locate him, and thus cannot be held responsible for anything that he has done.

-Associated Press, January 23rd, 1999, 1:11 p.m. EST



Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Saudi Arabian King Fahd both issued messages along with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, withdrawing recognition of the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. It is widely believed that all three nations are attempting to cut ties with the Islamic radical group in anticipation of some future event.

-BBC World Service, January 27th, 1999, 1:42 p.m. EST



President Gingrich issued an ultimatum to the Taliban today. In his ultimatum, the President gave the group 72 hours to surrender Osama Bin Laden to the United States. If the Taliban failed to comply with this demand, then President Gingrich warned that there would be dire consequences.

-Associated Press, February 4th, 1999, 3:58 p.m. EST



Senator Bob Graham launched his bid for the Democratic nomination today.

-Associated Press, February 4th, 1999, 4:15 p.m. EST




Senator Paul Wellstone announced his candidacy for President today, adding yet another challenger to the Democratic field.

-Associated Press, February 5th, 1999, 1:01 p.m. EST



Former Ambassador Alan Keyes officially announced his intention to challenge President Gingrich for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in 2000. Ambassador Keyes said that the United States must strike swiftly against those who have wronged it, and that he is the best qualified to, in his own words, “lead the charge.”

-Associated Press, February 6th, 1999, 10:45 a.m. EST



The deadline that President Gingrich has set for the Taliban to turn over the wanted terrorist Osama Bin Laden has officially passed. When questioned on what his next move would be, President Gingrich said, “I told them what would happen. We gave them our demands, and they remained defiant. So now, they’re going to face the consequences of their actions.” The President refused to comment what specific consequences he had in mind.

-Associated Press, February 7th, 1999, 12:00 p.m. EST



The Gingrich Administration made an announcement today, condemning the Taliban as sponsors of terror, and accused them of conspiring with Osama Bin Laden against the United States. In his announcement, Gingrich called for an end to the Taliban in Afghanistan, and said that the organization’s continued existence posed a serious threat to the National Security of the United States.

-Associated Press, February 11th, 1999, 1:12 p.m. EST



Acting UN Ambassador Peter Burleigh from the United States addressed a meeting of the United Nations Security Council this afternoon, where he made a case for international intervention in Afghanistan. Ambassador Burleigh, who has been acting Ambassador to the United Nations since the resignation of Bill Richardson in 1998, made a number of arguments in favor of intervention. He described the Taliban as a “force of evil” and gave a lengthy speech condemning them for being sponsors of terrorists and “enemies of democracy in Afghanistan.” The Security Council said that, while they would not support any immediate action favoring intervention in Afghanistan, they would investigate America’s accusations against the Taliban. The Gingrich Administration has yet to comment on the Security Council’s decision.

-Associated Press, February 14th, 1999, 3:13 p.m. EST



Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry made a stop in Iowa today, marking the Senator’s first visit to the state since launching his campaign in January. The Senator’s plane landed at Des Moines International Airport, where he was greeted by a crowd of supporters. The Senator then had lunch with wealthy Democratic donors, making his case for why he should be the next President of the United States.

-Associated Press, February 14th, 1999, 3:14 p.m. EST




President Gingrich has nominated acting UN Ambassador Peter Burleigh to retain his position permanently and act as official Ambassador to the United Nations for the remainder of the President’s term. Burleigh, who had been acting as an interim appointment to the position, will assume the office fully if confirmed by Congress, and will be the United States’ official ambassador to the United Nations.

-Associated Press, February 16th, 1999, 4:44 p.m. EST



The White House revealed today that Secretary of State Madeleine Albright made a secret visit to Afghanistan two weeks ago, where she met with the head of the Northern Alliance, Ahmad Shah Massoud. Together, they discussed the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, and Secretary Albright was given a tour of parts of the territory still under the control of Massoud. Secretary Albright praised Massoud’s administration of the areas under his control, and referred to him as “perhaps the only hope left for Democracy in Afghanistan.” Ahmad Massoud, acting upon the request of President Gingrich, accompanied Secretary Albright back to Washington D.C. Upon his arrival in the nation’s capital, he was greeted by the President and the two traveled back to the White House for a discussion. Gingrich and Massoud spoke at length about the current situation in Afghanistan, and President Gingrich today states that the meeting was “very productive.” Massoud was given an armed escort back to Afghanistan on Friday afternoon.

-Associated Press, February 19th, 1999, 11:11 a.m. EST




Peter Burleigh was confirmed by Congress to the position of United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

-Associated Press, February 20th, 1999, 1:46 p.m. EST



Former First Lady Hillary Clinton announced that she would not be a candidate for any political office in 2000, instead preferring to be with her family. Despite much speculation by the media that the former first lady would indulge her suspected political ambitions in the upcoming election cycle, fueled by the outpour of sympathy she received from the death of her late husband, President Bill Clinton, Hillary said that the time was not right to think about running for anything, and that she and her family did not want to be under the glare of the media’s eye so soon after the tragedy that struck them and the nation.

-Associated Press, February 22nd, 1999, 2:30 p.m. EST



Speaker Armey introduced legislation to the House floor today, which would provide the President of the United States with a broad new range of powers designed to aid the commander-in-chief in combating both foreign and domestic terrorism. The legislation, known as the “Authorization for Use of Executive Powers to Combat Terrorism Act”, would authorize the President to use “any means necessary and appropriate” to combat terrorists and any nations, organizations, or affiliates that are sympathetic to them. The legislation is scheduled for a vote tomorrow.

-Associated Press, February 23rd, 1999, 4:48 p.m. EST



The “Authorization for Use of Executive Powers to Combat Terrorism Act” (AUEPCT) has passed a vote in both the House and the Senate, and is off to President Gingrich’s desk, where it awaits his signature.

-Associated Press, February 24th, 1999, 10:12 a.m. EST



President Gingrich signed the AUEPCT Act into law today, giving him a wider range of powers to combat terrorism.

-Associated Press, February 24th, 1999, 11:00 a.m. EST


The leaders of the groups that make up the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan, in an effort spearheaded by Ahmad Shah Massoud, have formally asked the United States to intervene in Afghanistan militarily. In their request, they pleaded for assistance in “freeing the people being oppressed by the Taliban” and to “help establish a true Democracy in Afghanistan” where “all can live freely.”

-BBC World Service, February 27th, 1999, 4:04 p.m. EST



President Gingrich addressed the nation this morning from the Oval Office, and announced that the United States has accepted the request from the Northern Alliance, which includes the current internationally recognized government of Afghanistan, for military intervention to help restore democracy. The address to the nation interrupted all major news networks as well as regularly scheduled programming on a number of other stations. The President announced that preparations were being made with the full co-operation of the Northern Alliance to ensure a rapid deployment of US military personnel and equipment. The President promised to end the Taliban in Afghanistan forever and work with the Northern Alliance to establish a new government.

-Associated Press, February 29th, 1999, 11:11 a.m. EST



Ahmad Shah Massoud was the target of a failed assassination attempt in Afghanistan this morning. Two Taliban agents, under the guise of diplomacy, called for a meeting with Massoud, claiming to want to negotiate a last-minute agreement in an attempt to prevent the impending US intervention at the request of Afghanistan’s government-in-exile. The agents were discovered to have been suicide bombers at the last minute, when one of the men exiting the vehicle that transported them to Massoud’s temporary residence exploded. It is believed that whatever explosive devices he was wearing at the time were accidentally triggered, and went off unintentionally. Three were killed in the explosion, including the two suicide bombers and the driver of the vehicle that had brought them there. Massoud emerged unscathed, and is currently under protection from both his own bodyguards and the US forces that have already been deployed in northern Afghanistan. The attempted suicide bombing is believed to have been a failed attempt at retaliation by the Taliban for the Northern Alliance’s request for US intervention against them.

-BBC World Service, March 1st, 1999, 12:05 a.m. EST




Senator Joe Lieberman was the first Democrat in the presidential race to announce his support for the current intervention in Afghanistan, but said that caution must be taken to ensure that a government that is accountable to the people of Afghanistan is established correctly, and not corrupted by outside influences. His rivals for the Democratic nomination have each given a similar response to the ongoing intervention. The only dissenting voice comes from Republican presidential candidate Alan Keyes, who, while announcing his support for the intervention, said that the burden of cleaning up Afghanistan should not rest on the shoulders of the United States alone, and called on President Gingrich to have the rest of the world join in their responsibility for the preservation of democracy and the elimination of totalitarianism.

-C-Span, March 2nd, 1999, 3:42 p.m. EST



US forces are currently in the beginning stages of what is expected to be a fairly quick and easy war in Afghanistan. Already, a good amount of military personnel and equipment are on the ground, and US soldiers are working with NA freedom fighters to plot out their co-operative assault against the Taliban.

-BBC World Service, March 2nd, 1999, 4:12 p.m. EST



President Gingrich appeared before the United Nations General Assembly today and called upon the member nations to join the United States in its fight against terrorism and totalitarianism. The President called upon the “Allies of Freedom” to contribute to the “war effort for democracy.” In his speech, the President said that Afghanistan was the first step to “making the 21st century the century where dictators perish and the people take back their governments.” So far, no nations have responded to the President’s call to action. America made a similar call for the NATO nations to honor their pact and join its fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

-Associated Press, March 5th, 1999, 1:32 p.m. EST



British Prime Minister Tony Blair will be heading to Washington D.C. next week to meet with American President Newt Gingrich to discuss what role the United Kingdom will play in the ongoing Intervention in Afghanistan.

-BBC World Service, March 6th, 7:49 a.m. EST




The US conducted yet another wave of air strikes against the Afghan capital of Kabul, which still remains in the hands of the Taliban. Already, a large number of American troops and equipment have been moved into the country, and progress is rapidly being made. US troops, in co-operation with NA freedom fighters, have already driven back Taliban and Al-Queda militants from a number of fronts in the ongoing Intervention in Afghanistan. The summary of the military’s current plan, called “Operation Ensuring Liberty”, is to head for the capital city of Kabul, and eventually liberate the entirety of Afghanistan from Taliban rule.

-Associated Press, March 12th, 1999, 3:42 p.m. EST



Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic have officially joined NATO, and have agreed to commit troops to the US-led Intervention in Afghanistan, in accordance with other NATO nations in a decision made yesterday. Among the nations now engaged in the internaitonal effort, Great Britain has contriubuted the most to the international cause, second only to the United States. As time passes, it remains to be seen whether the NATO naitons will seek to expand or reduce their role in the ongoing intervention.

-Associated Press, March 12th, 1999, 8:11 p.m. EST



The Gingrich Administration clarified today that the President’s war on terrorism would not distinguish between terrorist organizations and nations that support them.

-Associated Press, March 12th, 1999, 8:12 p.m. EST




The final wave of American troops have been deployed in the initial phases of Operation Ensuring Liberty. NATO officials have reported that the Taliban have been driven back from at least 21 strongholds since the commencement of operations on March 2nd, but there is no way to verify the claim at this time. The US continues air strikes against Kabul, with the Air Force claiming to be taking every precaution to avoid needless civilian casualties. Nevertheless, the Taliban makes claims that the US has hit plenty of non-military targets, and have wounded upwards of 300 civilians. US officials dismiss this as “enemy propaganda.” Anonymous sources from within Kabul, communicating through special means, have verified that the Taliban greatly exaggerate those wounded in the air raids on the city. NATO forces, in co-operation with NA freedom fighters, expect a quick victory now that the intervention forces have been fully deployed.

-Associated Press, March 16th, 1999, 2:42 p.m. EST



Polls show that 84% of Americans support the ongoing intervention in Afghanistan, and that 73% of Americans believe that Osama Bin Laden is hiding there.

-Gallup, March 16th, 1999, 3:11 p.m. EST



A delegation from the UK joined it’s American and Albanian counterparts today in signing a document known as the Rambouillet Accords. The accords call for NATO administration of the Kosovo province of Yugoslavia as an anonymous province. Also called for was the deployment of a peace-keeping task force consisting of 30,000 NATO troops to maintain order in Kosovo and protect its citizens from the terrorist group known as the Kosovo Liberation Army, which has been responsible for a great deal of mayhem in the region.

-BBC World Service, March 18th, 1999, 11:12 a.m. EST




Some in the media have not stopped their speculation on other potential Democratic, and even potential Republican, candidates for President despite an already crowded Democratic field, with six already openly-declared candidates actively seeking the nomination, and even one Republican challenger to President Gingrich, who inherited the office after the death of his predecessor, Bill Clinton. Among the possible candidates touted by various media organizations include former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, former First Lady Hillary Clinton (who many suspect harbors her own political ambitions), current US Energy Secretary Bill Richardson, House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, Vermont Governor Howard Dean, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Senator Ted Kennedy, and former California Governor Jerry Brown. When asked about their opinion on seeking the presidency, all except Jerry Brown and Jesse Jackson immediately declined. Jerry Brown, who is currently serving as the mayor of Oakland, California, paused for a full fifteen seconds before saying that he currently had no plans to do so. This has led some to wonder if Jerry Brown will indeed attempt to make a run for the Presidency. Opinion polling of a potential Brown candidacy taken in February showed him tied with, and in some cases leading, the rest of the Democratic field. While Brown has given no indication that he will change his mind, the media is still keeping an eye out for any sign that he will throw his hat into the ring once again. As for Jesse Jackson, the former Democratic Presidential candidate says that he has been seriously considering another run since late January. Jackson has said that he still has some soul searching to do, and says that the American people will know by the beginning of April whether or not they can expect to see his name appear on the ballot. Also speculated on the Republican side was former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Colin Powell, whose entry into the race could make things very difficult for President Gingrich to secure his party's nomination. Powell has said repeatedly that he has no interest in seeking the Presidency, but has refused to endorse anyone for President at this time.

-Associated Press, March 20th, 1999, 11:27 a.m. EST




Richard Holbrooke announced in Brussels today that the ongoing peace talks with the Serbian Government have failed, and has handed the situation to NATO for further deliberation on what to do.

-Associated Press, March 23rd, 1999, 21:30 UTC



The Secretary General of NATO, Javier Solana, has instructed US General Wesley Clark, the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, to begin military operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Air strikes are set to begin in the Kosovo region tomorrow.

-Associated Press, March 23rd, 1999, 22:17 UCT



President Gingrich came out today with a statement publicly condemning the current leader of Serbia, Slobodan Milošević, as a brutal dictator that “is guilty of the massacre of a large number of his own people.” President Gingrich called for the Serbian leader to step down from power as well as accusing him of being guilty of crimes against humanity, the top one among them being genocide. Further, the President has set a deadline for Milošević to step down. Gingrich said, “we’re very serious about this. The United States has stood on the sidelines and allowed this madman to conduct a holocaust on his own people for too long. As far as my Administration is concerned, Slobodan Milošević is a sponsor of terrorism in Kosovo, and my Administration does not take kindly to terrorists, or those that support them.” The President vowed to take “drastic measures” if his demands were ignored.

-Associated Press, March 25th, 1999, 3:14 p.m. EST
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