Bill Delahunt: “Mr. Speaker, I find considerable irony in the question of what is our national interest in Kosovo, for I thought we…”

“Mr. Speaker, I find considerable irony in the question of what is our national interest in Kosovo, for I thought we unequivocally answered that question with American blood and American tax dollars. If we have no national interest in Kosovo, why did we lose so many lives in Europe in two World Wars? If we have no national interest in Kosovo, why did we spend billions of tax dollars on the reconstruction of Europe through the Marshall Plan in the aftermath of World War II? It seems that we have forgotten that the Balkans are an integral part of Europe, and that Kosovo, as President Bush first enunciated, is critical to the peace and stability in the Balkans. Senator Dole got it right when he testified before the Committee on International Relations advocating our engagement and involvement in Kosovo. I am quoting Senator Dole: "It is in America's interest to have a stable, democratic and prosperous Europe." As did Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick, who served so well as our U.N. Ambassador under President Reagan.”