John Kerry: “I think that the Senator from Virginia has asked one of the best questions, and it has been long lacking from the debate…”

“I think that the Senator from Virginia has asked one of the best questions, and it has been long lacking from the debate and the framework within which we are trying to approach this issue. It is the question what should have been debated in this country, and what should have been set out for this country a long time ago is a clearer discussion of what the progression is here. What is the slippery slide? We have been dancing around. We have been sort of sending the message that we want to be militarily strong, that we are prepared to use force. But is the United States prepared to use force? Are we prepared to see body bags coming back and arriving at Dover, DE? That is what the Senator is asking. What is at stake here? I respectfully submit to the Senator from Virginia that the answer is there is a vital national security interest. How vital? Is it as vital as others that we have faced more recently in other parts of the world where we have chosen to send troops and fight wars? The answer is 'no.' But does it rise to the level of legitimate national security interest? The answer to that is absolutely yes. We have a vital national security interest in the stability of Europe. We have a vital national security interest in the ability of the United Nations to not have its word flaunted, to not have its intent simply trampled on by thugs and war criminals. We have a vital national interest in not having this spill over in Macedonia and Kosovo.”