Steve Rothman: “the peace talks in Kosovo are predicated on one very simple premise: The international community must pose a credible…”

“the peace talks in Kosovo are predicated on one very simple premise: The international community must pose a credible military threat to enforce any peace agreement that is reached between the Kosovars and the Serbs. To discuss today whether or not the United States, the world's only superpower and the world's greatest military force, will lend its support to any Kosovo peace settlement is premature and is inappropriate at this time. To debate this issue today undermines the efforts of the envoys who are trying to negotiate a peace settlement between the Serbs and Kosovars. However, the credible threat of military force does provide an incentive for the Serbs and Kosovars to reach a peace agreement. To debate this issue today threatens that incentive and could embolden Slobodan Milosevic to reject NATO peacekeeping troops completely, and could cause the Kosovars to give up on the peace process. The bottom line, though, is that wavering American leadership in this situation has the potential to lead to more bloodshed in Kosovo that could spill over into other parts of Europe and metastasize beyond our control. Mr. Chairman, we cannot have it both ways. We cannot be the world's only superpower but then remain aloof when the situation demands our leadership. Mr. Chairman, I do not rise today to say that the United States is obligated to resolve every conflict that erupts around the world. We have the right to decide these matters on a case-by-case basis.”