Henry Bonilla: “today we debate two concepts-- responsibility and planning. Understanding our responsibilities and how we plan to carry…”

“today we debate two concepts-- responsibility and planning. Understanding our responsibilities and how we plan to carry them out is the key to determining what America's interest in Kosovo is. Our responsibility as Americans are limited and crystal clear. We must oppose any threat to our national security. Our interests in the Balkans are limited. We have no direct national interest in the region's politics. Our interests are solely limited to preventing any other outside power from increasing its threat to America by dominating the region. Preventing any conflict in that region from emboldening tyrants elsewhere or becoming a threat to our ties with key allies. Unfortunately, our current policy threatens to do just that. When we commit American power we have a responsibility to plan. We must have a plan of action that will lead to the achievement of objectives that is consistent with U.S. interests. There must be linkage between our political objectives and military plans if we are to succeed in achieving our goals. Unfortunately, our mission in Kosovo falls short in both respects. The Balkans are not an area of vital national interest. We have no security interest that remotely justifies the massive commitment of military resources and U.S. credibility that the administration has made. It is both dangerous and irresponsible to place our forces and credibility at risk.…”