Lieberman Tried to Arm KLA
8/10/00

During the NATO War in Yugoslavia, an attempt was made in Congress to fund the re-arming of the Kosovo Liberation Army. Along with Sen. John McCain, Sen. Joseph Lieberman co-sponsored the "Kosovo Self-Defense Act."

Following is a statement Sen. Lieberman gave to The Guardian (UK) on April 9, 1999.

If, after extended air strikes, it becomes clear that Mr. Milosevic intends to continue his war of aggression, we must have an answer to the question of what next? The bill we are proposing provides us with such an answer, and an opportunity to send an uncompromising message to Mr Milosevic: we will not stand idly by and allow him to brutalise the people of Kosovo any longer.

This bill is premised on our belief that Nato ground forces will not be put into Kosovo unless the Serbs and Kosovans reach a peace agreement. If we adopt that stance, though, and Serbian aggression continues, we have an obligation to allow the Kosovans to defend themselves. Our legislation, by providing aid to the Kosovan military forces, would give them a fair chance to fight for their families and their future.

I am aware that this proposal will raise some concerns. I recall that when I first raised the idea of training and equipping the Bosnian army, many critics told us that we would destabilise an entire region or accelerate an arms race. In the end, I think those concerns were shown to be misguided.

Training and equipping the Bosnians enhanced the stability of the area and helped end the Bosnian war. The situation in Kosovo is different. But that does not diminish the suffering of the Kosovan people subjected to Serb aggression, nor negate their right to defend their families from the threat of genocide.