[austrian]

the US has about 1600 troops in kosovo. i´m shure it would hurt if they leave (by the way they do not leave) but this wound not prevent kosovo from declare it´s independence. there are about 19.000 european soldiers in kosovo and 2 battle groups on stand by.

[JMS]

Sorry, but recent history has shown the European troops would not be effective against either the KLA or Serbia’s army if it would come down to a shooting war. Also, would the EU troops really want to get in the way on the ground rather than just bombing from the air?

[BobS]

"there are about 19.000 european soldiers in kosovo and 2 battle groups on stand by."

That's another problem. After a decade or so, people look at militaries as a welfare check. For people that looted and burned down Orthodox old churches and communities?

Encouraging that behavior and rewarding it is not the way to go. That's the mayhem that started everything. That stupid Clinton should have stayed out until all big countries decided it's getting out of hand.

[Banat]

The strength of the U.S. is not in the 1,600 troops it has on the ground (troops that prefer to hang out with the Serbian Army in the DMZ, btw); it's in the capability and willingness to use its power. That's something NONE of the European countries -- with the exception of Britain -- possess.

Now, for some insane reason, the U.S. has chosen to put this power behind a bunch of drug-running, nun-raping, church-burning, Jihad heathens.

Austria has just announced that it will support the independence of Kosovo. Is Austria ready to send its troops to enforce this grand plan? Didn't think so.