Burning bridges-Attacks on Kosovo unjustified, shameful[Ron Paul][March 29, 1999]

House.gov ^ | 28 March 1999 | Ron Paul

[BGHater]

This is not a proud moment for America, as the United States military has been used to invade a sovereign nation that threatened neither our security, nor even the borders of our allies or friends.

Yet, for an Administration enthralled with the notion of a paternalistic government that cares for everyone, everywhere, all the time, President Clinton's actions in Serbia should not be surprising. Just as this president believes he and his government can best order the lives of each American citizen (he recently said that Americans shouldn't be given a tax cut because they would not spend the money as wisely as he and his administration would), he is confident that he can solve the problems of the world. His track record suggests otherwise; despite the fanfare and speeches, there is still violence raging from the Middle East to Ireland -- all great "successes" for this president.

For as bad as the violence is toward the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, our ability to police and stop all ethnic fighting around the world is quite limited, and the efforts are quite simply not permitted under constitutional law. We do not even pretend to solve the problems of sub-Saharan Africa, Tibet, East Timor, Kurdistan, and many other places around the world where the violence is endless and just as tragic.

Most importantly, though is the simple fact that meddling in the internal affairs of a nation involved in civil war is quite dangerous. Both sides believe themselves to be correct, and neither side will appreciate the other side receiving assistance.

If anything, our involvement threatens to escalate the situation. No successful military action has ever -- or likely will ever -- involve only air power; ground troops must be involved. While a stealth jet will likely always escape the "primitive" weapons of the Serbs, a bullet aimed at a soldier can be very primitive, yet just as effective as the most modern of firearms.

Some argue the US is needed to stop the spread of war. Our presence will do the opposite. Peaceful and cooperative relations with Russia, a long-desired goal, are now greatly threatened. Our bombings are likely to provoke the Russians into now becoming a much more active ally of Serbia.

Our determination to be involved in the dangerous civil war may well prompt a stronger Greek alliance with their friends in Serbia, further splitting NATO and offending the Turks, who are naturally inclined to be sympathetic to the Albanian Muslims.

Contrary to his campaign slogan, President Clinton's actions are burning bridges to the 21st Century. The tragedy is that it will be our soldiers -- our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters -- who are trapped by these senseless actions, and it will be the innocent women and children of Serbia who will bear the brunt of the bombings.

Sympathy and compassion for the suffering and voluntary support for the oppressed is commendable, even honorable. But as history shows, ethnic peace is not achieved by outside forces committing acts of war to pick and choose sides in fighting that dates back hundreds of years.

The use of force and acts of war can only spread the misery and suffering, weaken our defenses, and undermine our national sovereignty.

This is not a proud time for the United States.

[robomatik]

“kumbaya” vid will follow in short order. thank you for your patience.

[a_different_conservative]

Yes, massive aerial bombing of mostly civilian targets ended the conflict for a while.

However, nothing is ever settled until it’s settled right. If (I would say when) the conflict starts anew, will you be prepared to follow Obama or Clinton for another round of this - especially when, like Clinton, they are given a pass on war crimes by the media?

Will aerial bombing suffice if Russia becomes involved? Will you support WWIII against Russia to support a Muslim state built on the ashes of Serbia’s homeland?

Will you support Palestine when it issues a unilateral declaration of independence? Will you support massive aerial bombing of Isreal if necessary?

How about a UDI for Aztlan? Will you support that?

Just questions to ponder.

[gondramB]

>>For as bad as the violence is toward the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, our ability to police and stop all ethnic fighting around the world is quite limited, and the efforts are quite simply not permitted under constitutional law.<<

Our power to stop it all is quite limited and we need be extremely careful where and how we project our power.

But given that without the intervention and help of the French our bid for independence might well have been unsuccessful and we might never have become a free country, we would be quite hypocritical if we took the position that we would never help others be free.

Is Kosovo a wise application of this force? That’s a separate issue. But Ron Paul is dead wrong to say we should never stop mass killings or help others be free.

[demshateGod]

There was a good article on FR some time back about how profane language is symptomatic of a degenerate culture. It’s true. There’s nothing “adult” about adult language. It’s the language of the human debris that fill this once great country.

[robomatik]

degenerate culture? dude you are a little late!

generation slut
available on amazon.com

if you think soldiers use the kings english in the conduct of everyday life, i suggest you ponder that thought a little longer.

but, thanks anyway.

[DrBombbay]

Wheres Palestine BTW? This current turn of events is troubling to me like it seems to be to you.The support its getting from the Administration also troubling.However.....

The bombings had the desired effect without the need for US ground troops fighting.Thats the crux of the post.Paul was wrong about this facet of the conflict much like he is about most military/foreign policy issues he chooses to air his opinions about.

NATO bombings expedited the removal of Milosevic and ended that particular conflict.