Thursday, April 8th, 1999.

Reply by American senator

     From: Senator@boxer.senate.gov

     Thank you for contacting me with your views on military intervention in Kosovo. I appreciate hearing from you.

     As you know, on Wednesday, March 24, the United States Armed Forces joined other NATO member-nations in launching air strikes against the Serbian forces responsible for the brutal attacks on the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. We did this for many reasons.

     We acted to halt the Serbian army's attacks against innocent Kosovar civilians. The crisis in Kosovo is not war in the traditional sense. It is an attack by a fully armed force--the Serbian army--on a largely defenseless populace--the ethnic Albanians. As members of the international community, we cannot stand by while scores of people are killed not for what they have done, but for who they are.

     We also acted because containing the crisis in Kosovo is in America's national interest. Kosovo lies at the crossroads between three volatile regions--Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

     The clash we see in Kosovo today can easily spread to neighboring countries, most of whom are struggling themselves with the challenges of building a democratic style of government.

     We must remember that the Balkan region--of which Kosovo is a part--played a critical role in the spread of both World Wars I and II. I agree with President Clinton and other NATO leaders that it is better to act now, and prevent another regional crisis from turning into an international war.

     Please know that I understand the legitimate concerns about NATO intervention in Kosovo. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I will continue to monitor the situation there as well as the progress of our air strike campaign.

     Again, thank you for writing.

     Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator