{
  "id": "RL30729",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "RL30729",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 100233,
      "date": "2001-01-18",
      "retrieved": "2016-05-24T20:29:11.296941",
      "title": "Kosovo and the 106th Congress",
      "summary": "The Kosovo crisis and aftermath dominated U.S. foreign policy during much of the 106th\nCongress. \nFrom 1999 to 2000, international focus on Kosovo evolved from peace negotiations to a NATO air\nwar to post-war peacekeeping and an international protectorate for the province. Scenarios regarding\nthe use of U.S. military forces in and around Kosovo were a central issue in the Congress. Before,\nduring, and after NATO's air operation against Serbia in early 1999, some Members of Congress\nchallenged the President's authority under the Constitution to engage U.S. armed forces in military\noperations in the Balkans without congressional approval. A greater number of others, however,\nabandoned or rejected options that might have dictated a forced removal of U.S. armed forces from\nKosovo operations. Antagonistic relations between Congress and the White House, as well as\ndivisions within both parties, at times undermined the effort to reach consensus on legislation. For\nthe most part, Congress supported the President's requests for funding for military operations, but\nwas less supportive of funding requests for civilian reconstruction programs.\n During Operation  Allied Force , Members of Congress spoke out for and against the\nmission. \nThe constitutional role of Congress in decisions regarding the use of force became a prominent focus\nof debate. However, Congress rejected resolutions that would declare outright war against Serbia\nor, alternatively, mandate the removal of U.S. armed forces from the region. Congress also\nconsidered alternative strategies such as preparing for a possible ground invasion of Serbia and\npromoting the democratic opposition to Milosevic's rule in Serbia.\n After Milosevic agreed to NATO's terms to terminate the air operation in June 1999, attention\nturned to peacekeeping and the international administration of the Kosovo province. The\ncommitment of U.S. resources and burden-sharing with the European allies became a major concern\nin Congress. Several pieces of legislation reflected this concern.\n Near the end of the 106th Congress, events took a dramatic turn in Serbia. Slobodan Milosevic\nwas forced to step down from power after losing democratic elections and facing massive public\ndemonstrations against his continued rule. The new situation in Serbia and the ongoing peace efforts\nin Kosovo are likely to be prominent issues of interest to the new Administration and the 107th\nCongress. Changes in the post-Milosevic period may carry implications for the NATO-led military\npresence in the Balkans.\n This report first reviews key developments in Kosovo and U.S. policy during 1999 and 2000. \nIt then examines the congressional responses to the Kosovo peace talks at Rambouillet, the NATO\nair war against Yugoslavia, the aftermath and lessons learned from the conflict, and the subsequent\nefforts by the United States and other countries to reconstruct and stabilize Kosovo. A concluding\nsection looks to potential trends that may become important in the 107th Congress. Appendices\nprovide a survey of key legislative provisions on Kosovo.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
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      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Constitutional Questions",
    "Foreign Affairs"
  ]
}