Madam Speaker, I should first point out that under no circumstances are we talking about a force that would be going in as an active intervention. What we are discussing in the House is a peacekeeping mission that would be required to fulfill an agreement that was arrived at by both sides.
As members know, in any negotiations various bargaining statements are made by both sides in order to up the ante and to gain leverage. It is somewhat encouraging that the Russian foreign minister, Mr. Ivanov, whom I spoke to directly a few days ago, is undertaking a very specific mission to try to convince the Serbs that it would be in their best interests to reach an agreement. The alternative is frankly what we discussed in the opening statement.
We still have in place the activation orders of NATO that could be used in the way of air strikes. But that is the only form of NATO action being contemplated of a non-peacekeeping nature.
I want to assure the House and the hon. member that what we are talking about here is purely peacekeeping activities of ground forces that would be required under an agreement if it is arrived at this weekend.