Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to issue our condolences to the people of Kosovo who are suffering such horrendous hardship. We watch daily in disbelief and disgust the slaughter and destruction. Like Bosnia a few years ago the issues are complex, emotional and rooted deep in history.
It is critical that we end the conflict and push forward in a long term solution to the problem. We must do everything in our power to force Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and Kosovo leaders to the negotiating table tomorrow in Paris.
The Prime Minister's total disrespect for parliament by publicly announcing the commitment of ground troops to NATO is unacceptable. We must have a clear and open debate in the House of Commons followed by a free vote before we commit troops to any NATO action in Kosovo.
This issue is addressed in Motion No. 380 on which all of us will vote next Tuesday. It makes clear that when Canadian lives and resources are being committed it is the people of Canada who should make that decision through parliament.