Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has given a detailed overview of the situation in Kosovo. We have been provided with an explanation of Canadian policy toward the conflict.
We have seen much evidence over the last few weeks and months about the issue. I do not believe I need to repeat most of that. Indeed we agree that there is an international crisis in Kosovo. As I said earlier today, we support our involvement in that crisis.
As well, the tragedy of Yugoslavia and Kosovo as it has unfolded lends itself to our stopping a moment and looking at the crisis that war creates. The many comments that have been made and the reasons for intervention allow us to support this, but I do not think it should be a blind support. I want to state very clearly that I believe I am as patriotic as anyone in this country. I am here because I believe in this country. I think, though, that we need to stop for a moment and ask a few other questions about our intervention in Kosovo and what it might mean.
Let me very briefly address those points. As the days and the bombings unfold, we will probably have to evaluate just how long this sort of action can be sustained. The first question is what if Mr. Milosevic does not give in to this bombing. Obviously the reason for the bombing is that he will see the light and say he will come to the table and stop what he has been doing in Kosovo. That will be good for us and for the Serbian people, and that will certainly be good for the Kosovars.
We should remember, however, that the Serbs have a long history of war and of fighting anything they disagree with. They are not Iraqis. They are quite different in how they might respond. History tells us that. We have to ask what will happen if, at the week's end, bombings have not brought the reaction we want. What will happen next?
My second question concerns the degree to which Canada will be involved in further NATO missions in Kosovo. The House has never freely debated what would happen if we had to send in ground troops in an escalation of this event. We have already made a commitment to provide 700 or more troops to a NATO led peace monitoring mission in Kosovo should that become necessary, and we hope of course that it does.
Will this engagement go further than that? If it does go further than that and we are asked to send combat forces on a ground invasion, will we come back to this House to discuss that issue? I believe it is our job here to ask that question and to receive assurances that it will happen. I am concerned for the safety of our men and women in the Canadian forces, as all of us are. We need to ask ourselves if the armed forces are equipped to handle a sustained attack in a situation like that. No one doubts the courage of our men and women in uniform, but we do have to question whether they are prepared for what they might face in that invasion.
We also have to ask about the role of parliament in this whole issue. This is the House of Commons. This is the place where elected representatives should take this issue very seriously. We are talking about the sons and daughters of many of our constituents. The Commons must be consulted before this country undertakes any further serious foreign affairs action in this event.
I do not believe that the debates on Kosovo that took place in November and February dealt with a future escalation. It is not satisfactory to simply have a statement and to have the sort of debate that we have had.
As we and our NATO allies attack Yugoslavia, we are now at war. Some might call it peace enforcement. Others assert that it is simply forceful diplomacy. Let us not mince words. We are at war, and while we find that word distasteful, I believe that is the word we need to use. This is the reality of the international system. Military force is required to deter and punish aggression or to alleviate human suffering. The rhetoric of soft power cannot hide these simple facts.
I want to express my hope for a speedy resolution to this crisis and to extend all of our prayers to the men and women of the Canadian forces. May they all return safely.