[R-G] Bush Offers Military Help to Kosovo

[Anthony Fenton]

Bush Offers Military Help to Kosovo
March 19, 2008 - 5:53pm

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush on Wednesday authorized military  
assistance to Kosovo, which declared its independence from Serbia last  
month.

Bush signed a Presidential Determination granting Kosovo eligibility  
to receive defense articles and defense services under the Foreign  
Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act, which require that the  
president determine that military assistance "will strengthen the  
security of the United States and promote world peace."

The United States was among the first countries to recognize Kosovo  
after its Feb. 17 declaration of independence.

The White House said Bush's move would strengthen U.S. security  
relations with Kosovo, promote security and stability throughout the  
Balkans and improve Kosovo's capacity to take part in peacekeeping  
activities, deter terrorists and deal with humanitarian emergencies.

Tensions have been high since Kosovo's declaration of independence,  
which Serbia says is illegal under international law.

"The actual provision of defense articles or defense services will be  
considered on a case-by-case basis, including with respect to relevant  
guidelines and criteria established in the existing Conventional Arms  
Transfer policy," the White House said. "Each request will also be  
reviewed to ensure that all legal requirements and constraints  
existing at the time with regard to the sale, lease, or other transfer  
are satisfied."

(Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This  
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush on Wednesday authorized military  
assistance to Kosovo, which declared its independence from Serbia last  
month.

Bush signed a Presidential Determination granting Kosovo eligibility  
to receive defense articles and defense services under the Foreign  
Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act, which require that the  
president determine that military assistance "will strengthen the  
security of the United States and promote world peace."

The United States was among the first countries to recognize Kosovo  
after its Feb. 17 declaration of independence.

The White House said Bush's move would strengthen U.S. security  
relations with Kosovo, promote security and stability throughout the  
Balkans and improve Kosovo's capacity to take part in peacekeeping  
activities, deter terrorists and deal with humanitarian emergencies.

Tensions have been high since Kosovo's declaration of independence,  
which Serbia says is illegal under international law.

"The actual provision of defense articles or defense services will be  
considered on a case-by-case basis, including with respect to relevant  
guidelines and criteria established in the existing Conventional Arms  
Transfer policy," the White House said. "Each request will also be  
reviewed to ensure that all legal requirements and constraints  
existing at the time with regard to the sale, lease, or other transfer  
are satisfied."

(Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This  
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)