"IT IS IMPORTANT TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEIR SERVICE IS NOT FORGOTTEN"

 Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala) recently returned from visiting with our troops in Kosovo.  Stearns participated in an official congressional delegation that met with European government leaders to discuss national security and other issues, and received briefings on our continuing mission in Kosovo.  "It was a real honor for me to meet with our troops in Kosovo, to thank them for their service, and to hear their concerns," stated Stearns.  "We have about 1,700 troops participating in peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and we must let them know that their service is not forgotten."  In addition to the briefings and a tour of the facilities, Stearns and other members of the delegation had lunch with the troops.

In 1999, NATO began Operation Allied Force to protect the civilian population in Kosovo from Serbian aggression.  Forces from the United States are still involved in Kosovo as part of NATO's peacekeeping force (KFOR).  On October 24, 2005, the U.N. Security Council endorsed the recommendation of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to launch a political process to determine Kosovo's disputed status, and those discussions are ongoing," added Stearns.  "I am proud of our servicemen and women participating in KFOR, and their continuing efforts to bring peace and democracy to a troubled region."