Rep. Sherman Suggests U.S. Train an Army of Albanians

Rep. Brad Sherman said Monday that the Clinton administration should consider using American military troops to train an army of Albanians to fight the war in Kosovo.

Sherman, a Democrat whose district includes parts of eastern Ventura County, said the new army could be made up of Kosovar Albanians and Albanian citizen volunteers. He said creating such a force might prompt Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to negotiate an end to the conflict.

“If there is an Albanian army being trained, then he knows that a force willing to absorb casualties could be deployed,” Sherman said in an interview before giving his remarks on the House floor. “I would prefer that army, rather than the American Army, do the fighting.”

Sherman said the new army should not be given guns until after training.

The Sherman Oaks congressman also said he supports Russia’s involvement in the negotiation process.

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is expected to meet with Russia’s foreign minister today in Oslo.

The congressman also said he backs a peace agreement that would allow NATO troops to occupy and restore peace to 80% of Kosovo while allowing Serbs to remain in 20% of the territory.

“We all want the Albanians of Kosovo to have a chance to flourish and control their own lives, but it’s a long way from there to say you are willing to allow Americans to die,” Sherman said.

Sherman said he thinks it’s likely the conflict in the Balkans could drag on for months.