According to a senior Defense Department official, the arrangement will give Russian commanders a greater say in the Kosovo operations at all levels.

Most of the air power deployed in the Kosovo operation has been American.

And there are also doubts about the effectiveness of the Kosovo operation as a deterrent.

Another indication of weariness with the Kosovo operation was the shrinking of some countries' forces.

"His troops are stepping up Kosovo operations, and once the Albanian leadership signs this agreement we can turn our full attention to Belgrade."

"They're exaggerating the costs of the Kosovo operation and they're funding things that meet no one's definition of an emergency," he said.

But officials say it is hard to compare because the Kosovo operation has large start-up costs.

Worse yet, it will include money for domestic maintenance depots, personnel recruitment and military installations abroad that have absolutely no role in the Kosovo operation.

My question is this: is it possible to carry out the Kosovo operation without taking funds away from other credit lines in our budget?

"Peacekeeping is not an act, it's a process," said Jock Covey, who served as deputy to the first civilian head of the Kosovo operation.