Washington is supporting U.N. and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan's peace initiative, which calls for a cease-fire and a political solution.

CNN: Military options for Syria considered if crisis worsens

More recently, we played a key role in supporting the U.N. intervention - again, Blue Helmets in the Congo - and we paid 25 percent of the bill.

NPR: U.S. Non-Intervention In Syria Could Mirror Outcome In Congo

But Yugoslavia refused to withdraw without a U.N. resolution supporting the peace plan agreed to earlier by Belgrade.

CNN: graphic