Note: Place names rendered primarily in Serbian spelling"We are facing, still, an acrosstheboard failure on the part of the Serb
authorities to comply with the terms of the October agreement, to cooperate
with the ICTY [War Crimes Tribunal], to cooperate adequately with the
Kosovo Verification Mission, to allow an investigation of the Racak
massacre a whole series of unacceptable steps and stands taken by the Serb
authorities to which the international community is right now deciding its
response."
US State Department spokesman James Rubin
January 25, 1999 - Washington
"The EU [European Union] must make it clear that we do not see good guys
and bad guys in this conflict."
Spain's Foreign Minister Abel Matutes
Quoted by Agence France Press, January 25, 1999 - Brussels
"There must never be another Srebrenica... Human rights will from now on be
the cornerstone of our policy... [Milosevic is] a nationalist dictator who
is violating human rights."
Germany's Defense Minister Rudolf Scharping
Quoted by Agence France Presse, January 23, 1999 - Salonika, Greece
"In my view, history will look favorably on any leader that has the courage
to end Milosevic's reign of terror...It is my hope that you will be that
leader."
Former US Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole in a letter sent last week to
President Bill Clinton
Quoted by Washington Post, Sunday, January 24, 1999 - Washington
"Sooner or later, a NATO-led force will have to occupy Kosovo in order to
end the fighting. Unlike in Bosnia, there may well be no peace settlement
to enforce. As in Cyprus, the peacekeepers could remain for generations.
'It is so obvious,' a Foreign Office source said. 'It's just a question of
when.' "
The Observer (London), January 24, 1999
"It is too late, you are very late, we needed you before, we need protection."
Ethnic Albanian girl, to OSCE verifiers the day after the massacre at Racak
where her father and two brothers were killed
Quoted by the Center for Protection of Women and Children, January 16, 1999
- Pristina
"We have been assured that the police are here to protect you."
OSCE-KVM Chief William Walker, to a group of ethnic Albanians in Malisevo
Quoted by Reuters, January 25, 1999 - Malisevo
I. DISPLACED PERSONS/KILLINGS/ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS
Reuters reported yesterday that "five ethnic Albanians, including two
children, were found shot to death in western Kosovo Monday... 'They were
shot by heavy weapons. The bodies look very bad,' Les House, an
international monitor with the KVM [Kosovo Verification Mission] told
Reuters at the scene. A man and a woman lay sprawled in the cab of a red
tractor, both with massive head wounds. Two children, believed to be boys
aged 10 and 12, and a man were dead on a pile of corn stalks in the wagon
behind the tractor. KVM officials told Reuters that they believed the group
were killed Sunday evening.... The ethnic Albanian Kosovo Information
Center quoted a local witness as saying an armored personnel carrier of the
Yugoslav security forces opened fire on the tractor... Serbian
sources...said the five had been killed on territory controlled by the
Kosovo Liberation Army [KLA]... The authorities said there was evidence
that the dead had come under fire from both assault rifles and heavy
machine-guns, but that the perpetrators were as yet unknown."
The Reuters report also noted: "KVM notified Serbian authorities who
dispatched special police to secure the site, and an investigative judge.
White forensic tags marking entry holes on the tractor and evidence on the
ground in the vicinity suggested that the investigation was well under way
by Monday afternoon... KVM refused substantive comment except to say that
it was satisfied with the government investigation. 'We're very happy with
the investigation that was made. Very professional,' said Winfred Wesch, a
KVM monitor on the scene."
The Washington Post said today that "the site is not far from where a
Yugoslav army armored unit is deployed, and ethnic Albanian separatist
guerrillas have been active a few miles to the west. A Western official
said that the type of weapons used in the slayings are standard issue among
government forces but that some may be in rebel hands as well."
Associated Press reported today that the "Serb government in
Kosovo...called the killings 'unscrupulous reprisal by Albanian terrorist
gangs...against those who would not obey them and serve crime and
separatism.' "
The Times (London) reported January 22 that "police [making arrests in
villages near Mitrovica during an offensive there] appear to have been
flushing out a KLA cell they blame for the death of a colleague, and
serious injuries to others, a week ago. A CNN camera crew recorded a
round-up of suspects - in an operation bearing troubling similarities to
the start of the Racak one. Few OSCE monitors were in evidence."
*Ten more killed in scattered incidents
Independent news service ARTA (Pristina) noted January 22 that two ethnic
Albanians from the village of Ciflak were "killed in an ambush by the Serb
police...three other unidentified persons were wounded... The [independent
Pristina daily] Koha Ditore correspondent from Orahovac also noted that on
Thursday...at the exit of the village of Bellacerk, the Serb police opened
fire on a vehicle, killing two persons... Meanwhile, LDK [Democratic League
of Kosovo] sources in Malisevo reported the killing of Ahmet Elshani, from
the village of Banja, on Wednesday evening. They claim that the shots were
fired from a sniper rifle, from the location where the Serb police units
are based."
The Center for Protection of Women and Children (Pristina) reported
January 21 that "Prekalle village locals found the body of Dr. Xhedvet
Gasi...witnesses say...he went [at 5:00 PM the day before] to work at the
Pec Emergency healthcare center; he is the fifth doctor executed in
mysterious ways." The Center also reported the murder of a Pec
schoolteacher January 19, and the January 20 murder and mutilation by an
unknown person of an ethnic Albanian in Orahovac.
The official Serbian Media Center (Pristina) reported January 21 that the
body of Ahmet Eljsani "from nearby Banje village was found yesterday in
Orlate village, Glogovac municipality. The investigation determined Eljsani
was killed from a firearm. The Chinese shells, 7.62mm caliber were found
around his body. The investigation of the crime's motives and of the
criminals is underway.... Last night, at about 6 PM, in Ljutoglava village,
Pec municipality, a body of a male person, unidentified at present, was
discovered. The police visited the spot, and the Pec investigation
authorities started the investigation this morning."
*Hostages released
Deutsche Presse Agentur reported that "international monitors on Saturday
secured the release of five Serbian civilians kidnapped by Albanian
guerrillas in Kosovo... the Serbs were abducted by masked men on Friday in
the village of Nevoljane near Vucitrn, 20 miles northwest of Pristina...
The action is reported to have been an unplanned attack carried out without
the sanction of the KLA leadership, which would explain an earlier
statement by a KLA spokesman denying the rebels were behind the abduction."
Agence France Presse quoted OSCE KVM chief William Walker before the
release Saturday: "I am condemning that, I think that was a very unwise and
uncivilized thing to do, to kidnap civilians, and I want to condemn it,' he
added."
(The release followed the Belgrade authorities' release of nine ethnic
Albanian prisoners caught in December trying to cross the
Albania-Yugoslavia border, described by the Washington Post as "attempting
to bring in weaponry for use by rebel fighters." Associated Press noted
Sunday that the nine prisoners were freed "under a secret deal negotiated
by US and European diplomats to secure the release two weeks ago of eight
Yugoslav soldiers...the Yugoslav government, which denied that there was
any such deal, has not acknowledged the release.")
*Civilians on run in northern Kosovo
The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesman reported Friday that
"UNHCR staff visiting the Mitrovica area yesterday encountered groups of 20
to 30 civilians on foot in search of safety and shelter. Some were heading
southeast toward the Cicavica hills, and others southwest toward the
Drenica region. Many of the displaced people said they had been on the road
since Wednesday and had spent the night in the open, some sleeping under
tractorwagons in icy weather."
ARTA reported January 22 that "only women and children are still staying
in their homes in the villages of Rrypaj, Pacaj, Rracaj and Dallashaj, of
the Decan municipality. Most of the men fled their homes, seeking shelter
in safer places."
The New York Times yesterday cited an ethnic Albanian doctor running a
charitable medical clinic in Prizren saying "the most common difficulties
the clinic tries to treat are widespread nutrition among the poor and
rampant cases of stress, especially among the refugees who have fled to the
town... 'The old people especially who come here, they are in shock. They
simply cry all the time. And I have only mild tranquilizers to give them.'
Earlier that day, he was asked to visit a refugee who is living with a
family only 500 yards this little storefront. 'He was afraid to go
outside,' [the doctor] said. 'He said, 'There are so many police and I
don't have any papers.' ' "
A UNHCR spokesman said Tuesday that "many of the 5,500 displaced people
who fled the Kosovska Mitrovica region north of Pristina last week have
been returning to their homes, after police withdrew from the area over the
weekend. Most of the 3,600 residents of Sipolje, which is on the outskirts
of Mitrovica, have gone back to their houses. Shops in Sipolje which had
been closed since last week have reopened. But UNHCR staff who were in the
area yesterday noted that most of the people who had fled the villages of
Vaganice and Pirca were still staying in temporary shelter in Prekaz and
Ljubovic. In the Racak/Stimlje area, no military activity was reported
yesterday for the fifth day in a row, but as of yesterday there was no
significant return movement there.
A UN situation report released January 24 said that "approximately 30,000
people have fled fighting since late December in some 25 villages in the
municipalities of Podujevo, Decane, Stimlje, Suva Reka and Kosovska Mitrovica."
II. FIGHTING/FORCE DEPLOYMENTS
The Times (London) reported January 22 that "the streets of Sipolje
village lay deserted as hundreds of officers in battle fatigues pushed back
KLA guerrillas in neighboring Vagacin and settlements to the southwest.
Reporters heard tank shells fired in the morning, and an army anti-aircraft
gun was parked in the middle of Sipolje in the afternoon." Reuters reported
January 21 that "Yugoslav troops fired a 'Praga' anti-aircraft gun
repeatedly at suspected guerrilla positions."
The New York Times Saturday reported that NATO Supreme Commander US
General Wesley Clark "said Mr. Milosevic's forces 'are still deploying in
the field in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1199 and the
commitments he made to NATO, and so the crisis continues.' " Earlier
comments by Western officials have cited recent Serbian and Yugoslav force
deployments as violations of the October Holbrooke-Milosevic agreement (the
details of which have not been made public), as opposed to UNSCR 1199,
which demands that Belgrade "cease all action by the security forces
affecting the civilian population and order the withdrawal of security
units used for civilian repression." NATO is charged specifically by the
United Nations with monitoring compliance with UNSCR 1199, and NATO's
October 13 activation order specifically authorizes the first stage of air
strikes on Belgrade "to compel compliance with UNSCR 1199."
ARTA reported January 22-24 Serbian reinforcements in the in several
villages in the Orahovac district, as well as in the villages of Sferke,
Volljake and Mramor (in the Klina district). ARTA also noted a
"continued...military buildup along the Pristina-Podujevo and
Podujevo-Kerpimeh roads...in clear violation of the cease-fire accord
declared last October" and "a convoy of three trucks and one armored
vehicle loaded with armed Serb policemen...seen in Gllogjan." ARTA also
reported that "five military vehicles, three tanks and two armored
transporters left the military base in Dumosh...and went to Peran [in
Mitrovica]."
The International Herald Tribune noted Sunday that "Paris seemed to move
closer to Washington and London when Defense Minister Alain Richard told
parliament Friday that Belgrade had reinforced its troops in Kosovo in
recent months in violation of its promises." Deutsche Presse Agentur
January 23 quoted Germany's Defense Minister Rudolf Scharping: "[Milosevic]
did not adhere to his commitments toward the international community as he
deployed more troops and police forces [in Kosovo] than promised."
The Edmonton Sun (Canada) reported from Pristina that "in the Podujevo
area...Yugoslav tanks and troops remained Saturday at positions they took
after eight Yugoslav army soldiers were kidnapped January 8... KLA rebels
manned trenches as close as a kilometer away."
ARTA reported January 22 that "two KLA soldiers...were killed on Wednesday
during clashes with Serbian forces." Reuters reported Sunday that "some
10,000 ethnic Albanians gathered in [Vaganica village]...for the funeral."
State news agency Tanjug (Belgrade) reported that "ethnic Albanian
terrorists [January 21] attacked a Yugoslav army unit on its way back to
barracks after training...near Stimlje."
The Serbian Media Center reported yesterday a "terrorist attack last night
on the Pristina-Kosovska Mitrovica road," and noted January 18 that "five
policemen attacked near Kosovska Mitrovica were wounded by a grenade
launcher which hit their car."
The Media Center also said last night that "a group of tens of terrorists
tried to enter Yugoslavia from Albania but Yugoslav border guards have
stopped them and make them return to Albania."
III. POPULATION CENTERS UNDER SIEGE/ARRESTS AND DETENTIONS
ARTA reported January 26 "increased movements of Serb police/military
forces" in Suva Reka, and noted January 24 that "the villages of Glligjan,
Baballoc, Gramacel, Shaptej and Rastavice [Djakovica district] are under
siege by the heavy Serb forces. Another Serb force checkpoint was posted in
Lupc i Poshtem [Podujevo district], controlling and harassing passers-by."
ARTA also noted Serbian police raids on houses in Decan and Junik, and
cited looting by the Yugoslav Army during a raid on Planeje village in
Prizren district and Peran village in Podujevo. Independent Radio 21
(Pristina) January 20 noted that "large Serb forces with tanks and armored
vehicles were deployed last night in Greme village."
The Center for Protection of Women and Children said yesterday that
"[January 22] heavy police forces are deployed in Vucitrn area [and] twenty
tanks headed toward Gllogovac Nickel plant...they were joined with trucks
and APCs."
Radio 21 reported today the death in unknown circumstances of an ethnic
Albanian resident of a village in Decan municipality, and noted that Hysni
Murseli, sent last year to prison in Lipjan, had been located in the
Pristina morgue. ARTA reported that Hysni "died...from tortures at the
Lipjan prison."
Reuters reported January 21 that "heavily armed police [in Sipolje
village], who had earlier searched houses in the virtually-deserted village
and rounded up seven ethnic Albanian men, questioned them, and checked
their identity papers. They then drove them to the nearby town of Mitrovica."
Radio 21 reported January 23 that Serbian police gave an ultimatum to the
residents in Vrella village to "surrender their weapons."
The Center for Protection of Women and Children reported that 25 ethnic
Albanians were arrested during a January 20 raid on Mitrovica. Local
independent media reported that three Albanians were arrested in Skivjan
(Djakovica municipality), and three Albanians, including a schoolteacher,
were arrested January 22 in Stimlje. Radio 21 January 22 reported that a
County Court in Djakovica sentenced one Albanian to 2 and half years in
prison on the charge of "terrorism."
ARTA reported today a "new wave of arrests" in the Djakovica district.
Radio 21 reported raids and nine arrests January 20 in Urosevac, Djakovica
and Junik.
IV. INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY
*A mini-Dayton on Kosovo settlement?
Reuters today reported Western diplomats "said foreign ministers...of the
Contact Group would meet in Paris [within 10 days] to issue a virtual
summons to negotiate on a plan for interim self-rule, once NATO has sent a
fresh warning to Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic on Wednesday. 'There
is a determination to get an interim political settlement agreed by the end
of February, under the threat of military force if necessary,' a senior
NATO diplomat said. The aim is to hold continuous face-to-face
negotiations, probably in Vienna, mediated by US envoy Christopher Hill,
European Union Kosovo emissary Wolfgang Petrisch and possibly Russian
Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Avdeyev. 'The idea is a Dayton-style
lock-up under incredible international pressure. The longer the talks go
on, the more imposition will replace negotiation,' the diplomat said."
Reuters also noted that while US State Department spokesman Rubin "said in
Moscow on Monday that... Albright had not agreed to a Contact Group
ministerial meeting this week, diplomats said Washington was just delaying
its acceptance tactically to pressure European allies into issuing a prior
NATO warning to Milosevic, and to make clear to Russia that it would not be
allowed to block Western military pressure on Serbia."
The Financial Times reported Saturday that the 6-nation Contact Group
(U.S., Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia) agreed to push for a
"peace conference... Contact Group officials said they 'set the goal of
early negotiations on a political settlement with direct international
involvement.' "
US State Department spokesman James Rubin said today that the general
principles of an agreement "call for an interim settlement... during which
all the people of Kosovo would have a substantial degree of autonomy over
key government functions -- for example, taxes, financing, police, which is
very important, economic development, the judicial system, and health care
-- and to exercise these functions thorough their own legislative,
executive, and judicial bodies."
The Reuters report today also noted that "diplomats said Washington was
just delaying its acceptance tactically to pressure European allies into
issuing a prior NATO warning to Milosevic, and to make clear to Russia that
it would not be allowed to block Western military pressure on Serbia. 'The
Americans want NATO in the lead, not the Contact Group, which includes
Russia. The military and the diplomatic elements must be in the same
package,' one diplomat said." Agence France Press cited a French foreign
ministry official today: "The Americans are insisting that NATO present
Belgrade and the Kosovar separatists with an ultimatum to force them to
negotiate, and the Europeans oppose this approach."
Reuters noted that Yugoslavia's Deputy Prime Minister Vuk Draskovic "said
on Tuesday he saw no point to a Western plan for direct peace talks to
force a settlement in the Kosovo crisis... It would be enough for the UN
Security Council, the EU, and the...Contact Group to 'clearly say there is
no independent Kosovo...as a third Yugoslav republic or anything else,' the
state news agency Tanjug quoted Draskovic as saying."
Reuters also noted that spokesmen for Kosovo "President" Rugova and the
KLA each "said on Tuesday they would not take part in talks...until Serbian
forces stop attacking their people."
* Albright-Ivanov joint statement
Following a meeting today, US Secretary of State Albright and Russia's
Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov released a joint statement, noting "...their
complete commitment to the unimpeded functioning of the OSCE Kosovo
Verification Mission under the leadership of Ambassador William Walker.
All attacks on and threats to the OSCE KVM must cease immediately. It is
incumbent upon everyone in Kosovo to ensure the safety of KVM and other
international personnel. They call on FRY authorities and media to create
a supportive atmosphere for the activities of the KVM and its Head of
Mission. The FRY authorities should facilitate the work of the KVM by
fulfilling the Head of Mission's requests for adequate security
arrangements and other measures to make fully effective the agreement
between the OSCE and the FRY. The United States and Russia firmly demand
that the FRY comply fully with the resolutions of the UN Security Council,
particularly with regard to police and military units, and its agreements
with the OSCE and other international entities. They call on the FRY to do
so without delay.
"The United States and Russia reiterate their indignation at the massacre
of Kosovar Albanians in Racak, which cannot be justified. Those responsible
must be brought to justice. The FRY authorities must give their full
cooperation to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former
Yugoslavia, as required by resolutions of the UN Security Council. The FRY
authorities must conduct a full investigation of what happened at Racak
with the participation of the Tribunal. Judge Louise Arbour and ICTY
investigators should be allowed to enter and work in Kosovo, to participate
in the investigation of the massacre at Racak. The FRY authorities should
identify the officers operating in Racak at the time of the massacre and
suspend them until the results of the investigation become available.
"The United States and Russia urge the Kosovo Albanians to fulfill all
their obligations and commitments. "Kosovo Liberation Army" provocations
have contributed significantly to the renewed deep tensions in Kosovo. The
United States and Russia condemn such provocations and demand they end
immediately. Measures should be developed to discourage such activity
whenever feasible, in the interest of ensuring full compliance with the
commitments and obligations undertaken by the sides, including implementing
the arms embargo under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
"Hostage taking must cease. All hostages should be released. Secretary
Albright and Foreign Minister Ivanov appreciated the work of the KVM in
such situations. They called upon the Serbian authorities to carry out the
commitments in their 11-point Statement of Principles of a Political
Settlement of October 13, 1998, in particular to mitigate the sentences of
persons detained in connection with the Kosovo conflict and to provide due
process to all detainees. Such steps would contribute to easing tensions.
"Recent escalated hostilities in Kosovo have displaced thousands more
civilians. This has put at risk progress made since last year in averting
a humanitarian catastrophe. The sides must avoid actions that affect the
civilian population and must facilitate the work of international and
non-governmental organizations providing humanitarian assistance. The FRY
authorities should provide all necessary facilities including radio
communication to humanitarian organizations and remove impediments they
have encountered."
* European Union, NATO, Contact Group meetings
Agence France Presse reported the European Union on Monday "decided
against imposing new sanctions on Yugoslavia over the Kosovo conflict,
agreeing instead to apply equal pressure on Belgrade and [the KLA] to move
swiftly to peace talks. Foreign ministers from the 15 EU states endorsed
Friday's [Contact Group agreement, in which] the major western powers and
Russia agreed to intensify efforts to drag both sides to the negotiating
table for talks on a draft peace plan... Proposals to strengthen the EU's
existing package of sanctions against Belgrade through the introduction of
a visa ban on ministers of both the FRY and Serbian governments failed to
win the required unanimous backing. France, Germany, Greece and Italy all
argued against the move."
Agence France Presse reported Sunday that "a peace plan drawn up Friday
by...the Contact Group... envisages an internal government and police force
for the Kosovo Albanians and elections overseen by the international
community." Reuters noted that "details of the plan taking shape are
sketchy, but it appears to center on a concerted bid to force both sides to
accept what they so far have refused to negotiate: Yugoslavia would have to
grant self-government or face bombing, Kosovo Albanians would have to
shelve independence demands or go it alone."
The Contact Group in a January 22 statement said the group "unreservedly
condemns the massacre of Kosovo Albanians in Racak on 15 January. All
members expressed their revulsion at this act of mass murder. No amount of
provocation could justify it. The Contact Group condemns UCK [Kosovo
Liberation Army] provocations which can only contribute to rising tensions
and further violence... [and] calls on both sides to comply fully with
relevant Security Council resolutions. The Contact Group looks to the FRY
to: stop all offensive actions/repression in Kosovo; promote the safe
return home of those persons displaced in the past few days from the Racak
area and take all steps to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe; permit the KVM
and its Chief of Mission to carry out their responsibilities unimpeded;
cooperate fully with ICTY, in particular by allowing unimpeded access for
its investigators to Kosovo; work with the International Tribunal to ensure
that those responsible for Racak are brought to justice; suspend those
VJ/MUP officers operating in Racak on 15 January pending the results of
this investigation becoming available; comply fully with the OSCE/FRY and
NATO/FRY agreements and relevant SCRs."
The statement continued: "The Contact Group set a goal of early
negotiations on a political settlement with direct international
involvement. The Contact Group is assuming its responsibilities and has
identified the basic elements for these negotiations. All members of the
Contact Group, and in particular Chris Hill and Wolfgang Petritsch, will
intensify pressure on the parties in order for these negotiations to be
successful. It expects the parties to engage constructively in these
negotiations. Robin Cook will now consult his colleagues in order to
arrange an early Ministerial meeting. "
The International Herald Tribune said Saturday that US officials speaking
before the Contact Group meeting said NATO should "issue an ultimatum to
Serbia threatening military attack unless Belgrade immediately concedes
self-rule for the ethnic Albanian majority in Kosovo... Agreeing that an
ultimatum might prove unavoidable, European officials said a final threat
of military action should come only after a last round of negotiations...
The US need for political support in Europe for a broadened set of demands
on Mr. Milosevic may make Washington accept the European timetable."
The Times (London) Saturday reported that a spokesman from Britain's
Foreign Office "said [Contact Group] ministers would meet in about a week
to see if there was any basis for talks, stalled for weeks, on a formula
for Kosovo autonomy." Agence France Presse reported yesterday that "France
said Monday a ministerial-level Contact Group meeting...would take place
this week... Foreign ministry spokeswoman Anne Gazeau-Secret said she could
not confirm the time nor venue for the talks...but added: 'I can confirm it
will take place this week.' "
Reuters Television yesterday quoted NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana:
"The Contact Group is going to have another meeting in the coming days,
which will probably be backed by military threat and the combination of all
things [force and diplomacy] probably will succeed." Reuters Sunday
reported that "the allies...at NATO Friday...agreed to use military
pressure 'on both sides,' delivering a 'heavy dose of international
pressure backed by force.' "
The Washington Post Saturday noted: "The United States and its NATO allies
have decided that, whatever their longterm strategy, Milosevic must first
comply with demands for a 'ceasefireplus.' Its conditions would include
compliance with the October agreement, acceptance of further limitations on
the movement of military and police forces, cooperation with a U.N.
investigation of recent massacres, and increased security for the OSCE
monitors. 'Returning to the status quo is not adequate,' said one senior
national security official."
The International Herald Tribune report also noted that "Moscow reiterated
its firm opposition to any NATO attack on Serbian forces... But Moscow has
had little success in applying it own diplomatic pressure in Belgrade, and
US sources said that the European allies seemed resigned to ignoring
Moscow's objections." TASS news agency (Moscow) reported January 21 that
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Avdeyev told a press conference
"it is impossible to solve national ethnic problems and regional conflicts
by means of force... Armed interference will give nothing and will end with
a bigger tragedy than the events in the Kosovo village of Racak."
Reuters reported yesterday that Russia "could attempt to veto a Contact
Group threat of force, confronting the West with a decision to back off or
carry on without Moscow... [When a NATO official was asked whether Russia]
would agree to a policy of arm-twisting that threatened NATO bombing, the
official said: "Our aim is to work as long and as far as possible with the
Russians on this."
* More debate on use of force
When asked today at a press conference in Moscow about the use of American
forces in Kosovo, US Secretary of State Albright said: "The U.S. and the
Allies are currently examining a wide range of options for applying a
combination of political and military pressure on Milosevic and the
Serbian...authorities in order to bring them into compliance and in order
to move both sides towards serious negotiations on a political settlement
for Kosovo. The North Atlantic Council is meeting this afternoon to discuss
these options..." Reuters quoted a US official saying Albright "moved the
ball a little bit... That's not what we usually say."
Agence France Presse reported that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan today
said: "Everyone had hoped that the issue can be resolved without the use of
force... But if the situation continues, as NATO has indicated, it may be
unavoidable."
The Washington Post reported Saturday that Europe and the US are weighing
several uses (not mutually exclusive) of military force in Kosovo: a
multinational ground force dispatched to enforce a lasting peace; the
deployment of a NATO ground force to enforce the "cease-fire-plus" measures
cited in the above paragraph; air strikes to compel compliance with allied
demands listed in the above paragraph; and the deployment of a "large
Bosnia-style multinational force to Kosovo after air strikes, but before a
cease-fire."
Reuters reported yesterday that "a NATO official said alliance ambassadors
Monday were already examining ways in which the alliance could lend teeth
to the diplomatic drive, in anticipation of the finalized Contact Group
proposals. Their consultations were part of a 'strategy coming together,'
he said. The alliance faced 'very crucial decisions' over the next few
days on how best it could apply coercion to both sides to make the plan
succeed. 'We have to put both sides under effective physical pressure,' the
official told reporters. The political-military strategy had to proceed in
tandem, he said. Past experience had shown that diplomacy without force or
force without a political plan was insufficient."
Deutsche Press Agentur reported January 22 that "a NATO source in Brussels
said strikes could only begin if the 16 NATO ambassadors decided
unanimously to revive two activation orders issued last year. One allows
limited strikes - apparently with cruise missiles. The other allows
escalating strikes by fighter-bombers."
Reuters reported today that a "senior NATO general said the alliance had
completed its military planning for possible action in Kosovo and was in a
position to intervene in the rebel Serbian province."
US Defense Secretary William Cohen said January 18: "I believe NATO's
credibility remains on the line" in Kosovo.
* Peacekeeping/peace enforcement troops in Kosovo?
The Washington Post noted Saturday: "European allies are balking at
supporting air strikes against Yugoslavia unless the United States agrees
to be a part of a multinational ground force in Kosovo that could be
dispatched to enforce a lasting peace, according to U.S. and European
officials... 'Any serious discussion on how to resolve Kosovo over the long
term must explore all options, including American participation on the
ground,' said a senior U.S. national security official. 'It's just a fact
of life that our allies are reluctant to support air power against the
Serbs in the absence of a clear strategy for what happens next on the
ground.' "
The Washington Post report also noted: "The Pentagon's Joint Staff and
Defense Secretary William S. Cohen are firmly opposed to sending U.S.
forces to Kosovo because they believe such a mission would evolve into a
longterm commitment, as has been the case in Bosnia. Supporters of the
option say Bosnia is a successful model and that without a commitment to
military force, Milosevic could become a chronic irritant that threatens
the unity of the alliance in much the same way as Iraqi President Saddam
Hussein. 'We have to harness NATO's willingness to use force to a political
strategy and that well could involve ground troops,' said Anthony Cary, a
political counselor at the British Embassy. 'Our experience in Bosnia shows
a force would do much better with American involvement.' "
When asked yesterday whether he could rule out sending ground troops to
Kosovo, State Department spokesman James Rubin said: "In the event that
there were a political settlement which both the Belgrade authorities and
the Kosovar Albanians had agreed to... and if in that context it were
deemed necessary by the international community to deploy some kind of
international force to help implement an agreed peace settlement, that we
would examine whether the United States what role, if any, the United
States might play in such a scenario. That the administration would examine
that option, we would consult with allies and consult with Congress."
Reuters noted Sunday that Germany's envoy to Bosnia, Hans Koschnik, "said
on Sunday he was in favor of the deployment of ground troops in Kosovo to
secure peace... [he] said in an interview with Deutsche Welle that it was
mandatory that the United States take part in such a military operation. He
said that his opinion on the use of the military in the region had been
changed by his experiences in Bosnia [and] he believed the German
parliament and the public at large would support such a peacekeeping
mission. He said it would be a mistake, however, for the West to intervene
in Kosovo on behalf of the Kosovo Liberation Army."
Agence France Presse reported yesterday that "in Rome, Italian Premier
Massimo D'Alema stressed that Italy would not stand by 'as a spectator' if
the Kosovo conflict escalates, and said Rome would back initiatives for a
rapid diplomatic solution 'which does not rule out a military option.' "
Agence France Presse noted that "Turkey on Sunday called for a military
intervention over events in Kosovo if Serbia does not back down. [Prime
Minister Ecevit said] 'if the Serb authorities persist in their attitude,
then NATO will have to take effective steps going beyond mere words.' "
* Use of air, ground forces to compel political agreement?
The Washington Post Saturday noted that "another option under
consideration by U.S. officials hinges on the calculation that air strikes
alone will force Milosevic to comply with these [earlier Contact Group]
demands. Targets of the air strikes include air defense, communications
networks, troop barracks and other military facilities near Belgrade,
Montenegro and Kosovo and elsewhere, officials said. But many Europeans,
and a growing number of U.S. officials, believe this option would only
incite the Yugoslav Army and make Milosevic even more popular for his
defiance. Some Western officials cite the lessons of years of standoffs
with Iraq, which one European diplomat summarized by saying, "air strikes
alone are not enough." He added: "To succeed there must be something on the
ground."
The New York Times noted yesterday that "although France is eager to avoid
being dragged into fighting in Kosovo, it has lined up behind the threat of
American-led NATO bombing to force Yugoslavia to...withdraw military and
police units from [Kosovo] and negotiate with the rebels... Whether bombing
alone would be enough to make Milosevic agree to negotiate a restoration of
autonomy for Kosovo, as the United States and its allies want, is doubtful
in the view of French officials."
The Financial Times reported Saturday that "the threat of NATO bombing
Yugoslavia into political concessions...appears to have been put on hold
until Contact Group ministers meet next week, even though alliance members
continued their preparations yesterday. France said it was dispatching an
aircraft carrier to the Adriatic on Monday, while Britain, Germany, Norway,
Belgium and the Netherlands said they were sending more aircraft to join a
possible strike force in Italy."
United Press International said yesterday that Greece's Foreign Minister
Theodore Pangalos during a conference "warned against air strikes saying it
would push both Serbs and ethnic Albanians to extremes in Kosovo... Senior
government officials however said that Greece would make bases and ports
available to any military plan against Serbian forces in Kosovo. Athens
would refrain from sending its own planes or troops."
Germany's Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder was quoted Saturday by Agence
France Presse: " 'It is urgently necessary now to think about military
pressure...isolated air strikes will not lead to any improvement for the
Kosovo people...with regard to the international community...we cannot rule
out' the intervention of German ground troops in conflict zones."
The Washington Post noted Saturday that Pentagon planners estimated a NATO
ground force to enforce the cease-fire-plus measures "would have to include
many thousands of troops. Others in the government believe the force could
safely be much smaller, upward of several thousand... [the deployment of a
large Bosnia-style multinational force to Kosovo after air strikes but
before a cease-fire, to impose a truce] has very little support within the
administration and elsewhere. Military planners estimate it would require a
force of up to 30,000 troops to occupy Kosovo...and stop the fighting."
The New York Times noted yesterday that "French military officers say that
if diplomacy and bombing threats fail, it will take 100,000 European and
American troops to impose peace between ethnic Albanian separatists and
Yugoslav forces in...Kosovo... Some NATO estimates of the size of the
outside force that it would take to stop it are double the French military
calculation that 100,000 would be needed."
*Pressure on KLA, Kosovo Albanian politicians to unite
Reuters reported yesterday that EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels
urged Kosovar leaders to 'form a broad-based and truly representative team'
to take part in...talks with Belgrade... 'The Kosovo Albanian leadership's
failure to unite risks serious harm to the people of Kosovo."
Reuters reported yesterday that US envoy Christopher Hill was back in
Kosovo "meeting ethnic Albanian politician [Kosovo "President"] Ibrahim
Rugova... Hill was likely again to push Albanian political groups,
including the KLA...to form a common negotiating front to attend peace
talks." The New York Times had reported yesterday that Hill would "press
the Albanians to unify behind a set of principles endorsed last Friday by
the Contact Group... [including] effective self-government for the Kosovo
Albanians - political, legal, judicial and police structures parallel to
the existing Serb ones."
Radio Free Europe Newsline reported that "a delegation of Kosovar
shadow-state legislators met with representatives of the Albanian
parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee and with Foreign Minister Paskal
Milo on 25 January. The delegation is headed by Fehmi Agani, who is a
senior leader of Rugova's Democratic League of Kosova. The
Albanian government regards the visit as a first step toward coordinating
the policies of rival political groups inside Kosova among themselves and
with the policies of Albania. On 26 January, the legislators are scheduled
to meet with Prime Minister Pandeli Majko and President Rexhep Meidani,
'Albanian Daily News' reported. Observers have suggested that Agani is also
likely to meet with representatives of the UCK during his visit to Tirana."
State Department spokesman Rubin said today that "the Kosovar Albanians
with whom [Hill] met agreed or understood the need to reach early agreement
on a political settlement and are prepared to engage seriously in an effort
to achieve such a settlement."
Reuters reported that "the Kosovo Liberation Army announced plans Tuesday
to establish a 'consituent assembly' to rival that presided over by Ibrahim
Rugova. The...statement, broadcast over Albanian state television and
monitored in...Pristina, also demanded that Kosovo Albanian politicians
begin transferring money donated by Albanians abroad to the KLA or face
unspecified measures in 'the interests of the Albanian people'... Earlier
Tuesday, the rebels stated their terms for endorsing peace talks. At a news
conference, an aide to KLA spokesman Adem Demaci demanded an end to Serb
'massacres' and military offensives, a withdrawal of government forces from
the province and the release of all ethnic Albanian 'political prisoners.' "
Agence France Presse reported Sunday that "rival Kosovo Albanian groups
are as divided as ever... On Friday, the KLA called on Kosovo Albanian
political parties to rally behind its guerrillas in order to create a
'Republic of Kosovo' and pursue a struggle 'for freedom and
independence'... For its part, the European Union is trying to quickly
organize a meeting of rival Kosovar groups... 'No decision has yet been
taken as to the date and place of such a meeting,' a Western diplomatic
source said, adding that Demaci - who has not yet been seen in Pristina for
nearly three weeks - 'has not yet given his agreement.' "
Reuters reported KLA political representative Pleurat Sejdiu Friday "told
a London news conference that any international proposal that could not
guarantee independence for [Kosovo] would not bring the KLA to the
negotiating table." Independent daily Koha Ditore (Pristina) reported
January 22 that "Kosovo Albanian leader Bujar Bukoshi has said his
government-in-exile is ready to sit at the negotiating table, but will not
back down from its demands for independence, which are supported by all
Albanians."
The New York Times yesterday quoted Blerim Shala, "the well-connected
editor of the weekly political journal Zeri: 'After Racak, Albanian leaders
understand they must come together and take away from Milosevic the claim
that he is ready for negotiations and the Albanians are not."
Agence France Presse also reported Sunday: "Washington has suggested that
efforts to negotiate a solution to the Kosovo crisis should start first
with the Kosovo Albanians, then with the Yugoslav government, sources in
Brussels said... According to the plan, Washington would push Kosovo's
ethnic Albanians to accept a peace plan, and then talk with Belgrade in a
bid to get its approval."
Reuters reported Sunday that "as for the KLA there was little doubt,
although few specifics, that NATO has decided to take some action. 'We are
seriously working on options for reining in the KLA,' [a NATO] official
said, noting that the flow of arms to the insurgents could be squeezed even
if it were impossible to stop all weapons coming in 'over donkey tracks at
night.' "
Chris Stephens, writing for the Irish Times (Dublin) from Pristina, noted
Saturday that "the West has already begun trying to weaken the guerrillas
politically. Some KLA bank accounts in Switzerland and Germany have been
frozen, damaging a new and still-delicate fund-raising operation. Italian
naval patrols operating off the Albanian coast to stop illegal immigrants
crossing the Adriatic are also hunting for arms shipments which are bought
in arms bazaars around the world, then shipped to Albania and on to
Kosovo." Agence France Presse reported Sunday an announcement by Italy's
Defense Minister Carlo Scognamiglio that Italy would double its forces in
southern Albanian ports "to try to stem the flow of illegal immigrants
towards Italy."
V. OSCE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION
Newsday (New York) reported January 22 that "American policy makers who
last month hinted they would like Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic
removed from power have now turned to him again for the solution of the
latest...crisis he has provoked. For the past three days American and NATO
diplomats and military officers lined up for appointments with Milosevic,
trying to persuade him not to expel [OSCE-KVM chief] Walker... Late
yesterday, after meeting with Walker's boss, [OSCE chairman-in-office]
Vollebaek... Milosevic opened the door to conciliation just a crack and
'froze' the expulsion. It 'remains valid but will be frozen for as long as
the consequences of his behavior have become totally clear,' a government
statement said."
The New York Times reported Saturday that OSCE chairman-in-office
Vollebaek "said that if Mr. Walker had been expelled, the entire monitoring
force...would have been removed from Kosovo, followed by other
international aid organizations."
Associated Press Saturday reported State Department spokesman Rubin "said
the Yugoslav government's freezing of the expulsion order did not resolve
the problems Milosevic had created. 'We continue to insist, and NATO
continues to insist, that...the verification mission be permitted and
allowed to operate and without interference." Reuters quoted OSCE
chairman-in-office Vollebaek saying: "This is an unconditional freeze which
means that...we have a mandate for one year and within the limits of this
year... [there are] absolutely no conditions."
State news agency Tanjug (Belgrade) noted Saturday that Kosovo District
Governor Veljko Odalovic said the KVM " 'is allowing the separatists to
ethnically cleanse the [Serbian] villages'... he said that it was 'in fact
the verifiers who facilitated' the return of the terrorists to some
positions and the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo 'is being carried out in the
presence of and with the knowledge of the verifiers.' "
Tanjug also reported Saturday a statement by the Serbian Radical Party:
"[OSCE-KVM chief] Walker and his US patrons obviously show their emotions
only when they wish to protect ethnic Albanian terrorist gangs, while
ignoring the suffering and killings of Serb civilians, soldiers and police
officers."
Reuters reported that "by Sunday more than 930 [verifiers] were on the job."
The Times (London) reported January 20 that "a substantial force of SAS
troops is on alert to mount a 'high risk' rescue operation in Kosovo if any
unarmed international monitors are taken hostage. The decision to enlist
the SAS for hostage-rescue in Kosovo came after Brigadier-General Marcel
Valentin, the French commander of NATO's extraction force based
in...Macedonia said his 2,300 soldiers would be incapable of carrying out
such a specialist operation. The Government has given its approval for a
proposed NATO special forces' unit 'several hundred strong,' to be led by a
senior British officer, and the bulk of the force is to be provided by the
SAS, although other countries can contribute if required when an emergency
arises."
VI. THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL
The New York Times reported Saturday that following a meeting with
Yugoslavia's President Milosevic, OSCE chairman-in-office Knut Vollebaek
"implied that Mr. Milosevic is moving to...allow the chief prosecutor of
the international war crimes tribunal...to investigate the killings [in
Racak]. He did not elaborate on the development."
Independent Radio B-92 (Belgrade) reported today: "Any investigation in
Kosovo by The Hague Tribunal was out of the question, said Yugoslav Justice
Minister Zoran Knezevic yesterday, as quoted by [state-run] daily Vecernje
Novosti. Knezevic said that the government would issue a visa to tribunal
Chief Prosecutor Louise Arbour at her request. He emphasized, however, that
there was no possibility of her conducting an investigation in Kosovo.
Knezevic said that such an investigation was the exclusive right of
Yugoslav state authorities. Any other decision, he added, would mean the
collapse of the Yugoslav legal system and a flagrant violation of the
country's national interest."
The Contact Group Friday condemned "the decisions by the FRY authorities
to refuse entry into Kosovo by ICTY Chief Prosecutor Judge Arbour. The
Contact Group looks to the FRY to... cooperate fully with ICTY, in
particular by allowing unimpeded access for its investigators to Kosovo
[and] work with the International Tribunal to ensure that those responsible
for Racak are brought to justice."
State news agency Tanjug reported Yugoslavia's Foreign Minister Jovanovic
said January 21 in a phone conversation with UN Secretary General Kofi
Annan that problems in Kosovo "were the result of ethnic Albanians
terrorism and separatism [and were in] the sole jurisdiction of the
Yugoslav justice system."
Reuters reported January 21 that the International Commission of Jurists
on Thursday "condemned Serbian 'war crimes' in Kosovo, singling out the
massacre of 45 ethnic Albanians in Racak village. [The Commission said
that] 'Such atrocities constitute war crimes, which the International
Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia has competence to investigate
and prosecute... The ICJ also calls upon the Serbian armed forces and
police to put an immediate end to their ongoing campaign of wanton terror,
destruction and murder... The ICJ hence totally condemns the refusal by the
Serbian authorities to allow Ms. Louise Arbour, prosecutor of the
International Tribunal, and her team of forensic experts, to enter Kosovo
and investigate the massacre at Racak.' "
VII. INVESTIGATION INTO RACAK MASSACRE CONTINUES
The Daily Telegraph (London) reports Wednesday that "compelling evidence
has emerged that a special forces unit of the Serbian Interior Ministry
organised the execution of dozens of the 45 civilians killed two weeks ago
at Racak, in Kosovo. Coming after reports that special forces have been
involved in previous massacres, this raises the prospect that "death
squads" of highly trained soldiers are being used by the Yugoslav regime
against Albanian men suspected of supporting separatist guerrillas... The
cumulative evidence strongly suggests that, while police and local Serb
civilians took part, the operation was under the control of the Specijalna
Anti-terroristicka Jedinica (SAJ), an anti-terrorist unit operating under
the interior minister. Surviving witnesses have given matching descriptions
of a small group of men dressed all in black and wearing gloves and
balaclavas who co-ordinated the attack on the village and the subsequent
executions. They match those given by witnesses of former massacres, most
notably that in Prekaz last March when more than 60 Albanians were killed
in an operation that Serbian sources admit was carried out by the SAJ... A
group of women and children trapped in a cellar during the
fighting...described how a tall, broad man wearing black fatigues and a
balaclava with eye-holes, and equipped with a two-way radio, coolly oversaw
the arrest and beating of their male relatives before they were marched off
to their deaths."
Radio B-92 reported today that "the head of a Finnish forensic tem, Helena
Ranta, said today that her scientists would be unable to ascertain the
circumstances under which 45 Albanians had been killed in Racak on January
15. Ranta said that there had been a possibility of fabrication and
manipulation of evidence and that she would discuss the matter with
Yugoslav authorities. Ranta declined to specify the kind of manipulation
she meant, nor to speculate on who may have been responsible. However she
told media in Pristina that her team was familiar with reports that some of
the bodies had showed positive results to a test which indicated whether
they had fired weapons before they had been killed. Ranta said that one
problem was that there was no information about who had guarded the bodies
from the time of death."
Agence France Presse reported yesterday that the Finnish team said they
had so far conducted autopsies on 11 bodies taken from the village of
Racak, and noted the team's spokesman "added that [16 other] autopsies
performed by the Yugoslav doctors were videotaped, and Finnish experts were
examining the tapes to determine whether a second autopsy on those bodies
would be necessary... [the spokesman said the] 'autopsies will be finished
by Wednesday or Thursday. There are samples to be taken to Helsinki for DNA
and gun and gunpowder analysis. That will take more time, I don't know how
much.' He added that the policy of the Finnish team was not to reveal "any
results so far... We agreed not to give any premature statements because
this case has very important political implications'... [the spokesman
also] said that the team was 'very satisfied with the level of cooperation
of the Yugoslav authorities.' "
Reuters noted that the Finnish forensics team Sunday "disassociated itself
from a statement by [the head of Pristina's official forensic institute,
Slavisa Dobricanin] that after conducting some 20 autopsies... 'The Finns,
the Belarussians and ourselves are united in the opinion that there is no
evidence of any massacre on the bodies'... A spokesman for the Finnish team
said: '[The members of the Finnish team] do not associate themselves with
this statement.' "
Reuters noted today that Yugoslavia's health minister, Miodrag Kovic, told
reporters...that, based on the government's examination of 37 bodies so
far, he could 'only say that all the injuries were caused by firearms and
from a distance' rather than at close range, execution-style."
Tanjug reported Saturday that "Viktor Zvyagin, head of a forensic team
from Russia which will join the teams of pathologists from our country,
Finland and Belarus... In addition to taking part in the examination of the
bodies from the village of Racak, Professor Zvyagin and other Russian
pathologists will also examine the bodies found in other locations in
Kosovo... Other Russian pathologists, who are busy with forensic work in
Chechnya, are expected to arrive on January 27."
Reuters noted that OSCE spokesman in Pristina Jorgen Grunnet "said they
had received no advance notice of the Russians' arrival, but added that the
OSCE appreciated any efforts that could help the investigation... He said
the OSCE had staff observing the bodies but they were ex-policemen...and
not forensic experts."
OSCE-KVM chief William Walker wrote in Newsweek's January 25 international
edition: "The public discussion over the events in Racak has been
misdirected. We should be addressing why 45 apparently unarmed ethnic
Albanians were killed and who was responsible. Instead, much of last week
was spent discussing my reaction to the massacres."
VIII. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
Deutsche Presse Agentur reported that "the Albanian Defense Ministry on
Sunday denied press reports about its alleged preparations to fight the
Yugoslav Army over the conflict in...Kosovo. A ministry statement said,
'the Albanian army will only protect the territorial integrity and
sovereignty of the county.' On Saturday the daily Republica quoted Defense
Minister Luan Hajdaraga as saying the army had between 20,000 to 25,000
soldiers and that it was ready to fight the Yugoslav army. 'Such reports
misinform public opinion and are counter to out national interests,' the
ministry statement said...Albanian newspapers have reported that the
authorities had sent new supplies of arms and manpower to northern and
northeastern areas bordering Serbia. Local army troops have reportedly been
placed on high alert."
The Macedonian Information Center [Skopje] reported January 21 that the
ethnic Albanian Party for Democratic Prosperity "announced it will propose
to the Macedonian Assembly...a draft resolution which would appeal to the
international community for intervention in Kosovo... Arben Xheferi, leader
of the Democratic Party of Albanians [a junior member of Macedonia's
coalition government] in his open latter to NATO Secretary General Javier
Solana asked that NATO "not refrain from military intervention in Kosovo
and forever end the crisis, which has caused incomprehensible tragedies to
hundreds of thousands of people."
The Observer noted Sunday that "senior figures in the KLA will tell you
openly that they have come into conflict with members who spring from the
ethnic Albanian community in Macedonia. Since the start of the war they
have been chomping at the bit, ready to open the Macedonian front and
separate Albanian-populated western Macedonia from the mostly Slav Orthodox
remainder of the country."
A United Nations situation report noted January 24 that "small numbers of
returnees to Decane have left the area and entered Montenegro once more in
the light of deteriorating security in Kosovo."
