Note: Place names rendered primarily in Serbian spelling"We were sleeping in the mountains. We came in the village to try to sleep
inside, but now they say the tanks are coming."
Ethnic Albanian woman fleeing Ljupce village before attack by Serbian forces
Quoted by Associated Press, January 30, 1999 - Ljupce, Kosovo
"On the ground things are not improving. The Serb military is out in
considerable force with tanks and armored vehicles. They of course claim
they are looking for terrorists, but they go into villages with tanks."
William Walker, chief of OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission
Quoted by The Scotsman, February 1, 1999 - Belgrade
"There is a clock ticking here... If...there were atrocities or other
events, or if the Serbs do not agree, as well, to reduce their forces in
Kosovo, then force will be - we will be ready to use force against them."
Sandy Berger, US National Security Advisor
Quoted by CNN , January 30, 1999 - Washington
"I'm sure they will not bomb us. You know the story about the kid who cries
wolf? It's the same thing now."
Miodrag Lazovic, Serbian pensioner
Quoted by Christian Science Monitor, February 1, 1999 - Belgrade
I. DISPLACED PERSONS/KILLINGS/ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS/POPULATION CENTERS UNDER
SIEGE
Reuters reported Sunday that "over 100 people" have been killed in Kosovo
since January 1, 1999.
The US Kosovo Diplomatic Observer Mission (KDOM) reported yesterday
visiting "three sites in Breznica (300 homes located southwest of Podujevo)
over the weekend and [meeting] with some of the hundreds of former
residents of Ljupc, Majance, and other villages who fled after VJ [Yugoslav
National Army] tanks began shelling their area. Leaders of this group of
IDPs [internally displaced persons] reported that the shelling began last
Wednesday at about 8:00 AM. They say they counted 42 tanks participating in
the attack. The leaders estimate that 3,0004,000 villagers have been
displaced by the attacks, many of whom are existing on Salabaja Mountain
near Ljupc. These IDPs are in desperate need of food and supplies,
according to their leaders, and will not return home due to the presence of
a Serbian army/police base established in Majance. Villagers in Breznica
are trying to support their displaced neighbors, but their resources are
dwindling rapidly... Cold and snowy conditions continue to prevail
throughout Kosovo." Independent Radio 21 (Pristina) reported Monday that
villages in Podujevo continued to be shelled yesterday and today.
Reuters reported that Friday afternoon in Ljupce "sobbing villagers piled
into tractors and horse carts. Women too crowded to sit stood, clutching
babies; older children dangled off the sides, clutching rails and perching
on bumpers... In the confusion, some of the villagers were fleeing in
circles, not knowing where to find safety. Some tested a road up the
mountains. Others just plunged into the snowdrifts and started plowing
uphill... The rumble of heavy weapon fire came from that direction a few
minutes later."
KDOM reported in yesterday's update: "This morning, yet another grenade
attack took place in a residential area of Pristina. Preliminary reports
are that six ethnic Albanians died in this latest atrocity." KDOM reported
that "on Friday evening, three grenades were thrown into a Serb
bar/restaurant in Pristina, seriously injuring seven. Just before 11:00 PM
the same evening, another grenade attack took place at Pristina's Cafe "Kod
Namika," a place frequented by ethnic Albanian politicians. Although there
were 10 people in the bar and it was heavily damaged, no injuries were
reported. On Sunday, a grenade attack on an Albanian fastfood stand killed
one ethnic Albanian man and injured two others."
KDOM reported today that "officials said there are approximately 800 IDPs
[internally displaced persons] presently stranded in the woods in the
Breznica area for whom immediate humanitarian assistance is needed... KLA
[Kosovo Liberation Army] leaders in the area claim that the [presence of
Yugoslav Army and Serbian security forces above Racak] is preventing the
return of hundreds of displaced villagers... The KLA told KDOM that 100 of
the IDPs who were living in the woods near Petrovo recently moved to the
Dramnjac area."
Reuters reported today that family members of the victims of the killings
in Racak, upon the release of the bodies by Serbian authorities, "wanted
the OSCE...to help them get the bodies returned and buried because they
were afraid of Serb harassment. 'We want the OSCE to be there during the
time we bury the bodies and to accmpany us on our way back home, because we
are afraid,' said Hafiz Mustaf," who lost his son and his nephew in the
massacre.
The UN High Commission for Refugees reported today that the "humanitarian
situation on the ground continues to be grim. The fighting over the past
month or so has driven an estimated 45,000 people from 40 villages. Some
have trickled back to their homes but most are still displaced. Frequent
clashes prevent aid organisations from reaching those in need. Much of the
improvement brought by the October 27 ceasefire has now been wiped out by
recurring hostilities. It is estimated that 210,000 people remain displaced
within Kosovo. Another 20,000 are in Albania and more than 30,000 in
neighboring Montenegro. Some 7,000 have fled to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Last year close to 100,000 Yugoslav nationals, mostly Kosovo Albanians,
sought asylum in western Europe. The fighting has also affected Kosovo's
Serbian minority population which officials say is dwindling as more people
leave. Almost 20 percent of Kosovo's prewar population has been displaced
or driven out of the country, in the biggest wave of displacement in Europe
since the Bosnian war.
* Investigations into Racak massacre, Rogovo killings continue
The Daily Telegraph (London) reported Sunday that "war crimes
investigators are poring over evidence from the massacre at Racak to
examine to what extent it implicates the Yugoslav leadership. Despite a
clumsy attempt at a cover-up by Belgrade, evidence left behind may be
enough to provide a breakthrough in compiling a case against Mr.
Milosevic... [Further] electronic evidence may exist from the monitoring of
police radios by observers on the day of the attack. Western monitors deny
that such tapes exist but diplomats have hinted that they may have
recordings of Serbian interior ministry troops being given the order to
execute civilians."
Human Rights Watch (New York) in a January 29 report "categorically
rejected Yugoslav government claims that the victims of the January 15
attack on Racak were either KLA soldiers killed in combat or civilians
caught in crossfire. After a detailed investigation, [Human Rights Watch]
accused Serbian special police forces and the Yugoslav army of
indiscriminately attacking civilians, torturing detainees and committing
summary executions. The evidence suggests that government forces had direct
orders to kill village inhabitants over the age of fifteen."
Reuters reported Sunday that "when a Serbian judge initiated a unilateral
investigation of circumstances surrounding the January 15 shooting deaths
of 45 ethnic Albanians in the village of Racak, a British verifier warned
her that he would testify against her at The Hague."
KDOM reported yesterday that the "Serb police have issued a report on the
incident Friday in Rogovo. It contends that the 24 killed in the action
were all ethnic Albanian KLA soldiers preparing to cross into Albania to
bring back weapons (a contention confirmed by the KLA). When they were
discovered by MUP forces they were shot as 'terrorists.' "
The Daily Telegraph reported Sunday "most [of the dead at Rogovo, where 24
ethnic Albanians were killed on January 29] wore civilian clothes. Weapons
of unknown origin lay nearby. Twelve of the dead appeared to have been shot
in the head with high-caliber weapons. The skulls of several have been
bludgeoned."
The Sunday Times (London) reported Sunday that Karol Drewienkiewicz, a
British general and deputy chief of the international monitors, denounced
what he called the " 'mass killing' at Rogovo. He said five of the dead
were older men in 'peasant dress.' "
II. FIGHTING/FORCE DEPLOYMENTS
KDOM reported yesterday that "fighting escalated around Podujevo over the
weekend and was also reported underway in the Racak area. Details are
scarce on the fighting in these areas."
Independent news service ARTA (Pristina) February 1 reported that new Serb
forces were noticed in Podujevo municipality: "Three terrain vehicles and a
truck" came from the direction of Pristina while "6 buses, loaded with
policemen arrived from Serbia ... and headed toward Lluzhan."
Radio 21 reported February 1 that Serbian forces were besieging the Godanc
village of Shtime, noting that "three masked persons attacked the house of
an Albanian family in Godanc. Three persons were wounded on this occasion."
KDOM noted Monday "reports...of a considerable buildup of MUP forces along
the Stimlje to Suva Reka road."
The Financial Times reported Saturday that "military observers believe the
security forces are trying to secure the northern tip of Kosovo against the
possibility that the province may be divided after the three-year autonomy
deal proposed by western powers and Russia."
III. ARRESTS/DETENTIONS/REPRESSION
Radio 21 on January 29 reported that "six Albanians were sentenced in
Mitrovica to [a total of] 124 months in prison," and noted an ethnic
Albanian in Gjilan was sentenced for one year in prison.
Radio 21 reported on January 30 that the Pec County Court started a trial
of about 900 Albanians from Pec and the surrounding area: "Five ...were
sentenced from one and a half to two years in prison."
The Guardian (London) reported yesterday that "Serb authorities have
launched a new campaign of arresting and beating Albanian political
activists in Kosovo, according to local and United Nations human rights
monitors. Many victims are tortured with the aim of extracting confessions
during the four-day period the police can hold people before applying to a
magistrate for detention pending trial... 'It is usual for people to be
abused with electric shocks, have plastic bags put over their heads, or be
hit by truncheons,' a UN official based in...Pristina said... Some 1,128
people are in pre-trial detention and 132 are serving sentences, according
to the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms [Pristina]...
Figures for arrests are unclear because people are often picked up in the
street. Last year the number of arrests peaked during the summer offensive.
But after a lull in the autumn, 'we have come back over the last month to
the intensity of the summer,' the UN official said."
The Guardian report also noted that "the new wave of detentions makes
nonsense of Slobodan Milosevic's promise in October to stop prosecuting
people 'for crimes related to the conflict in Kosovo.' But it has not
attracted Western criticism."
IV. INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY
*Pristina, KLA leaders agree to talks
The Sunday Times (London) reported that Britain's foreign secretary Robin
Cook on Saturday "warned the warring sides in the Kosovo conflict yesterday
to talk peace [at NATO-Contact Group mandated talks on interim status for
Kosovo, scheduled to begin February 6 in Rambouillet, France] -- or face
military action." The Financial Times yesterday quoted Cook saying: "I told
Mr. Milosevic that the Contact Group proposal offered a way out of a
conflict he cannot win... I also told Kosovo Albanian leaders that the
proposal would provide for a democratic, self-governing Kosovo free from
fear of bloodshed."
The Christian Science Monitor said yesterday that "the planned conference,
to be led by French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine and [Britain's Foreign
Minister Robin] Cook, is loosely modeled on the 1995 Dayton, Ohio
conference that ended the war in Bosnia." The Daily Telegraph reported
Saturday that the talks would "take the form of 'proximity' talks, with
mediators shuttling between the two sides, which will not meet face to
face." The Times (London) reported Saturday that "three mediators have been
chosen to run the talks... They will be Christopher Hill, the American
envoy, Wolfgang Petrisch, the EU regional envoy, and a Russian official, as
yet unnamed."
The New York Times reported Sunday that "both sides have seven days from
February 6, extendable by a week or less, to reach agreement."
Associated Press reported today that KLA spokesman Jakub Krasniqi
"annmounced today that the [KLA] will attend peace talks... 'We have some
objections to the proposed document but we are certainly ready to go." The
announcement came hours after an Associated Press report today that Demaci
announced "he has recommended the rebels not take part" in the talks." The
report quoted Demaci saying "to ask and force Albanians to go and negotiate
with the representatives of [Milosevic] is bad." Earlier, the Washington
Post had noted today that "several top KLA leaders have already said they
support the talks and expect Demaci will give his assent."
The Washington Post reported Sunday that "after a meeting later in the day
between Cook and three ethnic Albanian leaders in Skopje, Macedonia, only
Ibrahim Rugova, the head of Kosovo's largest ethnic Albanian political
party, and Veton Surroi, an independent ethnic Albanian newspaper
publisher, gave their unqualified promise to participate in the talks.
The Washington Post noted that during a visit to Pristina yesterday by US
envoy Hill "new commitments of...participation [in the upcoming talks at
Rambouillet came from Rexhep Qosja, chairman of the opposition United
Democratic Movement party, and Blerim Shala, the editor of a weekly newspaper."
The Financial Times reported yesterday that "diplomats said military
commanders of the fragmented KLA had indicated they would attend the
talks... 'Politically, the KLA is the greatest problem,' a Western diplomat
commented. Most KLA fighters are armed villagers with a strong loyalty to
Mr. Rugova...and would probably follow his line. But the rebel group's more
radical leadership in exile may refuse to accept a deal."
Associated Press noted yesterday US envoy Christopher Hill "said during
talks with the rebels last week the KLA set no preconditions for
participation in the conference but worried about security arrangements and
'what comes after five years.' "
State Department spokesman Rubin said yesterday that "[Ambassador Hill]
is fairly confident that we will be able to get a critical mass of Kosovar
Albanian leaders, who will reflect the various points of view of the people
of Kosovo... With respect to the KLA itself participating, I think the KLA
is a bit of a misnomer. There are a number of military insurgency groups,
who are broadly defined as the KLA. But there are many, many different
groups within that organization; it isn't a unified organization with a
clear leadership."
Reuters yesterday quoted a western diplomat: "We don't think it should be
necessary for six of the most powerful nations in the world to beg the KLA
to come to a peace conference that is manifestly in its interest."
The Scotsman yesterday quoted an unnamed diplomat: " 'I think they will
attend. The KLA are showing great flexibility.' Western sources said the
KLA's ruling 12-man council, based in Switzerland, has endorsed the Paris
talks. It had already agreed to send [political representative] Adem
Demaci, but officials in the know had feared this would get nowhere because
Mr. Demaci is not a member of the KLA council. However, after talks last
week at the Foreign Office, the KLA has agreed that at least one prominent
council member will attend, bringing with him the power for at least
limited negotiation."
Agence France Presse yesterday quoted Kosovo "President" Rugova top aide
Fehmi Agani, the lead negotiator for Pristina in earlier talks: "I do not
think that the KLA can allow itself to derail the process supported by the
international community... The LDK [Democratic League of Kosovo], the
United Democratic Movement and the Kosovo Liberation Army should join the
Albanian delegation in France."
The Daily Telegraph reported yesterday: "Veton Surroi...the publisher of
Koha Ditore, Kosovo's leading [independent] Albanian-language newspaper,
has been chosen as the 'golden boy' by British and American officials
trying to solve the crisis by negotiation backed by the threat of NATO air
power, diplomats and analysts said yesterday...now the West appears to have
hand-picked the man to speak for both Albanian militants and pacifists,
sources said."
The Washington Post noted Sunday that "neither side ruled out a formal
acceptance of the proposal." Associated Press reported that Cook met for 30
minutes with Milosevic... [and said after the meeting that]'President
Milosevic has assured me that he is committed to a peaceful solution... He
undertook to respond as soon as possible and I reminded him that we expect
that response by next week. I did not expect to get a 'yes' on the spot.' "
The Daily Telegraph (London) noted yesterday that "British and American
diplomats are increasingly confident that [Yugoslavia's President Slobodan]
Milosevic, whom they hold responsible for much of the bloodshed in Kosovo,
can be pressed into a deal at Rambouillet. It was not clear, however,
whether the threat of NATO air strikes without the threat of follow-on
ground troops, to which the US is not yet committed, would be enough to
persuade" Milosevic. The Financial Times reported yesterday that "it is
thought Mr. Milosevic would send a senior representative" to the conference.
Associated Press reported today that Dusko Matkovic, a vice president of
Milosevic's Socialist Party, "suggested in remarks published today that the
Serbs are likely to send a delegation to France. He said NATO pressure
'further strengthens Serbian and Yugoslav resolve to find a peaceful
solution for Kosovo through negotiations.' " Reuters also noted that
Yugoslavia's vice premier Vuk Draskovic said yesterday " 'I believe our
response [to the invitation to the Rambouillet conference] must be 'yes.'
The whole world wants us to go and to say 'no' would mean working to our
detriment."
Reuters reported yesterday that Yugoslavia's President Slobodan
"Milosevic's government in Belgrade announced that the hard-line Serbian
parliament will decide Thursday whether the Serbs will show up for
Saturday's conference... the legislature...last year resoundingly rejected
foreign mediation of the Kosovo conflict... Late Monday the Yugoslav
Cabinet issued a statement declaring that NATO's recent threats were
tantamount to an act of aggression, and it has decided to ask the UN
Security Council to take up the issue as soon as possible."
The Financial Times reported Saturday that "Vojislav Seselj, leader of the
ultra-nationalist Radical party in Serbia's ruling coalition, said that he
was 'absolutely opposed' to any international peace conference."
Independent radio B-92 (Belgrade) reported yesterday: "The European
Union's special envoy for Kosovo, Wolfgang Petritsch, said today that the
Kosovo conference would not discuss independence for the province, but only
a high degree of autonomy, according to today's Vienna Courier. Petritsch
said that Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic was not expected to attend
the conference, but that Deputy Federal Prime Minister Nikola Sainovic and
Deputy Serbian Prime Minister Ratko Markovic would probably represent
Belgrade." As noted in Kosovo Briefing #45, the Washington Post reported
Sainovic had been recorded by US personnel discussing the progress of the
January 14 massacre of at least 45 ethnic Albanian civilians with the
commanding General at Racak, and subsequently discussing ways to cover up
the massacre after the international outcry.
The New York Times reported Sunday that "Serbian officials close to Mr.
Milosevic said he was likely to send a delegation to the talks. He would
not go there himself, but instead probably send Milan Milutinovic, the
Serbian President and a Milosevic loyalist, whom Mr. Cook also met today.
Mr. Milosevic is said by these officials to resent the pressure of the West
to sacrifice Serbian sovereignty over Kosovo, which was the heart of the
Serbs' medieval empire and is the cradle of Serbian nationalism, and to
fear that he could be arrested on a secret indictment for war- crimes
charges if he leaves Belgrade."
US State Department spokesman James Rubin said yesterday: "I don't think
anybody has specified that he himself [Milosevic] has to come, but
certainly we expect a Serbian delegation to be in a position to make
decisions."
The Scotsman (Edinburgh) reported yesterday that "Serbian sources say
[Milosevic] will feel compelled to attend, if only because Russia...wants
him to."
Reuters reported today that British officials said "the European Union may
relax some trade sanctions against Yugoslavia if it plays a constructive
role in forthcoming Kosovo peace talks, but other measures look tough to
say... 'It is fair to say that, were there to be an agreement on Kosovo,
the question of these concessions [favorable trade conditions by the EU for
industrial and agricultural exports. But this would need consensus within
NATO, so nothing is guaranteed,' said a British official... The official
said that the EU's conditions for lifting the other sanctions depended on
Belgrade's respecting human rights in Kosovo, sticking to the 1995 Dayton
agreement...and leaving the Yugoslav media alone. 'I think movement on the
outer wall is more problematic. The United States has always linked these
measures to such issues as media freedom and Bosnia. Kosovo has always been
just one brick in the wall.' " The New York Times today reported a senior
Western diplomat saying "as much as officials in Washington publicly revile
Milosevic and call him the main problem in the Balkans, he is also the
solution... The West needs Milosevic to settle Kosovo, and Milosevic needs
the pressure of the West to be able to do it. All the rest is hypocrisy."
Given Kosovo's mythic importance as the birthplace of the Serbian nation,
Serbian officials and senior diplomats here say, Milosevic is bound to take
NATO to the brink before agreeing to any political settlement over Kosovo,
where an ethnic Albanian majority is fighting for independence. While the
stick of NATO's bombs is a necessary condition for any deal, Milosevic will
also require some "cake," as the new deputy prime minister, Vuk Draskovic,
put it a partial lifting of the diplomatic and economic isolation that the
West imposed on Serbia during the Bosnian war. Milosevic may also seek a
quiet promise that he not be indicted for war crimes.
*Contact Group principles for Kosovo agreement
Reuters quoted an unnamed Western diplomat saying Saturday that "the
international community envisions autonomy for Kosovo, including a police
force whose make-up would reflect the ethnic Albanian majority here...
Serbian special police would have to leave. Yugoslav army troops would be
confined to barracks and border patrols. And there would probably be a
force of at least 20,000 NATO ground forces deployed to enforce the
agreement... real political power in Kosovo would be vested with the ethnic
Albanians and military power would reside with NATO."
The Washington Post reported Sunday that "during his meetings, the British
foreign secretary gave each side a list of 26 'non-negotiable' principles
for the talks [endorsed] Friday by the Contact Group... The peace plan
proposed...as a basis for the negotiations includes an immediate cease-fire
and general amnesty in Kosovo, a promise to preserve the 'territorial
integrity' of Yugoslavia, a protection of the rights of all ethnic groups
and self-governance in Kosovo on matters such as taxes, police, economic
development, health care, education, cultures, roads and the judicial
system. Both sides would agree that a deal would last for three years and
after that, Kosovo's legal status as a province of Serbia would be reassessed."
Reuters Sunday reported that the leading progovernment newspaper Politika
published on Sunday the '26 principles' endorsed by the Contact Group and
"proposed as a basis for talks... Some analysts say its publication in
Politika is a sign Belgrade is positive about the talks, although Milosevic
has yet to respond to the summons." The Reuters translation follows:
Principles and Chief Elements
Below mentioned are principles that cannot be subject to talks and
the main elements the Contact Group agreed on:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
General Elements
- Necessity of an immediate end to violence and abidance by the cease-fire
- Peaceful solution through dialogue.
Interim agreement: mechanism for a final settlement after an interim
period of three years.
No unilateral alteration of the interim status.
Territorial integrity of the FRY (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) and
its neighbors.
Protection of the rights of all ethnic community members (preserving
identity, language, education; special protection of
their religious institutions).
Free and fair elections in Kosovo (municipal and provincial) under
OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) supervision.
No side will criminally prosecute anyone for acts of crime related to
the Kosovo conflict (exceptions: crimes against humanity, war crimes and
other serious international law violations).
Amnesty and release of political prisoners.
International involvement and the sides' full cooperation in
implementation.
Kosovo Administration
The Kosovo population will be administered by democratically
responsible Kosovo institutions.
High degree of self rule achieved through independent legislative,
executive and judiciary bodies (with competence over, among other things,
taxes, finances, police, economic development, judicial system, health,
education and culture (with the respect of the rights of ethnic community
members), communication, roads and traffic, ecology).
Legislative body assembly.
Executive body: president of Kosovo, government, administrative bodies.
Judiciary: Kosovo's judiciary system.
Clear definition of competences on municipal level.
Members of all ethnic communities should be fairly represented at all
levels of administration and government.
Local police should reflect the ethnic composition, with coordination
on the provincial level.
Aligning the Serbian and Federal legal framework(s) with Kosovo's
interim agreement.
Necessity of Kosovo's agreement in case of altering Kosovo's borders
or proclaiming a state of emergency.
Human Rights
Judicial protection of human rights incorporated in international
conventions and rights of ethnic community members.
Ombudsman chosen under international auspices.
Role of OSCE and other relevant international organizations.
Implementation
Conflict resolution mechanism.
Setting up a mixed committee overseeing the implementation.
Participation of OSCE and other international bodies if necessary.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Contact Group has circulated separately a draft agreement on Kosovo's
status which will be the basis for the Rambouillet talks [the agreement
will be described in a special edition of Kosovo Briefing this week].
The Financial Times reported yesterday that Cook "delivered...a draft
peace plan that would give Kosovo substantial autonomy... [and] said only
'20 per cent' of the peace proposal was up for discussion. The 23-page
draft...sets out a 'high degree of self-governance' for Kosovo with its own
"president" and representation within federal Yugoslavia."
The Financial Times reported today that "the plan gives sweeping powers to
the head of the new international monitoring mission, including the right
to remove and appoint officials in the administration and judiciary... The
status of Kosovo is not defined under the plan but for an interim period of
three ears the territory...will be granted a 'high degree of
self-governance.' The Kosovo government will have the option of holding
posts in the governments of Serbia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
The Christian Science Monitor reported yesterday that "in the most
contested part of the plan, the status of Kosovo would be revisited after
three years. Western diplomats hope that by that time Yugoslavia will have
undergone significant democratic reforms that would make it easier for
Albanians and Serbs to coexist."
V. NATO: INTERVENTION PREPARATIONS
NATO, Solana issue further statements
The North Atlantic Council released this statement Saturday:
1. NATO reaffirms the demands set out in its statement of 28th January
1999. It stands ready to act and rules out no option to ensure full
respect by both sides in Kosovo for the requirements of the international
community, and observance of all relevant Security Council Resolutions, in
particular the provisions of Resolutions 1160, 1199 and 1203 [key elements
of the resolutions included calling for "prompt and complete investigation,
including international supervision and participation, of all atrocities
committed against civilians and full cooperation with the International
Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, including compliance with its orders,
requests for information and investigations'; and the cessation of "all
action by the security forces affecting the civilian population and order
the withdrawal of security units used for civilian repression.]
2. NATO gives full support to the Contact Group strategy of
negotiations on an interim political settlement which are to be completed
within the specified time frame. It welcomes the Presidential Statement of
the United Nations Security Council of 29th January 1999.
3. NATO recalls that those responsible for the massacre at Racak must
be brought to justice and that the FRY authorities must cooperate fully
with ICTY. They must also cooperate fully with the OSCE Kosovo
Verification Mission and ensure the security of its personnel.
4. The crisis in Kosovo remains a threat to peace and security in the
region. NATO's strategy is to halt the violence and support the completion
of negotiations on an interim political settlement for Kosovo, thus
averting a humanitarian catastrophe. Steps to this end must include
acceptance by both parties of the summons to begin negotiations at
Rambouillet by 6 February 1999 and the completion of the negotiations on an
interim political settlement within the specified time frame; full and
immediate observance by both parties of the cease-fire and by the FRY
authorities of their commitments to NATO, including by bringing VJ and
Police/Special Police force levels, force posture and activities into
strict compliance with the NATO/FRY agreement of 25 October 1998; and the
ending of excessive and disproportionate use of force in accordance with
these commitments.
5. If these steps are not taken, NATO is ready to take whatever
measures are necessary in the light of both parties' compliance with
international commitments and requirements, including in particular
assessment by the Contact Group of the response to its demands, to avert a
humanitarian catastrophe, by compelling compliance with the demands of the
international community and the achievement of a political settlement. The
Council has therefore agreed today that the NATO Secretary General may
authorize air strikes against targets on FRY territory. The NATO Secretary
General will take full account of the position and actions of the Kosovar
leadership and all Kosovar armed elements in and around Kosovo in reaching
his decision on military action. NATO will take all appropriate measures
in case of a failure by the Kosovar Albanian side to comply with the
demands of the international community.
6. NATO is also studying how to support measures to curb arms smuggling
into Kosovo.
7. NATO's decisions today contribute to creating the conditions for a rapid
and successful negotiation on an interim political settlement which
provides for an enhanced status for Kosovo, preserves the territorial
integrity of the FRY and protects the rights of all ethnic groups. NATO is
resolved to persevere until the violence in Kosovo has ended, and a
political solution has been reached.
After delivering the NATO statement, NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana
said: "If these demands are not met, NATO is ready to take whatever
measures are necessary. Therefore, the Council has agreed today that I may
authorize air strikes against targets on Yugoslav territory." Solana then
repeated the language of the NATO statement about what would trigger NATO
strikes: "I will take my decision in the light of both parties' compliance
with international commitments and requirements, including in particular
assessment by the Contact Group of the response to its demands, to avert a
humanitarian catastrophe, by compelling compliance with the demands of the
international community and the achievement of a political settlement. I
will also take full account of the position and actions of the Kosovar
leadership and all Kosovar armed elements in and around Kosovo in reaching
my decision on military action. NATO will take all appropriate measures in
case of a failure by the Kosovar Albanian side to comply with the demands
of the international community."
*Diplomatic triggers for NATO air power
Reuters quoted NATO Secretary-General Solana in response to a question
yesterday about whether further military consultations with NATO members
would be needed before a strike could be ordered: "No further formal
decision will be needed. Of course, I will consult, but no formal decision
will be needed."
The New York Times reported Sunday that the statement "reactivates plans
for both immediate, limited warning strikes and a wider 'phased air
campaign' that could hit Serbian air defense sites and other military
targets not only in Kosovo but also elsewhere in Serbia." The Washington
Post Sunday reported the order cleared the way for a NATO bombing campaign
"starting with cruise missile attacks against Serbian antiaircraft defenses
and later including strikes against barracks housing Serbian security forces."
Associated Press reported Sunday that "asked what might trigger air
strikes, Solana said a 'no show' at Rambouillet would be the most likely
trigger, or another massacre of ethnic Albanian civilians."
The Scotsman noted yesterday that "after weeks of dithering, NATO has
still not made up its mind about the strength of a military threat, and
whether it will be 'graded' to allow limited responses to infringements of
any new peace agreement. The alliance on Saturday authorized...Solana to
launch air strikes against Yugoslav targets, but he is unlikely to push the
button without yet another NATO meeting being held to approve it."
Deutsche Presse Agentur reported yesterday that NATO general Klaus Naumann
"said the alliance was still limbering up for possible air strikes and that
the Yugoslav side would realize this from the increased military air
activity around its territory."
The New York Times report continued: "The Supreme Allied Commander,
General Wesley Clark, had authority to begin the bombing last October...
American negotiators accepted a decision by the allies today to leave the
primary responsibility for ordering military action this time in the hands
of Mr. Solana, a civilian, rather than in General Clark's. NATO officials
said Mr. Solana would consult with allied capitals and take account of the
views of the contact group before ordering any strikes. But they said that
he would not have to seek a new alliance decision to order General Clark to
launch the planes and cruise missiles that would carry out attacks... The
allies also said Mr. Solana could also give the order if Mr. Milosevic
refused to make good on the earlier promises to reduce police and military
forces in the province."
The New York Times report noted that "the threat of imminent NATO action
did not prevent a Serbian police raid in which 24 ethnic Albanians were
killed in the village of Rogovo."
Deutsche Presse Agentur reported yesterday that German Chancellor Gerhard
Schroeder "said Germany was ready 'for all eventualities.' He added that
the international community was 'deadly earnest' in its demands that the
parties to the conflict reach agreement within three weeks on ending the
violence and on autonomy status for Kosovo. Yugoslav President Slobodan
Milosevic had to understand that the ultimatum had to be observed 'up to
the minute.' "
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright issued a statement Saturday
expressing strong support for the NATO decision to threaten air strikes:
"Our strategy of diplomacy backed by the threat of force is the only way to
ensure that both sides halt the violence and come immediately to the
negotiating table... The people of Kosovo and indeed of the FRY (Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia) as a whole now have a window of opportunity - if
only their leaders will seize this opportunity. The choice is truly up to
the leadership on both sides, especially the authorities in Belgrade.
Either they cease fighting and agree upon a peaceful interim settlement, or
they will face the consequences NATO has spelled out today."
Agence France Presse reported Saturday that "a group of 21 prominent
foreign policy experts, including several former senior diplomats, national
security, intelligence and military chiefs called for immediate NATO
action. 'Only forceful US leadership can stop Milosevic from continuing
with this new round of ethnic cleansing... The savagery in Kosovo endangers
more than civilian life and regional stability,' said the group which
included former US ambassador to the United Nations Jeane Kirkpatrick and
former defense secretary Caspar Weinberger." The letter, also signed by
former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, ex-Defense Secretary
Frank Carlucci and former Central Intelligence Agency Director James
Woolsey, advocated that NATO should use air power as necessary to compel
the removal of Serbian forces and that NATO ground forces should guarantee
Kosovo's pre-1989 self-government."
Reuters today quoted State Department spokesman Rubin: "If the Serbs do no
comply with the requirements of the international community, if they do not
come to the negotiating table or if they do not agree with the plan that we
are putting forward that they could be subject to air strikes by NATO."
Rubin said yesterday that "with respect the Kosovo Albanian side, I don't
think anybody is considering military air strikes. I do think that people
realize and are going to make very, very clear, crystal clear, to the
Kosovar Albanians that a failure by them to come to the table or to agree
to the contact group plan that meets the legitimate rights of the Kosovars
in the areas of selfdetermination and excuse me, scratch that word self
government and police and health and education that if they fail to agree
to that plan, they will lose the international support that has been so
evident for recent weeks, where NATO has garnered the support to conduct
air strikes if necessary against the Serbs on behalf of the Kosovar
Albanians. And that support will evaporate if they are the cause of a
breakdown in the negotiations. Similarly, we will be looking at ways to
ensure that they are not in a position to continue a conflict by the flow
of arms, as well as any other steps that people might consider. In short,
right now, the international community is prepared to use military power in
their behalf in the sense of stopping the Serbs from their oppression and
ensuring that the Serbs give them their legitimate rights. But if they
overreach and demand what they cannot achieve in trying to achieve some
sort of independence that the international community is not going to
consider, or demand the unreasonable and refuse to negotiate seriously and
refuse to agree, this international support that has been gathered together
painstakingly in the last week will evaporate and steps will be taken to
affect their ability to continue the conflict."
The Washington Post said Sunday that "NATO diplomats said there was
general unanimity in the alliance about fortifying the peace initiative
with the threat of force. 'The idea is to coerce acceptance of the peace
initiative with a one-two punch, if necessary,' said a senior NATO envoy.
Several European countries, however, remain uneasy about launching air
strikes because they fear a bombing campaign...would encourage the Kosovo
Liberation Army to press its drive for independence. 'We will not allow
ourselves to be pushed into serving as the air force of the KLA, a senior
European diplomat said. 'We have to find ways to maximize pressure on both
sides to reach a political settlement.' As a possible sanction if the KLA
refuses to adopt a cease-fire, NATO forces are being prepared for possible
deployment to ports and airfields in Albania...to thwart the flow of
weapons and supplies" to the KLA.
* The U.S., NATO and ground forces
Reuters reported that US Secretary of Defense William Cohen said
yesterday: "European allies must bear a substantial burden in terms of
dealing with Kosovo and...any participation by the United States should be
as small as it could be given the military requirements for adequate
protection." Voice of America noted yesterday Yesterday: "The defense
secretary says, contrary to published reports, the President has not yet
decided to send troops. Mr . Cohen says he and others will consult with
key members of congress during the next few days before making a decision
to deploy troops."
Reuters also quoted a senior administration official saying Sunday "we
have ruled out sending ground troops into a combat situation."
The Washington Post reported today that "Pentagon officers have sought to
keep the U.S. role [in any Kosovo peace implementation force] small
limited to a few thousand troops while the main European plan calls for an
American presence of at least 5,000 troops and possibly thousands more,
according to officials knowledgeable about the discussion. Under "Option
Aminus," a plan devised by NATO in October and now revived, the ontheground
commander of a 28,000strong force in Kosovo would be from NATO's Allied
Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps. That group is commanded by a threestar
British General, Lt. Gen. Sir Michael Jackson, according to a senior
western military official. U.S. Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark, NATO Supreme
Allied Commander based in Brussels, would remain in ultimate control of the
operation.
The Washington Post report continued: "Pentagon officials have said they
would be willing to trade the command position to get their numbers low
because they believe their troops have too many commitments overseas and
that Congress may balk at a larger force. "My personal view is that our
European allies must bear a substantial burden in terms of dealing with
Kosovo and that any participation by the United States should be as small
as it could be," Defense Secretary William S. Cohen said yesterday. Clinton
administration officials are telling planners they want to keep their force
to about 2,000, a number that would allow the United States to provide key
support activities such as intelligence, logistics and night helicopter
operations. But European officials and others, seeking a larger U.S.
contribution, say a full U.S. presence would be a direct signal to
President Slobodan Milosevic of Yugoslavia about the willingness of the
world's only superpower to see Kosovo pacified. 'We have our doubts about
the 2,000 figure," said one European official. "It's being driven by a
desire to have a smaller force.' "
Reuters reported today that "French Defense Minister Alain Richard said on
Tuesday that Paris would provide a sizeable contingent to a possible new
international peace force for Kosovo to ensure Europe was the largest
single contributor... He said last week he hoped the Kosovo force would not
have a large US contingent, as the international peacekeeping for in Bosnia
has, because this was a shameful sign that Europe did not have the will and
means to resolve the problem herself."
The New York Times reported Sunday that "the Administration's top national
security advisers have reached a consensus to recommend sending American
ground troops if the two warring parties agree to a cease-fire,
Administration and Congressional officials say. But in a statement today,
David Leavy, a White House spokesman, said 'the President has made no
decision' whether to send American troops should an international
peacekeeping force enter Kosovo."
Reuters reported Sunday that "several administration officials insisted
that no final decision had been made on participating in a ground force...
[White House National Security Adviser Sandy Berger said] "We haven't even
formulated a recommendation for him at this point'... White House spokesman
P.J. Crowley said... 'Until we know more about what a prospective
settlement might be, it's impossible to determine what type of
international presence would be required and what a role for the United
States might be... We are consulting with our allies and with Congress on
the situation in Kosovo and on what our next steps should be'... The size
of the US contingent is unclear because the size of the overall mission
depends on negotiations that have not even begun. Under various contingency
plans, the range falls anywhere from 2,000 to 7,000 officials said."
Reuters reported that US Vice President Al Gore said Saturday that "no
decision on [troops] has been made... We don't want to get to
implementation before negotiation." During the same interview, Britain's
Prime Minister Tony Blair said that "we have the necessary preparations" to
back up a political agreement.
Agence France Presse reported yesterday that "questioned by a journalist
on whether a Kosovo peace-keeping force would be made up of 30,000 men,
Solana said: "In any case it will not be very far from a figure of that
nature."
A separate report from Agence France Presse yesterday noted that "NATO
allies were taking a fresh look Monday at plans to deploy ground troops in
Kosovo to help underpin any peace treaty between the warring
parties...concurring sources say... 'We have to think about it and start
preparing public opinion'... NATO discussed three options last year for a
ground deployment, varying from 36,000 to 60,000 and 200,000, depending on
the goal of their mission and required level of enforcement. 'These
figures, which are still current, could change,' said an expert, citing
NATO worries about the time needed to muster a force of more than 30,000 men."
The Agence France Presse report also noted that "if a force were to be
sent in, Russia would prefer them to be deployed under the aegis of the UN
or the OSCE, rather than NATO."
A bipartisan group of US Senators -- including Senators Joseph Lieberman,
Richard Lugar, Chuck Hagel, Bob Graham and Frank Lautenberg -- sent a
letter January 29 to President Clinton "to advocate military action against
the Yugoslav government...to bring Belgrade into long-term compliance with
UN Security Council Resolution 1199 and the October 12 cease-fire agreement."
In a statement released January 29, US Senator Joseph Biden said that "the
Administration's plan to force a political settlement will fail unless
backed by a credible threat of NATO military action... 'I believe the plan
is doomed to fail unless the threat of force is truly credible. To achieve
this credibility with Milosevic, the United States must immediately
persuade NATO to reaffirm last October's activation order and move our
military assets toward action in Kosovo. If we cannot get NATO to go along,
we should act alone.' "
The Times (London) reported yesterday that "Britain is preparing
contingency plans to send up to 8,000 troops, equipped with tanks, armored
vehicles and artillery, to Kosovo to enforce a peace settlement if the
warring parties reach a deal. Ministers are being warned that if NATO is
deployed in [Kosovo] in a peacekeeping role, Britain will be expected to
play a substantial part and to contribute a heavy armored force for an
alliance presence that could total 36,000 troops... If a peace deal is
reached, Britain will be expected to play a substantial role because NATO's
Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, based in Germany, has been selected to send an
operational headquarters to Kosovo and the corps is commanded by a British
officer."
VI. OSCE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION/KOSOVO DIPLOMATIC OBSERVER MISSION
Reuters yesterday quoted US ambassador to the OSCE David Johnson: " 'The
next few weeks are likely to be a very tense period. We must increase our
ability rapidly to withdraw, should force become necessary to set the stage
for productive negotiations'... The US called for the OSCE's Kosovo
Verification Mission to move its training center immediately to the
Macedonian capital Skopje, establish an alternate headquarters there and
update its evacuation plan to determine whether equipment could be removed
to avoid damage... Norwegian Ambassador Kai Eide, who chairs the OSCE
permanent council, said no decisions had yet been taken but the requests
would be considered on Tuesday as a matter of policy."
Associated Press reported Saturday that "international monitors saw some
of Friday's fighting [in Ljupce]. Barred by Serb forces, they couldn't
determine whether there were any casualties from the afternoon's clash."
KDOM reported yesterday that "Both KDOM and KVM have noted an increase in
the harassment of international representatives by Serbian police and
civilians in the past few days. This may be an attempt to intimidate
verification and observer mission members."
KDOM also noted yesterday that "an angry KLA representative in Breznica
reported to KDOM that an orange vehicle, thought by inexperienced KLA
pickets to be a KDOM car, passed through a checkpoint. As it went through,
a grenade was lobbed into a KLA building (no casualties reported). In
another incident, a KLA soldier reported that an "orange bulldozer"
(thought to be OSCE equipment) passed a checkpoint where another grenade
was lobbed out."
