The New York Times

Wednesday, June 23, 1999

A Deal to Demilitarize the K.L.A.

With Serbian troops gone from Kosovo, the most important challenge to peace in the province comes from the ethnic Albanian guerrillas, the Kosovo Liberation Army. On Monday, NATO and the K.L.A. agreed that the group would demilitarize more quickly than previously planned -- but in exchange, NATO would give "due consideration" to making the K.L.A. an army in the style of a National Guard. The agreement, while imperfect, will contribute to the safety of Kosovo's Serbian citizens and NATO peacekeepers by disarming the K.L.A. In the long run it may increase chances that Kosovo will enjoy moderate, civilian leadership.

Despite the claims of K.L.A. leaders, the agreement does not promise that the group will become an army, only that the issue will be discussed. That promise was made because NATO rightly felt that forcibly disarming the K.L.A. was unrealistic, and it needed something to encourage the K.L.A. to give up its heavy weapons voluntarily.

The K.L.A., like virtually every ethnic Albanian in Kosovo, wants an independent state, an option opposed by NATO nations, who are wary of changing borders in the Balkans. But the National Guard analogy removes the implication of Kosovo sovereignty, as American states have them.

Although its political leader has called for Serbs to return to Kosovo, the K.L.A., or at least some of its units, is apparently trying to strengthen the case for independence by driving out the province's few remaining Serbs. There have already been many incidents of ethnic Albanians' looting and destruction of Serbs' homes, in at least one case while NATO peacekeepers stood by awaiting reinforcements. This is inexcusable, and NATO's commander has apologized. But there are not yet enough NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo to protect Serbs from intimidation, beatings or worse. The agreement will help by speeding K.L.A. disarmament and warning Kosovar Albanians that the international community will be considering their behavior as it contemplates whether to allow the establishment of an army.

The long-range danger posed by the K.L.A. is that its members could turn Kosovo into a hard-line military dictatorship. While the K.L.A. is popular, many ethnic Albanians fear its rule, well aware of the ruthlessness and criminal acts of some leaders and fighters. Kosovo has plenty of competent civilians, many of whom spent years helping to run a shadow government and are well prepared to lead. The deal signed on Monday bars the guerrillas from setting up checkpoints and conducting other military-style activities. NATO will be the only military power, which should strengthen Kosovo's civilians.

So far, fewer than half the promised NATO troops have reached Kosovo, which leaves many villages unpatrolled and makes verifying K.L.A. demilitarization difficult. The remaining troops are urgently needed, as Serbs are now deciding whether to stay in Kosovo or leave. The chance for a multi-ethnic Kosovo soon may vanish completely.