DER STÄNDIGE VERTRETER

DER BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND

IM NORDATLANTIKRAT

Joachim Bitterlich

Ambassador

Brussels, 12 April 1999

Boulevard Léopold Ill, 39

B 1 1 10 Brussels

Tel: 0032-2-727 76 29/30

Fax:0032-2-727 77 30

Dear Mr. Dupuis,

Dear Mr. Dell'Alba,

I would like to thank you for your letter dated 30 March 1999 and the accompanying "Report on Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law in Kosovo in 1998".

As you know, my country and the Alliance have since early on in the conflict insisted on the obligations of the parties under international humanitarian law. The continuous violation of these obligations was a determining factor on the Alliance's decision to authorize military operations against FRY and Serbian military and police targets.

Against this background, carefully researched and accurately documented information is of great importance for the public opinion and political decisionmaking alike. In this respect, I recommend your report as a very valuable contribution.

Yours sincerely,

Joachim Bitterlich