Archive for the month of March 1999
1999/03/25 (2)
Balkanblog — March 25, 1999 - 22:15
Statement on KOSOVO
Issued by the Heads of State and Government
The crisis in Kosovo represents a fundamental challenge to the values for which NATO has stood since its foundation: democracy, human rights and the rule of law. It is the culmination of a deliberate policy of oppression, ethnic cleansing and violence pursued by the Belgrade regime under the direction of President Milosevic. We will not allow this campaign of terror to succeed. NATO is determined to prevail.
NATO's military action against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) supports the political aims of the international community, which were reaffirmed in recent statements by the UN Secretary-General and the European Union: a peaceful, multi-ethnic and democratic Kosovo where all its people can live in security and enjoy universal human rights and freedoms on an equal basis.
Our military actions are directed not at the Serb people but at the policies of the regime in Belgrade, which has repeatedly rejected all efforts to solve the crisis peacefully. President Milosevic must:
- Ensure a verifiable stop to all military action and the immediate ending of violence and repression in Kosovo;
- Withdraw from Kosovo his military, police and para-military forces;
- Agree to the stationing in Kosovo of an international military presence;
- Agree to the unconditional and safe return of all refugees and displaced persons, and unhindered access to them by humanitarian aid organizations; and
- Provide credible assurance of his willingness to work for the establishment of a political framework agreement based on the Rambouillet accords.
There can be no compromise on these conditions. As long as Belgrade fails to meet the legitimate demands of the international community and continues to inflict immense human suffering, Alliance air operations against the Yugoslav war machine will continue. We hold President Milosevic and the Belgrade leadership responsible for the safety of all Kosovar citizens. We will fulfill our promise to the Kosovar people that they can return to their homes and live in peace and security.
We are intensifying NATO's military actions to increase the pressure on Belgrade. Allied governments are putting in place additional measures to tighten the constraints on the Belgrade regime. These include intensified implementation of economic sanctions, and an embargo on petroleum products on which we welcome the EU lead. We have directed our Defence Ministers to determine ways that NATO can contribute to halting the delivery of war material including by launching maritime operations, taking into account the possible consequences on Montenegro.
NATO is prepared to suspend its air strikes once Belgrade has unequivocally accepted the above mentioned conditions and demonstrably begun to withdraw its forces from Kosovo according to a precise and rapid timetable. This could follow the passage of a United Nations Security Council resolution, which we will seek, requiring the withdrawal of Serb forces and the demilitarization of Kosovo and encompassing the deployment of an international military force to safeguard the swift return of all refugees and displaced persons as well as the establishment of an international provisional administration of Kosovo under which its people can enjoy substantial autonomy within the FRY. NATO remains ready to form the core of such an international military force. It would be multinational in character with contributions from non-NATO countries.
Russia has a particular responsibility in the United Nations and an important role to play in the search for a solution to the conflict in Kosovo. Such a solution must be based on the conditions of the international community as laid out above. President Milosevic's offers to date do not meet this test. We want to work constructively with Russia, in the spirit of the Founding Act.
The long-planned, unrestrained and continuing assault by Yugoslav military, police and paramilitary forces on Kosovars and the repression directed against other minorities of the FRY are aggravating the already massive humanitarian catastrophe. This threatens to destabilize the surrounding region.
NATO, its members and its Partners have responded to the humanitarian emergency and are intensifying their refugee and humanitarian relief operations in close cooperation with the UNHCR, the lead agency in this field, and with other relevant organizations. We will continue our assistance as long as necessary. NATO forces are making a major contribution to this task.
We pay tribute to the servicemen and women of NATO whose courage and dedication are ensuring the success of our military and humanitarian operations.
Atrocities against the people of Kosovo by FRY military, police and paramilitary forces represent a flagrant violation of international law. Our governments will co-operate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to support investigation of all those, including at the highest levels, responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. NATO will support the ICTY in its efforts to secure relevant information. There can be no lasting peace without justice.
We acknowledge and welcome the courageous support that states in the region are providing to our efforts in Kosovo. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania have played a particularly important role, not least in accepting hundreds of thousands of refugees from Kosovo. The states in the region are bearing substantial economic and social burdens stemming from the current conflict.
We will not tolerate threats by the Belgrade regime to the security of its neighbors. We will respond to such challenges by Belgrade to its neighbors resulting from the presence of NATO forces or their activities on their territory during this crisis.
We reaffirm our support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries in the region.
We reaffirm our strong support for the democratically elected government of Montenegro. Any move by Belgrade to undermine the government of President Djukanovic will have grave consequences. FRY forces should leave the demilitarized zone of Prevlaka immediately.
The objective of a free, prosperous, open and economically integrated Southeast Europe cannot be fully assured until the FRY embarks upon the transition to democracy. Accordingly, we express our support for the objective of a democratic FRY which protects the rights of all minorities, including those in Vojvodina and Sandjak, and promise to work for such change through and beyond the current conflict.
It is our aim to make stability in Southeast Europe a priority of our transatlantic agenda. Our governments will co-operate urgently through NATO as well as through the OSCE, and for those of us which are members, the European Union, to support the nations of Southeast Europe in forging a better future for their region - one based upon democracy, justice, economic integration, and security co-operation.
1999/03/25
Balkanblog — March 25, 1999 - 21:15
Press statement by NATO Secretary General Janvier Solana
Yesterday evening around 8 p.m., Operation Allied Force began.
Last night's operation was carried out with a broad participation by Allies. This demonstrates NATO solidarity, unity and resolve in carrying out this action. Let me stress that strikes were conducted against carefully chosen military targets focused on the air defence network of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Our initial reports indicate that these first strikes were successful. All NATO aircraft returned safely to their bases.
I express on behalf of the North Atlantic Council our gratitude to the men and women in our Allied armed services who were involved.
In a few moments, I will ask SACEUR to give you an interim update on activities.
Let me reiterate we are determined to continue until we have achieved our objectives: to halt the violence and to stop further humanitarian catastrophe. Let me emphasise once again that we have no quarrel with the people of Yugoslavia. Our actions are directed against the repressive policies of the Yugoslav government, which is refusing to respect civilized norms of behaviour in this Europe at the end of the 20th century.
The responsibility for the current crisis rests with President Milosevic. It is up to him to comply with the demands of the international community. I strongly urge him to do so.
Objectives
stplanken — March 25, 1999 - 07:12
The objective of Operation Allied Force was to attack the military infrastructure that President Milosevic and his forces used to repress and kill ethnic Albanians, and thus ensured full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1199.
The military objectives of Operation Allied Force:
1999/03/24
Balkanblog — March 24, 1999 - 21:31
Statement by NATO Secretary General Janvier Solana following commencement of air operations
I have been informed by SACEUR, General Clark, that at this moment NATO Air Operations against targets in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia have commenced.
In the last months the international community has spared no efforts to achieve a negotiated solution in Kosovo. But it has not been possible.
Allied Force
stplanken — March 24, 1999 - 18:50
NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia
Although the air campaign was suspended June 10, 1999, it was not officially terminated until June 20, 1999, after troops of the Former Yugoslav Republic (FRY) withdrew from Kosovo as was agreed in the Military Technical Agreement of June 9, 1999.
First strike
stplanken — March 24, 1999 - 07:15
In the first days of Operation Allied Force, approximately 350 aircraft were committed to this operation. Many of them were already present because of previous or ongoing operations.
The first attack occurred on March 24, 1999, around 2000 local time. Thirteen of the nineteen NATO members contributed aircraft, of which 8 countries actually were engaged in combat:
| Country | Assets |
|---|---|
| Belgium | F-16A |
| France | Jaguar, Mirage 2000C/D, Super Etendard, C-135 (total 40) |
| Germany | Tornado |
| Italy | Tornado, AMX, F-104 |
| Netherlands | F-16AM (6), KDC-10 (2) |
| Spain | EF-18, KC-130 |
| United Kingdom | L-1011, Harrier GR.7 (8), E-3D (3) |
| United States | F-16CG, F-16CJ, F-15E, F-117, B-2, B-52 |
| NATO | Fleet of NATO ships 12,000 ground troops on stand-by in Macedonia |
The total number of allied aircraft varied. After the 15th day, almost 600 allied aircraft in total were contributing to air operations against Yugoslavia. See the day-to-day operations.
1999/03/23
Balkanblog — March 23, 1999 - 22:29
Press statement by Dr. Janvier Solana, Secretary General of NATO
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,
I have just directed SACEUR, General Clark, to initiate air operations in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
I have taken this decision after extensive consultations in recent days with all the Allies, and after it became clear that the final diplomatic effort of Ambassador Holbrooke in Belgrade has not met with success.
All efforts to achieve a negotiated, political solution to the Kosovo crisis having failed, no alternative is open but to take military action.
We are taking action following the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Government's refusal of the International Community's demands:
- Acceptance of the interim political settlement which has been negotiated at Rambouillet;
- Full observance of limits on the Serb Army and Special Police Forces agreed on 25 October;
- Ending of excessive and disproportionate use of force in Kosovo.
As we warned on the 30 January, failure to meet these demands would lead NATO to take whatever measures were necessary to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.
NATO has fully supported all relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the efforts of the OSCE, and those of the Contact Group.
We deeply regret that these efforts did not succeed, due entirely to the intransigence of the FRY Government.
This military action is intended to support the political aims of the international community.
It will be directed towards disrupting the violent attacks being committed by the Serb Army and Special Police Forces and weakening their ability to cause further humanitarian catastrophe.
We wish thereby to support international efforts to secure Yugoslav agreement to an interim political settlement.
As we have stated, a viable political settlement must be guaranteed by an international military presence.
It remains open to the Yugoslav Government to show at any time that it is ready to meet the demands of the international community.
I hope it will have the wisdom to do so.
At the same time, we are appealing to the Kosovar Albanians to remain firmly committed to the road to peace which they have chosen in Paris. We urge in particular Kosovar armed elements to refrain from provocative military action.
Let me be clear: NATO is not waging war against Yugoslavia.
We have no quarrel with the people of Yugoslavia who for too long have been isolated in Europe because of the policies of their government.
Our objective is to prevent more human suffering and more repression and violence against the civilian population of Kosovo.
We must also act to prevent instability spreading in the region.
NATO is united behind this course of action.
We must halt the violence and bring an end to the humanitarian catastrophe now unfolding in Kosovo.
We know the risks of action but we have all agreed that inaction brings even greater dangers.
We will do what is necessary to bring stability to the region.
We must stop an authoritarian regime from repressing its people in Europe at the end of the 20th century.
We have a moral duty to do so.
The responsibility is on our shoulders and we will fulfill it.
Building up
stplanken — March 21, 1999 - 07:10
Chronology
The air strikes against Yugoslavia did not come as a surprise. Listed next are some of the events that eventually led to the air strikes.
October 13, 1998 - NATO's decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, issued an Activation Order for limited air strikes and a phased air campaign against Yugoslavia (Operation Determined Force).
October 15, 1998 - An agreement was signed between NATO's SACEUR and the Yugoslav Chief of General Staff over a verification mission, complementing an OSCE verification mission.
October 24, 1998 - The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1203, supporting the NATO and OSCE verification missions.
October 27, 1998 - NATO maintained the Activation Order for the phased air campaign against Yugoslavia.
January 20, 1999 - NATO increased readiness of the assigned forces. Forces were brought on 48 hour status.
January 29, 1999 - The international Contact Group called upon all parties to agree on a political settlement for Kosovo by February 20, 1999. NATO's NAC agreed that Secretary General Solana could order air strikes any time.
February 20, 1999 - The Contact Group extended the negotiations until February 23, 1999.
February 23, 1999 - Negotiations were again extended by the Contact Group until March 15, 1999. During this time, both the Serb and Kosovo parties were granted the time to approve the peace plan. The Serb delegation did not seem willing to accept the peace plan.
March 18, 1999 - After difficult negotiations in Rambouillet (France) and several delays the Kosovo Albanians signed a peace deal unilaterally calling for an interim autonomy during three years and 28,000 NATO troops to implement it. The Serb delegation refused to sign and the peace talks were suspended indefinitely.
March 22, 1999 - The US special envoy Richard Holbrooke warned Yugoslav president Milosevic of air strikes unless he signed the peace agreement after all. Milosevic refused.
March 23, 1999 - NATO authorized air strikes against Yugoslavia. The Secretary General ordered military commanders to initiate air operations. See NATO press release March 23 by Secretary-General Janvier Solana.
March 24, 1999 - NATO actually commenced the air strikes. See NATO press release March 24 and >NATO press release March 25 by Secretary-General Janvier Solana.
Also see the NATO statement of March 25, issued by the Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council on April 23 and 24 April. This statement also mentions the five NATO requirements with which Yugoslav President Milosevic must comply.
Rambouillet Agreement
Balkanblog — March 1, 1999 - 07:43
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Fact sheet released by the Bureau of European Affairs, U.S. Department of State Washington, DC, March 1, 1999 |
The Rambouillet Accords are a 3-year interim agreement that will provide democratic self- government, peace, and security for everyone living in Kosovo.
- Democratic self-government