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Monday, March 15, 1999, 5:00 PM.
Kosova woodsmen latest victims of cycle of violence
Prishtinė, March 15, 1999 (Kosova Sot)
Relatives mourning the killing of four ethnic Albanian wood-cutters said on Monday Serbian
police officers had shot the men, the latest civilian victims of Kosova's relentless
violence. Zija Tafaj, 18, said that he was the only survivor of an attack on Sunday by at
least five Serbian police officers who shot dead his father, a brother, an uncle and a
nephew. Two of the victims were just 15 years old. Serbian officials have not reported the
deaths and were not immediately available for comment. "We thought first of all that
the shooting was a training exercise but when they got closer and my uncle was hit then I
knew they were firing at us," said Tafaj. He showed reporters the scratches and
bruises he suffered crawling away to escape. "I fell into the river and then ran and
they shot at me. So I went on my hands and knees and crawled for an hour." A group of
relatives gathered at the Tafaj family compound was waiting for an investigation team from
the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe's truce monitoring mission to give
them permission to remove the bodies for burial. The men died as they gathered firewood on
a steep hillside above Grajkovc, some 60km southwest of the regional capital Prishtina.
Their bodies were strewn amid bushes, and spent bullet cases lay on a dirt track nearby.
The Tafaj family blamed nearby Serbian police units for the deaths, which occurred in an
area that has not seen recent fighting. But OSCE monitors refused to speculate on who
killed the men, describing the case as sensitive, given the start of peace talks between
'Yugoslav' authorities and ethnic Albanians in Paris on Monday. "We're carrying out a
forensic investigation and at the moment we can't say what happened," said Patrick
Brook, who led the OSCE team. "But undoubtedly the men were wood-cutters. They are
all wearing civilian clothes." The war in Kosova has been marked by several mass
killings of civilians, most noticeably the death of at least 45 ethnic Albanians in the
village of Raēak in January. That incident convinced world powers that an October truce
was not working and stimulated them to speed up the pace of peace talks, lest violence
spiral out of control. But while deaths in Kosova have continued, they have not been of a
nature or risen to a level deemed sufficient to warrant NATO air-strikes, even though the
killing of the four wood gatherers brought the weekend death toll to at least 18. Many of
the casualties in recent weeks have been victims of small-scale, localized ethnic
violence, with kidnappings, executions and torture being used to enforce ethnic separation
or to settle old scores. Observers said Sunday's killings may be retaliation for the
nearby kidnapping two weeks ago of two Serbian wood-cutters by separatist forces of the
Kosova Liberation Army. One of the Serbians was killed and the other badly beaten by the
abductors.
Two Ethnic Albanians Found Murdered in the Village of Zallē
Istog, March 15, 1999
Rrahman Morina, 35, from the village of Bainca and Shaban Hajredin Ramēaj, 50, from the
of Baja in Peja area were found murdered in the village of Zallē, reported Kosova Sot
field correspondent on Monday. He said OSCE international monitors were at the scene of
crime but the identity of the killed men is not yet known. This is the sixth case of
killing the ethnic Albanian citizens under obscure circumstances, since the beginning of
this year.
Great Serbian Forces Entered Kosova From Serbia
Prishtinė, March 15, 1999
Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Forces (CDHRF) reported that more than 100
military armored vehicles entered Kosova from Serbia on Monday 15. The same source said
that at the same time 5 Serbian heavy tanks and several other military vehicles deployed
in the village of Peran where the road Podujevė - Kėrpimeh has been blocked for more
than two months by Serbian military forces. These forces deployed also in other strategic
points in this area, said the source. Meanwile, Kosova Informative Center (KIC) in
Podujeva said of reinforcements of all Serbian forces strongholds in the area. The source
also informed of frequent Serbian forces movements on the streets of Podujeva while
Albanian people scarcely go out of their houses.
Serbian Forces Offensive in Klina Area is Continuing
Klinė, March 15, 1999
Serbian military and police forces are continuing their offensive against the village of
Sverkė in Klina area, reported Kosova Informative Center (KIC) on Monday adding that this
offensive is being carried out by heavy artillery weapons. The villages of Sverkė and
Dush are burned to the ground while the humanitarian situation of the villagers that fled
the fighting is extremely heavy. Hardship is reigning among them. Yesterday in the village
of Ēupevė in Klina area were wounded from heavy artillery fire ethnic Albanians Naser H.
Krasniqi, 18, and Hysni Sh. Morina, 43, both from the village of Ēupeva, said KIC based
in Malisheva.
More Than 20 Ethnic Albanian Civilians Arrested
Gjakovė, March 15, 1999
A group of more than 30 Serbian police officers deployed near the place called "Ura e
Tabakut" in Gjakova and started abusing several ethnic Albanian civilians, said
Kosova Informative Center on Monday. The same source informed that Serbian forces
positioned at the same place have arrested more than 20 Albanian noncombatants from
different villages of Gjakova whom were forced to enter a little transporting vehicle
which headed in unknown direction. Serbian police also arrested on Monday Sefer Seferi,
28, from Gjakova and sent him at the police station in Gjakova. He is mentally sick
because he had been beaten brutally by Serbian police. Today was market day in Gjakova
while movements of Serbian forces and also mistreatments against Albanian civilians are
enormous.
Serbian Forces Continued Sealing Off Villages
Vushtrri, March 15, 1999
Situation in Vushtrri area is continuing to be tense. Sporadic fighting went on during all
night while Serbian forces begin to seal off this area villages around 0630 hrs, said KIC
on Monday. The same source said that Serbian forces deployed in the villages of Dolak and
Shtitaricė are continually shelling the villages in this area. Damages are reported to be
enormous. Moreover, the elementary school in the village of Mihaliq has been burned to the
ground while around 0800 hrs the source reported of a Serbian military forces convoy of 19
heavy military vehicles full of soldiers going in the direction of Mihaliq.
Invitation of the Command of "Agim Bajrami" Brigade
Kaēanik, March 14 (Kosovapress) Residents of villages Bob, Kovaēevė, Biēec, Nikė,
Rekė, Dubravė, Soponicė,Doganaj etc. municipality of Kaēanik, have fled their villages
and homes after the shelling by Serb forces two days ago. Most of them have stopped in
Kaēanik, Kaēanik I Vjetėr, Stagovė, and "Voskopjoa" school near Kaēanik.
They are living under very difficult conditions, and in fear of another punitive Serb
expedition. Concluding that the situation is relatively calm and that there are no reasons
for panic, Command of "Agim Bajrami" Brigade, that protects this region, invites
all inhabitants to return to their homes and continue their lives without panic.
Serbian Crimes as a revenge for their losses
Llap, March 14 (Kosovapress) There were fierce clashes between Serb occupying forces and
UĒK Units, yesterday in the OZ of Llap. They began in the early hours of the morning and
in the violages Majac, Lupē I Poshtėm, Lluzhan and Godishnjak. At around 14.00 Serb
forces stationed in Peran have started pounding our positions in Peran, Obranēė,
Katunishtė and Bradash but, our forces have counter-replied to this attack thus disabling
all movements of enemy forces. Fighting continued until the evening hours. Serb forces
were shelling throughout the night last night, mainly from Lluzhan and against the
villages Sallabajė and Godishnjak. Apart from some damaged houses, there were no
casualties in humans nor war machinery on our side, while Serbs suffered heavy casualties.
In the centre of Podjevė, there were two explosions, one near the Market Place and the
other near the Post Office. Two died and 30 were wounded as a consequence of these
explosions. The people executed this terrorist act have been identified. They are Serb
civilians escorted and secured by police and Serb State security forces. Information
Services of OZ of Llap has information for other similar terrorist acts and predicts that
they could be repeated in the future starting from Monday. Command of OZ of Llap requests
that the population must be very careful and reduce unnecessary movements in the town and
spaces open for public. The population must be very cautions for their own safety and the
safety of their families and society.
An enemy army tank destroyed in Mihaliq
Shalė, March 14 (Kosovapress) After yesterdays, fierce fighting, Serb military/police
forces have, today, attacked UĒK positions in Mihaliq, municipality of Vushtrri. An enemy
army tank was destroyed in Mihaliq, in today’s clashing. There are casualties on Serb
side also. While, there are no casualties on UK side, be it human or material damages.
Movements of Serb forces in the villages of Kaēanik
Kaēanik, March 14 (Kosovapress) There were regroupings and reinforcements of Serb
occupying forces, today, in the villages of Kaēanik. At 14.30, a military/police convoy
has left Kaēanik for Hani I Elezit. There were Serb reinforcements in Glloboshicė also.
UĒK Units are standing firm in their positions.
Provocation and arm firing
Lipjan, March 14 (Kosovapress) In the town of Lipjan, last night, Serb civilians have been
shooting from their fire arms uncontrollably, while today, in the strategic points of the
town, armed and mobilised Serbs were spotted. Also today, at around 11.00, a military
convoy, with 3 APC amongst it, went from the direction of Prishtina towards Shtime.
Serb Colonel killed in the clashes near Vushtrri
Vushtrri, March 14 (Kosovapress) During the bloody fighting, between UĒK Units and Serb
military/paramilitary groups, in the villages of Vushtrri Municipality, on the last two
days there were killed at least two Serb soldiers. One of them was high ranking officer,
colonel of Yugoslav army and three others were wounded on this occasion. This information
was confirmed by Serb state run and independent Serb media, and which were quoted by
different international news agencies.
Chest to chest fighting in Sferkė
Klinė, March 14 (Kosovapress) Large Serbian forces have attacked villages Dush, Sferkė
and Pėrēevė, in municipality of Klinė, since 03.15 of this morning. Although Serbs
attacked on the unsuitable time, vigilant UĒK soldiers, of the 4th Battalion of the 122
Brigade of Pashtrik OZ, detected them and fiercely counter attacked. To begin with, they
successfully helped evacuation of the local population, while since 03.30 until now they
were embraced in the chest to chest fighting. Serbs had large forces since the July of
last year in Sferkė, and today there were aided by 62 tanks and other war machinery.
Although facing this massive Serb police/military forces, UĒK soldiers are standing firm
on their positions. The fighting distances, between the sides, in Sferkė are not greater
than 30-60 meters. Serb ambulance cars, are seen many times going to Klinė. First Serb
victims had fallen early in the morning, while on UĒK side Agim Leka Commander of the 4th
Battalion and another soldier from Dush were wounded. During the today’s clashes, the
moral and the bravery of the UĒK soldiers were in particularly impressive. Two wounded
UĒK soldiers and after they had their bullets removed and without medical approval,
returned on the front lines.
Kosovar Delegation Agrees to Sign the Rambouillet Accords
PRISHTINA, March 15 (KIC) - The leadership of the Kosovar delegation to the international
conference being held in Paris showed up before reporters just past 16:30 CET today,
making it clear it agreed to sign the interim agreement on self-government for Kosova
negotiated last month at Rambouillet, France.
As to the signing itself, it is matter depending on when the ceremony would be organized,
sources tell the Kosova Information Center (KIC)
Meanwhile, in an interview with the CNN today afternoon, President of the Republic of
Kosova Ibrahim Rugova said the agreement would be accepted as a whole, with both the
political and implementation components. We await NATO now, he said, because NATO "is
guarantor of the agreement".
Asked whether Kosovars would give up their independence bid, President said "We will
never give up independence".
The current agreement provides for a three-year-long period of self-government, with a
NATO-led implementation mission to enforce it.
One Albanian Killed, Two Wounded from Serbian Shell Landing in Bradash Village of
Podujeva Today
PRISHTINA, March 15 (KIC) - One Albanian was killed and two others were wounded when two
Serbian army shells landed in the village of Bradash today (Monday) at 14:30 CET, local
sources told the Kosova Information Center (KIC).
Hazbi Veliu (18), final year student with the Middle Economics School in Podujeva, was
killed, whereas Kadrush and Ramush Tahiri, all residents of Bradash, were wounded.
The shells were fired from Serbian army positions in the border village of Pėrpellac
('Prepolac'), half a dozen km away from Bradash.
The funeral of Hazbi Veliu will take place in Bradash tomorrow (Tuesday), a family member
told the KIC.
At least four Serbian army shells landed in the village of Bradash today afternoon.
A highly explosive and dangerous situation is reported in the town of Podujeva itself.
Serb snipers have been posted on top of the buildings, including the town granary.
The movement of people in town has been reduced to a bare minimum.
Arms Shooting Reported in Villages Straddling Prishtina-Podujeva
Highway
PRISHTINA, March 15 (KIC) - Today morning, there was a heavy concentration of Serbian
forces along the Prishtina-Podujeva highway, namely around the villages of Besi, Lebanė,
Vranidoll and Prugoc.
Arms shooting was reported in the area.
There has been no immediate word on what actually happened there.
Third Killed in Podujeva Bombing Blast Identified
PRISHTINA, March 15 (KIC) - The third Albanian killed in the bombing blast in Podujeva on
Saturday has been identified as Sadik Zhegrova (58), resident of Llapashticė e Poshtme
village of Podujeva.
The two others killed were Besnik Shabani and Nexhat Miftari, whereas some 40 Albanians
were injured. Besnik Shabani was killed by a Serb sniper while helping the wounded in one
of the two explosions in Podujeva on Saturday.
Berger Announces Kosova Pledge
By TERENCE HUNT
WASHINGTON (AP) -- After weeks of uncertainty, ethnic Albanians have pledged to sign a
Kosova peace agreement in Paris, National Security Council director Sandy Berger said
today.
He said the commitment was made by Hashim Thaci, head of the Albanian delegation, in a
letter delivered to the Clinton administration today.
``Certainly their acceptance of the agreement in full and their willingness to sign is an
important development and tips the focus now entirely on Mr. (Slobodan) Milosevic to make
a choice between peace and further bloodshed and conflict,'' Berger said at the White
House.
Berger's announcement came as rival Serb and ethnic Albanians renewed negotiations in
Paris and as new violence flared in Kosova.
Berger said the Kosovars' pledge was made after a telephone call Sunday evening between
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Thaci. ``We have received this morning a letter
signed by Mr. Thaci ... saying that the Kosovars are prepared to sign the agreement,
saying that in unequivocal terms,'' Berger said.
At a separate meeting with reporters, NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana said the
Albanians were about to sign the self-rule proposal. ``I have no question about that,'' he
said, shortly before going to the White House to meet with President Clinton.
``They are going to put some conditions, most important of which is NATO deployment'' of a
peacekeeping force if the Serbs concur, said Solana, here to plan for the NATO summit.
He gave no indication that Yugoslav President Milosevic would relent in his opposition to
having foreign troops in the Serb province. In fact, Solana said he was ``very, very
concerned with the situation in Kosova,'' fearing that Milosevic would move against
civilians in the province.
The White House released a portion of Thaci's letter expressing his willingness to sign
the agreement.
``Agreement creates a chance and a perspective for Kosova and its people,'' the letter
said. ``Our consultations in Kosova were necessary and very important. Now that a positive
mood on behalf of the agreement has been created within the political and military
structures, the Kosova delegation is able to sign the agreement.''
White House press secretary Joe Lockhart said, ``This is a very important development. It
has been the focus of our diplomatic activity for the past few weeks. We impressed upon
the Kosovars the importance of signing the agreement, how we believe it is in their best
interest.
``We think that their acceptance will increase the pressure on the Serbs and President
Milosevic and focus the decision that he must make between the path to peace or the path
to violence,'' Lockhart said. He said it also would ``remind him that the option of using
force to tax his ability to oppress the Kosovar people remains on the table, if he can't
make the choices for peace.''
Kosova Albanians say they will sign peace
accord
NATO warns of 'last chance'
PARIS (CNN) -- Ethnic Albanians at the internationally mediated Kosova peace talks in
Paris said Monday they would sign a peace agreement.
U.S. National Security Adviser Samuel Berger told CNN that he was assured by ethnic
Albanian leaders that the delegation at this second round of talks would sign the
document. The talks are aimed at finding a political solution to end the separatist
conflict.
However, Berger said the ethnic Albanians did not say whether they would actually put ink
to paper on Monday, or later in the week.
NATO has repeatedly warned Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic that he faces allied air
attacks should the Yugoslav side be the only party to block a peace agreement.
NATO spokesman James Shea, speaking in a CNN interview Monday, repeated that threat and
described the Paris talks as a "last chance" for peace in Kosova, where 2,000
people have been killed in the separatist conflict.
The international peace plan for Kosova would give the ethnic Albanian majority in the
Serbian province wide-ranging local autonomy but would leave the territory an integral
part of Yugoslavia.
Milosevic has so far firmly rejected the deployment of nearly 30,000 NATO-led troops to
ensure implementation of the accord.
Kosova Conference Resumes in Paris,
Albanians Reportedly Willing to Sign Deal
PRISHTINA, March 15 (KIC) - The international conference on Kosova resumed work today
(Monday) in Paris, France, three weeks after the conclusion of the first round of
negotiations at the Rambouillet chateau in February.
The Kosova delegation had a plenary session today, in which the UĒK (Kosova Liberation
Army) representatives made it clear they will say 'yes' to the Rambouillet accords.
Today morning, Hashim Thaqi, a leading UĒK member, met with the chief international
negotiator, U.S. ambassador Chris Hill, reportedly informing him of the acceptance to sign
the agreement.
The Kosova delegation will meet with the international mediators sometime in mid-afternoon
today, after which a statement is expected confirming the readiness of our delegation to
sign the Kosova deal negotiated at Rambouillet, namely the 23 February document.
Serbian Military Launches Artillery Attack against Mitrovica,
Vushtrri and Skenderaj Villages
PRISHTINA, March 15 (KIC) - At 7:30 a.m. today (Monday), the Serbian military launched a
fierce attack against a number of villages in northwestern Kosova which fall
administratively within the municipalities of Mitrovica, Vushtrri and Skenderaj
('Srbica').
LDK sources in Mitrovica said the villages of Vaganicė and Verrnicė of Mitrovica
municipality were being shelled, then the village of Lubavec (Skenderaj municipality), as
well as the villages of Galicė, Lkej, Oshlan and Pantinė, Vushtrri municipality.
Serbian forces have launched their attack from their positions in Frashėr i Vogėl and
Pirē.
The same villages were targeted by Serbian gunfire overnight, too.
Speaking about today's attacks, local LDK sources in Vushtrri said Serbian forces were
engaged in heavy shelling of Albanian villages from their bases at Dolak and Shtitaricė
at 9:00 a.m. The school village in Mihaliq has been burned.
A Serbian military convoy, involving 19 vehicles full of soldiers and police, headed
towards Mihaliq today morning. Private-owned lorries were seen to have joined the Serb
convoy, too.
Albanian vendors will not work at the fruit market in Mitrovica today, but rather pay
homage to the victims of the bombing blast of Saturday by laying flowers in the
marketplace.
Five persons were killed and over sixty wounded in the terrorist attack at the market in
Mitrovica that day.
Meanwhile, the Vushtrri municipal education authority ruled that schools in the area will
be discontinued till 22 March amidst the continued Serbian offensive against the Albanian
villages and insecurity for all, including pupils and students.
Serbs Pound Podujeva Villages with Artillery Overnight
PRISHTINA, March 15 (KIC) - All night long, Serbian military and police forces pounded
with artillery and mortar fire a number of villages in the northern Podujeva municipality,
local sources said.
The shelling was very powerful, sources from the town said, failing to offer any details
about the consequences.
Early in the morning today, fresh Serbian troops and armor moved into Kosova from Serbia
via the Nis-Podujeva-Prishtina highway, local sources said.
A Serbian military convoy, consisting of over 100 combat vehicles, entered Kosova early in
the morning today, the Prishtina-based Council for the Defense of Human Rights and
Freedoms (CDHRF) said.
Meanwhile, 5 Serb tanks and other army pieces were reported deployed in the village of
Peran, where for more than two months now the Podujeva-Kėrpimeh roadway has been blocked.
Serb forces have established their presences in other locations along this roadway, too.
Heavy Serbian forces have been roaming the streets of Podujeva, home to 20,000
inhabitants, of whom 99 percent Albanians. There has been a very limited movement of
citizens, though.
Police Kills Four Members of Albanian Family in Grejkoc Village of
Suhareka
PRISHTINA, March 15 (KIC) - Four members of an Albanian family were killed Sunday
afternoon in the woods near their native Grejkoc village of Suhareka, local LDK sources
said.
Xhemajl H. Tafaj (42), Ismajl H. Tafaj (35), Rizah I. Tafaj (19) and Ibrahim Xh. Tafaj
(16) were killed by the Serbian police in the woods between Grejkoc and Mushtisht villages
at 15:00 CET.
They had gone to fetch wood, a family member who survived said. The police killed them
with no reason whatsoever, he added.
Bodies of Two Men Found in Zabllaq, Istog Area
PRISHTINA, March 15 (KIC) - The bodies of two still unidentified men, aged between 30 and
40 years of age, were found today morning at Zabllaq, municipality of Istog, local LDK
sources said.
Their faces were bloodstained, and their shirts half stripped, eye-witnesses said.
A month ago, an Albanian, Haki Hoti, was found killed in the same location.
Serbian Forces Resume Attacking Sferkė Village of Klina
PRISHTINA, March 15 (KIC) - Serbian army and police troops resumed attacking Sferkė
village of Klina with all kinds of weapons, local LDK sources in Malisheva reported.
The villages of Sferkė and Dush have been burned down, and the residents who fled their
homes are in a desperate humanitarian situation, sources said.
Two Albanians Wounded by Serb Shells in Ēupeva Village of Klina
PRISHTINA, March 15 (KIC) - Two Albanians, Naser H. Krasniqi (18) and Hysni Sh. Morina
(43), were wounded yesterday in their native Ēupevė village of Klina from Serb artillery
shells, local LDK sources in Malisheva said.
Other sources spoke of four Albanians killed during the fighting in Dush i Sferkės
village yesterday.
The UĒK said only three of its soldiers had been wounded in the fighting there.
Meanwhile, local LDK sources in Klina said a police car took the bodies of four killed
persons to the police station yesterday. They were taken out of the car, photographed, and
then driven away to an unknown direction.
Kosova Peace Talks Replay Amid Fighting
By Paul Taylor
PARIS (Reuters) - Peace talks on the year-old conflict in Kosova resumed Monday with
expectations rising that ethnic Albanians might sign an autonomy plan despite a new
upsurge of fighting in the Serbian province.
Serb security forces, using heavy mortars, battled separatist Kosova Liberation Army (KLA)
rebels for control of guerrilla strongholds in northern Kosova following fierce fighting
at the weekend.
With the credibility of both NATO and European Union diplomacy at stake after a first
round ended inconclusively last month, Western leaders raised pressure on the combatants
to sign a deal quickly.
An official of the six-nation Contact Group mediating in the Balkan conflict said
negotiators hoped the ethnic Albanians would sign the autonomy plan worked out in 17 days
of talks last month, so that pressure could be focused on the Serbs.
A well-placed Kosova Albanian source told Reuters the delegation was expected to sign the
document later Monday.
But the Contact Group official cautioned: ``This is not the first time we've been told the
Kosova Albanians are ready to sign, only to find there were still problems. So we'll
believe it when we see it.''
Political directors of the six powers -- the United States, Russia, France, Britain,
Germany and Italy -- agreed Sunday to tell both sides there could be no renegotiation of
the political accord drafted in Rambouillet, near Paris, he said.
The Yugoslav and Serbian delegation was first to meet the three international mediators --
U.S. envoy Christopher Hill, Austrian Wolfgang Petritsch for the European Union and Boris
Mayorsky of Russia -- at the Kleber conference center in Paris.
The ethnic Albanians were due to meet them in the afternoon.
British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, co-chairman of the peace talks, told BBC radio:
``We've made it clear to both sides that we are not going to keep this elegant conference
facility at their disposal whilst they waste time.''
Belgrade has reaffirmed its refusal to accept a NATO-led peace force and has also raised
some objections to aspects of the political autonomy plan.
``Belgrade...has used the last two weeks not to try and explain to people why this would
be a decent end to the conflict but to attack it,'' Cook said. ``That's aroused a lot of
anger in European capitals against Belgrade.''
French Foreign Minister and co-chairman Hubert Vedrine, sounded a pessimistic note Sunday,
telling reporters: ``It's true that if you examine the elements, it doesn't look good.''
``We have not really moved despite constant, coordinated worldwide pressure. That's the
reality,'' he said.
Some of the heaviest fighting in a year rocked Kosova Sunday as Yugoslav army troops and
ethnic Albanian guerrillas from the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) traded fire for hours.
Vedrine and Cook were due to meet for lunch before meetings the two delegations from 3.30
p.m. (1430 GMT) and holding a joint news conference at 5 p.m. (1600 GMT).
NATO has threatened to bomb Serbia if the Kosova Albanians accept an autonomy accord and
the Serbs reject a NATO-led force to implement it.
NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana was expected to discuss how the Western alliance can
make that threat more credible when he meets President Clinton in Washington Monday.
The Contact Group official said the lead-time for air strikes if Solana ordered military
action might be cut from 48 hours to 25 to ratchet up pressure.
Yugoslavia's chief negotiator, Deputy Prime Minister Ratko Markovic, told reporters in
Paris Sunday the central government would not negotiate Kosova away.
But another deputy prime minister, Zoran Lilic, hinted in an interview with the official
news agency Tanjug that there might be some sort of middle ground between Belgrade's
rejection of foreign troops and the West's insistence on a NATO-led force.
``It is possible to seek some acceptable solutions between these two opposing positions
but only after a political agreement is signed,'' he said without elaborating.
Serbs Still Stubborn in Kosova Peace Talks
(Paris-AP) -- The Serbs are standing firm -- and that doesn't bode well for the second
round of Kosova peace talks that are under way.
A source close to the Paris negotiations says the Serbs still refuse to discuss the
military part of the peace plan -- the deployment of NATO-led troops to police the deal.
The Serbs will only discuss the political part of the deal, which gives ethnic Albanians
in Kosova wide political autonomy.
But Western diplomats backing the plan say the two parts go hand in hand. Failure to reach
a deal could lead to NATO attacks on Serb targets. |
