[kcc-news] NAAC Press Release-Clinton Shifts Kosova Policy (fwd)

[Mentor Cana]

---------------------------------------------------------------------
   Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ARTA News Service:              http://www.kohaditore.com/ARTA
Kosova Information Center(KIC): http://www.kosova.com
The Kosova Crisis Center (KCC): http://www.alb-net.com
Radio21 (English/Albanian):     http://www.radio21.net/english.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------

National Albanian American Council
Keshilli Kombetar Shqiptaro-Amerikan
1899 L Street, NW  Suite 1130  Washington, DC  20036
(202) 955-1428    Fax: (202) 955-1429
Email: NAACDC at aol.com
______________________________________________________________________
PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release				Contact: Aferdita Rakipi
December 16, 1998				(202) 955-1428

CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SHIFTS POLICY,
ABANDONING AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVA


WASHINGTON: Ambassador Chris Hill recently presented a revised proposal on the
status of Kosova, which places the region directly under Serb control.  Both
Albanians and Serbs rejected the proposal.  Reportedly, Hill and Special Envoy
Richard Holbrooke are applying enormous pressure on the Albanians to accept
it.

"After years of promising to support an enhanced autonomy for Kosova, the
Clinton Administration appears to be abandoning its policy in favor of a
settlement that rewards Milosevic for his crimes against humanity," said Ilir
Zherka, Executive Director of the National Albanian American Council.  "This
is not autonomy.  The Administration’s proposal provides only for weak,
municipal governments, while placing Kosova permanently under Serbia’s
control.

"The Administration is hoping no one will notice its retreat, but the evidence
is clear.  Their latest proposal falls far short of the autonomy Kosova
enjoyed as late as 1989 and which both the President and Secretary Albright
have publicly supported.  This dramatic shift in policy, unfortunately, makes
it more likely that the war in Kosova will continue."

Unlike the autonomy Kosova previously enjoyed, the recent Hill proposal
provides for a parliament with no legislative authority and strips the
presidency of most of its executive powers.  The proposal also makes Serb law
preeminent and provides Serb courts with appellate jurisdiction over Kosova,
and as such makes Serb control of law enforcement in Kosova almost inevitable.
Additionally, the proposal places control of the health, social, and
educational systems firmly within Serbia.  Finally, the proposal provides
Serbs with a veto over any future decisions relating to Kosova’s status.
Despite arguments to the contrary, the proposal envisions no role for the
international community in ensuring implementation and compliance with the
agreement.

Sources on Capitol Hill report that Members of Congress are calling the State
Department to express their concern about the December 2 proposal.

"This is reminiscent of the U.S. Bosnia policy, where the victims were
expected to suffer their losses in silence," added Zherka.  "But the Albanian
people have shown that they will not end this century the way they began it –
under the thumb of a repressive Serb regime.  A small, but growing number are
willing to fight for their rights.  Unfortunately, the Administration’s
proposal, if forced on the Albanians, will very likely result in the Kosovars
believing that they have no other choice.  We hope that the Administration
will support providing Albanians with a status equal to that of the Serbs and
Montenegrins during an interim period, followed by a referendum on
independence."  					
###


---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this list send a message to majordomo at alb-net.com
In the body of the message include: UNSUBSCRIBE KCC-NEWS