Kosovo Situation Reports: June 1999

Order Code RL30191

CRS Report for Congress

Received through the CRS Web

Kosovo Situation Reports: June 1999

Updated June 22, 1999

Kosovo Task Force

Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division

Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

ABSTRACT

This report contains a collection of CRS daily Kosovo situation reports for June 1999. These

reports (CRS Report RS20141) were posted daily on the CRS website. The situation reports

reviewed military developments; developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the region;

refugees/humanitarian aid; administration policy; congressional action; diplomatic efforts;

public opinion polls; and foreign reaction. Related CRS products include Kosovo and U.S.

Policy, by Steven Woehrel and Julie Kim, CRS Issue Brief 98041; Kosovo-U.S. and Allied

Military Operations, by Steve Bowman, CRS Issue Brief IB10027; Kosovo: Issues and

Options for U.S. Policy, by Steven Woehrel, CRS Report RS20154; Kosovo: Refugee

Assistance and Temporary Resettlement, by Lois McHugh and Joyce Vialet; Kosovo:

International Reactions to NATO Air Strikes, by Karen Donfried (coordinator), CRS Report

RL30114; Kosovo Conflict: Russian Responses and Implications for the United States, by

James P. Nichol, CRS Report RL30130; and Kosovo: Greek and Turkish Perspectives, by

Carol Migdalovitz, CRS Report RS20149. Situation reports for April 1999 are compiled in

CRS Report RL30137; for May, CRS Report RL30156. This report serves as a repository

for the situation reports produced in June 1999. The last entry is dated June 21, 1999.

Kosovo Situation Reports: June 1999

Summary

This report contains a collection of CRS daily Kosovo situation reports produced

in June 1999, which offered regular updates of developments relating to the conflict

in Kosovo. The situation reports reviewed military developments; developments in

Kosovo, Serbia, and the region; refugees/humanitarian aid; administration policy;

congressional action; diplomatic efforts; public opinion polls; and foreign reaction.

The last entry is dated June 21, 1999.

Contents

June 1, 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

June 2, 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

June 3, 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

June 4, 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

June 7, 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

June 8, 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

June 9, 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

June 10, 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

June 11, 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

June 14, 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

June 15, 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

June 16, 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

June 17, 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

June 18, 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

June 21, 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Kosovo Situation Reports: June 1999

June 1, 1999

Situation as of 9:30 a.m.

Military Developments. NATO maintained a pace of over 300 strike sorties

a day over the weekend. Allied planes attacked infrastructure and FRY troop

concentrations on the Albanian border, where KLA forces and the Yugoslav Army

have been engaged. NATO spokesman Jamie Shea stressed that NATO has “no direct

relationship” with the KLA, but that “certainly they have been the indirect

beneficiaries of NATO actions.”

According to Yugoslav media reports, over 40 civilians were killed over the

weekend. On Sunday, in a daylight raid, NATO planes bombed a bridge where

civilians were returning from market; at least 9 were killed. On Monday, in southern

Serbia, NATO planes reportedly struck a medical facility and a home for the elderly,

killing at least 27 civilians.

In a story on May 30, the New York Times reported that Secretary of Defense

Cohen said that the air war would have been fought differently “if this were simply a

U.S. operation. It would have been wider and more intense from my perspective.”

DOD acknowledged that Secretary Cohen had made a one-day, unannounced trip to

NATO headquarters on May 27 to discuss ground force options with his British,

German, French, and Italian counterparts. No details of the meeting were released.

On May 31, the British government announced that it would contribute as many

as 50,000 troops for offensive ground operations in Kosovo, if such a force is formed.

Today, at NATO military headquarters in Mons, Belgium, the armed forces

representatives of the 19 allied countries are meeting in a “force generation”

conference, to discuss pledges to fill out the proposed Kosovo peace force (KFOR)

of 50,000.

Developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the Region. Yugoslav Army Gen.

Vladimir Lazarvic, a senior officer in Kosovo, said that KLA attacks have been

backed by the Albanian Army, but that his forces have repelled the KLA.

Security on the Kosovo-Albanian border continues to deteriorate. Yesterday

Yugoslav Army artillery destroyed a border post at Pogaj and hit other Albanian

villages. An unknown number of killed and wounded KLA members were evacuated

to Kukes, where over 100,000 refugees are concentrated.

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On Friday, a Yugoslav military court convicted two Australians, working for

CARE, and a Yugoslav colleague of espionage. Yugoslav authorities arrested them

at the Croatian border on March 31, and said that they were carrying a computer

containing information of military significance, as well as maps and other sensitive

documents.

Refugees/Humanitarian Aid. Over the weekend, UNHCR reported that 1,500

refugees arrived in Macedonia and 500 in Albania. UNHCR estimates that there are

442,400 refugees in Albania; 249,300 in Macedonia; 67,600 in Montenegro; and

21,700 in Bosnia-Hercegovina. The total in the region is now 781,000.

72,000 refugees have been evacuated from the region. Germany has taken

13,250 refugees, the most of any receiving country, followed by Turkey (7,475),

Norway (5,951), Italy (5,829), Canada (5,154), and the United States (4,984).

Administration Policy. On Memorial Day, President Clinton said, “In this

military campaign, the United States has borne a large share of the burden, as we

must, because we have a greater capacity to bear that burden.” He added that “the

overwhelming majority” of the peacekeeping force for Kosovo will be European, and

“the overwhelming amount of investment [for rebuilding] will be European.” The

President acknowledged that “many Americans believe that this is not our fight,” but

he said that NATO’s intervention will save lives, including American lives.

Foreign Reaction. Russian Balkans envoy Chernomyrdin said on May 28 that

Milosevic had accepted “in principle” the peace plan sketched by the G8, and filled

out by the Russian government. As interpreted by Chernomyrdin, the plan would

allow Yugoslavia to keep 11,500 troops in Kosovo. The international peacekeeping

force for Kosovo would be formed by the U.N. and led by a commander from a

neutral country. Among NATO countries, only the two states not participating in the

military operation, Greece and Portugal, might send peacekeepers. FRY Foreign

Minister Jovanovic sent a letter to German Foreign Minister Fischer saying that

“NATO bombings must stop” before the plan could be formally accepted.

Administration and allied officials dismissed the plan because it did not require

withdrawal of the Yugoslav Army from Kosovo, and because NATO forces were not

at the core of the peacekeeping force.

On June 2, European Union envoy Martti Ahtisaari will accompany

Chernomyrdin to Belgrade to present the EU version of the G8 plan.

CRS-3

June 2, 1999

Situation as of 9:30 a.m.

Military Developments. After 70 days and over 31,000 sorties, NATO

headquarters provided the following estimate of Yugoslav equipment damaged or

destroyed in Kosovo: 120 tanks, 203 armored personnel carriers, and 314 artillery

pieces — totaling approximately 30% of the Yugoslav equipment in the province. In

addition, in Yugoslavia as a whole, 100 aircraft have been destroyed or damaged,

40% of military petroleum reserves, 57% of joint military-civilian reserves, 29% of

ammunition storage, and 45 bridges. Yugoslavia’s Third Army commander

reportedly said that 1,800 soldiers have been killed since NATO’s air campaign began.

Near Prizren, in southern Kosovo, battles between KLA forces and the Yugoslav

Army continued. The KLA is retreating in the face of Yugoslav artillery and armor.

NATO and U.S. officials continued to deny that the allied effort is aligned with the

KLA, but the Washington Post reported that NATO had responded last week to an

“urgent” request from the KLA for air cover. The French daily Libération reported

that Yugoslav forces in Kosovo retain considerable mobility and have been able to

repair bridges and roads struck by NATO planes.

NATO planes used the KLA-Yugoslav Army engagement as an opportunity to

strike targets yesterday such as armor, artillery, and supply vehicles as they

maneuvered in the open. A senior Yugoslav general was killed at the front, although

it is unclear whether he died in a NATO attack.

Yesterday, at a meeting of the NATO Military Committee, representatives of the

19 allies and of some Partnership for Peace states discussed the make-up of KFOR.

This morning, a NATO spokesman said that the alliance had “succeeded in broadly

generating” the forces needed for peacekeeping. Britain has placed 12,000 infantry

troops on alert to join the 5,300 it now has in Macedonia. France offered 7,000

troops, and Italy noted the 8,000 troops it already has in Albania. The Macedonian

government has not yet given permission for additional NATO troops to enter the

country.

Developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the Region. European Union envoy

Ahtisaari is scheduled to leave Bonn for Belgrade with Russian envoy Chernomyrdin

today. Ahtisaari said that his role is to present NATO’s terms once again to

Milosevic. A last-minute dispute between Deputy Secretary of State Talbott and

Chernomyrdin over unspecified details of terms for a cease-fire delayed their

departure.

Today, the International Court of Justice rejected the FRY’s appeal for a U.N.

ruling against NATO’s air campaign. The judges said the air campaign did not fall

under the Geneva Convention, but expressed concerns about the legal basis of

NATO’s use of force.

Refugees/Humanitarian Aid. On June 1, UNHCR reported that 370 refugees

arrived in Macedonia and 50 in Albania. UNHCR estimates that there are 442,600

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refugees in Albania; 248,900 in Macedonia; 68,400 in Montenegro; and 21,700 in

Bosnia-Hercegovina. The total in the region is now 781,600.

The private relief organization, International Rescue Committee, will begin an

airdrop of food packages in Kosovo on Thursday in an effort to aid the thousands of

displaced persons in the province. USAID is giving assistance to the organization,

based in New York City. Moldovan pilots will fly Russian-made planes. The

Yugoslav government warned that its air defense system could not discern aid aircraft

from NATO warplanes, and that the relief planes would be at risk.

Administration Policy. The New York Times reported that President Clinton

will meet tomorrow with the Joint Chiefs to discuss options for a ground assault for

the first time.

Secretary of State Albright, meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Dini, said that

under NATO’s peace terms, Yugoslav forces would have “about a week” to withdraw

from Kosovo before a cease-fire would go into effect.

The Washington Post reported that the White House, in response to

congressional pressure, has informed Speaker Hastert that it might request additional

funding in the form of emergency supplemental appropriations for operations in

Kosovo, thus avoiding further draw-downs of the DOD budget.

Public Opinion. A CNN/Time poll conducted May 26-27 found divided

opinion on which option the United States should pursue in Yugoslavia: 39% would

temporarily stop the bombing to hold negotiations, 32% would continue bombing

until Yugoslavia agrees to NATO demands, and 24% would permanently halt the

bombing. 52% are opposed to sending U.S. ground troops, and 42% are in favor.

Overall, 43% believe U.S. involvement in Kosovo was a mistake and 51% do not.

Foreign Reaction. A poll in Greece by the firm ICAP Institute showed that

99.5% of those polled oppose the war: 69.7% said that President Clinton should be

tried as a war criminal; 14% thought Milosevic should be tried as a war criminal.

85% said that the war was the result of a U.S. desire for a “show of force;” 2.5% saw

the conflict as a reaction to ethnic cleansing in Kosovo.

Russia’s and China’s foreign ministers, conferring in Beijing, said today that their

countries would oppose a NATO-imposed peace settlement backed up by continued

bombing, and not obtained through genuine negotiation with Belgrade.

CRS-5

June 3, 1999

Situation as of 9:30 a.m.

Military Developments. NATO aircraft flew 644 sorties yesterday, striking

airfields, communication sites, and FRY forces along the Albanian border. No strikes

took place in Belgrade. NATO acknowledged that there was an accidental attack on

Albanian fortifications along the Kosovo border, noting there were no fatalities.

According to the Pentagon, 99.6% of the 20,000 munitions used in the air campaign

have hit the intended target. All 19 NATO allies and 12 Partnership-for-Peace

countries, at a June 1 NATO meeting, pledged a total of 47,868 troops for the KFOR

peacekeeping mission. The Pentagon reported that Bulgaria has indicated it would

be willing to be a staging area for KFOR operations.

The New York Times reports today that senior Pentagon commanders are

“strongly opposed” to a ground force invasion of Kosovo, but that senior intelligence

officials see no indication that the air campaign has brought Yugoslav President

Milosevic closer to accepting NATO’s conditions.

Developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the Region. In Belgrade, President

Milosevic resumed meetings this morning with EU envoy Ahtisaari and Russian envoy

Chernomyrdin, who presented to him yesterday a comprehensive peace plan worked

out by the G8 countries. Ahtisaari reported Belgrade’s acceptance of the plan and is

headed for Germany to report to EU leaders at their Cologne summit. However,

differences reportedly remain on details concerning the command and makeup of a

peacekeeping force, as well as the extent and timing of a withdrawal of Serb forces

from Kosovo. In a closed-door session, the Serbian parliament today adopted

conclusions accepting the G8 principles. Reportedly, the plan states that there must

be: “verifiable withdrawal from Kosovo of military, police, and paramilitary forces

according to a quick time table;” an international security presence, “with an essential

NATO participation, [that] must be deployed under a unified control and command;”

return of some Serb personnel to carry out specified duties to be limited to a “small

agreed number, hundreds, not thousands;” and suspension of NATO strikes to take

place after a verifiable Serb withdrawal has begun. Reportedly the ultra-nationalist

Serbian Radical Party voted against the plan; Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Seselj

of the Radical Party said he would resign from government if NATO troops entered

Kosovo. Regarding reports that the peace plan might involve separate peacekeeping

force commands, KLA leader Thaci said that he would “reject categorically any idea

of separate zones of international forces.”

In Washington, Macedonian Prime Minister Georgievski announced an

agreement to allow up to 30,000 NATO troops to be stationed in Macedonia in

preparation for deployment as a peacekeeping force in Kosovo, roughly doubling the

size of the force already in Macedonia. Georgievski said NATO could not use its

troops in Macedonia to invade Kosovo, unless the Macedonian parliament gives its

approval. The parliament had previously voted against any attack on neighboring

countries from Macedonian territory.

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Refugees/Humanitarian Aid. The number of refugees leaving Kosovo

remained low yesterday, with 450 arriving in Albania, hundreds in Montenegro, and

528 in Macedonia; 1,217 refugees were evacuated by plane from Macedonia, bringing

the total evacuated from the region to 75,231 since April 5. As of June 3, UNHCR

estimates the total number of refugees in neighboring countries to be 782,100;

including 443,100 in Albania; 248,400 in Macedonia; 68,900 in Montenegro; and

21,700 in Bosnia. The head of a U.N. mission to Kosovo found “indisputable

evidence” of Serbian “ethnic cleansing,” as well as “ample evidence” of serious

bombing damage. He concluded that “even the most basic rehabilitation of shelter

and essential services will require colossal efforts and resources.”

Administration Policy. In a commencement address at the U.S. Air Force

Academy yesterday, President Clinton said he had decided to provide “about 7,000"

U.S. troops as part of a Kosovo peace implementation force. He said the U.S.

contribution would comprise about 15% of the total force. The Pentagon spokesman

said that, pending final approval of plans after conclusion of a peace agreement,

Marines from the 26th Expeditionary Unit stationed in the Adriatic could enter

Kosovo very quickly as an “enabling force” to pave the way for the main U.S.

peacekeeping contingent. He said this would likely consist of Army units stationed

in Europe, including elements of the 1st Infantry Division. He confirmed that

President Clinton, Secretary of Defense Cohen, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff will meet

today to discuss the status and future prospects of NATO’s air campaign, the

deployment of KFOR, as well as funding and military readiness issues. They will also

reportedly discuss alternative options including a ground invasion of Kosovo.

Foreign Reaction. British Foreign Minister Robin Cook said today that, under

the peace plan, NATO forces must deploy in every region of Kosovo and all forces

must serve under NATO command. He expressed opposition to the idea of separate

sectors under control by Russia or other governments or organizations.

Russian envoy Chernomyrdin was criticized today by some military members of

his delegation in Belgrade and by hardline members of the Russian Duma in Moscow

for “selling out” Yugoslavia to NATO.

On June 2, the French daily Libération published a poll by Enquête Ipsos of

likely voters in 8 countries in the upcoming European Parliament elections.

Prospective voters were asked, “Do you approve or disapprove of NATO military

intervention in Yugoslavia?” In Germany, 54% approved and 44% disapproved. In

France, 62% approved and 32% disapproved. In Italy, 51% approved and 40%

disapproved. In Britain, 67% approved and 29% disapproved. In Belgium, 42%

approved and 45% disapproved. In Spain, 39% approved and 49% disapproved. In

Portugal, 41% approved and 51% disapproved. In Greece, 2% approved and 97%

disapproved.

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June 4, 1999

Situation as of 9:30 a.m.

Military Developments. In the last 24 hours NATO aircraft flew 610 sorties,

raising the total sorties flown in Operation Allied Force to over 31,000. NATO

estimated that FRY military and security forces have sustained about 10,000

casualties, killed and wounded, in the bombing campaign. Notwithstanding

Belgrade’s acceptance yesterday of a peace plan, Defense Secretary Cohen and

NATO officials indicated that air operations will continue, though at a reduced pace,

until NATO verifies the withdrawal of FRY forces from Kosovo.

According to British Prime Minister Blair, NATO and FRY military leaders have

begun preliminary talks regarding implementation of the peace plan. NATO officials

said more formal talks between the two sides will start this weekend to draw up a

timetable for withdrawals, as stipulated in the peace agreement. NATO currently has

about 16,000 troops in Macedonia and over 8,000 in Albania to serve as the KFOR

vanguard. Britain announced today that 4,000 of its troops would leave Britain for

the region shortly, some in under 24 hours, as part of the peace deal. Reportedly,

NATO forces could begin moving into Kosovo within 7 days. Russia is expected to

participate in peacekeeping operations; however, negotiations over command

structure continue.

Developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the Region. The FRY government

released a statement that said it fully supported the plan. It claimed that the plan

“guarantees sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the FRY and “disables terrorist

activities and stops aggression.” KLA leader Hashim Thaci said the KLA would take

part “militarily and politically” in international peace efforts. A KLA spokesman said

that rebel forces would not target Yugoslav and Serbian forces as they withdraw from

the province. He declined to address the issue of demilitarization of the KLA, as

called for in the peace plan. Kosovar and Yugoslav leaders differed in their

interpretation of the final status of Kosovo, as defined in the plan, which calls for

“essential autonomy for Kosovo, with full taking into consideration of the

Rambouillet Agreement, the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the

FRY.

Refugees/Humanitarian Aid. Yesterday, only 165 refugees arrived in Albania

and 370 in Macedonia; 858 refugees were evacuated by plane from Macedonia,

bringing the total evacuated from the region to 76,475 since April 5, including 5,370

to the United States. As of June 4, UNHCR estimates the total number of refugees

in neighboring countries to be 782,100; including 443,300 in Albania; 247,800 in

Macedonia; 69,300 in Montenegro; and 21,700 in Bosnia. The U.S. contribution to

the humanitarian effort since March 1998 now totals $210,689,321.00. The flight

sent by the International Rescue Committee to drop food packages to displaced

persons in Kosovo was only partially successful due to “technical problems.”

Administration Policy. On June 3, President Clinton reacted cautiously to

reports of Belgrade’s acceptance of the plan presented by Russian envoy

Chernomyrdin and EU envoy Ahtisaari. He said “we must have clarity that the Serb

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leadership has fully accepted these conditions [of the plan] and intends to fully

implement them. Until then, and until Serb forces begin a verifiable withdrawal from

Kosovo, we will continue to pursue diplomacy, but we will also continue the military

effort that has brought us to this point.” Deputy Secretary of State Talbott meets

today with EU envoy Ahtisaari in Helsinki. Talbott confirmed yesterday that Russia

has not yet agreed to place its troops under NATO command in a Kosovo

peacekeeping force. Defense Secretary Cohen said that KFOR, if necessary, would

go forward without Russian involvement.

Regarding Milosevic’s status as an indicted war criminal, the State Department

spokesman said that the agreement did not refer to the handing over of Milosevic to

the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, but said that the

United States would not support reconstruction assistance to Serbia or its integration

into the rest of Europe until Serbia pursued a “democratic course.”

Foreign Reaction. Russian envoy Chernomyrdin gave mixed signals about the

involvement of Russian troops in a peacekeeping force. Yesterday morning he said

that Russian forces would be under entirely separate command than NATO forces;

later, he said that Russian forces would act “in coordination with” NATO. In

Moscow, the Communist Party denounced Chernomyrdin’s involvement in shaping

the peace plan as “treason” to Russia and a humiliation for “Russia’s Serb brothers.”

Instead of going to Helsinki today to meet with Talbott and Ahtisaari as expected,

Chernomyrdin flew to Moscow to defend the agreement. A Kremlin spokeswoman

said today President Yeltsin “looks positively on the work of ...Chernomyrdin.”

Chernomyrdin said yesterday that NATO would cease bombing “2 or 3 days”

after a Yugoslav withdrawal had begun. However, President Yeltsin, in a telephone

conversation today with German Chancellor Schroeder, reportedly called for a halt

to NATO air strikes now that Belgrade has accepted peace terms. Chinese Premier

Zhu Rongji told Chancellor Schroeder by telephone today that air strikes must end

before the accord can be brought before the United Nations. Schroeder expressed

optimism that neither Moscow nor Beijing would block a U.N. resolution on terms

that Belgrade had accepted. German Foreign Minister Fischer said work on the U.N.

resolution to provide authority to implement the peace accord is nearly complete;

reportedly, G8 foreign ministers plan to meet on Sunday to work out final points of

that tentative U.N. Security Council resolution.

The European allies cautiously welcomed the peace agreement and turned to

next steps. President Chirac said that the European Union should play a “central role”

in the transitional authority in Kosovo until the Kosovars can establish their own

governing institutions.

CRS-9

June 7, 1999

Situation as of 9:30 a.m.

Military Developments. As the NATO-Yugoslav military talks broke down,

NATO spokesmen promised an intensification of the air campaign against “a full

range of targets.” NATO flew over 800 sorties over the weekend. NATO attacked

primarily Yugoslav forces along the Albanian-Kosovo border, and said its air

campaign and KLA fighters inflicted heavy losses on Yugoslav forces. NATO

officials reported evidence of “ongoing Serb brutalities,” including the shelling of

civilians.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe reported that there is

no sign of FRY troop withdrawal from Kosovo, and NATO headquarters reported an

increase in organized looting by FRY forces.

Developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the Region. A Yugoslav military

delegation arrived in Rome today to continue talks on a “military technical

agreement.” In Blace, Macedonia, two days of talks over the weekend between

NATO and Yugoslav officers failed to yield an agreement. The purpose of the talks

is to establish how and when Yugoslav forces must leave Kosovo, the routes of entry

for KFOR, and the equipment that KFOR will bring into the province. Yugoslavia

must remove mines or provide maps to NATO designating where mines have been

laid. In Blace, Yugoslav officers contended that there must first be a U.N. Security

Council resolution authorizing NATO forces to enter Yugoslav territory before a

military agreement can come into force. In contrast, NATO has repeatedly said that

such a resolution, though desirable, is not necessary. The Yugoslav officers also

reportedly asked for 15, rather than 7 days, as required in the NATO document, to

withdraw their forces from Kosovo, and asked that some of their forces be allowed

to remain in the province. British Lt. Gen. Michael Jackson represented NATO. On

Sunday, after 12 hours of talks, he said that the Yugoslavs “would not guarantee the

safe return of all the refugees or the full withdrawal of Serb-led Yugoslav security

forces.”

More details of the draft military technical agreement and its proposed

implementation were made public. Yugoslav forces would have designated assembly

areas in Kosovo, and designated routes for departure. Yugoslav forces (military,

police, and security) have 7 days to leave Kosovo from the entry in force of the

military agreement. Yugoslavia must clear its forces from a 15-mile zone along the

Serb-Kosovo border. There would be 5 zones in Kosovo occupied by KFOR, with

U.S., German, Italian, French, and British forces each in control of one zone.

The Sunday Times reported that Milosevic’s son has transferred 5 million marks

to a bank in South Africa, and that he had inquired of the South African government

about visas for the Milosevic family. The South African government gave conflicting

responses about whether it would allow Slobodan Milosevic to enter the country.

Refugees/Humanitarian Aid. Over the weekend, UNHCR reported that 817

refugees arrived in Macedonia and 300 in Albania. UNHCR estimates that there are

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443,800 refugees in Albania; 247,400 in Macedonia; 69,400 in Montenegro; and

21,700 in Bosnia-Hercegovina. The total in the region is now 782,300.

Should the peace agreement be implemented, UNHCR said that the first priority

would be to aid displaced persons in Kosovo. The second priority would be to return

refugees from neighboring regions to the province. Those refugees outside the area

might have to spend the winter where they are. Mines and the need to rebuild houses

and basic facilities are likely to prevent the swift return of the refugees. UNHCR said

that one half of the one million refugees might be returned to their homes “this year.”

Administration Policy. Administration officials clarified the status of the KLA

under the peace agreement. The Pentagon spokesman said that “demilitarization” of

the KLA means that it must “stand down as a military force.” Joint Chiefs Chairman

Gen. Shelton said that the KLA must lay down its heavy weapons, and cease training

and organizational efforts, but that KLA members might keep light firearms. Defense

Secretary Cohen said that KFOR, including any possible Russian forces, must be

unified under NATO command. He said that there would be no Russian sector.

Congress. Congress returns from recess today. The House is expected to

resume consideration of H.R. 1401, the FY2000 Defense Authorization bill.

President Clinton has threatened to veto the bill if it retains a provision cutting off

funds for military operations in the FRY.

Public Opinion. According to a June 7 Washington Post poll, opinion is

divided on whether the United States should have engaged in a military conflict with

Serbia: 48% said it was the right thing to do and 47% said it was a mistake. While

55% believe the conflict has proceeded about as expected, 26% say “worse” and 13%

say “better than expected.” As for President Clinton’s handling of the situation, 54%

approve and 41% disapprove.

Foreign Reaction. The Russian government, in apparent protest of NATO’s

continued bombing, did not send a representative to the military talks in Blace.

Russian officials also delayed the G8 meeting scheduled for Bonn on Sunday. NATO

countries in the G8 were seeking a draft resolution for the U.N. that would approve

the peace agreement and authorize entry of KFOR into Kosovo. German officials

rescheduled the meeting for today. In Moscow, military officials and a broad

spectrum of politicians criticized Russian envoy Chernomyrdin’s role in brokering the

peace accord. Russian government officials said KFOR should be under U.N. control

and that Russian forces will not be under NATO command. Moscow continued its

insistence that the NATO air campaign end immediately, and it backed Belgrade’s

position that a U.N. resolution should precede and govern the conditions of a

withdrawal of Yugoslav forces from Kosovo.

CRS-11

June 8, 1999

Situation as of 9:30 a.m.

Military Developments. NATO aircraft have now flown more than 34,000

sorties, striking 490 fixed and 520 tactical targets during Operation Allied Force. In

the last 24 hours, following the breakdown of NATO-Yugoslav military talks, NATO

stepped up the sortie rate to near record levels (600+) focusing primarily on Yugoslav

forces fighting the KLA in western Kosovo. U.S. B-52 and B-1 heavy bombers

participated in these attacks along the Albanian border. Reportedly, NATO may be

concentrating strikes on military forces to avoid possible civilian casualties while

peace talks continue.

The Pentagon has not been able to confirm reports of the Yugoslav use of

chemical weapons, other than riot control agents (tear gas).

Diplomacy. G8 foreign ministers, meeting in Germany, agreed today on a draft

U.N. Security Council resolution on Kosovo. They had made substantial progress

yesterday on details of a peace settlement, but Russia continued to object to: NATO

command of the peacekeeping forces; the sequence of ending the air strikes; U.N.

approval of the peace settlement; withdrawal of FRY forces; entry of international

peacekeeping troops; and mention of FRY leaders’ indictment on war crimes charges.

President Clinton and Russian President Yeltsin discussed these matters by telephone

yesterday. The G8 reached agreement this morning on these issues and State

Department spokesman James Rubin said that the draft resolution “meets all of our

objectives and ...will allow for a peacekeeping force in Kosovo with NATO at the

core.” Rubin said NATO will command the peacekeeping force and will report

regularly to the U.N. The resolution reportedly refers to the war crimes indictment

of FRY leaders and provides that the air campaign will end after NATO verifies the

beginning of FRY troop withdrawals from Kosovo.

After briefing Chinese leaders for 6 hours, Finnish President Ahtisaari, the EU

envoy, said today he hoped the U.N. Security Council could work on a Kosovo

resolution this week, despite China’s demand that NATO first stop bombing the FRY.

Reportedly, Russian President Yeltsin discussed the resolution by telephone today

with Chinese President Zemin.

Developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the Region. The FRY Foreign Ministry

today stated that border and customs officials should remain in Kosovo to check to

see that “only refugees (were) coming back, not the people from Albania proper.”

Kosovar Albanian leader Rugova said yesterday that he would soon meet with

representatives from the KLA and other groups to unite the fractured Kosovar

political leadership.

Refugees/Humanitarian Aid. Yesterday, 96 refugees arrived in Albania and

426 in Macedonia; 790 refugees were evacuated by plane from Macedonia, bringing

the total evacuated to 79,013 since April 5, including 5,658 to the United States. As

of June 8, UNHCR estimates the total number of refugees in the region to be

CRS-12

782,300; including 444,000 in Albania; 247,000 in Macedonia; 69,600 in Montenegro;

and 21,700 in Bosnia.

Administration Policy. Secretary of State Albright met with three ethnic

Albanian leaders (Hashim Thaci, Ibrahim Rugova, and Rexhep Qosja) today on the

prospect of self-rule in Kosovo. KLA leader Thaci said the rebel army is ready to

pledge it will not attack Serb troops as they depart Kosovo. Albright also said that

the KLA agreed to demilitarize after an international peacekeeping force moved into

the province.

Congress. On June 5, President Clinton sent a letter to congressional leaders

reporting on the deployment of U.S. forces to the Balkans, as required under Section

8115 of the FY1999 Defense Appropriations Act (P.L. 105-262). The President

estimated that 4,000 additional U.S. troops would be deployed to assist in relief

operations in Albania, bringing the total number of U.S. forces in Albania to over

10,000. He also reported that about 7,000 U.S. troops are expected to be deployed

as part of KFOR and approximately 1,500 personnel will be deployed as part of the

national support element in the region.

Public Opinion. According to a June 7 CBS News poll, 79% favor the

agreement under which Milosevic would withdraw troops from Kosovo and allow the

return of ethnic Albanians and NATO would end air strikes; 11% oppose it.

However, 64% do not believe Milosevic will keep his promise to completely withdraw

troops and allow Albanians to return to Kosovo and 13% believe he will. Neither side

won the conflict, according to 77% of respondents, while 11% believe NATO and the

United States won and 4% believe Milosevic won. Asked whether the United States

was right to get involved in Kosovo, 51% believe it was and 37% believe the United

States should have stayed out.

Foreign Reaction. The Greek government reportedly prevented a U.S. Marine

unit of 2,000 men from landing at Thessaloniki. The unit would be part of the U.S.

contingent for KFOR, and was to travel to Macedonia from Greece. Yesterday, the

Pentagon spokesman said the Greek government had given permission for the

Marines to off-load and transit through Greece “soon.”

Russian President Yeltsin harshly condemned NATO’s stepped up bombing

campaign today, calling it an attempt to establish a “dictatorship of force.” Russia’s

Defense Minister said today his ministry had drawn up plans for sending up to 10,000

troops to a peacekeeping force in Kosovo, but they would not be under NATO

command.

CRS-13

June 9, 1999

Situation as of 9:30 a.m.

Military Developments. Over the past 24 hours, NATO planes flew 523

sorties, including 130 strike sorties mainly against FRY forces in western Kosovo.

The Pentagon reported that there are indications that preparations for the withdrawal

of FRY forces are underway. If a peace settlement is reached, the first elements of

the peacekeeping force (KFOR) could enter Kosovo from Macedonia within 12 hours

of a verified FRY withdrawal, with the first U.S. troops arriving within 96 hours.

Diplomacy. Members of the G8 agreed June 8 on a draft UN resolution

governing implementation of the NATO-Yugoslav peace agreement for Kosovo. The

resolution cites Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, allowing an “international security

presence” to enter Kosovo and to “use all necessary means” to fulfill its

responsibilities, including “ensuring the withdrawal and preventing the return into

Kosovo of Federal and Republic military, police and paramilitary forces,” except for

an agreed number to man selected border crossings and assist in demining and in

protection of “patrimonial sites.” An annex of the resolution calls for “substantial

NATO participation” in the international security presence, deployed “under a unified

command...” to ensure implementation of the resolution. FRY forces are given 7 days

to withdraw, and “suspension of military activity will occur after the beginning of

verifiable withdrawals.” The resolution calls for “full cooperation by all concerned,

including the international security presence,” with the U.N. war crimes tribunal. The

KLA must cease combat and “demilitarize.” The resolution calls for civil

administration of Kosovo by the U.N. FRY territorial integrity will be preserved, but

Kosovo will be given “substantial autonomy and self-government” and the U.N. will

assist in the “development of provisional democratic self-governing institutions.”

After announcing agreement on the resolution, Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov

and Secretary of State Albright sparred over its interpretation. Ivanov said that

Russia may send up to 10,000 troops to Kosovo to implement the agreement, but that

those troops would not be under NATO command. He added that “all aspects

connected with the international security presence are subject to negotiations.”

Secretary Albright, in contrast, said that NATO will be “at the core” of KFOR, and

will command its operations.

China questioned aspects of the resolution. In Beijing, Chinese officials said that

placing the resolution under Chapter VII is tantamount to allowing KFOR to resort

to force when it pleases. They also criticized the resolution’s inclusion of the need for

KFOR to cooperate with the war crimes tribunal, and its description of Kosovo’s

status, which undermines the FRY’s territorial integrity.

Developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the Region. Talks in Macedonia

between NATO and Yugoslav generals on the terms of a “military-technical”

agreement resumed today after a break of a few hours, during which members of the

Yugoslav delegation had left to consult with Belgrade. A NATO official said the

sticking points remained the timing and sequencing of theYugoslav withdrawal from

Kosovo. The Yugoslav state news agency Tanjug reported today that the first groups

CRS-14

of Serbian police from combat units in Kosovo pulled out on orders given by the

Yugoslav Army. No independent confirmation of this report was available.

Three Kosovar Albanian leaders, Hashim Thaci of the KLA, Ibrahim Rugova of the

Democratic League of Kosovo, and Rexhep Qosja of the United Democratic Movement,

reportedly agreed to work together to form a new Kosovar interim government that

would include all political parties.

In an interview appearing in today’s edition of the French daily Libération,

Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic sharply criticized Yugoslav President Milosevic

and said that Serb forces leaving Kosovo must not now be sent to Montenegro.

Refugees/Humanitarian Aid. Yesterday, 106 refugees arrived in Albania and 213

in Macedonia; 794 refugees were evacuated by plane from Macedonia, bringing the total

evacuated to 79,979 since April 5. As of June 9, UNHCR estimates the total number of

refugees in the region to be 783,000; including 444,200 in Albania; 247,400 in

Macedonia; 69,700 in Montenegro; and 21,700 in Bosnia. U.N. agencies issued a new

appeal today for $473.4 million for the next six months for emergency aid to around 1.5

million people affected by the conflict in Kosovo; UNHCR’s share is $246 million.

Today, the private relief organization, International Rescue Committee completed its

fifth airdrop, distributing 4,000 individual food rations to displaced persons in Kosovo.

Administration Policy. Secretary of State Albright said the draft U.N. resolution

meets the U.S. demand for substantial NATO participation in an international security

presence, with a unified command. She said that Russia would not have a separate

sector in the force. Deputy Secretary of State Talbott is to meet today with Russian

officials in Moscow to discuss details of Russia’s possible participation in KFOR.

President Clinton said that he expected no veto by the U.N. Security Council on the

resolution.

Congress. The Senate yesterday passed S. 1122, the FY2000 defense spending bill,

by a vote of 93 to 4. The Senate approved by voice vote an amendment to the bill that

would prohibit the use of U.S. reconstruction funds in Serbia (excluding Kosovo) as long

as President Milosevic remained in power.

Yesterday, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by Members of Congress

against President Clinton for allegedly violating the 1973 War Powers Act when he

authorized U.S. forces to conduct air strikes against Yugoslavia. Judge Friedman ruled

that Members did not have legal standing to sue because they did not show a “sufficiently

genuine impasse between the legislative and executive branches.” Reresentative

Campbell, who led the lawmakers suing the president, said he would appeal the decision.

CRS-15

June 10, 1999

Situation as of 9:30 a.m.

Military Developments. NATO and Yugoslav representatives signed a militarytechnical agreement (MTA) yesterday providing for the phased withdrawal of all FRY

forces from Kosovo and detailing the authority of peace-keeping forces (KFOR) entering

the province. The withdrawal of FRY forces is to begin immediately and be completed

in phases by June 20. The MTA provides the KFOR commander authority to take all

necessary action, including military force, to establish and maintain a secure environment

in Kosovo and enforce compliance with the MTA. Further provisions include: 1)

ground and air demilitarized buffer zones around Kosovo; 2) shutdown of all FRY air

defense systems; 3) Yugoslav removal of all mines, obstacles, and booby-traps; and 4)

no re-entry of FRY forces without KFOR approval.

NATO confirmed today the start of FRY forces’ withdrawal from Kosovo and

NATO Secretary General Solana announced the suspension of the air campaign. Over

the past 24 hours, NATO flew over 400 sorties. British KFOR troops could enter

Kosovo as early as tomorrow. The initial elements of the U.S. KFOR contingent (Task

Force Falcon) will be 3,600 troops (82nd Airborne and U.S. Marines), to be replaced

within 30 days by 7,000 troops from the 1st Armored Division in Germany; 1,900 U.S.

marines disembarked on the Greek beach of the town of Lithoro, and did not enter the

port of Thessaloniki, where demonstrators oppose the presence of KFOR elements.

In a special expanded meeting of the North Atlantic Council, the 19 NATO

countries and 12 non-members formally approved participation in Operation Joint

Guardian, which will replace Operation Allied Force when KFOR’s mission begins in

Kosovo.

Diplomacy. This morning, the U.N. Security Council convened informally to await

cessation of NATO bombing, at which point it will discuss and possibly vote on the

draft U.N. resolution governing KFOR operations in Kosovo. China reportedly

continues to maintain objections to the resolution.

Deputy Secretary of State Talbott and U.S. military officials are in Moscow

seeking to reconcile Russian participation in KFOR with NATO’s policies of unity of

command and no partition of Kosovo, which Talbott publicly reiterated in Moscow

today. Russian officials continue to refuse to place Russian soldiers under NATO

command; have asked for control of Kosovo’s northwestern sector, designated by

NATO as under Italian control, in the peace operation; and have requested that Russian

troops be attached as monitors to the headquarters of the various NATO contingents.

Russian envoy Chernomyrdin hinted that his government’s financial problems might

require that the U.N. pay for Russian peacekeepers. This morning, the Duma, by a vote

of 271-92, condemned Chernomyrdin and called for President Yeltsin to dismiss him for

his role in negotiating the draft U.N. resolution.

Developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the Region. Gen. Pavkovic, commander

of the Yugoslav Army in Kosovo, said that the army had laid 80,000 mines along

CRS-16

Kosovo’s borders with Albania and Macedonia, but would assist KFOR in removing

them.

In Belgrade, residents took to the streets to celebrate news of the agreement. Staterun television announced “the aggression against Yugoslavia is over,” and called the

agreement a victory for “the policies of President Slobodan Milosevic.” The ruling

Socialist Party and Serbian Orthodox religious leaders urged ethnic Serbs in Kosovo not

to flee the province in a mass exodus. Opposition leader Vuk Draskovic has proposed

joining a coalition government with Milosevic. However, Zoran Djindjic of the

opposition Democratic Party called for Milosevic to step down and for new elections.

Yesterday Montenegrin President Djukanovic said he wanted to assist in the

implementation of a Kosovo peace accord and offered NATO use of his country’s

territory as a supply route to KFOR in Kosovo.

Refugees/Humanitarian Aid. Yesterday, no refugees arrived in Albania and only

150 in Macedonia; 941 refugees were evacuated by plane from Macedonia, bringing the

total evacuated to 81,705 since April 5. As of June 10, UNHCR estimates the total

number of refugees in the region to be 780,700; including 444,200 in Albania; 245,100

in Macedonia; 69,700 in Montenegro; and 21,700 in Bosnia. U.N. High Commissioner

for Refugees, Sadako Ogato, said today she expects over 400,000 refugees to return to

Kosovo by winter.

Administration Policy. President Clinton addresses the nation on Kosovo today.

Yesterday, he issued a statement welcoming the NATO-Yugoslav agreement on the

withdrawal of all FRY forces from Kosovo and the deployment of an international

peacekeeping force. He said that the agreement is an “important step” toward meeting

U.S. and NATO objectives in Kosovo. He cautioned that the United States and its allies

would “watch carefully” to see that Serb forces leave Kosovo in accordance with the

timetable set out in the agreement. He also warned the KLA “not to hinder the Serb

withdrawal.’‘ The Pentagon spokesman said that Serb forces may be attempting to

cover up war crimes in Kosovo. He showed reporters aerial photographs of an alleged

mass grave site in central-western Kosovo that appears to have been bulldozed in recent

days.

Congress. Responses yesterday to the news of the military agreement by Members

of Congress were positive. Some Members warned that a lasting peace was unlikely

while Slobodan Milosevic remained in power. Today the House considers amendments

to H.R. 1401, the FY2000 Defense Authorization bill, relating to funding restrictions on

combat or peacekeeping operations in any part of Yugoslavia beyond September 30.

Speaker Hastert’s office said that the Speaker favored an amendment barring funds for

peacekeeping without congressional authorization. The White House repeated its threat

to veto the bill if it contained such restrictions.

CRS-17

June 11, 1999

Situation as of 9:30 a.m.

Military Developments. NATO said today that about 4,000 FRY military

personnel had left Kosovo thus far. NATO aircraft ceased bombing raids yesterday, but

flew 399 sorties over the last 24 hours, mainly reconnaissance and patrol missions.

During the 78-day campaign, roughly 1,000 NATO aircraft flew 35,219 sorties,

launching over 23,000 munitions. Nearly 700 soldiers arrived in Macedonia yesterday,

bringing the strength of KFOR to 19,300. The entry of the first NATO troops into

Kosovo from Macedonia, originally expected early today, was pushed back, possibly as

much as 24 hours.

Diplomacy. Following the start of the withdrawal of FRY forces from Kosovo and

the resulting cessation of NATO bombing, the U.N. Security Council yesterday approved

a resolution governing implementation of the peace agreement for Kosovo; China

abstained. The resolution authorizes an international security force for Kosovo and puts

Kosovo under an interim international civilian administration to oversee reconstruction,

set up a police force and judiciary, and help refugees return.

In Moscow, Deputy Secretary of State Talbott and Russian officials continued

discussions over whether and how Russia might participate in KFOR. Moscow insists

its troops should be in control of a sector of northern Kosovo similar to those allotted

by NATO to the U.S., British, German, French, and Italian contingents in KFOR. Gen.

Ivachov, a Russian negotiator, said: “If we cannot come to an agreement [with the

Americans], we will designate, with the Yugoslavs, the sector that we will control.”

Talbott countered that Russia would not be given a sector; NATO argues this would be

tantamount to partition of Kosovo.

Developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the Region. In a televised speech to the

Serbian people, President Milosevic claimed victory despite the pullout of FRY forces

from Kosovo. By standing up to NATO “aggression”, he said that the FRY armed

forces had proved they are “invincible.” He praised the “unity” of the Serb people during

the struggle, and said that he wanted to preserve that unity during the country’s efforts

at reconstruction. He said that the U.N. Security Council resolution enshrining an end

to the conflict confirms the FRY’s territorial integrity and rules out independence for

Kosovo.

A spokesman for the NATO force (SFOR) in Bosnia said that a contingent of about

150 Russian peacekeeping troops from SFOR entered the FRY from Bosnia last night

en route to Kosovo. Russian officials say the contingent will position itself in southern

Serbia near the Kosovo border to prepare for the KFOR mission. Interviewed today on

ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Vice President Gore said the Russians have “given

us assurances” that they will not enter Kosovo “until arrangements have been worked

out for their participation under agreed terms within a unified command.”

Refugees/Humanitarian Aid. Yesterday, no refugees arrived in Albania and 403

entered Macedonia; 813 refugees were evacuated by plane from Macedonia, bringing the

total evacuated to 82,518. As of June 11, UNHCR estimates the total number of

CRS-18

refugees in the region to be 780,200; including 444,200 in Albania; 244,500 in

Macedonia; 69,800 in Montenegro; and 21,700 in Bosnia. UNHCR and other

humanitarian agencies today begin providing aid inside Kosovo to as many as 600,000

people.

In Cologne, approximately 40 countries signed a “stability pact” for the Balkans.

The signatories, including the G8 countries, stated their desire to see the region

economically strengthened and politically stabilized. A donor conference will convene

shortly to discuss financial contributions.

Administration Policy. In a nationally televised address yesterday, President

Clinton hailed the withdrawal of Yugoslav forces from Kosovo and the end of NATO

air strikes as a “victory.” He added the United States and its allies still face challenges

in Kosovo. These include ensuring that Yugoslavia completes the pullout of its troops

from the province; the refugees return; and the KLA demilitarizes. He warned that these

efforts will be “dangerous,” and U.S. troops in KFOR could suffer casualties. He said

that the United States and the European Union must work together to rebuild Kosovo

and the region, but that “Europe must provide most of the resources” for the effort. He

warned the Serbian people that their country would not receive reconstruction aid as

long as Milosevic, an indicted war criminal, remains in power. Secretary of State

Albright arrived in Macedonia today where she spoke with U.S. troops and visited a

refugee camp.

Congress. The House passed H.R. 1401, the FY2000 defense authorization bill,

yesterday by a vote of 365-58. By a vote of 270-155, the House voted to delete a

provision in the bill that would have prohibited the use of funds authorized in the bill for

combat or peacekeeping in the FRY unless the President first submitted a supplemental

appropriations request for the operation. The President had earlier threatened to veto

the bill if it contained the provision. However, the President sent a letter yesterday to

House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Representative Ike Skelton, the ranking Democrat

on the panel, agreeing to send such a request to Congress, as soon as the Administration

had estimated the cost of the peacekeeping mission. He said he would request the

money as emergency funding, thereby easing pressure on the Pentagon’s budget.

Public Opinion. According to a June 10 Gallup/CNN/USA Today poll, 60% favor

the peace agreement and 12% oppose it (23% were not familiar with it). Concerning its

likely success, 55% believe the agreement “probably will be broken” and 38% believe it

“probably will work.” Asked about sending 7,000 U.S. troops as part of the

peacekeeping force, 53% favor the plan and 43% oppose it. In retrospect, 47% believe

the situation was worth going to war over and 47% believe it was not; 46% think

President Clinton’s actions were a “significant U.S. foreign policy achievement” and 48%

do not.

CRS-19

June 14, 1999

Situation as of 9:30 a.m.

Military Developments. As of this morning, NATO said about 14,000 KFOR

troops (4,300 British, 2,800 French, 2,500 German, 2,300 Italian, and 2,100 American)

have entered Kosovo and over 10,000 FRY forces have withdrawn on schedule. The

full 7,000-strong U.S. contingent is not expected for 30-45 days. German troops killed

one sniper and wounded another in Prizren, and British troops in Pristina killed a Serb

police reservist who opened fire. One German soldier was hit by gunfire. Reportedly,

3 German journalists have also been killed.

The presence of 200 Russian troops (a contingent of the Russian SFOR deployment

in Bosnia, which moved into Kosovo unexpectedly on June 11) at the Pristina airport

continues to present difficulties. Contrary to NATO statements that the Russians are not

hindering KFOR, press reports indicate that they have blocked British and French

convoys and prevented KFOR from establishing its headquarters at the airport. Talks

continue on-site, in Macedonia, and between Washington and Moscow to resolve the

situation and establish command arrangements. Clinton Administration officials indicate

that this may entail a Russian “zone of responsibility” within one or more NATOdesignated sectors, and a NATO chain-of-command which includes a non-NATO officer

to whom the Russians would report.

On June 12, SACEUR Gen. Clark was sharply critical of the Russian move. He said

that Gen. Jackson, under the U.N. resolution governing the peacekeeping force, could

order the Russian forces to leave. Gen. Jackson, he said, “can tell forces, all forces, any

forces, to redeploy and move.” On June 13, however, Gen. Clark said that “this is a

political problem at this point” and should be left to political leaders to resolve.

Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria have denied Russia overflight rights in response

to Russia’s reported plans to fly an additional 1,000 troops over their territory to the

Pristina airport. Russia now has no obvious access by air to Kosovo.

Developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the Region. Around the southern Kosovo

town of Kacanik, British NATO peacekeepers discovered three possible mass grave sites

containing the bodies of up to 100 Kosovar residents. The sites have been cordoned off

for investigation by the war crimes tribunal. Columns of thousands of departing ethnic

Serbs have been seen leaving Prizren and other southern cities close to the Albanian

border over the weekend. Many said they feared reprisals from returning ethnic Albanian

residents. KLA leader Hashim Thaci said the KLA cannot guarantee the safety of

Russian troops in Kosovo and they should leave as soon as possible. Reportedly, the

KLA has taken control of a former FRY border post on the border with Albania and

today was turning back refugees trying to return home, telling them it was still unsafe.

Making good on its earlier pledge, the nationalist Serbian Radical Party (SRS), led

by Deputy Prime Minister Seselj, voted to pull out of the Serbian government. The

move breaks off the SRS’ coalition with President Milosevic’s party and will cause the

resignation of all fifteen SRS ministers in government. Today, Montenegrin President

CRS-20

Djukanovic said: “Yugoslavia needs a democratic turnaround. If Serbia remains a

prisoner of the former policy, Montenegro will look for its own legal status.”

Refugees/Humanitarian Aid. The outflow of ethnic Albanians from Kosovo

appears to have largely stopped. However, Montenegrin authorities reported the arrival

of about 4,400 from Kosovo, mainly Serbs, over the weekend. From June 11-13, 1,769

refugees were evacuated by plane from Macedonia, bringing the total evacuated to

84,450, including 6,420 to the United States. UNHCR is reevaluating the need for the

evacuation program in light of the end of the conflict. As of June 14, UNHCR estimates

the total number of refugees in the region to be 779,700; including 444,600 in Albania;

243,700 in Macedonia; 69,700 in Montenegro; and 21,700 in Bosnia. Aid agencies are

also concentrating on providing aid inside Kosovo: relief convoys began entering

Kosovo yesterday and airdrops continue.

The European Union Commission announced that a mission would be sent to

Kosovo in early July to assess needs for reconstruction. Officials from several

international financial institutions, including the IMF, the World Bank, and the European

Bank for Reconstruction and Development, would comprise the mission.

Administration Policy. For the second straight day, President Clinton will speak

today with Russian President Yeltsin to try to resolve the standoff between Russian and

NATO troops in Kosovo. In weekend news programs, Administration officials played

down the significance of the surprise deployment or its impact on the start of the KFOR

operation. Foreign Minister Ivanov characterized the Russian deployment in Kosovo on

U.S. television Saturday morning as a mistake, but Defense Secretary Cohen said the

same day that Russian President Yeltsin had authorized the early entry of Russian troops

into Kosovo.

Public Opinion. A June 10 ABC News poll asked whether the agreement will

bring lasting peace to the region, 63% believe it won’t and 33% believe it will. Opinion

is nearly divided on whether the United States should contribute money and material to

rebuild Kosovo: 50% are opposed and 48% support such a plan. According to a June

10 CNN/Time poll, 51% favor sending 7,000 U.S. peacekeeping troops to Kosovo and

44% are opposed; the ABC poll shows 71% support and 26% oppose sending troops

when it is explained that they will join 43,000 troops from other countries. The CNN/

Time poll shows 24% think U.S. troops will be there “less than a year,” 31% said “one

to two years,” 22% said three to five years,” and 17% said “more than five years.”

CRS-21

June 15, 1999

Situation as of 9:30 a.m.

Military Developments. In Pristina, British Lt. Gen. Mike Jackson, KFOR

commander, said the withdrawal of FRY forces and the arrival of NATO troops was

proceeding “pretty much on schedule,” although he described the overall situation as

“volatile.” FRY forces appear likely to meet today’s midnight deadline for withdrawal

from zone 1 in southern Kosovo, including Pristina. NATO reports that, as of June 14,

26% of all FRY personnel in Kosovo have been withdrawn, 33% of armored personnel

carriers, 15% of all tanks, 10% of all artillery, and all military aircraft and SA-6 SAMs.

KFOR deployments in Kosovo now total 14,900 troops: 4,300 British; 2,800

French; 2,800 German and Dutch; 2,300 Italian; 2,100 American; 500 Greek; and 100

various nationalities at headquarters. Over 24,000 NATO troops are in the region as a

whole. Dutch soldiers discovered charred remains of around 20 bodies thought to be

Kosovo Albanians in Velika Krusa, near Prizren. British troops arrested 5 suspected

KLA members after a Serb man was shot in Pristina.

This morning, a Russian convoy of 11 vehicles and 29 troops left the Russian SFOR

base in Bosnia to deliver food, water, and fuel to the contingent of 200 Russian

paratroopers at the Pristina airport, which they occupied on Saturday. A NATO

spokesman said the convoy was viewed as a resupply, not a reinforcement effort, and

was not opposed by NATO. Moscow has assured NATO it will not deploy additional

troops to Kosovo until issues of command and control and zones of responsibility have

been resolved. A larger Russian force of 100 SFOR troops and 60 vehicles that had been

waiting at the Bosnia-FRY border since late Saturday to join those in Pristina returned

to base in Bosnia yesterday. KFOR commander Gen. Jackson will meet today with Gen.

Zavarzine, command of the Russian contingent, at the Pristina airport. The Russian RIA

news agency reported today that a force of 5,000-7,000 paratroopers from central Russia

would soon fly to Pristina as Russia’s KFOR contingent. The report also said that

Russia’s KFOR might report to the commander of the Finnish contingent in Kosovo to

avoid direct subordination to NATO.

Developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the Region. In a televised speech marking

Armed Forces Day, Yugoslav President Milosevic praised the Yugoslav Army for its

“heroic defense” of the country against NATO’s “aggression.” Milosevic promoted

several army commanders, including Chief of Staff Dragoljub Ojdanic, who, with

Milosevic, was indicted by the war crimes tribunal last month.

In Bucharest, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic said that he now favors a

referendum on the republic’s independence if Milosevic remains in power. However, he

said that this could not take place while 40,000 FRY soldiers remain in Montenegro.

Refugees/Humanitarian Aid. Ethnic Albanian refugees are returning to Kosovo

from both Macedonia and Albania; two returning refugees were reportedly killed by a

landmine. Yesterday, 953 refugees were evacuated by plane from Macedonia, including

437 to the United States, bringing the total evacuated to all countries to 85,403. As of

June 15, UNHCR estimates the total number of refugees in the region to be 778,300;

CRS-22

including 444,600 in Albania; 242,300 in Macedonia; 69,700 in Montenegro; and 21,700

in Bosnia. Montenegrin authorities reported the arrival of another 8,900 from Kosovo,

mainly Serbs. The United Nations has established an interim office in Pristina and is

preparing to take over the administration of Kosovo. The OSCE will be responsible for

institution-building and the European Union will address reconstruction.

Administration Policy. Presidents Clinton and Yeltsin discussed Russian

participation in KFOR again yesterday by telephone, and decided that Secretaries Cohen

and Albright would meet with their Russian counterparts in Helsinki on Wednesday and

Thursday to resolve the issue before the G8 summit begins in Cologne, Germany on June

18. Secretary of State Albright reiterated that “every inch of Kosovo has to be under

KFOR,” with “a unity of command.” President Clinton departs tonight for Europe; he

will meet with President Yeltsin at the end of the G8 summit.

Congress. The White House released a letter to Congress giving formal notice of

the NATO-FRY military agreement governing the withdrawal of Yugoslav forces from

Kosovo, the end of NATO air strikes, and the deployment of KFOR. The notice said

about 7,000 U.S. troops would participate in KFOR, as well as an additional 1,500 under

separate command in neighboring countries. KFOR will operate under “unified NATO

command and control, and with rules of engagement set by the Alliance.” After the

withdrawal of all Serb forces from Kosovo and “an initial stabilization period, KFOR will

be progressively reduced as the security situation permits and international and local

police forces are established. KFOR ultimately will transfer responsibilities to the

international provisional administration, local institutions, and other appropriate

organizations.” The President did not provide any deadlines or timetable for the

drawdown or transfer of responsibilities from KFOR to other bodies. The letter, dated

June 12, was made pursuant to Section 8115 of the FY1999 Department of Defense

Appropriations Act (P.L. 105-262).

Public Opinion. According to a June 14 CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, 77% think

peace can be maintained in Yugoslavia only if Milosevic is removed as president; and

22% think that can happen if he remains. In hindsight, 48% believe military action

should have continued until Milosevic was removed and 46% do not. On the

peacekeeping plan, 69% approve and 29% disapprove of U.S. troops participating under

NATO command while 75% approve and 24% disapprove of U.S. troops participating

under U.N. command. Support for rebuilding Serb areas bombed by the United States

depends on whether Milosevic remains in power: 70% favor sending aid and 27%

oppose it if Milosevic is removed, while 24% favor sending aid if he remains in power

and 74% are opposed.

CRS-23

June 16, 1999

Situation as of 9:30 a.m.

Military Developments. Yugoslav force withdrawals are proceeding generally on

schedule, with NATO reporting about half of the 40,000 troops now out of Kosovo.

Citing the FRY’s “good faith” effort, KFOR has extended the June 20 deadline for

withdrawal from Zone 1 by 24 hours because of road congestion. All FRY forces are

to be out of Kosovo by Sunday night, June 20.

British troops escorted a small Russian convoy to resupply the Russian troops at

the Pristina airport with food and water. Reportedly, Russia sent another military

convoy, carrying supplies, into Kosovo today. Russian officials now say Russia may

send 2,500-3,000 troops to participate in KFOR.

NATO began talks in Tirana, Albania, yesterday with the KLA on the issue of

“demilitarizing” KLA forces in Kosovo, as required in the peace agreement. Brig. Gen.

John Craddock, the commander of U.S. forces in Kosovo, said yesterday that he did not

have orders to disarm KLA fighters, except those who disrupt the Serbian troop

withdrawal or otherwise threaten “good order and discipline.” The KLA was not party

to the Military-Technical Agreement, and there is rising concern that KLA guerrilla

groups could pose a threat to establishing a secure environment in Kosovo. Draft plans

reportedly call for the KLA to surrender heavy weapons within an established timetable.

A KLA leader said yesterday the KLA is prepared to surrender heavy weapons but

would not willingly give up small arms such as rifles. Reportedly, U.S. marines today

escorted about 200 KLA fighters through the southeastern Kosovo village of Zegra after

they refused to turn in their weapons.

AFP reports today that U.S. forces in KFOR have detained two indicted Serbian

war criminals near the southern Kosovo town of Urosevac.

Developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the Region. The Serbian Orthodox

Church issued a statement yesterday demanding that Yugoslav President Milosevic

resign “so that new officials, acceptable at home and abroad, can take responsibility for

the people.” The Church also appealed to Serbs not to leave Kosovo. However,

Kosovo’s only Serbian Orthodox bishop, Bishop Artemije, said today he was leaving the

city of Prizren because it was no longer safe for him: “I am not leaving...for good but

only to be safe until KFOR can guarantee a safe life here.” In an apparent attempt to

avoid early elections, Serbian President Milutinovic yesterday rejected the announced

resignation of Radical Party ministers and ordered all members of the government to

remain in their positions.

NATO forces entering Kosovo continue to find evidence of massacres. Yesterday,

Italian KFOR troops discovered several mass graves in western Kosovo, including one

containing up to 120 bodies.

A KLA spokesman described Russian troops in Kosovo as an “enemy force,” and

said there would be no peace as long as they are there.

CRS-24

Refugees/Humanitarian Aid. Ethnic Albanian refugees are returning to Kosovo;

according to UNHCR, 2,800 left Macedonia yesterday and 5,000 have left Albania.

UNHCR and NATO have warned that it is not yet safe for refugees to return to Kosovo,

in part because of the danger of land mines. Yesterday, 664 refugees were evacuated by

plane from Macedonia, bringing the total evacuated to 86,067. As of June 16, UNHCR

estimates the total number of refugees in the region to be 769,900; including 439,600 in

Albania; 238,900 in Macedonia; 69,700 in Montenegro; and 21,700 in Bosnia. The

International Committee of the Red Cross said more than 33,000 Serbs have fled Kosovo

since the start of the FRY forces’ withdrawal and KFOR’s arrival.

Administration Policy. Defense Secretary Cohen is meeting today with Russian

Defense Minister Sergeyev in Helsinki to try to work out terms for Russian participation

in KFOR. Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov arrived this afternoon and Secretary of State

Albright is due to join them tomorrow. Administration officials said Cohen will suggest

that Russian troops be allotted an “area of responsibility” within one of the five

established NATO sectors. On the issue of the Russian demand that their troops not

report directly to an allied commander, Cohen reportedly will offer two possible

compromises: either the Russians report to a commander from a neutral, non-NATO

country, such as Sweden or Finland and that commander would report to a more senior

NATO officer; or the Russians duplicate the pattern used in Bosnia, where Russian

troops operate in the U.S. sector and report to a U.S. commander, who reports in turn

to a Russian liaison officer at NATO headquarters. U.S. and Russian officials said they

expect these issues to be satisfactorily resolved before Presidents Clinton and Yeltsin’s

planned meeting at the end of the G8 summit in Cologne, Germany, on June 20.

Congress. At a hearing of the House International Relations Committee yesterday,

Undersecretary of Commerce David Aaron said that, while the United States believes the

Europeans should assume the main burden of financing Kosovo’s reconstruction, U.S.

companies should have an “equal opportunity” in competing for reconstruction

contracts. Aaron said he was concerned European aid donors may try to tie their aid to

the selection of their firms to carry out reconstruction work. He added that

Administration officials would make these points during a U.S.-European Union summit

in Bonn on Monday.

Public Opinion. A June 14 Pew Research Center poll shows that 56% favor

sending 7,000 U.S. troops to Kosovo as part of a NATO peacekeeping force; 37% are

opposed. Concerning the success of the bombing campaign, 46% believe the United

States and NATO achieved the goals they started out with and 40% do not. A much

higher percentage of those polled, 68%, think conducting airstrikes to force a peace

agreement was the “right decision” and 22% think it was the “wrong decision.”

CRS-25

June 17, 1999

Situation as of 9:30 a.m.

Military Developments. NATO said today the FRY troop withdrawal from

Kosovo is proceeding apace and over 26,000 of the estimated 40,000 troops have left,

as well as over half of the estimated tanks and heavy weapons.

NATO said that KFOR deployments in Kosovo now total over 15,000 troops,

including 7,209 British, around 2,000 Americans, 1,747 German, 1,474 French, 1,111

Italian, 307 Canadian, and 159 Dutch, among others. An additional 11,000 troops are

in Macedonia awaiting deployment in Kosovo. KFOR incurred its first casualties when

two Italian solders were wounded by a mine.

U.S. Marines, supported by helicopter gunships, forcibly disarmed (without

casualties) 200 KLA personnel and detained 6 KLA leaders in southeastern Kosovo.

KFOR later announced the KLA leaders would be released and the weapons would be

destroyed.

In Albania, NATO officials and KLA leaders are negotiating an agreement on

“demilitarizing” KLA forces in Kosovo and then training its members to become a

civilian police force for Kosovo. Reportedly, a plan drawn up by NATO would require

the KLA to disband within 30 days, handing over its automatic and heavy weapons.

Today, in Helsinki, Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov said that discussions between

Secretary of Defense Cohen and Russian Defense Minister Sergeyev had yielded an

agreement on Russia’s position in the KFOR command structure and on the airport at

Pristina. He did not provide details on the command structure, but said that the airport,

occupied by Russian troops, would be “used by all of KFOR with a precise definition of

the operations of each contingent.” Discussions continue over the geographic location

of Russian forces in KFOR, and whether they will have a “zone of responsibility” within

a sector, as NATO proposes, or a sector, as Moscow insists. Secretary of State Albright

joins the talks today.

Developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the Region. Forensic teams representing

the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal are to enter Kosovo tomorrow to begin investigating

evidence of war crimes at mass grave sites throughout the province. Yesterday the

British Foreign Ministry estimated from refugee reports that 10,000 people had been

killed in over 100 massacres in Kosovo.

Seeking to stem the steady outflow of Serbs from Kosovo, the head of Serbia’s

Orthodox Church announced he is moving to Pec, in western Kosovo, and appealed to

Serbs to stay in the province. In Prizren, the KLA took over administration of the city

after Serb authorities departed. The German KFOR contingent in Prizren said it would

not interfere with the KLA’s takeover of the city.

Refugees/Humanitarian Aid. Some roads in Kosovo are clogged with a two-way

refugee flow: thousands of ethnic Albanians are returning to Kosovo from refugee

camps despite safety concerns, and Kosovo Serbs are fleeing for fear of revenge attacks.

CRS-26

According to UNHCR, 6,500 ethnic Albanians have left Macedonia for Kosovo,

including 3,400 yesterday, and about 20,000 have left Albania, including some 15,000

yesterday. Yesterday, 633 refugees were evacuated by plane from Macedonia, bringing

the total evacuated to 87,156. As of June 17, UNHCR estimates the total number of

ethnic Albanian refugees in the region to be 750,400; including 424,600 in Albania;

234,400 in Macedonia; 69,700 in Montenegro; and 21,700 in Bosnia. Montenegrin

officials report that about 18,000 Serbs have fled Kosovo for Montenegro since June 9,

including about 470 that arrived yesterday.

Administration Policy. Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering yesterday

delivered a letter from President Clinton to Chinese President Jiang Zemin offering to

pay compensation to families of those killed or injured in the mistaken bombing of the

Chinese embassy in Belgrade. Pickering and other members of the U.S. delegation

presented a detailed report of the May 7 bombing that reportedly outlined a complicated

series of mistakes that resulted in the attack. Chinese officials said they remained

“skeptical” that the attack was a mistake. The report will soon be made public.

President Clinton said today in Paris that it could take a “good while” for Yugoslav

President Milosevic to be brought to trial for alleged war crimes in Kosovo. President

Clinton and French President Chirac agreed that the FRY could receive only

humanitarian aid as long as Milosevic remained in power.

Congress. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee today holds a hearing on the

nomination of Richard Holbrooke to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Foreign Reaction. The Russian Duma today unanimously approved a non-binding

resolution demanding NATO Secretary General Solana be “brought to justice” because

he “bears direct responsibility as the organizer of aggression against sovereign

Yugoslavia” and committed “crimes against humanity.”

Bulgaria today lifted a ban on oil exports to the FRY.

CRS-27

June 18, 1999

Situation as of 9:30 a.m.

Military Developments. NATO estimates that over 30,000 of the total 40,000

FRY troops have withdrawn from Kosovo. Thus, NATO expects the deadline of

midnight Sunday, June 20, for a complete withdrawal to be met; however, logistical

difficulties, including a shortage of equipment transporters, are hampering the removal

of heavy weapons. SACEUR Gen. Clark expressed concern that some Serb paramilitary

units may be attempting to remain in Kosovo to harass KFOR troops.

This morning, NATO reported that about 16,100 KFOR troops are in Kosovo and

another 10,846 are in Macedonia. Reportedly, KFOR is considering establishing a

presence in Bar, Montenegro, to gain access to port facilities. The government of

Montenegro is supportive, but Serb forces still control the port, and would have to be

withdrawn. A truck bomb exploded near KFOR’s rear staging area in Skopje,

Macedonia. No injuries were reported.

In Helsinki, Secretary of Defense Cohen and Russian Defense Minister Sergeyev

worked through the night and continue today to try to reach agreement on terms of

Russian participation in KFOR. The two sides reportedly agreed on the command

structure for Russian participation and access to Pristina’s airport, still occupied by 200

Russian paratroopers. However, the talks reportedly stalled over the exact contours of

the geographic area that Russian soldiers would patrol. Russia continues to demand a

“Russian sector,” and NATO continues to offer a Russian “zone(s) of responsibility.”

According to the Washington Post, a formula may be emerging which would allow a

Russian presence in the French, German, and U.S. sectors, with a Russian officer at

KFOR headquarters. The North Atlantic Council is scheduled to convene once an

agreement has been reached. President Clinton expressed optimism that an agreement

can be reached today, which could then be finalized when he meets with Russian

President Yeltsin on Sunday at the G8 summit’s end. Press reports suggest that the early

Russian deployment into Kosovo was a well-planned action by the Russian General Staff,

with President Yeltsin’s approval, designed to ensure a high profile role for Russia in

KFOR.

In Prizren, in the German KFOR sector, the KLA has agreed to stop carrying

weapons openly as of midnight tonight and will stop appearing in uniform as of late

Sunday. Elsewhere the KLA maintains an armed presence, and on occasion its members

have been disarmed by KFOR troops when they have presented a threat to security. In

Albania, NATO and the KLA continue to negotiate on “demilitarizing” KLA forces in

Kosovo; reportedly, an agreement is expected this weekend.

Developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the Region. KLA leader Hashim Thaci

yesterday appealed to Serbs not to leave Kosovo. He said, “Albanian society needs the

Serbs. They can make a great contribution to the stability of Kosovo.” He also said that

the KLA had no plans to organize any repression against the Serbs, saying they were also

victims of the war. Nevertheless, the number of reports of attacks on Serbs and on

Serbian Orthodox monasteries by returning Albanians continues to increase.

CRS-28

Refugees/Humanitarian Aid. A UNHCR official said today that the organized

return of refugees can start within two weeks; however, the “spontaneous return” is well

underway. According to UNHCR, 13,500 ethnic Albanians have left Macedonia for

Kosovo, including about 7,000 yesterday, and some 37,000 have left Albania, including

3,000 yesterday. Yesterday, 694 refugees were evacuated by plane from Macedonia,

including 402 to the United States, bringing the total evacuated to 87,850. As of June

18, UNHCR estimates the total number of ethnic Albanian refugees in the region to be

725,700; including 407,600 in Albania; 226,700 in Macedonia; 69,700 in Montenegro;

and 21,700 in Bosnia. Montenegrin officials report that about 18,800 Serbs have fled

Kosovo for Montenegro since June 9, including 800 that arrived yesterday. NATO

stated this morning that about 33,000 Serbs out of a total population of 150,000 have

fled Kosovo. Inside Kosovo, humanitarian officials are finding the destruction much

worse than anticipated and the usual return assistance will be inadequate to sustain the

refugees. Humanitarian aid distribution has been hampered by mines and booby traps.

Administration Policy. President Clinton is attending the G8 summit in Cologne,

Germany, where one focus will be the reconstruction effort in the Balkans. Press reports

quote unnamed Administration officials as saying that U.S. Balkans envoy Robert

Gelbard met with Montenegrin leaders and Serbian opposition figures in Montenegro last

weekend to discuss how to remove Milosevic from power and bring democracy to

Serbia. Participants of the meeting reported that Gelbard made clear that no

development aid would go to Serbia as long as Milosevic remains in power; however,

they said that Gelbard did not discuss plots to overthrow Milosevic. President Clinton

is to meet with Montenegrin President (and Milosevic rival) Djukanovic next week.

Congress. Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee marked up and

approved a FY2000 foreign operations appropriations bill that drew threats of a veto

from the White House for a variety of reasons. The bill would provide $535 million in

aid for eastern Europe, of which $150 million would go to Kosovo. The bill designates

Serbia (Yugoslavia, excluding Kosovo and Montenegro) as a terrorist state. The bill

would condition aid to Russia on the full integration of Russian troops in Kosovo under

unified NATO command and control.

Public Opinion. A June 16 Harris poll shows that 61% support and 33% oppose

sending U.S. troops to Kosovo as part of the NATO peacekeeping force. In retrospect,

58% think the U.S. government’s bombing of Serb targets was the “right decision” and

34% answered “wrong decision.” As for President Clinton’s handling of the Kosovo

situation, 15% rated his performance “excellent,” 37% said “pretty good,” 23% said

“only fair,” and 22% answered “poor.”

CRS-29

June 21, 1999

Situation as of 9:30 a.m.

This is the final issue of the Kosovo Situation Report. For further coverage

of events in Kosovo, see CRS Issue Brief 98041: Kosovo and U.S. Policy, and CRS

Issue Brief IB10027: Kosovo: U.S. and Allied Military Operations.

Military Developments. On June 20, KFOR stated that all Yugoslav military,

police, and paramilitary forces had withdrawn from Kosovo; after 78 days, NATO

Secretary General Solana declared an official end to the air campaign that had been

suspended June 10. Some heavy Yugoslav Army military vehicles remain in Kosovo,

unable to be moved due to congestion on the roads. NATO officials said that they

would escort small numbers of Serb soldiers back into the province in the near future to

remove the equipment.

This morning, after discussions with KFOR commander Gen. Jackson, KLA leaders

produced a document that they described as a “unilateral undertaking” and not a

negotiated agreement. KLA political leader Hashim Thaci said that it fills out the details

of the U.N. resolution governing the peace. In the document, the KLA pledges to

withdraw from all fortified positions; begin storing all heavy weapons in depots within

7 days, with completion of the task within 90 days; KFOR will have joint control of the

arms depots after 30 days, and full control after 90 days. The KLA will retain only

hunting rifles and sidearms; refrain from carrying weapons or wearing uniforms in public;

clear its mines and booby-traps; and expel foreign members of the organization from the

province. The KLA recognized KFOR as the sole authority on security issues. Thaci

pledged that the KLA would work to support development of democratic institutions in

the province. Reports of sporadic violence by the KLA continue, however, and it is

unclear whether all KLA subordinate commanders will adhere to the document.

On June 18, U.S. officials reached agreement in Helsinki with Russia over its role

in KFOR. There will be “unity of command,” but, according to the agreement, “the

Russian side exercises full political and military control over the Russian contingent:”

3,600 Russian troops will be stationed in the French, German, and U.S. sectors; Russia

will have no sector of its own. Russian troops will patrol the grounds of the Pristina

airport, but all allies will have use of the installation, with KFOR in charge of air traffic

control.

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt will leave the Adriatic

today, returning to its Persian Gulf duty station.

Developments in Kosovo, Serbia, and the Region. The Yugoslav state news

media reported today that the government has asked parliament to lift the state of war

in the FRY. The FRY has been under martial law since the beginning of the NATO air

campaign. Over the weekend, the FRY government called on Serbs who had fled

Kosovo to return to the province.

CRS-30

U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan said that his special representative for Kosovo

civilian operations will be a European. He expressed doubt that free elections could take

place in Kosovo for at least a year.

Diplomacy. The G8 conference in Cologne ended on Sunday. The G8 pledged

$1.5 billion to Kosovo over the next 3 years, and will hold a conference in July to discuss

details of emergency assistance to Kosovo. A donor conference will also be held in the

fall to discuss funds for reconstruction of the province, after a closer analysis of

Kosovo’s needs has been undertaken. The G8 communiqué did not discuss the issue of

assistance to Serbia, but leaders of the G7 countries individually said that they would not

provide assistance — with the possible exception of humanitarian aid — to Serbia as

long as Milosevic is in power and the country lacks a democratic government. Russia

reportedly objected to any such statement in the communiqué.

Refugees/Humanitarian Aid. Serbs continued to flee Kosovo over the weekend:

19,170 Serbs have entered Montenegro since the end of the conflict; and many have

moved on to Serbia. UNHCR officials said that Belgrade’s statement that 60,000 Serb

civilians have left Kosovo for Serbia could not be confirmed. More than 60,000

Kosovars returned home over the weekend, bringing the total number of returnees to

140,000. As of Monday, 49,500 Kosovars had left Macedonia for Kosovo, and 90,500

have returned home from Albania. 354,100 Kosovar refugees remain in Albania;

190,500 remain in Macedonia; 69,700 in Montenegro; and 21,700 in BosniaHercegovina. UNHCR reports that there are now 636,000 Kosovar refugees in the

region.

Administration Policy. At the end of the G8 summit, President Clinton said that

“not a bit, not a penny” of reconstruction aid would go to Serbia while Milosevic

remains in power. Clinton spoke with KLA leader Hashim Thaci to praise his decision

to agree to the demilitarization of the organization.

See [http://www.loc.gov/crs/kosovo.html] for related CRS products. For previous

situation reports in April 1999, see CRS Report RL30137; for May, CRS Report

RL30156.