Contact Group
Conclusions
London, 29 January 1999
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- Contact Group Ministers met in London on 29 January to consider the
critical situation in Kosovo, which remains a threat to peace and security
in the region, raising the prospect of a humanitarian catastrophe.
- Despite the intensive efforts of the international community,
violence remains a daily occurrence in Kosovo. Ministers unreservedly
condemned the massacre of Kosovo Albanians at Racak which resulted in
several thousand people fleeing their homes. The escalation in violence -
for which both Belgrade's security forces and the KLA are responsible - must
be stopped. Repression of civilians by the security forces must end and
those forces must be withdrawn. Ministers of the Contact Group deplore the
failure of the parties to make progress towards a political settlement, and
cannot accept that this should permit the crisis to continue. Time is of the
essence in reaching a solution, and the Contact Group is therefore assuming
its responsibility.
- Ministers called on both sides to end the cycle of violence and to
commit themselves to a process of negotiation leading to a political
settlement. To that end, the Contact Group:
- insisted that the parties accept that the basis for a fair
settlement must include the principles set out by the Contact Group;
- considered that the proposals drafted by the negotiators contained
the elements for a substantial autonomy for Kosovo and asked the negotiators
to refine them further to serve as the framework for agreement between the
parties;
- recognised that the work done by the negotiators had identified the
limited number of points which required final negotiation between the
parties;
- agreed to summon representatives from the Federal Yugoslav and Serbian
Governments and representatives of the Kosovo Albanians to Rambouillet by 6
February, under the co-Chairmanship of Hubert Vedrine and Robin Cook, to
begin negotiations with the direct involvement of the Contact Group. The
Contact Group recognised the legitimate rights of other communities within
Kosovo. In the context of these negotiations, it will work to ensure their
interests are fully reflected in a settlement;
- agreed that the participants should work to conclude negotiations
within seven days. The negotiators should then report to Contact Group
Ministers who will assess whether the progress made justifies a further
period of less than one week to bring the negotiations to a successful
conclusion.
- The Contact Group demanded that the parties seize this opportunity
to reach a settlement offering peace to the people of Kosovo. The Contact
Group praised the present role of the OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission in
working to reduce tensions in Kosovo and create the conditions for political
dialogue, and recognised the continuing role of KVM. The Contact Group
recognised that continuing international engagement would be necessary to
help the parties implement a settlement and rebuild the shattered province.
It required that the parties accept the level and nature of international
presence deemed appropriate by the international community.
- In the meantime, the Contact Group demands that the FRY:
- stop all offensive actions/repression in Kosovo;
- comply fully with the OSCE/FRY and NATO/FRY agreements and relevant
SCRs;
- promote the safe return of all those who have been forced to flee
their homes as a result of the conflict. This includes full cooperation with
humanitarian agencies and NGOs bringing much needed relief to Kosovo;
- cooperate fully with the OSCE and permit the KVM and its Chief of
Mission to continue to carry out their responsibilities unhindered;
- cooperate fully with ICTY as required by relevant SCRs;
- conduct a full investigation of Racak with participation of ICTY,
allowing the Chief Prosecutor and ICTY investigators to enter and work in
Kosovo to participate in the investigation of the massacre;
- identify and suspend the VJ/MUP officers operating in Racak at the
time of the massacre until the results of the investigation become
available;
- mitigate the sentences of those imprisoned in connection with the
conflict and provide due process to all detainees.
- The Contact Group emphasised that compliance with SCRs 1160, 1199
and 1203 applied equally to the Kosovo Albanians. It condemned all
provocations by the UCK which could only fuel the cycle of violence, and
insisted that all hostages should be released. The Contact Group believes
that the framework it has set out meets the legitimate aspirations of the
Kosovo Albanians and demanded that their leaders rally behind negotiations
to reach a settlement and end provocative actions which would impede the
political process.
- The Contact Group asked Robin Cook to travel to Belgrade and
Pristina to transmit these messages to the parties.
- The future of the people of Kosovo is in the hands of leaders in Belgrade
and Kosovo. They must commit themselves now to complete the negotiations on
a political Settlement within 21 days to bring peace to Kosovo. The Contact
Group will hold both sides accountable if they fail to take the opportunity
now offered to them, just as the Group stands ready to work with both sides
to realise the benefits for them of a peaceful solution.
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