Headlines
- Towns of Valjevo, Pirot, Pristina, Kosovska Mitrovica and Prizren attacked by NATO today.
- 64 Albanians killed in the NATO attack on a convoy of vehicles on the Prizren-Djakovica road.
- “Only an agreement providing the territorial integrity of the FRY and Serbia is acceptable” – it was stated after the Milosevic-Lukashenko meeting.
- The leaders of the EU on a peaceful solution for Kosovo.
- Carlos Westendorp: Annulment of all permanent occupancy right decisions passed during and after the war.
- Decision postponed on initiating Yeltsin impeachment proceedings.
Correspondent from Belgrade reports:
Strong aggressor attacks on civilian and industrial facilities took place during last night and early this morning. No victims were reported. Planes were seen flying from Tuzla and back this morning. Another heavily wounded man from Pristina died this morning, increasing the total number of victims from the April 12/13 bombing of Pristina to 16. Yugoslav air defence shot down another spy plane near Kosovo Polje. Yugoslav “Vecernje Novosti” report that at least 5 planes and 10 cruise missiles had been shot down.
German Defence Ministry confirmed that one unmanned plane had not returned to the base yesterday.
Two explosions were heard this morning in the upper Podrinje region in the vicinity of the towns of Srpsko Gorazde, Rogatica and Visegrad. The region is blocked by SFOR troops, since the explosions can be, according to Tanjug agency, related to the crash of a NATO plane which flew in from the FRY.
SFOR spokesperson, Sheena Thompson said today that the explosions heard in the region of Trnovo, Gorazde and Lopare are a consequence of NATO planes breaking the sound barrier.
The Lopare municipality Information Centre confirmed to Tanjug agency that a NATO plane crashed today on the hill of Kadijina Cesma, in the BiH Federation. During the crash, the plane released a few missiles, which did not explode, and were later found on Crveno Brdo in the Ugljevik municipality.
Correspondent from Belgrade reports on the talks between the FRY and Belorussia presidents, Slobodan Milosevic and Alexandar Lukashenko. (followed by statements of the two).
The French president, Jacques Chirac thinks Kosovo should be administered by the EU, after Belgrade withdraws its troops.
Reactions on the NATO aggression against the FRY:
“Everyone is a victim of this war, regardless of their nationality or religion”, said the Serbian patriarch, Pavle after the talks with the leader of the German Party of democratic socialism, Gregor Ginsi.
“Russia has a chance of stopping the war in Yugoslavia”, said the former Russian PM, Victor Chernomyrdin, appointed today a special envoy of the Russian president, Boris Yeltsin for the negotiations on Kosovo.
Russian foreign minister, Igor Ivanov said there can be no discussion regarding any military operation in Kosovo, without Belgrade consent.
Russian president Boris Yeltsin thinks it is too early to implement the FRY decision on joining the Russia-Belarus alliance.
The FRY decision to join the Russia-Belarus alliance is one more reason for Roumania to speed up its preparations to join NATO, said the Roumanian Army chief of staff.
“Beta” agency reports that the US and NATO analysts are studying the history of Yugoslav WW2 resistance, in preparation for a potential ground force attack.
The Washington Post reports that some US and European troops, that could take part in an invasion of Yugoslavia, are already being deployed in Albania and Macedonia.
The USA requested neutral Switzerland to represent its diplomatic interests in the FRY, said the Swiss foreign minister, Flavio Cotti. The same was earlier requested by France, but the request is still awaiting permission from the Yugoslav authorities.
OSCE is prepared to co-ordinate international presence in Kosmet, said the OSCE chair and the Norwegian foreign minister, Knut Vollebaek.
The German state secretary, Gunther Wergen thinks wide international support exists for the German proposal for the solution of the Kosmet crisis. The proposal includes a 24-hour cessation of air strikes as soon as Belgrade starts withdrawing its troops from Kosmet.
British foreign minister, Robin Cook said an independent Kosovo would destabilise the region.
The Chinese PM rejected allegations of ethnic cleansing in Kosovo.
The Pristina Media Centre reports that at least 64 Albanians were killed, and more than 20 wounded in Metohija, when NATO planes attacked two convoys of refugees, mainly women, children and elderly people returning to their homes.
The OHR spokesman, James Ferguson said today that the member of the BiH presidency, Alija Izetbegovic and the CoM co-chair, Haris Silajdzic had been warned by international representatives that their statements regarding the Kosovo crisis, representing only their personal and party views, were unacceptable.
“NATO will try not to cause unnecessary pain to the Serbian people and economy”, said NATO spokesman, Jamie Shea, at today’s briefing in Brussels, adding that the pressure against Belgrade would continue. He also informed the press of the day’s meeting between secretaries-general of NATO and UN, Solana and Annan. Jamie Shea could not confirm that General Ratko Mladic was in Kosovo.
Breaking news: NATO confirmed that their planes attacked a convoy of vehicles on the Prizren-Djakovica road, but would not comment further.
“The Balkan problems have to be solved all at once”, said the UN special rapporteur on human rights, Jiri Dinstbyr.
Judge of the Leskovac municipal court said today the number of victims from the Belgrade-Thessaloniki train attacked by NATO could be estimated to be between 30 and 50.
Protests against the NATO aggression: reports from Banja Luka, Doboj, Brcko, Belgrade, Vienna, Thessaloniki.
The CoM co-chair, Svetozar Mihajlovic said that last night’s consultation meeting decided that Mladen Ivanic was no longer the PM candidate. Consultations will continue Monday.
SRS RS held press conference in Banja Luka today.
Radical party of the RS issued a press release.
Youth of all political parties will organise a football tournament to support the people of the FRY.
RS Veterans Organisation issued a press release.