OHR SRT News Summary, 23 May 1999 - Office of the High Representative

Electric Power System and Civilian Facilities in Serbia Again Targeted By NATO Bombers
International Diplomacy Still Between Support for Air Raids and Demands for Political Solution of Crisis
Monument Dedicated to Killed RS Pilots Revealed
Johanes Rhau, New President of Germany

Electric power system was damaged again in Serbia. During the night and day the NATO bombers shelled the areas of Belgrade, Sabac, Kursumlija, Leskovac and several aims in the territory of Kosovo.

British Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Loyd, stated that important negotiations on Kosovo between the EU, USA and Russia, will be held next week in Russia.

FRY Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jovanovic, told the Greek daily “Excusiat” that Yugoslavia has a constructive stand towards the plan of the Group 8, which can be used as the basis for solving of the Kosovo crisis.

US President, Clinton, considers that the Russian troops should participate in the international forces in Kosovo, and emphasizes that NATO should be the core of those forces.

Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dini, stated that the war in Yugoslavia can only be stopped by passing of a UN resolution, and not by sending of NATO land troops.

HR, Westendorp stated that he thinks that the conflict in Kosovo will not be solved if the land troops are not sent.

According to Tanjug, and reported by the “Sunday Times”, British PM, Blair, was accused of attempt of intrusion in the process which the British police has against Ratko Knezevic, close adviser of Milo Djukanovic.

As reported by Beta, Leader of the National Front of France, Le Pen, stated that he is deeply shocked by systematic and repeated bombing of civilian aims in the FRY.

Tanjug reports that Greek PM, Simitis, today condemned exaggerated simplifying of the Kosovo problem, prevailing in Europe, and he explained that it reflects lack of knowledge about the Balkan region.

According to Beta, Ambassador of Italy in Croatia, Billapoco, assessed in a statement to Split daily “Feral Tribune”, that the turn in the Kosovo crisis will be a resolution of the UN Security Council. In the case of agreement, NATO should suspend its air raids, said Billapoco.

Hungary will not allow land invasion of NATO on Yugoslavia, from its territory, said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Martonji. He emphasized that his country has to keep in mind the 300,000 Hungarians in Vojvodina.

“Bill Clinton is Aggressor”, writes the Bulgarian daily “Duma”.

Vice Chairman of the American Institute for International Politics, “Gato”, Carpenter, stated that Serbia is the fourth independent state bombed by Clinton in the last 7 months and therefore America became the “robber of the planet”.

Skoplje weekly “Danas” claims that there are serious differences between the allies, with regard to further war against Yugoslavia. According to Tanjug, “Danas” states that the one word for today’s activities of NATO is “cowardice”.

According to Tanjug, respectable Zimbabve daily “Sunday Mail” states that NATO usurped the right to be the prosecutor, the judge and the executor in the case of Yugoslavia and several other countries.

As reported by Tanjug, Spanish daily “El Pais” today writes that NATO admits that they are using ammunition with depleted uranium in the war against Yugoslavia.

Commenting on the official confirmation by the Minister of Defence, Sera, that 6 Spanish planes for the first time led the NATO squadron in the raids on Yugoslavia, Spanish daily “El Mundo” reports, according to Tanjug, that this is “wriggling of the government” as this participation is unconstitutional.

British “Sunday Times” states that at least 18,000 soldiers will be sent to Balkans within the next 8 weeks, reports Beta.

Tanjug reports that a delegation of Kosovo refugees who hid in Macedonia from NATO bombing, returned displeased from Albania, where they went for a reconnaissance mission.

Croatian President Tudjman, suggested a solution of Kosovo crisis, according to which the FRY Army would withdraw to the north of Kosovo, where the peace would be guaranteed by the Russian forces, while international peace forces would be introduced in the rest of the area, to ensure return of refugees.

Deputy Commander of NATO forces in Macedonia, Italian General Giovanetti, stated that invasion of land troops on Kosovo is excluded because it would be dangerous even if only 100 Serb soldiers would remain in the area.

At today’s NATO press conference in Brussels, NATO Spokesman, Shea, admitted that the military barracks “Kosare” was shelled by mistake, with an explanation that NATO was not aware that the KLA occupied these barracks. General Jertz stated that 652 combat flights were carried out last night.

Throughout the RS, the citizens are still protesting against NATO aggression on the FRY, which has been going on since March 24th. (Brcko)

President of the BiH Presidency, Radisic, stated at today’s celebration of 55th anniversary of forming of the First Krajina Proletariat Partisan Brigade in the Prijedor surroundings, that NATO leaders attacked the apple of the Serb people’s eye, by attacking Kosovo.

Laying of electric cables today symbolically marked beginning of construction of 70 houses in Modrica for Serb DPs who decided to remain in that municipality.

OHR Spokeswoman, Stiglmeyer announced that additional sanctions and penalties will be introduced for Sarajevo, if the plan for return of 20,000 non-Muslim refugees is not realized, as provided by the Sarajevo Declaration.