06.05.1999

OHR SRT News Summary, 6 May 1999

image_pdfimage_print

  • Diplomatic initiatives for the solution of Kosmet crisis marked the day.
  • World media report: FRY and US standpoints regarding the presence of international forces in Kosmet become closer.
  • NATO aggression causes 100 billion dollars worth of damage, warns the FRY Association of trade unions.
  • “Demand immediate ban on further engagement of armed forces of NATO countries in the aggression against the FRY”, appeals the RS NA speaker, Petar Djokic, in his letter to the parliaments of European countries.
  • RS Government expects one billion dollars from the forthcoming Donors’ conference.

FRY president Milosevic is now closer to accepting NATO demands for the solution of Kosovo crisis, said US president Bill Clinton, and “Beta” reported.

G8 foreign ministers agreed on joint strategy for the solution of Kosmet crisis, “Reuters” reports.

Russian president Boris Yeltsin said his envoy Viktor Chernomyrdin managed to bring the positions of NATO and the FRY president closer, Russian agencies report, and “Beta” carries.

Russian envoy Chernomyrdin said Russia will continue working with all parties to reach peace in the FRY.

US secretary of state Madeleine Albright and Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov met in Petersburg near Bonn to discuss Russian diplomatic initiatives and political solutions for Kosovo, “Beta” reports.

Former US presidential candidate Rev. Jesse Jackson said for CNN that US president Clinton agreed to temporarily suspend air strikes and, at some point, meet with FRY president Milosevic, “Reuters” reports and “Beta” carries.

China expressed bitterness over continued NATO air strikes.

FRY ambassador to the UN Vladislav Jovanovic protested against bombardment of civilians in Yugoslavia and accused NATO of causing humanitarian disaster, “Beta” reports.

NATO fighter planes bombed only civilian targets in Lipljan and Pristina last night. Fuel tanks were hit in Nis and Prahovo. Novi Sad, Uzice and Kraljevo were also attacked. (followed by correspondents’ reports from Pristina and Belgrade).

Secretary-general of the International Journalists’ Federation from Brussels Aiden White completed his visit to Belgrade, demanding NATO stops bombing the media houses in Yugoslavia.

Report on life in Belgrade.

RS NA speaker Petar Djokic, following up on the RS NA Declaration condemning NATO aggression, sent a letter to the parliaments of NATO member countries (letter read in full).

US House of Representatives will today vote on financing the air campaign against Yugoslavia, “Beta” reports.

NATO strategists think potential Kosovo peace force should be significantly larger than the previously planned 28,000 troops, perhaps even 200,000 troops.

Commentaries from London’s “Times”, “Washington Post” and “New York Times”.

Japanese Government will not send its troops to Kosovo.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata said hundreds of thousands of Albanian refugees will not return to Kosovo unless secured by international forces.

At today’s press conference, General Walter Jertz said NATO had destroyed 20 % of Yugoslav military machinery in Kosovo. He could not confirm that the Yugoslav army had blocked Montenegrin ports. Spokesman Jamie Shea said the decision by the Macedonian Government to close borders with the FRY would not resolve the refugee problems. He added NATO had understanding for Macedonia which takes care of 250,000 Albanian refugees. 2,000 Albanians leave Macedonia and Albania for third countries every day. Shea also said NATO still had not reached its basic goal, since the ethnic cleansing had not stopped.

Russian ministry for fuel and energy confirmed they will not stop previously arranged delivery of oil to FRY.

Decision by the FRY president Milosevic to allow the most influential Kosovo Albanian leader, Ibrahim Rugova to leave the country may be the most critical event affecting NATO strategy in Kosovo, AP reports.

Ibrahim Rugova told the Italian PM Massimo D’Alema that he still supports suspension of bombing, Rambouillet agreement and deployment of peace force providing for autonomy of Kosovo.

US secretary of state, Madeleine Albright warned the Italian foreign minister, Lamberto Dini of the possibility that Rugova will travel Europe repeating “stop the bombing”, causing splits in the Western alliance.

“Financial Times” comments that Ibrahim Rugova’s arrival to Rome may be Milosevic’s way of opening doors for another diplomatic initiative led by Rome and the Vatican.

The German parliament wishes to know what German aims are in the air strikes against the FRY, and why civilian targets are increasingly attacked, claims “Die Welt”.

Protest rallies against the NATO bombing will be held in Berlin on Saturday, “Tanjug” reports.

Bulgarian “Duma” daily wrote against the permission given to NATO for the use of Bulgarian air space for the aggression on Yugoslavia.

So-called KLA finances its activities through the sale of narcotics, claims the “Washington Times”.

French foreign minister, Hubert Vedrine stated France had supplied intelligence and military documentation to the ICTY.

RS Government held a session today, discussing preparations for the Donors’ conference.

Report from the border crossings between the RS and FRY.

Report on returns to Lusci Palanka.

HR Carlos Westendorp said an international protectorate for a period of five years is the only solution for Kosovo.

FBiH related news.

World news.