(29 Jan 1999) English/Nat
President Bill Clinton on Friday declared the U-S and its allies were united behind an international military and political strategy pressuring Serbs to end their assault in Kosovo.
Clinton spoke after Secretary of State Madeleine Albright agreed a two-step plan for achieving a negotiated settlement to the Kosovo problem by mid-February, with Britain, France, Germany, Russia and Italy.
Under the plan, Yugoslavia would grant substantial autonomy to the ethnic Albanians who make up about 90 per cent of Kosovo's population.
The Serbs would also have to reduce levels of troops and special police units in the war-torn province.
It stipulates the British foreign secretary and French foreign minister would chair negotiations between Milosevic's Yugoslav government and representatives of the ethnic Albanians, beginning on February 6th.
President Clinton said the plan offered a chance for the opposing sides to bring an end to the escalating crisis in Kosovo.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"You remember that two weeks ago there was a massacre in the village of Racak. After that we insisted that the Serbian authorities stop their repression and meet their commitments. Today, Secretary Albright forged an agreement with our Contact Group allies, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Russia, on a common strategy to achieve compliance with the rules of the international community. With our allies in NATO we stand ready to back that strategy with the threat of forces. Our goal is not merely to respond to the recent atrocities in Kosovo, but to help resolve the conflict, so that the violence can end for good. The Contact Group has now approved the terms of an interim agreement that would do just that, by protecting the rights of all the people of Kosovo and giving them the self-government they clearly deserve. Both sides now have the opportunity to stop a war that neither side can win and to start building a better future for all the people by peaceful means. To that end, the international community has sent a clear message to the authorities in Belgrade. The time for denial and delay is past. NATO is united and ready to act if you don't."
SUPER CAPTION: President Clinton, U-S President
The assertion that the threat of military action remains is likely to be welcomed by those looking to the U-S to lead the way on the Kosovo issue.
A group of influential Washington voices on foreign policy have published an open letter to Clinton asserting that strong U-S leadership is required to bring about an end to alleged atrocities by Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.
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