A TEST FOR THE US AND NATO

["D.R." <danica_razlag@usa.net>]

Analytical service

http://www.mediacenter.org.yu/english/as/2000/12/a041200e.asp

A TEST FOR THE US AND NATO (12/04/2000)

"Every realistic analyst and politician would agree there are reasons for
changing provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the
Military-technical Agreement that are not in the interest of stabilizing
conditions in Presevo and Bujanovac, says Dragan Vuksic referring to
continuing tensions in Southern Serbia 
There are many reasons for the strengthening of terrorism in Kosmet and
the transfer of terrorist and guerilla actions from the administrative
territory of Kosmet to the region of Presevo and Bujanovac."

The essence of the matter, however, lies in the dangerous provisions of
Resolution 1244 and the Kumanovo Military-technical Agreement that was
imposed on Milosevic and his regime (the 5km ground security zone
outside the administrative borders of Kosmet controlled only by lightly
armed police; the air security zone of 25 km which VJ aircraft cannot
enter; the Kfor Commander decides on the implementation of the
Agreement; Kfor has the right to use force in case of violations of
provisions and obligations etc). The Belgrade government is thereby in
practice prevented from influencing the conditions and relations in Kosovo
and exercising the sovereign right to defend and protect the security zone.

It was perfectly logical for the FRY to request the revision of those
provisions and their adapting to the current situation. However, the request
should have been addressed to the UN Security Council and not NATO, since the
controversial provisions are written into Resolution 1244.

NATO Secretary-General George Robertson's statements during his visit
to Kosovo and his answer to President Kostunica's letter are not
encouraging. Positions and statements that Kfor has no mandate to
enforce the law in the ground security zone; that a political solution
satisfactory to both sides must be found; that direct contacts between
Yugoslav and Serbian authorities and Presevo Albanians should be
encouraged, that a ceasefire of unlimited duration is in force and others
are calculated to avoid discussion on the essence of the problem.

At the same time, any reasonably realistic analyst and politician would
agree that there are reasons for correcting those provisions of Resolution
1244 and the Military-technical Agreement that are not in the interest of
stabilizing conditions in the region. Firstly, there is no more Milosevic.
The remnants of his dangerous policies should be removed as soon as
possible. One of these remnants are bad relations with international
factors, particularly the US and NATO. Secondly, it is more than clear
that Kfor and Unmik have not fulfilled their obligations in Kosmet, most
notably in relation to disarming Albanians and control of the administrative
border and Kosmet. Thirdly, the Albanian extremists have, in Milosevic, lost
an «enemy in the shape of an ally». Terrorism is their resort. Finally, the
situation in Southern Serbia was the last thing the new Belgrade government
needed. 

It is therefore realistic to conclude that the attitude of US and NATO
toward this problem will soon show whether they want cooperation, peace
and stability in the region or if they are (God forbid) acting according to
already prepared plans, regardless of theBelgrade's policy.

The author is Adviser to the Movement for Democratic Serbia 

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