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Milosevic, Slobodan

Britain Remains Ready to Use Force in Kosovo, Despite International Opposition

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

British Foreign Secretary Mr. Robin Cook has indicated that the UK remains prepared to use force to stop the bloodshed in Kosovo, despite opposition from Russia and China. Cook played down statements from Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Igor Ivanov and Chinese officials, suggesting that NATO already has the authority to take military action if a diplomatic solution cannot be found. Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Mr. George Robertson has postponed a trip to Kuwait to address the Kosovo crisis in Britain. Cook emphasized that the use of force is a last resort, but insisted that it would be used if Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic remains intransigent.

Key Takeaways:

  • Britain is prepared to use force to stop the bloodshed in Kosovo, despite opposition from Russia and China.
  • NATO already has the authority to take military action if a diplomatic solution cannot be found, according to Mr. Cook.
  • Defence Secretary Mr. George Robertson has postponed a trip to Kuwait to address the Kosovo crisis in Britain.
  • Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic has been warned that he will face consequences if he does not comply with a UN resolution to stop the hostilities and allow refugees to return home.
  • The use of force is seen as a last resort, but it will be used if Milosevic remains intransigent, according to Mr. Cook.
  • US special envoy Mr. Richard Holbrooke has warned that Nato is gearing up for military action if peace talks prove fruitless.
  • Nato war planes are in a high state of readiness and can be deployed at short notice, according to a Brussels-based Nato spokesperson.
  • The UN Security Council has debated the situation in Kosovo, with members expressing concern over the "appalling atrocities" committed by Yugoslav forces.
  • President Milosevic has condemned threats of military action from Nato as a "criminal act" that would favor separatist ethnic Albanian guerrillas.

Statistics:

  • 50,000 people are living in the open in Kosovo, with thousands of them at risk of dying when winter sets in, according to UN Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan's report.
  • Nato is preparing for military action, with war planes in a high state of readiness and able to be deployed at short notice.
  • The UN Security Council has debated the situation in Kosovo, with members expressing concern over the "appalling atrocities" committed by Yugoslav forces.
  • The Dayton peace agreement that ended the Bosnian war in 1995 was brokered by US special envoy Mr. Richard Holbrooke.

Sources:

  • "Foreign Secretary vows to use force to end Kosovo crisis" (BBC News)
  • "Nato on high alert for Kosovo" (BBC News)
  • "Russia and China oppose air strikes against Yugoslavia" (BBC News)
  • "UN Security Council debates Kosovo report" (BBC News)

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