Escalating Conflict in Kosovo: US Military Planning and Pressure on Serbia

Strategic Insights -

US Defense Secretary William S. Cohen confirmed yesterday that up to 100,000 ethnic Albanian men in Kosovo have disappeared and may have been executed by Serbian troops. The situation in Kosovo continues to deteriorate, with 1.5 million ethnic Albanians displaced through Serbia's campaign of ethnic cleansing. The US is intensifying its campaign against Serbia, with the Joint Chiefs of Staff pushing for ground troops to guarantee fulfillment of the administration's objectives. The deadline for the return of 600,000 Kosovo refugees is rapidly approaching, with the Joint Chiefs recommending that a ground war commence by August 1 and forces assemble by June 1.

Key Takeaways:

  • Up to 100,000 ethnic Albanian men may have been executed by Serbian troops, according to Defense Secretary William S. Cohen.
  • 1.5 million ethnic Albanians have been displaced through Serbia's campaign of ethnic cleansing.
  • The Joint Chiefs of Staff are recommending the deployment of ground troops to guarantee fulfillment of the administration's objectives.
  • The deadline for the return of 600,000 Kosovo refugees is rapidly approaching, with the Joint Chiefs recommending that a ground war commence by August 1 and forces assemble by June 1.
  • NATO's supreme commander, Gen. Wesley Clark, is ready to use Apache helicopters in the coming days, despite reports of disagreement within the Pentagon.
  • Two dozen Apache helicopters have been deployed in Albania since April 30, with two crashing during training flights and killing two crewmen.
  • The Pentagon has completed training and is ready to deploy the helicopters, but the timing of their use remains uncertain.
  • US Defense Secretary William S. Cohen has denounced Serbian officials' "crocodile tears" about civilians killed in NATO bombings, comparing them to Adolf Eichmann complaining about Allied forces bombing crematoriums.
  • The US Ambassador for war crimes, David Scheffer, had previously estimated that up to 4,600 Kosovar men have been murdered, with Secretary Cohen suggesting the number may be far higher.

Statistics:

  • 1.5 million ethnic Albanians displaced through Serbia's campaign of ethnic cleansing
  • Up to 100,000 ethnic Albanian men may have been executed by Serbian troops
  • 600,000 Kosovo refugees must return home before October's snows
  • 2 dozen Apache helicopters deployed in Albania since April 30
  • 2 Apache helicopters crashed during training flights, killing 2 crewmen
  • 54th day of the war in Kosovo
  • 100,000 military-aged men missing in Kosovo

Sources:

  • Defense Secretary William S. Cohen, CBS' "Face the Nation"
  • Newsweek, issue reaching newsstands today
  • NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana, Fox News Sunday
  • NATO spokesman Jamie Shea, CNN's "Late Edition"
  • US Ambassador for war crimes, David Scheffer, previously reported in April
  • Joint Chiefs of Staff, US Department of Defense
  • Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell, NBC