NATO Admits "Hundreds of Innocent Casualties" in Yugoslavia, Escalates Criticism of Serb Actions

Strategic Insights -

As the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) air strikes continue in Yugoslavia, Secretary of Defense William Cohen has accused Serb President Slobodan Milosevic and his troops of using "crocodile tears" to deflect criticism of their actions. Cohen's comments come as a 15-member U.N. team arrives in Belgrade to assess the impact of the war on Kosovo, a province devastated by the conflict.

The U.N. team, scheduled to meet with Milosevic today, will be the first to directly observe the ravaged province since NATO's air war began on March 24. The team's 12-day mission aims to evaluate the effects of the conflict and potentially pave the way for a resolution to the crisis. Meanwhile, NATO continues to target areas in Kosovo, including Prizren, the second-largest town in the province. The alliance has also acknowledged reports of civilian casualties, with Cohen stating that "there's no level to which Milosevic and his troops won't sink in terms of using refugees as human shields."

The situation on the ground is dire, with thousands of refugees forced to flee their homes and seek shelter in neighboring countries. News reports suggest that the Joint Chiefs of Staff have urged Secretary Cohen to consider committing ground troops to "guarantee fulfillment of the administration's political objectives." The decision is time-sensitive, as over 600,000 refugees must be helped to return home before snows begin in October.

Key Takeaways:

  • NATO has admitted to causing "perhaps hundreds of innocent casualties" in Yugoslavia.
  • Secretary of Defense William Cohen has accused Serb President Slobodan Milosevic and his troops of using "crocodile tears" to deflect criticism of their actions.
  • A 15-member U.N. team has arrived in Belgrade to assess the impact of the war on Kosovo.
  • The U.N. team will attempt to evaluate the effects of the conflict and potentially pave the way for a resolution to the crisis.
  • NATO has acknowledged reports of civilian casualties and accused Serb forces of using refugees as human shields.
  • The Joint Chiefs of Staff have urged Secretary Cohen to consider committing ground troops to "guarantee fulfillment of the administration's political objectives."
  • Over 600,000 refugees must be helped to return home before snows begin in October.

Statistics:

  • "Perhaps hundreds of innocent casualties" have been caused by NATO's air strikes in Yugoslavia.
  • 15-member U.N. team has arrived in Belgrade to assess the impact of the war on Kosovo.
  • The U.N. team's 12-day mission will mark the world body's first direct look at the ravaged province since NATO's air war began on March 24.
  • Over 600,000 refugees must be helped to return home before snows begin in October.
  • NATO has acknowledged reports of civilian casualties, with Cohen stating that "there's no level to which Milosevic and his troops won't sink in terms of using refugees as human shields."

Sources:

  • "Face the Nation" (CBS)
  • "Meet the Press" (NBC)
  • Newsweek magazine
  • Associated Press