Sign in Subscribe
Milosevic, Slobodan

NATO on Brink of Military Action Against Serbia

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As tensions escalate in the Kosovo crisis, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has authorized military action against Serbia if President Slobodan Milosevic does not comply with the Rambouillet accord. Richard Holbrooke, the US envoy, delivered a "final warning" to Milosevic during a four-hour meeting in Belgrade, but the Yugoslav leader appeared to reject the peace proposals. The talks have reached a critical juncture, with NATO sources indicating that about 22% of Kosovo's population has been displaced, and Serb forces continue to push south through the Drenica heartland, leaving thousands of Albanians at risk.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US envoy, Richard Holbrooke, delivered a "final warning" to Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic during a four-hour meeting in Belgrade, urging him to accept the Rambouillet accord.
  • Milosevic appeared to reject the peace proposals, calling for "genuine political negotiations" and warning that imposing a solution by force would have consequences.
  • NATO sources believe that about 22% of Kosovo's two million population has been displaced, with Serb forces continuing to push south through the Drenica heartland.
  • General Wesley Clark, NATO's Supreme Commander, has threatened to "strike in a swift and severe fashion" if Holbrooke returns from Belgrade empty-handed.
  • British Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac have agreed that NATO would have no choice but to bomb Serb targets unless Belgrade backed down.
  • US President Bill Clinton has insisted that the US still seeks a "peaceful solution," but warned that NATO plans would move forward if Milosevic chooses aggression over peace.
  • A meeting of NATO ambassadors has given the Secretary-General, Javier Solana, the right to authorize attacks on Serb air defenses, as well as targets throughout the country.
  • Russia's Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov has warned that Moscow remains "categorically against the use of force" and may cancel his planned visit to Washington.

Statistics:

  • 22% of Kosovo's population (about 440,000 people) has been displaced.
  • 400 aircraft are ready to launch strikes, including B-52 bombers and F-117 radar-evading Stealth fighters.
  • NATO has US submarines and surface ships capable of firing cruise missiles.
  • The town of Srbica has seen hundreds of local people stream out towards Mitrovica, with many more likely to flee as Serb forces continue to push south.

Sources:

  • Belgrade Television
  • US Delegation in Belgrade
  • European sources cited in The Times of London
  • Statement by General Wesley Clark, NATO's Supreme Commander
  • Remarks by US President Bill Clinton
  • Remarks by British Prime Minister Tony Blair
  • Remarks by French President Jacques Chirac
  • Statement by Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov

Read more