President Clinton Orders Release of Two Yugoslav Soldiers in Kosovo Conflict

Strategic Insights -

President Clinton has ordered the release of two Yugoslav soldiers captured in Kosovo last month, a move that highlights the complexities of the ongoing conflict. The two low-ranking soldiers were being held at an American base in Mannheim, Germany, and were to be returned to Belgrade. The decision was made by President Clinton, who had always intended to repatriate the soldiers, and was not a reciprocal gesture for the earlier release of three American soldiers by Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. The move comes as NATO officials continue to press their campaign against Serbian forces in Kosovo, with weekend attacks targeting Serbian artillery and armor.

Key Takeaways:

  • The two Yugoslav soldiers are to be released as early as Monday and returned to Belgrade.
  • The decision was made by President Clinton, who had always intended to repatriate the soldiers.
  • The release is not a reciprocal gesture for the earlier release of three American soldiers by President Slobodan Milosevic of Yugoslavia.
  • NATO officials continue to press their campaign against Serbian forces in Kosovo, with weekend attacks targeting Serbian artillery and armor.
  • There is evidence that Serbian forces have been using civilians as human shields, with reports of refugees being herded into areas near military targets.
  • NATO officials have acknowledged attacking a site in Kosovo, where over 80 civilians may have died, but claim the strike was directed against a military compound.
  • There are reports that the Yugoslav Army has been stopping refugees as they try to enter Albania from Montenegro, where the Government has leaned toward the West and opposed Milosevic's tactics in Kosovo.
  • Apache helicopters sent to Albania weeks ago have not yet been deployed against Serbian forces, despite General Wesley K. Clark's exhortations to deploy them.

Statistics:

  • Over 80 civilians may have died in a NATO air raid on a site in Kosovo's Korisa village.
  • Six Serbian tanks were hit in NATO's sorties on the previous night.
  • Seven busloads of refugees were refused crossing into Albania on Saturday.
  • More than 20 men were led away by the Yugoslav Army from the group of refugees trying to enter Albania.

Sources:

  • NBC News
  • ABC News
  • Pentagon spokesman Kenneth H. Bacon
  • Administration officials
  • NATO spokesman Jamie P. Shea
  • Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen
  • The Associated Press