Return of Kosovar Refugees Imminent as Serb Forces Leave Kosovo
Kosovar refugees who fled their homes in the face of ethnic cleansing by Serb forces are on the cusp of returning to Kosovo, Yugoslavia, after President Bill Clinton announced that Serb troops are vacating the region. As the NATO-led troops begin to enter Kosovo to protect the refugees, the international community is working to clear landmines and ensure the safe return of those displaced by the conflict.
Key Takeaways:
- President Clinton reveals that Serb forces who drove Kosovar refugees from their homes are leaving Kosovo, paving the way for their return.
- NATO-led troops are beginning to enter Kosovo to protect the refugees.
- The international community is working to clear landmines in homes, community buildings, along roads, and bridges to ensure safe return.
- President Clinton asks Kosovar refugees not to let their leaders break their spirits and hearts, urging them to seek justice through law for the perpetrators of these crimes.
- The President appeals to the international community to provide aid in Albania and Macedonia, where refugees have been sheltered, and to seek stability and assistance for these countries.
- The President calls for an end to ethnic cleansing and the beginning of a Kosovo where every child can attend school, every family can practice its faith, and every community can live a normal life in peace.
Statistics:
- The President announces that the time of return for Kosovar refugees is near, with Serb forces leaving Kosovo.
- An estimated number of landmines in Kosovo is not mentioned in the text, but the task of clearing them is highlighted as a priority for the safe return of the refugees.
- The President mentions the need for food, water, and shelter to meet the needs of the returning refugees.
Sources:
- A transcript of President Clinton's address to Kosovar refugees on June 12, 1999, videotaped in the Roosevelt Room at the White House for broadcast on the U.S. Information Agency WORLDNET in the Balkan region.