Serbia May Accept Nato's Demands for Peace in Yugoslav Air Campaign

Strategic Insights -

Nato says Serbia may be moving towards accepting its key demands for an end to the air campaign in Yugoslavia, after Belgrade reportedly accepted the "general principles" of a settlement put forward by the G8. The development comes after Russia's Balkan envoy, Viktor Chernomyrdin, left Belgrade saying he was "very satisfied" with his shuttle diplomacy. However, Nato's spokesperson, Jamie Shea, stressed that the absolute minimum sign of good faith from Belgrade would be the total withdrawal of Serbian police and military forces from Kosovo.

Key Takeaways:

  • Serbia has reportedly accepted the "general principles" of a settlement put forward by the G8, which includes Nato's five conditions for an end to the air campaign.
  • The conditions include a Serb pull-out, the return of refugees, a deal on an international peace force in Kosovo, and an agreement on Kosovo's future political status.
  • Nato's spokesperson, Jamie Shea, stated that the absolute minimum sign of good faith from Belgrade would be the total withdrawal of Serbian police and military forces from Kosovo.
  • Nato is also demanding the handover of indicted war criminals for prosecution, including Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, who has recently been indicted for crimes against humanity.
  • Diplomats and military experts believe that Milosevic may be playing for time or attempting to split Nato, but may ultimately want an agreement that will allow Serbia to save face.
  • The Kosovo Liberation Army has expanded its forces from about 5,000 to 15,000 fighters, thanks in part to Nato's air campaign.

Statistics:

  • 5,000: the number of fighters in the Kosovo Liberation Army before Nato's air campaign.
  • 15,000: the current number of fighters in the Kosovo Liberation Army.
  • Nato values: Nato's estimated value of the damage done to Yugoslav communication and transportation systems in the air campaign.

Sources:

  • The Financial Times, 5 March 1999
  • BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend
  • International Herald Tribune, 6 March 1999
  • The Sun, 6 March 1999