Tensions Rise in Kosovo as Albright Visits Amid Looming Security Concerns

Strategic Insights -

Angry Serbian extremists on July 29th stormed the gates of an ancient monastery in Gracanica, Yugoslavia, while United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was in the area, rattling the fragile peace in the volatile region of Kosovo. Albright, accompanied by British paratroopers, had arrived at the 12th-century Gracanica Monastery to meet with Kosovo's Bishop Artemije and other priests, who were protecting the region's 30,000 remaining Serbs. The mob, fueled by anti-Albright sentiment, was demanding a "proper beating" for the Bishop and his fellow priests.

Key Takeaways:

  • The security situation in Kosovo remains precarious, with 100,000 Serbs fleeing Albanian reprisals since the NATO mission arrived.
  • Albanian rebels, led by Hashim Thaci, have been accused of maintaining secret detention camps in Kosovo, which NATO has yet to discover.
  • Kosovo's Bishop Artemije has expressed concerns over the lack of protection for Serbs in Kosovo, with Serbian church officials blaming NATO for not providing adequate security measures.
  • Secretary Albright's appeal for a democratic society based on tolerance and not revenge hit a note of discord with Kosovo's remaining Serbs, who are still reeling from the mass killings of 14 male farmers in the village of Gracko.
  • Albright's meeting with British Lt. Gen. Sir Mike Jackson and Hashim Thaci was aimed at reassuring the Serbs that NATO and U.N. forces were committed to their protection.
  • The Kosovo Liberation Army's (KLA) "interim government" has been recognized by Albright, who sees the KLA as a legitimate force in the region.
  • The use of force by Milosevic's regime, including the targeting of Kosovo's non-Albanian communities, poses a significant challenge to stability in the region.

Statistics:

  • Over 100,000 Serbs have fled Albanian reprisals in Kosovo since the NATO mission arrived.
  • 30,000 Serbs remain in Kosovo, protected by NATO forces.
  • 14 male farmers were killed in the village of Gracko on July 23rd, sparking concerns over security for the region's Serb population.
  • 500 Kosovo Liberation Army fighters are being held in secret detention camps, according to Serbian Orthodox Church officials.
  • 1,500 missing Albanian men are believed to be held in Serbian jails controlled by Milosevic.

Sources:

  • UPI (United Press International) - Copyright 1999 by United Press International. All rights reserved.
  • COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com) - News Provided by COMTEX