UN Secretary-General Announces Humanitarian Assessment Mission to Kosovo

Strategic Insights -

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has announced a humanitarian assessment mission to Kosovo province in Yugoslavia, aimed at permitting the return of refugees in a secure environment. Annan met with Russia's Balkans envoy, Viktor Chernomyrdin, to discuss the withdrawal of Yugoslav forces from Kosovo and the deployment of an international military force. The mission would be a crucial step towards resolving the crisis, but Russia and China have expressed varying levels of support for the proposal.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Secretary-General has announced a humanitarian assessment mission to Kosovo province in Yugoslavia, with the aim of permitting the return of refugees in a secure environment.
  • The mission would be a crucial step towards resolving the crisis, but its success depends on the withdrawal of Yugoslav forces from Kosovo and the deployment of an international military force.
  • Russia and China have expressed varying levels of support for the proposal, with Russia agreeing to be part of the peacekeeping mission and China firmly opposing any attempt to impose a resolution on Yugoslavia.
  • The UN Security Council has identified several areas for further consultations with countries concerned, including the composition, nature, and strength of the international military force.
  • The envoys appointed by the Secretary-General would work closely with the Russian Federation to move the political process forward.
  • Viktor Chernomyrdin, Russia's Balkans envoy, has agreed to return to Moscow before resuming his shuttle diplomacy to resolve the conflict.

Statistics:

  • The humanitarian assessment mission to Kosovo would be a crucial step towards resolving the crisis, with a reported 40-minute meeting between Kofi Annan and Viktor Chernomyrdin to discuss the proposal.
  • The international military force would need to be credible to assure the safety of the refugees, with Annan implying that the peacekeepers must be armed.
  • China's ambassador to the United Nations, Qin Huasun, has emerged as the strongest opponent of the proposal, opposing any attempt to impose a resolution on Yugoslavia.

Sources:

  • United Press International (1999)
  • United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan
  • Russia's Balkans envoy Viktor Chernomyrdin
  • China's ambassador to the United Nations Qin Huasun