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Milosevic, Slobodan

Yugoslav Officials Announce Release of US Prisoners Amid Peace Negotiations

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As Yugoslavia's president, Slobodan Milosevic, met with Reverend Jesse Jackson, a surprise announcement was made that the US prisoners, including 21-year-old Stephen Gonzalez and two other American soldiers, would be released. The decision was met with jubilation from Jackson's delegation, who wept for joy and hugged each other. This development came on the heels of a joint Russian-Yugoslav peace proposal, which was rejected by NATO, and an announcement from NATO that the bombing campaign would be further intensified.

Key Takeaways:

  • The release of the US prisoners was announced by Yugoslavia's president, Slobodan Milosevic, after a meeting with Reverend Jesse Jackson.
  • The move was seen as a gesture of goodwill by Milosevic, who said his people would never accept the release of the prisoners while the NATO bombing continues.
  • Jackson had a surprise announcement of his own, stating that Milosevic would send a letter to President Clinton outlining his response to four basic concerns, including an end to violence in the province, the return of refugees, deployment of an armed international peacekeeping force, and a negotiated political solution.
  • The release of the prisoners was met with celebration by Jackson's delegation, who hugged each other and wept for joy.
  • The announcement comes after a joint Russian-Yugoslav peace proposal was rejected by NATO, and NATO announced that the bombing campaign would be further intensified.
  • A NATO bomb had hit a civilian bus earlier in the day, killing at least 23 people and injuring a rescue worker.
  • Jackson condemned the latest case of "collateral damage" in the air war against Yugoslavia, stating that mostly civilians are being killed, not military personnel.

Statistics:

  • 21-year-old Stephen Gonzalez, one of the American soldiers being held captive, will be among those released.
  • Bulgaria, Croatia, and the Czech Republic have agreed to send troops to contribute to an international peacekeeping force.
  • 25 Yugoslavians were killed by NATO bombs today, with mostly civilians being killed.
  • Three US soldiers, including Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone, Specialist Steven Gonzalez, and Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, will be released to Jackson's delegation tomorrow morning.
  • The soldiers will then travel over land to Zegreb, Croatia, and then fly to Germany, where they will be met by US officials.

Sources:

  • NPR's ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, Daniel Zwerdling
  • Gilbert Gonzalez, father of captive Stephen Gonzalez
  • Vivian Ramirez, mother of one of the captive soldiers
  • Slobodan Milosevic, President of Yugoslavia
  • Reverend Jesse Jackson
  • NPR's Sylvia Poggioli, reporting from Belgrade
  • Tanjug, official news agency of Yugoslavia
  • NATO officials at Brussels headquarters

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