KOSOVO: SECRETARY-GENERAL URGENTLY APPEALS TO THE YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES TO UNDERTAKE COMMITMENTS TO END THE CRISIS

SG/SM/99/95
9 April 1999

Secretary-General Urges North Atlantic Alliance to Suspend Bombings
Upon Yugoslav Acceptance of These Conditions


Following is the statement by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, as delivered at the Headquarters of the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva which is hosting the meeting of the Administrative Committee on Coordination. The statement was made today at 3:10 p.m.

“ I am deeply distressed by the tragedy taking place in Kosovo and in the region, which must be brought to an end. The suffering of innocent civilians should not be further prolonged. In this spirit, I urgently call upon the Yugoslav authorities to undertake the following commitments:

First, to end immediately the campaign of intimidation and expulsion of the civilian population;

Two, to cease all activities of military and paramilitary forces in Kosovo and to withdraw these forces;

Three, to accept unconditionally the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes;

Four, to accept the deployment of an international military force to ensure a secure environment for the return of the refugees and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid; and

Finally, to permit the international community to verify compliance with these undertakings.

Upon the acceptance by the Yugoslav authorities of these conditions, I urge the leaders of the North Atlantic Alliance to suspend immediately the air bombardments upon the territory of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Ultimately, the cessation of hostilities I propose is a prelude to a lasting political solution to the crisis, which can only be achieved through diplomacy. In this context, I would urge the resumption of talks on Kosovo among all parties concerned at the earliest possible moment.”