Kosovo Update 10/29/98

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Kosovo Progress Report
Released by the Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC,
October 29, 1998

MILITARY

Cease-fire

There were no confirmed reports of cease-fire violations today. A KDOM team met with senior Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) officials to explain the OSCE verification agreement and urge them to observe the cease-fire.

Withdrawal of Forces

There has been general continued progress on withdrawal of Serbian forces. KDOM confirms reports of Serbian police (MUP) withdrawal from the Drenica interior to stations in Glogovac, Srbica, Rudnik, and Lapusnik. Several reports of force increases remain to be investigated, however: New positions were established and increased police activity noted in the Lapusnik-Malisevo area. KDOM will investigate KLA allegations that the Serbian Army (VJ) has hidden 20 tanks in the woods around the Lapusnik area. Defense Attache teams verifying equipment drawdowns report that all Serbian Army equipment and personnel are accounted for; they will continue to inspect sites throughout Kosovo today. KDOM observed packing at the Air Defense Artillery Headquarters near Volujak, indicating possible preparation for redeployment to garrison; however, KDOM was denied access to the area. There have been regular sightings of mines and "booby traps" in areas evacuated by Serbian police and army. The KLA has taken an active role in disarming these devices; in other cases, KDOM has enlisted MUP or VJ help to disarm them.

Kosovo Diplomatic Observer Mission (KDOM) Surge

KDOM ran 15 missions yesterday, and is expected to focus on personnel training and vehicle maintenance today in advance of a surge of new verifiers in the next 2 days. The total verification mission has more than tripled in the past 2 weeks, to well over 150 people. The U.S. KDOM contingent is expecting the arrival of over 70 more verifiers tomorrow.

Kosovo Verification Mission (KVM) Build-Up

NATO is in advanced stages of planning for a force to be deployed to The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, to provide for the extraction of the OSCE KVM if necessary.

Air Verification Mission (AVM)

Manned and unmanned U.S. surveillance flights continue as NATO prepares to authorize the AVM.

HUMANITARIAN

Access Issues

Access for humanitarian NGOs continues to be excellent.

Return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

While reliable estimates are difficult, the number of IDPs without shelter is now reported to be down to 10,000-20,000 from a high of 50,000-70,000 several weeks ago. The UNHCR estimates a total of 150,000 IDPs in Kosovo. KDOM has observed increased road traffic, active villages and a return to daily life, including harvesting and hunting. "Booby traps" and mines are a deterrent to return in some areas, particularly around Drenica and the Pagarusa valley. In response to a KLA request for assistance in the safe return of 20,000 IDPs from Albania, KDOM contacted the UNHCR, which will take responsibility for this. The KLA confirmed that it is holding two Serbian Tanjug journalists, previously reported missing.

Humanitarian Surge

Relief agencies report that the threat of a humanitarian crisis is abating, as many IDPs are returning and attempting to resume their former lives. Two UN High Commissioner/World Food Program convoys delivered aid to IDPs in the Srbica and Stimlje areas. Deliveries included hygiene supplies, food packs, stoves, blankets, and clothes. Assistant Secretary of State Julia Taft will visit Kosovo and Montenegro through the coming weekend to assess humanitarian compliance and aid delivery, as well as to send a strong message to Serbian leaders on areas in which progress must be made.

POLITICAL

Political Settlement

Ambassador Hill met yesterday with the Kosovar Albanian negotiating team and other Kosovar Albanian leaders to advance the negotiation process. He also consulted with EU Special Kosovo envoy Ambassador Petritsch and U.S. officials in Pristina. He will be in Skopje today and tomorrow, while the team’s lawyer and other members continue consultations in Pristina.

Other

The international community continues to call on Belgrade to issue visas to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Chief Prosecutor Arbour, Deputy Prosecutor Blewitt, and a team from their office to enable them to investigate war crimes allegations. KDOM briefed senior KLA officials in Drenica on planned ICTY activities in Kosovo, and asked for KLA assistance in identifying witnesses, collecting evidence, and informing the local population of ICTY’s presence and activities.

Special Section on Kosovo Home Page
Office of the Special Representative
Bureau of European Affairs Home Page.
DOSFAN Home Page.

MILITARY
Cease-fire	There were no confirmed reports of cease-fire violations today. A KDOM team met with senior Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) officials to explain the OSCE verification agreement and urge them to observe the cease-fire.
Withdrawal of Forces	There has been general continued progress on withdrawal of Serbian forces. KDOM confirms reports of Serbian police (MUP) withdrawal from the Drenica interior to stations in Glogovac, Srbica, Rudnik, and Lapusnik. Several reports of force increases remain to be investigated, however: New positions were established and increased police activity noted in the Lapusnik-Malisevo area. KDOM will investigate KLA allegations that the Serbian Army (VJ) has hidden 20 tanks in the woods around the Lapusnik area. Defense Attache teams verifying equipment drawdowns report that all Serbian Army equipment and personnel are accounted for; they will continue to inspect sites throughout Kosovo today. KDOM observed packing at the Air Defense Artillery Headquarters near Volujak, indicating possible preparation for redeployment to garrison; however, KDOM was denied access to the area. There have been regular sightings of mines and "booby traps" in areas evacuated by Serbian police and army. The KLA has taken an active role in disarming these devices; in other cases, KDOM has enlisted MUP or VJ help to disarm them.
Kosovo Diplomatic Observer Mission (KDOM) Surge	KDOM ran 15 missions yesterday, and is expected to focus on personnel training and vehicle maintenance today in advance of a surge of new verifiers in the next 2 days. The total verification mission has more than tripled in the past 2 weeks, to well over 150 people. The U.S. KDOM contingent is expecting the arrival of over 70 more verifiers tomorrow.
Kosovo Verification Mission (KVM) Build-Up	NATO is in advanced stages of planning for a force to be deployed to The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, to provide for the extraction of the OSCE KVM if necessary.
Air Verification Mission (AVM)	Manned and unmanned U.S. surveillance flights continue as NATO prepares to authorize the AVM.
HUMANITARIAN
Access Issues	Access for humanitarian NGOs continues to be excellent.
Return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)	While reliable estimates are difficult, the number of IDPs without shelter is now reported to be down to 10,000-20,000 from a high of 50,000-70,000 several weeks ago. The UNHCR estimates a total of 150,000 IDPs in Kosovo. KDOM has observed increased road traffic, active villages and a return to daily life, including harvesting and hunting. "Booby traps" and mines are a deterrent to return in some areas, particularly around Drenica and the Pagarusa valley. In response to a KLA request for assistance in the safe return of 20,000 IDPs from Albania, KDOM contacted the UNHCR, which will take responsibility for this. The KLA confirmed that it is holding two Serbian Tanjug journalists, previously reported missing.
Humanitarian Surge	Relief agencies report that the threat of a humanitarian crisis is abating, as many IDPs are returning and attempting to resume their former lives. Two UN High Commissioner/World Food Program convoys delivered aid to IDPs in the Srbica and Stimlje areas. Deliveries included hygiene supplies, food packs, stoves, blankets, and clothes. Assistant Secretary of State Julia Taft will visit Kosovo and Montenegro through the coming weekend to assess humanitarian compliance and aid delivery, as well as to send a strong message to Serbian leaders on areas in which progress must be made.
POLITICAL
Political Settlement	Ambassador Hill met yesterday with the Kosovar Albanian negotiating team and other Kosovar Albanian leaders to advance the negotiation process. He also consulted with EU Special Kosovo envoy Ambassador Petritsch and U.S. officials in Pristina. He will be in Skopje today and tomorrow, while the team’s lawyer and other members continue consultations in Pristina.
Other	The international community continues to call on Belgrade to issue visas to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Chief Prosecutor Arbour, Deputy Prosecutor Blewitt, and a team from their office to enable them to investigate war crimes allegations. KDOM briefed senior KLA officials in Drenica on planned ICTY activities in Kosovo, and asked for KLA assistance in identifying witnesses, collecting evidence, and informing the local population of ICTY’s presence and activities.