Kosovo Update 12/08

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Kosovo Progress Report
Released by the Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC,
December 8, 1998

MILITARY

Cease-fire

The cease fire is generally holding, and conditions are gradually returning to normal in much of Kosovo. KDOM and diplomats from the international community have had increasing success in pressing both Serbian and Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) forces to respect the cease-fire and avoid confrontations, although concern remains over occasional violence and provocative actions by both sides. In order to reduce the possibility of violence, US KDOM observers are accompanying Serbian police patrols along certain routes in the Malisevo area.

Withdrawal of Forces

There has been substantial compliance with the requirements of the international community in terms of withdrawal of Serbian Army (VJ) and special police (MUP) forces, although the number of such forces remains too high. When KDOM notes a deployment or a patrol in violation of the agreement, they immediately bring it to the attention of Serbian commanders; most such violations have quickly been corrected.

Kosovo Diplomatic Observer Mission (KDOM)

More than 160 US Government personnel and US-contracted support specialists are now part of KDOM. Total KDOM personnel from the US, the UK, the European Union, Russia and Canada has risen to approximately 400. By gaining the confidence of all parties, KDOM has been increasingly effective in brokering agreements to avoid confrontations. US KDOM has also intervened to bring about the release of hostages held by both Serbs and Albanians.

Kosovo Verification Mission (KVM) Build-Up

International monitoring will become even more effective as the KVM takes over verification responsibilities from KDOM. KVM Director Amb. Walker now has approximately 280 staffers on the ground in Kosovo. The KVM induction center opened on November 24, and to date has trained approximately 125 verifiers. The OSCE plans to have all verifiers in place by January 30. KVM headquarters in Pristina became operational on November 30; the first regional center, in Prizren, is scheduled to open on December 15; all five regional centers should be open by January 10

NATO Extraction Force (XFOR)

On December 2, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia approved stationing of the NATO Extraction Force (XFOR) on its territory. The North Atlantic Council (NAC) approved the Activation Order (ACTORD) for the Extraction Force mission on December 4. NATO began deploying extraction force units into FYROM that same weekend. The Extraction Force will have two U.S., NATO-assigned officers working as liaision officers. Countries providing primary forces for stationing in FYROM: France, Italy, UK, Netherlands, Germany, and Canada.

NATO Air Verification Mission (AVM)

NATO approved the Activation Order (ActOrd) for the AVM on 10/30. Manned and unmanned surveillance flights, which began on 10/17, continue daily. The U.S. has conducted more than half of the AVM flights to date. The mission uses U.S. U-2, P-3, and Predator reconnaissance aircraft, along with substantial assets from NATO allies.

HUMANITARIAN

Access

Access for humanitarian NGO and international organization personnel continues to be excellent.

Return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

UNHCR and KDOM report that there are now 175,000 IDPs in Kosovo -- down from at least 250,000 at the height of the crisis. Virtually all of the 30-75,000 IDPs previously living in the open have now found shelter.

Humanitarian Assistance

As of December 1, the U.S. had provided $66 million in humanitarian assistance, with approximately $25 million to international organizations, and $41 million to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). There is now enough food in the pipeline to feed some 500,000 people through next summer. Although the most critical needs for food and shelter have been met, much remains to be accomplished: nutrition and immunization, winterization of homes, provision of medicines and medical care, and education for displaced children.

POLITICAL

Political Settlement

Amb. Hill remains actively engaged in shuttle diplomacy with both Serbian and Kosovar Albanian representatives, working hard to narrow the distance between the positions held by Belgrade and Pristina to reach an interim political settlement. State Department officials have also met with KLA leaders elsewhere in Europe to review security issues in Kosovo and the state of negotiations for a political settlement. The OSCE mission extends to supervising elections in Kosovo. An elections assessment mission from OSCE's Office of Democracy and Human Rights (ODIHR) visited Belgrade and Pristina from November 22 to 26. Both Serbian and Kosovar Albanian representatives welcomed ODIHR's involvement in supervising future elections.

ICTY

The international community continues to condemn Belgrade's refusal to permit International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Chief Prosecutor Arbour, Deputy Prosecutor Blewitt and a team from their office to travel to Kosovo to investigate allegations by both sides of war crimes.

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

MILITARY
Cease-fire	The cease fire is generally holding, and conditions are gradually returning to normal in much of Kosovo. KDOM and diplomats from the international community have had increasing success in pressing both Serbian and Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) forces to respect the cease-fire and avoid confrontations, although concern remains over occasional violence and provocative actions by both sides. In order to reduce the possibility of violence, US KDOM observers are accompanying Serbian police patrols along certain routes in the Malisevo area.
Withdrawal of Forces	There has been substantial compliance with the requirements of the international community in terms of withdrawal of Serbian Army (VJ) and special police (MUP) forces, although the number of such forces remains too high. When KDOM notes a deployment or a patrol in violation of the agreement, they immediately bring it to the attention of Serbian commanders; most such violations have quickly been corrected.
Kosovo Diplomatic Observer Mission (KDOM)	More than 160 US Government personnel and US-contracted support specialists are now part of KDOM. Total KDOM personnel from the US, the UK, the European Union, Russia and Canada has risen to approximately 400. By gaining the confidence of all parties, KDOM has been increasingly effective in brokering agreements to avoid confrontations. US KDOM has also intervened to bring about the release of hostages held by both Serbs and Albanians.
Kosovo Verification Mission (KVM) Build-Up	International monitoring will become even more effective as the KVM takes over verification responsibilities from KDOM. KVM Director Amb. Walker now has approximately 280 staffers on the ground in Kosovo. The KVM induction center opened on November 24, and to date has trained approximately 125 verifiers. The OSCE plans to have all verifiers in place by January 30. KVM headquarters in Pristina became operational on November 30; the first regional center, in Prizren, is scheduled to open on December 15; all five regional centers should be open by January 10
NATO Extraction Force (XFOR)	On December 2, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia approved stationing of the NATO Extraction Force (XFOR) on its territory. The North Atlantic Council (NAC) approved the Activation Order (ACTORD) for the Extraction Force mission on December 4. NATO began deploying extraction force units into FYROM that same weekend. The Extraction Force will have two U.S., NATO-assigned officers working as liaision officers. Countries providing primary forces for stationing in FYROM: France, Italy, UK, Netherlands, Germany, and Canada.
NATO Air Verification Mission (AVM)	NATO approved the Activation Order (ActOrd) for the AVM on 10/30. Manned and unmanned surveillance flights, which began on 10/17, continue daily. The U.S. has conducted more than half of the AVM flights to date. The mission uses U.S. U-2, P-3, and Predator reconnaissance aircraft, along with substantial assets from NATO allies.
HUMANITARIAN
Access	Access for humanitarian NGO and international organization personnel continues to be excellent.
Return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)	UNHCR and KDOM report that there are now 175,000 IDPs in Kosovo -- down from at least 250,000 at the height of the crisis. Virtually all of the 30-75,000 IDPs previously living in the open have now found shelter.
Humanitarian Assistance	As of December 1, the U.S. had provided $66 million in humanitarian assistance, with approximately $25 million to international organizations, and $41 million to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). There is now enough food in the pipeline to feed some 500,000 people through next summer. Although the most critical needs for food and shelter have been met, much remains to be accomplished: nutrition and immunization, winterization of homes, provision of medicines and medical care, and education for displaced children.
POLITICAL
Political Settlement	Amb. Hill remains actively engaged in shuttle diplomacy with both Serbian and Kosovar Albanian representatives, working hard to narrow the distance between the positions held by Belgrade and Pristina to reach an interim political settlement. State Department officials have also met with KLA leaders elsewhere in Europe to review security issues in Kosovo and the state of negotiations for a political settlement. The OSCE mission extends to supervising elections in Kosovo. An elections assessment mission from OSCE's Office of Democracy and Human Rights (ODIHR) visited Belgrade and Pristina from November 22 to 26. Both Serbian and Kosovar Albanian representatives welcomed ODIHR's involvement in supervising future elections.
ICTY	The international community continues to condemn Belgrade's refusal to permit International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Chief Prosecutor Arbour, Deputy Prosecutor Blewitt and a team from their office to travel to Kosovo to investigate allegations by both sides of war crimes.