Posted on 03/18/2004 11:04:59 AM PST by DTA
The Current Situation in Serbia
D. Kathleen Stephens, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs
Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Europe, House International Relations Committee
Washington, DC
March 17, 2004
Thank you for inviting me to testify before your committee today, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to have this opportunity to share with you some of the transformations that are taking place today in the Republic of Serbia – to share how far we have come in our relationship, to underscore our continued commitment to a stable and prosperous Serbia and to outline the serious challenges that remain before us.
...Kosovo
Overcoming a legacy of war crimes is not the only challenge that the current leaders of Serbia inherited from the Milosevic regime. Since the conclusion of the 1999 NATO campaign, Kosovo has been administered by the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). UNSCR 1244 called for the establishment of an interim administration for overseeing the development of provisional democratic self-governing institutions to ensure conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants in Kosovo.
The United States government does not support any particular future status outcome for Kosovo. Instead, we are focused on achieving eight standards identified by the United Nations in 2002 as critical for Kosovo's democratic development. These standards are the same we would expect any modern, European society to achieve. The standards address rule of law, functioning democratic institutions, freedom of movement, sustainable returns and the rights of minority communities, the economy, property rights, a dialogue with Belgrade, and the Kosovo Protection Corps.
The United States and our Contact Group partners (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the EU) have proposed setting a Review Date to evaluate Kosovo's progress towards meeting the internationally-endorsed standards outlined by UNMIK. Under Secretary Marc Grossman rolled out the Review Date strategy with UN SRSG Harri Holkeri and the Contact Group during his visit to the Balkans in November 2003.
The first comprehensive review will occur around mid-2005, and earlier if progress warrants it. If the review is positive, then the international community would be prepared to begin a process -- as yet undefined -- to determine Kosovo’s future status. If the review is negative, we will set a subsequent Review Date. The Review Date process gives shape and focus to the UN-endorsed policy of "standards before status." Its timetable strengthens the will and the ability of the international community and Kosovo to build institutions in Kosovo consistent with international standards for democracy, tolerance and rule of law.
We have not ruled out any future status outcome. But the outcome must be one that enhances regional stability. The leaders and people of Serbia play a major role in this process. A stable, democratic, multi-ethnic Kosovo is in the interest of Serbia and Montenegro and the entire region. Belgrade’s playing a constructive role – for example, supporting the review date process and participating in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue – is the surest route to ensuring satisfactory resolutions for the issues of greatest concern to the Serbian public: the return of persons displaced from their homes, the security of Serbs living in Kosovo and protection of minority rights. These are also concerns for the UN and for the Contact Group, concern reflected in UNMIK’s Standards for Kosovo.
Serbia hosts the largest number of displaced persons in the region – over 500,000 refugees and IDPs within its borders. Approximately 225,000 of this number are ethnic Serbs who left homes in Kosovo. Although displaced persons have returned to Kosovo at a steadily increasing pace each year since 2000, the overall number of returns is very small. Fewer than 10,000 displaced minorities have returned to Kosovo. Violence against Serbs has declined dramatically since 1999, but the appalling murders of Serbs in Obilic and Gorazdevac in 2003 and in Lipljan in February are compelling evidence that much work remains to be done. We urge all the citizens of Kosovo to cooperate fully with UNMIK, KFOR and the Kosovo Police Service, so that the perpetrators of these crimes can be brought to justice and all residents of Kosovo can enjoy the right to live in a safe and secure environment.
...[End] Released on March 18, 2004
Statement is released TODAY.
On March 16 Ms. Stephens met with KLA terrorist chief Hashim Thaqi and praised his contribution to Kosovo peace efforts.
Is this statement a grave miscalculation or GREEN LIGHT FOR TERRORIST ATTACKS?
Published today.
MARCH 17: US servicemen from Camp Bondsteel and Bosnia appreciated Ms. Stephens effort
They really don't appear to be doing much battling. The ethnic cleansing and burning of homes and churches is being allowed to happen as some sort of final solution for the Serb problem. Evil always seems to win in the Balkans these days, doesn't it?
Freeper was present when W landed in Baghdad, chances are there are lurkers here who are on the ground in Kosovo. Perhaps they can comment what is going on right now in Ceglavica.
Something like inter-Serbian Munchen? Well, back in 1938, the whole Czechoslovakia was betrayed and given to Hitler... and Poland was divided between Stalin and Hitler in 1939... Did this appalling appeasment stop the Nazis from attacking the rest?
Appeasement of the Islamo-Nazis won't work any better. Mohammedans must be stopped, whatever hard decisions we'll have to make for that.
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