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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
April 6, 1999

BELGRADE’S CEASE-FIRE INSUFFICIENT

As President Clinton and Secretary Albright have stated, NATO's current military action against the FRY is in support of the political aim of the international community: a peaceful, multi-ethnic, democratic Kosovo in which all its people live in security.

The cease-fire by the Yugoslav Army in its operations against the KLA, called by Belgrade authorities, does not cover the activities of Serb police and paramilitaries. Belgrade’s proposal provides an insufficient basis for achieving the international community’s objective cited above.

Specifically, the United States and its Allies believe that Belgrade's proposal leaves unanswered the following questions:

• Is Milosevic prepared for verifiable cessation of all combat activities and killings?

• Is Milosevic prepared to withdraw military, police, and paramilitary forces from Kosovo?

• Is Milosevic prepared to agree to the deployment of an international security force?

• Is Milosevic prepared to permit the unconditional return of all refugees and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid?

• And, finally, is Milosevic prepared to join in putting in place a political framework for Kosovo on the basis of the Rambouillet accords?

Belgrade’s proposal for a cease-fire will be without significance unless it is accompanied by positive answers to the above questions.

We look for such answers from Belgrade immediately.

We also call for the release of Dr. Rugova and all of his family, and an ability of the international community to meet with him outside Yugoslavia under conditions free of possible intimidation.

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