REPUBLIC OF KOSOVA
Government of the Republic

Phone + 49 228 955850
Fax + 49 228 354536

March 21, 1998
STATEMENT

The Government of the Republic of Kosova expresses its concern with regard to the
Statement of the President of Serbia on 18 March 1998 on the Serbian-Albanian talks.
What can be noted in that statement is the well-known Serb political refrain, according to
which Kosova is allegedly part of Serbia, that the question of Kosova is its internal
problem. The Statement further lists all unacceptable positions with pre-conditions for an
open and constructive dialogue. The whole statement about the readiness of Serbia for
dialogue, for the use of peaceful means, for the respect on its part of all standards
enshrined in international charters and conventions, is cloaked in a demagogical
language, characterised by high political cynicism typical of that regime. Because the
reality speaks totally contrary to what that statement says, rump Yugoslavia is the only one
to be suspended for six years now from the international institutions.

The statement and desire of Belgrade to implement what it propagates only on paper has
been amply demonstrated in the eyes of the whole world with the 300 thousand victims in
Bosnia alone, and with over 100 killed in Kosova only during the recent two weeks. Calls
for dialogue without damaging delays, according to the Serbian statement, but under the
bullets of Belgrade, under the conditions of martial law and state terrorism against two
million Albanians, is sheer cynicism and a propaganda farce which can enthuse only the
naïves. In this context, the enthusiasm displayed by certain European foreign ministers vis
a vis this statement seem to be fully unjustified.

The Government of the Republic of Kosova considers these stands as unacceptable and
maintains that they do not serve to channel the question of Kosova on the path of peaceful
negotiations. The question of Kosova is a major and complex political problem which calls
for serious, well-prepared and comprehensive negotiations, with the indispensable and
strong mediation of a third party.

The Government of the Republic of Kosova has always stated that the question of Kosova
can and should be solved through a political dialogue between the authorities of rump
Yugoslavia and Prishtina, in the presence and with the mediation of a third party, as the
only means for the peaceful solution of political problems. This has always been the
constant policy of Kosova since the beginning of the crisis, but unfortunately it has fallen in
deaf ears. This stand has been supported also by a whole range of relevant international
organisations which, at various levels, including their highest ones, have called on
Belgrade to create the conditions necessary to undertake this step.

Implementing the political decisions of the broad Albanian political factor, and in the
context of the efforts currently under way for these potential and indispensable talks, the
Government of the Republic of Kosova wishes to present its views and stands with regard
to the concrete steps that should be taken to prepare all the conditions for the start of
negotiations, on an equal footing, and under the necessary climate, conducive to
negotiations over an extremely serious question, such as that of Kosova.

Firstly, the Government maintains that "entry into dialogue without preconditions" is related
precisely to the ultimate political goals stated by the two parties. Non-insistence on these
positions, by the two parties, in order for the dialogue to start, would constitute a dialogue
without preconditions. Secondly, the Government holds that "a dialogue without
preconditions" cannot be extended further because, in the current circumstances, there
could be no open, constructive, dialogue on an equal footing, when even the most
indispensable level of security, when even the minimum level for the necessary climate of
confidence, are completely missing. Thus, the Government maintains that, in order to
create the necessary climate for the commencement of a dialogue, the following steps
should be taken urgently:

1.  Martial Law imposed since almost 10 years ago in Kosova should be lifted, and the
massive military, paramilitary and special police forces should unilaterally and immediately
be withdrawn.

2.  Non-military confidence and security building measures should be taken urgently and
concretely, such as:  fulfillment of the demands of the people of Kosova and international
organisations for the return of the OSCE Long-Duration missions; the permission of
university students to study in the university buildings that belong to them; an immediate
end to all forms of repression, violence, harassment, maltreatment and violation of all
political and human rights; the permission to function of democratic institutions in Kosova,
such as the Parliament, the Government, etc.

3.  Consultations, on technical and expert level, should start immediately and concretely in
order to define the modalities for the negotiations between Belgrade and Prishtina, in the
context of a comprehensive process or an international conference on Kosova.

4.  These consultations and subsequent negotiations should take place under a strong
international mediation. This is a firm request on the part of the Albanians, sanctified also
in documents of international organisations and supported by the reality on the ground.

5.  The results of these consultations will determine all the modalities and will legitimise:
the framework and the format in which these talks will take place, the participants and their
level of representation, the agenda of the talks specified according to principal and
secondary items, the place or places and the schedule of these talks, the high mediating
framework for the whole process of negotiations and the guarantees that will be
undertaken and given for the implementation of all the obligations entered into and
resulting from these talks.

The Government holds that these steps constitute a legitimate and fully corroborated and
justified demand. They in no way constitute preconditions or prejudgment, nor do they
express any lack of will or readiness to enter immediately into negotiations. They can only
demonstrate the seriousness with which the Albanian side is dealing with this problem,
which cannot be dealt with on the basis of ad hoc, hasty and not properly prepared
initiatives, or propaganda farces with certain predetermined objectives. Any step out of
these norms recognised and sanctioned internationally will not speak in favour of the
seriousness with which preparations should be made to enter into substantial and
comprehensive talks on the question of Kosova.

The Government is not requesting that unknown steps be taken. It is asking only for
indispensable actions that precede any negotiations of this nature. Reiterating its
readiness to the commencement, as soon as possible, of the internationally mediated
negotiations for the settlement of the question of Kosova, in all its component elements,
the Government of the Republic of Kosova welcomes any constructive, not demagogical,
step that Belgrade will undertake in this direction, to settle an extremely important political
issue which calls for major responsibilities, for Kosova, for Serbia and for the whole region.