Contact Group Statement on Kosova, Rome, 29 April

[ Text of ] Contact Group Statement on Kosova, Rome, 29 April

PRISHTINA, April 30 (KIC) - The six-nation Contact Group - made up of the United States,
Russia, France, Britain, Germany and Italy - met in Rome Wednesday to review the
situation in Kosova.
The two ministerial-level meetings of 9 and 25 March, respectively, were followed by a
political directors's level this time. After seven hours of deliberations Wednesday, the
Contact Group came up with a statement which proved right those who were not
expecting a tough position towards Belgrade amidst dissent in the Group, and especially
Russian opposition to the U.S. package.
A freeze of Belgrade assets abroad was the only sanction approved yesterday.
The 25 March/Bonn statement was universally seen as a watered down version of the 9
March/London statement. It offered Belgrade a one-month reprieve during which time
Milosevic got the paramilitary police and the Yugoslav Army involved in armed actions
against Albanian villages in western Kosova.
The 29 April/Rome statement does not offer ground for any hope that Milosevic will heed
the diplomatic language of the Big Powers.
Following is the text of the statement:

"1. The Contact Group met in Rome on April 29 to decide on next steps regarding the
increasingly dangerous situation in Kosovo, taking into account the report of the OSCE
Troika on developments since the Bonn Contact Group Ministerial. They considered the
report an important and balanced contribution to the assessment of the situation. The
Contact Group believes that the current situation is untenable. The risk of an escalating
conflict requires immediate action.

2. All members of the Contact Group are firmly opposed to independence for Kosovo and
to a continuation of the unacceptable status quo. Immediate steps by the parties to reduce
tension and to begin an unconditional dialogue are indispensable, and the only way to
reverse the deterioration in the situation and bring about a political solution.

3. The Contact Group condemns the increase in violence in recent days in Kosovo, in
particular the excessive use of force by the Yugoslav Army, and the proliferation of arms in
the country. The Contact Group rejects absolutely terrorism as a means of bringing about
political change as well as all other violence to suppress political dissent. The Contact
Group calls on political leaders in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and in the
countries of the region to exercise maximum restraint, full respect for human rights, to
prevent the introduction of arms and of armed groups from outside, and to condemn
terrorism. It also calls on the countries of the region to confirm the respect for territorial
integrity and for the inviolability of internationally recognized borders.

4. The Contact Group is not seeking to impose any particular outcome for the resolution of
the differences between Belgrade and Kosovo Albanian leadership. It is for the parties
themselves to determine a solution to the political status of Kosovo through negotiations.
The Contact Group notes that representatives of Belgrade and Pristina have recently
stated their general willingness to open unconditional dialogue. But the two sides have yet
to agree with full authority on modalities for talks, particularly on the issue of international
participation.

5. The Contact Group regards an appropriate international involvement as an essential
factor to establish confidence between the parties and to facilitate talks.

6. To begin the urgent process of dialogue, the Contact Group recommends, and urges
both Belgrade and Kosovo Albanian leadership to adopt, a framework for dialogue and a
stabilization package:

a) The framework should be based on fundamental principles that the parties must accept,
such as rejection of violence for achieving political goals, no preconditions, mutual respect,
accordance with standards and principles of the Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE) and of the U.N. Charter, mutually agreed modalities and protection of all
individuals and ethnic groups. There should be mutual assurances, which the Contact
Group itself will support, that the parties will not abandon nor seek to undermine an
agreement once it is reached. The framework for dialogue must be formally endorsed by
the top leadership in Belgrade and the leadership of the Kosovo Albanians. The respective
leaders must take political responsibility for initiating good-faith talks. The framework must
provide for international involvement in facilitating substantive negotiations.

b) The stabilization package must include, as the minimum:
Cessation of repression by the Authorities in Belgrade, as specified in U.N. Security
Council Resolution 1160, and a strong condemnation of terrorism by the Kosovo Albanian
leadership.
- Reopening of the OSCE missions in the FRY, including Kosovo
- Concrete inter-communal confidence building measures, including implementation of the
education agreement according to the agreed timetable. The Contact Group appreciates
and encourages the work of (Italian Roman Catholic peace group) Sant'Egidio Community
in this field.

7. The Contact Group attaches the highest priority to the immediate launching of the
(former Spanish prime minister Felipe) Gonzalez mission, which is essential for substantial
progress in the relationship between FRY and the international community. This mission is
also meant to reduce tension, restore confidence and improve general prospects for
dialogue. The top leadership in Belgrade should therefore immediately invite the Gonzalez
mission to start its work. The Contact Group fully supports the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
(currently Poland) in his efforts to facilitate this mission.

8. If the leadership in Belgrade agrees to the framework for dialogue, the stabilization
measures listed in paragraph six are implemented, the Gonzalez mission is launched and
substantive talks begin, the Contact Group will promote a clear and achievable path
towards Belgrade's full implementation in the international community, including
participation in the OSCE. We want the FRY to reap the benefits of membership in
international financial and political institutions.

9. Crucial requirements set out in the Contact Group's statements of 9 and 25 March have
not yet been met. We have therefore decided to take action to put into effect a freeze on
the funds held abroad by the FRY and Serbian Governments. If Belgrade takes the steps
in paragraph six to bring about negotiations, we will immediately reverse this decision. We
have also decided that if dialogue is blocked because of Belgrade's non-compliance we
will, by 9th of May, take action to stop new investment in Serbia. The Russian Federation
does not associate itself with these measures.

10. If unresolved, the situation in Kosovo threatens to spill over to other parts of the region.
The Contact Group attaches high priority to supporting the security interests of the
neighboring states and to ensuring security of borders. It is of particular importance that
developments in Kosovo should not disrupt progress in implementing the Dayton/Paris
peace agreement in Bosnia, to which the Government in Belgrade is committed. The
Contact Group will contribute to the strict implementation of Resolution 1160, working also
with the U.N. and other relevant international fora. 11. The next meeting of the Contact
Group will take place in Paris in May."

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