Fwd: NAAC Press Release: Clinton Shifts Kosova Policy
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Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1998 15:27:59 +0200 (EET)
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Subject: Fwd: NAAC Press Release: Clinton Shifts Kosova Policy
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Original sender: Mentor Cana <[email protected]>
Fwd: NAAC Press Release: Clinton Shifts Kosova Policy
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Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com
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ARTA News Service: http://www.kohaditore.com/ARTA
Kosova Information Center(KIC): http://www.kosova.com
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Radio21 (English/Albanian): http://www.radio21.net/english.htm
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National Albanian American Council
Keshilli Kombetar Shqiptaro-Amerikan
1899 L Street, NW Suite 1130 Washington, DC 20036
(202) 955-1428 Fax: (202) 955-1429
Email: [email protected]
____________________________________________________________________
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Contact: Aferdita Rakipi
December 16, 1998 (202) 955-1428
CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SHIFTS POLICY, ABANDONING AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVA
WASHINGTON: Ambassador Chris Hill recently presented a revised
proposal on the status of Kosova, which places the region directly
under Serb control. Both Albanians and Serbs rejected the proposal.
Reportedly, Hill and Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke are applying
enormous pressure on the Albanians to accept it.
"After years of promising to support an enhanced autonomy for Kosova,
the Clinton Administration appears to be abandoning its policy in
favor of a settlement that rewards Milosevic for his crimes against
humanity," said Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of the National
Albanian American Council. "This is not autonomy. The
Administration�s proposal provides only for weak, municipal
governments, while placing Kosova permanently under Serbia�s control.
"The Administration is hoping no one will notice its retreat, but the
evidence is clear. Their latest proposal falls far short of the
autonomy Kosova enjoyed as late as 1989 and which both the President
and Secretary Albright have publicly supported. This dramatic shift
in policy, unfortunately, makes it more likely that the war in Kosova
will continue."
Unlike the autonomy Kosova previously enjoyed, the recent Hill
proposal provides for a parliament with no legislative authority and
strips the presidency of most of its executive powers. The proposal
also makes Serb law preeminent and provides Serb courts with appellate
jurisdiction over Kosova, and as such makes Serb control of law
enforcement in Kosova almost inevitable. Additionally, the proposal
places control of the health, social, and educational systems firmly
within Serbia. Finally, the proposal provides Serbs with a veto over
any future decisions relating to Kosova�s status. Despite arguments to
the contrary, the proposal envisions no role for the international
community in ensuring implementation and compliance with the
agreement.
Sources on Capitol Hill report that Members of Congress are calling
the State Department to express their concern about the December 2
proposal.
"This is reminiscent of the U.S. Bosnia policy, where the victims were
expected to suffer their losses in silence," added Zherka. "But the
Albanian people have shown that they will not end this century the way
they began it � under the thumb of a repressive Serb regime. A small,
but growing number are willing to fight for their rights.
Unfortunately, the Administration�s proposal, if forced on the
Albanians, will very likely result in the Kosovars believing that they
have no other choice. We hope that the Administration will support
providing Albanians with a status equal to that of the Serbs and
Montenegrins during an interim period, followed by a referendum on
independence."
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