US State Department Documents on KLA Kosovo Liberation Army Author: George Orwell, alias Big Brother ANDRE GUNDER FRANK 1. 11/10/98: Situation in Kosovo Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/statements/1998/ps981110.html Key Passage "Provocations from one side do not justify violence in return. It is the responsibility of both the Serbian security forces remaining in Kosovo and the Kosovo Liberation Army to exercise restraint and prevent a resurgence of violence. [end of document] || Press Statements Index | State Department Home Page || This is an" 2. 1/15/99: Security of the Kosovo Verification Mission Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/statements/1999/ps990115.html Key Passage "KVM and all its members. We call on the FRY to adhere fully to this obligation. The Kosovo Liberation Army has also undertaken similar commitments and must also ensure that these obligations are met. Today's events do not change the importance of the Kosovo Verification Mission nor diminish the vital" 3. 7/15/98: Kidnappings of Serb Civilians in Kosovo Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/statements/1998/ps980715b.html Key Passage "in Kosovo, both Albanian and Serb. We have condemned on numerous occasions the use of excessive force by Serbian security forces, particularly when directed indiscriminately against Kosovar Albanian civilians. We are also, however, concerned about attacks against Serbian civilians in Kosovo by Albanian extremist groups, including the Kosovo Liberation Army" 4. 12/24/98: U.S. Concerned About Kosovo Violence Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/statements/1998/ps981224a.html Key Passage "Yugoslav Army and internal security police near Podujevo, Kosovo. We condemn all breaches of the cease-fire and other violations of applicable UN Security Council resolutions in Kosovo, including provocative attacks committed by elements of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Belgrade's disproportionate and indiscriminate reaction, however, cannot be justified. The" 5. 3/15/99: Letter of KLA Representative Hashim Thaqi to Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/statements/1999/ps990315.html Key Passage "Albright Hashim Thaqi, Chairman of the Kosovo Albanian delegation to the Rambouillet Peace Process and a representative of the Kosovo Liberation Army, has sent a letter to Secretary Albright announcing his readiness--and the readiness of his delegation--to sign the Rambouillet Agreement for peace and self-government in Kosovo" 6. Ambassador Holbrooke Travel to Belgrade, 3/8/99 Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/statements/1999/ps990308a.html Key Passage "leadership to accept the Rambouillet Accords, including both their political and civilian and military implementation elements, when he visits Belgrade. Ambassador Holbrooke's trip comes following the decision today by the General Staff of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) to approve the Rambouillet Accords and authorize their signature. Senator Bob Dole" 7. 12/23/98: Situation in Kosovo Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/statements/1998/ps981223a.html Key Passage "increased tensions and threaten to re-ignite hostilities. The United States reiterates its call on the Serbian security forces in Kosovo and on the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) to exercise restraint, even in the face of provocation. We have seen indications that some of the security personnel withdrawn from Kosovo" 8. 2/25/98 Statement on Kosovo Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/stm_980225_kosovo.html Key Passage "human rights values, and their condemnation of both violent repression of non-violent expressions of political views, including peaceful demonstrations, as well as terrorist actions, including those of the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army. The Contact Group agreed that both sides should be reasonable and flexible and focus on immediate" 9. 3/2/98: Violence in Kosovo Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/statements/1998/ps980302b.html Key Passage "sides to enter into an unconditional dialogue, and for authorities in Belgrade to implement immediately the Kosovo education agreement on an effective basis as an important step to reduce tensions. We have also called on Kosovar Albanian leaders to condemn terrorist action by the so-called Kosovo liberation army (UCK" 10. 12/18/98: Situation in Kosovo Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/statements/1998/ps981218a.html Key Passage "December 18, 1998 Situation in Kosovo On December 17, Zvonko Bojanic, the Serbian Deputy Mayor of Kosovo Polje, was kidnapped and executed. Although the General Staff of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) has disclaimed responsibility, the masked and armed men who carried out the attack reportedly wore KLA insignia on" 11. Kosovo Update 11/02/98 Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/rpt_981102_kosovo.html Key Passage "of Forces There has been very substantial compliance with the requirements of the international community in terms of withdrawal of Serbian Army (VJ) and special police (MUP) forces. Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) personnel have returned to areas where the VJ and MUP have drawn back, but there have been no" 12. Serb Compliance with UNSC Resolution 1199: 10/20/98 Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/rpt_981020_serbcomp.html Key Passage "investigation of Gornje Obrinje and other massacres, and has agreed to allow a Finnish-led delegation into Kosovo to conduct an independent forensic investigation of alleged Serb and UCK [Ushtria Ēlirimtare e Kosovės - the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA)] atrocities. No charges reported to be pending against any member of the" 13. Serb Compliance with UNSC Resolution 1199: 10/22/98 Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/rpt_981022_serbcomp.html Key Passage "e Kosovės - the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA)] claimed it had no role in the deaths of three Serbian policemen over the weekend. Cease security forces actions affecting civilians and withdraw forces used in repression of civilians Observers report no significant change in VJ (Yugoslav Army) or MUP (Serbian Ministry of" 14. Serb Compliance with UNSC Resolution 1199: 10/22/98 Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/rpt_current_serbcomp.html Key Passage "e Kosovės - the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA)] claimed it had no role in the deaths of three Serbian policemen over the weekend. Cease security forces actions affecting civilians and withdraw forces used in repression of civilians Observers report no significant change in VJ (Yugoslav Army) or MUP (Serbian Ministry of" 15. Kosovo Update 10/27/98 Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/rpt_981027_kosovo.html Key Passage "of any Serbian Army (VJ) forces currently deployed out of garrison other than three company-sized units (approximately 360 troops), and the normal border guard units patrolling the frontier. KDOM also reported the withdrawal of tanks and armored personnel carriers by VJ and MUP forces. No new Kosovo Liberation Army" 16. Kosovo Update 11/04 Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/rpt_981104_kosovo.html Key Passage "1. In that incident, Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) personnel reportedly fired on Serbian police in the village of Glodjane, wounding one of the policemen. Withdrawal of Forces There has been very substantial compliance with the requirements of the international community in terms of withdrawal of Serbian Army (VJ) and special" 17. 1/19/99: UN Presidential Statement on Racak Massacre Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/op_990119_un_racak.html Key Passage "fully with the KVM. The Security Council calls upon the parties to cease immediately all acts of violence and to engage in talks on a lasting settlement. The Security Council also strongly warns the "Kosovo Liberation Army" against actions that are contributing to tensions. The Security Council considers all of" 18. Kosovo Update 11/25 Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/rpt_981125_kosovo.html Key Passage "25, 1998 MILITARY Cease-fire The cease fire is generally holding, and conditions are gradually returning to normal. KDOM teams continue to investigate reports of cease-fire violations by both Serbian forces and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). KDOM and diplomats from the international community have had increasing success in" 19. 3/1/99: Fact Sheet on Rambouillet Accords Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/fs_990301_rambouillet.html Key Passage "the international Implementation Mission until local police are trained to replace them. The Kosovo Liberation Army will hand over security in Kosovo to NATO troops and will be demilitarized. Local police will take over all policing duties in Kosovo within 1 year, extendable for a limited period only by the" 20. 1/26/99 Albright and ForMin Ivanov statement on Kosovo Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/statements/1999/990126.html Key Passage "Racak at the time of the massacre and suspend them until the results of the investigation become available. The United States and Russia urge the Kosovo Albanians to fulfill all their obligations and commitments. "Kosovo Liberation Army" provocations have contributed significantly to the renewed deep tensions in Kosovo. The United" 21. Kosovo Update 10/29/98 Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/rpt_981029_kosovo.html Key Passage "October 29, 1998 MILITARY Cease-fire There were no confirmed reports of cease-fire violations today. A KDOM team met with senior Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) officials to explain the OSCE verification agreement and urge them to observe the cease-fire. Withdrawal of Forces There has been general continued progress" 22. 3/26/99 Fact Sheet: U.S. and NATO Objectives and Interests in Kosovo Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/fs_990326_ksvobjectives.html Key Passage "Albanians have signed the agreement. Belgrade has refused to sign and has to date rejected out of hand all efforts to achieve a peaceful solution. The Contact Group clearly assigned exclusive responsibility for failure to reach agreement to Belgrade. While we are mindful that the Kosovo Liberation Army also frequently" 23. Kosovo Update 11/12 Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/rpt_981112_kosovo.html Key Passage "12, 1998 MILITARY Cease-fire KDOM teams continue to investigate and confirm isolated reports of cease-fire violations by both Serbian forces and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), generally in the Malisevo and Drenica regions. KDOM and diplomats from the international community are pressing leaders on both sides to maintain" 24. Kosovo Update 12/08 Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/rpt_current_kosovo.html Key Passage "8, 1998 MILITARY Cease-fire The cease fire is generally holding, and conditions are gradually returning to normal in much of Kosovo. KDOM and diplomats from the international community have had increasing success in pressing both Serbian and Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) forces to respect the cease-fire and avoid" 25. Kosovo Update 12/08 Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/rpt_981208_kosovo.html Key Passage "8, 1998 MILITARY Cease-fire The cease fire is generally holding, and conditions are gradually returning to normal in much of Kosovo. KDOM and diplomats from the international community have had increasing success in pressing both Serbian and Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) forces to respect the cease-fire and avoid" 26. Untitled Source http://www.state.gov/www/policy_remarks/1998/980506_gelbard_sfrc.html Key Passage "and the availability of arms in the province of Kosovo have continued to rise. In late February, in retaliation for an ambush of Serb police -- an attack which left a number of them dead -- by individuals believed to belong to the so-called "Kosovo Liberation Army," (UCK-Albanian), ill-prepared" 27. Kosovo Humanitarian Situation UpdateUntitled Source http://www.state.gov/www/global/prm/rpt_990402_humsitrep.html Key Passage "in late February, the humanitarian situation continued to deteriorate due to ongoing clashes between Government security forces and the Kosovo Liberation Army. Following the breakdown of the talks and the withdrawal of the Organization for Security and Cooperation Kosovo Verification Mission on March 20, conflict between the two sides intensified" 28. U Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/rpt_990401_humsitrep.html Key Passage "ongoing clashes between Government security forces and the Kosovo Liberation Army. The displacement of people was accompanied by the burning of villages and the destruction of means of livelihood. Following the breakdown of the talks and the withdrawal of the Organization for Security and Cooperation Kosovo Verification Mission on March" 29. U Source http://www.state.gov/www/global/prm/rpt_990331_humsitrep.html Key Passage "clashes between Government security forces and the Kosovo Liberation Army. The displacement of people was accompanied by the burning of villages and destruction of means of livelihood. Following the breakdown of the talks and the withdrawal of the Organization for Security and Cooperation Kosovo Verification Mission on March 20, conflict" 30. 10/27/98 Albright remarks on Kosovo Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/statements/1998/981027.html Key Passage "of the Kosovo Liberation Army: there should be no attempt to take military advantage of the Serb pull-back. Neither side can achieve a military victory in Kosovo. This message is starting to have an effect. In recent days, we've seen a new degree of restraint on the part of" 31. 2/23/99 Albright briefing on Kosovo Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/statements/1999/990223.html Key Passage "of this settlement. Kosovo would have its own constitution and government with full responsibility for all the issues that affect the daily lives of its people. Serbian police units would be rapidly withdrawn. The Yugoslav military would be restricted to patrolling a five-kilometer border zone. The Kosovo Liberation Army" 32. 3/9/97 Contact Group Statement Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/travels/980309_kosovo.html Key Passage "on 2 March. 3. Our condemnation of the actions of the Serbian police should not in any way be mistaken for an endorsement of terrorism. Our position on this is clear. We wholly condemn terrorist actions by the Kosovo Liberation Army or any other group or individual. Those in the" 33. UN Security Council Resolution 1160 Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/un_res_1160.html Key Passage "by Serbian police forces against civilians and peaceful demonstrators in Kosovo, as well as all acts of terrorism by the Kosovo Liberation Army or any other group or individual and all external support for terrorist activity in Kosovo. including finance, arms and training, Noting the declaration of 18 March 1998" 34. 2/23/98 Press Conference: R. Gelbard Source http://www.state.gov/www/policy_remarks/1998/980223_gelbard_belgrade.html Key Passage "seen growing in recent weeks and months is incredibly dangerous. The great majority of this violence we attribute to the police, but we are tremendously disturbed and also condemn very strongly the unacceptable violence done by terrorist groups in Kosovo and particularly the UCK -- the Kosovo Liberation Army. This is" 35. 98/03/10 Daily Press Briefing Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/9803/980310db.html Key Passage "been asked before, and I apologize in advance. Is it the Administration's official position that the Kosovo Liberation Army is a terrorist group? MR. FOLEY: No, we've not taken that decision. What we have said is that specific acts - terrorist acts - have been committed in Kosovo over the last weeks" 36. 3/31/99: Ethnic Cleansing in Kosovo Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/fs_990331_ksvo_ethnic.html Key Passage "nature of the thousands of reports from official observers across the border in Albania and Macedonia, from journalists and NGOs still in contact with their local staff in Kosovo, and from Kosovar Albanians themselves (both refugees and the Kosovo Liberation Army-UCK) paint an unambiguous picture of an accelerating campaign" 37. 11/6/98 Albright and Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini remarks Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/statements/1998/981106.html Key Passage "to do all it can to achieve those goals. Foreign Minister Dini and I will also discuss the situation in Kosovo, which though improved, remains far from ideal. Serb compliance with UN resolutions is not yet complete; the Kosovo Liberation Army also has not fully met its obligations to observe" 38. 7/23 Gelbard before House International Relations Committee Source http://www.state.gov/www/policy_remarks/1998/980723_gelbard_kosovo.html Key Passage "a comprehensive cessation of hostilities. Although we are concerned about the actions of the Kosovo Liberation Army--commonly referred to by the Albanian acronym UCK--we must not lose sight of the fact that Belgrade initiated the confrontation in Kosovo, and President Milosevic and his government have primary responsibility for" 39. 2/4/99 Albright Remarks and Q&A Session at the U.S. Institute of Peace Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/statements/1999/990204.html Key Passage "homes. Under these conditions, many Kosovars abandoned non-violence and threw their support to the Kosovo Liberation Army, although its tactics too were sometimes brutal and indiscriminate. The KLA, as it is known, offers a deceptively simple answer to the tragedy of Kosovo -- independence from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" 40. 11/20/98 Albright and NATO Sec. Gen Solana press conf. Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/statements/1998/981120.html Key Passage "the prospects for peace. The Kosovo Liberation Army must refrain from reprisals and efforts to intimidate, but its provocations do not justify failures by the Serb Government to meet its obligations. President Milosevic is increasing, rather than decreasing, the number of special police in Kosovo, and he is failing to" 41. 3/28/99: Under Secretary Thomas Pickering on Fox News Source http://www.state.gov/www/policy_remarks/1999/990328_pickering_kosovo.html Key Passage "UNDER SECRETARY PICKERING: I think he's losing the air war, Tony. QUESTION: Well, I was talking about in Bosnia. Final question - there has been some talk in the Senate of arming the Kosovo Liberation Army. Do you support that idea? UNDER SECRETARY PICKERING: We don't. We believe that this particular" 42. 98/08/31 Amb. Scheffer on 50th anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights Source http://www.state.gov/www/policy_remarks/1998/980916_scheffer_audhr.html Key Passage "Milosevic and Serbian security forces appear, therefore, to be reluctant to encourage international observation of their military actions in Kosovo. Ironically, the refusal to grant me a visa has inhibited my ability to examine alleged criminal conduct by the Kosovo Liberation Army as well. Serbian actions in Kosovo increasingly demonstrate" 43. 1/29/99 Albright Press Conference, London, England Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/statements/1999/990129.html Key Passage "must ensure that those responsible for the Racak massacre are brought to justice or turned over to the ICTY if it so requests. The Kosovo Liberation Army will find no sympathy in the international community unless it refrains from the provocative acts which have done so much to raise tensions" 44. 98/06/25 Daily Press Briefing Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/9806/980625db.html Key Passage "days. There are valid reports of fighting in the central areas of Kosovo, and many are concerned this violence will move south along the southern border. Clearly, large amounts of territory are controlled by the Kosovo Liberation Army during the day, and increasing amounts at night. The task we are" 45. 2/22/98 Press Conference: R. Gelbard Source http://www.state.gov/www/policy_remarks/1998/980222_gelbard_pristina.html Key Passage "geared to building confidence with the population and among the population, rather than leading toward a further cycle of violence. At the same time, we also condemn the attacks against the police and others by the group that calls itself the UCK [Kosovo Liberation Army]. As I have said before" 46. 97/xx/xx Daily Press Briefing Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/9811/981105db.html Key Passage "Urging Yeltsin to Grant Political Asylum to PKK Ocalan 15-16US Food Aid Package For Russia SERBIA (Kosovo) 12-14Increasing Tensions Between Serb Police and Kosovo Liberation Army 13Serb Bailure to Issue Visas to War Crimes Tribunal Delegations 13Reports KLA Holding Two Journalists CHINA 14Energy Secretary Richardson's Plans to Travel" 47. 4/6/99: Ethnic Cleansing in Kosovo Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/rpt_990405_ksvo_ethnic.html Key Passage "Nonetheless, the overwhelmingly consistent nature of the thousands of reports from official observers across the border in Albania and Macedonia, from journalists and NGOs still in contact with their local staff in Kosovo, and from Kosovar Albanians themselves (both refugees and the Kosovo Liberation Army- KLA) paint an unambiguous picture" 48. The Humanitarian Situation in Kosovo (briefing) Source http://www.state.gov/www/global/prm/taft_981113.html Key Passage "been uprooted will then be able to go back and, at least, feel that they are anchored somewhere in their society. Question: General Clark was quoted telling NATO parliamentarians that we have to recognize that at this time both the Kosovo Liberation Army and the Serbs are re-arming and" 49. 2/19/99: President Clinton, President Chirac on Kosovo Source http://www.state.gov/www/policy_remarks/1999/990219_clinton_kosovo.html Key Passage "President, if it appears that the Serbs -- they have to be sanctioned because they refuse the presence of NATO troops in Kosovo, have you the assurance that the Kosovo Liberation Army will renounce its demands on independence? PRESIDENT CHIRAC: Well, as I said before, the pressure that we are exerting" 50. 12/8/98 Albright Statement to the North Atlantic Council Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/statements/1998/981208.html Key Passage "slaughter and suffering of innocent people. And we have a legal interest in supporting the efforts of the War Crimes Tribunal to exercise its legitimate jurisdiction over the atrocities committed in Kosovo. Our Alliance has expressed deep concern about acts of provocation committed by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), and" 51. 6/12/98 Albright press conference in London, UK Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/statements/1998/980612a.html Key Passage "the best in terms of lowering the nuclear threat. QUESTION: Your statement includes some verbal condemnation of Albanian extremists, but it does not cater for stopping, actually stopping, Kosovo Liberation Army activity in the area. So what guarantees are you offering? Will you offer the Serbian government that once they" 52. 99/02/26 Koh on Country Reports on Human Rights Source http://www.state.gov/www/policy_remarks/1999/990226_koh_hrp.html Key Passage "military crisis in Europe since the end of the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Albanian insurgents in the Kosovo Liberation Army also committed abuses against Serbs, who, while a majority in Serbia, represent a minority in Kosovo. In Sierra Leone, rebel forces killed and maimed with extraordinary cruelty. While retreating from" 53. 11/30 Pickering SACLANT Source http://www.state.gov/www/policy_remarks/1998/981030_pickering_nato.html Key Passage "have designated a senior U.S. official to work with the Kosovo Liberation Army, are providing $59 million and 47,000 metric tons of food to aid agencies in Kosovo, and are increasing support for independent media in Serbia following Milosevic's recent, unacceptable crackdown. UN Security Council Resolutions 1199 and 1203 identify" 54. 4/9/99 Weekly Report on Ethnic Cleansing in Kosovo Source http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/rpt_990409a_ksvo_ethnic.html Key Passage "Macedonia, from journalists and NGOs still in contact with their local staff in Kosovo, and from Kosovar Albanians themselves (both refugees and the Kosovo Liberation Army -- KLA) paint an unambiguous picture of the scope and intensity of the campaign of ethnic cleansing the Serbs have waged in the province. The" 55. 1998 Human Rights Practices Report -- Serbia-Montenegro Source http://www.state.gov/www/global/human_rights/1998_hrp_report/serbiamo.html Key Passage "Constitutional Court to review Montenegrin electoral legislation and by using his influence over Federal judges to have Montenegrin legislation declared unconstitutional. Elements of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA, an armed ethnic Albanian group that seeks independence for Kosovo) were also responsible for abuses. They committed killings, were responsible for disappearances" 56. 3/5/99: Background Briefing on Brcko Award Decision Source http://www.state.gov/www/policy_remarks/1999/990305_sao_brcko.html Key Passage "Kosovo. Is that right? SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I've heard speculation the same. Some people speculated it might be going to the VJ; some say to the Kosovo Liberation Army. It's entirely believable that it would be the latter two; I don't know. QUESTION: The picture this paints -- this decision" 57. 1/21/99 Albright remarks at the Center for National Policy Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/statements/1999/990121.html Key Passage "international war crimes tribunal to investigate the latest atrocity. There is no simple answer to the problems of Kosovo: the ethnic Albanians are fragmented; the Kosovo Liberation Army has committed deliberately provocative acts of kidnapping and murder; the outlook for a negotiated solution is cloudy. What is clear is that" 58. 98/03/02 Daily Press Briefing Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/9803/980302db.html Key Passage "Albanian leaders to condemn terrorist action by the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army. The United States expects the Serbian police in Kosovo to act with maximum restraint and the Yugoslav army to take no action that might lead to further violence. Further state-sponsored violence would only deepen Belgrade's isolation" 59. 98/07/30 Daily Press Briefing Source http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/9807/980730db.html Key Passage "care to share the details of those kind of diplomatic exchanges at this time. QUESTION: Is one of the details that's in question here the participation of the Kosovo Liberation Army? MR. RUBIN: That is not a primary hurdle at this point. The real hurdle is who exactly sits on"