Serbia and Kosovo Begin Reconciliation, 21 years after the war

The United States commends Serbian President Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Hoti on historic agreements they reached at the White House today, spanning a wide range of economic normalization issues. Their courageous and forward-looking leadership not only brings growth and jobs to their citizens, it sets a new tone of reconciliation in the pursuit of progress for the Western Balkans. Today’s agreements open new opportunities for broader cooperation. The United States reaffirms its support for the ongoing negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia toward comprehensive normalization of relations.

We also congratulate Prime Minister Hoti on the monumental achievement of normalization of ties and mutual recognition between Kosovo and Israel as well as President Vucic on Serbia’s commitments to open a commercial office and move its Embassy to Jerusalem. These bold steps will enhance peace between our partners in Europe and the Middle East.

Security, stability, and prosperity throughout the Western Balkans remain critical goals for the United States. With the support of President Trump, Prime Minister Hoti and President Vucic made great strides toward this shared vision.

video from SOF visitor:

In 1999 Kosovo was a province in southern Serbia with a mixed population of which the majority were ethnic Albanians. Until 1989, the region enjoyed a high degree of autonomy within the former Yugoslavia, when Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic altered the status of the region, removing its autonomy and bringing it under the direct control of Belgrade, the Serbian capital. The Kosovar Albanians strenuously opposed the move.

During 1998, open conflict between Serbian military and police forces and Kosovar Albanian forces resulted in the deaths of over 1,500 Kosovar Albanians and forced 400,000 people from their homes. The international community became gravely concerned about the escalating conflict, its humanitarian consequences, and the risk of it spreading to other countries. President Milosevic’s disregard for diplomatic efforts aimed at peacefully resolving the crisis and the destabilizing role of militant Kosovar Albanian forces was also of concern.

The situation in Kosovo flared up again at the beginning of 1999, following a number of acts of provocation on both sides and the use of excessive and disproportionate force by the Serbian Army and Special Police. Some of these incidents were defused through the mediation efforts of the OSCE verifiers but in mid-January, the situation deteriorated further after escalation of the Serbian offensive against Kosovar Albanians.

NATO supported and reinforced the Contact Group efforts by agreeing on 30 January to the use of air strikes if required, and by issuing a warning to both sides in the conflic

The War of 1999: Timeline

Operation Allied Force Objective: “Our military objective is to degrade and damage the military and security structure that President Milosevic (Yugoslav President) has used to depopulate and destroy the Albanian majority in Kosovo.”  
(From prepared statement of William S. Cohen, Secretary of Defense, to the Senate Armed Services Committee on 15 April 1999.) 

Enemy Forces:

U.S. Participation: Total: 31,600 personne

Time of initial attack: 2:00 PM EST, 24 March 1999.

Suspension of bombing: 10:00 AM EST, 10 June 1999.Bombing campaign halted: 10:50 AM EST, 20 June 1999.

FAST FORWARD “2020 gratulations to the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo on today’s historic agreement. We reaffirm our support for ongoing Serbia-Kosovo negotiations, and we welcome Kosovo’s normalization of ties with Israel, while commending Serbia for committing to move its Embassy to Jerusalem.“ U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo

NATO KFOR has been operating in Kosovo for two decades.

Kosovo Force (KFOR) is currently deployed in the Balkans to maintain a safe and secure environment, freedom of movement for all citizens in Kosovo and to facilitate the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans. The United Nations, the European Union and other international actors continue to support the development of a stable, democratic, multi-ethnic and peaceful Kosovo. 

The mission was launched in 1999, as a peace-support operation and derives its mandate from the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and international agreements. 

UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1244 was adopted on 10 June 1999 and on 12 June, the first elements of the NATO-led Kosovo Force, or KFOR, entered Kosovo. By 20 June, the withdrawal of Serbian forces was complete.

KFOR was initially composed of some 50,000 men and women from NATO member countries, Partner countries and non-NATO countries under unified command and control. By early 2002, KFOR was reduced to around 39,000 troops. The improved security environment enabled NATO to reduce KFOR troop levels to 26,000 by June 2003, then to 17,500 by the end of 2003 and today, down to around 3,500. provided by 28 countries help ensure that KFOR’s objectives are met.

Another great day for peace with Middle East – Muslim-majority Kosovo and Israel have agreed to normalize ties and establish diplomatic relations. Well-done! More Islamic and Arab nations will follow soon!” Donald J. Ttump