September 1991 - Kosovo's clandestine parliament declares Kosovo a sovereign and independent state. A month later, a national referendum sees overwhelming approval from the Albanians for the decision. 1992 - Albanians organize multiparty elections which are declared illegal by the Serbs. The Democratic League wins 96 out of 140 seats and Rugova is elected president. He opts for passive resistance to Serb rule warning his fellow citizens not to provide the Serbs with a pretext for a violent crackdown in Kosovo.
Civil war comes to Bosnia.
1995 - Dayton Peace Accord ends the war in Bosnia. Albanians had hoped the West would use the opportunity to impose a settlement for Kosovo. 1997 - Growing frustrated with the pace of change under Rugova's rule, some Albanians choose violence to force concessions from Belgrade. After eight months of intense fighting, with more than 2000 dead and thousands made homeless, under the threat of NATO bombing, Serbia pulls back its troops and a cease-fire is proclaimed. March 1999 - NATO begins bombing of Yugoslavia, hundreds of thousands more ethnic Albanians flee Kosovo for neighbouring countries.