The United States condemns the military action undertaken by combined forces of the Yugoslav Army and internal security police near Podujevo, Kosovo. The bodies of more than 40 ethnic Albanians who were apparently executed are found in the village of Racak. International community condemns this massacre of civilians. The international community expresses outrage over the Yugoslav Foreign Minister's decision that OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission Director Ambassador William Walker must depart the country within 48 hours. Two more political leaders in Kosovo say they will participate in proposed peace talks.
Yugoslav government agrees to join peace talks.
The ethnic Albanians agreed in principle to sign the political accord but wanted to return home and consult further before fully accepting the agreement. The Serbs continued to have reservations about signing an agreement and about the use of NATO forces in Kosovo. Both sides agreed to meet again in France on March 15 for more negotiations. The ethnic Albanian delegation in Paris agreed to accept the autonomy deal proposed at last month's meetings in Rambouillet. President Clinton encouraged Milosevic to agree to the terms as well in order to avoid further conflict and bloodshed.