Second, to prevent a humanitarian crisis from becoming a catastrophe by stopping the repression of Kosovar Albanians. And third, to put Kosovo back into the hands of its people by giving them self-government again. We've achieved real progress toward each of these objectives. As a result of the improving security climate, up to 40,000 displaced people already have been returned to their homes from the mountains, escaping the mortal jeopardy of a winter without shelter. As the cease-fire holds, more humanitarian relief workers and international verifiers move into Kosovo.
Serb forces stay out.
And roadblocks and checkpoints stay down. The confidence level of the remaining displaced people should now increase. And they, too, will be able to come in from the cold. In short, rights the Kosovars have been demanding since Mr. Milosevic stripped their autonomy a decade ago. NATO's willingness to act, combined with determined diplomacy created this chance to end the suffering and repression in Kosovo and to put its people on the path to peace.