B4-0170, 0171, 0172, 0214, 0215 and 0216/99

Resolution on the situation in Kosovo

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Kosovo and in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,

- having regard to UN Security Council Resolutions 1160 (1998), 1199 (1998) and 1203 (1998),

- having regard to the agreements signed in October 1998 between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the OSCE on the one hand and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the NATO on the other hand,

- having regard to the decision of the Contact Group taken on 29 January 1999 to negotiate an interim political settlement between the parties to the conflict at a meeting to be held in Rambouillet on 6 February 1999,

- having regard to the outcome of the meeting of the North Atlantic Council of 30 January 1999 in Brussels,

- having regard to the statement by the Permanent Council of the OSCE of 1 February 1999,

A. whereas there is a continuation of the violations of the most basic human rights, the process of ethnic cleansing and the brutal aggression carried out by the Yugoslav and Serbian forces against the civilian population of Kosovo,

B. whereas a massacre of Kosovo Albanians in the village of Racak took place on 15 January 1999 and there have been further killings of civilians in Kosovo, which has once more resulted in several thousands people fleeing their homes,

C. whereas acts of violence were carried out by the UCK and other armed groups, which contribute to a further, serious increase in tension and provoke further acts of violent repression,

D. emphasising that all necessary measures should be taken to stop this process of ethnic cleansing, brutal aggression against the civilian population and destabilisation by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbia and that the European Union and its Member States should take an active part in these actions to end a humanitarian catastrophe,

E. emphasising once again that only a complete end of all actions by the Serbian security forces affecting the civilian population and the withdrawal of Serbian security units, followed by full and meaningful dialogue with international involvement on the future of Kosovo, is the only acceptable way to solve the conflict in Kosovo,

F. noting that the Contact Group for the former Yugoslavia agreed to summon representatives from the Federal and Serbian Governments and representatives of the Kosovo Albanians to meet in Rambouillet (France) by 6 February 1999, to negotiate on a political settlement of the conflict,

G. noting that the OSCE's Kosovo Verification Mission has come under severe pressure in the carrying out of its responsibilities with regard to the ceasefire of October 1998,

H. noting that NATO has taken the necessary preparatory measures to contribute to the ending of the cycle of violence and to enforce the process of negotiation if necessary,

I. noting that an increased international engagement will be necessary to ensure the implementation of a political settlement to the conflict and for the economic, social and political reconstruction of Kosovo, and being aware that the European Union and its Member States should play a key role in this process,

J. stressing that the achievement of a political settlement for the conflict in Kosovo is essential to secure peace, security and stability in the whole of the region;

K. recalling that the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia has full jurisdiction with regard to the war crimes, crimes against humanity and acts of genocide committed throughout the territory of the former Yugoslavia and, consequently, the crimes currently being committed in Kosovo,

L. demanding that the FRY authorities cooperate fully with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and investigate the massacre in Racak and other killings, and that those responsible be brought to justice,

M. convinced that a clear distinction must be made between Serbia and the government of Montenegro, whose attitude has been open and constructive,

1. Strongly condemns the policy of brutal aggression and ethnic cleansing by Serbian security forces against the civilian population in Kosovo, which was further demonstrated by the massacre of Kosovo Albanians in the village of Racak on 15 January 1999 and further killings of civilians in Kosovo;

2. Urges the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in the investigation of the Racak massacre and other killings and to take the necessary steps to ensure that those responsible for these murders are brought to justice;

3. Calls on the Member States to forward to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia all the evidence necessary in order to identify the direct personal responsibilities of those who gave orders to commit the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Kosovo, irrespective of the institutional functions performed;

4. Strongly condemns all acts of violence by the UCK;

5. Supports the Contact Group¨s draft peace plan presented at the Kosovo peace talks in Rambouillet proposing a period of transition to achieve substantial autonomy for the region of Kosovo;

6. Calls on all parties involved in the conflict to cooperate fully in the process of negotiations on a political settlement of the conflict, initiated by and with the direct involvement of the Contact Group, and to commit themselves to reaching an agreement within the specified time frame;

7. Supports the decisions by NATO to take the necessary measures to enforce a positive outcome of the process of negotiation leading to a political settlement as well as the appropriate measures if the Rambouillet peace talks do not produce the desired results;

8. Calls on all parties, and especially on the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, to guarantee the security of the OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission and to provide full freedom of movement for its personnel;

9. Calls on the warring parties to stop all military action and to respect the ceasefire with a view to creating a favourable atmosphere for a positive outcome of the ongoing negotiations;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the OSCE, the Chairman of the Contact Group, the Secretary General of the United Nations, NATO, the Governments of the United States and the Russian Federation, President Milosevic and the Governments of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbia and the representatives of the Kosovo population.