02 May 1999

STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT, SUNDAY, MAY 2, 1999

(U.S. firm on composition of peacekeeping force) (220)

RUBIN SAYS U.S. FIRM ON COMPOSITION OF PEACEKEEPING FORCE

The Clinton Administration remains firm on the composition of any
peacekeeping force in Kosovo after hostilities end -- it must have
NATO at its core, it must include U.S. troops, and it must be fully
armed.

State Department Spokesman James Rubin explained Administration policy
on this point during an interview May 2 on CNN's "Late Edition."

Rubin emphasized that the 1 million displaced Kosovar Albanians will
not feel confident in venturing back to their homes "after suffering
these terrible atrocities" without a strong American presence. "The
only military force that these people trust, the only country they
really trust is the United States of America," Rubin said.

"The key is that NATO must be at its (peacekeeping force) core, and
the United States must participate," he said. But he noted that there
is also room for inclusion of Russian forces in implementing peace and
autonomy for Kosovo.

Rubin pointed out that the peacekeeping force must be fully armed. The
refugees, he said, "are not going to get protection with side arms."
Kosovo, he said, needs "a real force" to deal with the situation
created by the brutal policies of Yugoslav President Slobodan
Milosevic.