April 14, 1999

CRISIS IN KOSOVO AT A 'CRITICAL POLITICAL AND MILITARY JUNCTURE'

Although editorialists in some quarters diverted their focus to regional issues in Asia, South Asia and the Middle East, the crisis in Kosovo remained the top issue in a majority of media outlets around the world. Observers determined that the situation in the Balkans remains very "dangerous," and several--citing reports of a Serbian incursion into Albania yesterday--worried about an escalation of the conflagration. Analysts everywhere agreed with the judgment that the crisis--after three weeks of NATO air strikes--appears to be at a "critical political and military juncture." Many focused on recent international diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the situation. Secretary Albright's meeting yesterday with Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov was seen by a majority of pundits as not having achieved any big "breakthrough," but nearly all went on to say that some "important" progress was made by the two diplomats. There was a general consensus in the media that Russia may be the "important key" to achieving a political solution, but some were skeptical about the Kremlin's ability to be an effective interlocutor. Opinion on the bombing campaign remained sharply divided. Supporters urged the Alliance to pursue its intervention to a satisfactory conclusion, with many asserting that ground troops may have to be introduced. Critics demanded an immediate halt to the "illegal" air strikes and held the U.S. superpower responsible for the plight of the Kosovar refugees. A number of media voices weighed in on the broader implications of the crisis in Kosovo and NATO's decision to intervene, with many pondering the future of the 50-year-old Alliance, the geopolitical line-up in the post-Cold War era, and evolving international attitudes toward the sovereignty of nations and the protection of human rights. Regional themes follow:

EUROPE: Opinion varied on whether the Albright/Ivanov meeting produced results. A reformist Moscow paper held, "The talks, while producing no breakthrough, achieved an important result: The U.S. and Russia agreed on a joint effort to stop the war." A centrist daily there, however, remarked that the talks "produced no results." In Britain, Germany and Italy, while editors agreed that the meeting failed to produce concrete results concerning agreement on the composition of a peacekeeping force, they nonetheless welcomed the fact that Russia was brought "back into play." Paris's right-of-center Le Figaro dissented somewhat, arguing that the meeting "proved that Russia, for the moment, has nothing to offer." In front-line states, the Belgrade press continued its harangue against NATO "aggression," while a paper in Sofia worried that Belgrade's incursion into Albania threatens to ignite the "Balkan powder keg."

ELSEWHERE: Commentary in Asia focused on the perceived "failure" of the Albright-Ivanov meeting in Oslo to resolve the "key issue" of a peacekeeping force for Kosovo. In China and Vietnam, observers held that NATO was showing "signs of weariness" and was "looking for an out" that might include "Russian involvement." In the Arab/Muslim press, there were questions about the international motives in Kosovo--including not only those of the U.S., but of Russia as well. Critics in Africa, Latin America and Canada worried that NATO had eclipsed the UN's role. Supporters in those regions saw the state of affairs in the former Yugoslavia as a result of the "destructive legacy of communism" and urged the Alliance "put an end" to Belgrade's "cruel war" against the Kosovars.

This survey is based on 72 reports from 44 countries, April 8-14.

To Go Directly To Quotes By Region, Click Below

|  EUROPE  |     |  MIDDLE EAST  |    |  EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC  |    |   SOUTH ASIA  |    |  AFRICA  |

 |  WESTERN HEMISPHERE   |

EDITORS: Diana McCaffrey, Katherine Starr, Kathleen Brahney, Bill Richey

FORMER YUGOSLAVIA

SERBIA-MONTENEGRO: "NATO Fires Another Shot At Europe"

Official, English-language Borba commented (4/13): "The NATO killers' aggression on Yugoslavia is coming to a stage where it will get totally out of control. On Monday morning, a fatal missile was fired at the Belgrade-Salonika international train.... Unless the NATO aggression is stopped, the Balkans will be turned into a twilight zone. The important thing is how to stop NATO before it goes down the road of no return."

"A Crime Is Always A Crime"

Novica Andric wrote in official, English-language Borba (4/13): "If NATO's aggression on Yugoslavia, now into its third week, has left so much as a shadow of a doubt that the aggressors have other goals apart from inflicting suffering on and destroying the Serbian people, it has been eliminated by their attack on the Belgrade-Salonika international train in the Grdelica gorge, southeastern Serbia, on Monday."

CROATIA: "The First War Of The 21st Century"

In pro-government Vecernji List, Zeljko Kruselj contended (4/12): "It is clear that behind the conflict between NATO and the FRY stands the showdown with ultranationalism, which all Western theorists consider to be the biggest threat to the 'new world order.'... The White House is trying to demonstrate to the entire world that in the coming century there will be no 'absolute sovereignty' and a country will have to keep a minimum level of civil and minority rights, and the stubborn ones will have to learn their, much more painful lesson from NATO."

SLOVENIA: "A Gift From Belgrade"

Left-of-center Delo argued (4/14): "Stalin and his successors in the Kremlin dreamed in vain about Soviet military bases on the Adriatic coast. Milosevic is now offering what the Kremlin itself could not achieve.... With the offered union, Belgrade has been trying to involve Moscow in the war in Kosovo.... [But Russia's] psychologically and financially broken military cannot afford a confrontation with...NATO's forces.... The leaders in Moscow have also forgotten that there are 20 million Muslims living in Russia who will not want to associate with the regime, which had ethnically cleansed Muslims in Bosnia."

EUROPE

BRITAIN: "The Glimmer Of A Way Out, But Will Milosevic See It?"

The liberal Guardian opined (4/14): "The fourth week [of the air campaign] may bring a critical political and military juncture as both sides consider more soberly how this conflict may end.... NATO is pushing the air campaign against Serbia up toward the level of intensity we saw against Iraq in the Gulf War. This, clearly, is a signal of military resolve. The signal to Belgrade is now much more that ground action is becoming an available option for NATO should the air campaign bring no acceptable result; but that an opportunity remains for a settlement before a decision on ground action is made that might well turn out to be irrevocable.... The Oslo encounter between Madeleine Albright and Igor Ivanov has predictably produced no tangible progress toward a settlement. But that, frankly, was not its purpose. The point of the meeting was to smooth Russian feelings, to try to avert confrontational Russian moves, and to keep Russia in play as a mediator who will be needed at the end of the day. What is on offer to Milosevic, in other words, is only a version of what was on offer before the bombing began. But this could be dressed up in ways that make a retreat less costly in terms of prestige.

"In spite of the distasteful fact that we would once again be extending a political helping hand to Milosevic, this risk might be worth taking, if it brought the war to an end, avoiding the further casualties that will result from the air campaign and the worse casualties that might be incurred by a ground campaign.... Milosevic ought to be weighing the advantages of a settlement which incorporates some political cover and which could be available to him now, but will not be available to him for much longer."

"Why There Can Be No Let-Up In The Bombing"

The conservative Times held (4/14): "Three weeks into an air war...NATO has yet to make more than a small impact on the murderous Serb campaign in Kosovo.... At some point it will have to weigh its options. At terrible cost, air strikes will severely disrupt the Milosevic forces; but the somber prospect remains that it may take ground troops, backed by massive air power, to drive them out of Kosovo. Preparations for that contingency are as urgent as ever."

"Handling Russia"

The independent Financial Times judged (4/14): "It is all the more welcome that Washington and Moscow have kept talking. But they cannot merely agree to disagree for too long. The Kosovo crisis is moving too fast for that. They need to recognize and take steps to tackle an underlying divergence of interests. For its part, the United States should engage Russia more. That means accepting more than a token Russian presence in the international force that may accompany the refugees back to Kosovo. Failure to do this risks turning a split over Yugoslavia into another cold war. Russia may have become an economic weakling, but is too populous and well armed to be brushed aside."

FRANCE: "Persistent Disagreements"

Jean-Jacques Mevel argued in right-of-center Le Figaro (4/14): "The meeting in Oslo has done away with certain beliefs: Russia does not want to--or cannot--force Milosevic's hand.... From her meeting, Albright comes away with the verification of a disagreement...on the NATO strikes and even on the nature of the international force. In her address to the press, she indicated there was 'a closeness of views.' But she was hard pressed to give examples.... If one looks closer, the Oslo meeting looks like a facade, serving both countries' short-term interests. Pressed by Europe to approach Russia, Madeleine has made an effort. At the same time, she has proved that Russia, for the moment, has nothing to offer."

"Diplomacy At Work"

Regis Faucon aired this comment on privately run TF One Television (4/13): "The West is sending a strong message to Milosevic, while trying to find a diplomatic way out.... Russia will be put to the task, because it is the only gateway. The UN, also left out of the conflict, will now be involved. The paradox is that those who have been left out may be major role players in making peace.... It is mainly Europe which is looking for a diplomatic solution. The United States is harder to convince, because it mistrusts the UN. The United States likes to do things without constraint. It doesn't like diplomats getting involved...but the military solution could lead to a dead end."

"Alliance's Disarray"

Dominique Bromberger told listeners of government-funded France Inter radio (4/14): "It is difficult to see what is more urgent. Asking Milosevic to sign the Rambouillet agreement, saving NATO's image or saving 700,000 Kosovars? In only ten days time, dozens of world leaders will meet in Washington...to celebrate NATO's fiftieth anniversary....

"With last week's meager NATO results, the vocabulary has changed. It is no longer a celebration, but a commemoration.... In its desire to lead a futuristic war, is the Alliance not losing today's war? The best we can hope for is that this serious crisis will convince our European Allies of the need for a European defense."

GERMANY: "Russia's Back Into Play"

Immo Vogel commented on ARD-TV's (national channel one) late evening newscast Tagesthemen (4/13): "It is important that the diplomatic offensive of the West and the UN now follows the military offensive.... The fact that this move will bring Russia back into play is the deserved reward for the fact that the country has managed the risky tightrope act between its obligatory protests and the quiet tolerance of NATO's bombings. What would have been the alternative? To do what strategically thinking politicians and military officials have always known but did not dare to say in public: If air strikes...do not have the desired effect, they will force (NATO) to deploy ground forces."

"Next Steps"

Left-of-center Frankfurter Rundschau asserted (4/14): "Politicians in the NATO capitals are desperately trying to draft plans that should help avoid the most extreme development: the use of ground forces in Kosovo. The peace plan presented by Foreign Minister Fischer wants to integrate the Russians and the UN. This is as indispensable as it is realistic. The implementation of the plans would bring a controlled peace to Kosovo and create the basis for halting the horrible suffering of the people. But this is only the second good step. The first step: how to end this war, remains vague."

"Equipment For Politics"

Peter Muench wrote this editorial for centrist Sueddeutsche Zeitung of Munich (4/14): "What follows a war that does not achieve its goals? After three weeks of bombings on Yugoslavia, the answer is obvious: Politics must be brought into play again. All sides involved must find a possibility that offers a way out of the spiral of violence.... But there is one precondition which is decisive for the success of politics in this war: It must create additional pressure to force the leadership in Belgrade to give in. This means that, at this stage, diplomacy is an important and urgently necessary supplement to military efforts. But it is not yet an alternative."

"Stage Set For U.S.-Russian Rapprochement"

Right-of-center Rheinische Post of Duesseldorf remarked (4/14): "Those who expected spectacular results from the meeting between Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and her Russian counterpart, Ivanov, must now have been deeply disappointed. Peace has not broken out in Kosovo. Realists, however, do not have such a negative assessment of the talks in Oslo.... The stage had to be set for the rapprochement between Washington and Moscow, since the solution to the Kosovo conflict is in everybody's interest."

"An Act Of Despair"

Thomas Schmid noted in a front-page editorial in right-of-center Die Welt of Berlin (4/14): "Milosevic is isolated, and time is not working in his favor. If he, in a week of globally important diplomatic activities, initiates new military operations and carries the war to Albania, then this rather seems to be an act of despair."

ITALY: "Two Options Left"

Former Italian ambassador to Washington Boris Biancheri penned this front-page comment in centrist, influential La Stampa (4/14): "The Albright-Ivanov meeting has not changed the situation.... As things stand now, there are only two options left. The first is that NATO air strikes will bend Milosevic's obstinacy...and that a peace agreement can be achieved with the dictator sitting at a negotiating table.... The second option is that, rather than an agreement, there will be a surrender, and that Milosevic may be swept away."

"But Only Moscow Can Really Mediate"

Moscow correspondent Sergio Rossi remarked in leading business Il Sole-24 Ore (4/14): "While the [Albright-Ivanov] meeting did not result in immediate prospects for a diplomatic development in the crisis, there was at least some initial progress toward bridging the gap in respective positions, as well as the resumption of high-level talks.... After all, the Americans must realize, albeit reluctantly, that, notwithstanding its present political and economic weakness, Russia possesses, nonetheless, an important key to achieving a political solution of the Kosovo crisis.... The apparent paradox is emerging that the Russians are essentially the only ones who can do something to convince Milosevic and save the face of the United States and NATO, helping them to emerge from the Yugoslavian tragedy."

"No Prospects For A Possible End"

In left-leaning, influential La Repubblica (4/14), Washington correspondent Vittorio Zucconi commented: "Doubts about the effectiveness of the NATO strategy abound on the twenty-second day of bombings. A war that continues day by day without any prospects for a possible end, a war that kills without winning, is inevitably destined to become an immoral and unpopular war. It is only a matter of time.... Another piece in this increasingly 'Vietnamese' mosaic was placed yesterday with the Serbian incursion in Albania: This may become the 'casus belli,' the provocation...for an escalation of the war."

"Diplomacy To Avoid Ground Troops"

Lucio Caracciolo, editor-in-chief of respected foreign policy quarterly Limes, asserted in an interview in pro-PDS (leading government party) L'Unita (4/14): "The diplomatic initiatives taken over the last few days by Alliance nations and by Kofi Annan stem from the awareness that we need to explore all possible roads in order to avoid the adventure of deploying ground troops."

RUSSIA: "U.S, Russia To Join Hands"

Reformist, business-oriented Kommersant Daily (4/14) front-paged this comment by Gennady Sysoyev on the Albright-Ivanov talks: "The talks, while bringing no breakthrough, achieved an important result: the United States and Russia agreed on a joint effort to stop the war."

"Russia's Special Role"

Georgy Bovt and Aleksandr Chudodeyev said in reformist Segodnya (4/14): "Basically, Ivanov's concern is not for Milosevic--the guy is all too familiar to people in the Russian Foreign Ministry--but Russia's special role in Europe. Plainly speaking, if NATO agrees to an OSCE-led peacekeeping operation in Kosovo, Moscow will readily accept and even participate in it."

"No Results"

Centrist Nezavisimaya Gazeta (4/14) front-paged this by Dmitry Gornostayev, Viktor Sokolov and Sergei Sokut: "The Ivanov-Albright meeting has produced no results. The sides, judging by their statements, have not changed their positions."

"I'm All For NATO Action"

Leading Russian historian Leonid Batkin stated in reformist Vremya-MN (4/14): "I support NATO, sympathize with its goals and wish it success. I also feel ashamed of those who condemn its action. It is not aggression. The lies and stupid things we've heard and seen over the past couple of weeks exceed anything we have had in years. The 'Slav brothers' stuff is imperial blabber and utter lies. In fact, we are dealing not with NATO, but with all of Europe.... That the NATO military is acting for the UN's 'blue helmets' is Russia's fault--Moscow vetoed the UN's decision on that matter."

"NATO Destroys Nation"

Neo-communist Slovo charged (4/14): "What is going on is the ruination of a whole nation, with passenger trains, hospitals and bridges bombed, hundreds of thousands of people left homeless, a punitive operation called a humanitarian action, a military psychosis blinding people's minds, and the UN and international law ignored and dismissed."

AUSTRIA: "War-Watching"

Senior columnist Ernst Trost put forth this view in independent, mass-circulation tabloid Neue Kronenzeitung (4/13): "The Americans, who experienced the fateful consequences of open reporting in Vietnam, practiced perfect news management in the Gulf War. And we are witnessing something similar now. There are just a few 'hostile' correspondents in the first rank, who were allowed to stay in Belgrade. They risk being hit by their 'own' bombs, and the Yugoslavs regard them as a combination of spies and propaganda instruments who can be easily manipulated.... The reality of the war, however, is primarily conveyed by the shocking pictures of the refugees."

BELGIUM: "Time Is Running Short In Washington And Moscow"

Pol Mathil commented in independent Le Soir (4/14): "The first meeting of the Russian and U.S. foreign ministers since the beginning of the strikes opens the diplomatic phase of the conflict. Unless the war lasts until the very last ethnic Albanian has disappeared from Kosovo, this conflict cannot be put out without Russia.... There was no other solution: NATO could not continue to marginalize Russia in a war at Russia's borders. And although it was impossible to achieve significant results at the first meeting, it can be considered that Russia, along with NATO, is now engaged in the diplomatic process. Everybody is in a hurry. NATO (is in a hurry) because costs are mounting.... But Russia has much more to lose.... If the war lasts long enough to end up in a total defeat for Milosevic, Serbia...would then fall under NATO's strategic control.... The Kremlin is pragmatic. The time of posturing has passed, now is the time for diplomacy. Russia has no common borders with Yugoslavia, despises Milosevic who has deceived Russia, and the Slavic-Orthodox solidarity has never really existed."

"Playing Poker With Russia"

Foreign affairs writer Gert Van Langendonck remarked in independent De Morgen (4/14): "They were pushed out through the back door; now, they are let in again through the front door: Russia and the UN. NATO can only profit from it....

"The opening created by the NATO ministers on Monday towards the re-involvement of Russia and the expansion of the judicially uncertain mandate for the military actions against Yugoslavia reflect a genial bluff in a poker game.... If both parties [Russia and the UN] are now appearing on the scene again, the main reason is that the lack of a solid exit strategy for the NATO action is becoming clearer day by day.... What has become very clear in recent weeks is that Moscow barks but does not bite.... Even if Moscow were to be able to work out a solution in the near future, the West will always remember that it will henceforth not have to take Russia into account. In other words, Moscow is standing with its pants half down."

BULGARIA: "Sparks In The Powder Keg"

Ruling party Demokratsia stressed (4/14): "Belgrade's transborder incursion [into Albania] demonstrates the suicidal self-confidence with which [Belgrade] continues to make sparks in the Balkan powder keg. We wonder where the fire brigade is."

"Moscow-Belgrade-Minsk: Ridiculous Attempt At A Soviet Makeover"

Center-left Novinar judged (4/14): "Milosevic is no doubt now trying to drag Russia and its satellite Belarus into direct conflict with NATO. Russia is too dependent, however, on Western loans, and would hardly dare enter into a serious fight. That should put an end to speculation on whether there will be a union between Russia, Belarus and Yugoslavia."

CZECH REPUBLIC: "What About Russia?"

Petr Zavadil contended in centrist Lidove Noviny (4/14): "[The Albright-Ivanov] meeting did not end up in a dramatic dispute. On the other hand, both parties agreed to further contacts. They assured the world that Washington needs Moscow and vice versa. The United States knows that peace promoted by Russia together with the West will be more digestible for the Serbians. And official Russia has no doubts that a conflict with the West--even if only a 'cold' one--would be, especially for Moscow, a catastrophe."

"Fatal Mistake Of NATO Strategists In Kosovo"

Karel Kriz stated in right-of-center, top-circulation Mlada Fronta DNES (4/14): "[President Clinton] thought he was choosing between war and humanitarian catastrophe. He chose war and got humanitarian catastrophe."

DENMARK: "A New Symbolic Border In Europe"

Left-wing Information's security policy correspondent, Bjarke Moller, commented (4/14): "Yesterday's fighting across the Albanian border underscored fears that the war could spread and how potentially dangerous the situation is. Peace analysts are concerned that Russia could be tempted to enter the war in an irrational rush of pan-Slavic empathy. Nothing should be ruled out on the strategic chessboard. A symbolic border has appeared on the map of Europe. On one side, the democratic West and on the other a quasi-democratic orthodox Slavic brotherhood led by authoritarian elites."

GEORGIA: "Yeltsin Banging His Shoe"

Independent Droni held (4/10): "Moscow's recent actions remind us of a famous saying 'it is impossible to understand Russia by the means of logic.' There is no logic or reason in the statements made by Genadi Selezniov and Boris Yeltsin yesterday. The president threatened the world with the possibility of a third world war. It [his statement] is in the spirit of 'Russia's bold declarations,' such as Mr. Khrushchov's notorious appearance at the United Nations supported by the banging of his own shoes.

"Boris Yeltsin, who now looks more and more like secretaries Chernenko and Brezhnev in their final days, made this gesture in anticipation of the Duma vote on impeachment to please Russia's brownish red political establishment. Yugoslavia was the only country after World War II which did not station Russian troops on its territory. The freedom obtained with such effort by late President Tito will be lost as President Milosevic prepares to hand over the country to Russia."

HUNGARY: "Points To Break Out From"

Hungarian papers agreed (4/14) that the Oslo meeting of SecState Albright and Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov was "no breakthrough." While top-circulation Nepszabadsag opined that their agreement to continue the dialogue is "not little," other papers, such as influential Magyar Hirlap interpreted it as Moscow rejecting the role of mediator the West has almost openly offered to it.

KYRGYZSTAN: "People Should Know The Truth About Kosovo"

Independent Res Publica concluded (4/13): "Unfortunately, most Russian newspapers, TV and radio companies have launched a campaign of glossing over the criminal actions of the Yugoslav authorities against the peaceful Kosovo population. Moreover, many editors are actively involved in a process of direct disinformation by distributing unproved and even false information.... Unfortunately, this campaign has affected the opinion of many Russian citizens."

LITHUANIA: "NATO Right To Act"

Conservative Lietuvos Aidas carried an editorial by Dainius Zalimas, professor at Vilnius University's Institute of International Relations and Political Science (4/13): "Those opposing NATO strikes also say that the UNSC must sanction any use of force against a sovereign state.... It is clear that the Security Council could not approve NATO actions because Russia and China would have vetoed the action. For this reason, the Security Council would not have been able to meet its main objective--the guarantee of international peace and security. So should the international community just sit back and not take necessary actions, allow Yugoslavia to violate international law and human rights, and implement genocide of Albanians? For these reasons, we should not look at international law only through the procedural UN Charter. NATO operation opponents forget that, according to international law norms, genocide and basic human right violations are international crimes, giving all nations of the world the right to react. Last year, the UN passed a resolution calling for an end to the war in Kosovo and mentioned the possibility of use of force. One may assert that NATO actions completely correspond to the meaning of this resolution and satisfy the requirements of justice. One can deduce that the international community formulates the norms of international law based on which ones can be taken on through effective actions to guarantee international peace and justice when the UN Security Council cannot."

THE NETHERLANDS: "At Least U.S.-Russia Gap Remains The Same"

Centrist Algemeen Dagblad told its readers (4/14): "The only positive aspect of the [Albright-Ivanov] meeting was that the gap between the Americans and Russians did not grow any bigger.... NATO, therefore, cannot expect any support from the Russians or the UN, and will have to depend on its own resources in continuing its fight against the Serbs to prevent more atrocities against the people of Kosovo and to assure these people a safer future."

"Bad Feelings In Moscow"

Influential, independent NRC Handelsblad opined (4/13): "The war in the Balkans has caused so much bad feeling in Moscow...that the Kremlin cannot speak with one voice. It is even uncertain whether money, in the form of IMF loans, will make Russia accept its role in the shadow of the United States."

POLAND: "Can't Do Without Russia"

Leopold Unger wrote in liberal Gazeta Wyborcza (4/14): "It is impossible to quell the Balkan conflict without Russia.... Russia cannot be sidelined any more in the war which continues not far from its border."

"Provocation"

Aleksander Kropiwnicki wrote in right-of-center Zycie (4/14): "It would suit Milosevic to extend the war to the whole of the Balkans. This would mean the end of Serbia's semi-isolation in the region, and perennial turmoil there, which could result in a completely new division of power and alliances, one more favorable to Belgrade."

SPAIN: "Dialogue With Russia"

Conservative ABC opined (4/14): "It is true that yesterday's meeting between the American secretary of state and the Russian foreign minister did not bring about any agreements or even a meeting of the minds. It is still too early to expect any such thing given that Russia's opposition to the bombing of Yugoslavia is complete. Nevertheless, the meeting itself was something of an achievement...and reinforces the mediating role that Russia should play while, at the same time, sending Belgrade a message that its support for Yugoslavia is not unconditional.... Milosevic's obstinacy is bringing his adversaries as well as his friends and the UN together. In the end, this isolation will defeat him."

"Russia Reappears"

Liberal El Pais judged (4/14): "Russia's opposition [to NATO's bombing campaign] has softened somewhat since the Allies almost unanimously called for Russian mediation in the conflict.... It would be absurd if the Balkans conflict were to destroy the relations developed between NATO and Russia over the past few years, or if Russia were to become part of the problem instead of part of its solution, as Albright noted yesterday. Paradoxically, what is most troubling about Russia today is not its power, but rather the weakness of its institutions and the disintegration of its society."

SWITZERLAND: "A Widening War"

This front-page commentary by Eric Hoesli, editor-in-chief of leading French-language Le Temps, observed (4/14): "Southeast Europe has fallen prey to a war, and nobody dares say how long it will last. Albania has de facto entered into war with its Serbian neighbor by agreeing to serve as the base for the Alliance's attack helicopters. Tomorrow, it will perhaps be Macedonia's turn, and the day after, Greece's turn, when the issue of transportation for the now seemingly unavoidable ground troops comes up. Without waiting for a new political mandate and pushed by the urgency of things, NATO, which has already gone far beyond the role described in its own charter, is assuming a humanitarian function whose consequences are hard to determine."

TURKEY: "Being A Guardian"

Hasan Cemal said in mass-appeal Milliyet (4/14): "The Kosovo intervention also seems to be defining NATO's identity in the post Cold War era, labeling NATO as the guardian of democratic values.... It is an absolute must for NATO to defeat Milosevic."

MIDDLE EAST

EGYPT: "Neither The West Nor Russia Want Islamic Presence In Balkans"

Abdel Atti Mohamed wrote in pro-government Al-Ahram (4/13): "Some believe that the current NATO military operations against Serbia could lead to a third world war. This seems impossible in light of the current regional and international circumstances.... Russia is unwilling and is not ready to transform its current difference with the Western Alliance about Yugoslavia into a state of war.... Also, since the United States is leading the world, the talk about a world war has no strong pretext. Besides, the dispute in this region is partly a fight against an Islamic presence in the Balkans. Neither Western countries, nor Russia, nor Serbia would allow differences between them in favor of this presence. In any case, the cost of the war is very high."

"Main Losers In This War: Muslims Of Kosovo"

Pro-government Al-Akhbar observed (4/13): "The main losers in this war are the Albanian Muslims of Kosovo. Unfortunately, the NATO raids caused reverse results and the Kosovo sufferings are expected to increase with the continuing NATO raids. A simple question to the officials in the White House and European capitals: Why did you start military operations against Yugoslavia, raising the banner of humanitarian reasons, if you are afraid to use your land troops?. At least international observers who were present in Kosovo were trying their best to protect the people there before the NATO operations. NATO leaders should amend their strategy to allow land troops to be sent to Kosovo as soon as possible to save what is left."

"Ground Troops Needed"

Mohamed Al Haiawan, columnist in opposition Al Wafd, said (4/14): "The Kosovo issue invites grief and shame, because Moslems are being slaughtered...while Arabs and Moslems are standing motionless.... Ground troops are needed to prevent the slaughter."

ISRAEL: "The Limits Of Intervention"

Efraim Inbar judged in the independent Jerusalem Post (4/14): "Despite the unmatched American firepower...Belgrade...has achieved so far its strategic goal--continued control over Kosovo. A clear-cut NATO victory...is unlikely without American troops."

JORDAN: "Israeli Crocodile Tears"

Columnist Saleh Qallab intoned in semi-government, influential Al-Ray (4/14): "Those who bulldoze the homes of Palestinians in the West Bank cannot possibly have noble feelings behind bringing a token number of Kosovo Muslims into Israel."

KUWAIT: "Russian Annoyance"

Independent Al-Watan had this by Dr. Ayed Al-Mana (4/12): "The war in Yugoslavia is not a threat to Russia's national security.... Despite Russian annoyance over what is going on in Yugoslavia, expressing this annoyance is the maximum Russia can do."

EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC

CHINA: "NATO To Change Policy"

Gao Shijun said in Beijing Youth Daily (Beijing Qingnianbao, 4/14): "There are good indications that NATO is being forced to adjust its Kosovo policy. In its newly released statement, NATO has neither repeated its desperate demand to send NATO-led troops to Kosovo, nor resurrected its requirement that Yugoslavia accept the Rambouillet peace deal in its entirety. Despite its flat refusal to stop bombing, NATO is looking for an out."

HONG KONG: "Kosovo Cauldron"

The independent South China Morning Post's editorial argued (4/14): "Despite the damage being wrought from the air, Mr. Milosevic still seems intent on seeing his forces achieve their objective. But the longer this goes on, the greater the danger of escalation into a wider Balkan war. From the start, NATO leaders have stressed the need to prevent history from repeating itself in this troubled part of the world. But as events unfold, the possibility of a spreading conflict together with more suffering in Kosovo itself looks increasingly likely."

JAPAN: "Escalation Of Kosovo Crisis, New Balkan War Feared"

Liberal Mainichi's Vienna correspondent, Machida, observed (4/14): "Without a doubt, Yugoslavia has expanded fighting into Albania to throw continuing NATO air strikes into confusion. NATO will be forced to make a crucial decision on whether to expand its military involvement in Albania, which already faces major political confusion."

"Albright-Ivanov Meeting Fails"

Business-oriented Nihon Keizai's Oslo correspondent, Sakai, stressed (4/14), "Secretary of State Albright and Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov failed to iron out differences over the Kosovo crisis.... It was evident that Albright and Ivanov tried to prevent the U.S.-Russian differences from becoming more pronounced. Economic aid from the United States and other NATO member countries will be indispensable to the hard-pressed Russian economy. Given that fact, Russia could not but prevent cool U.S.-Russian relations from deteriorating."

INDONESIA: "NATO Needs To Deploy Ground Troops In Kosovo"

Under the above headline, independent Suara Pembaruan held (4/13): "The longer pressure on the Serbs is delayed, the more people will be driven out of Kosovo or killed there."

PHILIPPINES: "Dealing With Dictators"

Columnist Julius Fortuna remarked in the government-controlled Journal (4/14): "The moment the world order allows intervention under the pretext of domestic problems...it's the end of the world.... This does not mean, of course that butchers should be allowed to exist on this planet. But there are various forms of sanctions that can be applied to dictators and they have all proven to be effective. But please, no bombs.... Bombs do not distinguish between Serbs, Kosovars, Albanians and trees."

SOUTH KOREA: "Albright-Ivanov Meeting"

According to independent Hankyoreh Shinmun emphasized (4/14): "The failure [of U.S. Secretary Albright and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov] to resolve the key issue of the peacekeeping force tells us that they have nothing to build their commitment to peace on."

VIETNAM: "NATO Shows Signs Of Weariness"

The forum of Vietnam's Union of Youth Societies, Thanh Nien, had this commentary (4/14): "NATO has to think of a peaceful solution because three weeks of air war have not resulted in a desirable outcome. The joint statement of the NATO foreign ministers' meeting also mentioned possible Russian involvement in the efforts to find a political solution for Kosovo. This is simply because NATO has not been able to knock Yugoslavia out. The three weeks of air war has led NATO back to the starting point.... What a 'hard trip' for NATO!"

SOUTH ASIA

INDIA: "A Slavic Union?"

An editorial in the nationalist Hindustan Times maintained (4/14): "If Belgrade now goes in for a formal military alliance with Moscow and Minsk, it obviously reflects the Serbs' and Russians' historical fears of another invasion from the West.... If NATO really wanted peace for the Kosovars, active Russian diplomacy should have been given a chance first."

AFRICA

ETHIOPIA: "Spectator Nations Could Suffer Similar Treatment By NATO"

Independent, Amharic-language weekly Kiyit editorialized (4/8): "When the United Nations was established, its founders had sought to put an end to military aggression by the high and mighty against the weak and defenseless states. Today, however, the UN has sadly been made irrelevant and has become an impotent witness to the arrogant aggression of NATO against Yugoslavia. The international community has also kept an undignified silence with only feeble protests by Russia and China. Meantime, Yugoslavia bleeds by the hour. If, therefore, today's spectator nations do not join ranks to stop this slaughter, they should know that they will only be waiting for a similar treatment themselves--and soon."

ZIMBABWE: "Bombings Spins Out Of Control"

An editorial in the government-controlled Sunday News said (4/11): "The NATO Alliance will certainly prevail in showing off sophisticated military technology, and causing more widespread devastation and human misery by turning thousands more Kosovars into refugees.... All the NATO effort has proved so far is that might does not make right."

WESTERN HEMISPHERE

CANADA: "Milosevic: Struck From A Leftist Mold"

R. Cort Kirkwood commented in the conservative Ottawa Sun (4/13): "One other point about communists bears repeating: If Milosevic follows precedent, which he will, any peace treaty he signs will be worthless. Lenin compared them to pie crusts.... Milosevic won't go peacefully and won't honour any agreement he signs. That leaves one alternative to end his genocidal campaign against the Kosovars. The time has come to get the dirty work done."

"NATO Blew It"

National affairs columnist Michael Harris wrote in the conservative Ottawa Sun (4/13): "It should be obvious to everyone that the West's bombing campaign rested on a profoundly false assumption: That Milosevic would give up after the first puffs of smoke from the first bombing runs darkened Serbia's sky. Yugoslavia will not be bombed into submission any time soon. My own guess is that high-tech bombing will never stop the violence in the Balkans....

"Violence usually begets violence, not peace. Make no mistake about it: Yesterday's meeting between Secretary of State Albright and the leader of the KLA is the surest sign that, despite all those upbeat press conferences in Brussels, this war is going badly.... Having bypassed the United Nations to keep Russia and China from vetoing the strike on Yugoslavia, NATO may well have sown the seeds of the UN's demise. After all, if the West can bypass the UN whenever it chooses to make unsanctioned war, what use is it anyway?"

"There Is A Way To End This 'War'"

Editor emeritus Peter Worthington queried in the conservative Ottawa Sun (4/13): "How to get out of this war with neither side grovelling and both saving face?... Get the Russians to broker a return to negotiations, no preconceived conditions. Just a temporary ceasefire. If that happened, Milosevic would likely be more reasonable, would agree to more autonomy for Kosovo, would be more judicious and restrained. Even with an impasse, NATO would not go back to bombing.... A benefit in using Russia as the moderator is that it badly needs something to boost its prestige, give it status."

MEXICO: "Civilian Targets"

Left-of-center La Jornada held (4/13): "This aggression does not end in the destruction of civilian targets of strategic value.... Yesterday, a train was attacked with the outcome of civilian casualties. Nevertheless, there are reasons to doubt that these actions have been mere mistakes. Western propaganda, that of the U.S. in the first place, has permanently praised the precision of Western war machines. In the Gulf War, there two such accidents, and they were blamed on human appreciation errors. But regardless of their origin, death, destruction and human suffering have been the outcome of these actions in Yugoslavia. Further, they have worsened the situation of the Albanians population in Kosovo--whom NATO was supposedly going to defend. Let's hope that NATO leaders will realize how shameful this incident is and that they would order the immediate suspension of the bombings."

"NATO Should Not Become A Supra-National Power Above UN"

Nationalists El Universal held (14/13): "Every day the need to stop the bombing of Yugoslav cities becomes increases..... We wonder if it is fair and morally right to destroy a nation, regardless of whether the government of that nation is acting unfairly toward ethnic minorities. The Atlantic Alliance should not become a supra-national power, even above the United Nations. The world would then be at the mercy of a handful of nations, particularly the United States, France and Great Britain. In time, this would originate a similarly irrational response from other nations such as Russia and China. The end of the bombings is an immediate priority. We have seen that the argument that the civilian population would not be affected by the merciless bombings is false. It is time for the United Nations to demonstrate that it is the only viable option to deal with conflicts in the world."

BOLIVIA: "One Too Many Glasses Of Vodka"

Church-owned, center left Presencia had this by Jose Gramunt (4/11): "The Russian president has to choose between the stupidity of helping the criminal and disgusting Belgrade regime, or lending his diplomatic aid for the reestablishment of a minimum balance in the unstable Balkan area. Or at least, he should shut up."

BRAZIL: "Moscow: A Mediocre Trump Card"

Center-right O Estado de Sao Paulo's Paris correspondent Giles Lapouge wrote (4/13): "Although reinforcing their air fleet and strikes, the Allies are now exploring diplomatic solutions.

"Evidence of this is Secretary of State Albright's trip to Oslo to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov. It is an excellent idea, but unfortunately the Russian trump cards for a possible mediation are mediocre. The primary Russian disadvantage is weakness: economic and financial bankruptcy, a tattered army, power put up for auction, mafias, and mammoth indebtedness with the West, among other things."

"Kosovo, Brazil And South America"

Liberal Folha de Sao Paulo held on its op-ed page (4/13): "We are looking at a continent, Europe, still marked by ethnic intolerance.... This continent uses violence to solve its political conflicts. We are sure that these facts are not supported by the immense majority of the Europeans. But they persist, even without ample support. Let's compare Brazil and South America.... Besides the guerrillas in the Andes, we are not a continent of war and terrorism. Not even our racism brings us to massacres, bombardments, exodus, refugees, nothing that compares to the calamity that today is coming out of Europe. The racism that exists, especially economically speaking, has not taken us to the desintegration of the country.... We are used to...seeing the first world as a paradigm, an ideal to reach. Which in general, obscures our own qualities, our best way of being when compared to other continents. Thus, we would like to see more humility in the almost monthly reports and denounciatons about the violation of human rights, coming from the governments and society of these European countries and of the U.S.--countries that with this war violate such rights and extensively practice ethnic intolerance."

HONDURAS: "Mistake To Belittle Russia"

Liberal, pro-government La Tribuna commented (4/13): "Milsovic will not give up easily...he will look for a way to involve Russia in the conflict. Within Russia, as one would expect, there are forces which oppose NATO's intervention in Yugoslavia.... NATO's violent presence in the area is painful proof that their country no longer counts as an actor on the international stage.... But it's a mistake to belittle Russia. It still has the pride and emotions which could lead it to commit itself to miltary actions. And it can count on its nuclear power, which could still threaten the stability of Western Europe."

CUBA: "Yugoslavia: The War And Its Truths"

Elson Perez Concepcion said in official Communist party central committee Granma (4/13): "The United States has very clear goals to achieve in the aggression against Yugoslavia: 1) to install its forces in the center of Europe, a traditional zone of Russian influence, 2) to keep moving closer to the Russian borders, which parallels the admission of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary into NATO, 3) [to impose] itself as a decisive factor in order to intervene in European conflicts."

URUGUAY: "The Legacy Of Communism"

Top-circulation El Pais editorialized (4/12): "There is a point in this story that has not been sufficiently mentioned and constitutes the backdrop to this drama. It's the legacy of communism in this conflictive region. The ethnic, social and economic policy differences that compose this explosive formula were never contemplated by communism which--through a repressive regime--dominated and silenced a situation full of critical discrepancies that would eventually explode. As a former member of communist forces trained in an ideological discipline which does not admit freedom, Milosevic continued to apply an inflexible policy which resulted in cruel wars against the countries that proclaimed their independence from the former Yugoslavia. The destructive effect of communism is still present as a powerful element which explains in part the horrifying scenes which humanity is witnessing today."

For more information, please contact:

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Telephone: (202) 619-4355

4/14/99

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