NATO HQ Brussels 30 Jan. 1999

Statement to the Press by NATO Secretary General, Javier Solana (61Kb) Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, NATO stands ready to act. We rule out no option to ensure full respect by both sides in Kosovo for the requirements of the international community. We welcome the results of the Contact Group meeting. NATO gives full support to the Contact Group strategy of negotiations. We will put all of our capabilities behind this push for an interim political settlement. Today, we have made clear that we are maintaining all of our demands on both sides and which I gave in my warning last Thursday evening. (61Kb) If these demands are not met, NATO is ready to take whatever measures are necessary. Therefore, the Council has agreed today that I may authorise air strikes against targets on Yugoslav territory. I will take my decision in the light of both parties' compliance with international commitments and requirements, including in particular assessment by the Contact Group of the response to its demands, to avert a humanitarian catastrophe, by compelling compliance with the demands of the international community and the achievement of a political settlement. I will also take full account of the position and actions of the Kosovar leadership and all Kosovar armed elements in and around Kosovo in reaching my decision on military action. NATO will take all appropriate measures in case of a failure by the Kosovar Albanian side to comply with the demands of the international community. NATO is studying how to support measures to curb arms smuggling into Kosovo. NATO's decisions today contribute to creating the conditions for a rapid and successful negotiation on an interim political settlement which provides for an enhanced status for Kosovo, preserves the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and protects the rights of all ethnic groups. NATO is resolved to persevere until the violence in Kosovo has ended, and a political solution has been reached.