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1998: Mounting
international concern is voiced over the violent repression and
ethnic cleansing carried out by the Serb government against the
Kosovar Albanians. Repeated diplomatic initiatives and negotiations
fail to persuade the government of President Milosevic to reverse
its policies.
In March
1999 the governments of the Alliance conclude that there is no alternative
to military action in order to bring the conflict to an end, not
only for the sake of the people of Kosovo, but in the interests
of peace and stability in the Balkans as a whole and in the wider
world.
An air campaign
begins on 23 March and continues until 10 June. Agreement is reached
on the stationing of an international military presence following
the withdrawal of Serb forces. The deployment of the Kosovo Force
(KFOR), led by NATO, creates conditions allowing the return of thousands
of refugees and the beginning of the process of reconstruction.
President Milosevic, indicted as a war criminal, remains in power
in Belgrade amid growing criticism of his policies and role in the
conflict.
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