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On 24 March, Operation Allied Force began after months of intense
effort by the International Community to find a political solution
to the crisis in Kosovo. NATO's decision to resort to the use of
force was taken only after it became clear that all efforts to achieve
a negotiated, political solution to the Kosovo crisis had failed
and no other alternative was open.
NATO aeroplanes initially conducted air
strikes against Serbian air-defences. Pre- (top right) and
post (bottom left)-strike aerial photographs show the destruction
of an anti-air missiles site in Obrva, Serbia |
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The Alliance's ultimate objective continues to be to support the
diplomatic efforts of the international community to find a political
solution to this crisis. Intensive air operations are now being
conducted against Serb military and police targets with the aim
of disrupting and weakening the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY)
government's ability to carry on its campaign of terror against
the civilian population of Kosovo, to prevent further humanitarian
catastrophe, and to avoid the spread of instability in the region.
This expansion against the military structure of the FRY will intensify
degradation of strategic targets and FRY forces in Kosovo despite
significant risk. Every effort is being made to avoid collateral
damage.
NATO condemns the wholesale expulsion of civilians from their homes
and the wanton destruction now being perpetrated by Serbs security
forces. The Alliance and its member states stand ready to support
international humanitarian efforts to ease the plight of refugees
forced our of their homeland by Serbian forces.
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