12 May 1999	Kosovo The NATO air campaign has inflicted heavy damage on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's military infrastructure and seriously degraded the ability of Belgrade's military machine to continue its onslaught in Kosovo. However, President Milosevic has yet to meet our objectives. He must unconditionally agree to NATO's demands which include an immediate halt to military operations in Kosovo, a withdrawal of all forces, and the acceptance of an international military force to assist in the return of refugees and to help enforce a political agreement. Despite Belgrade's recent diplomatic offensive, NATO has seen no indication of a significant withdrawal of VJ and MUP forces from Kosovo. In the meantime, diplomatic efforts are being pursued following the G8 Foreign Ministers' statement on general principles for a political solution to the crisis. Military assessment for a possible international security presence in Kosovo after the conflict is also being updated to take into account the changing situation. The Alliance's substantial support to help alleviate the refugee crisis in neighbouring countries is fully underway in Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1). The plight of internally displaced people inside Kosovo is a major concern. NATO is looking at ways to assist third parties planning to carry out humanitarian missions while pursuing the air campaign. 1. Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name
14 May 1999	UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson condemns ethnic cleansing in Kosovo.
14 May 1999	NATO in the 21st century During a conference organised by the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria in Sofia, 14-15 May, on NATO in the 21st century, the issue of security in south-eastern Europe was raised. Invited to the event, Ambassador Jacques Paul Klein, Principal Deputy High Representative, Office of the High Representative, Bosnia and Herzegovina, drew parallels between the situation in Kosovo and neighbouring Bosnia. He said lessons could be drawn from Bosnia for a post-crisis settlement in Kosovo. Bulgarian representatives expressed their full support and understanding of NATO's action in Kosovo. In a message addressed to conference participants, NATO Secretary General, Dr Javier Solana, stressed : "Bulgaria has an important role to play in the concerted efforts to bring an end to the Kosovo crisis and in fostering cooperation and contributing towards long term stability in south-eastern Europe. Bulgaria's support and efforts in these areas are particularly appreciated by the Alliance."
16 May 1999	Resource management of defence The first economic seminar to be held in the Baltic states under the 1998-2000 Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) Work Programme took place in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 16-18 May. As many as 60 experts from 15 countries gathered to discuss effective resource management in defence. One of a series of activities to be organised in this field, the aim of this seminar was to familiarise participants with the basic principles underlying appraisal and evaluation in defence. Appraisal is a process which aims to achieve value for money; evaluation involves analysis of a policy or project, with the intention of learning from experience. Other seminars, which should have practical implications for partner countries, will be organised in the same topic area.
17 May 1999	Workshop on Environmental Health Planning Over 60 experts from 27 countries attended a NATO workshop in Varna, Bulgaria, from 17-22 May, on "Guidelines for Stakeholder Participation in Local Environmental Health Planning". Following previous meetings on the subject, the workshop reviewed and assessed methodologies and approaches of national and local Environmental Health Action Plans and Environmental Management. It also aimed to devise and promote effective practices for stakeholder participation in their development and implementation.
18 May 1999	Alliance Ground Surveillance The Chiefs of defence procurement of NATO member countries, known as "National Armaments Directors", met at NATO HQ, 18-19 May, in the Spring meeting of their Conference of National Armaments Directors. A key item of discussion was the Alliance's Ground Surveillance Programme. Whereas the highly successful NATO AWACS fleet is geared primarily for air reconnaissance, NATO Commanders need a similar capability for the ground environment. Ministers have already agreed that NATO should have a NATO owned and operated core capability. National Armaments Directors welcomed moves by two groups of nations to push ahead with work on sensors. A CNAD Steering Committee, already in existence, will ensure close formal working relationships between these two efforts and other national programmes.
18 May 1999	Visit to NATO by Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo. Additional information: High resolution photos of the visit to NATO by Dr. Ibrahim Rugova