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Updated: 18-Mar-2002 Week of 9-15 June 1999

10 June 1999
Kosovo

On 10 June 1999, a Military Technical Agreement (MTA) for the withdrawal of all Serb forces from Kosovo was signed between General Jackson, Commander of the International Security Force (KFOR) and representatives of the VJ General Staff and Republic of Serbia Ministry of Internal Affairs.

On 11 June, the NATO Secretary General announced the suspension of the air campaign after confirmation from SACEUR that Serb forces had started their full withdrawal. That evening the United Nations Security Council passed resolution 1244 (1999). UNSCR 1244 authorises member states and relevant international organisations to establish an international security presence in Kosovo, under unified command and control and with substantial NATO participation.

Also on 11 June, Russian troops enter Pristina in advance of KFOR troops.

On 12 June, the first elements of KFOR, under General Jackson (COMKFOR), started deploying into Kosovo. KFOR will work in close co-ordination with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

KFOR's primary role, once Serb forces have complied with the MTA and withdrawn from Kosovo, is to provide a secure environment for the re-building of Kosovo. However, until the appropriate civil authorities or international agencies can take over, immediate support will be necessary for assistance with emergency humanitarian support, public security, initial civil administration and essential infrastructure repairs.

18 countries, including 13 Partners, have expressed interest in participating in KFOR (Argentina, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden Switzerland, the UAE and Ukraine). NATO is also discussing with Russia her participation.

At the same time NATO's forces have continued their support for humanitarian efforts in Albania. Similarly rear elements of KFOR remain in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) to provide both humanitarian assistance to aid agencies and support for NATO forces in Kosovo.

Additional information:

  • NATO Speeches: Press statement by NATO Secretary General on the suspension of air operations

1. Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.

13 June 1999
Workshop on Cities of Science in Russia

A workshop sponsored by the NATO Science Programme was held in Obninsk, Kaluga Region, Russia, on 13-16 June. It studied state support for the development of Cities of Science and High Technologies in Russia, analysed measures proposed for Russia and compared the experience of Western countries.

The workshop was jointly organised by the Obninsk Center of Science and Technology, Russia, and the Free University of Berlin, Germany. 12 Russian naukograds (Cities of Science) were represented, while Western participants, including experts from the US Department of Energy, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA, the EU TACIS programme, and the French CEA, were received by the Deputy Minister for Nuclear Affairs (Minatom).

14 June 1999
PfP Education and Training Conference

On 14-15 June, the Partnership Cooperation Cell (PCC) at NATO's military headquarters at Mons (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe: SHAPE), held its annual conference on Partnership for Peace (PfP) Education and Training. This was chosen as the main theme in response to the growing importance of the issue emphasised in the basic documents of the Washington Summit. The conference brought together over 130 delegates from all NATO and Partner countries, from NATO HQ and from major NATO Commands and bodies.

14 June 1999
Discussions on the OSCE's role in Kosovo

The Prime Minister of Norway, Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik, came to NATO HQ on 14 June to discuss the situation in Kosovo and, more specifically, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) civilian participation in the implementation of the Kosovo peace plan. He met with NATO Secretary General, Dr Javier Solana, the Chairman of the Military Committee, Admiral Guido Venturoni and SACEUR, General Wesley Clark.
Norway currently holds the 1999 chairmanship of the OSCE and the country's Foreign Minister, Knut Vollebaek, holds the position of chairman. A high concentration of the organisation's field activities are in South East Europe. Apart from Kosovo, four other missions are active in neighbouring countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) (1).

Additional information:

  • Audio file of the press conference during the visit to NATO by the Prime Minister of Norway, Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik (.MP3/ 2.18MB)

1. Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.