19 Jan. 2000	Carla del Ponte at NATO Mrs Carla del Ponte, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), met with NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson on 19 January. She also briefed the North Atlantic Council -NATO's highest decision making body- on the work of the tribunal. Additional information: High resolution photos of the visit to NATO by ICTY Prosecutor, Mrs. Carla Del Ponte
19 Jan. 2000	Reconstruction of Kosovo: more money needed General Klaus Reinhardt, Commander of the NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force in Kosovo (KFOR), has made a plea to the international community to provide more money for the reconstruction of Kosovo. Echoing Dr Kouchner's concerns over the lack of support in Kosovo, he also emphasised the need for a stronger police force and a viable legal system.
19 Jan. 2000	Kosovo dominates NATO-Russia meeting Representatives from NATO member countries and Russia met on 19 January for their first NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council meeting of the year. Kosovo and Russian participation in the NATO-led peacekeeping force, KFOR, dominated the discussions. At the Aspen Institute and Philip Morris Institute's annual conference held in Rome last week (see NATO Update 5-11 January), NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson, explained how Russia resumed consultations with the Alliance in July 1999 after NATO's air campaign against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. He added that "Our relationship is still not where we would like it to be. But I would maintain that our years of dialogue have made a difference".
20 Jan. 2000	Toward stability in the Balkans… The Bulgarian government invited Prime Ministers of countries neighbouring the Former Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) -Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) and Romania- to meet for informal discussions on the situation in the region, at Hissar on 20-21 January. Dr. Javier Solana, the High Representative of the Common European Foreign and Security Policy, and Ambassador Sergio Balanzino, the Deputy Secretary General of NATO, participated in the discussions on the political situation in the FRY (including Montenegro), the Stability Pact, Danube shipping and general policies initiated to develop stability and security in the region. Ambassador Balanzino highlighted NATO's stabilising role in the region through the ongoing peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, and the Alliance's complementary role in the Stability Pact through the South East Europe Initiative. 1. Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.
20 Jan. 2000	Restructuring forces in BiH As stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is increasing, there is a decreasing need for multinational troops from the NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR). As a consequence, in November 1999, NATO members decided to restructure SFOR by gradually reducing numbers and reviewing its tasks on a regular basis. An estimated one third of the troops will leave BiH but SFOR will be backed by a reserve force. Operation Joint Resolve XVII, conducted on 20 January, successfully tested SFOR's ability to deploy reserve forces and involve soldiers from different divisions in operations throughout the country.
21 Jan. 2000	A step toward normalisation in BiH Commercial airliners can now fly in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) air space at specified flight levels and passengers can benefit from cheaper and shorter air travel. These are just some of the consequences stemming from the decision taken on 21 January to hand over the control of the upper air space in BiH from the NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) to the country's civilian aviation authorities. The revenues generated from fees and overflights could contribute to the development of a national aviation infrastructure. The measure itself is a sign of growing stability in the country.
22 Jan. 2000	Defence Planning Symposiums a success Thought-provoking presentations and substantive discussions went on at the Defence Planning Symposium held last week in Germany. Representatives from NATO capitals and military commands had a very successful brain-storming session, exchanging views and ideas on the further development of force structures and defence capabilities. Lord Robertson also gave a key-note address to the 150 participants of this long-standing event. The Partnership for Peace Planning Symposium held afterwards on the subject "Partnership, An Alliance Fundamental Security Task" allowed representatives from NATO and Partner countries to hold informal but substantial discussions on the further development of specific Alliance initiatives launched at the Washington Summit and the role of PfP in crisis management.
24 Jan. 2000	Lord Robertson in Poland Poland's membership of NATO and defence modernisation plans dominated the talks held during NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson's visit to Warsaw on 24 January. He met with President Aleksander Kwasniewski and Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek who explained their country's approach to security: Poland wants to participate in European defence operations while maintaining good relations with Russia and non-NATO countries. Lord Robertson also met with Foreign Minister, Bronislaw Geremek, and Defence Minister, Janusz Onyszkiewicz. They covered issues such as the restructuring of the Polish Armed Forces, Poland's recently adopted security concept, Kosovo and NATO's new strategy.
25 Jan. 2000	Notorious war criminal arrested Mitar Vasiljevic, a notorious member of the White Eagles - a Serb paramilitary unit- has been detained by NATO-led peacekeeping troops. He is accused of being responsible for the mass murder of Moslem civilians in Bosnia and Herzegovina between April 1992 and October 1994. Reports reveal that, in some cases, he was directly involved in locking up victims in houses and burning them alive. Vasiljevic has been transferred to the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia in the Hague where he will be tried for crimes against humanity and with violations of the laws or customs of war.