American Ambassador Jeff Hovenier, at a conference of the Kosovo Ambassadors’ Council, stated that the use of force was both necessary and legitimate by NATO during the 1999 bombing campaign to stop the ethnic cleansing against Albanians in Kosovo.
He mentioned that in the coming days, many narratives about these events will be heard, and for this reason, he presented the official American stance.
“I want to take this opportunity because in the coming days, we will hear a number of narratives regarding the events of 25 years ago. So, to provide a definitive stance, not from Jeff Hovenier, but from the ambassador of the USA, an official stance of the USA, my government will have the opportunity to clarify further in the coming days, but I am doing it now to avoid any kind of doubt regarding the events 25 years ago,” Hovenier said, continuing with the clarification.
“25 years ago, the world was witness to a terrible campaign of ethnic cleansing by Milosevic’s machinery here in Kosovo. I remember it personally and many of you know when the negotiations in Rambouillet concluded. I was in Paris while it was happening. We had exhausted all diplomatic efforts and avenues to stop the brutality of Milosevic’s terrible regime. As President Clinton said in 1999, a day before the allied forces operation began: If President Milosevic does not want peace, we have the will to stop his capability to wage war in Kosovo. Now we mark this 25th anniversary in this cooperation with solemnity. We remember the hundreds of thousands of people who had left their families. We express regret for the loss of many civilian lives, including those who died during the NATO operation after exhausting all alternatives to stop the bloodshed, NATO had the moral imperative to act, and we acted. The use of force was both necessary and legitimate, considering the humanitarian crisis the world was watching in real-time as explained by President Clinton. I quote: “We acted to protect thousands of citizens of Kosovo from a police and military offensive and we act to stop a larger war, we act to stand in unity with all our allies for peace.”
Hovenier said that NATO’s operation returned refugees of all ethnicities to their homes and that their efforts were towards the return of peace.
“The USA supported NATO for 78 days of bombings to stop Milosevic’s regime from ethnic cleansing, also contributing with diplomatic pressure. Such an operation paved the way for the end of hostilities and the creation of conditions for the return of refugees from all ethnicities that call Kosovo home. All our efforts were in pursuit of a common, long-term vision of a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace. You have heard these words. This has been the guiding principle for the USA in our engagement even after the Cold War. The terrible events that occurred 25 years ago must never happen again. We remain committed to supporting the stabilizing role performed by NATO’s force in Kosovo, KFOR.”
Hovenier commemorated the courage of those who stood against ethnic cleansing and those who continue to maintain peace today, reemphasizing the vision of a whole, free, and peaceful Europe.
Source: Botasot.net
