Robin Cook in Kosovo today
Damaged buildings in Mitrovica
The British Foreign Secretary has told ethnic Albanians in Kosovo that NATO will pursue those responsible for the murders of their friends and relatives. Robin Cook, along with other NATO Government ministers, is in Kosovo on the first visit by senior western politicians since the military organisation halted its bombing of Yugoslavia.
The ministers want to rally international support for the reconstruction of the province, and to provide encouragement to those trying to provide a safe environment for returning refugees. Robin Cook said the delegation would stress the urgent need for the divided ethnic Albanian leadership to unite.
Meanwhile, the Swiss government has frozen the assets of the Yugoslav President, Slobodan Milosevic, and four other war crimes suspects, at the request of the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia. The order means that the suspects' property in Switzerland must be reported immediately to the authorities and cannot be transferred. Slobodan Milosovic was indicted in connection with alleged atrocities against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. The other four, also indicted, include the Serbian President, Yugoslavia's Deputy Prime Minister, the army chief of staff and the Serbian Interior Minister.
In a separate development, Irish soldiers may yet be involved in the military peacekeeping operation in Kosovo. According to a Government spokesman, consideration is being given to the question of participation by an Irish contingent in KFOR under the terms of a United Nations resolution. The spokesman said about ninety members of the security forces would take part probably in a transport and logistics capacity. The matter is likely to be considered by the Government at next week's Cabinet meeting. If sanctioned, it will then have to go to the Dáil for approval.
