Kosovo. Statement by Ambassador Anders Lidén, Deputy Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations (Security Council), October 24, 1998

Mr. Chairman,

A month ago the Security Council adopted resolution 1199 (1998) on the situation in Kosovo. The resolution spelled out a number of specific demands, particularly on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, but also on the Kosovo Albanian leadership. The purpose of the resolution was — and remains — clear: to halt an impending humanitarian disaster, to allow refugees to return to their homes and to set the stage for a negotiated political solution.

These objectives remain to be met. The number of refugees is still alarmingly high as winter is approaching. Most of the FRY troops and special police that need to withdraw have not yet done so. And the political negotiations between the Parties on the future status of Kosovo need to be accelerated.

With the agreements reached between the FRY and the OSCE and the FRY and NATO, the basis has been laid for the international community to verify compliance with Security Council resolutions 1199 and 1160. Sweden welcomes these agreements and has begun recruiting personnel for the OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission. We highly appreciate the efforts by the Contact Group and by Mr. Holbrooke, which paved the way for these agreements. At the same time, it is obvious that Yugoslav acquiescence could only be achieved through strong pressure, in which NATO planning played an important role.

It is essential for the continued efforts of the international community in Kosovo that the Security Council now give its full endorsement to the OSCE and NATO verification missions. In the resolution before us, the Council also sends a clear message to President Milosevic, and to the Kosovo Albanians, that it expects full and unequivocal cooperation with the missions. I trust that the Council will not fail to act — and act with appropriate firmness — if such cooperation is not forthcoming.

The missions have an essential role to verify that the resolutions of the Security Council are respected and implemented. They deserve our full support.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.