BBC News Online: World: Europe

Belgrade diplomacy leaves Nato unmoved

Following the latest peace mission to Belgrade by the Russian Balkan's envoy, Viktor Chernomyrdin, Yugoslavia reiterated its acceptance of the general principles drawn up for a settlement by Russia and the seven other G8 nations.

Mr Chernomyrdin returned to Moscow on Friday after declaring himself "very satisfied" with talks held with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. Some leading politicians in Belgrade who have been lobbying the president to find a diplomatic solution were said to have been celebrating after the latest talks.

One source close to government told the BBC there had been a psychological shift on the part of the Yugoslav leader.

Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, who has accused Belgrade of trying to destabilise his government, welcomed the reports.

Russia frustrated

But shortly after Mr Chernomyrdin left Belgrade on Friday evening, Nato planes attacked Yugoslav targets once more.

On Saturday, Russia accused the West of failing to appreciate its peacemaking efforts.

Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov was quoted by Russian media as saying: "Russian efforts and the direct efforts of ...Chernomyrdin, have not found the understanding of the leadership of Nato, which continues to insist Belgrade accept the alliance's demands."

Nato's cautious reaction

In Paris, the French and German leaders called for an early meeting of the G8 countries to consider the developments from Belgrade.

The BBC's correspondent in Paris, Stephen Jessel, says President Chirac and Chancellor Schröder agreed that signs from Belgrade that it was willing to accept the G8 conditions were worth following up, initially by officials, later if justified by ministers.

But President Chirac's answer was unequivocal when asked if President Milosevic now had room for manoeuvre in negotiating an end to the conflict. "No. He doesn't have any," he said.

Nato Secretary General Javier Solana's reaction was also cautious. Speaking on Saturday via a live link from Italy to reporters at Nato's daily briefing in Brussels, he said: ""I don't have any fresh information. We welcome of course any diplomatic effort to help Belgrade accept the position of the international community."

Campaign's 'significant impact'

Standing beside Mr Solana, the supreme allied commander Wesley Clark, emphasised what he called the "significant impact" of the continuing air campaign.

"No army can stand the continual losses day after day in a campaign of indefinite duration on the ground in Kosovo," he said.

Correspondents say Nato leaders are acknowledging the apparent progress on the diplomatic track without having a special faith that it is leading anywhere.

It is important for Nato unity and for the sake of relations with Russia that every avenue to a peaceful settlement is seen to be pursued.

But there is considerable doubt about President Milosevic's intentions and far more progress will need to be made before a halt to the bombings becomes a serious prospect.

Relevant Stories

Serbs shell Albanian border (28 May 99 | Europe)
Nato planes pile on the pressure (28 May 99 | Europe)
Analysis: A fight to the finish (27 May 99 | Europe)
'Refugees face two-year wait' (22 May 99 | Europe)

Internet Links

Serbian Ministry of Information
Kosovo Crisis Centre
Eyewitness accounts of the bombing
Nato
Albania Daily News

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

In this section

Violence greets Clinton visit
Russian forces pound Grozny
EU fraud: a billion dollar bill
Next steps for peace
Cardinal may face loan-shark charges
Vodafone takeover battle heats up (From Business)
Trans-Turkish pipeline deal signed
French party seeks new leader
Jube tube debut
Athens riots for Clinton visit
UN envoy discusses Chechnya in Moscow
Solana new Western European Union chief
Moldova's PM-designate withdraws
Chechen government welcomes summit
In pictures: Clinton's violent welcome
Georgia protests over Russian 'attack'
UN chief: No Chechen 'catastrophe'
New arms control treaty for Europe
Mannesmann fights back (From Business)
EU fraud -- a billion-dollar bill
New moves in Spain's terror scandal
EU allows labelling of British beef
UN seeks more security in Chechnya
Athens riots for Clinton visit
Russia's media war over Chechnya
Homeless suffer as quake toll rises
Analysis: East-West relations must shift