BBC News Online: World: Europe


Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Sport | Entertainment | Talking Point | High Graphics | Feedback | Help | Noticias | Newyddion |
Wednesday, June 2, 1999 Published at 22:59 GMT 23:59 UK

Clinton considers Kosovo invasion


Clinton considers Kosovo invasion
US President Bill Clinton is to meet his military chiefs for the first time since the Kosovo air campaign began to discuss the possible use of troops for a ground invasion.

The meeting on Thursday is likely to put extra pressure on Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic as he considers his position on the peace plan put to him by the EU and Russia.

Mr Clinton also announced the US would contribute 7,000 troops to the force deployed in Kosovo if Mr Milosevic accepts a peace agreement.
Kosovo: Special Report

Mr Clinton said: "There is a clear choice before the Serbian leader.

"He can cut his losses now and accept the basic requirements of a just peace or he can continue to force military failure and economic ruin on his people.

"The outcome will be the same."

Russian and EU peace envoys made their first joint attempt on Wednesday to persuade Mr Milosevic to accept a peace plan for Kosovo.

They handed a peace plan to Mr Milosevic in Belgrade after settling last-minute differences over the proposals.

Freezing weather

Nato is preparing for a Kosovo peacekeeping force (KFOR) of 50,000, including 7,000 US troops, if current diplomatic efforts are successful.

But if they are not not, administration and military officials said Nato and Washington must begin at least making tentative plans to increase KFOR sharply for a possible ground war.

Only a few months remain before freezing weather comes again to southern Serbia's mountains.

President Clinton said 68 more US aircraft were to be deployed in the Balkans.

Mr Clinton also said that an extra 3,000 US troops, taking the total to 7,000, will be joining the peacekeeping force.

"Our European allies will provide the vast bulk of peacekeeping troops, but America will also contribute," he told cadets graduating from Colorado Springs Air Force Academy.

Recent polls have shown Americans generally would not support an invasion in which possibly hundreds of US troops could be killed.

But in the absence of any clear sign that President Milosevic is prepared to back down - and with the air campaign in its third month, Nato's options are becoming increasingly limited.

BBC Washington Correspondent Stephen Sackur said: "The air war is not working as fast as the White House and military officials would like it to be working.

"People believe in Washington that if the air war is not successful and Milosevic does not back down by the middle of June, then there will have to be serious preparation for a ground force to be deployed in Kosovo."


Europe Contents

Country profiles

Relevant Stories

Milosevic studies peace plan (02 Jun 99 | Europe)
Analysis: Bridging the diplomatic gap (02 Jun 99 | Europe)
US support for strikes slips (29 May 99 | Americas)

Internet Links

Nato
Serbian Ministry of Information
Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Kosovo Crisis Centre
Eyewitness accounts of the bombing

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


Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Sport | Entertainment | Talking Point | High Graphics | Feedback | Help | Noticias | Newyddion |


Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | ©