BBC News Online: World: Europe

NATO chief defends record in Bosnia

The NATO Secretary General, Lord George Robertson, has defended the organisation's record in the Balkans.

Speaking at the NATO parliamentary assembly in the Hungarian capital Budapest, he said it was up to the people of Serbia alone to decide what happens to their country.

BBC Eastern Europe correspondent says Mr Robertson would not be drawn on a likely NATO response to any future conflict between Serbia and Montenegro, but he warned the Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic that what he called mischief-making at home or abroad would not be tolerated. He referred also to the situation in Bosnia -- saying that while there was still had a long way to go, in particular in the fight against corruption, the progress achieved there should be a model for Kosovo. Is travelling on to Kosovo, where he says the pressing need is for an improvement in the security situation of the Serbian minority.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service