NATO HQ
13 Oct. 1998
Statement to the Press
by the Secretary General
Following Decision on the ACTORD
A few hours ago we were briefed by Ambassador Holbrooke on his efforts to resolve the crisis in Kosovo. Ambassador Holbrooke reported that there has been progress. He stressed that the process was largely due to the pressure of the Alliance in the last few days and that we have to maintain this pressure in order to ensure that the process continues.
In response, just a few moments ago, the North Atlantic Council decided to issue activation orders - ACTORDs - for both limited air strikes and a phased air campaign in Yugoslavia, execution of which will begin in approximately 96 hours.
We took this decision after a thorough review of the situation in Kosovo. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has still not complied fully with UNSCR 1199 and time is running out.
Even at this final hour, I still believe diplomacy can succeed and the use of military force can be avoided.
The responsibility is on President Milosevic's shoulders. He knows what he has to do.
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NATO HQ
Brussels
13 Oct. 1998
Transcript of the Press Conference
by Secretary General, Dr. Javier Solana
Secretary General: A few hours ago we were briefed by Ambassador Holbrooke on his efforts to resolve the crisis in Kosovo. Ambassador Holbrooke reported that there has been progress. He stressed that this progress was largely due to the pressure of the Alliance in the last few days and that we have to maintain this pressure in order to ensure that this process continues to move forward.
In response, just a few moments ago, the North Atlantic Council decided to issue activation orders - ACTORDs - for both a phased air campaign in Yugoslavia and limited air operations. The execution of the limited air operations will begin no earlier than 96 hours from today. We hope that this period will allow time for the negotiations to bear fruit.
We took this decision after a thorough review of the situation in Kosovo. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has still not complied fully with UNSCR 1199 in a way that can be verified.
Even at this late hour, I still believe diplomacy can succeed and the use of military force can be avoided. The responsibility is on President Milosevic's shoulders. He knows what he has to do.
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