Recommendation 1384 (1998) Crisis in Kosovo and situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

1.   The Assembly strongly condemns the continuing escalation of violence in Kosovo, which has already driven more than 280 000 people from their homes and brought the region to the brink of war.

2.   The Assembly reiterates its position expressed in Resolution 1146 and Recommendations 1360, 1368 and 1374 (1998), adopted since January this year. It calls for an immediate ceasefire and the creation of conditions permitting the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons. International observers should have unimpeded access to all parts of Kosovo, to assess the situation and investigate allegations of war crimes and other violations of human rights.

3.   The Assembly considers the following elements to be essential in reaching a lasting peaceful solution to the crisis:

i.    security guaranteed to all people living in Kosovo and achieved through the withdrawal of the Serbian security forces, the disarmament of armed groups of ethnic Albanians and the deployment of an international peace force;

ii.    a new political status for Kosovo based on a high level of autonomy within the Yugoslav federation and including:

a.   the highest possible form of self-government for Kosovo in the fields of law-making and the executive, the judiciary, public order, the economy, education and culture;

b.   respect for the rights of Serbs and other minorities living in Kosovo;

c.   direct participation of Kosovo representatives in the federal institutions;

iii.   democratic reforms implemented throughout the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and guaranteeing full compliance with Council of Europe standards concerning the functioning of a democratic political system, the rule of law and the protection of human rights and the rights of national minorities, notably in Kosovo, Vojvodina and Sanjak;

iv.   international guarantees ensuring respect for the future agreement and preventing any attempts to return to the status quo or to secede.

4.   The Assembly considers that, in the absence of a clear and unequivocal position of the international community on the future status of Kosovo, the political and military pressure exerted on both sides to engage in negotiations remains largely ineffective.

5.   The Assembly strongly supports the resolution of the United Nations Security Council of 23 September 1998 and underlines the necessity for an immediate ceasefire.

6.   The Assembly therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers organise an international conference on the future status of Kosovo as soon as possible, with the participation of all interested parties, governments and all relevant international bodies.