(1 Jul 1998) English/Nat
U-S peace envoy Richard Holbrooke says international observers could begin making symbolic patrols of the tense Kosovo province of Yugoslavia as early as this week.
Ethnic Albanian rebels and Serb security forces have been battling in the Kosovo province in a conflict Holbrooke said could threaten peace in the Balkans.
At the U-S State Department on Wednesday, talk of the on-going diplomatic mission to Kosovo dominated the daily news briefing.
American diplomats have held several meetings with leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, and there will be more shortly.
International officials fear the ethnic Albanians' fight for independence from Yugoslavia, made up of dominant Serbia and small Montenegro, could erupt into major bloodshed throughout the region.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Our goal is clear. In the near term, we need a cease-fire, we need a cessation of hostilities. Over the longer term, we need a political solution to something that we believe can only be solved politically. And this diplomatic full court press, this ongoing diplomatic full court press, is one that Ambassador Hill, Ambassador Gelbard, and, as appropriate, Ambassador Holbrooke will be conducting. They are in constant contact with each other. We are trying, through this diplomatic full court press, to deter and prevent the outbreak of a more general war.
SUPER CAPTION: James Rubin, State Department Spokesman
Recently, there have been reports that Serbian soldiers from the Bosnian conflict are arriving in Albania to fight alongside the Kosovan separatists.
Rubin suggested that these reports have set off alarm bells.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We were aware of entreaties that had been made where the rogues gallery of mercenaries who look for a fight to which they can join, would like to join the fight and that doesn't come as a surprise to us. But we have made clear both to various factions within the Kosovo Albanians what a mistake this would be.
SUPER CAPTION: James Rubin, State Department Spokesman
But the possibility of intervention looms.
U-S envoy Richard Holbrooke has said that international observers could start symbolic patrols of the Serbian-ruled province as early as this week.
Rubin said NATO had not "ruled any options out".
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The NATO military planners continue to accelerate military planning. We haven't ruled any options out. We are supportive of a strong resolution in the United Nations authorising the use of force. We believe that U-N authorisation would be useful, depending on the circumstances, it may not be necessary."
SUPER CAPTION: James Rubin, State Department Spokesman
Hundreds of people, mostly ethnic Albanians, have died in Kosovo since Serb security forces launched an offensive on February 28 to try to halt growing resistance to Serbian rule.
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