Doc. 8365
30 March 1999

Yugoslav crisis

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Glotov and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       The Assembly condemns the use of force against a sovereign state – the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia – without the sanction of the UN Security Council which constitutes a violation of the UN Charter and undermines the foundations of contemporary international order based on law and legality. The Assembly also condemns the use of force against the civilian population in Kosovo and Metohija and calls for immediate cessation of hostile actions by the sides involved and resumption of the interrupted negotiations.

2.       The Assembly believes that the only way to reach a just and long-term settlement of the Kosovo conflict is through negotiations, the use of exclusively political means and legal instruments. It notes that the use of force harms security and stability on the European continent, undermines the principle according to which resolution of regional and inter-ethnic conflicts by political means has no alternative.

3.       The Assembly expresses its deep concern over the threat of a humanitarian catastrophe in the Balkans. It considers massive missile and bomb strikes, under the pretext of preventing such a catastrophe and which inevitably leads to the suffering of the civilian poulation, to be unacceptable and contradicting the universally recognised norms and principles of international law. The Assembly is alarmed by the grave consequences of the use of force against Yugoslavia which will result in further aggravation of the humanitarian situation, lead to the escalation of violence and impede a peaceful settlement.

4.       The Assembly is of the opinion that war is inconsistent with the lofty ideals championed by the Council of Europe and that the non-observance of the principles of the Council of Europe cannot be a pretext and a justification for the use of force, resorting to terrorism and repression against Yugoslavia.

5.       The Assembly draws attention to serious diplomatic mistakes in the way negotiations on peaceful settlement in Kosovo were arranged and conducted, due to which an absurd situation evolved when the document on the principles of the settlement was signed by only one delegation while the interim agreement by another one, with the delegations of the conflicting sides holding no direct negotiations regarding the provisions in the documents put forward by the Contact Group.

6.       Proceeding from the above, the Assembly appeals to the Committee of Ministers with the following recommendations:

i.       to call on those states which are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, to cease the use of force against Yugoslavia as violating the UN Charter, incapable of resolving the Kosovo problem and seriously aggravating the humanitarian situation in the region;

ii.       to call on all the sides in Kosovo to refrain from any acts of violence, to immediately establish and observe the regime of cease-fire;

iii.       to call on the Contact Group, the authorities of the Federal Repbulic of Yugoslavia and Kosovar Albanians to come to an agreement on the signing of the political part of the draft interim agreement on peace and self-government in Kosovo;

iv.       to call on member states to take appropriate measures to stop the terrorist activity of KLA/UCK and other armed units, and any forms of support for such units including financial support;

v.       to call on member states to take measures in cooperation with internatinal humanitarian organisations, including allocations of necessary resources, to provide assistance to refugees and displaced persons, including those who left their homes after the beginning of the NATO military operations against the FRY as well as to victims of air strikes on the territory of Yugoslavia.

Signed : ¹

Glotov, Russia, UEL

Averchev, Russia, SOC

Kharitonov, Russia, UEL

Kuznetsov, Russia, EPP/CD

Lukin, Russia, LDR

Melnikov, Russia, LDR

Pobedinskaya, Russia, EPP/CD

Savitsky, Russia, UEL

Vishnyakov, Russia, NR

Zhebrovsky, Russia, NR

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group