James Rubin Kosovo Quotations

Secretary Albright asked the State Department's senior human rights officer to undertake the mission to further develop the administration's understanding of the dimensions of the conflict in Kosovo and to emphasize U.S. support for proponents of democracy as well as victims of human rights abuse in the region.

If we had the Kosovo Albanians agreed, that would change the situation fundamentally, because then we would be in a position to use the very real prospect of NATO military action to concentrate the minds of the Serbs.

We think both sides need to understand that there is not that much time left for a negotiated solution which can give the legitimate rights to the people of Kosovo and protect the national interests of the Serbs, before we face the prospect of renewed and very dangerous conflict this spring.

I think that will make clear for all to see that the Kosovo Albanians have made the courageous decision to choose peace even while their people are being attacked and killed on the ground today.

will meet with Serb and Kosovo Albanian leaders and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), and will visit sites in the Kosovo countryside where alleged human rights violations have occurred.

The situation in Kosovo is quite troubling, extremely dangerous. We believe the Yugoslav National Army has been engaged in a firefight along the Albanian border with myriad deaths involved.