Kosovo and U.S. Policy

Publication Date: June 1998

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

Type:

Abstract:

Kosovo, a region in southern Serbia, has been the focal point of bitter struggles between Serbs and Albanians for centuries. Leaders of the ethnic Albanian majority in Kosovo say their people will settle for nothing less than complete independence for their region, while almost all Serb political leaders have been adamantly opposed to Kosovo's independence or even a substantial grant of autonomy to Kosovo. Conflict between ethnic Albanian rebels and Serb police has resulted in over 300 deaths since late February 1998. The United States has spoken out repeatedly against human rights abuses in Kosovo, but does not support Kosovar demands for independence, only an "enhanced status" within the Serbia-Montenegro (the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) that would include meaningful self-administration. The United States and its allies in the international Contact Group (the United States, Russia, Germany, France, Britain and Italy) have used a "carrot-and-stick" approach of sanctions and inducements to stop Serb attacks against civilians and get the two sides to the negotiating table. NATO is reportedly examining options to use force against Serbia-Montenegro if diplomacy and sanctions fail. This report will be updated as events warrant.