Kosovo Conflict Chronology: September 1998 - March 1999

Publication Date: April 1999

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: International relations

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Abstract:

This report chronicles major events regarding the violent conflict in Kosovo, a region in Serbia with a majority ethnic Albanian population, from September 1998 through March 1999. During this period, a cease-fire was brokered in October 1998, but was frequently violated by both sides. In mid-January 1999, a massacre of ethnic Albanian civilians by Serbian police prompted renewed international attention to the Kosovo problem, and led to peace talks in February and March. NATO planned to deploy a peacekeeping force in Kosovo once an agreement was reached. Continued Serbian rejection of the agreement led NATO to launch an extended air strike campaign against Yugoslav targets on March 24. Air strikes did not deter Serb forces from their onslaught in Kosovo, driving hundreds of thousands of refugees into neighboring countries. Other CRS reports relating to this topic include CRS Issue Brief 98041, Kosovo and U.S. Policy, CRS Issue Brief 93056, Bosnia and Kosovo: U.S. Military Operations, and CRS Report 98-752, Kosovo Conflict Chronology: January-August 1998. This report will not be updated.