Global Policy Forum

Women protest killings, loss of rights in Kosovo

The United States and five other nations today agreed on an arms embargo and other sanctions against Yugoslavia in response to violence against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of ethnic Albanians in the province held their biggest demonstration in decades, protesting the deadly crackdown by Belgrade.

The six-nation Contact Group, made up of representatives from the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia, also warned of further sanctions unless President Slobodan Milosevic withdraws special police units from Kosovo within 10 days. There was disappointment in Kosovo that the group did not adopt tough economic sanctions against Belgrade. Russia refused to endorse economic sanctions, arguing that the conflict is purely an internal matter. The United States refused to rule out foreign intervention if necessary to avoid another Balkan tragedy.

Violence erupted a week ago in Kosovo, a province of Serbia with a majority-Albanian population, when Serb police cracked down after an Albanians nationalist group began demonstrating for independence. The unrest has sparked fears over Balkan stability and prompted calls for Western military intervention. Nations neighboring the troubled region are putting military troops on high alert and preparing for an influx of refugees fleeing the fighting. Listen as NPR's Tom Gjelten reports for All Things Considered about today's diplomatic efforts to end the violence.

Also for All Things Considered, NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports from Kosovo's capital Pristina, where tens of thousands of ethnic Albanians marched in protest today. For perspective on the region's history, listen to Weekend All Things Considered host Jacki Lyden as she speaks with author Misha Glenny, who is writing about conflict in the former Yugoslavia.