15 years since start of NATO's war against Serbia

(Tanjug. file)

15 years since start of NATO's war against Serbia

BELGRADE -- 15 years ago today NATO launched its campaign of aerial attacks against Serbia, then a part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SRJ, FRY).

The western military alliance made the decision to attack Serbia without the approval of the UN Security Council, which was considered "a precedent."

The order was given to U.S. General Wesley Clark by NATO Secretary General Javier Solana.

Clark later wrote in his book entitled "Modern Warfare" that the planning of the war was already under way in mid-June in 1998 and was completed in August of that year.

Serbia came under attack as the culprit for "the humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo and the failure of negotiations in Rambouillet, Paris on the future status of the province."

The Paris conference presented Serbia with the proposal to have foreign troops deployed in its territory, which was rejected. The decision not to accept foreign troops was confirmed by the Serbian Assembly, and on March 24, 1999 NATO launched its attacks.

19 countries took part in the operation, using ships in the Adriatic Sea, four air bases in Italy, supported by strategic operators who took off from bases in western Europe.

According to estimates of the Serbian government at least 2,500 people were killed (according to some sources, the total number of fatalities was almost 4,000), while more than 12,500 were injured.

(Tanjug, file)

The recently published official data of the Ministry of Defense of Serbia speaks about 1,008 soldiers and policemen killed, while unofficial data shows that 6,000 civilians, including 2,700 children, suffered various degrees of injuries.

The...

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