BOTH PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT SHOULD REACH A SOLUTION WITH THE ASSISTANCE AND GUARANTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, AND THUS PROTECT THE LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF BOTH NATIONS IN KOSOVO
The Intervention of NATO in Kosovo - (video in slovenian language)
Statement by the President of the Republic of Slovenia Milan Kucan

Ljubljana, 24 March 1999



I deeply regret the military intervention in Serbia. However, what has had to happen, has indeed happened.

The aggressive Serb nationalistic policy has been threatening the peace in south-eastern Europe for several years, causing a humanitarian catastrophe and defying the democratic world.

As was the case in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it has been clearly impossible to stop the violence in Kosovo in any other way but through force. Memories of Vukovar, Dubrovnik, Sarajevo, Srebrenica and other places teach us that violence has to be stopped.

I think that the military intervention of NATO is an international step in this direction.
This intervention is not an act of hostility against the Serb nation.
By carrying it out, the international community and NATO have taken neither side of the parties to the conflict.
They have acted solely to protect the civilian population and with a view to a political and peaceful solution to the conflict.
Both parties to the conflict should reach a solution with the assistance and guarantee of the international community, and thus protect the legitimate interests of both nations in Kosovo.

Slovenia will continue its endeavours towards such a solution. Slovenia's security and defence policy will be adjusted to the new circumstances arising from this situation and from the international responsibilities accepted by our country.