that the Allied diplomacy gave Yugoslav government the final chance for a political solution in Rambouillet peace talks. Following NATO air strikes, a flood of Kosovar Albanian refugees began to pour into neighboring countries, Albania and Macedonia. According to Solana’s article, NATO expressed its concern for the refugees by supporting UN High Commissioner for Refugees “by providing and transporting food and supplies”(3). He continues, “The Alliance is also providing medical support and is helping to set up refugee centers in the neighboring countries”(3). Oberg gives a different view to NATO’s humanitarian support by stating that “Humanitarian concern is hardly credible” (2).“NATO’s action released a humanitarian catastrophe. The international ‘community’ let Macedonia and Albania carry 98% of the burden, and relieved itself of the frightening perspective of having the refugees flood EU Europe. The US – generously – suggested that it would take 20.000 and store them on its military base…in Cuba!” (Oberg 2)However, Solana was hoping that President Milosevic would quickly accept the demands of the international community that included “the return of all refugees;”(2) Solana admits the consequences and the risk that could occur by the start of the bombing campaign in Yugoslavia stating:The humanitarian tragedy was not likely to be stopped within a few days. The military risks to our soldiers would be significant. Civilian casualties might occur. Our important relationship with Russia was likely to suffer. And last but not least, NATO would be charged by some with taking international law into its own hands.(1)At the near end of the article Oberg introduces the idea of “Telling the truth”(4), by a fair argument commenting on both sides of the conflict:It is often said that the West cannot rely on Milosevic/the Serbs/ B...
