Resolution on the Situation in Kosovo

The Executive Committee of Liberal International meeting in Amsterdam, 4 April 1998,

1. Believes the conflict between the Kosovar Albanians and the Serbian government seriously damages the human and national rights of the people of Kosovo, and that the Kosovo problem is one which reaches beyond the internal affairs of the Serb state and therefore if the relevant international organisations do not urgently and resolutely take steps to find a peaceful solution, the existing conflict will worsen and spread.
2. Believes the centuries old conflicts in the relationship with Kosovo have been radicalised due to provocation by the Serb government which unilaterally abolshed the autonomy of Kosovo written in the Yugoslav constitution so depriving Kosovar Albanians of their individual and collective rights with repression.
3. Condemns the killing of ciliians, including children, by Serb forces, and calls on all parties to refrain from the use of violence.
4. Condemns the continued repression in Kosovo and the clear disrespect of human rights for those living in the region.
5. Believes the continuing problems in Kosovo can only be solved through the establishment of autonomy for Kosovo which will be accepted by the Albanian majority in the region, one which enforces their civic and national interests and respects the similar interests of other ethnic groups.
6. Notes the strong support for Mr Rugova in the March elections, who has persistently called for settlement of the dispute by negotiation.
7. Calls for a solution to be reached to this conflict between legitimate Kosovar Albanian representatives and the Serb government through peaceful negotiations.
8. Believes that an agreement can and must be established with the international help of mediators and supervisors.
9. Calls on the UN, EU, OSCE, NATO and WEU to make preparations for the dispatch of a preventive deployment force to the region.