Aggression on Serbia ongoing, but by different means - conference

BELGRADE - The 1999 NATO aggression on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia failed to accomplish its war objectives, so the aggression on Serbia is ongoing, but by different means, through Western efforts to push the so-called Kosovo into international organisations, a Belgrade conference was told on Thursday.

The conference, titled The NATO Aggression - 24 Years On, was organised by the Belgrade Forum For A World of Equals, the Serbian Club of Generals and Admirals and SUBNOR, an association of WWII veterans.

"We believed that the aggression on our country was ended by the Kumanovo Agreement and UNSCR 1244, but it is still ongoing today, by different means," said Gen Milomir Miladinovic, president of the Serbian Club of Generals and Admirals.

"In an attempt to legalise the so-called state of Kosovo in international relations, our country is being blackmailed through resolutions and ultimatums. They (the West) are trying to accomplish their unfulfilled war objectives by making threats, setting conditions and blackmailing us. I would like to remind you that destruction of the state order, a dismemberment of Yugoslavia and destruction of our army were the war objectives. None of those objectives were accomplished - not even on the battlefield," Miladinovic noted.

"We are all proud of the brave deeds of the Serbian army and the determined resistance it offered to the 1999 NATO aggression, with dignified support from the people," he said.

"The courage of the fighters at Kosare and Pastrik goes beyond all norms of human ability and resilience in fighting. The fact that an army in such a small territory endured a period of two months while under attacks by NATO's strategic air force, which was supporting Albanian land forces, is unprecedented in the history of warfare," Miladinovic said, adding that the army's deeds were "immortal."

He noted that the problems resulting from the illegal snatching of Kosovo-Metohija must be resolved through respect of international law and that the Serbian constitution, UNSCR 1244 and an agreement on establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo-Metohija must be the foundations of talks on the issue.

The NATO aggression on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia began on March 24, 1999.