Drecun: NATO failed to accomplish its goal in 1999

BELGRADE - NATO's goal in Kosovo-Metohija in 1999 was completely different to what is defined by UNSC Resolution 1244 because NATO wanted an agreement under which it would have unobstructed movement across the entire territory of the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and to turn the territory of Serbia's southern province into something that was supposed to be an independent state, Serbian MP Milovan Drecun said on the 25th anniversary of the resolution.

"Unfortunately for them, due to the extremely strong resistance we offered, along with the unprecedented heroism of our security forces, they were forced to change those goals and finish the war, to put it conditionally, in a compromise manner. So, neither side fully accomplished their respective goals," Drecun said on Pink TV.

He said Serbia's successful military defence had resulted in UNSCR 1244, which he noted was its "main title deed" to Kosovo-Metohija.

Even though the resolution contains certain traps, it, in fact, guarantees the territorial integrity of Serbia, envisioning that Kosovo-Metohija is to be governed by provisional self-government authorities until a final resolution of its status, he said.

Asked if the situation in Kosovo-Metohija would be different if the resolution was honoured, Drecun said it would definitely be different.

"The first thing that is contrary to reached agreements is that there has been no substantial demilitarisation and that the 'Kosovo Liberation Army' has not been disbanded but allowed to go on an armed rampage for three months after the arrival of international forces and commit terrible ethnic cleansing. That is when more than 250,000 people - mostly Serbs, but also Romani - were expelled from Kosovo-Metohija," Drecun said.