22 years ago, NATO launched an air campaign against the former Yugoslav army and police. For 78 days NATO attacked the then Yugoslav federation to end the ethnic cleansing that Milosevic was using all his military arsenal against Kosovo Albanians. The NATO alliance campaign was led by retired US General Wesley Clark. On this anniversary, the photos of the then western leaders went viral on social media in Kosovo. And the photo of General Clark was also illustrated as a sign of gratitude for his contribution to the freedom of Kosovo.
In an exclusive interview for KosovaPress, General Clark said that he is proud of the people of Kosovo who fought for their freedom and insisted on creating a democratic government.
He also recounted the initiative of the NATO campaign to intervene in the war that Serbia was waging in Kosovo. Clark also spoke about whether an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia is possible, emphasizing that Serbia should help their people to overcome the old nationalism.
During the written interview given to KosovaPress, Clark was also asked about the obstacles that Russia can make to the Western efforts to normalize the relations between Kosovo-Serbia.
KosovaPress: General, today 22 years ago you led the NATO air campaign against the Yugoslav army to stop ethnic cleansing of Kosovo Albanians. In June 1999, Kosovo gained its freedom, and your name remains in the memory of the people of Kosovo as a hero of freedom. Please tell us your views on Kosovo today. Please tell us how you feel today?
General Clark: I am proud of the people of Kosovo, who struggled for their freedom from oppression and have persevered to create a democratic government.
KosovaPress: Today, all the people of Kosovo are using your image as a sign of gratitude to you, so in memory of the start of the NATO air campaign against the Yugoslav army this event is being illustrated with your photo, and your name in Kosovo is now a synonym of heroism, many children bear your name, there are also street names etc. Are you proud?
General Clark: Yes, I am very gratified for the support from the people of Kosovo. But I also recognize that so many others, both American and NATO and Kosovars, especially, sacrificed so much.
Kosovapress: If you can share with us the feeling you had at the start of the campaign? So, the moment of the order for the campaign to start?
General Clark: I felt that this was the right action, an action made inevitable by Slobodan Milosevic and his policies. I had confidence that we would prevail, but at that moment we could not foresee the final outcome – all we sought was that the ethnic cleansing would stop and that NATO peacekeepers could enter to protect the population. As the campaign went further, it became clear that all Serb forces would have to leave.
KosovaPress: Did you believe that the western project for Kosovo would be so successful?
General Clark: It has succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations. I always believed that people should be able to live together in peace, and that force should be used only as a last, last resort. But the region is still caught between massive geopolitical forces. My hope is that relations will be normalized throughout the region.
Kosovapress: In 2008 Kosovo became independent state, but since then its international subjectivity remains fragile. From your point of view, what is not going right, the lack of diplomatic Kosovo experience, the change of Western leadership (of your generation), or do you think that there are other factors?
General Clark: I believe that the key to the political development in Kosovo is equitable economic development, education, agriculture, business and trade all need to be normal with neighboring countries – and this will require continuing international diplomatic support – and then the people of Kosovo should expect that their government will develop the adequate safety net to enable continuing progress.
KosovaPress: At the time when you played a crucial role in the Kosovo issue, Western leaders were very unified on the Kosovo issue, but recently there have been differences between the United States and the European Union (especially during the administration of President Trump). Differences over the format of negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia lowered US-EU relations to their lowest point since World War II. What do you think, where is the problem?
General Clark: With a new US administration, I believe the problems of the past four years can be largely overcome.
KosovaPress: As a person with experience in Albanian-Serbian problems, do you think that an agreement between the parties is possible?
General Clark: Yes, an agreement is possible, and such an agreement is in the interests of both parties. Government leaders in Serbia must help their population move past the old nationalisms and quarrels of the past.
KosovaPress: I want to ask you about the possibility of obstruction that Russia may make to Western efforts to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Given its relationship with Serbia, do you think it can play a negative role in benefiting its interests in the separatist regions of Georgia and Ukraine?
General Clark: Although i am no longer in public service, it does seem that Russia is using Serbia to create difficulties in southeast Europe. They should recognize that creating these difficulties is not in their own interests.
KosovaPress: I said at the beginning that you continue to be a hero in the memory of the people of Kosovo, from this position please tell us how you see Kosovo, for example in the next 5 years?
General Clark: I believe the new us administration will endeavor to promote reconciliation and greater harmony in the Balkans, all to the benefit of Kosovo. Kosovo will continue to set an example as a nation and people who are western-oriented nd democratic. And in the continuing struggle of democracy against authoritarianism, the example of Kosovo will be very powerful.
Wesley Clark is a American general in retired who is already a name in the history of humanitarian warfare. He led the NATO bombing of Yugoslav military and police units, which resulted in the capitulation of former dictator Slobodan Milosevic, who was forced to sign a technical military agreement in Kumanovo to allow NATO peacekeepers to enter Kosovo. General Clark is considered a Hero by the people of Kosovo.
