Systematic and brutal military action by Serbian forces. accelerated during their summerlong offensive against UCK forces. has forced an estimated 300.000 or more ethnic Albanians to flee their homes. In recent weeks Serb forces have shelled entire villages. not just rebel positions. forcing more civilians to flee. While many have fled as refugees to neighboring countries. most of these displaced persons remain inside Kosovo and are now vulnerable to exposure. starvation. disease and further Serb military attack. I understand that Assistant Secretary of State for Refugees Julia Taft concluded during her recent visit there that over 210 villages in the region have already been looted. and many torched. by Serbian security forces. With winter approaching. international relief agencies now fear that tens of thousands of refugees without food or shelter could face death. By some estimates there are 50.000 to 100.000 people in Kosovo living out in the open. without any shelter. Unless they can return to their homes or be provided adequate shelter within the next few weeks they may die of exposure. Our respected former colleagues Senator Bob Dole recently returned from Kosovo warning that there is a "human catastrophe in the making." President Clinton said last week that there is a potential for a "major humanitarian disaster" in Kosovo and that it is "important that we move as quickly as possible with our allies to avert a tragedy." The President cautioned: "We dont want a repeat of Bosnia." The President is right. We cannot wait any longer to take more vigorous action to force Serbia to cease making this crisis worse and to allow necessary humanitarian relief into the area. Serbia must comply with the persistent demands of the Contact Group: (1) cease attacks on civilian populations. and withdraw its forces used to repress civilians. (2) permit the establishment of an effective international observer group in Kosovo. (3) allow refugees and displaced persons to return to their homes safely. under international supervision. (4) allow unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations and supplies. and (5) make rapid progress in the dialogue with the Kosovar leadership. In recent days there have been some positive developments in the UN Security Council and in NATO which indicate that those organizations may be ready to take necessary action. The Security Council is contemplating a resolution stating that the situation in Kosovo "constitutes a threat to peace and security" that impels the council to demand an immediate ceasefire.
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refugees Refugees