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resolve the conflict in a peaceful way. The alternative holds grave consequences for U. S.’ interests in the region.
In concluding, Joe says he is greatly concerned about the media "blackout" on this issue in the U. S. press, especially the New York Times. Is State Department part of the problem? The Vice President has shown his support; let’s send a signal.
| TIM: | We’re also surprised by the lack of news. We are worried. We are following the situation. Two weeks ago there was an interagency meeting chaired by CIA. We’ve asked for more reports. Yesterday, Secretary Schultz met with Foreign Minister, of Yugoslavia for 30 minutes. (Twenty-five minutes spent on internal situation.) Tom Simons (State Department Secretary) will be there next week to talk about technology transfer. He will be in Kosovo and Belgrade to voice the State Department’s grave concern about the protests, etc. |
| TOM: | There is an effort to reverse the process of giving Republic status for Kosovo. Things will explode. This is not a hypothetical situation. Why can’t we have a more forceful position from State? (Similar to the Tibet issue where I bad to drag the State Department kicking and screaming to a more moderate position focusing on human rights.) Yes, there are problems committed by Albanians against Serbs -- this is natural given the disproportionate population in Kosovo. |
JOE: There are factions that want to see Kosovo part of Albania and State Department inaction may be fueling these extremists.
| TOM: | We are not interested in sovereignty. We are interested in human rights. |
SEYMOUR: It is blurred because in Kosovo, Albanians are in the majority. A part of the problem is the weak central government. Yogoslav officials are becoming more moderate.
| TOM: | How can we be ambivalent about establishing Serb hegemony in an area where they are in the vast minority like in Kosovo? |
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