The Kosovo Conflict : A Diplomatic History Through Documents

The 1999 Kosovo conflict brought an unsettling close to the 20th century, representing both a critical test of post-World War II international security structures and a chapter in a human tragedy that is far from concluded.

This collection comprises official, unclassified documents surrounding this event. "The Kosovo Conflict" begins with the full text of Slobodan Milosevic's speech at Kosovo Polje in April 1987, which marked the beginning of the junior Communist official's ascension to power on the ticket of Serbian nationalism.

The volume's 11 chapters then trace growing tensions in the province over the ensuing decade, as well as the concurrent increase in international concern.

Particular attention is given to the immediate prelude to the conflict and the conflict itself.

More specifically, the volume details the international community's efforts to defuse the escalating violence in Kosovo from 1998 through 1999, beginning with economic sanctions and continuing through the October threat of NATO airstrikes, the January Racak massacre, and the Rambouillet negotiations. The volume then follows in detail the evolution of both diplomatic and US environments during the course of the NATO air campaign, leading to the end of the campaign in June 1999.

Though rich in detail, "The Kosovo Conflict" places events in context.

Each chapter is prefaced with an essay and chronology summarizing that chapter's events.

The body of each chapter comprises key agreements, speeches, communiqu s, and statements of the major nation-states and international organizations involved in the Balkans.