Statement made by Chancellor Gerhard Schröder regarding thesituation in Kosovo:

My fellow countrymen:

NATO began launching air strikes against military targets in Yugoslaviathis evening. In doing so, the Alliance wants to stop further serious,systematic human rights violations and prevent a humanitariancatastrophe in Kosovo.

Yugoslavia's President Milosevic is waging a relentless war in Kosovo.In defiance of all warnings, Yugoslav forces have stepped up theirterror against the Albanian majority in Kosovo. The internationalcommunity can no longer watch the human tragedy this has caused inthat part of Europe without taking action. We are not waging war.We are however called upon to enforce a peaceful solution in Kosovo even under the use of military means.

This military action is not aimed at the Serbian people. I want to also say this specifically to the Yugoslav nationals living here in Germany. We will do everything possible to avoid losses among the civilianpopulation.

The Yugoslav delegation at the Paris conference rejected even minimal concessions just late last week. This is particularly hard to comprehend in light of the fact that the peace agreement negotiated there did not question Yugoslavia's existence. What is more, the European Union held out the prospect of Belgrade's return to international organizations and a gradual lifting of sanctions in the event that a settlement could be reached.

Belgrade's response was to breach agreements and send further troops to Kosovo. As a result, the use of force became the only means left.

By contrast, the representatives of the Albanian majority signed the Paris peace agreement, documenting to the entire world their willingness to reach a peaceful solution. This operation is jointly supported by all Alliance partners. Byconducting it, we are also defending our common fundamental values of peace, democracy and human rights. We cannot allow these values to be trampled on just one hour by air away from here.

Bundeswehr soldiers are also participating in this NATO mission, as was decided by the German government and the Deutscher Bundestag - in accordance with the will of a vast majority of the German people.

This was not an easy decision for the German government. After all, this will be the first time that German soldiers will have seen military action since the end of the second world war. I call upon everyone in Germany here and now to stand by our soldiers in this hour. They and their families ought to know that we will do everything possible to protect them during this difficult and dangerous mission. Nonetheless, we cannot rule out the possibility of danger to life and limb for our soldiers.

I call upon President Milosevic here and now to end the fighting in Kosovo immediately. NATO and the entire international community remain willing to help implement the peace agreement when so desired by the parties to this conflict. The first NATO units, which include 3,000 German soldiers, are standing ready to provide military assistance for safeguarding the necessary cease-fire. Europe reaffirmed its responsibility for the peaceful development of events on the continent at the Berlin summit. Europe speaks with one voice as well when it comes to the difficult mission in Kosovo.

There can be no doubt about our determination to end the killing in Kosovo. It is in the hands of Belgrade's leaders alone to end this NATO operation by deciding in favor of peace.

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