Mark Kelly: “democracy is struggling to take root in Kosova despite the continued pattern of Serb violence against the ethnic…”

“democracy is struggling to take root in Kosova despite the continued pattern of Serb violence against the ethnic Albanian population. Parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled to be taken in Kosova on March 22. This will be the first general election this volatile region has had since 1992 and it represents a landmark event for the 90 percent Albanian population in Kosova in their struggle for freedom and independence. Today we are just hearing reports of artillery shelling and aerial bombing of villages, part of a continuing pattern of violence against the ethnic Albanian population by the Serbs. This must stop. I call upon President Clinton to initiate strong measures, including tougher sanctions against the Belgrade government of President Milosevic. For the sake of the ethnic Albanian people in Kosova and a lasting peace in this troubled region, we cannot allow this violence to continue.”