Former German minister who died yesterday threatened Milosevic by force if he was ousted by Kosovo

In this case, Time brings to memory a statement by the former German minister during the war in Kosovo in 1998.

Associated Press, September 22, 1998

Germany has threatened Yugoslavia's president, Slobodan Milosevic, with military forces Tuesday if it does not ease the measures on Kosovo's separatist province, saying NATO is prepared to resolve the crisis.

In a speech to world leaders gathered for the General Assembly, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel condemned the use of force by Milosevic's troops and the Kosovo Liberation Army. The KLA is fighting for Kosovo independence, where ethnic Albanians make up 90 percent of the population. The biggest responsibility for this drama falls on Belgrade, with President Milosevic”, Kinkel has said. “He must understand that the international community will react with military force if necessary”.

Milosevic was also sharply criticised by Wolfgang Schusel, Austrian Foreign Minister who called for the withdrawal of Serbian and Yugoslav forces from Kosovo.

Their “Police and military operations have led to consequences for the civilian population that are outside any reasonable proportion”, Schussel said, speaking on behalf of the European Union.

He called for negotiations to define Kosovo's new status”.

“However, without the interruption of the ongoing Serbian offensive, without the end of further spilling of blood, and without an apparent improvement in the catastrophic humanitarian situation, meaningful dialogue cannot begin”, Schussel said.

Hundreds have been killed and over a quarter of a million have been displaced since Serb forces launched violent measures in February against ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo. Western nations support the restoration of Kosovo's autonomy, which was removed from Milosevic in 1989.

Serbian forces on Tuesday attacked villages in Kosovo with heavy artillery and tanks.

On Monday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair urged tough actions by the Security Council to stop fighting in Kosovo.

Britain and France began drafting a resolution that would require immediate ceasefire and “an urgent end to violating the rights of Kosovo residents”, Blair said.

The two countries are aiming at a Council resolution that would authorise the use of force to force Milosevic to reconcile, sources from the Security Council say.

Russia, which has veto power over resolutions as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has said it opposes any threat to force use.