U.S. Trying to Block UN Censure for Kosovo Eco Destruction

by Thalif Deen

The Russians want the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, currently in session in New York, to express "grave concern" over the unfolding environmental crisis in the Balkans triggered by the ongoing air strikes by NATO.

The crisis, the Russians argue, is the result of "the destruction of chemical, oil and other industries in Yugoslavia."

The NATO military strikes, which have continued uninterrupted for the past five weeks, not only have claimed human lives but also have destroyed bridges, factories, assembly plants, radio stations and oil storage tanks.

According to the Russian draft resolution, the destruction of Yugoslavia's social and economic infrastructure has "endangered" the overall prospects for the sustainable development of the Balkans region.

Russia also expresses grave concern over the social and humanitarian consequences of the bombings which have resulted in "an unprecedented increase in the number of refugees and displaced persons" in Yugoslavia and neighboring countries.

If it is put to a vote, the resolution is expected to be defeated because of the strong support for the United States and Western nations from virtually all the 56 Islamic member states.

The Islamic nations, sympathetic to the persecuted Albanians and Kosovars who are Muslims, already have condemned the "ethnic cleansing" operations in the Yugoslav province.

In the draft resolution, Russia also is calling on the Nairobi-based UN Environment Program (UNEP) to undertake, "as a matter of urgency," a comprehensive assessment of the environmental damage and identify what actions it plans to take to overcome the present situation.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that he has heard "fresh, reliable reports of the deteriorating humanitarian situation" in Yugoslavia.

The reports of a humanitarian crisis have been confirmed by the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Cornelio Sommaruga.

"The civilian death toll is rising, as is the number of displaced," Annan said. "There is increasing devastation to the country's infrastructure, and huge damage to the nation's economy."

Annan said that Sommaruga had told him that the destruction of three bridges in Novi Sad had cut off fresh water supplies to half of that city's population of 90,000 people.

Since the beginning of the conflict in late March, the international community has been consumed with the tragedy of Kosovar Albanians, the Secretary-General said. "But as the conflict escalates, we see its negative impact spreading through the sub- region, claiming victims throughout the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia."

Annan said that "the human cost of the violence is unacceptably high." Each day's delay in search of a political solution means more deaths, more displacement and more destruction, he added.

"Once again, innocent civilians are paying the price for unresolved political conflict. We must be bold and imaginative in the search for a lasting political solution, which cannot be won on the battle field."

Since then, Annan has said there is very little he can do to resolve the crisis in Kosovo.

When Annan took the initiative to visit Baghdad last year to break a deadlock on UN arms inspections, he not only had the implicit support of the Security Council but also received the right signals from Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

In Kosovo, he does not have any support -- implicit or otherwise -- either from Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic or from the five veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council: the U.S., France, Britain, China and Russia.

At the Security Council meeting, the U.S., France and Britain expressed strong support for continued military strikes against Yugoslavia while China and Russia called for an end to the bombing.

Since the Council is sharply divided and remains virtually paralyzed, Annan remains paralyzed at the political level but has continued to speak out strongly on the evolving humanitarian crisis in Kosovo.

"The United Nations is doing everything possible to alleviate the suffering of displaced persons and refugees who are fleeing Kosovo by the thousands every day," he said.