German Ambassador: 1999 Bombing of Yugoslavia Necessary to Prevent Genocide

Thomas Schieb (Beta/GIZ)

German Ambassador to Serbia Thomas Schieb has said that the bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 is a controversial topic, but that a reaction was necessary so as to prevent a humanitarian disaster and genocide in Kosovo.

“I am aware that this is a controversial matter, that there was no U.N. Security Council resolution [which sanctioned the military intervention]. But a decision had to be made, [and] the goal was to avoid a humanitarian disaster, to avoid a genocide,” Schieb said in the evening on April 7 for the Radio and Television of Vojvodina.

Schieb also said that the bombing “was hard on Serbia, but we shouldn’t forget that it didn’t happen just like that.” “The trouble was how to find a solution for Kosovo, with all diplomatic means having been exhausted,” the German ambassador added.

According to him, the continuation of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is of utmost importance, and the goal of the talks is clear – a comprehensive normalization of relations.

“Everyone agrees that the Kosovo problem needs to be solved, and that is for the benefit of both Serbia and Kosovo, and the region,” Schieb concluded.