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| GENERAL WESLEY CLARK | |
 March 25, 1999 
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NATO Supreme Allied Commander Wesley Clark comments on the the first wave of bombings.
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GEN. WESLEY CLARK: Thanks, Secretary General. As the secretary-general said, yesterday we began Operation Allied Force. It is the first alliance-wide air operation of its type, taken in response to the deepening humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Kosovo, as Yugoslav military and security forces continue and intensify their attacks on their own people. The purposes of this operation have been well-articulated by the secretary-general, by the heads of state and government of many nations throughout the alliance. But the military mission is to attack Yugoslav military and security forces, and associated facilities, with sufficient effect to degrade their capacity to continue repression on the civilian populace and to deter further military and security actions against their own people. We aim to put his military and security forces at risk. We are going to systematically and progressively attack, disrupt, degrade, devastate. And ultimately, unless President Milosevic complies with the demands of the international community, we are going to destroy these forces and their facilities and support. In that respect, the operation will be just as long and difficult as President Milosevic requires it to be. As Secretary General Solana has said, this is not an attack against the Serb people. Every effort is being made to avoid harm to innocent civilians and to avoid collateral property damage. In the operation thus far, almost 400 aircraft and several warships have been involved, all different types, from most nations in the alliance. Thus far, more than 40 targets have been struck. Most of these targets were associated with the integrated air-defense system. Other targets included command and control facilities, some facilities associated more directly with the Yugoslav military and ministerial EpoliceF forces, and a few military support facilities. I'm not able today to identify the specific targets of this operation, but let me just say that they do extend throughout the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. There is no planned sanctuary. Downtown Belgrade was not struck yesterday. The battle damage assessment of the targets continues. I have nothing yet to report on this, but we will be making information available as it is analyzed and assessed. And you may remember from your experience with other operations of this type, it normally takes several days to gain a clear understanding of the results of the operations. Let me just show this targeting methodology so there's -- we can be very clear about this. What we're targeting are military and security forces and their associated facilities. We're doing everything we can in the targeting process to minimize collateral damages or casualties to people who are not involved. What we're targeting here are the military security forces and the associated facilities. We're taking all possible measures to minimize collateral damage, damage to innocent civilians or nearby property that's not associated with the target. We obviously want to have the maximum effect on their ability to prosecute these offensive operations against their own people and cause this humanitarian tragedy, but we're starting with the integrated air defense system, the anti-aircraft sites, command and control facilities and infrastructure and will be then progressively, as I said, and systematically, moving from there. Now, just a few words about the operation. As the secretary- general has said, it was an allied operation. I think it was very well planned and organized. The sorties, the ships, all of this came together on time. It was very well rehearsed before it began and it's the culmination of a long period of planning, frankly. There was not a lot of air defense fire at the ingressing forces. Frankly, we know what his air defense system is, we know he has some formidable capabilities. We just didn't see them last night. But I want to emphasize that operations like this cannot be conducted without risk. Last night, the principal opposition seemed to be some fighter aircraft that were brought up against us. We did detect and engage these aircraft. At least three were destroyed, including some of the most modern and capable aircraft in his inventory. All NATO planes successfully and safely returned to their bases. I know there's been an issue today about an F-15 that sat down with an engine problem in Sarajevo. There was a routine maintenance issue. And it had nothing to do with any engagement with the enemy. But I do want to salute the brave men and women who flew in harm's way on that mission and their missions last night, and the superb leadership and staff work that are evident throughout the many, many parts of Allied Command Europe and national structures which are supporting this operation. Air operations continue today. But let me note that we also have some 40,000 NATO troops in the region, foremost in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where we have the stabilization force of about 30,000. They're in there doing their job, helping to try to bring peace and reconciliation to that war-torn country. And they're obviously -- I think they're doing a great job. There's been some political problem in recent weeks there in that country, in the Republika Srpska, but it seems to be working itself out. And the SFOR forces there are at the ready today, should they be challenged. But what we see is a great concern by the people in Bosnia-Herzegovina, frankly, with their own problems and the challenges that society faces as it attempts to rebuild. We have another 10,000 NATO troops in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, where we have the Ace rapid-reaction corps commanded by British Lieutenant General Sir Mike Jackson there. These forces are the leading elements of what will become the implementation force for the implementation of the Rambouillet peace agreement. They have arrived there over a period of weeks. They were in readiness so that, within a few days of the signing of that agreement, that they could go on into Kosovo and begin their work. Of course, you know the story on that one. They're there. They're taking the appropriate measures to protect themselves and other measures that may be required, should there be some instinct on the part of Serb forces to strike back at NATO forces in a neighboring region. But I would say that, were that to happen, it would be a grave mistake by Serb forces. And our forces there are perfectly capable of defending and protecting themselves. So I think all is in readiness in the region, and this operation will continue.
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