Online NewsHour: NATO Bombing Update-- May 21, 1999



	NATO BOMBING UPDATE

May 21, 1999

The Yugoslav state-run media is reporting that NATO planes hit a prison near Istok in northwestern Kosovo, killing 19 people. NATO confirmed that Istok was on this morning's targets list but did not elaborate.

--Posted 3:40 pm EDT

Strikes in Yugoslavia coverage

May 20, 1999: Belgrade hospital bombed.

May 19, 1999:
The financial cost of war.

May 10, 1999: The Chinese ambassador to the U.S.

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Kosova Press -- KLA affiliated

"A security complex was attacked this morning," NATO Major General Walter Jertz said, "but I have no further information on it."
NATO planes also struck fuel depots throughout Yugoslavia last night, including a petroleum facility in downtown Belgrade, the Alliance reported. The resulting explosion damaged the Swiss ambassador's residence where a diplomatic reception was taking place. No one was injured.

"We have obviously expressed our apologies for any inconvenience that may have been caused," NATO spokesman Jamie Shea said at today's morning briefing.

The U.S. ambassador to Switzerland apologized to the Swiss foreign minister in Bern today. Although Switzerland is not a member of NATO, it does represent the interest of many NATO countries in Yugoslavia, including the United States.

It was the second time in two days that NATO bombs inadvertently caused damage to an embassy. On Wednesday night, NATO air strikes accidentally damaged the Swedish ambassador's residence. Damage was also inflicted on the Norwegian and Spanish embassies.

Two weeks ago NATO bombs accidentally hit the Chinese embassy in downtown Belgrade, killing three Chinese nationals and wounding 20.

Despite the incidents, NATO maintains that its high-tech weapons are extremely accurate.

"Since the conflict had started, about 10,000 guided bombs, out of which 12 did go astray, which means 0.12 percent," NATO Major General Walter Jertz told reporters. "I think…that is a clear indication on how precise and how accurate the strikes are, even though, of course, we do feel sorry if something -- some fatalities do still occur."

Earlier in the day, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer called upon NATO to review its target lists. A spokesman for the German foreign ministry told Reuters that Mr. Fischer called Secretary-General Solana to discuss the issue.

On the diplomatic front, meetings between Russian special envoy Victor Chernomyrdin, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Talbott, and Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari ended today. Mr. Talbott is expected to return to Moscow next week to continue the talks.

-- Compiled from wire sources