News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: Update on Kosovo POWs

Date: April 01, 1999

The following recaps the days events, statements and news regarding the three US Army soldiers captured and now being held Prisoner by the FRY.

Morning Briefing -

"We're very concerned about the safety and welfare of the three soldiers who were abducted by Serb forces. We've all seen their pictures. We don't like it. We don't like the way they're treated, and we have a long memory about these kinds of things."
USA General and NATO Commander, Wesley Clark

"We will hold Milosevic responsible for the safety of the three US soldiers and he has to know that very clearly."
Secretary General of the UN, Javier Solana

Midday -

"Their status is that of being illegally detained. We will do everything in our power to secure their safe return."
Secretary of Defense, William Cohen

"President Milosevic should make no mistake: We will hold him and his government responsible for their safety and their well-being." And, "...the United States takes care of its own."
William Clinton, Norfolk Naval Base, Norfolk, VA.

Afternoon -

"We consider them to be POWs. We consider that -- we believe that they are -- we assert that they are covered by the Geneva Convention, which, of course, gives them a series of internationally recognized protections. At a minimum they are entitled to POW status. It may be, depending on the circumstances under which they were taken, that they were entitled to immediate release as well."
Pentagon Spokesman, Kenneth Bacon, 01 APR 99 Briefing

"The soldiers would be treated in compliance with the Geneva Convention on war prisoners."
Yugoslav Deputy Prime Minister, Vuk Draskovic

NEWS Update - 01 APR 99 2230 hrs

Tanjug State News Agency states that the three prisoners will face 'military court proceedings' on Friday (02 APR 99). The charges have not been made public. Jovica Jovanovic, a member of the Provisional Executive Council of Kosovo, said a military court will institute criminal proceedings Friday against the three soldiers from NATO's U.S. contigent who were arrested on Yugoslav territory."

NATO stated that the three were inside Macedonia when captured. Serbias stated that they were in Yugoslavia. Spokesmen say it is unclear where they were and an investigation is ongoing.

Under a protocol of the Geneva Convention, Prisoners cannot be tried in court unless it is for war crimes. Therefore a trial would be illegal. However, the US Senate never ratified the necessary protocol, which may allow the Trial to be held.

Pentagon account of final transmission - Wednesday: UNIT #1: "We are under fire."UNIT #2: "You're not bullshitting us, are you?" UNIT #1: "No, we are under fire. We are surrounded." End of transmission