Resolution of the Yabloko Party on the Balkans War
                        May 11, 1999
 
                                            Moscow oblast’,
                                      Township of Golitsyno
 
  The human tragedy in the Balkans unwinding before the eyes of the whole world has
  simultaneously revealed the deep crisis that is gripping the entire system ensuring
  fundamental human rights and international and European security.
 
  The ten years of the Yugoslav drama lead to the conclusion that the Milosevic regime has
  chosen to pursue the most unacceptable of all concepts of a federal multinational state
  which elevated Serbian nationalism to the rank of state ideology. As a result, the crisis
  followed the worst possible and criminal scenario that led to end less war and counry’s
  irreversible disintegration.
 
  The main lesson that Russia must draw from the Yugoslav experience is that a
  multinational state must never pursue a nationalist policy in any sharp or form.
  Otherwise, the country is doomed to mass bloodshed and inavoidable disaster.
 
  What is happening in Yugoslavia today, however, is also evidence of the profound moral,
  political and intellectual crisis gripping the Western political elite.
 
  The most vivid illustration of this is Nato’s pursuit of the dangerous and cynical ideology
  that allows for “collateral damage” in the process of defending of human rights. The
  present Western leaders have reanimated the principle that the end justifies the means,
  which is contrary to the basic humanitarian values of the European civilisation.
 
  One more indication of the crisis of Western policy is the double standard scandalously
  perceptible in the behaviour of the Western countries. In the summer of 1995, the armed
  forces of Croatia overran the region of Srbska Krajina, which was under the protecion of
  a UN peacekeeping contingent. This invasion saw atrocities not only against the local
  peaceful inhabitants and a mass expulsion of Serbians from their territory, but also loss
  of life among members of the UN peacekeeping contingent. In spite of this, the leading
  Western countries, with the United States in their head, continued to support Croatia and
  confined themselves to addressing mild requests to its president Tudjman “to avoid
  violations of human rights”. The similar policy was pursued also in Bosnia and
  Herogovina. Many more examples could be cited all over the world. As we know, the
  Nato countries practically ignored the hostilities in Chechnya.
 
  As we see, ethnic purges are condemned by the Nato countries only if they are pursued
  by a politically loyal country, while the proWestern orientation assures any regime
  indulgence to commit all sorts of crimes against humanity and blatant violations of
  human rights and the rights of national minorities in the full sense of that word.
 
  Nato actions in Yugoslavia are not only destructive per se. They are a most dangerous
  precedent of deliberate and undisguised violation of international law. In substance, what
  is happening in the Balkans may be described as a precedent of lynch law. Today, no one
  can any longer predict what countries may tomorrow arrogate the right to conduct
  punitive campaigns and countries will be their victims.
 
  Nato is demonstrating to the whole world that the decisive factor on the international scene today is not law, but military force. This may lead to the collapse of the system of international security that existed so far, an unpredictable finale. Today, Nato’s behaviour is prompting many countries, including nuclear ones, to review their military doctrines and to build up thheir armies and armaments, which is fraught with an escalation of the number and geography of military conflicts, an acceleration of the arms race, and spread of mass extermination weapons.
 
  In this critical situation, the international community is faced with two equally serious challenges.
 
  It must resolutely and unambiguously oppose the authoritarian Milosevic regime in political terms, for the regime’s activities may be characterised as genocide. It must also do its utmost to overcome the consequences of the Nato countries gross violation of international law.
 
  It is no less urgent to restore a dependable and trustworthy integral system of international security in Europe and the world as a whole. This system must ensure the rights of national minorities and, at this time, rule out the very chance of one state imposing its will on other states by undeclared wars.
 
  We call for immediate ending of the bombing campaign, and thereupon the immediate return home of all refugees. We call for effective control (including use of an international security force under UN auspices) of peace and order in Kosovo, disarmament of the Kosovo Liberation Army, and a check on all terroristic activities. We call for Russia’s active participation in this process. We call for the free existence of Yugoslavia as a single democratic state, and broad authonomy of Kosovo region.
 
  Yabloko condemns all recurences of individual and collective aggression, of the great-power mentality, and the presumptuosness of force. We oppose imperial methods in home and world politics, no matter what lofty and democratic principles invoked to justify them.
 
  Yabloko calls for immediate dialogue with forces in Yugoslavia capable of securing a democratic reorganisation of the country and the principles of respect for human rights and the rights of minorities.
 
  No goals in the world are worth the slaying of guiltless people.
 
  There can be no rule of law in the world based on double standards.
 
  Ends and means must never conflict
 
  Signed:
  G.A.Yavlinsky
  Chairman of Yabloko.