March 24th marks 11th anniversary of the start of NATO aggression against Serbia (Yugoslavia).
During continuous bombardments lasting 78 days between 3500 and 4000 people have been killed and about 10.000 wounded two thirds of whom were civilians. How many have died in the meantime as a consequence of heavy wounds, use of depleted uranium missiles, unexploded cluster bombs and other means of indiscriminate killings and destruction - is hard to establish. The economic damage  had been evaluated at the time at over 100 billion US dollars.
Following the aggression Kosovo and Metohija has been occupied by about 40.000 NATO troops, called KFOR, under the flag of UN.
About 250.000 of Serbs and other no Albanians have been ethnically cleansed from the Serbian Autonomous Province.
Eleven years after they still have not been permitted to return to their ancestors homes. While the Provence has been run by UN mission (UNMIK) over 150 Serbian medieval monasteries and churches have been destroyed by Albanian terrorists, tens of thousands of Serbian homes have been set a fire, dozens of graveyards flattered and ploughed not to leave traces
of Serbs and Christianity. ).

So called Plan of Marty Ahtisary for conditional (gradual) independence of Kosovo and Metohija has never been approved by UN Security Coucil. Yet, it is being implemented. In February 2008, with the backing of USA, Great Britain, Germany and France Albanian separatists and leaders
the terrorist KLA, unilaterally declared separation of the Province from Serbia violating UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) which explicitly guaranties sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia (FRY).
The first to recognize this illegal independence was Afghanistan followed by USA and their closest allies. In spite of the enormous pressure
of USA administration on other countries, this illegal creature named “Republic of Kosovo” is recognized by less than a third of UN members.
Even EU could not reach unity on the question having five member countries refusing to obey direct request of Washington (Spain, Greece,
Romania, Slovak Republic, Cyprus).
Kosovo today is run by Hashim Tachi, former leader of the terrorist KLA (known as “snake”) and his comrades many of whom have combined experiences - terrorism, drug and human beings trafficking and other records of international organiyed crime. Over 50 percent of the population in Kosovo and Metohija are unemployed. About 80 percent of heroin
smuggled to Europe passes through and is under control of Kosovo Albanians mafia.
Many Civic organizations in Serbia are reminding the public these days of this sad anniversary pointing out that the NATO aggression was an act of
crime against peace and stability. It was undertaken contrary to the UN Charter, without approval of UN Security Council, contrary to the
Founding Act of the Alliance and in blunt violation of the national constitutions of all NATO member countries, USA included.
They point out that USA and other NATO member countries continue to put the blame on Serbia, on the late Slobodan Milosevic and his government,
even on the entire Serbian nation, thus trying to cover up own responsibility for crimes, destruction and other tragic consequences. They remind that
this aggression was perpetuated for the sake of dislocation of the USA military bases and troops toward East (Russia), Caspian Basin,
Central Asia and Middle East. Aggression against Serbia (DRY) in 1999 was aimed, among other objectives) to set up a precedent for military
Interventions without consent of UN SC, all over the world.
Many new books analyzing roots and consequences of the NATO aggression are being published in Serbia to coincide with this anniversary.
Former Serbian generals, diplomats, political writers have been engaged in an extraordinary effort to present the truth of the imperialistic policy of
USA and NATO demonstrated 11 years ago on Serbia. While the Government controlled media try to play down growing anti-NATO public
sentiments, many others, including in Belgrade, are devoting considerable space and time to open criticism of USA/NATO policy of domination and 
official pro-NATO policy. After recent public appeal of over 200 most prominent Serbian intellectuals to hold a referendum on the issue of NATO
membership, these days came out an initiative to have military neutrality included in the country’s Constitution thus making it impossible to
even consider membership in NATO, or any other military alliance. On the 24th of March, in various places in Belgrade and all over the country
flowers will be laid to the graves and monuments to the victims of the NATO aggression.

Zivadin Jovanovic
President of the Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals