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Sources: CIA gets go-ahead to destabilize Yugoslavia

graphic


 ALSO:

Serbs say Yugoslav water supplies endangered

 MESSAGE BOARD:

Crisis in Kosovo

 

May 24, 1999
Web posted at: 10:15 a.m. EDT (1415 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton has authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to look for ways to destabilize the government of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, sources tell CNN.

The authorization comes in the form of a "finding," a highly classified document authorizing covert operations.

While it is not clear if any of the ideas being examined have actually be put into effect, or will be, Newsweek magazine says the tactic calls for:

  • The use of computer hackers to attack Milosevic's international bank accounts.

  • A sabotage campaign to erode his public support. It would include such tricks as cutting telephone lines, fouling gasoline reserves and pilfering food supplies.

Contrary to some reports, however, the "finding" does not authorize the CIA to train or equip Kosovo Liberation Army rebels to perform covert acts of sabotage, according to CNN's sources.

The Newsweek report says other NATO allies were not to be told about the secret war.

It also said Senate and House intelligence committees were briefed on the decision.

Some lawmakers criticized the idea, questioning the legality and wisdom of launching a risky covert action that could alienate other NATO members, Newsweek said.

"If they pull it off, it will be great," the magazine quoted one government cyberwar expert as saying. "If they screw it up, they are going to be in a world of trouble."

Correspondent Carl Rochelle contributed to this report.



RELATED STORIES:
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May 23, 1999
NATO leaders: Troop deployment not prelude to Kosovo invasion
May 23, 1999

RELATED SITES:
Related to this story:
  • CIA

Extensive list of Kosovo-related sites:
  • Kosovo

Yugoslavia:
  • Federal Republic of Yugoslavia official site
      • Kesovo and Metohija facts
  • Serbia Ministry of Information
  • Serbia Now! News

Kosovo:
  • Kosova Crisis Center
  • Kosova Liberation Peace Movement
  • Kosovo - from Albanian.com

Military:
  • NATO official site
  • BosniaLINK - U.S. Dept. of Defense
  • U.S. Navy images from Operation Allied Force
  • U.K. Ministry of Defence - Kosovo news
  • U.K. Royal Air Force - Kosovo news
  • Jane's Defence - Kosovo Crisis


Relief:
  • Doctors without borders
  • U.S. Agency for International Development (Kosovo aid)
  • Doctors of the World
  • InterAction
  • International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
  • International Committee of the Red Cross
  • Kosovo Humanitarian Disaster Forces Hundreds of Thousands from their Homes
  • Catholic Relief Services
  • Kosovo Relief
  • ReliefWeb: Home page
  • The Jewish Agency for Israel
  • Mercy International
  • UNHCR


Media:
  • Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
  • Independent Yugoslav radio stations B92
  • Institute for War and Peace Reporting
  • United States Information Agency - Kosovo Crisis

Other:
  • Expanded list of related sites on Kosovo
  • 1997 view of Kosovo from space - Eurimage
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