Page 176 - The CNN Effect in Action - How the News Media Pushed the West toward War ini Kosovo

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THE KOSOVO CRISIS—THE MICRO REVIEW
of hostilities in early March. The estimated number of dead since the
beginning of 1998 to the end of the offensive was 800. The scale of
the damage was massive, yet the reaction, due to the slow and disci-
plined nature of the offensive and the limited Western media access
was relatively mild. Although there were images of refugees and
destroyed villages, such footage lacked the shock factor that was pres-
ent in the March massacre. Table 7.2 summarizes the changing
aspects of Western policy regarding Kosovo between the second and
third phases of the time line under review.
As table 7.2 shows, tactical Western policy did change between
phase 2 and phase 3, due largely to events on the ground in Kosovo
relating to the fighting and its implications for the civilian population.
While no unexpected and dramatic media images surfaced over phase 3,
the humanitarian situation deteriorated quite dramatically. As a result,
the West, while keeping its strategic policy and its desire for dialogue
to achieve this end consistent, strengthened its tactical policies. In
terms of tactical policy A, the West demanded a cease-fire and military
withdrawal from the FRY, along with facilitation of refugee returns
and access for humanitarian organizations. It also sought to establish
a more robust international monitoring regime than the KDOM.
Table 7.2 Change in Western Policy Aspects between Phases 2 and 3 141
Phase 2 Phase 3
• Kosovo autonomy (meaningful
self-administration)
Strategic Policy
• Serb/Albanian dialogue • Serb/Albanian dialogue

• FRY to withdraw forces • Cease-fire/withdraw forces
• Allow access to Red Cross/ from civilian areas
Tactical Policy A humanitarian groups • Permit stronger international
monitoring regime
• Refugee return/humanitarian
group access
• Arms embargo • Implement previous sanctions
• Senior official’s visa (including those threatened)
restrictions (threatened) • Activation warning for
Tactical Policy B • Moratorium on government NATO air campaign
credit/investment (threatened)
• The United States revokes
February concessions