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Humanitarian Disasters in Yugoslavia Caused by Nato Bombing: A Statistical Analysis

����In the 78 days from March 24 to June 9, US-led NATO proceeded a barbaric bombardment on Yugoslavia. Although the bombing has been halted at present time, but the humanitarian disasters forced on Yugoslavia cannot be eliminated in a short period of time.

����The NATO bombings on the converting stations, steam power plant and hydropower station have caused damage to electric power system in 70% areas of Yugoslavia. As a professor of Belgrade University estimates, it will cost US$350 million to restore the whole power network in 8 months.

����Two largest refineries in Yugoslavia have already been smashed to the ground. The prospect for the restoration of any one of the two refineries is rather gloomy as far as Yugoslavia's present financial ability is concerned.

����NATO has also destroyed 60 bridges, 12 railways and five main highways. The road facilities in Yugoslavia are paralyzed. In addition, five airports have been destroyed and seven been seriously damaged.

����Thousands of buildings and private houses nationwide suffered different degrees of destruction. Confining to the capital city Belgrade, the facilities damaged, including dwelling houses, schools, hospitals, kindergartens, number as high as 1134, and the estimated economic loss reaches US$1 billion.

����According to specialists' assessment, in the past two months or more, the wanton bombings by NATO have incurred a 40% GNP decrease in Yugoslavia. Industrial production deduced 45% compared with that of the previous year. Because of the bombings and power shortage caused by the bombings, hundreds of factories closed down or stopped production technically. Unemployment increased to 33%. Nearly 100 thousand people lost all they have and became destitute and homeless. There are 20% people in the whole of Yugoslavia living under the poverty line, and 60% living close to the line. According to estimation made by relevant institutions in Yugoslavia, the war has caused an enormous economic loss of US$60 billion to Yugoslavia.

����An anticipating report recently published by the EU committee says that, in the next three years, in the Kosovo area alone, the preliminary reconstruction cost will be as high as US$2 to 3.5 billion for building up temporary shelters, restoring road transportation and power facilities. A complete reconstruction will use up to US$ 10 billion. According to the assessment made by international banking organizations, the reconstruction of Yugoslavia in the next five years will need US$35 billion. The UN envoy to the Balkan area believes the fund required for reconstruction will be US$50-55 billion. He was also quoted as saying that the reconstruction work in Kosovo is more arduous and difficult than that in Bosnia. Experts forecast that, in case without foreign aid, it will take 16 years for Yugoslavia to restore to the level before the war, over 25 years to restore to the level of 1989.

����In addition, NATO's large-scale air strikes on the Yugoslavian civilian facilities such as chemical plants, pharmaceutical factories and oil pipelines have led to a large amount of toxin emission. NATO has used the cluster bomb units forbidden by the Geneva Convention. While causing serious economis loss, the bombings have also created grave ecological pollution to Yugoslavia and its surrounding countries, and brought about long-lasting disastrous consequence to the whole European ecological environment.

����NATO's bombings have caused grave destruction to 300 schools in Yugoslavia, making it impossible for 1.5 million children to attend schools. The war has deprived the children of their right to enjoy what they deserve. Worse still, the wound of war left in the children's hearts is much difficult to heal.

WorldNews 1999-06-15 Page7

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