The Yugoslav state really offers a way out of a complex situation and for saving both its people and those who are being sent to bomb. If this chance is not taken, further developments will inevitably bring us into a stalemate, Korabelnikov said in a talk with Russian reporters.

The decision to start the bombarding of Yugoslavia is the biggest mistake since World War II. Those who decided to launch so-called Phase Two of operations have reduced possibilities for a political settlement of problems, Korabelnikov said before the Russian delegation left Bonn for Moscow.

As a member of the delegation which on Tuesday visited Belgrade, Korabelnikov said a chance had nevertheless been provided by the very clear signal from Belgrade, which established possibilities for a way out of the current, very difficult, situation.