Six Days of Accusation and Counter-claim: How the Story of a Tragic Error Unfolded

War In The Balkans

Wednesday 14 April, 3.53pm: Belgrade claims Nato missiles hit a refugee convoy in Kosovo, killing 64 people and wounding 20 in two attacks. 'We have no information about these reports,' says the Nato spokesman, Jamie Shea.

Wednesday, 6.06pm: Nato sources unofficially admit their aircraft were in the area. By 7pm Nato says: 'We can confirm we attacked a military convoy in the area.' Jamie Shea later says: 'Nato doesn't attack civilian targets, full-stop.'

Wednesday, 8.05pm: Tony Blair says: 'We cannot take at face value any claim made by the Serb authorities.' An hour later, the Pentagon says that there was an 'indication' that Serbs attacked the convoy.

Thursday, 8am:

Nato says civilian casualties may have occurred after planes attacked a convoy of vehicles. By 11am the Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, says: 'It is not possible to guarantee there will be no civilian casualties.'

Thursday, 12.30pm: Nato admits one of its planes mistakenly bombed a refugee convoy. By 2pm it gives details of a 'tragic accident' and plays a recorded interview with a US F-16 pilot. By Sunday, it says the recording 'may be unrelated'.

Yesterday:

Nato provides what it says is a full account of the bombing. It admits to intelligence failure and provides graphic details to show its pilots were involved in numerous air strikes. Concedes there could have been civilian casualties.