Russia joined other Western nations last week to draft a long-overdue plan that will end the fighting in Kosovo.

The plan, which includes seven "general principles" for a political solution to the crisis, is highlighted by the deployment of an international peacekeeping force after the withdrawal of Yugoslav forces.

The six other principles are a verifiable end to violence in Kosovo; withdrawal of military, police and paramilitary forces; establishment of an interim administration in the province; the "safe and free" return of refugees; economic aid to the region; and a political settlement granting "substantial self-government for Kosovo."

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic now is feeling increased pressure to drop resistance to an international military presence because Russia now is involved in the peace process.

This plan for peace in Kosovo is well drafted and necessary because NATO will get exactly what it originally wanted. The main purpose of military action in Kosovo was to return refugees to their homeland and stop the ethnic cleansing in the country.

However, one of the plan's seven general principles is completely unnecessary. The idea that NATO countries should give economic aid to the region is ridiculous.

The Western countries involved with Kosovo owe the region no monetary aid. Kosovo has to learn to help itself and one way to do this is by running a successful government. One of the general principles is that Western powers will set up a "substantial self-government." This can foster a successful economy in the region and substantially reduce the need for economic aid.

Western countries had to use military power to help Albanian refugees in Kosovo. Destruction is part of warfare and the fact that Kosovars are seeking economic aid is a slap in the face to the humanitarian efforts of the countries involved. NATO's mission is to reduce ethnic cleansing and return the land to its rightful inhabitants, not to pay to rebuild the province.

Western powers will monitor the new government to ensure its success. This continued intervention should be enough to rebuild the region, its economy and the lives of the refugees returning home.