SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES DISMAY AT STEADILY WORSENING SITUATION IN KOSOVO
Press Release
SG/SM/6673
SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES DISMAY AT STEADILY WORSENING SITUATION IN KOSOVO
19980811 The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:The Secretary-General takes the opportunity of the Security Council review of his fourth report pursuant to Security Council resolution 1160 (1998), to reiterate his dismay at the steadily worsening situation in Kosovo, with wider implications for the region. He is particularly concerned about reports that offensive operations by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia security forces continue unabated and that they may be adopting a "scorched earth policy" in some areas of Kosovo. He condemns such practices and urges the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Government to order its security forces to avoid such acts of wanton destruction. He equally abhors the resort to violence and any suffering which might be caused by Kosovar paramilitary units.
The Secretary-General is concerned that the evolving crisis, if unchecked, could lead to a large-scale humanitarian disaster, with the approaching winter. He is deeply troubled by reports of the vast number of displaced persons without food and shelter and the increasing human rights violations. He calls on the international relief organizations and human right monitors to intensify their efforts in Kosovo to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
The Secretary-General remains convinced that the only path to a solution of the Kosovo crisis is through dialogue. He fully supports the efforts of the Contact Group to this end and reiterates his call on the parties to the conflict to begin immediately such dialogue with a view to ending the current hostilities, in which innocent civilians are the foremost victims.
The Secretary-General also believe that a concerted international effort will be needed if a peaceful solution is to be found, given the evident lack of political will of the parties within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
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