SECRETARY-GENERAL PROFOUNDLY OUTRAGED BY REPORTS OF 'ETHNIC CLEANSING' CONDUCTED BY SERBIAN FORCES IN KOSOVO

30 March 1999

Press Release
SG/SM/6942

SECRETARY-GENERAL PROFOUNDLY OUTRAGED BY REPORTS OF 'ETHNIC CLEANSING' CONDUCTED BY SERBIAN FORCES IN KOSOVO

19990330 Stating Such Actions Are in Flagrant Violation of Humanitarian Law, Kofi Annan Calls for Support to Countries Where Refugees Are Arriving

Following is a statement on Kosovo made by Secretary-General Kofi Annan today:

I am profoundly outraged by reports of a vicious and systematic campaign of "ethnic cleansing" conducted by Serbian military and paramilitary forces in the province of Kosovo. Concern about what is happening there can only be heightened by the fact that all independent international observers, including even the International Committee of the Red Cross, have now been obliged to withdraw.

Once again, a civilian population is being made to pay the price for an unresolved political dispute. Civilian populations must never come under indiscriminate and deliberate attack. Such actions are in flagrant violation of established humanitarian law.

The United Nations is doing everything possible to alleviate the suffering of displaced persons and refugees who are fleeing Kosovo by the thousands every day. I have designated the High Commissioner for Refugees as the lead agency to coordinate all United Nations relief activities in the region. I appeal to all of Kosovo's neighbours to give shelter and comfort to the helpless civilians who have been driven from their homes. Borders must be kept open. Safety and protection must be given to those in need. I call upon the international community to give immediate financial, material and logistical support to the authorities in all countries where the refugees are arriving, particularly in Albania, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and in the Republic of Montenegro (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia). Any solution to the conflict must allow these unfortunate people to return voluntarily to their homes in full security and dignity.

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