SECURITY COUNCIL STRONGLY CONDEMNS TWO CRIMINAL ATTACKS IN BALKANS

Press Release
SC/6959

SECURITY COUNCIL STRONGLY CONDEMNS TWO CRIMINAL ATTACKS IN BALKANS

Presidential Statement Seeks Inquiry into Incidents In Kosovo and South Serbia, to Bring Perpetrators to Justice

The Security Council this evening called for an immediate and full investigation to bring to justice the perpetrators of two attacks that took place yesterday and today in Kosovo and south Serbia, in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

In a statement read by its President, A. Peter van Walsum (Netherlands), the Council strongly condemned the criminal attacks on the home of the head of the Yugoslavia liaison committee in Pristina today, and on Serbian policemen in south Serbia yesterday, both of which resulted in deaths and injuries.

The statement called on the security force in Kosovo, KFOR, and the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) to continue efforts to prevent further attacks.

The full text of the statement, which will be issued as document S/PRST/2000/35, reads as follows:

“The Security Council expresses its shock at, and strongly condemns, the criminal attacks perpetrated on the home of the Head of the liaison committee of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in Pristina on 22 November 2000, as well as on Serbian policemen in the South of Serbia on 21 November 2000, both of which resulted in several deaths and injuries.

“The Council calls for an immediate and full investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“Fully aware of all the measure already taken to provide security for all inhabitants of that region, the Council calls on KFOR and UNMIK to continue to make all necessary efforts, including along the ground safety zone, to prevent further attacks.

“The Council demands that all those concerned refrain from any act of violence, in particular against ethnic minorities, and cooperate with KFOR and UNMIK.

“The Council will continue to follow the matter closely.”

The meeting began at 7:13 p.m. and was adjourned at 7:17 p.m.

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