SECRETARY-GENERAL GRAVELY CONCERNED AT VIOLENCE IN BORDER AREA

OF FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is gravely concerned at the recent occurrence of violence in the border area of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.  He is particularly concerned that the recent deterioration has resulted in the displacement of civilians in the area.

He wishes to emphasize that the international community is committed to supporting the stability and security of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, including the enhanced security of its borders.  The Secretary-General is encouraged by the fact that a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) political and military mission is visiting Skopje today to assess the situation on the ground, and that the NATO-led security force -– KFOR -- has stepped up patrols and enhanced monitoring on the border between Kosovo and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

The Secretary-General calls on all the parties to exercise restraint and remains convinced that the situation must be resolved by political means.

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