OSCE condemns upsurge of violence in Kosovo and in south-eastern Serbia

VIENNA, 24 November 2000 -The Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, strongly condemns the recent violence in Kosovo and in the bordering area of Presevo, FRY. "I am shocked by the recent upsurge of violence in Kosovo. The cowardly murder of Mr. Xhemail Mustafa on his own doorstep and the bombing of the residence of the head of the FRY government liaison office in Pristina are intolerable attacks on Kosovo's fledgling democracy," said Ms. Ferrero-Waldner.

She also expressed her deep concern about the situation in the Presevo area of south-eastern Serbia, where four policemen were killed apparently by gunmen crossing over from Kosovo. "It cannot be said too often that problems will not be solved by violence," said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. She called on the United Nations Mission in Kosovo to ensure that peaceful conditions prevail in the areas along the border between the province of Kosovo and Serbia, as well as establish conditions for a dialogue between the Yugoslav Federal Government and the political leaders in Kosovo.

For further information contact the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180 or e-mail: info@osce.org