Head of Kosovo Verification Mission declared "persona non grata"

OSLO, 19 January 1999 - On 18 January the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Knut Vollebaek received the message from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Zivadin Jovanovic that Ambassador William Walker, Head of the Kosovo Verification Mission, has been declared "persona non grata" in FRY.

President Milosovic has with this act challenged the whole international community, and the Chairman-in-Office finds this totally unacceptable.

There is a clear danger that this may increase the tension in the region. The Chairman-in-Office recalled that a durable solution to the crisis can be found only through political means, and he stressed the need for an immediate start of a peace dialogue.

The Chairman-in-Office has been in contact with Foreign Minister Jovanovic, and he has urged him strongly to change his position concerning ambassador Walker.

The KVM was established on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution no. 1203 and in accordance with decision no. 263 of the OSCE Permanent Council. The leadership of the KVM has been established with the full support of the OSCE Permanent Council, and the Chairman-in-Office does not accept that the FRY authorities demand the Head of Mission to leave.

The Chairman-in-Office has yesterday discussed the situation with several colleagues, including the OSCE troika and members of the Contact Group, Foreign Secretary Albright, Foreign Minister Ivanov and Foreign Minister Fischer. They expressed their full support for his position. Foreign Minister Vollebaek is now actively reviewing the situation and will consult further with colleagues and parties involved.