OSCE calls upon Yugoslavia to respect its international commitments

VIENNA, 9 August 2000 - The Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner reiterates her great concern about the legal proceedings against two British members of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and of two Canadian citizens who have been arrested by the Federal Yugoslav Army. It has been reported that the four men today were brought to a military court in Belgrade for a hearing, which should determine whether they will be officially charged or not.

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office notes with dismay that the diplomatic representatives of the United Kingdom and Canada still have not been granted consular access to the detained in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. She asks the Yugoslav federal authorities to fulfill their international obligations and honor their commitments under international law. Moreover, the Chairperson-in-Office requests the Federal Government of Yugoslavia to accelerate the proceedings leading to the rapid release of the detained four men.

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