Chairman-in-Office: Spiral of violence must stop in Kosovo

BUCHAREST, 16 February 2001 - The Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, issued a statement Friday condemning in strongest terms the attack against a bus in Kosovo in which seven people were killed and dozens injured.

"I am outraged and revolted by this cowardly act against innocent civilians," said Mr. Geoana.

"The OSCE is working hard together with other International Organizations to heal the wounds of war and create a tolerant climate in Kosovo. This horrific crime has been perpetrated by persons who want to make peace and reconciliation among the ethnic groups in Kosovo impossible. Such acts undermine the efforts of the international community to build a multi-ethnic society in Kosovo and the wish of the majority of the people of Kosovo to live in peace and harmony. The murderers must be apprehended and brought to justice. The spiral of violence in Kosovo must be stopped here and now."

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office extended his deepest sympathies to the families of those killed and wounded in today's attack.