Serious breach of the ceasefire in Kosovo near Prizren

PRISTINA, 8 January 1999 - KVM strongly condemns an unacceptable breach of the Kosovo ceasefire today near Prizren, between the villages of Suka Reka and Stimlje.

MUP informed KVM of an attack on MUP vehicles at 11.30 hrs. The attack was confirmed by KVM's own patrols.

Three officers were reported killed, and another two MUP personnel wounded. Two civilians in the area were also wounded. KVM patrols from Regional Center 1 in Prizren took the wounded to hospital in that town.

KVM considers that such terrorist attacks and breaches of the cease-fire undermine efforts to reach a political solution of the conflict.

KVM appeals to both sides in the conflict not to commit provocations and to avoid further escalation. Only by stopping the spiral of violence can Kosovo move towards peace.