Deliberate shooting at KVM vehicles

PRISTINA, 21 January 1999 - The commander of the KLA forces in the Decani area has acknowledged publicly that his forces were responsible for the shooting and wounding of two KVM personnel on 15 January, saying it was due to a misunderstanding.

The KVM can confirm that the KLA were informed that KVM vehicles would be in that area at that time. Despite this, the KLA deliberately attacked KVM vehicles. This would indicate a lack of control on the part of the KLA command as well as a disregard for the physical well-being of KVM members.

While the KVM appreciates that the KLA has admitted culpability, it must condemn this deliberate attempt on verifiers lives. Attacking an internationally protected person is a serious crime. The KVM expects to be informed of the names of those responsible for this incident, of their punishment, and of the KLA commitment that such an incident does not happen again.