OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President condemns atrocities in Kosovo

COPENHAGEN, 31 March 1999 - Mrs. Helle Degn, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, today condemned the atrocities in Kosovo, called the Yugoslav rejection of the peace agreement, including the presence of international monitors, a "severe mistake" and urged the Yugoslav Government to reconsider its position.

Mrs. Degn's appeal is in response to a joint letter from the President of the Yugoslav Chamber of Citizens and the President of the Yugoslav Chamber of Republics, justifying the action taken by the Yugoslav authorities. According to President Degn, the Yugoslav Government's policies have caused unprecedented human suffering in Kosovo, including killings, destruction of homes and displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians. She also stated that "whatever your view concerning the recent NATO intervention, there is absolutely no justification for such atrocities against your own population. I appeal to you , Mr. President and to my Yugoslav Parliamentary colleagues to stop these atrocities immediately".

In her appeal, Mrs. Helle Degn stated that the cause of the present crisis lies in the failure of the parties concerned to bring about a solution in Kosovo under International Law. Kosovo is part of Yugoslavia, therefore the main responsibility for the peace and well being of the population rests with the Yugoslav authorities. This fact in no way excuses the violence, and even terrorism, exercised by some elements of the local Albanian population. However, policies carried out by the authorities have not only failed to bring peace and order, but substantially contributed to the escalation of violence. In this situation the only way to secure peace is through the strong involvement and presence of the international community.

Finally, Mrs. Degn also reiterated that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly stands by the aims of its earlier resolutions and statements on Kosovo, and stated that "given appropriate circumstances we shall be ready for a new dialogue with our Yugoslav colleagues with the aim of creating a peaceful situation where all inhabitants can exercise, in full freedom, their civil and political rights".

For further information, please contact Mr. Jan Jooren, Counselor for Press and Public Affairs, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, at tel: +45 33 32 94 00, fax: +45 33 32 55 05.