Chairman of OSCE Permanent Council condemns killing of Macedonian police officers as "cowardly act of violence"

VIENNA, 29 August 2002 - The Chairman of the OSCE Permanent Council today condemned in the strongest terms the killing of two Macedonian police officers on 26 August in a drive-by shooting near the town of Gostivar.

"We condemn in the strongest terms this cowardly act of violence as well as any action that would aim at undermining the stability in the country and the implementation of the Framework Agreement", he told the 55-nation Permanent Council. "The perpetrators of this criminal act should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and brought to justice." Other OSCE delegations joined the Chair in condemning the killings. The Chairman also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.

The Chairman of the Permanent Council reiterated the strong support of the OSCE for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and recalled the continued efforts of the OSCE, together with other international partners, to assist in the fulfilment of the Ohrid Framework Agreement signed on 13 August 2001. "This is the only way to consolidate stability and build a more prosperous and democratic future for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and all its citizens", he said.

The Chairman called upon all political leaders in the country to ensure that the campaign for the forthcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for 15 September and the elections themselves are free, fair and peaceful, and urged all leaders to refrain from any form of intimidation or inflammatory rhetoric.

"As Macedonian Foreign Minister Casule has said at the Permanent Council meeting on 25 July, these elections are of paramount importance for the country, they mark the end of a very difficult and challenging period and the beginning of a new stage for all citizens. The country cannot afford to fail on that", the Chairman concluded.