OSCE: violence escalating tension in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

VIENNA, 6 March 2001 - The following statement regarding the situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was issued in Vienna today by Ambassador Liviu Bota, Chairman of the OSCE Permanent Council.

"We express our deep concern over the recent upsurge of violence and displacement of population in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the region bordering FRY/Kosovo. The recent events, which include casualties among the Macedonian Army, represent a serious escalation of tension. We convey our condolences to the families of the victims.

"We condemn these actions, which can only complicate and deteriorate the fragile equilibrium in the region and thus obstruct the efforts aimed at settling by peaceful means the existing problems. In the absence of appropriate action, the risk of destabilization of the entire region will further increase.

"We hold responsible the groups, which are at the origin of the incidents.

"We praise the Macedonian authorities for having shown self-restraint in dealing with the situation and support the actions they have initiated.

"We strongly support the independence, the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the inviolability of its borders.

"We welcome the co-operation between the Macedonian authorities and NATO and KFOR and the international community in dealing with this situation.

"We instruct the OSCE Monitor Spillover Mission to Skopje to develop the monitoring activities of its mandate and to keep permanently in contact with the authorities in Skopje on the ways and means the OSCE can contribute to the normalization of the situation and make appropriate proposals for action.

"The OSCE Chairman-in-Office will keep the situation under constant review, maintain contacts with the Macedonian authorities and with international organizations active in the area and consider further possible action by the OSCE."