UN SECURITY COUNCIL
PRESIDENT'S PRESS STATEMENT ON KOSOVO

14 August 1998

14 August 1998

TEXT:
UN SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S PRESS STATEMENT ON KOSOVO

(Expresses concern, urges cease-fire and peace negotiations) (460)

United Nations -- The president of the United Nations Security Council issued a press statement August 11 expressing "grave concern over the intensified fighting in Kosovo, especially over the ongoing offensive by Belgrade's security forces," and calling for an immediate cease-fire and the initiation of peace negotiations.
     "The issue of Kosovo can have no military solution and all violence and acts of terrorism from whatever quarter are unacceptable," the statement said.
     It also condemned "the excessive use of force by Belgrade's security forces and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law," and affirmed "the commitment of all member states to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia."
     The rotating presidency of the Security Council is currently held by Slovenia's Permanent Representative, Danilo Turk.

Following is the text of the UNSC press statement:
(Begin text)

The Security Council

-- Discussed the latest report of the Secretary-General pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1160; heard a briefing by U/SYG Prendergast on the situation in Kosovo;

-- Expresses grave concern over the intensified fighting in Kosovo, especially over the ongoing offensive by Belgrade's security forces. The ongoing fighting has had a devastating impact on the civilian population of Kosovo and has increased the numbers of refugees and displaced persons;

-- Stresses the importance of the implementation of the prohibitions imposed by Resolution 1160 and expresses concern over infiltration from outside the borders of the FRY [Former Republic of Yugoslavia] of weapons and fighting men;

-- Calls for an immediate cease-fire, which would enhance the prospects for a meaningful dialogue between the Kosovar Albanian leadership and the FRY authorities leading to a final end to the violence in Kosovo; urges the parties to start the negotiation as soon as possible; the issue of Kosovo can have no military solution and all violence and acts of terrorism from whatever quarter are unacceptable;

-- Deplores the excessive use of force by Belgrade's security forces and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, and expresses concern about appalling humanitarian situation in Kosovo;

-- Calls upon all parties to provide all necessary assistance and cooperation to the activities of international humanitarian organizations and international monitors in Kosovo and underlines the need to ensure their full and continuous access;

-- Underlines the need to create conditions to allow safe and permanent return of all refugees and IDPs [internally displaced persons];

-- Recalls the commitments made by President Milosevic to the international community;

-- Affirms the commitment of all member states to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia;

-- Makes it clear that the Security Council will continue to follow closely the situation in Kosovo and will remain seized of the matter.

(End text)