Press Release (2004)042 17 March 2004

Statement by NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on the situation in Kosovo News 18/03/2004 - NATO Press statement on the situation in Kosovo I strongly condemn the inter-ethnic violence in Kosovo that began yesterday and in which seven people have been killed and dozens injured. I also deplore the attacks on KFOR soldiers who have been operating at great personal risk to stop the violence and uphold law and order. These attacks are outrageous and must stop immediately. This latest outbreak of violence and senseless loss of life will only make it more difficult for Kosovo to meet the standards that the international community has laid down for the creation of a stable, multiethnic and democratic Kosovo. No one except the extremists can hope to gain from such violence. I urge all ethnic communities in Kosovska Mitrovica and in the rest of Kosovo to avoid further escalation, to act with calm and to refrain from demonstrations and road blocks. A legal investigation into the incidents leading to the death of children in Kosovska Mitrovica is under way by the Kosovo authorities and the perpetrators must be brought to justice through the rule of law. My sympathies are with the victims of these incidents and their families. My particular concern is the condition of the French KFOR soldiers, of which some are reported to be seriously injured. I salute the courage and professionalism of the KFOR soldiers who are there to help all the people of Kosovo and to maintain a safe and secure environment.

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