Newsroom
OSCE Skopje Mission expresses concern over escalation of tension
SKOPJE 12 November 2001
SKOPJE, 12 November 2001 (OSCE) - The OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje has expressed its deep concern regarding the events that occurred recently in the wider Tetovo area, resulting in the loss of life of three Macedonian police officers, and the ordeal suffered by those who have been injured or detained.
"We urge all parties involved to refrain from further violence of any kind, and to work to de-escalate the situation calmly and patiently," said the Mission's spokesperson, Florin Pasnicu. "We also believe that granting representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross access to all those people detained will help further stabilize the situation."
He said the OSCE Mission had followed closely the issue of the alleged mass grave, located in Neprosteno, and had offered its assistance and expertise to help in the clarification of the fate of the missing persons. Currently the OSCE is not monitoring the site of the alleged mass grave.
"We have stressed that any investigation must be carefully planned and carried out in satisfactory security conditions, involving international monitors and appropriate Macedonian expertise," he added.
The Mission believes that any further escalation of the present situation would be counter-productive, and it urges all parties to make rapid and significant political progress regarding the constitutional amendments and the issue of amnesty.
"We urge all parties involved to refrain from further violence of any kind, and to work to de-escalate the situation calmly and patiently," said the Mission's spokesperson, Florin Pasnicu. "We also believe that granting representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross access to all those people detained will help further stabilize the situation."
He said the OSCE Mission had followed closely the issue of the alleged mass grave, located in Neprosteno, and had offered its assistance and expertise to help in the clarification of the fate of the missing persons. Currently the OSCE is not monitoring the site of the alleged mass grave.
"We have stressed that any investigation must be carefully planned and carried out in satisfactory security conditions, involving international monitors and appropriate Macedonian expertise," he added.
The Mission believes that any further escalation of the present situation would be counter-productive, and it urges all parties to make rapid and significant political progress regarding the constitutional amendments and the issue of amnesty.