International community urges release and peaceful end to Macedonian kidnapping
The OSCE has facilitated the return of mixed police patrolling in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Marko Georgiev) Photo details
SKOPJE, 30 August 2002 - The following is a Joint Statement by the European Union Special Representative Alain Le Roy, Ambassador Ioannis Economou, the United States Ambassador Lawrence Butler, NATO Ambassador Nicolaas Biegman and the Ambassador to the OSCE Spillover Monitoring Mission to Skopje, Craig Jenness.
We strongly condemn the hostage taking of five persons last night on the Tetovo-Gostivar highway. We demand their immediate release.
We welcome the assurance of the authorities to do their utmost to safeguard the lives of the hostages, and to refrain from any action that can lead to further escalation of this situation.
We call on Albanian leaders to assist the authorities to do their best to find a peaceful solution.
We also appeal to the local population to co-operate fully with the authorities and to assist in securing the release of the detained persons.
The OSCE, European Union Monitoring Mission, supported by Task Force Fox, are present in the affected areas in order to monitor the situation and maintain confidence.
We strongly condemn the hostage taking of five persons last night on the Tetovo-Gostivar highway. We demand their immediate release.
We welcome the assurance of the authorities to do their utmost to safeguard the lives of the hostages, and to refrain from any action that can lead to further escalation of this situation.
We call on Albanian leaders to assist the authorities to do their best to find a peaceful solution.
We also appeal to the local population to co-operate fully with the authorities and to assist in securing the release of the detained persons.
The OSCE, European Union Monitoring Mission, supported by Task Force Fox, are present in the affected areas in order to monitor the situation and maintain confidence.