Newsroom
International organizations in Skopje welcome release of hostages
SKOPJE 28 August 2003
SKOPJE, 28 August 2003 - Joint Statement by the Head of the OSCE Spillover Monitoring Mission to Skopje, Craig Jenness, Office of the EU Special Representative, Alexis Brouhns, the US Ambassador to Skopje, Lawrence Butler and NATO Ambassador Nicolaas Biegman:
"We welcome yesterday's release of the two men detained earlier in the day in the Lipkovo area. We are very encouraged at the peaceful resolution of the hostage situation. The release came as a result of the efforts of the Ministry of Interior.
We strongly condemn the perpetrator of this cowardly act, who must be caught and brought to justice.
A police operation is ongoing. The operation is targeted solely at Avdil Jakupi as the one responsible, and is not directed against the local population. We call upon the local population to co-operate with the police. We are confident that the Ministry of Interior will continue to show great professionalism."
We urge Mr Jakupi to surrender to the Macedonian authorities in a peaceful manner and hence prevent any possibility of endangering innocent people.
International observers, at the request of the Ministry of Interior, will be present to support the police in their efforts to resolve this matter quickly and without violence."
"We welcome yesterday's release of the two men detained earlier in the day in the Lipkovo area. We are very encouraged at the peaceful resolution of the hostage situation. The release came as a result of the efforts of the Ministry of Interior.
We strongly condemn the perpetrator of this cowardly act, who must be caught and brought to justice.
A police operation is ongoing. The operation is targeted solely at Avdil Jakupi as the one responsible, and is not directed against the local population. We call upon the local population to co-operate with the police. We are confident that the Ministry of Interior will continue to show great professionalism."
We urge Mr Jakupi to surrender to the Macedonian authorities in a peaceful manner and hence prevent any possibility of endangering innocent people.
International observers, at the request of the Ministry of Interior, will be present to support the police in their efforts to resolve this matter quickly and without violence."