[Kcc-News] Albania, Kosovo leaders condemn murder of Serbs (UPI, 17 February 2001)

[Mentor Cana]

http://www.vny.com/cf/News/upidetail.cfm?QID=160890

Albania, Kosovo leaders condemn murder of Serbs

Saturday, 17 February 2001 1:52 (ET)

 TIRANA, Albania, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Albania's government and Kosovo
Albanian leaders Friday reacted sharply to the bomb attack that killed
seven Serbs and injured 43 others.
     "We strongly condemn this ugly and unacceptable criminal act that
does not serve the process of stabilisation in Kosovo," the Albanian
Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
     The statement pleaded with ethnic Albanians "to not become a prey
of extremists' provocations, even those of Albanians."
     The Tirana government condemned the acts as criminal "damage to the
efforts of Albanian political parties and the international community
that are trying to create a climate of confidence that is very important
for Kosovo's future and regional security."
     During a short visit last week in Tirana, European Union
representative Javier Solana, asked Albanian authorities to use their
influence to calm the situation down in Mitrovica and Presevo Valley.
     Ibrahim Rugova, the main leader who won Kosovo elections, strongly
condemned the killing of the Serbs, considering it "an attack against
stability, peace and democracy in Kosovo, addressed against the Kosovo
future."
     "The violence has to stop immediately because that undermines all
efforts made by the Kosovo people and the international community to
build a tolerant and democratic society for all citizens," said a
statement issued by Rugova's office in Pristina.
     Democratic Party of Kosovo, the second party derived from ex-KLA
members, also strongly condemned the killings, calling it a "criminal
act" and urged NATO's Kosovo Force and U.N. police to find and punish
the criminals, whether they are Albanians or Serbs.
     "We strongly condemn this criminal act and ask the legal
authorities to investigate as soon as possible so that the criminals
face with justice. These criminals do not have (the protection of) a
nationality, they are criminals and have to be sentenced," says Fatmir
Limaj, a DP leader.
     Seven Serbs were killed, 10 critically injured and 33 others hurt
by a remote control bomb exploded when a Serb convoy crossed Kosovo
border close to Podujeva Friday.
     This is the second violent attack against Serbs within three days
in Kosovo.
     A KFOR spokesman said they have arrested two people in connection
with the bombings, and KFOR has increased security measures to avoid
clashes between Serbs and Albanians.
--
Copyright 2001 by United Press International.