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23 March 2004

Kosovo Violence Unacceptable, Says NATO Secretary General

March 22: NATO statement of de Hoop Scheffer visit to Kosovo

During a visit to Kosovo March 22, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said "the recent violence was unacceptable and would not help the Albanian majority achieve its political aims," according to a statement issued by NATO the same day.

In addition to meeting with the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Harri Holkeri, the Commander of the NATO-led peacekeeping force KFOR, General Holger Kammerhoff, and local leaders, de Hoop Scheffer also met with members of the Serb community who have been internally displaced.

He was accompanied on his visit by the Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Salomon Passy.

Following is a NATO press release:

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NATO Update
22 March 2004

KOSOVO VIOLENCE UNACCEPTABLE, SAYS NATO SECRETARY GENERAL

In Kosovo on 22 March, NATO Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer said the recent violence was unacceptable and would not help the Albanian majority achieve its political aims.

"Nobody in Kosovo should think, and that goes more specifically for the majority community in Kosovo, the Albanians, that by inciting violence they will bring their political ambitions closer," Mr. de Hoop Scheffer said in Budapest, prior to his visit in Kosovo. "Indeed, it will take much longer before they can realize that."

The Secretary General travelled to Kosovo on 22 March to discuss the situation with the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Harri Holkeri, the Commander of the NATO-led peacekeeping force KFOR, General Kammerhoff, and local leaders.

Mr. de Hoop Scheffer said that NATO is resolved to help bring the violence under control, but that Albanian leaders must do their utmost to put an end to it. He praised KFOR troops for their swift and determined efforts to restore peace.

During the visit the Secretary General met with members of the Serb community who have been internally displaced and who are currently being looked after and protected by KFOR troops.

OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Bulgaria Salomon Passy, accompanied Mr. de Hoop Scheffer on his visit.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)