UNMIK/PR/424

PRESS RELEASE - 22 November 2000

SRSG Condemns Bombing of FRY House

SRSG Bernard Kouchner released the following statement this morning, and he will hold a press briefing along with KFOR commanders Gen. Cabigiosu and Brig. Fry at 11:30 a.m. today, regarding this morning's bomb attack.

"I am completely outraged by the contemptible attack which took place this morning against the residence of the representative of the FRY government, Ambassador Stanimir Vukicevic. I condemn this attack in the strongest terms.

I have just learned that one man who lived in the house died from injuries sustained in the attack. There are others who were also injured. One was  rescued from the rubble of the destroyed house by UNMIK police, shortly after the bomb exploded at 4:50 this morning.

I immediately visited the site to express my sympathy and disgust.

This was not a random act of violence: it was well-prepared and very carefully executed. This was a professional job, and the perpetrators were willing to take enormous risks to achieve their ends.

This trend of premeditated violence, which appears to be the work of extremists, began with the brutal murders less than two weeks ago of four Ashkalis who had returned to rebuild their lives in Skenderaj/Srbica.

We also had reports of attacks on Serb police in Dobrosin late yesterday.

The wave of violence is a warning to UNMIK and through UNMIK to the international community: the extremists are now ready to step up their targeting of the Serb community.

As I have repeatedly said, Kosovo remains in crisis. The conflict between the communities is not over. But we will not be dissuaded or deterred from our efforts to bring peace and security to Kosovo. And a peaceful Kosovo is a key to a peaceful Balkans.

I wish to express my deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased man.

We in UNMIK and KFOR are determined to find the perpetrators of this barbaric act."