SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER DEVELOPMENTS IN FORMER
YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Following is the text of a statement issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General continues to follow with deep concern the evolving developments in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.� He is very troubled by the renewed armed hostilities and concerned that the situation if unchecked will spiral into a more grievous conflict with dire consequences for the entire Balkan region.
The Secretary-General remains in touch with European Union (EU) High Representative Javier Solana and with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) secretary-general George Robertson on the matter and fully supports their ongoing activities as part of a concerted effort aimed at helping the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia avert a deeper crisis.
He reiterates his call for a complete cessation of violence and the importance of continuing the dialogue among the political leaders of the country aimed at strengthening multi-ethnic relations and democratic norms and restoring stability.
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