Newsroom
OSCE refutes Albanian press reports about vehicle used in Berat
TIRANA 8 June 2000
TIRANA, 8 June 2000 - A number of reports have appeared in the Albanian press suggesting that an OSCE vehicle, or a vehicle purporting to belong to the OSCE, was recently used in a public order operation near the town of Berat.
The OSCE Presence in Albania views very seriously such reporting, which is damaging, not only to the status and reputation of the Organisation in Albania, but also to the security of its staff, national and international.
On 5 June, a statement was issued by the Press Department of the Ministry of Public Order, in which the Ministry refuted earlier allegations the vehicle used in the operation near Berat had carried OSCE plates.
The Presence in Albania wishes to state, in addition, that not only was no OSCE vehicle or its plates used in this operation, but that at no time have the OSCE emblems, staff or transport been used for such a purpose, nor would such use ever be contemplated. The use of the emblems, staff or transport of the OSCE for such purposes would be in contravention of the internationally agreed mandate of the OSCE in Albania, and of the Memorandum of Understanding between the OSCE and the Government of Albania.
MEDIA CONTACT: Giovanni Porta, Spokesperson, OSCE Presence in Albania, Tirana, tel.: +(355-42) 359 93 (ext. 153) or mobile +(355-38) 202 39 11
The OSCE Presence in Albania views very seriously such reporting, which is damaging, not only to the status and reputation of the Organisation in Albania, but also to the security of its staff, national and international.
On 5 June, a statement was issued by the Press Department of the Ministry of Public Order, in which the Ministry refuted earlier allegations the vehicle used in the operation near Berat had carried OSCE plates.
The Presence in Albania wishes to state, in addition, that not only was no OSCE vehicle or its plates used in this operation, but that at no time have the OSCE emblems, staff or transport been used for such a purpose, nor would such use ever be contemplated. The use of the emblems, staff or transport of the OSCE for such purposes would be in contravention of the internationally agreed mandate of the OSCE in Albania, and of the Memorandum of Understanding between the OSCE and the Government of Albania.
MEDIA CONTACT: Giovanni Porta, Spokesperson, OSCE Presence in Albania, Tirana, tel.: +(355-42) 359 93 (ext. 153) or mobile +(355-38) 202 39 11