Personal Representative condemns violence in Kosovo

THE HAGUE, 31 December 1997 - Mr. Max van der Stoel in his capacity as Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office for Kosovo, issued the following statement today:

The brutal way in which the police dispersed a peaceful student demonstration in Kosovo yesterday gives rise to deep concern. The police actions have led to a further escalation of tensions which could have been avoided.

These events demonstrate once more the urgent need to ensure the implementation of the education agreement on which the two sides agreed on 1 September 1996.