Brussels, 28/08/2000 (Agence Europe) - On 24 August, the French Presidency published the following declaration on behalf of the EU (unofficial translation):
"The European Union is grateful to the Chairperson in Office and OSCE Secretariat for their efforts with the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia over the detention of the two UK-seconded Police Trainers from the OSCE Kosovo Police School, Adrian Prangnell and John Yore and their two Canadian travelling companions, Shaun Going and Liam Hall. The European Union is dismayed that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia failed to respect its international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Vienna Convention by televising the men and by refusing Consular access to them until ten days after their arrest. The EU reminds the Yugoslav authorities that the two British men are employees of the OSCE and MINUK, working with all communities in Kosovo to help restore peace and stability. They visited Montenegro openly for a short holiday break with their Canadian friends who were working in Kosovo on construction projects.
The European Union also wishes to draw attention to the treatment in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia of four Dutch citizens held in detention since 18 July. The Netherlands authorities were informed of their detention only on 31 July and did not gain Consular access until 15 August. They too were televised. This, together with the denial of prompt Consular and family access, further highlights the FRY's failure to abide by its international obligations. The European Union expects the FRY authorities to guarantee that all detainees will be treated with full respect for their legal rights and to accelerate legal proceedings in all cases so that the men can quickly be released.
The associated countries Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Turkey subscribe to this statement".