Brussels, 18/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Union High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, condemned the assassination of Smajl Hajdaraj, Albanian member of the Kosovo new legislative assembly. "This senseless act of violence runs the risk of seriously endangering the overall political climate in Kosovo", says Mr Solana, who calls on all political leaders in Kosovo to "keep their calm" and to continue setting up Kosovo's self-government structures. He also calls on the citizens of all communities in Kosovo to lend every support to KFOR and UNMIK as they work to apprehend the perpetrators and being them to justice.
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe also condemned this act. It is sad to see violence returning to Kosovo at a time when the new assembly has brought hopes of a fresh start for the province", declared Walter Schwimmer, before going on to add: "I urge the people of Kosovo to build on the progress made during the past few months, renounce violence - whether political or criminal - and work towards building a true multi-ethnic society".