LOC18:06
15:06 GMT
PARIS, June 4 (KUNA) -- The French Government on Monday strongly condemned
violence on the Kosovo-Serbia border over the weekend in which soldiers from
the KFOR peace-keeping force were attacked by Serb militants.
Firing erupted on the border after the KFOR tried to ensure free-flow of
road traffic and KFOR troops were directly targeted, with one soldier wounded.
Kosovo was formerly a province of Serbia but broke away after a bloody
campaign that led to NATO bombings of Serbia to bring a halt to ethnic
cleansing of Kosovar civilians who are mainly Muslim and of Albanian origin.
Kosovo is now recognized by about half of the international community but
relations with Serbia are still tense despite efforts at reconciliation.
"It is unacceptable that the (KFOR) military personnel were fired upon,"
French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said in a briefing.
"These incidents demonstrate the need to pursue dialogue between Serbia and
Kosovo. The agreements concluded between (the two parties) must be implemented
rapidly," he added.
He called on both governments to show restraint and to cooperate with
international military and legal forces deployed in the area to ensure the
safety of the inhabitants of Kosovo. (end)
jk.hb
KUNA 041806 Jun 12NNNN