The South African Government has noted with grave concern the current military action against the sovereign state of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. This is in violation of the United Nations Charter and accepted norms of international law and it has exacerbated the situation in the Balkans.
The South African Government would like to stress the need to resolve disputes by peaceful means and in this context it strongly emphasises the primary responsibility of the United Nations Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security. The erosion of the United Nations Charter and the authority of the United Nations Security Council cannot be tolerated by the international community.
The South African Government further calls on all parties to the conflict to respect United Nations Security Council resolutions 1199 and 1203 and to actively explore a diplomatic solution in this regard.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA
25 MARCH 1999