Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
The South African Government has consistently expressed concern about the NATO bombing raids of Yugoslavia. It has also predicted that the bombing raids would not only exacerbate the humanitarian tragedy but that they would lead to unfortunate incidents such as the bombing of the Chinese Embassy and others.
While it condemns the ethnic cleansing policies of the Milosevic Government, the South African Government believes that the only way to resolve the Kosovo crisis is to strongly support the current international diplomatic initiatives which are aimed at ensuring a peaceful resolution to the problem. Furthermore, the South African Government believes that the matter should urgently revert back to the United Nations Security Council, the supreme body in matters of international peace and security.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA
8 MAY 1999