[20 Nov 1998] SC/6599 : SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE, ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION 1160 (1998), CONCERNED AT REPORTED VIOLATIONS OF ARMS EMBARGO AND OTHER PROHIBITIONS
20 November 1998


Press Release
SC/6599


SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE, ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION 1160 (1998), CONCERNED AT REPORTED VIOLATIONS OF ARMS EMBARGO AND OTHER PROHIBITIONS

At its meeting, held on 12 November 1998, the Committee considered violations of the arms embargo which was imposed by the Security Council on 31 March 1998 in the interest of fostering peace and stability in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Committee had before it reports from international organizations and the Secretariat on violations of the arms embargo and other prohibitions imposed by Security Council resolutions 1160 (1998) and 1199 (1998).

Following discussion of the above reports, the Committee authorized its Chairman, Ambassador Celso L.N. Amorim (Brazil), to issue the following press statement on its behalf:

"Having considered information from relevant international organizations and mass media, the Committee expresses its concern at continued serious violations of the arms embargo and other prohibitions imposed by resolutions 1160 (1998) and 1199 (1998). The Committee urges in particular States neigbouring the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the region as well as other States to make every effort to comply fully with resolutions 1160 (1998) and 1199 (1998) in seeking to prevent the sale or supply to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, including Kosovo, of arms and related matériel of all types and prevent any arming, training and financing of terrorist activities there.

"The Committee commends those States which have recently taken decisive legal action against perpetrators of violations of the established prohibitions, including the arrests of suspects and seizure of arms, ammunition and funds. The Committee appeals to all States to pursue, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions and their national legislation, actively and swiftly any such incidents. In this regard, the Committee would appreciate it if it could be informed in detail by States and international organizations of any violations of the above prohibitions in order to take appropriate action thereon and inform the Security Council accordingly.

"The Committee reiterates the responsibility of all States to support international efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation in Kosovo and enhancing the prospect of peace in the region by strictly observing the prohibitions contained in resolutions 1160 (1998) and 1199 (1998) and acting promptly upon their violations."

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