Daily Press Briefing [EXCERPT]

Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
August 29, 2005

KOSOVO

Killing of Ethnic Serbs / Condolences to Families / UN Mission and Local Authorities Begin Investigation

TRANSCRIPT:

12:10 p.m. EDT

MR. MCCORMACK: Good afternoon. I don't have any opening statements, so I'd be happy to jump into questions.

[...]

QUESTION: Sean, there was an attack on ethnic Serbs in Kosovo over the weekend and it has the authorities in Serbia proper saying that this is evidence that not enough progress has been made on those standards to justify having, you know, talks on the final status of Kosovo. I wonder if you have a reaction to the attack and also this sentiment being expressed in Belgrade.

MR. MCCORMACK: We were outraged to learn of the murder of two Kosovo Serbs and we extend our condolences to the families of the victims and the communities in which they lived. We urge all residents of Kosovo to remain calm and to assist the police so that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

And on the second point, we understand that the UN Mission in Kosovo and local authorities have just begun the investigation. They have not yet determined a motive. Regardless of the crimes' motivation, Kosovo's leaders must continue to explore ways to improve freedom of movement in Kosovo and make Kosovo's most vulnerable communities feel secure. The capability of Kosovo's institutions to solve this kind of murder and prevent its recurrence will be a critical test of Kosovo's ability to govern itself.

[...]