| Press Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC August 26, 2002 Murder of Macedonian PoliceThe United States condemns the criminal and senseless murder of two Macedonian police early this morning near Gostivar, Macedonia. We express our condolences to the families of those killed and any that may have been injured in this attack. Police and judicial authorities should locate and prosecute the perpetrators according to Macedonian law. Last summer, the United States, together with our international partners, facilitated the Ohrid Framework Agreement. With the signing of the Agreement -- and the subsequent constitutional changes -- Macedonian political parties took courageous steps forward to reduce ethnic tensions, restore stability and build a more prosperous and democratic state. Today’s cowardly shootings fly in the face of responsible and determined fulfillment of the Framework Agreement. We urge all political parties to condemn this criminal act and to work together in the spirit of the Framework Agreement and Code of Electoral Conduct that they all signed toward a free, fair and nonviolent election on September 15. |
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