UNMIK/PR/496
I am outraged by the attack which was carried out this morning against a convoy of buses carrying Kosovo Serbs.
At least seven Kosovo Serbs were killed, another ten were seriously wounded and dozens more were injured. A number of the injured are being evacuated by helicopter to hospitals.
I wish to offer my sincerest and deepest condolences to the families of this terrorist attack.
The attack, which occurred just after the buses entered Kosovo at Merdare, was clearly well-planned. The first bus in the convoy crossed a culvert packed with explosives which was detonated by a command wire.
I condemn in the strongest terms possible this cowardly act of terrorism. It is a terrible tragedy, not only for the victims and their families, but for all the people of Kosovo. Those who believe that such a contemptible act might in some way advance the political aspirations of small, extremist and marginalized sector of Kosovo’s society are seriously mistaken.
Rather, the attack marks a serious blow against the people of Kosovo and the future of Kosovo. The international community will judge today’s tragedy, along with other attacks in recent days, in the harshest possible terms. These events will undoubtedly damage the support of the international community for Kosovo.
This was not simply an attack against the Kosovo Serb community – it was an attack against all the people of Kosovo and against their aspirations to live in a safe and peaceful environment.