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<title>AXWORTHY CALLS IN YUGOSLAV AMBASSADOR AND CONDEMNS ATTACKS AGAINST CIVILIANS</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">March 27, 1999 <em>(1:30 p.m. EST)</em> No. 68</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">AXWORTHY CALLS IN YUGOSLAV AMBASSADOR AND</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">CONDEMNS ATTACKS AGAINST CIVILIANS</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today instructed his senior officials to call in Yugoslavia's Ambassador to Canada, Pavle Todorovic, to
warn him that Belgrade authorities will be held accountable for all crimes they have committed during the Kosovo conflict.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The warning was issued after Mr. Axworthy spoke late Friday to the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former
Yugoslavia, Louise Arbour, and pledged Canada's continued full support for the Tribunal's work. Ambassador Todorovic was reminded of United
Nations Security Council resolutions 1199 and 1203, which demand Yugoslavia's full co-operation with the Tribunal.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic must understand that political and military leaders will be held personally accountable for all violations
of international humanitarian law, war crimes and crimes against humanity," Mr. Axworthy said. "Canada will do all it can to support the
International Criminal Tribunal in its efforts to bring war criminals to justice."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Minister noted that Madame Arbour has written to President Milosevic emphasizing her determination to investigate all serious violations of
international humanitarian law that merit prosecution in the international forum, particularly those involving attacks on the civilian population.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Minister Axworthy expressed Canada's grave concern over continuing reports of atrocities committed by Serbian forces in Kosovo. Growing
evidence from the region shows that the authorities have intensified their crackdown on opposition figures, may be implicated in summary
executions and other atrocities against civilians and are generally causing the humanitarian crisis to deepen.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The military actions by NATO countries currently underway in Yugoslavia are in response to a worsening humanitarian crisis and Yugoslavia's
refusal to comply with successive UN Security Council resolutions and the agreements reached on October 25, 1998, providing for a ceasefire
and an end to violence against the civilian population.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"The continuing campaign of terror against civilians and the scorched-earth policy being pursued by President Milosevic are further proof that he
is fighting a brutal war against his own citizens," said Minister Axworthy. "We demand that he immediately cease his offensive in Kosovo and
agree to peace, in the best interest of all his citizens."</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
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