Luxembourg, 8 June 1998 (RFE/RL) -- The European Union today banned new investments in Serbia and called for an immediate halt to violence in the Serbian province of Kosova, starting with the withdrawal of Serb police and army units.
EU foreign ministers also decided to freeze the assets of the Yugoslav government in all 15 member EU states. An arms embargo and a ban on delivery of police equipment to Yugoslavia is already in force.
The foreign ministers, meeting in Luxembourg, expressed alarm at what they said were signs of a new wave of "ethnic cleansing." They said Serbia is engaged in a campaign of violence that goes far beyond what would be legitimate to fight terrorism.
They urged Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to permit full access to Kosova by the International Committee of the Red Cross, humanitarian organizations, foreign observers and forensic experts.
They also warned of "other measures," including working with the United Nations on action under Chapter 7 of the UN charter, which can authorize foreign military intervention to preserve peace.
German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said it is important to include Russia in efforts to pressure Milosevic. But Russia is a traditional ally of the Serbs and Kinkel admitted it will be difficult to get Moscow's cooperation.
Kinkel is to meet later today in Bonn with his Russian counterpart Yevgeny Primakov.
The foreign ministers, meeting in Luxembourg, expressed alarm at what they said were signs of a new wave of "ethnic cleansing." They said Serbia is engaged in a campaign of violence that goes far beyond what would be legitimate to fight terrorism.
They urged Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to permit full access to Kosova by the International Committee of the Red Cross, humanitarian organizations, foreign observers and forensic experts.
They also warned of "other measures," including working with the United Nations on action under Chapter 7 of the UN charter, which can authorize foreign military intervention to preserve peace.
German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said it is important to include Russia in efforts to pressure Milosevic. But Russia is a traditional ally of the Serbs and Kinkel admitted it will be difficult to get Moscow's cooperation.
Kinkel is to meet later today in Bonn with his Russian counterpart Yevgeny Primakov.