S/PV.4001 Security Council

At the outset of the meeting, I should like, on behalf of the Security Council, to express deep sympathy and profound condolences to the Government and people of China, as well as to the families of the three victims of the tragic incident that occurred in the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Belgrade on 7 May 1999. I now invite members to stand and observe a minute of silence in their memory.

In accordance with the decisions taken at the 4000th meeting, held on 8 May 1999, I invite the representatives of Albania, Belarus, Cuba, India, Iraq and Ukraine to take the seats reserved for them at the side of the Council Chamber; I invite Mr. Vladislav Jovanovic´ to take a seat at the Council table.

The Security Council will now resume its consideration of the item on its agenda. I should like to draw the attention of the members of the Council to the following documents: S/1999/529, letter dated 9 May 1999 from the Chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Permanent Mission of Yugoslavia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council; S/1999/530, letter dated 10 May 1999 from the Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: “The Security Council recalls the press statement by the President on 8 May 1999 and expresses its deep distress and concern over the bombing of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 7 May 1999, which has caused serious casualties and property damage. The Council expresses its deepest sympathy and profound condolences to the Chinese Government and families of the victims. “The Security Council expresses profound regrets over the bombing and deep sorrow for the loss of lives, injuries and property damage caused by the bombing, and notes that regrets and apologies were expressed for this tragedy by members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The Council, bearing in mind the Charter of the United Nations, reaffirms that the principle of the inviolability of diplomatic personnel and premises must be respected in all cases in accordance with internationally accepted norms. “The Security Council stresses the need for a complete and thorough investigation of the bombing by NATO. In this connection, it takes note of the fact that an investigation has been initiated by NATO and awaits the results of the investigation. “The Security Council will remain seized of the matter.” This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/1999/12. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda.