2007 Press Releases

Contact Group Statement on Decani Monastery

March 31, 2007

Following reports of an explosion in the vicinity of Decani Monastery in the early morning of March 30, a grenade launcher was found on the hillside overlooking the monastery and part of a munition was found lodged in the outer wall of the monastery, which is one of the most important Serb religious and cultural sites in Kosovo.  While intensive investigation into the incident is still ongoing, the Contact Group wishes to assert in the strongest terms possible that all such violence against the Serb community or the Serbian Orthodox church in Kosovo is absolutely impermissible and intolerable.  The full security of the Serb community in Kosovo is of the utmost importance, and any incidents of violence must be addressed promptly and resolutely by Kosovo authorities and the international community.  We express our deep support for the monastic community at Decani and our continuing commitment to the preservation and protection of the Serbian Orthodox church in Kosovo.