Statement by the Press Secretary on the Circumstances in Serbia

December 27, 1996

1. Large-scale protests organized mainly by the opposition parties have flared up in Serbia since late November, in connection with the results of the regional elections held on 17 November. Japan considers it regrettable that electoral procedures which should be fair have caused such social disorder. Japan had already expressed its position that these controversies should be resolved based on democratic principles. However, Japan is increasingly concerned about a degradation of the situation observed in Serbia in the last few days, including violent clashes on 24 December between government supporters and opposition demonstrators that brought the first death toll.
   
   
2. Japan strongly hopes that the problem is resolved based on the principles of democracy, and in a peaceful manner, and urges the Serb authorities once again to address the present situation without resorting to force.