Yugoslavia Embassy celebrates adoption of Constitution

Accra (Greater Accra) 29 April ?99

President Jerry Rawlings on Tuesday night called on NATO to cease its bombing campaign in Yugoslavia and find a peaceful means of resolving the problem in the Balkans.

A peaceful resolution of the conflict would avoid creating "a refugee crisis, deaths of innocent people and destruction of Yugoslavia's assets."

This was contained in a speech read on his behalf at a reception organised by the Yugoslav Embassy in Accra to mark the Seventh anniversary of the adoption of their Constitution.

President Rawlings said Ghana is deeply concerned about the escalation of the war and expressed the hope that very soon a diplomatic solution would be found.

On bilateral relations, the President referred to the long-standing bonds of friendship and co-operation between the two countries in several areas.

"We also appreciate the fruitful relationship between Ghana and Yugoslavia in the international arena, especially in the Non-Aligned Movement [NAM] and the UN, where the two countries supported causes in defence of justice, equality, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states."

President Rawlings said both countries have spoken with one voice on various issues affecting developing countries, such as maintenance of peace and stability, defence of rights and independence.

Mrs Lukovic Jovanovic, Yugoslavia's ambassador in Ghana, said more than 1,000 people have been killed with thousands more sustaining injuries since NATO began its bombing raids.

She condemned the bombing of innocent civilians, including refugees, and called on Ghana and other peace-loving nations to support Yugoslavia in finding a solution to the crisis.