I welcome last night's agreement between NATO and Yugoslavia
on the conditions for achieving peace in Kosovo.
The agreement provides for the withdrawal of Yugoslav troops from
Kosovo and the deployment of an international security force. It is
an important step towards the eventual safe return of the hundreds
of thousands who have been forced to flee their homes in Kosovo and
take shelter elsewhere - including in Australia.
Clearly our strong hope is that the end to hostilities will enable
the early release of Steve Pratt and Peter Wallace.
Passage in the next few days of the United Nations Security Council
resolution, agreed by G8 ministers, will be essential in securing
a peace settlement. The government encourages all members of the Security
Council to move expeditiously.
The government hopes that the commitments made by the government of
Yugoslavia will be adhered to so that peace can be brought to Kosovo
as soon as possible.
10 June 1999