31998E0736

98/736/CFSP: Joint Action of 22 December 1998 adopted by the Council on the basis of Article J.3 of the Treaty on European Union concerning a forensic experts mission in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Official Journal L 354 , 30/12/1998 P. 0003 - 0003

JOINT ACTION of 22 December 1998 adopted by the Council on the basis of Article J.3 of the Treaty on European Union concerning a forensic experts mission in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (98/736/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in particular Articles J.3 and J.11(2) thereof,

Having regard to the general guidelines contained in the conclusions adopted by the European Council in Vienna on 11-12 December 1998,

Whereas in its conclusions of 5 October 1998 the Council condemned in the strongest terms those responsible for atrocities in Kosovo and called upon the authorities in Belgrade immediately to investigate, identify and punish those responsible;

Whereas, in this context, the Council decided to send, as soon as possible, an EU team of forensic experts to examine the recently alleged killings of civilians in Kosovo; whereas this team should have unhindered access to the required sites within the FRY and should be granted independent working conditions,

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

1. The EU forensic experts mission shall investigate, in an impartial and independent manner, sites of alleged killings of civilians in Kosovo, inter alia in Glodjane, Golubovac, Gorne Obrinje, Klecka, Orahovac and Volujak.

2. The mission shall report its findings to the Council.

Article 2

1. An amount of up to ECU 950 000 shall be charged to the general budget of the European Communities in order to cover the costs of the EU forensic experts mission from the date of the adoption of this Joint Action.

2. The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with Community procedures and rules applicable to the said budget.

Article 3

This Joint Action shall come into force on 1 January 1999.

Article 4

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 22 December 1998.

For the Council

The President

C. EINEM