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| Amnesty
International Writes To NATO Expressing 'Deep Concern' About The Bomb Attacks
On Civilian Targets |
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WASHINGTON
- May 11 - Amnesty International has written to NATO's Secretary General, Javier
Solana, expressing deep concern about the attacks carried out on 7 and 8 May by
aircraft under NATO command in which 18 civilians are reported to have been killed.
In relation to the 7 May attack -- apparently targeted at Nis' airport but which
struck the city-centre market and a nearby civilian hospital, reportedly killing
15 people -- Amnesty International is concerned that insufficient consideration
may have been given to the proximity of civilians in NATO's planning of the attack.
The organization specifically would like to know whether the proximity of civilians
was considered in determining what weapons to use in the attack on the airport,
and the reason for attacking the airport at midday -- when many civilians were
in the nearby market place.
In relation to the bombing on 8 May of the Embassy of the People's Republic of
China in Belgrade, which killed three civilians, Amnesty International has pointed
out to Mr Solana that NATO's acknowledgement that this attack was a mistake does
not allay fears -- raised by Amnesty International in previous correspondence
-- about whether NATO is undertaking sufficient safeguards in selecting and vetting
targets for attack.
In the letter to Mr Solana, Amnesty International seeks assurances from him that
a prompt inquiry is being initiated into these attacks. The letter concludes by
stressing that specific concerns expressed by Amnesty International about previous
incidents which may have constituted violations of international humanitarian
law by NATO forces have not yet been addressed.
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