Following is a May 3 statement by State Department spokesman Richard Boucher strongly condemning the killing of two Macedonian soldiers and kidnapping of a third by ethnic Albanian extremists near the border of Serbia:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman May 3, 2001

Statement by Richard Boucher, Spokesman

U.S. CONDEMNS AMBUSH IN MACEDONIA

The United States strongly condemns the unprovoked killing of two Macedonian soldiers and kidnapping of a third today by ethnic Albanian extremists near the border of Serbia. We also condemn the holding of hostages in that area by the so-called National Liberation Army, which has threatened civilians and deliberately puts civilians into jeopardy.

We support the measured response of the Macedonian armed forces to such terrorist violence. We have continued to urge the Government of Macedonia to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties as they take the necessary steps to uphold the rule of law. The United States remains in contact with Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski during his stay in Washington, DC, as well as with Foreign Minister Srgjan Kerim, who is traveling with President Trajkovski.

We reiterate our strong support, as expressed yesterday by President Bush, for breaking the cycle of violence, assuring Macedonia's territorial integrity, and addressing the concerns of the Albanian ethnic minority.

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)