Following is the text of the statement by Michael McCurry, spokesman of the State Department: (Begin text)

The United States condemns in the strongest possible language the continuation of Bosnian Serb ethnic cleansing campaigns in the northern Bosnian towns of Banja Luka and Prijedor. We have received new information that corroborates accounts from last year and this winter that Bosnian Serb soldiers, civilian leaders and citizens have renewed their efforts to drive out Muslims, Croats and Romany people from these two formerly multi-ethnic cities. Tactics used to intimidate non-Serbs into fleeing include killing, rape, torture, attacks on people and property, looting and threats. In recent days we have received reports of killings of civilians in reprisal for Bosnian Serb losses on the battlefield.

The goal of ethnic cleansing is ethnic purity, a concept abhorrent to Americans and others whose histories are rich because they are pluralistic. In the coming days the United States will discuss the situation in Banja Luka and Prijedor with our allies and friends in the U.N.

We also intend to advocate that the War Crimes Tribunal take vigorous action to bring to justice the perpetrators of atrocities in Banja Luka and Prijedor, as well as those guilty of war crimes elsewhere in Bosnia. (End text)