YouSaid · the spoken record

Annabi

lines on the record: 845
first: 1999-12-22
most recent: 2009-09-09
sittings or episodes: 45
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“A final point: I had the pleasure to meet briefly with the deputy minister of commerce of China while he was visiting there - we were there at the same time. Mr. Vieira de Mello was very pleased with the agreements that were signed. China, I understand, will also make an important contribution to assist in the construction of the future foreign ministry of East Timor; that is very much appreciated by the East Timorese.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“But there continue to be incidents, and it is likely that in the run-up to elections more incidents may occur, as it may be in the interest of some groups to try to destabilize the situation during that period. So there is a very, very strong feeling among our colleagues on the ground - and I do not think that we should second-guess them too much - that we should not tamper with the force levels, certainly not before the elections. Let us wait and see. Hopefully, things will go very well and the level of security will be such that one will be able to think along those lines, namely, downsizing after the elections. We certainly would not want to maintain troops who are not needed. But I think we should defer that decision until we see what happens and until the elections are behind us.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“It is actually hoped that this may induce some of the refugees to return if they wish to participate in the election and in the political life of the country. On the whole issue of possible reductions in the level of military and police components after the elections, I think this will also be addressed in the upcoming report of the Secretary-General. But I must tell the Council quite frankly that, as it will have noted from my report today, while we have a very professional operation on the border with West Timor, there continue to be problems. I can assure the Council that we have a very professional operation on the border, led by the remarkable Brigadier Gillespie of Australia. They are doing a very professional job. I met with him in Suai.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“In fact, an advance security team went to West Timor a month ago and was unable to Visit the camps in the area of Betun, which, as the Council knows, is a militia stronghold. So it seems that until more is done to improve that situation, the feeling is that the assessment would not come to a positive conclusion. But we will continue to discuss this with the Security Coordinator to see whether that can be reconsidered. On the preparations for the elections and the issue of whether the refugees in the camps will be registered, the answer is, simply, no; they will not be registered. The regulation does not foresee that. In fact, the regulation deliberately foresees - and this was a decision taken by the National Council - that those who wish to vote have to return.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“If we have some of the answers before they are issued we will of course share them with the Council. But, as I indicated in my presentation, active work is taking place on the ground on all of these issues. We will feed the answers back to the Council as we identify them. Very briefly, on the issue of property rights, the Cabinet has simply decided to defer consideration of claims on property rights until after independence. So that will not be taken up now. On phase V and the reconsideration of the security status in West Timor, until at least recently it has been the view of the Security Coordinator that if he were to undertake an assessment he would probably come to the conclusion that phase V should be maintained, as there continue to be problems with the militia in the camps.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“Mr. Annabi: I will try to be brief, Mr. President, as you have encouraged me to defer some of the answers until the issuance of the reports of the Secretary-General. I want to point out in that regard that the Council has requested two reports. There will be a report at the end of April that will focus on a military and political assessment of the situation and on the implications of that assessment for the size, structure and deployment of the United Nations Transitional Administration Mission in East Timor (UNTAET). There will then be a second report, at the end of July, which will be more comprehensive and cover the whole issue of what the post-independence presence will look like. So I hope that Council members will be patient enough to wait until those reports are issued.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“It can be seen in the market place that activities are picking up and things are better. But obviously, some of the Timorese would have liked us to be able to do more for them, as is understandable; and some of them will possibly exploit this for political purposes.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“Incidentally, the National Council is a very dynamic and sometimes difficult body - I experienced that myself when I met with it. I received some compliments about UNTAET's work, but had to face a barrage of criticism by some of its most active members, who - again, probably for political reasons - are critical of UNTAET and consider that we have not done enough for the Timorese, especially in reactivating and reinvigorating the economy. I think that a lot of progress has been made, as can be seen when we measure the difference between the situation in November 1999, when I was last there, and now, and that can be seen not only in Dili but in Suai. When I Visited Suai in November 1999, there was not a roof on a single house in that city. Today, I think I can say that probably about three quarters of the roofs are back in place.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“Apart from the immediate reason for his resignation, which was his disappointment at the fact that the National Council failed to adopt the regulation on the creation of constitutional commissions to try to discuss the future draft constitution, he feels that there are too many demands on his time right now and that he needs some distance. The possibility cannot be excluded that he is somewhat unhappy with the current differences of opinion that are being voiced by the different political parties and that he sees a trend which is not good. I think that this is probably also a way, on his part, to try to send a message that the Timorese should avoid such differences, or at least discuss them in a more constructive spirit, both inside the National Council and in the streets.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“But UNTAET and the East Timor Transitional Administration are looking at what additional measures can be taken, including increased patrolling and showing a stronger presence to try to prevent incidents rather than having to react to them. We are also sending experts from New York, both military and civilian, to discuss the best way of approaching possible situations of civil unrest in the run-up to the elections, and I am confident that the necessary measures will be taken. As regards the resignation of Xanana Gusmao, I was discussing the matter this morning with Sergio Vieira de Mello. He feels strongly that this should not be dramatized.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“In this pre-electoral period, when 14 different political parties have been formed, some may be - and probably are - trying to take advantage of the disillusionment that is prevalent among unemployed people to derive political gains from some of these situations. Of course, both the police and military components of UNTAET have been trying to draw lessons from these incidents. To be quite frank, I think that if we had had better information on the situation in some of these communities, and better knowledge of these communities - which are not always very easy to penetrate when we do not speak the language or know the culture - we could perhaps have avoided some of the violence or been able to keep it under better control.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“The last two questions related to the recent incidents and the reasons behind them, and to the possible implications of Xanana Gusmao's resignation from the National Council. As I indicated in my briefing, some of these incidents were created by groups of youths with no political motivation. I have to say that the Timorese are prone to getting excited rather quickly when there is an incident - it can quickly turn into a mob scene. Some of these incidents- probably all of them, in fact - have evolved in that way. But some do not have any political motivation. Others were probably provoked, aided or encouraged by people who had some political motivation - that was the case with one of them.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“This group has been meeting on a weekly basis and is expected to report to the Cabinet soon, where, hopefully, a draft agreement regulating these issues can be worked out and adopted. This is an issue that is under active consideration. I would like to add one point, however, that has been made to us by Mr. Vieira de Mello. While he will of course do what he can to ensure that this process is successful and reaches a positive conclusion, he will not want to go against the wishes of the East Timorese who now form a majority of the Cabinet. But hopefully a draft agreement will be worked out that will regulate the conditions under which non-governmental organizations can function, and their obligations and privileges in East Timor.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“Some of them employ local personnel, and when they do, they have an obligation to withhold tax on behalf of their employees. My understanding is that they generally do not object to the withholding of taxes from their local staff. It is the withholding of taxes from the international staff of non-governmental organizations that seems to be the problem. UNTAET and the East Timor Transitional Administration are very aware of this problem, and a working group has been established, which includes representatives of both non-governmental organizations and the East Timor Transitional Administration officials. This working group is going to try to prepare what are normally called country agreements; in other words, a draft of the kind of agreement that is normally signed between a non-governmental organization and the local government.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“They have pointed out that this person is in detention and is still undergoing trial in West Timor, and that for that reason they will not be able to respond positively, at least at this stage. Turning now to the issue of the tax regulations that are considered to be a bit of a problem by some of the non-governmental organizations on the ground, I would like to point out that under the regulations that are in place in East Timor, promulgated by the Transitional Administrator, non-governmental organizations are not subject to income tax unless they make a profit. They are entitled to import goods free of taxes for educational purposes, health purposes and other humanitarian endeavours. This allows the vast majority of them to operate free of any taxes on their activities.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“Mr. Annabi: I think the first question relates to Jacobus Bere, who is a former member of the Laksaur militia group and is suspected of having been responsible for the killing of Private Manning of the New Zealand contingent last July. Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello has written to the Indonesian authorities requesting his extradition, or at least his transfer, to East Timor so that he can be prosecuted. He has done that under a memorandum of understanding that was signed between the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and the Indonesian authorities last April. We understand from statements made in Jakarta by Indonesian officials that they will not be prepared to respond positively to this request.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“Subject to the continuing assistance of the international community, the East Timorese should be able to realize their aspirations for a democratic and sustainable State. Morale in UNTAET is generally good, and United Nations and East Timorese staff take pride in what they do in this historic challenge that they are engaged in. Finally, I would like to appeal to members of the Council for their continued support to ensure that the population of East Timor can build upon the investment made by the international community to date.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“The working group will consult closely with the East Timor leadership and other development partners, including the international financial institutions. Here at Headquarters we are considering ways to support this work. In this connection, we are exploring the possibility of setting up a mission task force to draw up specific recommendations on the complete international presence in East Timor after independence. As we have said previously, there will be a need for troops, for a meaningful military component, for a civilian police component, and for a civilian component. Overall, my visit has reinforced my impression that significant progress is being made on most, if not all, fronts to prepare the East Timorese for independence.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“In the absence of the requisite East Timorese capacity, the Government of Portugal has assumed this task and will meet the estimated cost of $4.2 million for running the airport and training East Timorese to take over some of the functions in due course. Mr. Vieira de Mello has established a working group on post-UNTAET planning. The working group has begun its work in East Timor to develop recommendations on the specific estimated level of international staffing and technical assistance that will be required to support the Government of East Timor after independence. The group will also determine strategies for training and the duration for which those positions are considered necessary.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“Before concluding I would like to say a few words about the planning process for the follow-up on the United Nations peacekeeping presence in East Timor. The success of East Timor as a nation will depend in part on its capacity to acquire at every level the practical skills needed to run a State and to provide essential public services. This work has begun, but we need to continue well after independence with the objective of transferring the necessary skills to the East Timorese and phasing out the international personnel now serving in the administration. However, we must be realistic and acknowledge that this process will take time. To give just one example, until recently the Royal Australian Air Force was running Dili Airport, but then this task was handing over to a civilian company.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“The process of "Timorization" has also started in the leadership of the local police, where an experienced East Timorese police officer has been appointed as director of the police college. At the same time, as we have learned in other theatres - especially in Kosovo - progress with policing can be effective and sustainable only if there is a commensurate development of the day-to-day functioning of the judiciary and penal system. Since January three trials related to serious crimes have resulted in convictions. The rate at which the Special Panel for Serious Crimes can bring cases to trial is severely hampered by a lack of personnel, but in particular by a lack of qualified translators. Similar delays have been caused by the lack of funding to meet the expenses of witnesses.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“As I said, this is a test that will be carefully assessed before we consider extending it to other districts. During my Visit to East Timor I was impressed by the progress made in the establishment of the Timor Lorosae Police Service. Some 450 East Timorese police who have graduated from the police college are currently deployed throughout the country with the UNTAET police. Their relations with the local communities have greatly facilitated more effective policing. From now on, 100 new officers per month will graduate from the academy, which is double the previous rate. The full strength of 3,000 Timorese civilian police is expected to be achieved by April 2003.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“Among the lessons learned from these incidents are the importance of the role of the local communities in maintaining order and the need to build confidence with these communities, while making it clear at the same time that violence will not be tolerated. Clearly, stable employment opportunities will also be key to reducing the risk of violence. When he briefed the Council last January, Mr. Vieira de Mello suggested that the effectiveness of civilian police in general in complex operations could be enhanced. Accordingly, the civilian police in Bacau district have undertaken a trial deployment along the lines followed for peacekeeping troops, which means a deployment by national contingents. In this case the Filipino national contingent will operate alone in the Bacau district.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“On 17 March a group of youths attacked two Villages in Dili district, and during sporadic unrest over the following two days a civilian police patrol was fired upon. An investigation has determined that the incident in Viqueque sprang from a quarrel between students at a secondary school, each belonging to a martial arts group - these martial arts groups, by the way, are quite popular in East Timor. Until this incident in Viqueque, the district had been largely quiet. However, in the case of the Bacau incident it is evident that individuals with political affiliations sought to take advantage of discontent, which is especially prevalent among the unemployed youth. Community meetings have been held in the affected districts.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“On 7 March members of the CPD-RDTL, the so-called Popular Council for the Defence of the Democratic Republic of East Timor, disrupted a student meeting in central Dili, at which Xanana Gusmao was present. On the same day a series of violent incidents occurred in Bacau district, which resulted in the burning of the local mosque and an attack on the East Timorese district administrator and other United Nations staff, as well as the burning of their vehicle. Among the crowd were members of the CPD-RDTL, as well as former members of FALINTIL. On 12 March, in another incident in Viqueque, a fight between youth groups and a subsequent riot resulted in two deaths, the burning of almost 40 houses and the displacement of some 600 people.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“UNTAET reports that cross-border smuggling activities, including by militia, are continuing, which makes it difficult sometimes to determine the underlying causes of these recent incidents. There have been two more incidents over the past two or three days. On 2 and 3 April incidents occurred along the border again, including a shooting incident on 3 April that resulted in the death of a young woman. Today, Fijian soldiers who are part of the New Zealand contingent were fired upon at the southern end of the border between East and West Timor. Inside East Timor itself the overall crime rate remains low, but nonetheless a number of serious incidents occurred last month. This is a cause for some concern in UNTAET.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“As regards the security and law and order situation, until recent weeks the border with West Timor had been relatively quiet. However, over the past several days this situation has changed, and multiple incidents have occurred. On 1 April, UNTAET troops observed two suspected militia members approaching a junction point with West Timor, west of Maliana in Bobonaro district. When one of them pointed his weapon in the direction of the border post and ignored a warning from UNTAET, UNTAET troops fired three shots at them. No injuries were reported. On the same day, an UNTAET platoon at a junction point with West Timor, southwest of Tilomar in Covalima district, was fired at and returned fire. The Indonesian armed forces in the area attributed the firing to an accidental weapon discharge. These incidents are being investigated.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“To encourage reconciliation among the East Timorese and further refugee returns, UNTAET also facilitated the visit of a group of five former pro-autonomy East Timorese leaders to East Timor from 28 to 30 March. Early last month, on 6 March, the Secretary- General met with Indonesian Foreign Minister Shihab to discuss the situation of the refugees in West Timor. Minister Shihab proposed that a security assessment proceed to the area with a view to downgrading the current phase V security level, which would enable the return of United Nations agencies. The Secretary- General expressed the Security Coordinator's concern over the likely negative outcome of a security assessment in West Timor at this time, but undertook to keep the matter under review.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“They also receive short- term cash payments to help their resettlement. Turning now to the situation of refugees in West Timor, I would like to say that another positive development among recent developments has been the recent increase in the number of refugees returning to East Timor. To date, over 180,000 refugees have returned, but it is estimated that up 100,000 - according to some estimates - remain in West Timor. We continue to receive reports that East Timorese refugees are subject to intimidation and that they lack access to information on the real conditions inside East Timor. The International Organization for Migration, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and UNTAET, with the cooperation of the Indonesian task force on refugees, have recently undertaken three rounds of organized repatriations.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“Australia has agreed to construct a permanent training centre, which will be located at Metinaro, a city in Dili district on the coast to the east of Dili. Australia has also loaned rifles for the training of the Force. Work on this training centre has begun - in fact, it began this week. However, additional resources are required, particularly weapons and training equipment, to pursue this training. Some 1,100 former FALINTIL fighters who were not selected to join the Defence Force are returning to civilian life with the assistance of a programme established in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration and which is financed by the World Bank and the United States Agency for International Development. The former combatants participate in retraining and education programmes that prepare them for civilian life.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“As we had previously reported to the Council, the new Force will consist of a light infantry force of 1,500 regular soldiers and 1,500 reservists. Recruitment will take place over a period of three years and an Office of Defence Force Development has been established within the Transitional Administration to oversee and coordinate all activities related to the development of the Force, as well as bilateral and multilateral relations. The former Commander of FALINTIL, General Taur Matan Ruak, has been appointed by Mr. Vieira de Mello as Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force and 650 former FALINTIL members have been selected to form the first battalion. The training of the first 250 of these 650 officers began on 19 February, with the assistance of Portuguese instructors.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“The National Council is expected to elect a new Speaker next week. In View of the National Council's decision, Mr. Vieira de Mello, with the support of the Cabinet, has decided to support initiatives by non-governmental organizations to engage the people of East Timor and to hear their views all across the territory as to how their nation's founding charter should be framed. District commissions will be established to complement the process and the work of the constituent assembly. I would like now to turn to the East Timor Defence Force (ETDF). A ceremony was held in Aileu on 1 February to mark the disbanding of the former fighters of the Armed Forces for the National Liberation of East Timor (FALINTIL) and the establishment of the ETDF.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“It is expected that those views will crystallize as the Timorese prepare for the actual drafting of the constitution to be adopted by the constituent assembly. On 27 March, the National Council narrowly rejected a draft regulation that provided for the establishment of commissions to undertake a broad process of consultation on the future constitution. Following that decision, Mr. Xanana Gusmao, citing his disquiet with the proceedings of the National Council, decided to resign from the Council. Mr. Jose Ramos-Horta has been appointed by Mr. Vieira de Mello as a Council member in Mr. Gusmao's place and has consequently resigned from the Cabinet, where he was the Minister for Foreign Affairs. As members of the Security Council are aware, members of the National Council cannot be Cabinet members.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“I was able to observe personally the registration process in both Oecussi and Suai districts. The registration campaign will provide the basis for the preparation of the electoral roll. To be eligible to vote, refugees in the camps in West Timor who wish to cast their ballot in this election will have to register before 24 June, when the registration process will be completed, and they will have to be present in East Timor on polling day. I should emphasize that the schedule for the election is rather tight and that it can be kept only if the electoral registration process can be completed as foreseen by 24 June. We will be able to speak of a date for independence only once the constituent assembly has begun its work. There is a broad range of views among the East Timorese regarding the possible structure of the future State.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“The regulation also provides for the establishment of an independent electoral commission with exclusive electoral authority. The commission will be composed of a Chief Electoral Officer, who has already been designated. The Chief Electoral Officer will be Mr. Carlos Valenzuela, who is a respected expert and a veteran of United Nations elections. The commission will also include five voting commissioners, who will be appointed by the Secretary-General. Two of them will be East Timorese and three will be internationally recognized electoral experts. Also on 16 March, Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello promulgated a regulation on the establishment of the Central Civil Registry for East Timor. As a result, a nationwide drive to register East Timor's residents has now begun.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“In promulgating that regulation on 16 March, the Transitional Administrator, Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, announced that the election for the 88-member constituent assembly would be held on 30 August 2001. Each district will elect one representative on a majority basis and 75 members will be elected on a proportional basis in a single nationwide constituency. The Assembly will be expected to draft and adopt the constitution of an independent and democratic East Timor within a period of 90 days. After a lively discussion, the National Council ultimately rejected - unfortunately, if I may say so - a proposal to impose mandatory quotas for women. However, a preamble was included in the regulation which encourages the equal participation of women in the electoral and constitutional process.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“In the two months that have elapsed since the adoption of resolution 1338 (2001), which extended the mandate of United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), there have been a number of significant developments, including the adoption of a regulation on the establishment of a Constituent Assembly and the modalities for its election, the setting of a date for the election, the establishment of the East Timor Defence Force and an increase in refugee returns. There have also been a certain number of unfortunate internal disturbances in East Timor. I will now cover these various developments in greater detail. First, a major milestone in East Timor's path towards independence was passed on 13 March when the National Council endorsed a regulation on the election of the Constituent Assembly.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“Mr. Annabi: I am pleased to brief the Council on the latest developments in East Timor, having recently returned from a Visit there. On my previous visit to East Timor, in November 1999, I was struck by the enormity of the destruction and the task that lay ahead, both for the East Timorese and for the international community. Since then, enormous progress has been achieved, but there is, of course, still much that needs to be done.”
2001-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4308 (2001) · source
“This support will be critical as the Mission continues to implement the results of the municipal elections held last October and as it increases the involvement of the local population in the local interim administrative bodies.”
2000-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4249 (2000) · source
“Belgian KFOR members fired tear gas and warning shots in response. As I just mentioned, two Kosovo Serbs died during this incident, one from a gunshot wound and the other, reportedly, from a heart attack. UNMIK police has launched an investigation into this incident and into the deaths. Since then, the situation in the region has remained calm, and this is confirmed by the latest situation reports we have received. To conclude, I would like to emphasize that, while many of the foundations for the future development of Kosovo have been laid, much remains to be done. The upsurge in politically motivated violence, as well as the incidents in the Presevo Valley and in Leposavic, underscore, if there is any need to do so, the fragility of the situation and the need for continued international support for UNMIK and its work.”
2000-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4249 (2000) · source
“Before concluding, I would like to mention the incident which occurred last weekend in Leposavic in northern Kosovo. This was on the evening of 16 December, when two Kosovo Serbs died, two more were seriously injured and the Leposavic municipal police station was burned to the ground. The violence stemmed from an incident in which a Kosovo Serb was S/PVAZA') arrested for drunken driving and the attempted murder of a Kosovo Serb officer of the Kosovo Police Service (KPS). A crowd subsequently formed at the Leposavic police station to demand the release of the arrested man. In the ensuing events, seven Belgian KFOR soldiers were taken hostage and later released. The crowd attempted to break into the police compound. Petrol bombs were thrown at the police station and three KFOR vehicles and one KPS police car were destroyed.”
2000-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4249 (2000) · source
“In comparison, only 30 per cent had access to chlorinated water in mid-1999, when UNMIK was established. On the humanitarian front, it is estimated that some 20,000 families could be at risk of suffering severe exposure this winter if coal and firewood are not provided. Work is under way to provide winter stoves, blankets and other non-food items, such as coal and firewood. Places are also being made available in community shelters. The UNMIK Mine Action Coordination Centre has estimated that the task of clearing Kosovo of mines and other ordinance should be completed by December 2001 and it has therefore prepared an exit strategy to transfer responsibilities to the appropriate departments of the Joint Interim Administrative Structure.”
2000-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4249 (2000) · source
“Elements of the operation include, among other measures, sustained political pressure on Kosovo Albanian politicians who might exert some moderating influence on hard-line Albanian armed groups; intensified reconnaissance operations along the eastern boundary of Kosovo; and extensive operations within Kosovo to deter any attempt to move arms or military equipment to the Presevo Valley. UNMIK continues to make impressive gains in normalizing life in Kosovo. Health care institutions continue to be refurbished. Almost 70,000 children have been immunized against polio. More than 1,000 schools have been rehabilitated since last September. Work also continues to restore both the electricity and the water-supply systems in Kosovo. In the case of the water systems, 80 per cent of Kosovo's urban population now have chlorinated water.”
2000-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4249 (2000) · source
“I would like to turn now to the situation in the Presevo Valley. In mid-November, there was an escalation of armed confrontation between Serbian security forces and the self-styled Liberation Army of Presevo, Medveda and Bujanovac in the ground safety zone adjacent to Kosovo. The clashes triggered an influx of almost 5,000 displaced persons from the area into Kosovo. While the number of displaced can be considered as relatively small, the potential implications for peace and security in the region are quite serious. In response, KFOR and UNMIK continue to enhance operations within Kosovo to further deter and disrupt radical ethnic Albanian groups from conducting armed activities in the Presevo Valley. These operations combine both political and military efforts to reduce tensions within the ground safety zone.”
2000-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4249 (2000) · source
“For example, four Ashkalija returnees were murdered in the Mitrovica region in early November. UNMIK has continued to develop measures to improve security in minority communities, with joint patrols of UNMIK and the Kosovo Force and the establishment of a telephone hotline. The Secretary-General has emphasized that extremists must not be allowed to undermine the achievements obtained so far in providing the basis for substantial autonomy and self-government in accordance with resolution 1244 (1999). Continued implementation of substantial autonomy depends upon the existence of security and respect for human rights and democratic development. None of these conditions can be met unless Kosovo's leaders and the general population commit themselves to ensuring that they are upheld.”
2000-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4249 (2000) · source
“However, in the post-election period, the number of attacks has, regrettably, returned to a level comparable to that of midsummer of this year. One incident of particular concern to UNMIK was the bombing of the house of the senior representative of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in Kosovo, Ambassador Vukicevic, of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Committee for Cooperation with UNMIK, which resulted in the death of a Serb guard and the injury of three other persons. The following day, a senior politician of the LDK was also murdered. The overriding human rights concern in Kosovo continues to be the provision of adequate security for Kosovo's minorities. While for some communities, such as the Kosovo Roma, the number of significant incidents has dropped, for others the situation remains precarious or has in fact deteriorated.”
2000-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4249 (2000) · source
“The report of the Secretary-General notes that changes in the Government in Belgrade have influenced Kosovo's political life. While Kosovo Albanian leaders have welcomed the changes as a positive contribution, they have perceived President Kostunica's victory as a threat to their well-known aspirations for the province. That perception could, unfortunately, further radicalize some Kosovo Albanian nationalist elements and may place Kosovo's minorities under increased threat, which UNMIK, in cooperation with the Kosovo Force (KFOR), has taken steps to address. S/PVAZA') UNMIK places emphasis on combating politically motivated violence, and a joint UNMIK- KFOR Political Violence Task Force has been established. The pre-election period saw a significant drop in the level of politically motivated violence.”
2000-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4249 (2000) · source
“The election results have been certified by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Bernard Kouchner, in 27 out of Kosovo's 30 municipalities. Of those 27 municipalities, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) won in 21 municipalities, and the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) won in six other municipalities. The exceptions, where certification has not been possible, are the three Kosovo Serb majority municipalities of Leposavic, Zubin Potok and Zvecan. In these areas, the Special Representative has appointed municipal assemblies. Kosovo Serb representatives have been drawn from various political parties, but they also include a number of independent personalities. Major progress has now been made in establishing functioning municipal assemblies.”
2000-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4249 (2000) · source
“Mr. Annabi: As you have just indicated, Mr. President, Council members have before them the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), dated 15 December, which provides a comprehensive account of developments in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, over the past few months. The most important development during these past three months has been the holding of municipal elections, in which almost 80 per cent of the eligible electorate participated. As Council members are aware, Kosovo Serbs did not, however, participate in the elections, and the voter turnout for Romas and Turks was low to negligible. Other minority participation was more encouraging, especially among the Kosovo Bosniac and Gorani communities.”
2000-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4249 (2000) · source
“I am sure he will pursue the discussions on this subject with the Indonesian Government. I hope that some progress can be made in that area so that the return of those who wish to go back can take place, and so that the necessary measures are also taken to curb the activities of the militias. I think this covers the main issues raised. I will therefore stop here.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source