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

“In cooperation with the Office of the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNTAET is also continuing to facilitate and encourage family visits and what we call "go and see" visits to show to potential returnees the prevailing conditions in East Timor and to apprise them of the arrangements available for their reintegration, should they decide to go back. At this point, of course, the main issue is to create conditions that will allow those wishing to go back to exercise that choice in full freedom and security. We heard the representative of Indonesia confirm today the decision of his Government to work with the United Nations to resolve the issue of refugees in West Timor. Mr. Vieira de Mello will be visiting Jakarta in the next few days.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“We will of course bring the conclusions of those investigations to the Council's attention once they are completed. I was also asked what measures UNTAET has taken to reintegrate refugees returning in the future. The Special Representative has stated on a number of occasions that there are arrangements in place to receive large numbers of additional returnees when that takes place. In fact, the process has so far gone reasonably well. Close to 170,000 East Timorese have returned from West Timor. Although there have been some isolated incidents here and there, those returnees have generally been well received by the population.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“Once he has received a more detailed assessment from the mission as to what additional measures might be required, the Secretary-General will come back to the Council. As I said, for the time being he has decided that the proposed downsizing of the force in the eastern sector will be delayed in order to enable UNTAET to be better positioned to respond to whatever threats may arise. There was a question about the investigations into the militia killings of UNTAET personnel. There is a joint investigation underway with Indonesia into the killing of Private Manning, the soldier from the New Zealand contingent who was killed in the border area. However, the investigations regarding the Nepalese soldier and others who were killed well within East Timor are being conducted by UNTAET.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“As members of the Council will have noted, I described the current security situation in East Timor at some length during my presentation, as well as UNTAET's concerns in that regard and its assessment of the security threat and the possible motivations behind it. I also described the initial measures taken by UNTAET to restructure the force and to redeploy troops so as to enhance security in the central and western sectors of the territory. It is in some ways difficult to predict very precisely at this point how the situation will evolve, since of course that evolution is linked fairly closely to the situation in West Timor and militia activities there. But the situation will be kept under review.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“It is likely that Xanana Gusmao will continue to play a constructive and central role in the transition process. In fact, he has indicated to the participants during the congress that he would be prepared to continue to play such a role should that be the wish of the rank and file. We will, of course, as I said in my briefing, revert to and give more details on the proceedings of the congress and on the decisions taken by it, since it is only ending today, and we do not have a detailed report at this point. There was a question regarding the provision of a military assessment of the security situation in East Timor and its implications for the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET).”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“Mr. Annabi: I will try to respond briefly to some of the main issues that have been raised. There was a question regarding the resignation of Xanana Gusmao at the beginning of the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT) congress. That congress represents the first opportunity for the parties that have joined ranks under the umbrella of the CNRT to debate openly the political future of East Timor. The CNRT was formed in April 1998 to promote independence and to prepare for the popular consultation. During the congress, they have been discussing the reorganization of the CNRT so that it could more adequately address the issues of transition and prepare for independence. So, in some ways, it was normal for the leadership to stand down. The new leadership will, of course, probably be designated at the end of the congress.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“The deployment of the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) and UNTAET, and the work done by UNTAET since its establishment last October, have made it possible for the East Timorese to look forward to a better future and to the realization of their aspirations to independence. UNTAET will continue, with the support of the Council, to work with the East Timorese to prepare them for that challenge.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“In conclusion, it can be said that UNTAET has continued over the past month to make steady progress in a number of areas. However, UNTAET has become seriously concerned - as I have tried to show in this briefing - with the security situation in East Timor and with the continuing plight of the refugees in the camps in West Timor. We would welcome the Council's continued strong support as UNTAET continues its efforts to address and resolve these issues. Finally, tomorrow will mark the first anniversary of the popular consultation in East Timor. A lot of positive developments have taken place since the frenzy of violence and destruction that visited East Timor following the announcement of the result of the popular consultation, on 4 September last year.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“It endorsed three regulations in August, including one prohibiting land transactions by Indonesian corporations and citizens who are not habitually resident in East Timor, pending the completion of negotiations with Indonesia on assets and claims. Turning briefly to political activity over the last month, I would like to mention that the CNRT congress, which is evidently a very important event, began on 21 August and will conclude its deliberations today. The CNRT leadership, including its President, Xanana Gusmao, stood down at the opening of the congress, pending the decisions to be taken by the congress regarding the CNRT's future. We will revert to the Council with additional information once UNTAET has been able to assess the results of the congress, which as I said will complete its work today.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“Timorese district advisory councils were formally appointed by the Transitional Administrator on 1 August and are now operational in all districts. Finally, preparations for the establishment of the National Council, which will be the successor of the National Consultative Council, are well advanced. An open nomination process for the representatives of the districts and of civic organizations is underway. Representatives will be nominated from parties within the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT) and from non-CNRT parties and the three main religions in East Timor. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General will be making the final selections. In the meantime, the National Consultative Council has continued to meet.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“This month, the World Bank also launched an agriculture rehabilitation project. The rehabilitation and maintenance of East Timor's infrastructure - in particular of its damaged roads - is continuing, with Timorese engineers supervising most of the projects. However, security concerns have resulted in a delay in road repairs in the western sector. Efforts at human resource capacity-building are also continuing. A group of 50 East Timorese are completing the final phase of a diplomatic training course. The Civil Service Academy has also been conducting English language courses for Timorese civil servants. In addition, 75 senior East Timorese managers underwent a one-week course in management organized by the National Institute of Public Administration of Portugal.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“In the health sector, the transition from the emergency phase to a more systematic approach to long-term health delivery has begun. Public health services have also been available locally in the Liquica district since the beginning of this month. In the field of education, so far a total of 3,000 primary teachers have been selected and appointed to district schools, and 1,750 secondary school teachers are in the process of being appointed. A national teachers' congress, attended by over 800 teachers, was held from 10 to 12 August and addressed issues including the national curriculum and the school calendar. In the agricultural field, district agriculture officers are working with East Timorese farmers in 10 of the 13 districts on an important soil enrichment programme to enable farmers to grow a second crop, given sufficient rainfall.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“However, this would require additional voluntary contributions to the budget of the Transitional Administration. In general, civil law and order remain stable, although civilian police continue to report an upward trend in low-level crime and petty theft. On 3 August, the internationally recruited General Prosecutor for East Timor assumed his post. The Special Crimes Unit has prioritized cases related to crimes committed in 1999. Currently, 75 detainees are in custody for crimes committed last year, including arson, rape and murder. UNTAET and the Government of Indonesia are closely cooperating on investigations into the events of last year. A team of 23 Indonesian investigators visited East Timor last month to interview witnesses and visit crime scenes.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“There are also positive reports that the Temporary Employment Projects schemes have lead to the development of economic ventures, for example in the Liquica district where funds have been reinvested to start handicraft and other small businesses. There has also been a gradual increase in foreign investment proposals in the areas of tourism, hotel construction, banking, fisheries and animal farming. Following the successful deployment of the first group of 50 East Timorese police officers, a second group of 50 is undergoing training at the academy through mid-October. At this rate, however, it will take about five years before we can reach the target of 3,000 East Timorese police. UNTAET has developed a proposal to increase academy output to 130 graduates per month.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“While economic and social conditions remain of great concern throughout East Timor, and will continue to do so for some time to come, there has been a noticeable easing of employment pressures and an encouraging rise in economic activity, especially in Dili. The number of registered private businesses has risen by 418 to 3,114, the great majority of these being Timorese. Over the last two months, an additional 83 quick impact Projects have created 3,450 jobs for a six- month period. The Temporary Employment Projects are now in their final stages, having provided a total of over 33,780 jobs for the Timorese.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“The customs and duties collected to date by the Border Service represent a total of over $3 million. On 15 August, the East Timor Revenue Service also began to collect tax revenues. There has also been progress in the building up of the civil service, with the recruitment of East Timorese increasing rapidly following the approval of the East Timor Consolidated Budget for the fiscal year 2000/2001. So far, the civil service has appointed 111 East Timorese candidates for positions in the departments and offices of the East Timor Transitional Administration. Of these, 80 were selected for the Central Fiscal Authority and 22 for the Central Payments Office.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“UNHCR will continue to work with refugee leaders to better inform refugees as to the situation in East Timor and to encourage returns. Turning now to governance and public administration, I would like to say that the new East Timor Transitional Administration is now well under way. The Cabinet has now met five times and has taken decisions on a wide range of policies, including the reconstruction of public buildings and the preparation of an administrative and legal framework for future taxes in East Timor. This framework will serve as an important foundation for the establishment of sustainable financial administration in East Timor. Since 1 July, the East Timor Consolidated Budget has been administered and executed separately from that of UNTAET.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“Earlier this month, Indonesian Foreign Minister Shihab announced that the Government of Indonesia planned to find a solution to the present impasse on the refugee situation. An important delegation from the Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs, headed by Mr. Hassan Wirajuda, the Director General for Political Affairs in the Foreign Ministry, visited Dili on 23 August. During the extensive discussions that were held on that occasion, Mr. Vieira de Mello urged the Indonesian Government to take the necessary steps in cooperation with the United Nations to address the deteriorating security situation in West Timor and to create conditions under which voluntary repatriation of the refugees in West Timor can take place hopefully within a period of three to six months.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“Humanitarian agencies are seriously concerned about these developments and feel that the militias may be looking to force a suspension of international humanitarian assistance to the refugees. Indeed, following the 22 August incident, UNHCR initially suspended its operations in West Timor, but I understand that it has now decided to resume operations, since it is satisfied with the way the Indonesian authorities have dealt with this very regrettable incident. Two suspects have been arrested by the Indonesian authorities and will be charged in court. The Government of Indonesia has also issued a strong condemnation of these acts of violence against humanitarian workers and taken practical steps on the ground to increase the presence of security forces in and around the camps.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“In Atambua, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) compound was targeted during a 12 August demonstration by the Aitarak militia, without intercession by the TNI or police. Subsequently, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the IOM. and a non-governmental organization relocated most of their staff to Kupang. On 22 August, militia attacked and seriously injured three UNHCR staff delivering humanitarian assistance to a refugee camp in Naen, in the vicinity of Oecussi, which had not so far suffered from security problems. It is worth noting in this connection that it took over two hours for the security forces to arrive at the scene.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“We will, of course, keep the Council informed, as the process of discussion of these options with the East Timorese and other interested parties unfolds. Turning now to the refugee situation in West Timor, I would like to say that, concurrent with the rise in militia activity, which I have just described, the situation of the refugees in West Timor has steadily deteriorated. Militias are openly active in the camps and large parts of the border areas. They have erected roadblocks in the area, including on the main road between Atambua and Batugade. Since the first week of August, there have been almost no land returns to East Timor, and family reunion meetings at the border have been suspended. There has also been an escalation in violence and attacks on humanitarian workers.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“Under the first option, a force of up to 5,000 troops, based on former FALINTIL and recruitment of additional personnel through conscription, would be established. It would include a small body of specialized troops to deal with civil disturbances and a modest air-and-sea component. Under the second option, a force of 3,000 would comprise 1,500 regular forces and 1,500 conscripts who would serve for one year. Finally, the third option would lead to the establishment of a force of about 3,000, half of which would be former FALINTIL soldiers, and the remaining 1,500 would be volunteer reservists. All troops would be trained to deal with civil disturbances. For economic reasons the study favoured the third option.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“However, the events of the past month again raise serious concerns regarding the capacity or willingness of the TNI - or least some elements within the TNI - to prevent militia activity in West Timor and across the border into East Timor, and to take the measures which are urgently required to ensure the security of refugees in West Timor. The current security situation has served to reinforce the determination of the East Timorese leadership to establish a national security force. UNTAET and the East Timorese leadership are closely studying the report on security force options, which has been prepared by the London King's College team. Three options were presented in the report, all of which foresee the former Armed Forces for the National Liberation of East Timor (FALINTIL) as the nucleus of the future defence force.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“Accordingly, implementation of the previously announced plan to downsize the number of troops in the eastern Sector of East Timor to a battalion size force of 500 - in other words, a downsizing from 1850 to a battalion size of 500 troops by the end of January 2001 - will be delayed. The current strength in East Timor, up to the initial downsizing, stands at 1,636. We will keep the situation under review and inform the Council of any further adjustments that may be required to the level of the force and to its modas operandi. Official contacts and cooperation between UNTAET and the TNI continue to be good, and information on militia personnel and activities is exchanged via the Tactical Coordination Working Group.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“This has relieved other UNTAET troops in Sector Central from static protection tasks and enhanced UNTAET's ability to quickly respond to additional security incidents in Dili or elsewhere in the Sector Central, should the need arise. At the same time, another company from Sector East has been placed on six hours' notice to move and provide support in Sector West as well as in the Central Sector and Oecussi if needed. After a review of the security situation, the Force Commander of UNTAET and the Special Representative, Mr. Vieira de Mello, have concluded that it is essential to maintain the current force level to counter the threat posed by militia activities.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“In the worst case, which we hope will not occur but for which we need to prepare, they may be attempting to destabilize East Timor through offensive guerrilla-style operations, to discredit UNTAET and create doubts among the East Timorese about its effectiveness and they may also be attempting to undermine the ability of the peacekeeping force to maintain security by inflicting casualties at every opportunity. The militia pose a demonstrable threat to peace and security in East Timor and UNTAET has taken action to respond to this threat and, as a first step, has redeployed a company from Manatuto in Sector East to Dili in Sector Central.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“However, it has become evident over the past month that militia elements are now also operating in the districts of Ainaro, Manufahi, and, possibly, in Aileu, Dili and Liquica. UNTAET reports there may now be 60 to 120 militia in at least eight groups operating in East Timor. These groups have recently shown a degree of operational effectiveness and a greater willingness to engage UNTAET peacekeeping troops. Their level of activity within East Timor is reflective of a degree of coordination and preparation that had not been seen thus far. The militia's objectives remain difficult to assess at this time. However, overall, it is felt that it is their intent to continue a pattern of violence against the civilian population and UNTAET in order to try to undermine the transition process.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“The attack took place in Cova Lima, and resulted in the death of a Nepalese soldier and the wounding of three others. On 17 August, a patrol of Fiji troops also exchanged fire with a group of suspected militia, in the area between Suai and the West Timor border and in fact another incident took place last night in the course of which Australian members of UNTAET exchanged fire with suspected militia north-east of Maliana but initial reports seem to indicate that there were no casualties. Since the peacekeeping force assumed responsibility from the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) on 23 February, militia activity had been restricted to the districts of Ermera, Bobonaro, Cova Lima and the Oecussi enclave.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“There has been an increase in confirmed reports of militia activity and movements in the Central and Western sectors of East Timor. The Council has been informed of the incident of 2 August north of Maliana in the Bobonaro District in which a small group of well-armed men exchanged fire with the UNTAET troops. Two suspected militia were killed in that incident and both were dressed in the uniform of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and were equipped with SKS rifles. A similar incident occurred on 6 August, near Batugade in the Bobonaro District, which resulted in the wounding of at least one militia. On 10 August, in the most serious incident to date, approximately 20 militia attacked a Nepalese platoon of UNTAET, which is serving as part of the New Zealand battalion.”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“Mr. Annabi: Since the last report of the Secretary-General, which was submitted to the Council on 26 July, and since our last briefing on 28 July, there have been a number of developments in East Timor on which I would like to report. I will cover successively the security situation, the situation of refugees in West Timor, issues related to governance and public administration, as well as recent political activity in East Timor. During the last month, the security situation in East Timor has deteriorated. It has been marked by a series of militia-related incidents since the killing on 24 July of a soldier from the New Zealand contingent of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET).”
2000-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4191 (2000) · source
“The registration process has now been completed, and it is not technically possible to reopen the registration process. The regulation on the elections allows the Special Representative to appoint representatives of minorities to the municipal councils to ensure their adequate representation in those bodies. I suspect that in the light of the level of participation in the elections, Mr. Kouchner will take the necessary action to ensure adequate representation for the various minorities in the municipal councils.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“Regarding the appointment of a special envoy for missing persons, it is my understanding that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is finalizing arrangements for the appointment of such a special envoy and that this will be done shortly. I will have to seek further information on the activities of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and come back to the Council with that information when we receive it. Finally, on the issue of the conduct of elections in areas where there is a strong presence of Serbs and members of the Turk minority, as members of the Council are aware, UNMIK has made great efforts to try to ensure that all those who are willing to participate in these elections have an opportunity to do so.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“In fact, the intention is to reopen it as soon as it can be repaired and brought into conformity with basic health and anti- pollution standards. The 1,500 or so workers employed in the factory are being paid by UNMIK, as I indicated in my briefing, and will be, of course, given the opportunity to resume their work there as soon as conditions permit the reopening of the factory. Regarding the origins of the weapons which are recovered by KFOR, we will seek additional information. KFOR has provided some information in the periodic report that has been circulated recently to Council members on KFOR activities. We will seek additional information from KFOR as to the origin of these weapons and bring that information to the attention of the Council when we receive it.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“This regulation also ensures and clarifies that the OSCE and European Union pillars, which are integral components of UNMIK, and their personnel, have similar privileges and immunities, so it applies not only to KFOR but also to OSCE and European Union personnel who are part of UNMIK. Finally, it clarifies matters such as liability and procedures for waiver of immunity in Kosovo. It should be seen in that light, and it is in no way meant to detract from the sovereignty or territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. As regards the closure of the Zvecan lead smelter, Mr. Kouchner has stressed that this is a temporary measure. He has made it clear in a press conference that there is no intention to close it indefinitely.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“Kouchner on 18 August on the status of privileges and immunities of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) and UNMIK in Kosovo: since UMNIK has been asked under resolution 1244 (1999) to establish an interim civilian administration, it was felt, after a careful legal review of the matter, that it was necessary to enable this personnel, whether they are from KFOR, UNMIK, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) or from the European Union, to carry out their functions under normal conditions, that it was necessary to grant them the basic privileges and immunities that are normally granted in such situations. It is for that purpose that this regulation has been adopted, and it has been adopted with one major concern in mind, which is to protect the personnel of these various organizations as needed in the local courts.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“Mr. Annabi: I will, of course, convey to the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and Mr. Kouchner the expressions of appreciation for his work as well as the concerns that have been expressed today around the table regarding the activities of UNMIK. I do not have an answer to all the questions that have been raised, but I will try to provide briefly some clarifications on some of the issues that have been raised. First, regarding the regulation that was signed by Mr.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“Kouchner, to be available - perhaps towards the end of September - to introduce the report to the Council. Mr. Kouchner will be in a position to provide additional details on UNMIK's activities. In the days to come we will work out with the incoming President the dates of that presentation to the Council.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“These recent developments serve as a reminder that the situation in southern Serbia remains an issue of concern. In conclusion, I would like to say that in the coming weeks, UNMIK will continue its ongoing efforts to generate and sustain a climate in which free and fair elections can take place. These efforts will remain at the top of UNMIK's agenda. UNMIK will also closely monitor all aspects of the electoral process and will use every means at its disposal to deter and punish acts of political violence. In addition, UNMIK will continue its work to improve conditions for Kosovo's ethnic minorities - including their material and security conditions. The Secretary-General will submit to the Council next month a report on UNMIK's activities, and he has asked his Special Representative, Mr.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“Low-intensity guerrilla activity continues in the Presevo valley in southern Serbia. There have been intermittent reports of violent clashes, which are believed to involve members of what is called the Liberation Army of Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac (UPCMB) and Serbian security forces. At the end of July, a series of incidents, including extended exchanges of gunfire and mortar attacks, were recorded inside the ground safety zone east of Dobrosin. While there has been no major influx of Albanian internally displaced persons in response to this violence, some 35 new arrivals have registered for assistance with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the anilane and Pristina regions over the past month.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“Despite these continuing challenges to the security of minority communities, some small-scale spontaneous returns have taken place, including 35 Kosovo Serb internally displaced persons who returned to Slivovo in the Pristina region and about 100 internally displaced persons to the village of Grace in Vucitrn, again in the Mitrovica region. In the wake of these returns, a representative of the Serb National Council (SNC) in Mitrovica attended a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Joint Committee on Returns on 31 July. This marked the first time the SNC-Mitrovica has participated in a Kosovo- wide institution. The SNC-Mitrovica members have subsequently become involved in a plan to organize what are called go-and-see Visits for Kosovo Serbs to the Osojane valley in the Istok municipality in the Pec region.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“This is, however, only a short-term solution that will enable the Mission to better respond to future incidents of unrest. It is essential to take the initiative away from the radical elements within the Kosovo Serb community. Together with KFOR, UNMIK is revising its plans for the north of Kosovo and developing a comprehensive strategy to extend and reinforce the influence of the international community in the area. As regards the overall security situation, minority populations continue to be the target of ethnic Violence and intimidation. Kosovo Serbs and Kosovo Roma, in particular, have been the Victims of shootings and grenade arson attacks. In one of the most recent incidents, a group of Kosovo Serb children was injured in a grenade attack in Obilic, in the Pristina region.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“On more than one occasion during this period, order was restored following direct contacts with leaders from the Serb National Council of Mitrovica. This unrest became particularly acute in the wake of the UNMIK police's detention of a Kosovo Serb "bridge watcher" on 16 July. Following the arrest, UNMIK police officers were illegally detained, their weapons and equipment seized and their apartments broken into and ransacked. By the end of the July, as a result of UNMIK and KFOR action, the situation had significantly calmed down and improved. Nevertheless, these episodes of organized unrest highlight the relative ease with which determined troublemakers can raise tensions in the northern part of the city. UNMIK and KFOR have reviewed their joint operation plans and reinforcement options for the Mitrovica area.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“As part of this effort, up to 2,000 local Trepca workers will be employed over the next year. The budget for this phase of Trepca's renovation has been set at $16 million and includes funds for workers' salaries, equipment and payments to the consortium. Most of this sum has already been raised from the European Union, the United States, France and Italy. I would like to turn now to the situation in Mitrovica. There was an upsurge in violence and instability in the city over the latter half of July, and this underscores the fragility of the peace process in northern Kosovo. Incidents of inter-ethnic violence have been accompanied by the periodic outbreak of organized unrest among elements of the Kosovo Serb community in the northern part of the city.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“Within days of the takeover, the number of participants in the demonstrations has dropped to 100 to 200 people. Combined with the high registration rate of the smelter's workforce with UNMIK, this trend indicates a growing confidence among the plant's Kosovo Serb employees in UNMIK's administration. An initial inspection of the smelter indicates widespread neglect, poor safety and environmental standards and a consequent collapse of worker morale. UNMIK's Trepca Administration, reinforced by a consortium of experts from three major international mining companies, will now assess the technical, environmental and financial feasibility of the entire Trepca mining and metallurgical complex in northern Kosovo. At the same time, UNMIK will also repair or replace safety and production equipment.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“The shutdown of the Zvecan lead smelter facility, which was carried out with assistance from the Kosovo Force (KFOR), faced little resistance. Since then, the security situation in Zvecan has been stable and the general atmosphere remains calm. UNMIK has taken a number of steps to manage the health crisis and to mitigate the economic impact on the smelter's workforce. Cleanup operations at the facility are under way and medical facilities have been set up to test the lead levels in blood for both the workers and the members of the local population. More than 1,400 of the estimated 1,500 Kosovo Serb workers of the facility have registered with UNMIK and have been paid an advance on their August salaries. While there were demonstrations at the beginning of this week involving up to 1,000 people, these demonstrations have remained orderly.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“Since February, over 5,600 persons have been returned involuntarily to Kosovo, including some 3,300 from Germany and over 2,300 from Switzerland. Although the Governments involved normally support UNMIK's position on not forcing the return of minorities, there have been a number of Kosovo Roma and Gorani among the non-voluntary returns. A few days ago, on 14 August, UNMIK assumed responsibility for, and subsequently shut down, the Zvecan lead smelter in the Mitrovica region, which represented a major health hazard, threatening both the local community and the international personnel stationed in the area. Recent air samples indicated a level of lead pollution which is 200 times the international standard established by the World Health Organization.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“Morris will also serve as the Special Envoy of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The focus of his activities so far has been on the establishment of a humanitarian accounting project, aimed at identifying gaps in the transition from emergency to development work in all communities in Kosovo. It will also review what United Nations assistance will be needed in order to fill these gaps over the coming winter. While voluntary return movements of Kosovars from Western Europe and other countries have continued at a regular pace, non-voluntary returns from Germany and Switzerland are rapidly rising. These forced returns jumped from 600 during the month of May to over 1,700 in the month of July.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“Progress on these issues was facilitated by the continuing cooperative attitude of the Serb National Council of Gracanica and by the return of Mr. Thaci and his Party for Democratic Progress of Kosovo (PPDK) to the joint administrative bodies, following a walkout in early July, which we reported to the Council last month. Another significant development over the past month was the phasing out of the humanitarian pillar of UNMIK. On 15 July, this pillar was officially phased out as a formal component within UNMIK. Mr. Eric Morris, who is a very experienced Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) staff member and a former Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Bosnia, has been appointed as the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Kosovo. Mr.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“Following the Airlie House conference, the Interim Administrative Council (IAC) and the Kosovo Transitional Council (KTC) representatives expressed strong support for the Declaration adopted there. Discussions are now being held on how to transform the Declaration into a series of concrete initiatives. UNMIK has expressed its readiness to play an active role in this effort. This will be particularly important, given the traditional reluctance of most local political leaders to engage in direct dialogue with each other while inside Kosovo. In addition to following up on the Airlie House Declaration, both the IAC and the KTC continue to work constructively on a number of key issues, including the endorsement of the revised Kosovo consolidated budget and an extensive stocktaking of the work of the joint interim administrative departments.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source
“The conference unanimously adopted a declaration that is now referred to as the Airlie Declaration, which endorses the building of democracy in Kosovo as the highest priority, and the holding of free elections as a key element in that process. The Declaration also recognizes the fundamental right of all Kosovo residents to return to the province and the cultivation of a strong and vibrant multi-ethnic civil society as essential for the future of Kosovo. The conference participants also committed themselves to what they called a pact against Violence that would promote tolerance, prevent negative exploitation of ethnic issues and enable physical integration and political participation for all residents of Kosovo.”
2000-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4190 (2000) · source