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

“Mr. Annabi: Thank you, Mr. President, for giving us the opportunity to brief the Council on developments in Kosovo over the past two months. During this period, Mr. Holkeri took up his responsibilities as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General. Upon his arrival in Pristina, Mr. Holkeri held a first round of meetings with representatives of the Kosovo Provisional Institutions and local political leaders from all communities. Mr. Holkeri also had meetings with the political leadership in Belgrade. The Special Representative has reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) to the "standards before status" policy framework and its focus on progress towards achieving the benchmarks for implementation of this policy. Mr.”
2003-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4823 (2003) · source
“UNMIK also takes into account in its planning the fact that at a later stage there will be increased involvement on the part of the Provisional Institutions and the people of Kosovo in the administrative and operational functions in specific reserved areas identified in chapter 8 of the Constitutional Framework. This process will naturally involve a reallocation and reduction, in some cases, of UNMIK's resources from the transferred areas to the reserved areas, in line with UNMIK's budget.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“That planning is being developed in a manner which will ensure that, as powers are transferred, UNMIK retains an overall capacity in all areas to effectively discharge or exercise its authority under resolution 1244 (1999) and to discharge its powers and responsibilities, including those in the Constitutional Framework. As UNMIK gradually transfers the non-reserved competencies listed in chapter 5 of the Constitutional Framework to the Provisional Institutions, it will retain sufficient staff to have the capacity to monitor and advise the Provisional Institutions and municipalities, as well as to intervene whenever that becomes necessary, to ensure that those bodies exercise their responsibilities in compliance with resolution 1244 (1999) and the Constitutional Framework.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“UNMIK is in the process of developing a comprehensive action plan and policy to address this problem of parallel structures, and Belgrade's cooperation will, of course, be essential in that process. The second question related to UNMIK's downsizing and to how, in that context, the Mission intends to proceed with the shift from executive to advisory functions as it transfers chapter 5 responsibilities to the Provisional Institutions. UNMIK's downsizing plans, of course, have to be seen in the context of its budget, which has been established at the level of $315 million for the fiscal year beginning on 1 July this year.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“Nevertheless, the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has been able to establish a minor offences court and a municipal court in the municipality of Zubin Potok, in the Mitrovica area. In Mitrovica itself, UNMIK continues to provide the Kosovo Serbs in the north of the city with a number of administrative services. As I indicated in my briefing, Mr. Steiner has also appointed a multi-ethnic advisory board that is intended to act as a forum for cooperation among the communities. The board's first meeting was held on 13 May. The Kosovo Serbs participated, but they then expressed reservations about the board's composition, wrongly claiming that there had been some kind of understanding that it would include only Kosovo Serb members.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“Mr. Annabi: There were two specific questions from our colleague from the United Kingdom. The first question related to the issue of parallel structures. As I indicated in my briefing, parallel structures offering administrative and other services to Kosovo Serb residents continue to operate in certain parts of Kosovo with the support of Belgrade. Efforts to strengthen the institutional links between Belgrade and those parallel structures in Kosovo have been most evident in the areas of health and education. Although Belgrade has agreed that the parallel structures should be disbanded, there continue to be areas - mostly in northern Kosovo - which, for example, still have parallel courts, even if those courts play only a marginal role.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“Extremists remain on the margins, and voices of moderation exist in all communities. However, those voices remain muted. UNMIK has continued to do its best to ensure that all developments in Kosovo remain within the framework of resolution 1244 (1999) and the Constitutional Framework. UNMIK has continued to focus on the implementation of the mandate, in line with the "standards before status" policy framework. The Council's continued and active support for UNMIK has been, and will continue to be, crucial for the full implementation of the mandate entrusted to it by the Council.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“On the other hand, Belgrade continues to seek co-governance with UNMIK and, in lending support to parallel structures, supports the boycott of UNMIK policy and programmes. Unilateral calls from Kosovo Albanians, Kosovo Serbs and Belgrade for mutually exclusive solutions for Kosovo's future have continued, and they have not contributed to reconciliation and inter-ethnic dialogue. That has frozen forward movement on a number of key issues. At the same time, organized criminal groups and extremist elements are increasing their intrusions into political life. Outbreaks of violence serve the interests of extremists on all sides. Such activity is undoubtedly fuelled by political goals, but also by the current grim economic conditions: the unemployment rate in Kosovo is 57 per cent, with worse rates for minorities and women.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“Since the emergency phase, the focus has been on political and institutional development. In 2000 and 2001, UNMIK established the legal framework for Kosovo's path towards substantial autonomy and self-government: the Law on Local Self-Government and the Constitutional Framework, as well as subsidiary legislation. Following the establishment of the Provisional Institutions, the benchmarks set out by the Special Representative and the policy of "standards before status" have been, and continue to be, the guiding principles for the current phase. Political pressure on UNMIK has significantly increased, with attempts to challenge its role under resolution 1244 (1999) and the Constitutional Framework. One the one hand, the Provisional Institutions, particularly the Kosovo Assembly, have overstepped their competencies on a number of occasions.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“The KPC did distance itself from the overtures made by political leaders debating the "war values" resolution of the Kosovo Assembly. A positive achievement was the that eight Kosovo Serbs, three Turks, two Croats and one Ashkali have joined, or are in an advanced stage of recruitment into, the KPC. The Kosovo Serbs are joining despite calls from Kosovo Serb leaders for them not to do so. Over 30 per cent of the positions set aside for minorities have been filled, although minority community members are not yet present in the higher ranks of the KPC. Four years into UNMIK's mandate, we can say that there has been significant progress, but we are still facing challenges such as freedom of movement, meaningful minority participation, returns, the institutional development of local bodies and dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“Belgrade also continues to support parallel structures offering services such as the issuance of civil registration documents and the payment of pensions in parallel to UNMIK. As a result of the suspected involvement of members of the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC) in terrorism and organized crime, particularly since the 12 April bombing of a railway bridge in Zvecan, a travel ban was imposed on KPC members in order to avoid the risk that members associated with extremist organizations might be sent on training missions abroad. The travel ban has since been lifted on a case- by-case basis. The KPC was asked to disclose the names of other KPC members who might be associated with extremist groups. A special UNMIK-KFOR board has been set up to coordinate action against suspected extremist infiltration into the KPC.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“Limited, working-level contacts have, however, taken place between representatives of the Provisional Institutions and their Serbian counterparts in the fields of transport and returns. Working-level contacts between UNMIK and Belgrade have also continued in a number of fields, although dialogue and constructive engagement at the political level have remained difficult. The meeting of the High Ranking Working Group, which was scheduled to take place on 13 May at the request of Belgrade, did not take place because of preconditions set by the Belgrade delegation before discussion of the topics on the official agenda could begin. As a result, the protocol on the recognition of Kosovo licence plates, which I mentioned earlier, was not signed.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“Any Government, person or entity who assert that their rights have been adversely affected by the privatization process may submit an appeal to the Special Chamber of the Supreme Court of Kosovo, which has the power for final adjudication of claims, including payment of compensation, from the proceeds of the privatization to claimants whose rights the Special Chamber finds have been violated by the privatization process. UNMIK has informed us that the Special Chamber will be operational on 16 June, when its rules of procedure are promulgated. Claims are already receivable by the Registrar of the Chamber. Unfortunately, the dialogue between Belgrade and the Kosovo Provisional Institutions has not started.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“This regulation - commonly referred to as the Land Use Regulation - converts land-use rights held by socially-owned enterprises into 99-year leaseholds, which can be freely transferred and used as guarantee for security credits without affecting underlying ownership title. The Kosovo Trust Agency Board announced on 15 May tenders for the first six enterprises earmarked for the first round of privatization; 12 more are expected to issue shortly. The Agency's operating procedures, adopted last month, provide the framework for privatization through tender procedures.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“The murders in Obilic on 4 June are a serious setback for our efforts to foster multi-ethnicity in Kosovo and create conditions for the return of Kosovo Serbs and others to areas where they are a minority. Returns efforts also face a substantial shortfall in funding, with only 55 per cent of returns projects funded and a gap of 72 per cent in funding for the United Nations Development Programme-UNMIK Rapid Response Returns Facility, which provides assistance to individual returns. On the economic side, on 9 May the Special Representative promulgated a regulation on the Transformation of the Right of Use to Socially-Owned Immovable Property.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“During the Ohrid Conference on Border Security and Management, UNMIK and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia also completed an exchange of letters addressing the practical modalities associated with the opening of two temporary local crossing points between Kosovo and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for residents of the area. As previously reported, a comprehensive and coordinated framework to support minority returns is in place, with local authorities in nearly half of the municipalities working with representatives of the displaced community in municipal working groups. During the first five months of 2003, a total of 437 Kosovo Serbs - 330 Roma/Ashkali/Egyptians, 133 Bosniacs, 31 Gorani and 61 Kosovo Albanians - have returned to areas where they are a minority.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“Freedom of movement for the Kosovo Serb community remains difficult. The recent triple murder in Obilic will be a setback in this regard by contributing to an increasingly negative perception of security conditions allowing their free movement. Increased freedom of movement for Kosovo Serbs has also been hindered by the decision of the Serbian Government authorities not to sign an agreement on the use of Kosovo licence plates in Serbia proper and by their public calls for Kosovo Serbs not to register their cars with UNMIK. On 13 May, however, UNMIK and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia reached agreement on the mutual recognition of vehicle insurance, so that vehicles with Kosovo licence plates can travel freely in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia under a single, comprehensive insurance policy.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“UNMIK reports that the crime statistics for the first four months of 2003 show that there has been a reduction in cases of murder, burglary and robbery in comparison with the same period for 2002. Incidents of what appears to be inter-ethnic violence are, however, a cause for concern. The Kosovo Police Service (KPS) has continued its development; there are now close to 5,500 local police officers, in comparison to just over 4,000 international police officers. An additional police station is now under KPS management in Stimlje, bringing the total number of stations under KPS management to four. UNMIK Police continued to build relations with their Serbian counterparts. Similarly, police cooperation with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is expanding through regular contacts and meetings.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“Development in the municipalities has been slow in the past months. One third of the municipalities are still not run in accordance with democratic values due to political boycotts, mainly by Kosovo Albanian parties, leading to gridlock. The provision of fair-share financing to minority communities and the use of official languages in the documents and signs in most municipalities remain poor. In northern Mitrovica, UNMIK appointed an eight-member Advisory Board consisting of six Kosovo Serbs, one Kosovo Albanian and one Bosniac. However, during the Board's first meeting, held on 30 May, the Kosovo Serb representatives objected to the Board's composition. The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for 16 June.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“In addition, the hosts of three international meetings decided, after consulting with the Special Representative, to withdraw the invitations to attend that they had sent to the Provisional Institutions. The Kosovo Serb caucus - Coalition Return - has participated in all Kosovo Assembly sessions since April. Coalition Return members did, however, walk out of a plenary session on 15 May during the discussion of the resolution on "the liberation war of the people of Kosovo for freedom and independence". They, however, returned for the rest of the session after the resolution was passed. Coalition Return also left the 5 June Assembly session in protest of the triple murder in Obilic municipality and have scheduled a meeting for ll June to discuss its continued participation in the joint structures.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“The Assembly, however, did instruct an "appropriate body" to draft a law on elections, although that is, of course, an area which is outside its area of competence. On 15 May, the Assembly endorsed a controversial resolution on the "liberation war of the people of Kosovo for freedom and independence". While this resolution may have brought the Kosovo Albanian political parties closer to a common View of their respective roles in the past, it was clearly not conducive to cross-ethnic dialogue and reconciliation. The Special Representative, Mr. Michael Steiner, issued a declaration stating that the text of the resolution was divisive and against the spirit of resolution 1244 (1999).”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“Kosovo Serb representatives did not participate in that most recent meeting ofthe Transfer Council. The Provisional Institutions have continued their work, with a particular emphasis on legislative development. Since the Council was last briefed, the four laws - which had been returned to the Assembly for revision, since they were not fully compliant with resolution 1244 (1999) and the Constitutional Framework - have been promulgated, with two of the laws revised by the Assembly and two revised under the authority of the Special Representative. The Kosovo Assembly also adopted six new laws, with one of them being deemed to be outside its area of competence. The Assembly, in a special procedure, also reviewed and agreed to the provisional criminal procedure codes, which, as reserved competencies, will be issued as UNMIK regulations.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“UNMIK and representatives of Kosovo's Provisional Institutions - the Assembly, the Government and the President - and Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serb political leaders have all condemned the murders and have called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. UNMIK and the Kosovo Provisional Institutions have continued their joint efforts to transfer to the Provisional Institutions the non-reserved responsibilities listed in chapter 5 of the Constitutional Framework. The Transfer Council met for the second time on 28 May and agreed on the transfer of 19 non- reserved competencies to the Provisional Institutions, with a further 17 to be transferred as soon as the Provisional Institutions have the capacity to assume them. Eight competencies were returned to the working groups for further consideration.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“An 80- year-old man, his 78-year-old wife and their 53-year- old son were beaten to death with a blunt instrument, and their house was then set on fire. As we informed the Council on 6 June, the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has taken a number of concrete steps to find and bring to justice the perpetrators of that horrible crime. A nine-member UNMIK special police squad was established to investigate the crime, working with special advisers from both the Kosovo Serb and the Kosovo Albanian communities. A reward for information leading to the arrest and sentencing of those responsible for the murders has been offered, and a 24-hour protected telephone line has been set up to receive information. UNMIK police and KFOR have both put in place additional patrols and other appropriate security measures.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“The progress is evident: the reconstruction of basic infrastructure; the restarting of public services such as schools, health care and pensions; the provision of basic documents; an increasingly professional local police and judiciary; three successful elections; and the establishment of municipal and central self-government bodies. At the same time, much remains to be done in developing provisional democratic self-governing institutions and ensuring conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all the inhabitants of Kosovo. The fact that we still have some way to go was highlighted in a particularly horrific way recently, when three Kosovo Serb residents were brutally murdered in Obilic municipality on 4 June.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“Mr. Annabi: I am pleased to have this opportunity to brief the Security Council on developments in Kosovo since the previous briefing on 23 April. I assume that the choice of the date for this briefing is not entirely fortuitous, since today is, as I am sure you are aware, Mr. President, the fourth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1244 (1999). Today, Kosovo is certainly very different from the way it was four years ago. Working with our partners in Kosovo - KFOR, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, United Nations agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and, of course, local leaders and bodies - the United Nations has put in place a process designed to stabilize and normalize the situation in Kosovo.”
2003-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4770 (2003) · source
“In fact, a Civil Protection Development Group has been formed, as indicated in paragraph 48 of the Secretary-General's report, with a view to improving coordination and developing tasks for the KPC that are in strict compliance with its mandate. At the same time, we have been quite candid in the report about some of the difficulties that UNMIK and KFOR are encountering with the KPC. Whenever there are cases of non-compliance they are taken seriously. UNMIK and KFOR will continue to take the necessary disciplinary measures whenever the need arises.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“The situation is not perfect, and I think the report is quite candid about that. But we believe that the additional measures detailed in paragraph 21 can help to control and improve the situation. Finally, I think the third question from the Ambassador of Serbia and Montenegro related to the KPC and to the measures that UNMIK intends to take to ensure that the KPC acts in line with its mandate. I can assure him, as I said just a while ago, that UNMIK and KFOR will continue to work together closely, and to watch closely the activities of the KPC, with a view to promoting and ensuring compliance with its mandated activities.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“Wherever there are instances where the Provisional Institutions go beyond the letter or spirit of resolution 1244 (1999) and the Constitutional Framework, UNMIK will certainly intervene, as it has done in the past, and pronounce itself on whether those initiatives are consistent with the resolution and the Constitutional Framework. It will also declare them ultra vires as necessary, as it has in the past. Such actions would be reported to the Security Council, which would then determine how best to respond. I think the next question pertained to the concrete steps that UNMIK is taking, or should take, to stop incidents of increased violence. Paragraph 21 of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2003/42l) covers in some detail the additional measures taken by UNMIK and KFOR to stem incidents of violence.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“They are determined not to allow that to happen and to ensure that the KPC continues to work and develop in accordance with its mandate. I think the Permanent Representative of Serbia and Montenegro asked the next set of questions. The first question related to the transfer of responsibilities to the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government. I think that in my presentation I described in some detail how those powers would be transferred and what their limits would be. I also stressed that the pace of transfer under the powers referred to under chapter 5 of the Constitutional Framework will be a function of the capacity of the local authorities to effectively discharge the responsibilities transferred to them.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“That perception has prompted them, in some instances, to restrict their movements. I think that can explain the apparent discrepancy to which the President was pointing. The President's second question related to the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC) and the fundraising undertaking by a local non-governmental organization known as the Friends of the KPC. We agree that the majority of those funds probably come from Kosovo Albanians. I do not think that is an issue, but, regardless of where the funds come from, UNMIK and KFOR have the responsibility to ensure that the KPC continues to act and develop properly and in accordance with the mandate that has been given to it. They consider that whatever fundraising activities take place, those activities should not hamper their efforts.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“But we do maintain sufficient staff to perform the residual functions that have not been transferred, as well as to perform oversight and monitoring functions on a continuing basis in order to assess the way that transferred powers are being discharged and to enable UNMIK to intervene where necessary. I believe the President asked the second and third questions. They related, first, to the freedom of movement and the impact that the reduction in military and police escorts has had. UNMIK and KFOR believe that the reduction in police and military escorts has not led to a deterioration in security conditions. At the same time, we are aware that there is a perception on the part of some minority community members of an increased possibility of security incidents.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“Mr. Annabi: I believe that the first question was asked by the Ambassador of Bulgaria, who inquired about whether or not the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has a mechanism to monitor the way in which the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government are discharging the responsibilities that have already been transferred to them. Such a mechanism does in fact exist, as there are UNMIK staff working within the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government. Of course, as responsibilities are transferred some of those staff become redundant, and there is an ongoing reduction in their numbers.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“At the same time, the continued and active support of the Security Council will remain essential to ensuring the full and fair implementation of the mandate entrusted to UNMIK under resolution 1244 (1999).”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“As much as possible, the Mission has sought to balance the competing, and often conflicting, desires and demands of the leaders and people of Kosovo, with a view to preventing instances of extremism. UNMIK has stayed the course, and it will continue to do so. It will continue to encourage dialogue and multi-ethnicity and to facilitate the acceptance and achievement of the benchmarks. The "standards before status" policy remains the framework for the way forward. Of course, local leaders and the people of Kosovo have the primary responsibility to support UNMIK'S efforts to achieve measurable progress towards meeting the agreed-upon standards and to reject extremism.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“It also shows that there has been steadily increasing pressure on UNMIK from all sides, with demands to satisfy either mutually exclusive desires or to violate the letter and spirit of resolution 1244 (1999) and the Constitutional Framework. Radical action and pronouncements by one side or the other have increased since the beginning of this year. Voices of moderation do indeed exist, and a number of constructive initiatives have been pursued. But, by and large, those voices have been weak and, to some extent, muted. That has made the promotion of dialogue across political and ethnic lines within Kosovo more difficult, both as regards the Kosovars and between Belgrade and the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“After initial support, leading Kosovo Albanian politicians backed away from the initiative, citing, among other factors, a number of preconditions for the dialogue, including the need for further progress in the transfer process. Similarly, although the Belgrade authorities initially endorsed the idea, they have also expressed an unwillingness to participate owing to the transfer of additional responsibilities to the Provisional Institutions. Efforts to initiate the direct dialogue were postponed following the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Djindjic. Overall, the report provides a detailed account of what is a complex and mixed situation on the ground in Kosovo.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“On the Kosovo Serb side, I would like to recall that Kosovo Serb representatives did not participate in the first meeting of the Transfer Council, despite the assurances provided by UNMIK that there would not be any transfer outside the parameters set by resolution 1244 (1999) and the Constitutional Framework. In addition, two unions of Kosovo Serb-majority municipalities were formed, the first in Northern Mitrovica and the second in Eastern Kosovo. UNMIK has not recognized either of these unions as legitimate structures, since they are based on mono-ethnicity. Mr. Steiner also sought to start a dialogue on practical maters between the Belgrade authorities and the Kosovo Provisional Institutions.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“Steiner immediately declared that the Assembly's action did not have legal effect and we are grateful for the support expressed by the Council in this regard. Four laws, including the law on higher education, have been returned to the Kosovo Assembly with a request for appropriate remedial action, since they are not in compliance with resolution 1244 (1999) and the Constitutional Framework. The Assembly, however, has not yet acted on these laws. UNMIK is seriously concerned about the loss of time in enacting the legislation, which is damaging for the governance and development of the Kosovo Provisional Institutions. Should the Assembly not amend these laws appropriately, Mr. Steiner will need to proceed with the promulgation of these laws with the necessary adjustments.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“Overall, there appear to be increasing attempts to try to undercut resolution 1244 (1999) and the Constitutional Framework, forcing the Special Representative to intervene. The Kosovo Government recently sought to challenge the Special Representative's reserved powers in the Transfer Council by asking for the creation of new ministries to exercise authority over reserved areas. Mr. Steiner has rejected this request, of course with our support here. The Kosovo Assembly also sought to implement a law on higher education, even though the Special Representative had not promulgated it because it did not take into account what are regarded under the Constitutional Framework as vital interests of the Kosovo Serb community. Mr.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“Three individuals have been detained in connection with this attack. A trial on terrorism charges against three suspects who are allegedly members of this group is also currently underway. The Kosovo Protection Corps has undertaken to determine if any KPC members are involved in illegal activities and organizations and to provide UNMIK and the Kosovo Force with their names. The report also provides what we feel is a candid view of the development of the Kosovo Protection Corps. Substantial work remains to be done with the KPC, with the most fundamentally challenging task remaining its transformation into a multi-ethnic body focused solely on its civilian emergency mandate.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“Since the report was finalized, a witness for the prosecution in the concluded trial of five former members of the KLA was, unfortunately, shot dead. One example of growing extremism was the explosion on 12 April, which caused serious damage to a railway bridge in northern Kosovo, cutting off railway traffic to Central Serbia. Two individuals who were reportedly involved in planting the bomb, and one of whom was apparently a member of the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC), were killed in the incident. An ethnic Albanian extremist group has claimed responsibility for this attack, following which Mr. Steiner issued an Administrative Direction implementing the UNMIK regulation on the prohibition of terrorism and related offences, determining that this ethnic Albanian extremist group is an illegal organization as defined by the regulation.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“Also, a significant event was the arrest of Kosovo Albanians by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, which occurred without major incident and without opposition from the political parties. There have been a number of peaceful demonstrations against these arrests and other trials, arrests and judicial investigations, primarily of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) members charged, among other things, with war crimes, terrorism and organized crime. The report notes that, overall, the rate of criminal incidents for the first three months of this year remained generally consistent with that of the last reporting period. There were, however, grenade and other attacks against UNMIK police stations in Pec, Pristina and Mitrovica; fortunately, these attacks did not result in any injuries.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“In addition, the Kosovo Trust Agency adopted its operational policies and procedures and approved the first six socially owned enterprises for privatization. It is also worth noting that the Council of Europe continued its work in developing a concept for a sustainable reform of local Government, aimed at the gradual devolution of powers to the local level, bringing service delivery and decision-making closer to the people and identifying the most appropriate structures for local democracy, in line with the principles of the European Charter of Local Self- Government and not based upon ethnic divisions. The task is being carried out through consultations with local political party leaders, representatives of the Provisional Institutions, local leaders and international representatives.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“The Kosovo Police Service officers now outnumber the international police officers by close to 1,000 and have been placed in charge of three police stations. The local judiciary dealt with all civil cases and with 97 per cent of the criminal cases. Some progress was made in dismantling the parallel judicial system in Northern Kosovo with the appointment of Kosovo Serb judges and the official opening of some courts in Northern Kosovo under UNMIK administration. Institutional mechanisms in support of minority participation in the civil service were strengthened through legislation and administrative support, with the Office of the Prime Minister playing a leading role. Another positive development has been the transfer of administrative and operational responsibilities for tax administration to the Provisional Institutions.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“The continuation of ethnically motivated incidents has remained a barrier to the free movement of minority community members, prevented substantial improvement in the level of confidence and made achieving sustainable minority returns to Kosovo difficult, time-consuming and resource-intensive. Still, statistics for the beginning of 2003 indicate an increased pace of returns, resulting from improved structures to support the returns process, enhanced engagement by local authorities and internally displaced persons, and support from the donor community. The report highlights some positive achievements during this period, such as the increased numbers of minorities in the civil service, including in the judiciary, and the continued development of the Kosovo Police Service.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“For example, while the Kosovo Assembly continued to hold regular meetings, it remained unable to bridge political and ethnic differences, leading to several walkouts - by Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serb parties - and to an inability to hold two meetings. The report also shows that ethnic violence and crime seemed to be on the increase again after a decline in December 2002 and that, in general, important minority issues such as freedom of movement, use of language and alphabet, and receipt of fair share financing from the municipalities remained problematic, with little tangible progress.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“The authority of UNMIK under Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) and the reserved powers and responsibilities listed in chapter 8 of the Constitutional Framework will not be affected. At a later stage, the increased involvement of the provisional institutions and of the people of Kosovo in the administrative and operational functions in the specific reserved areas identified in chapter 8 will be addressed in accordance with the provisions of that chapter. This involvement, however, will not affect UNMIK's authority or responsibilities, nor will it include a decision-making role. The report shows that Kosovo has some way to go in establishing representative and functioning institutions, particularly since the Provisional Institutions have been hampered by political disputes between and within parties.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“The report highlights the continuation of the transfer to the Kosovo Provisional Institutions of Self- Government of the responsibilities outlined in chapter 5 of the Constitutional Framework. A significant step in this regard was the establishment of a joint Transfer Council, comprising representatives from UNMIK and from the Provisional Institutions, to oversee, coordinate and manage the transfer process. The Transfer Council met for the first time on 8 April and established three working groups: one on finance, recruitment and logistics; one on technical assistance; and one on monitoring and intervention. The transfer process will continue to be implemented at a pace which will take into account the capacity of the Provisional Institutions to assume the relevant responsibilities.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“Mr. Annabi: As you have just noted, Mr. President, members of the Council have before them the latest report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), which was issued on 14 April. The report outlines the activities of UNMIK and the main developments in Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro, during the first three months of this year. As suggested by last year's Security Council mission to Kosovo, the structure of the report follows the eight benchmarks which have been defined by Mr. Michael Steiner, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, with the aim of providing a realistic picture of the progress made and challenges faced in achieving these agreed-upon benchmarks. The report, therefore, goes into somewhat more detail than is usually the case.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source