YouSaid · the spoken record

Guehenno

lines on the record: 1,147
first: 2000-11-14
most recent: 2011-05-12
sittings or episodes: 58
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

“It also recommended, inter alia, that mine-related interventions and projects aimed at providing basic services - especially water, shelter, food, health care and education - be implemented, as they are essential to encourage returns. A similar rapid assessment rapid is planned for Debub region beginning 23 April. Sectoral working groups chaired by the Government of Eritrea have been convened to address these recommendations. The quick-impact project programme launched by UNMEE offers a limited but fast source of funds disbursement for essential projects in the Zone. As the Council will recall, the budget for UNMEE includes $700,000 for the implementation of such projects in the TSZ and adjacent areas in both Eritrea and Ethiopia.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“UNMEE has made clear to the Eritrean authorities that a precipitous return could put returnees in a dire humanitarian situation. Linked to these returns is the threat posed by the large quantities of landmines and unexploded ordnance in the areas of return. A steering committee for humanitarian assistance in the Temporary Security Zone, with the participation of the Eritrean authorities, the United Nations Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator and UNMEE, was established in March. Between 2 and 5 April, a rapid village assessment was conducted in the area of Gash Barka, where many returns are expected. The Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission and the humanitarian community team conducting the assessment noted the importance of the returns' beginning in time for the annual planting season.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“UNMEE is still awaiting notification from the Eritrean side of the exact numbers of police, militia, customs police and border police that will return to the Zone. (spoke in English) The most immediate challenge now facing Eritrea, and the international community, is indeed the return of displaced persons to the Temporary Security Zone. In a meeting with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General held on 18 April, President Afwerki confirmed that Eritrea considered the return of displaced persons prior to the rainy season to be a top priority. Accordingly, Eritrea is planning for the return of approximately 300,000 displaced persons to the Zone within the next six to eight weeks. So far, there have been only a few thousand returnees, most of them to areas of the TSZ which were under Eritrean control during the hostilities.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“In accordance with the 18 June 2000 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, the establishment of the TSZ will permit the restoration of Eritrean civilian administration, including police and local militia, and allow preparations to be made for the return of the population. On 17 April, UNMEE and the Government of Eritrea signed a protocol that will govern relations between UNMEE and the police and militia units that will return to, and be present in, the Zone. That protocol establishes, inter alia, that police and militia should be clearly identifiable and are allowed only to carry personal weapons, with an arms permit. While Eritrea has not yet shared with UNMEE all of its plans for the restoration of civilian administration to the Zone, some militia and police members have already started returning to areas in the TSZ.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“This will ensure, insofar as possible, the inclusion in the Temporary Security Zone of the villages to which Eritrean internally displaced persons are expected to return. At a press conference on 18 April, the Special Representative reminded the parties that it was their obligation to ensure that all returnees are able to go back to their villages of origin. In addition, UNMEE has reported that some Ethiopian military forces in the eastern sector have moved forward slightly in the Temporary Security Zone from the confirmed redeployment position. Discussions on the subject with the Ethiopian authorities are ongoing.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“Legwaila's statement also notes that both parties have sought to make adjustments to the southern boundary of the Zone as presented to them by UNMEE after the 6 February meeting of the Military Coordination Commission. In this connection, UNMEE has expressed its regret that Ethiopia did not communicate the full nature of its redeployment plans in the Irob area. As members of the Security Council will recall, UNMEE protested on 22 March the presence of Ethiopian troops inside the then-proposed Temporary Security Zone. However, the Mission expects to reach agreement on the clarification of the redeployment lines provided by Ethiopia and to gain a more accurate understanding of the differences between the parties on the ground in specific localities.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea welcomed Eritrea's announcement on 16 April that it had concluded the repositioning of its forces out of the Temporary Security Zone, as proposed. As the members of the Council are aware, UNMEE verified, on 7 March, the redeployment of Ethiopian armed forces out of the Zone. In a statement issued yesterday, Special Representative Legwaila commended Ethiopia and Eritrea for the establishment of the Temporary Security Zone, as stipulated in the Algiers Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities. The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea is continuing to work with both parties to resolve a number of outstanding problems concerning the southern boundary of the TSZ. Mr.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“Since 13 March, when the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Legwaila Joseph Legwaila, briefed the Council on the situation in Ethiopia and Eritrea, a great deal of progress has been made. It is therefore with particular pleasure that I can report today on that progress in the peace process. Yesterday, 18 April, the Special Representative announced the establishment of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ), which marks the formal separation of the Ethiopian and Eritrean forces. This is an important stage which will allow for the restoration of the Eritrean civil administration and the return of displaced persons to the Temporary Security Zone.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“Haekkerup, that that category of cases - and among them is a particularly sensitive group called the Djakovica group - will be dealt with soon. So that should be resolved in the near future. I think I will stop there for the sake of brevity.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“I am pleased to say that we heard after the meeting between President Kostunica and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General that such a meeting should be concluded very soon; it will help address both substantive issues that we have discussed this morning and also very practical issues relating to the establishment of that office in Belgrade. Ireland asked why there were still so many Albanians detained in Serbia proper. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbian amnesty laws covered political prisoners, but excluded those sentenced under terrorism charges. The 400 prisoners that the representative of Ireland referred to were sentenced under such terrorism charges. I was pleased to hear that President Kostunica has assured the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Mr. Guehenno: There were a few questions still to be answered. In fact, I forgot to answer a question on Montenegro that was put by the delegation of Norway. I do not want to prejudge the outcome of the elections and the future path that Montenegro will take. When I was in Kosovo, I heard very conflicting assessments of what that impact would be. I am sorry to have an answer that is more a question than an answer, but I think that is the honest status of our thinking at the moment on that impact. Ukraine raised the question of how the agreement with Belgrade was developing. What is now under negotiation is a Status of Mission Agreement between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia authorities and the liaison office of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“In that respect - and I think that this connects with what I was saying on focusing on the management of their daily lives a I am concerned when I visit a city like Mitrovica to see that the political agenda of all communities takes over the needs of attending to the practical management issues of a city. I think that the effort of our mission has to be in that direction. This will take time, but if we have a steady hand, I am confident that we will eventually be successful.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“It is certainly very important that all the communities of Kosovo - and I think the same would apply in a different situation such as Bosnia- understand that tinkering with fundamental principles will not lead to stability and peace. At the same time, if we want stabilization - and that is what is so difficult in the work of UNMIK - there also has to be a bottom-up approach, where the local communities- and in the case of Kosovo we know how many different communities there are - begin to take responsibility and integrate into their own minds those principles, which cannot just be asserted by the top leaders.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“I myself made the point that democracy is not the dictatorship of the majority; it is as much the respect of the minority. The mission will continue to impress that point upon all the leaders of Kosovo. I understand that it will take time before that is fully accepted by all the communities of Kosovo. The Ambassador of Norway also asked about the regional dimension of the situation. I personally believe that the process of stabilization of the Balkans has to combine the bottom-up and the top-down approaches. There has to be a clear message. I think that at the moment the message from the international community is very clear and evident: endless fragmentation and redrawing of borders is leading nowhere and is certainly not a factor for stability.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“I impressed upon those leaders, when I visited Kosovo last week, that indeed there had been a lot of international sympathy for Kosovo and that the effort of the international community in Kosovo, as has been recalled by several delegations, is a massive effort. That sympathy would vanish if the commitment of all leaders, Kosovar and Serb, to a multi-ethnic Kosovo were in doubt. I think that it is important for all leaders to send the right signals in that respect in the functioning, for instance, of municipalities. Tom Koenigs, who is sitting behind me, head of Pillar II and carrying out a very difficult job in Kosovo, could reinforce that point. In our dealings with the municipalities, we continually impress upon them the need to show tolerance when they exert power.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“KFOR and UNMIK are presently studying the possibility of strengthening the legal framework within which they can act in that respect so that those who are apprehended illegally crossing the border would receive the appropriate sanction. On all those issues we maintain very close contact with former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia authorities. Any effective control of the border needs very good interaction, I think, between UNMIK, KFOR and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Ambassador of Norway raised the question on whether the Albanian Kosovar leaders' commitment to security is sufficient.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“The third question raised by the delegation of Colombia was on illicit activities across the border. As I said, I visited the area. This is mountainous and wooded terrain. I would not want to convey to the Council the View that 100 per cent control of that border can be achieved. It would probably require a huge force to do that. However, I was very much encouraged by the commitment of KFOR and UNMIK to have effective coordinated efforts put in place in order to have as much effective control as possible. This indeed has resulted in the apprehension of several persons, especially ethnic Albanians from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Several weapon seizures have successfully taken place, as was recalled by Ambassador Lavrov.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Those negotiations got off to a slow start due to continuing breaches of the ceasefire and the composition of the Albanian negotiation team. We are advocating the beginning of the implementation of a package of confidence- building measures. In this regard we very much appreciate the behaviour of the Yugoslav army force, which has been redeployed into part of the ground safety zone. I would reiterate here that the composition of the forces that are being redeployed should not include troops that have been associated with events in Kosovo. I think that this would send a signal that could increase tensions. I think that we have to work on that very sensitive and delicate issue, where perceptions play a very important role, in a progressive and gradual manner in order to avoid undue tensions.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“What I can say is that the return of the internally displaced Serbs to Kosovo is indeed a very important political issue. It is one of the key priorities of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. It will take place in a gradual way - it would endanger the safety of Serbs to try to do it suddenly in a massive way. Unfortunately, I do not think that the resources and the political context are there yet for a massive return. However, UNMIK is committed to organizing that progressive return and to working in a practical way with all involved partners to start that process so that the signal is sent that indeed the Serbs have their full place in Kosovo. The second question was that of the negotiations taking place in southern Serbia.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“At the same time, I am told - it is the experience of the municipalities where we have begun to have a functioning administration - that the more they can focus on the practical management of Kosovo, the more that will defuse the tension. They may want to make their political point, and I am under no illusion that that political point will be made. But they then have to focus on the practical issues of substantive autonomy and deal with a lot of practical issues. I said that the infrastructure was in much better shape, but a lot of very practical issues have to be dealt with if Kosovo is to be effectively managed. Focusing on that should hopefully defuse tensions. Colombia raised three questions. On the question of refugees and internally displaced persons, I gave the most recent figures that I have.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“But we will be in a better position to control the illegal possession of weapons, and I think this is an important step forward. The Permanent Representative of Singapore asked whether elections could have a destabilizing effect since, indeed, the issue of independence will be there - at least, it will be promoted by some parties. We know that last year every political party that registered for the municipal election had independence at the core of its electoral platform. Obviously, this will not be different for the Kosovo-wide elections. Kosovo politicians are still in competition to see how nationalistic they can be. On the Albanian side, the issue of independence is one of the few issues on which they agree.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“IfI am not mistaken, there can be a 10-year jail sentence in some instances. At the moment, we are still in the grace period, and a very important information campaign is going on, with close cooperation between the Kosovo Force (KFOR) and UNMIK, going door-to-door and making sure that people throughout Kosovo are fully informed about this new regulation. This information campaign will be followed by a one-month amnesty for those who surrender - a one-month grace period, so to speak - during which the Kosovars can hand in their weapons. My understanding is that that period will last until the end of May. We expect that a number of weapons will be surrendered. Indeed, there are still quite a lot of weapons in Kosovo, and there will probably still be weapons after that.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Recently, Kosovo Serb representatives have walked into Municipal Assemblies, including some difficult municipalities around Pristina. So there is a precedent that that can be done without the generation of violence. We hope that this will pave the way for more comprehensive participation in other municipalities, especially in a key municipality such as Pristina. I can assure the Council that in those municipalities where Serbs are still, unfortunately, outside the ruling structures, UNMIK makes a point of making sure that municipal resources are, indeed, being allocated to the Serb community. Jamaica's third question related to the regulation of weapons. What I can say on that is that UNMIK did enact a very comprehensive regulation one month ago that outlaws the possession of illegal weapons and imposes very serious sanctions.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Mr. Guehenno: First, I should like to respond to the three questions from the Ambassador of Jamaica. On DNA testing, indeed, the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) would very much like to draw on the expertise of a number of specialized non-governmental organizations that have performed similar work in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I think that we will be in touch with those organizations, and we will, of course, need funding to support their work. But that is a source that should be tapped for this particular very sensitive and important issue. With regard to the participation of Kosovo Serbs in Municipal Assemblies, progress has indeed been made, especially after the change of leadership in Belgrade.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Elections in which all communities can participate will help to do precisely that, rather than intimidation with the power of the gun.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“There is indeed a need for very close cooperation between the mission and that Government in Belgrade to ensure such participation. On the other hand, having come back from Kosovo, my personal perception is that any undue delay in the holding of elections would give more power to the gun than to the vote. That is the danger. Elections will enable the various communities to have a say, and we see this in the number of moderates in Kosovo. Properly held elections can thus be a way to alleviate tensions. Undue delay might lead to violence. In Kosovo I was struck by the fact that if we want to rebuild a measure of trust between the various communities fl and that in itself will take time, as there is no question that at the moment that trust does not yet exist - that will have to be based on some measure of self-confidence.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“That is why we make every effort to engage the Kosovo Serb community and to convince that community to participate actively. As I said, we are very encouraged by the results of the meeting in Belgrade. Here, I would like to make a more general point on the issue of elections. It is indeed essential that the next elections, the Kosovo-wide elections, have the full participation of all those who have a right to participate in them. That indeed includes internally displaced persons not presently in Kosovo who left Kosovo before 1 January 1998. An election that fails to make efforts to have them participate would not be right and, as has been said, would increase the divide. That is why we are working actively to that effect with the Government in Belgrade.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“At any rate, they are not residents of Kosovo and there is no way in which they could, or should, have an impact on the elections. I think that they are out of the picture, both from a law-and-order standpoint and from the more formal standpoint of the legal issue of participation in elections. They should remain out of the picture and I would expect that by the time elections can be held, there will no longer be any refugees there anyway. With regard to the first question - namely, what the effects of non-participation by Kosovo Serbs in the elections would be - I think that if a second election were held in Kosovo without the participation of Kosovo Serbs it would indeed send a very bad signal and would not bode well for the goal of a multi-ethnic Kosovo as envisaged in resolution 1244 (1999).”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Mr. Guehenno: Several representatives mentioned the fundamental issue of the elections. The Chinese delegation raised two questions linked specifically to the issue of elections. I would like to answer the second question first, namely, the impact on stability and elections of refugees from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. All the information we have shows that the estimated 8,000 refugees from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have been absorbed very peacefully in host Albanian families; that their needs are being cared for by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other humanitarian agencies; and that they have indeed been registered. I believe that most of those refugees will indeed return to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as the situation returns to normal there.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“I believe that progress in all of these areas should help build a solid foundation for the future, which will, in turn, assist the Kosovar leaders in their rejection of violence.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Progress on the legal framework should allow the holding of Kosovo- wide elections this year; serious measures to tackle law and order are beginning to bear fruit; and increased cooperation and dialogue with the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will pave the way for progress in the key areas of security and return that have so far blocked Kosovo Serb participation in integrated structures. I personally believe that it is in the best interest of the Kosovo Serb community to actively participate at all levels - municipalities, the Working Group on the legal framework, and specific groups to address the specific issue. The more it participates in those groups, I think, the better off all communities will be and the more peaceful Kosovo will be.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“The conflicts in the Presevo Valley and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are also further impeding freedom of movement for Kosovo Serbs and other minority communities in Kosovo. This worsening freedom of movement has been compounded by the temporary suspension of inter- enclave convoys, as KFOR has to review its security mechanisms. Efforts are underway to ensure the swift resumption of escorts when operationally feasible. To conclude, I would like to say that despite the adverse effects of the conflicts in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and southern Serbia, which have the potential to trigger large, destabilizing movements of persons into Kosovo - and we are very concerned about that - UNMIK has continued to move forward with its key priorities.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“As the Council knows, UNMIK has been instrumental in encouraging the Kosovo Albanian leaders to speak out publicly and condemn the use of Violence as a means of addressing the grievances of the Albanians in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. I think that the declaration that was signed by the three Albanian leaders in that respect was a helpful move. The border closures, however, did not prevent the flow of an estimated 8,000 ethnic Albanian refugees from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia into Kosovo, most of whom were absorbed by host families. On 3 April, UNMIK authorities, with the support of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), launched a systematic registration of all nationals of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia who have arrived due to the conflict.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Actually, a week ago, on the Sunday before last, I visited the border with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with the KFOR Commander at the time, Lieutenant General Cabigiosu, and I could see how KFOR units had been deployed at various points. At the same time, you could see from the nature of the terrain that it is indeed quite a difficult border to control. UNMIK continues to assist KFOR through the redeployment of special police units to back up the security presence in those areas where military units have been redeployed. In view of the increasing number of illegal border crossings, UNMIK is currently evaluating possible punitive measures to address this problem.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“The border restrictions naturally also had an adverse effect on the Kosovo economy: the Kosovo Consolidated Budget suffered an estimated daily loss of DM. 500,000 in excise tax revenues. The border was re-opened to all on 3 April and remains open. Kosovo's penal system has also been subject to additional strain because of the detention of a number of Albanian armed troop suspects illegally crossing from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. KFOR's response to the escalating conflict in the northern part of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has involved the redeployment and the reorientation of several military units.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“I would like now, before concluding, to say a few words on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, since it has a direct impact on the way the communities relate to each other in Kosovo. As the Council knows, progress in UNMIK's key priorities has taken place against the backdrop of violence along the Kosovo border with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and continuing instability in southern Serbia, both of which have had an adverse effect on UNMIK and Kosovo in general. The most serious consequence for UNMIK of the violence in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was the interruption of the supply of fuel, food and essential medical supplies, with severe delays affecting the importation of goods.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Agreement was reached that a joint committee to ensure cooperation on the resolution of the issue of missing persons would be mutually beneficial. I think that such a joint committee can be a very important confidence-building measure to begin to re-establish a measure of trust between the communities. On the important issue of returns, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and President Kostunica agreed to identify those areas where Kosovo Serb returns can realistically be accomplished. Finally, on Mitrovica, it was agreed that there should be further discussion between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and UNMIK on rendering the necessary safeguards to the Kosovo Serb population, including the identification of common security structures.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“As a result of amnesty bills passed by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Serbia parliaments last month, approximately 218 of 662 Kosovo Albanian detainees held in prisons in Serbia proper have been released. UNMIK continues to work for the release of all political prisoners and for a judicial review of those cases that are not covered by the amnesty laws. This was again raised with President Kostunica, who assured the Special Representative of the Secretary-General that all outstanding cases would soon be resolved. On the issue of the missing, the Special Representative pointed out the potential that now exists to begin to build lines of communication between families from all communities.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“The discussion also focused on modes of cooperation between UNMIK and the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. In that context, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General emphasized the opening of the UNMIK Belgrade office as a crucial step forward. The office currently has three UNMIK staff members: one from the office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, one from pillar Ill and one from pillar IV. Negotiations continue with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia authorities on the Status of Mission Agreement. The Special Representative of the Secretary- General and President Kostunica also discussed the continuing negotiations on detainees and missing persons from Kosovo.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr Haekkerup, met with President Kostunica in Belgrade on 5 April to discuss many of these issues, and we were very pleased with the way the meeting developed. This was the second time the Special Representative of the Secretary-General had met with President Kostunica, and the meeting was indeed very constructive. As I have already mentioned, agreement was reached on President Kostunica's support for Kosovo Serb participation in the Working Group on the legal framework. However, I just checked with the Mission before coming to the Council Chamber, and no contact has yet been made with the Kosovo Serb representative. I think it would be important for such contact to be made very soon, so as not to delay the process.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“During my visit to Kosovo, I met with the head of the economic reconstruction pillar; I had a feeling from that meeting that quite substantive progress has been made there, with major financial support from the financial community, and the European Union in particular, and that the infrastructures of Kosovo are now in significantly better shape than they were 18 months ago. The fourth priority of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General is the development of relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the opening of an UNMIK office in Belgrade. This is an important element in trying to move forward with the other three priorities I have just outlined. Engaging the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia authorities in substantial and constructive cooperation on issues of common concern will help bring peace to Kosovo.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Customs duty is not charged on goods originating or produced in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. So far, customs officers have been placed at Gate 3 - Podujevo in the Pristina region - and a tax collection office has been opened in Mitrovica, where Kosovo Serbs and Kosovo Albanians will work together under international supervision. Kosovo Albanian officers under international supervision are deployed at one collection point, and an effort is under way to recruit Kosovo Serb customs officers. The establishment of tax collection points along the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia boundary is in full conformity with Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) and will contribute key funding to the Kosovo consolidated budget at a vital time in the run-up to provisional self- government.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“The Special Representative of the Secretary- General mentioned this in his briefing to the Council on 16 March; I know that some members of the Security Council are prepared to provide additional judicial personnel. After studying the question, UNMIK estimates that the current figure - ll international judges and five international prosecutors - could easily be at least doubled. (spoke in English) I would like now to turn to the third priority: economic reconstruction. A key element of provisional self-government is financial responsibility, for which Kosovo's public finances need to be developed. In a move to safeguard public finances and the Kosovo consolidated budget from lost revenue, tax collection points are being established along the boundary line with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“The swift and resolute action undertaken by the police, by UNMIK and by KFOR and our joint efforts to fight crime in Kosovo are an essential confidence-building measure to restore trust among the various communities. Additionally, in the context of recent action to fight organized crime and the consolidation of peace in Kosovo, the trial of a high-profile suspect accused of organized criminal activity is scheduled to be completed soon. Hence, there is progress in this field. In that context, let me remind the Council that UNMIK needs more international judges and prosecutors to deal with the increase in sensitive cases, such as those relating to ethnic crime and organized crime.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“It will also be necessary to expand prison and detention facilities in Kosovo to ensure continuity from detention through trial and to make sure that the accused are held in adequate conditions and that they are duly tried. UNMIK's continued efforts to break the cycle of the criminal impunity that is enjoyed by some criminals and to tackle organized crime have met with some success in recent weeks. Let me highlight a joint arrest operation carried out by the Kosovo Force (KFOR) and UNMIK, which recently resulted in the arrest and detention of four suspects in connection with the tragic mid-February Merdare bus bombing, in which 10 Kosovo Serbs were killed.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Law and order and developing the rule of law in Kosovo are top priorities for UNMIK. With a view to enhancing UNMIK's ability to combat organized crime, there has been a great effort to streamline police and judicial institutions into a new single UNMIK pillar. Our objective with this new mission structure is to enable the police and the judiciary to respond more effectively to crime in Kosovo. It is a way to act more effectively to establish an unbiased and completely fair judicial system, initially with international participation and with reform of the judicial system. That new pillar will help make possible the planned expansion of the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) from the present target of 4,000 police officers to 6,000 by the end of 2002.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“UNMIK is sending out signals on all fronts that it is essential for Kosovo Serbs to register, participate in the elections and stake their claim in Kosovo. The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for institution building recently met with Foreign Minister Svilanovic of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, who undertook to cooperate in the registration of ethnic communities and of internally displaced persons in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. I think that this represents a major step forward and sends a strong signal that we see the ability of Kosovo Serbs to return to Kosovo as a future goal. (Spoke in French) Let me refer now to the second priority of which the Special Representative of the Secretary-General has spoken: to consolidate law enforcement and the judicial system.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“As far as election preparations are concerned, in parallel with the work on the legal framework, the institution-building pillar - namely, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) - has begun preparatory work for Kosovo-wide elections on the basis of a "2+6" timeline. That is to say, a two- month build-up and six months for registration and election operations. One of the first priorities is to update and integrate the civil and voter registry. To that end, United Nations civil administration and the institution-building pillar have agreed to conduct simultaneous registration. Another priority in that respect is out-of-Kosovo registration and election operations to enable those who left Kosovo after 1 January 1998 to register and participate in the elections.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“There has been mixed progress in the assumption of reserved seats by the communities. For the most part, representatives of Kosovo Turks, Bosniacs, Romas, Ashkalijas and Egyptians have accepted their appointments as co-opted members and are also represented as additional Deputy Presidents in three Assemblies. Progress has been slower with the Kosovo Serb community, where participation is limited to five municipalities. There have been very recent signs that more Kosovo Serbs are now willing to participate, however, and UNMIK will make every effort to build on those Visible signs of cooperation. I think that if we want to move forward on the Kosovo-wide level, it is essential that concrete progress be made at the municipal level. I think the two processes should help each other.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Alongside the elaboration of the legal framework, a key aspect is the establishment of democratically functioning municipal assemblies, an area in which further progress has been made. As UNMIK continues to devolve competencies to the municipalities in line with regulation 45, on self-government of municipalities, the majority of the Municipal Assemblies are ready to begin formulating strategic policy through the establishment of policy and finance committees. That will be the first real test of the capability to self-govern at the municipal level. A lingering concern in that regard, however, is the continuing polarization of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), and the apparent politicization of municipal civil administration.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source