New top UN envoy in Kosovo
visits flashpoint city of Mitrovica
28 August - The new top United Nations envoy for Kosovo, Harri
Holkeri, today visited Mitrovica, a flashpoint of tension between
ethnic Albanians and Serbs over the past two years, urging the
people to break the cycle of violence and seek reconciliation
and underlining his own commitment to bring the communities closer.
But, he added, “We cannot bring people
together by force.”
Mr. Holkeri, a former Finnish prime minister
was appointed Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Representative
and head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)
last month to succeed Michael Steiner, a German diplomat.
He again condemned the killing of two Serbian
teenagers and the wounding of four others by unknown gunmen while
they were swimming in a river in the Pec/Peja region earlier this
month, and a gun attack this week in Bica/Binxhe.
“These horrendous acts were carried out
by the enemies of Kosovo’s future,” Mr. Holkeri said.
“No stone will be left unturned until those responsible
for the crimes committed in Kosovo are found.”
Mr. Holkeri told journalists at the Cultural
Centre, by the Mitrovica bridge that separates the mainly Albanian
and Serbian sections of the city, that art and culture had an
important role in bringing people closer together.
“Art is a universal language,” he
said. “The more dialogue we can facilitate, the more people
will recognize their common interest in cooperation. Let us all
learn from the arts and work for reconciliation.”
“I hope this centre will increasingly
function as a place where people from both sides of the Ibar River
meet and discover what is common to them, through art and through
culture,” he added.
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Top UN envoy Sergio Vieira
de Mello killed in terrorist blast in Baghdad
19 August - The top United Nations envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira
de Mello, was killed today when terrorists blew up the UN headquarters
in Baghdad, killing at least 14 others and injuring dozens more
in what Secretary-General Kofi Annan denounced as an inexcusable
“act of unprovoked and murderous violence.”
Mr. Annan immediately cancelled his holiday
in Europe to return to UN Headquarters in New York, where he is
expected to arrive tomorrow, and the Security Council held emergency
consultations, condemning in the strongest terms the “terrorist
criminal attack” and vowing to further intensify its efforts
to help the people of Iraq.
Mr. Vieira de Mello, a 30-year veteran of many
UN peacekeeping operations from the Balkans to East Timor to Africa,
had been trapped in the rubble of the devastated Canal Hotel,
which served as UN headquarters in the Iraqi capital. He was 55
and was UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
He made the establishment of full human rights
a major part of his mission to Iraq ever since he arrived at the
beginning of June as Mr. Annan’s Special Representative
and insisted that full sovereignty should be restored to the Iraqi
people as soon as possible following the occupation of the country
by the United States and its allies.
As news of his death spread through UN Headquarters
in New York and the flags of the 191 Member States were lowered
in front of the building – leaving the UN flag alone at
half mast – staff gathered in small sombre groups to mourn.
Mr. Vieira de Mello only took his Iraqi mission
as a short-term four-month assignment, so important did he and
the Secretary-General consider the global fight for human rights
and the urgency of his return to his post as High Commissioner.
He had a long and distinguished UN career stretching
over 30 years. Before being appointed to the human rights post
in 2002, he was the UN Transitional Administrator in East Timor
and prior to that briefly held the position of Special Representative
for Kosovo. He had extensive Headquarters and field experience
in humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, including in Bangladesh,
Sudan, Cyprus, Mozambique, Peru and Lebanon.
UN spokesman Fred Eckhard told a briefing at
UN Headquarters that as of noon New York time 14 people had been
reported killed and dozens injured, many of them seriously, including
both Iraqis and international staff, more than three hours after
the attack, which occurred at 4:45 p.m. Baghdad time.
Rescuers from the United States forces had worked
to extricate Mr. Vieira de Mello from the ruined building, which
served as a base for some 300 UN personnel in Baghdad out of the
646 in Iraq altogether.
“Nothing can excuse this act of unprovoked
and murderous violence against men and women who went to Iraq
for one purpose only: to help the Iraqi people recover their independence
and sovereignty, and to rebuild their country as fast as possible,
under leaders of their own choosing,” Mr. Annan said in
a statement earlier Tuesday before Mr. Vieira de Mello’s
death was announced.
“I also hope to see those who have perpetrated
this outrage brought to justice,” he added. “Most
of all, I hope to see Iraq restored as soon as possible to peace,
security and full independence. The United Nations will make every
effort to bring that about.”
After a briefing from Assistant Secretary-General
for Political Affairs Danilo Türk, the Security Council said
in a press statement, before news that Mr. Vieira de Mello had
succumbed: “Such terrorist incidents cannot break the will
of the international community to further intensify its efforts
to help the people of Iraq.”
Council members reaffirmed that “this
horrible attack that aimed at undermining the vital role of the
United Nations in Iraq will not affect their determination and
[they] will stay united against such attacks and to help the Iraqi
people restore peace and stability to their country.
“The United Nations is in Iraq on a mission
of peace, and for the reconstruction of the country and to support
the Iraqi people. Therefore it is all the more shocking that this
attack occurred,” the statement concluded.
The Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Bertrand Ramcharan, standing in for Mr. Vieira de Mello during
his tour of duty in Iraq, expressed deep shock and outrage over
the “despicable act” against people whose only aim
is to help the Iraqi people.
“We are deeply shocked and outraged at
the explosion at United Nations headquarters in Baghdad,”
Mr. Ramcharan said in a statement. “Such a despicable act
directed at people whose only aim is to assist the people of Iraq
recover from war and years of oppression is to be is to be condemned
by the whole international community,” he added.
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Following shootings, Security
Council meets to disciscuss situation in Kosovo
18 August - In the wake of last week's shooting death of two Kosovo
Serb teenagers, and the injuring of four others, the United Nations
Security Council today met to consider the situation in Kosovo
during which participants condemned the brutal killings and expressed
concern at the continued violence.
Speaking at the outset of the Council's open
meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia,
Nebojsa Covic, said the hideous attack on innocent children swimming
in the river near their homes in Kosovo and Metohia had taken
place only because they were Serbs. It was an attempt to send
a message to all Serbs that they had to leave and there is no
chance for a multi-ethnic society, he added.
Mr. Covic said while he appreciated UN action
to bring the perpetrators to justice, it was necessary to accept
the fact that last week's crimes were not unique - they belonged
to a pattern of activity by a determined minority of the Albanian
population to bring the ethnic cleansing of the province to completion.
The Deputy Prime Minister said vigorous and
decisive measures were needed to fulfil Security Council resolutions
that have been agreed upon, including major progress in the return
of internally displaced persons and security and freedom of movement
of all ethnic communities.
During the meeting, all 15 members of the Council
also condemned the violence and expressed deep concern that four
years after the conflict such brutal incidents continued to occur.
Security Council strongly
condemns shooting of Kosovo Serb teens
18 August - The United Nations Security Council today strongly
condemned the deaths of two teenagers and injury to four others
after unknown suspects opened fire on a group of Kosovo Serb youngsters,
demanding that no efforts be spared to bring the perpetrators
to justice.
Ambassador Mikhail Wehbe of Syria, the Council's
President for the month of August, said in a press
statement that the 15-member body "expressed deep concern
that four years after the conflict such brutal incidents continue
to occur. Such incidents jeopardize Kosovo's image in the international
community."
UN police and the international force for Kosovo
(KFOR) are investigating the identity of the people who shot the
youngsters who had been swimming in a river in the Pec region
Wednesday. A Kosovo Albanian woman was also wounded, apparently
by a group of Kosovo Serbs, after the shooting.
"Members of the Council condemned this
violence in the strongest terms," Ambassador Wehbe said a
day after the shooting. "Members of the Council demanded
that no efforts be spared to arrest the perpetrators and bring
them to justice."
Speaking yesterday at the scene of the crime,
Jean-Christian Cady, the deputy head of the UN Interim Administration
Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), said killing defenceless children playing
on the river side was worse than terrorism, describing the incident
as an act of "barbarism."
"By killing children, you are killing the
future of Kosovo. The United Nations and the entire international
community condemn this. The police are already on the job and
no efforts will be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice.
We will increase the security for Serbs in Kosovo," Mr. Cady
added.
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UN official pays tribute
to memory of slain Serbian teenagers
16 August - The recent killing of two Kosovo Serbian teenagers
should serve as the impetus to promote reconciliation in the area,
a senior United Nations official said at the funeral.
"Everyone in Kosovo should mourn this tragedy
for their society," said Charles Brayshaw on Friday. "The
majority population of Kosovo knows in its own hearts that terrible
pain has been inflicted on the families of the two boys in Gorazdevac
and the Serbian community in Kosovo, and we must all work to heal
that pain."
Mr. Brayshaw also conveyed condolences to the
families of the victims on behalf of the UN's senior Kosovo envoy,
Harri Holkeri.
New Head of UN Mission
vows open cooperation with all communities in Kosovo
14 August - The new head of the United
Nations mission in Kosovo today met with leaders of the province
and underlined the importance of collaboration to combat inter-ethnic
violence, pledging his intention to openly cooperate with all
communities.
"I told the leaders that I would be completely
transparent in my work. That means that my programme is available,
where I go here in Kosovo, who I am going to meet. My programme
will be available to you and to the public," Harri Holkeri,
the new head of UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK),
said during his first briefing to reporters.
Mr. Holkeri stressed, however, that being open
does not mean he will be influenced by other people's agendas
or criticism. "I am responsible to the UN Security Council
and the Secretary-General. I do not want to be co-governed by
others," he stated.
Asked by a reporter to elaborate on what he
meant by co-governance, Mr. Holkeri said: "My mandate comes
from the Security Council resolution and I am going to work on
that. That is my guidance. Whatever is said elsewhere, the guidance
comes from that resolution, in line with the framework document.
That's my only alternative."
He cited the need to strengthen rule of law
and enhance fight against organized crime, terrorism or extremist
activities as one of the key issues for Kosovo.
"Further development of democratic and
multi-ethnic judiciary, police and Provisional Institutions is
a priority," he added. "We will work to promote multi-ethnicity,
dialogue and integration."
In addition he promised "to bring Kosovo
closer to international and European standards" and to promote
economic development and a free-market economy.
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Head of UN Mission strongly
comdemns shooting of Kosovo Serb children
13 August - The head of the United Nations mission in Kosovo today
strongly condemned the killing of two children and injuring of
four others by unknown suspects who opened fire on a group of
Serb youngsters swimming in a river in the Pec region.
"It is a tragedy for Kosovo that four years
after the conflict ended, such incidents continue to take a terrible
toll on the lives of innocent individuals and on Kosovo's image
in the international community," said Harri Holkeri, the
new head of UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK),
whose arrival in Pristina coincided with the tragedy.
Efforts are being made to treat the injured
children at Pec or to airlift them to Mitrovica Hospital, according
to UNMIK. A massive search for the shooters is now underway and
an international prosecutor has already been assigned to the case.
"We cannot allow a few extremists, of whatever
ethnicity, to undermine the secure and hopeful future that so
many have worked to build here. Such incidents will only strengthen
our determination to establish the rule of law for the sake of
all people in Kosovo. We will do everything to bring the killers
to justice," Mr. Holkeri stated.
Meanwhile, a Kosovo Albanian female was wounded,
apparently by a group of Kosovo Serbs, after the shooting of the
youngsters.
UN misson to launch new
weapons amnesty in Kosovo
12 August - The United Nations mission in Kosovo is set to launch
a month-long weapons amnesty in September, its third such effort
to take out of circulation “the huge quantity of unauthorized
weapons” left in the wake of the fighting between ethnic
Albanians and Serbs.
The executive decision, signed in the Kosovo
capital of Pristina today by Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s
Deputy Special Representative for Police and Justice, Jean-Christian
Cady, will allow Kosovans to surrender all weapons without fear
of prosecution. Persons found in possession of illegal weapons
after the amnesty deadline will be liable to prosecution and imprisonment
of up to eight years or a fine of up to €7,500 (euros).
“This weapons amnesty programme is part
of our continued efforts at taking out of circulation the huge
quantity of unauthorized weapons in Kosovo,” Mr. Cady said.
“The danger of having illegal weapons at homes is their
potential for converting an ordinary domestic or neighbourhood
dispute into a tragic saga of violence and death.”
The UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo
(UNMIK) and the international security force (KFOR) will designate
at least one stationary weapons collection point in each of the
five regions in Kosovo. There will also be mobile weapons collection
units that travel to specific locations.
The last such amnesty took place in March 2002.
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Security Council condemns
recent killing of UN Police Officer in Kosovo
8 August - Security Council members today condemned the recent
killing of a United Nations police officer in Kosovo, underscoring
their support for the work of the UN mission there and appealing
for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
Ambassador Mikhail Wehbe of Syria, the Council's
President for the month of August, said in a press statement that
members "strongly condemned" the murder on Sunday of
Maj. Satish Menon, a civilian police officer from India serving
with the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and
the first fatality suffered by the police force since the mission
was established in 1999. They expressed their condolences to the
family of Major Menon, who was shot while on duty in the northern
part of the province, and to the Government of India, he added.
The members "reaffirmed joint efforts of
the international community to build a better future for Kosovo,
and they underlined that UNMIK police and the Kosovo Police Service
have an important role in this effort and in contributing to guarantee
security and the rule of law," Ambassador Wehbe said.
They also appealed to all concerned to fully
cooperate with UNMIK and the international security presence to
identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, he added.
UN mission offers reward
for information on murdered police officer
5 August – The United Nations mission in Kosovo today offered
a reward of 50,000 Euros for information leading to the arrest
and conviction of the perpetrators of the murder of a UN police
officer over the weekend, and Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged
all sides to cooperate in the investigation into this "appalling
act."
Those guilty of the "brutal murder"
must be brought to justice, Mr. Annan said in a statement issued
by a spokesman in New York. The ambush shooting was the first
fatality suffered by the UN police force since it was sent in
four years ago to maintain order in the province, riven by fighting
between Serbs and Albanians
"The Secretary-General is shocked and outraged
at the killing of a UN police officer in an attack on a police
vehicle in the northern part of Kosovo," the statement added.
"He strongly condemns this appalling act and appeals to all
concerned to cooperate with the UN Mission in Kosovo in carrying
out the investigation into the circumstances of this brutal murder.
The guilty must be brought to justice," the statement added.
The slain officer, Satish Menon, was Indian
and Mr. Annan sent his condolences both to the family and the
Government of India, "whose police officers have given great
service to the people of Kosovo."
Announcing the reward in the Kosovo capital
of Pristina, Police Commissioner Stefan Feller gave further details
about the ambush. Shortly before midnight on Sunday, Major Menon
and another officer from the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) slowed
their patrol car due to rocks on the road between Leposavic and
Mitrovica and came under gunfire from concealed attackers.
Multiple shots were fired directly into the
passenger compartment and Major Menon was struck and killed instantly,
Commissioner Feller said.
"Let me be perfectly clear - This was a
cold blooded and deliberate killing of an officer who had no chance
to defend himself," he said. "Major Menon did not die
due to his interrupting a crime. He died because he was a police
officer - a symbol of hope. He was a target to people opposed
to freedom. He died serving the people of Kosovo."
Commissioner Feller vowed that the police
"will not be deterred from doing their job by such cowards
and criminals. We will spare no effort to find those responsible
for this murder and then we will bring them to justice,"
he added.
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Annan says murderers of
UN police officer in Kosovo must be brought to justice
5 August – Those guilty of the “brutal murder”
of a United Nations police officer in an ambush in Kosovo over
the weekend must be brought to justice and all sides must cooperate
with the world body in the investigation into this “appalling
act,” Secretary-General Kofi Annan has declared.
“The Secretary-General is shocked an outraged
at the killing of a UN police officer in an attack on a police
vehicle in the northern part of Kosovo,” said a statement
issued by a UN spokesman last night in New York. The ambush was
the first fatality suffered by the UN police force since it was
sent in four years ago to maintain order in the province, riven
by fighting between Serbs and Albanians.
“He strongly condemns this appalling act
and appeals to all concerned to cooperate with the UN Mission
in Kosovo in carrying out the investigation into the circumstances
of this brutal murder. The guilty must be brought to justice,”
the statement added.
The slain officer was Indian and Mr. Annan
sent his condolences both to the family and the Government of
India, “whose police officers have given great service to
the people of Kosovo.”
UN police officer killed in ‘despicable'
attack
4 August - A United Nations police officer in Kosovo was killed
in an attack on a police vehicle last night in what the top UN
envoy in the area called a “despicable” and “repugnant”
act of murder.
“UNMIK police is here to assist in establishing
the rule of law,” Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Acting
Special Representative Charles Brayshaw said today, referring
to the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. “By
attacking the police, those responsible for this attack will not
succeed in distracting the police from its duties.”
Strongly condemning the attack near Slatina
village in Leposavic, Mr. Brayshaw said: “This was a despicable
act. I know that the people of Kosovo are astounded and repudiate
completely this murder. I know they find this as repugnant as
I do. This was a direct attack on international forces of law
and order.”
UNMIK was established in 1999 to provide an
interim civilian administration under which the people of the
province, ravaged by war between ethnic Serbs and Albanians, could
progressively enjoy substantial autonomy.
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