CHILDREN AT RISK

Starting on Monday, September 23rd, the current Police Academy class of Kosovo Police Service Cadets will begin a new field-training program in all five regions and with the Border Police. The Cadets are not yet qualified as police officers and have no police authority. The objective of the program is to ensure that academic Police Academy training is reinforced by practical observation. The new program reflects the fact that policing in Kosovo has greatly advanced and approaches European standards.

UNMIK Police have received information that a small group of extremists in the northern part of Mitrovica town plan to disrupt the new field training program through illegal actions. We have reason to believe the extremists plan to cynically use schoolchildren in the effort to stop progress in Kosovo. The extremists have on many occasions demonstrated a willingness to use violence, and the inclusion of schoolchildren in their illegal activites would subject the children to great risk.

UNMIK Police support the right of the people to demonstrate peacefully, even when the protest is directed against actions by the police. However, the exploitation of children by extremists for criminal purposes is completely irresponsible.

We appeal to the people of North Mitrovica to not allow their children to be used for such a purpose.

Derek CHAPPELL
Chief of Press & Public Information

Barry FLETCHER
Deputy Chief of Press & Public Information
UNMIK Police Main HQ
Pristina

Tel. +381-38-504-604-5071/FAX 5073