UNIK/PR/605
PREAA RELEASE - 29 June 2001

SRSG Appeals to International Community for Funds for Returns Process

PRISTINA - SRSG Hans Haekkerup today appealed to international donors for resources for the "safe and sustainable return of Kosovo Serbs" to Kosovo. He said "collective efforts" should be made and urged them to take steps to start the process  before this year's elections.

He was speaking at a meeting organised by the Department of Reconstruction (DoR) with representatives of several country liaison offices in Pristina and other donors to introduce them to the funding needs of the returns process. DSRSG Andy Bearpark, UNHCR Special Envoy Eric Morris and others from the EU Pillar and UNHCR also attended the meeting.

The meeting was a follow up to the Framework on Returns, which was endorsed by the Joint Committee on Returns in January. The Interim Administrative Council recently endorsed the principles underlying the framework.

Mr. Haekkerup underlined three elements for returns to be successful and sustainable: a safe and secure environment with an acceptable level of freedom of movement for returnees; a  meaningful inter-ethnic dialogue among political and community leaders to build confidence among Kosovo communities; and a substantial commitment of resources on the part of the international community. He said the "survival and economic livelihood of those returning will ultimately depend on levels of housing and infrastructure reconstruction, on employment creation and on working and accessible public services." He also stressed the need to provide support for communities living in areas surrounding those selected for returns.

Mr. Morris said that Serb leaders in Kosovo and in Belgrade had complained that the Framework of Returns was insufficient. Mr. Bearpark said that DoR had done a damage assessment of sites identified for returns, which would be given to the donors and the department would work closely with them to implement the projects.

UNHCR and EU officials also answered questions that the participants had regarding the returns process.