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UNMIK-KFOR-UNMIK Police-UNHCR Briefing, 04 June 2001 UN Spokeswoman Susan Manuel UN Spokeswoman Susan Manuel New Regulations Today marks the end of the weapons amnesty period. From now on anyone
caught with an unauthorized weapon will be subject to fines and or
imprisonment. Also today, the regulation on illegal border crossings
goes into effect. UNMIK and KFOR have designated 19 legal border and
boundary crossing points, with FYROM, Albania, Serbia and Montenegro.
Anyone crossing at other locales will be subject to a fine and/or jail
term. We are producing a leaflet describing the regulation and the
crossing points in more detail. In other words, this regulation is not aimed at farmers whose fields or sheep normally cross the boundaries or borders, but at extremists or criminals who are fuelling instability in and outside Kosovo. Likewise it does not apply to refugees or displaced persons who've fled restrictions on the freedom. The third piece of legislation which has become known as UNMIK's anti-terrorism package will be discussed tomorrow in the Interim Administrative Council. It is a draft regulation on the prohibition of terrorism, which punishes the commission of serious offences, such as murder and kidnapping with a terrorist intent, by imprisonment of 10 to 20 years or, where death results, by 10 to 40 years. The draft regulation also punishes related offences such as failure to report information about the planning of terrorism, assisting persons once they have committed terrorism, collecting funds to be used for terrorism and directing a terrorist organization. Tomorrow the IAC will also discuss the framework on returns of Kosovo Serbs for 2001. Weekend Marches Regarding the protest marches over the weekend, it is certainly every one's right to protest peacefully over any issue. However the stated reason for this protest, that is a rumoured visit to Kosovo by President Kostunica, was completely false and we said so several times over the past three days. At no time has UNMIK or the Office of President Kostunica announced, planned or discussed any such visit. We have said this to media, however, the protests go on. We wonder what is the real purpose of fuelling such emotions in the people of Kosovo, and why the media seems to be feeding the frenzy instead of informing the public of the facts. Afrim Xheqiri In other news, the District Court of Gnjilane has indicted the defendant Afrim Zeqiri on charges of three counts of murder, attempted murder and terrorism, in connection with the shooting deaths of three Kosovo Serbs, including a four-year-old child, in the village of Cernica one year ago. The District court has extended Mr. Zeqiri's detention for another two months, until 3 August. The court will also set a trial date in the near future. This very complicated case and Mr. Zeqiri has been incarcerated for the past year under a series of executive orders signed by the SRSG. It was also the first time regulation 2001-02, was used. This allows the international prosecutor can re-open a case 30 days after it was closed in the case of new evidence being submitted. However the case has now taken a significant step forwards. Visit to Kosovo The UN special Envoy to the Balkans, Mr. Kukan of Slovakia, will be visiting here on 6 June. KFOR Spokesman Sqdrn. Ldr. Roy Brown Weapons Amnesty Yesterday saw, what appears to have been a family argument, here in Pristina / Prishtina, escalate into a shooting, as two brothers fired at each other with automatic weapons. It was fortunate that the only casualty was a sister who was hit in the hand. KFOR troops from Multinational Brigade Centre reacted quickly in support of UNMIK Police, which resulted in the arrests of the five individuals concerned. This is another clear example of why KFOR and UNMIK Police are putting so much effort into removing weapons from circulation. Had these weapons been handed in under the recent weapons amnesty, this family argument would not have escalated to the point where one of its members has been shot in what could so easily have been a tragedy. The UNMIK weapons amnesty also finished at midnight last night. The last day saw a flurry of weapons being turned in to KFOR patrols and checkpoints. Seventy four rifles, 5 machine guns, 3 pistols, an anti-tank rocket launcher, 43 grenades and almost 15 000 rounds of ammunition were surrendered yesterday alone. This bringing the total collected by KFOR, to nearly 400 rifles, 65 pistols, 75 support weapons, 21 anti-tank weapons, 16 rockets, over 200 hand grenades and anti-personnel mines, and some 31 000 rounds of ammunition. I think we can consider the weapons amnesty to have been a success. It has made a significant contribution to our mission to maintain a safe and secure environment for all. Every weapon, grenade and round of ammunition collected is one less that can be used to kill or maim innocent citizens; one less accident waiting to happen. Dubrava Detention Centre Today sees the closure of the Temporary Detention Centre at
Dubrava. The facility was used to hold detainees transferred from
Camp Bondsteel during the operations related to the relaxation of Sector
Bravo of the Ground Safety Zone. While in use, the Dubrava facility
housed up to 64 detainees. Roads to FYROM Over the next few days there is likely to be a slight increase in military traffic on the roads as KFOR re-deploys some of its units to focus on further securing the border with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Since the initial troubles in February, we have taken vigorous measures to ensure that Kosovo is not used as a staging area for armed extremists operating in FYROM. These measures accomplished our initial objectives in containing the situation and we are now implementing a robust and comprehensive operation to help bring the fighting in FYROM to an end. We will further reinforce the border region with highly mobile troops to support the more static units and interdict logistics support for the extremists. We are re-focussing our intelligence collection efforts, including the use of reconnaissance drones, in order to gather information on the movements and activities of these groups. And we are seeking to conduct enhanced Kosovo-wide operations in support of interdicting the illegal movement of weapons and materiel through the province. UNMIK Police Spokesman Derek Chappell Elderly Serb Assaulted At 1100 hrs on 2 June, French KFOR in North Mitrovica reported to UNMIK Police that they had found an elderly male who had been the subject of an attack. Police discovered a 78 year old Serbian male collapsed in the garden of his home. He had been attacked and beaten with sticks by a group of four Albanian teenagers about midnight the previous day. He had lain in the garden from midnight until 1100 when found by KFOR. He was treated by French paramedics and transported to the North Hospital where he is now in stable condition. There can be no justification, regardless of history, for such a senseless attack on an elderly victim. It is more appalling that this was carried out by youngsters. We ask for the cooperation of the public to identify those responsible. Murder in Gjakova On 2nd June in Gjakova three men went to a home to commit a robbery. All three were masked and armed with AK-47 rifles. As the occupants of the home were going to bed, at 2200 hrs the three suspects entered the house and ordered them into the bedroom while they searched the house. Two armed suspects remained inside the house while the third watched from outside. One of the family members, the father, left the bedroom and retrieved his shotgun. He went outside and attacked the gunmen with his shotgun. The suspects returned fire with their AK-47's, killing the father. The three suspects then continued their robbery, stealing money, valuables and vehicle from the family. The sad incident illustrates the false sense of security that a gun gives you. Had this shotgun been handed in during the Weapons Amnesty the father of the family would probably still be alive. Had the victim not confronted the suspects but called the Police instead, he would likely still be alive. The family's tragic loss delivers the message to all the people of Kosovo - the time has come to put your trust in the professional police services of the KPS and UNMIK, not in the family gun you have hidden in your house. Anti Prostitution Initiatives Over the 8 months since the Trafficking and Prostitution Unit was
formed we have given you details of numerous raids, arrests and
prosecutions that have been directed at bars, cafes and individuals
suspected of this vile trade in young women. Our efforts to end this
criminal business have now entered a new phase. As the municipalities
develop and initiate inspection services for fire safety and health
regulations at local businesses, so TPIU investigators are working with
them. As local municipal inspectors conduct random examinations at bars
and cafes, TPIU now accompanies them, cooperation, a joint Fire-Health-Police inspection team in Prizren conducted examinations of several bars suspected of prostitution resulting in the closure of one for health violations and the recovery of four 20 year old Moldavian females who have now been repatriated. Further joint operations will continue between UNMIK Police, the KPS and municipal inspectors to use all available controls to end the prostitution trade. Narcotics Arrest in Gnjilane UNMIK Police in Gnjilane have struck a major blow against the distribution of drugs by organized crime in that area. Following an extensive investigation by the Narcotics Division of Gnjilane Police a total of 11 persons have been arrested for importation and trafficking of heroin and cocaine. Two of them are Albanian nationals who were found in possession of 1.5 kilos of heroin. The remaining 9 suspects arrested are K-Albanians. The further arrests and searches have resulted in the seizure of additional quantities of cocaine and heroin, weighing scales and cutting agents used in the process of trafficking. Also seized are jewellery, documents, cellular telephones and four automobiles, including two Audis and a BMW, that were the property of those arrested. This is the first arrest for cocaine trafficking in Gnjilane. The Gnjilane Narcotics Unit has detected 52 narcotics cases this year. The unit is comprised largely of KPS Officers and much of the effectiveness is due to the information being elicited from local people by the KPS. The success in Gnjilane follows the seizure of 7.3 kg of hashish on 31 May from two passengers on a bus entering Kosovo from Albania. Border Police located the drugs in a suitcase and arrested two persons. UNMIK Police will be increasing and focusing resources directed at the drug trade and organized crime throughout Kosovo. Formation of Police Air Support UNMIK Police have formed an Aviation Support Unit to provide
operational support to police throughout Kosovo. The unit,
consisting of a BELL 212 helicopter, and an MI8 helicopter, will be based
at Pristina airport. The BELL has been fitted with specialized equipment
including infrared vision enhancement, cameras, spotlights and a public
address system. The police helicopter carries a crew of 2 pilots and
up to 8 passengers. With 5 pilots attached to the unit it will be
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as needed by officers. With
a crew on standby at the base the helicopter can be in the air within 5
minutes of an officer requesting its support and can respond to any
location within Kosovo within 20 minutes. It is capable of full radio
contact with any ground unit to enable full use of its abilities.
UNMIK Police will be using the helicopter for general patrol,
surveillance, transport of specialist assistance to crime scenes,
interdiction of smuggling, emerging response and in support of police
ground units in any way that its abilities will allow. This is an
asset that will enhance the effectiveness of every officer throughout
Kosovo and it is another indication of UNMIK Police to providing Kosovo
with a professional police service. FYROM The situation in fYROM remains tense and as reported fighting has been ongoing over the weekend. UNHCR remains concerned about the lack of access to the areas where the civilian population have been trapped. After the majority of civilians seem to have left Matejce and Vaksince, Slupcane and Lipkovo appear to be the only villages still hosting a significant number of civilians. The situation in Nikustak and Vistica remains unclear since international observers have not been able to visit the area recently. UNHCR is working closely together with other international organisations to reach out to the needy. UNHCR Kosovo has registered close to 11,000 displaced people from fYROM in the month of May alone, making the total number of displaced since fighting started in February to over 20,000 people. In fYROM alone on Friday close to 16,000 people were registered by the MRC as internally displaced. In fYROM, Kosovo and southern Serbia the total number of displaced is now approximately 40,000 people. Preshevë/Preševo Valley The return of the VJ troops on 31 May into the final Sector B central went in a correct and smooth manner. No incidents nor casualties were reported in connection to the VJ return. The UCPMB has demilitarized and the Yugoslav Army (VJ) has now returned to all areas of the Ground Safety Zone Over the past days the number of arrivals from Preshevë/Preševo Valley has been insignificant. UNHCR has noticed more people returning than leaving the area. During the month of May over 8000 people were displaced from the area. Over the past days UNHCR/ICRC estimate that around 2000 have returned to their home towns. Eight families have returned over the last week to Mali Trnovac, other people have begun to trickle back to Breznica and Muhovac. This trend, particularly among populations that recently fled to Kosovo, is likely to continue if the situation remains calm. Interest is also growing regarding return of IDPs to the scattered villages in the mountainous region west of Presevo known as Karadak. The majority of Albanians of this region, which comprises 12 relatively small villages, fled when the VJ withdrew from Kosovo in 1999. UNHCR has highly appreciated the efforts of the Federal and Republican government as well as Albanian leaders in striving to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in the area. Dialogue and negotiation were key elements of success in this phase of the resolution of the crisis. UNHCR however, again emphasizes that the phased and conditioned return of government forces into the GSZ must include expeditious implementation, by the Federal and Republican government, of confidence building measures, promised long time ago, among which the creation of a multi-ethnic Police force is the first priority. Therefore, UNHCR encourages the Co-ordination Body to accelerate implementation of such measures. The joint UN Office in Vranje should open its doors on 4 June. Present will be UNDP, UNHCR, OCHA, UNHCHR, and UNICEF. This office will hopefully help coordinate the multitude of infrastructure initiatives underway in Presevo and Bujanovac. Visit of UNHCR's High Commissioner Ruud Lubbers The HC will visit Kosovo on 8 June. More details on the schedule will follow. Questions: Q: Susan, why did it take so long for Mr. Haekkerup to decide that
Kosovo needs an anti-terrorism law? What fed his skepticism or his
reluctance to put it forward sooner than it was? Q: I believe it was a demarche from New York that made this process go faster. Apparently the QUINT was not happy with the way the anti-terrorism law was being handled by Mr. Haekkerup. SM: I am not familiar with that.
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