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UNMIK-KFOR-UNMIK Police-UNHCR Press Briefing: 6 August 2001 UNMIK Spokesman Simon Haselock UNMIK Spokesman Simon Haselock Covic visit We welcome the fact that he again strongly encouraged Serbs to register for the election and we also think that he remarks on the need for all to work together to provide more information on the fate of all missing persons from across all communities and we note particularly what he said about the FRY Government helping with information on missing Kosovo Albanians. Some of you will be aware that door to door distribution of the guide to the Constitutional Framework has begun. Copies in Albanian and Serbian are available if you wish. We have also produced a version of the full text in Turkish language, which has not yet come back from the printers. KFOR Spokesman Squadron Leader Roy Brown Just a couple of points this morning as it has, again, been a quiet week in Kosovo with most people taking the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine in a safe and secure environment and only road traffic accidents hindering freedom of movement. Killing of Serbian MUP officers Firstly a comment on the killing of two MUP officers and wounding of two more near the village of Muhovac, on Friday night. This attack serves only to de-stabilize the good progress that has been made in the region and KFOR roundly condemns it. KFOR takes this development very seriously and hopes it is not witnessing a resurgence of ethnic violence in the GSZ. Although there is no indication that this attack was directed from Kosovo, KFOR will do all it can, within Kosovo, to prevent that happening. The return of displaced Albanians to the Presevo valley is progressing well, so far, and we will not allow that process to be de-railed. Operations on FYROM border We have continued our framework operations this week with the main effort again being focussed on the FYROM border and the interdiction of NLA supply routes. Some 10 suspected members of the NLA have been detained, including three suspected of involvement in extortion. Eight individuals were detained after having illegally crossed into Kosovo from Albania, while a number of others have been forced to turn back as a result of the vigilance of KFOR patrols. The mule train, of 19 animals, stopped last week resulted in the seizure of almost 15,000 rounds of ammunition, clothing and other stores that we believe was destined for the NLA. Four individuals have been detained for illegal weapons possession and a number of others arrested by UNMIK-Police, throughout Kosovo, as a result of joint operations with KFOR soldiers. Five burglars were arrested last night, when they were discovered trying to force their way into a bar in Decani. KPC On Wednesday, KFOR initiated a recall of all active KPC members. The recall was well executed and saw a distinct improvement in administration and reporting over previous recalls. An average absentee rate of just 3.3 percent was recorded across all of the KPC units and Regional task groups. This week, Regional Task Group 5 will hold a leadership development course adjacent to Batclava lake. The course, aimed at providing mentally challenging and physically demanding tasks, will involve 30 members of the KPC working alongside 30 members of British KFOR, and will include map reading, daily fitness training, medical first aid and initiative tests. The KPC press briefing that was planned for this afternoon at Batlava, has been postponed and will now take place later in the week. General Ceku has been invited to attend. Details will be provided later and journalists wishing to attend this event should contact Major David Reynolds at. Multinational Brigade Centre. MNB-C Open Day Tomorrow the Multinational Brigade Centre medical unit is holding an open day at Harden Lines, on the road to Kosovo Polje. There will displays of medical capability and equipment, hopefully including two Medevac helicopters. Media are invited to attend. Again please contact the press office at Multinational Brigade Centre. Railway Tunnel On Thursday, COMKFOR, Lieutenant General Thorstein Skiaker will officially open the railway tunnel near Gate One, north of Lesak. KFOR has funded and organized the works on this, one of the major infrastructure projects carried out during KFOR 5's time here. Members of the media are cordially invited to attend this event and transport, which we encourage you to use, will be provided; departing from here at 12.30 pm and returning at approximately 18.30 hrs. UNMIK Police Spokesperson Derek Chappell Stealing from Children The hope of the international community, from the moment we entered Kosovo, was to offer its people the opportunity to create their own future. Increasingly, that future is being stolen from within by criminals who victimize their neighbours and friends. Within four days last week UNMIK Police received reports of five schools that had been the target of burglars. On the 1st August a well organized gang tricked the security guard on duty at the Economic School into allowing them access. Once inside, the guard was overpowered and tied up. The thieves emptied the contents of the school safe, escaping with a substantial sum of money. On the 2nd August a primary school in the village of Petrovo Selo, Prizren area, was attacked by criminals who stole the schools computer. The Director of the Veliki Belachevaz secondary school in Kosovo Polje called police to his school on the 3rd August to report that it had been broken into. The door had been broken and protective bars had been cut. Eleven computers were stolen, valued at about 10,000 DM. The same night thieves had also attempted to break into a school in Orahovac, presumably to steal computers and supplies. On 4th August some persons entered a school in Urosevac and stole science equipment, including microscopes and cassettes. Not only schools are victimized. On the night of 3 August in Gnjilane,
the Ambulance Centre was broken into by a gang who tied up the staff and
emptied the safe. Mitrovice Last week we reported on the successful introduction of vehicle
checkpoints into North Mitrovice. These have continued throughout last
week, with a continuation of support from residents. Initially, these
checkpoints were set up at fixed points on major roads near the Police
Station. Encouraged by their public acceptance we are now operating mobile
traffic checks that are being established throughout the North Mitrovice
region. Again, we are being supported by the vast majority of the
motorists whom we check, who realize the importance of accepting civil law
enforcement for their own
safety. UNMIK Police have had a successful week in terms of finding illegal weapons. On 3rd August, in the Vitina region, a search with KFOR resulted in the arrest of four K Albanian males in the village of Ramnik. Seized were six firearms and ammunition. Police also seized the truck belonging to one of the suspects. On 2nd August in Drobesh village a house search recovered an AK 47 and ammunition whilst in Sadovina village a similar search found an MP 40 rifle. In both cases the K Albanian male owners were arrested and placed in detention. In Kacanik and Vitina towns a joint police/KFOR search of seven houses
led to the discovery of 13 firearms and ammunition. A total of ten K
Albanian males were arrested. These 16 arrests represent only two days
police activity in one region alone, Gnjilane. These cases should put the
owners of illegal weapons on notice that they could be next.
Whilst conducting checks of vehicles crossing from Albania into Kosovo at the Vrbnica border crossing on August 1, UNMIK Police stopped a minivan with Albanian license plates. The van contained seven males who were questioned and searched. A hand grenade was found in the bag of one male. Further examination disclosed 3 more hand grenades, a quantity of ammunition and camouflage clothing. The six K Albanian and one Macedonian males were arrested. It is believed that all were destined for FYROM. Grenade Attack Targets Serbs At 11:00 PM on Sunday, August 5, police were called to the village of Cernica, in the Gnjilane region. A hand grenade had been thrown at a group of people behind the village church. Five persons were injured. All are K-Serbian. Two victims, a male and a female, were transported to Camp Bondsteel for treatment. UNMIK Police is investigating the circumstances of the incident. Police/KFOR Arrest Armed Criminal Gang Just before midnight last night, the 5th of August, an UNMIK Police patrol surprised a large armed group attempting to break into a shop, in the center of Decani. The gang broke the door of the shop, gained entry and began to loot the contents. KFOR were called to assist and arrived quickly. UNMIK Police and KFOR arrested the looters, who violently resisted. At least one suspect produced a handgun and threatened police. KPS, KFOR and UNMIK Police disarmed the male and overpowered the gang. Five K-Albanian males have been arrested. Some of the suspects were taken to hospital for treatment of injuries received in fighting the police and KFOR. Illegal Pharmacies Shut Down UNMIK Police have been providing assistance to the Kosovo Drugs Regulatory Agency in the past week to close down illegal pharmacies. There is now a procedure by which pharmacies must apply to the KDRA for a license to conduct business. Letters of warning are being sent to pharmacies to inform them of the need to register and obtain proper licenses. Inspectors from the KDRA will be visiting pharmacies and closing down those that operate without licenses. The Police are present only to ensure that these inspections and closures are conducted peacefully. It is a criminal offence to operate a retail pharmacy business anywhere in Kosovo without a license. All pharmacies are urged to apply now for proper licensing. Safe Sex A K-Albanian male learned a hard lesson on Saturday night in Gllogovc. As he entertained his girl friend in the back seat of his parked car at a remote location, an enterprising thief opened the front door of his car and stole his trousers containing his wallet and cash. The surprised victim gave chase through the forest, presumably naked, but could not catch the suspect. UNMIK Police would like to highlight the need for SAFE SEX, which includes locking your car door. Overview Looking back on the past week, there was no murder reported as against one in the week before. Four kidnappings were reported as compared to three in the previous week. Cases of arsons remained at the last week's level of five. Across Kosovo, 122 persons were arrested, the majority being in
Gnjilane, Pec and Prizren. 8 persons were arrested for outstanding major
crimes like murder, kidnapping and attempted rape. UNHCR Spokeswoman Astrid van Genderen
Stort Total Number of Arrivals Since the Beginning of the
Conflict: 78,026 Estimated number of returnees approximately 22,437 Estimated Total remaining 55,589 Overall situation. While the number of returnees continues to exceed the number of arrivals into Kosovo, the arrivals are still significant. During the first week of August, more than 600 people arrived in Kosovo while approximately 2,500 returned. Confusion amongst the population will continue to be there until a final agreement is reached between the negotiating parties. UNHCR's field teams reported new arrivals, this time even from as far as Ohrid, where the negotiations are being held. Apparently the tension between the different ethnic communities, prompted some families to leave for Kosovo and await the outcome here. The Special Envoy has continued to visit ethnic Albanian, mixed and ethnic Macedonian communities in FYRoM. On Friday, 3 August he visited the village of Slatino in FYROM, close to Tetovo, which used to have a predominantly Albanian population with a minority of 39 ethnic Macedonians. The local officials expressed their willingness to welcome the minority group back. Inhabitants from Aracinovo/Haracina continue, in limited numbers, to return to the village. UNHCR field teams are present in the village on a daily basis. While a large number of ethnic Albanian former citizens returned, the majority of the ethnic Macedonians of Slavic origin still seem hesitant to return. Some have, however, returned or are present in the village during the day to make their return feasible. UNHCR is particularly emphasising that return of the latter is absolutely necessary to enable progress to be made towards peace and peaceful reconciliation. Several organisations are working in the village focussing on the repair of basic items such as electricity and water in order to create conditions for the return of the whole population. Shelter assessments are being done and shelter assistance is being provided for those who need it. Incident in Southern Serbia UNHCR strongly condemns the attack on a police post in southern Serbia, near the Kosovo boundary. Two officers were gunned down and another two severely wounded when a police post in Muhovac, Bujanovac municipality, was attacked late Friday by unknown assailants. In a statement on Saturday, Eric Morris strongly condemned this act of violence, which threatens to undermine the hard won stability in the Presevo valley. "This is a cowardly act which does not serve the people of southern Serbia, many of whom have finally been able to return to their homes after nearly two years of displacement in Kosovo. We have been working extensively with the Albanian villagers, Serb authorities and the international community to create conditions for safe and sustainable return of displaced people in the Presevo valley." An estimated 15,000 people fled the municipalities of Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac in southern Serbia since the 1999 NATO air strikes. Many fled when tension rose in November 2000 between the Albanian rebels (UCPMB) and the Yugoslav forces along the former ground safety zone. Over 5,000 displaced people have returned to the region since peace was restored in June following a NATO brokered peace agreement and the subsequent peaceful re-entry of the Yugoslav army to the former ground safety zone. UNHCR is concerned that the incident puts a damper on its return efforts. Since July, the refugee agency has assisted more than 1,000 villagers to return to their hamlets in Bujanovac and Presevo municipalities in twice-weekly convoys. UNHCR continues to advocate the return of all ethnic communities to their homes in a safe and dignified manner. The return of the ethnic Albanian community to southern Serbia has been identified as a success story as Serbia turned out to be the first country in the region that warmly welcomed back large numbers of the ethnic Albanian minority group. In addition to the return of ethnic Albanians to both Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, UNHCR continues to focus on the return of all others, in particular, minority communities to their homes in Kosovo, as is their fundamental right, as laid out in Security Council Resolution 1244 and the Constitutional Framework. No Questions Today
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