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UNMIK-KFOR-OSCE-EU-UNMIK Police Press Briefing: 19 April 2001 UNMIK Spokesman Michael Keats UNMIK Spokesman Michael Keats SRSG condemns bomb attack Tax collection centres Security service providers UNMIK Police Spokesman Derek Chappell Pristina Explosion Targets Serbians The Centre for Peace and Tolerance was not the target of the attack. An improvised explosive device was detonated as two vehicles leaving he CPT were travelling along the street. The explosion targeted those vehicles and caused major damage to both. One vehicle, containing five occupants, sustained the direct force of the blast. One of the passengers was killed and the four others sustained injuries. One female occupant received severe head injuries and is still receiving intensive medical care. The three remaining passengers received non-life threatening injuries. All of the victims were Serbian, from the CPT. The deceased has been identified as Aleksander Petrovic. Initial investigation indicates that the explosive device involved approximately 10 kilograms of explosive. Due to damage at the scene, the type of device and nature of detonation has not been determined. Police and KFOR responded to the scene within minutes and sealed off a large area to check for secondary devices, search for additional victims, and secure the crime scene for investigation. A Serbian priest was brought to the scene to comfort the victims and perform the last rites of the deceased. The area is still sealed while forensic experts carry out a detailed examination. A team of 30 police investigators, together with 20 military ones, have been dedicated to this investigation. This attack was carried out in the centre of Pristina, in a densely populated community. It displays a callous and total disregard for their safety. While the explosive was directed against a specific target, heavy damage was caused to a large surrounding area within which hundreds of persons resided. We condemn this attack as an outrage against Kosovo, without regard to ethnicity. We call upon the population to assist us in this inquiry. In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, those responsible fled and must have been noticed by persons in the area. The responsibility for solving this atrocity and preventing similar tragedies is shared between KFOR, the police and the community, who must demonstrate their repudiation of violence. Anyone with information is asked to contact police or KFOR. All information will be treated in confidence. KFOR Spokesman Squadron Leader Roy Brown Announcement about NATO reserve forces exercise in Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania. EU Spokesman Mike Todd Power Situation The Public Utilities Department has reported that KEK has seen an increase in revenue collection for the month of March. An increase of over 10 per cent, with collection rates rising from 9 m DM in January to 10 m DM in March, was noted. This is a particularly encouraging sign of progress for the power sector, which everyone with an interest in the future of Kosovo's energy sector should like to see continue. Water New Co-Head Euro DTI OSCE Spokesperson Claire Trevena Car Bombing Ambassador Everts described it as "another black day for all the people of Kosovo." He added, "Violence like this is aiming to undo any progress we make. But we at the OSCE will not be deterred. We are working to build a democratic future for Kosovo, where there is no place for terror and butchery." The OSCE sends it sympathies to the families of the victims. The statement we issued on this last night, also mentions another attack yesterday - on an OSCE field office in Viti/Vitina. Luckily no one was injured in that. But it is another example of thuggery that is trying to undermine the work of the OSCE and others in the international community. LSMS six month report Questions Q. A lot of witnesses said that the police had arrested someone at the scene of yesterday's bomb blast. DC: We did not arrest anybody for the explosion yesterday. There was some confusion at the scene and that was caused by the fact that immediately after the explosion some of the injured persons from the car got out of the vehicle and obviously in an injured condition they were trying to flee and they were met by the KPS or by civilian Police who attended to them and brought them back to the scene. Of course, they were speaking Serbian with the people who were at the scene after the explosion. There was some confusion, people thought we had arrested somebody there, but that is not the case. They were injured people leaving the scene and we were trying to get them back for medical treatment. Till 9: 30 a.m. today we have no one in custody for this. Q. You said that Centre for Peace and Tolerance (CPT) was not the target of the attack. Do you consider that the Serbs are the victims or it's just an accident? DC: No, of course not. When I said that the CPT was not the target I meant the structure, the building itself was not the target. Yesterday there was some confusion as to whether or not the building itself had been attacked and that, of course, was not the case. This was a very well directed attack against the two vehicles containing people leaving the CPT, but the building itself was not the target. Q. Usually do these people working for the CPT get any kind of help by KFOR. Was KFOR or Police escorting them? DC: The matter as to whether or not a particular individual or group of people received an escort or not is something that is decided in consultation with those people. A security assessment is done and whether or not we provide a secure escort is something that is in response to their perception of security and ours. In this case they were not travelling with an escort. Q. You said there was some 10 kg of explosive. Can you be specific on this? Is this explosive of the same kind as the one used against the FRY representative's residence in Pristina a few months ago or the one in Merdare bus attack? DC: It's far too early in the investigation to be that specific, I'm giving you the information that I have confirmed and I'm able to give to you. As to the similarities, as I said, it's too early in the investigation. As more facts become available and are confirmed, I will release it to you. Q: We've got information that the KFOR has intervened in the northern side of Mitrovica. What have you done? What kind of intervention was made in the northern part of Kosovo? RB: We conducted an operation in the northern part of Kosovo this morning to clear three roadblocks. That operation began at 06 :00 hrs, it was mounted to re-establish freedom of movement, to demonstrate our resolve to maintain freedom of movement for all people of Kosovo and as far as we are concerned that operation was successful and it's effectively over for today. Q. Did you use violence? RB: No, we haven't used violence. In one incident
the KFOR forces that were conducting the removal operation were stoned and
in response to that stoning they did use teargas canisters to disperse the
crowd and I understand that there were some minor injuries suffered by
people in the crowd. DC: On the bus bombing of February 16th most of the facts concerning that case are well known. KFOR and UNMIK Police operation sometime ago resulted in 22 persons being, of which I believe five were held for further investigation. I believe we still have four persons in custody. That is the status of the case. The investigation is ongoing. Q: What can be the reason for the attack on the OSCE field office in Vitina. CT: We don't know. There is a police investigation going on.
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