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UNMIK-OSCE-UNHCR-EU Press Briefing, 21 June 2001 UN Spokeswoman Susan Manuel UN Spokeswoman Susan Manuel Translation Services Regarding the article in Koha Ditore yesterday on the lack of translation services here at the press briefings, yes, this has been our failing. We did bring an Albanian interpreter here for a few days after the last request from RTK, however not regarding the article on the lack of translation, written by Mr. Syla in Koha Ditore, I think he is right and this is one used her. So we are starting again today. She is sitting there. We have been looking into the use of simultaneous translation in this room for some time. It is quite expensive. An alternative might be to move the briefings to room C301, but then many of the non- journalists could not attend. SRSG SRSG Hans Haekkerup today meets with the Danish Crown Prince Frederick… Security Council The UN Security Council has published the report on its mission. Among its findings, the Council noted that "UNMIK has made considerable progress in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1244 in the two years since its establishment although there remains a lot to be done." The mission was left with no doubt that strong reservations exist, not the least in Belgrade, about the difficulties involved in taking forward elections in Kosovo on the basis of the constitutional framework. It also recognizes that the status quo is unacceptable and that a political process has to be taken forward in accordance with 1244. It considered the Constitutional Framework an important step in the implementation of 1244. The mission underlined that elections will enhance the democratic
process in Kosovo and the stability of the region and stressed that secure
conditions for elections should be ensured…The participation of all
communities in the elections, the return of refugees and IDP's and their
participation in elections should be encouraged. The current political
process is crucial to combat extremism and encouraging moderates on all
sides. Key to the success of this process is the active engagement and
participation of all communities. The mission believe UNMIK must continue and enhance its dialog with the FRY authorities whose influence in Kosovo is key to implementation of the resolution. Housing Issues From the Housing and Property Directorate: on June 13, the HPD executed its first two cases of evictions in Kosovo. HPD carried out both evictions in the Oblici with assistance of UNMIK police and KFOR. Both apartments were allocated by HPD to families in humanitarian need of temporary accommodation. Fire Station We are happy to announce that the fire fighters of KLINA have decided to name their fire house after UNMIK Fire Chief Robert Triozzi, who recent left that position which he has held for nearly two years. In July 1999 Triozzi put together a small team of international fire-fighters to work with the Kosovo fire department. The Kosovars were 285 men who were fighting fires in street cloths, with little or no training and with 10 years off the job. They had 15 very old trucks which barely function. There were many fires in the early days of the mission, usually arson committed in revenge. Triozzi created a single-Kosovo wide fire department with the objective of keeping it multiethnic and cost-effective. The design for the Kosovo Fire Department insignia was agreed upon by both Serbs and Albanians and worn with pride by both groups. The design is based on the Maltese Cross worn by the knights of Malta during the Crusades who, historically, were the world's first "Rescue Unit" performing rescues and giving first aid to knights wounded in battle, especially those suffering from burns. The success and multi-ethnic character of the force was most evident in the Kosovo FD participation at the World Extrication Championships held in South Africa. The Kosovo Rescue Team was comprised of 4 Albanians and 2 Serbs and beat seasoned teams from Spain, Scotland, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Police Report From the police: There have been five murders in the past three days: At 4 a.m. this morning, a man named Hamit Musliu was hilled by gunfire on Drenica street in Pristina. One Kosovo Albanian man was shot and killed yesterday while three others were shot and injured after an altercation with a fifth man, who fled the scene. This took place in Smira village, near Vitina. In Grizime Village, Kamenica, a Kosovo Serb man was found shot to death yesterday in his vehicle which was parked a long a roadway. Three suspects are in custody. Another Serb in the same car apparently suffered a heart attack and was taken to Bondsteel. Yesterday the last living Serb in Maticane, Alexander Todorovic, aged 70, was shot in the stomach while watching TV in his house. He is currently in critical condition in Pristina Hospital under UNMIK Police guard. Kosovo Judicial System Regarding recent articles on the alleged bias in the Kosovo judiciary, I would like to say the following: The Kosovo judiciary is young and developing and increasingly professional. It has moved a long ways towards approaching international standards. Most of the judiciary personnel have come from an entirely different system and legal culture. Last year we added 12 international judges and several prosecutors to ensure fairness in trials of an ethnic nature or those involving organized crime, as clearly the Albanian judiciary was not able to act objectively without fear of retribution. This system has resulted in a series of verdicts for defendants who were often held in detention for far too long. The verdicts were rendered by panels of international and local judges. The accusations of bias against these panels are completely unfounded. The judges in question come from various countries and are completely professional and independent. Regarding the recent stories in the Guardian and BBC criticizing two recent cases, no named sources were quoted, leading one to question whether they actually exist. I have spoken with one of the international judges on the Stanojevic case, who was not interviewed: " I can assure you that every proper judicial deliberation, including ours, inevitably involves discussion on all relevant facts to determine whether or not there are sufficient grounds to find the accused guilty. If this is not done, it is not a fair trial. It should and must be done; that is what the burden of proof and presumption of innocence is all about. I can tell you that in our Racak case, we spent 10 hours in deliberation to meticulously analyse and assess all pieces of evidence presented, before we came to the decision. She went on to say, " I can assure you that there were no procedural errors made in the trial. The case was decided by three judge panel and the prosecutor, including three internationals without bias and without any fear of or involvement in politics." Education News Conference The Department of Education and Science and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is starting a teacher training programme called the Kosovo Educator Development Programme. The formal announcement would be made at a press conference today at 1800 hrs at the Canadian Liaison Office, Dragodan, Pristina. Claire Trevena DSRSG in Belgrade Ambassador Everts is today in Belgrade for a series of meetings with political leaders. The main focus of his talks will be encouraging political parties to certify with the OSCE so they can take part in elections if they want. He'll also be meeting with President Kostunica. Party Certification The political party certification process begins tomorrow. Political parties, coalitions, citizens initiatives and independent candidates have to certify with the OSCE in order to run in the election. They have to submit 1,000 signatures from people eligible to vote - unless they got at least 1,000 votes in the municipal election. They also have to make a deposit of 2,000 DM. Help desks for political parties will be open from tomorrow at OSCE political party services centres. CEC The Central Election Committee meets again next Wednesday. The main issues on its agenda will be elections issues involving the media - including requirements to carry voter information material. Strategy for Justice As part of that the OSCE's legal systems monitoring division has issued what it calls a "strategy for justice." It is a follow up from the 6th monthly report on the legal system in Kosovo and outlines ways to further improve Kosovo's judicial system, working with the Department of Judicial Affairs. It includes setting up co-ordinating groups - including the UN JIAS departments and other agencies -- on policy and development which would provide oversight and guidance. It also looks at the way legislative initiatives concerning criminal justice are promulgated. This covers issues from translation to consultation. The recommendations also look at the administrative side of the justice system. There's a press release on this outside and if you want a copy of the report just contact the OSCE Press Office. Youth Congress The Kosovo Police Services School is next week hosting a Kosovo Youth Congress. Participants from all over Kosovo and representing several
different The OSCE run police school is delighted to be hosting the event. As you
know, OSCE International and local staff from the school are organising
a There's going to be a press conference ahead of the opening of the Congress here on Monday, after the regular press conference. The media will be invited to the opening and closing ceremonies on Tuesday and Thursday. And there will be a press conference on the congress this coming Monday after the regular UN Briefing. UNHCR Spokeswoman Astrid Van Genderen Stort World Refugee Day On 20 June The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees hailed the World's First Refugee day and urged decision makers to do more to preserve the institution of asylum and give financial backing for refugee programmes world-wide. "This is very timely," High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers said. "The system for supporting refugees is under unprecedented strain. I just hope that all the impressive grassroots efforts to highlight World Refugee Day will translate into more political and financial support." Plagued by funding shortages, the UN refugee agency has been forced to reduce staff and cut programmes around the world. The austerity measures have affected refugee programmes from Africa to Central Asia to the Caucasus and South America. "Refugees are resourceful people, survivors - but they still need considerable help from the international community," said Lubbers. "Helping them and protecting them is a moral and legal obligation, rather than an optional act of charity," he added. The decision to nominate 20 June as World Refugee Day was made on 4 December last year in a resolution adopted unanimously by the UN General Assembly. The theme of the first World Refugee Day is RESPECT - respect for refugees themselves and recognition of the positive contribution so many of them make to their host societies; and Respect for the 1951 Refugee Convention, the bedrock of the international system for protecting refugees, which has its 50th anniversary this year. So far, a total of 140 countries have ratified this convention and/or its 1967 Protocol. UNHCR currently cares for some 21 million refugees, internally displaced people, stateless people and others groups considered of concern to the agency. FYROM update UNHCR remains highly concerned about the situation of the fYROM civilians, both in displacement and caught in the conflict situation. The number of refugees has reached nearly 50,000 people in Kosovo alone, all hosted in host families but in obvious need of assistance. Over the past few days, while the number of refugees crossing in particular Blace border decreased, UNHCR fyROM informed us that women and children without the proper documentation were barred from crossing the official border crossing. Previously, during the past ten days, this policy was only directed at male without proper documentation. Some of the refugees that arrived recently reported shooting incidents in Skopje town. The conflict in fYROM since February has led over 53,000 refugees to flee north across the border into Serbia/Kosovo (Kosovo 49,500, southern Serbia several thousands). In addition, an estimated 30,000 people from all ethnic background are displaced inside Macedonia. The majority of refugees are Albanians, but an increasing number of Muslim Slavs and RAE have arrived in Kosovo as well as Macedonians, Serbs and Muslim Slavs in Serbia, many on transit to other places. SE briefs KTC On World Refugee Day in a session of the Kosovo Transition Council, UNHCR's Special Envoy Mr. Eric Morris in detail expanded on the present situation and the assistance provided to the refugees. He expressed his gratitude for the support offered by the local population and mentioned his deep appreciation for the reception of the displaced in a human surrounding. "Life in a camp" he said" as many of you experienced yourself, is an awful experience". The Special Envoy informed the participants that in addition to the direct provision of food and non food items as well as medical care by UNHCR, WFP, WHO, ICRC and other organisations on the ground, UNHCR has also put a scheme in place that will provide additional support to the host families (cash grants, building materials). UNHCR is planning for a worse case scenario and in the eventuality that large numbers of refugees arrive, temporary community shelters and additional shelter accommodations will be available for those with nowhere to go. UNHCR's special envoy emphasised that UNHCR focusses on a speedy return of all those displaced by the conflict, including those without the proper documentation, as soon as the circumstances admit. He hailed the readiness of the Macedonian government to allow undocumented refugees to return to their place of origin, when time permits. Returns from Kosovo to southern Serbia An increased number of displaced people from Presevo Valley has been reported returning from Kosovo to their homes. Most of the 3,000 to 4,000 villagers who fled their homes in the GSZ anxious of VJ return on 24 May have now returned. In Presevo municipality -- of the estimated 2,000 displaced people from the Karadak mountain region, over 300 have returned. People began returning also to villages in Bujanovac and Medvedja
municipalities, after nearly 2 years since they fled their homes. UNHCR is
organizing go-see visits to facilitate dialogue between the displaced
Albanians and Serbian municipal authorities and also looking into
providing housing repair assistance to hundreds of houses that have been
affected during the Kosovo war. The total of arrivals from fYROM since 3 May including those that
arrived during Feb/March/April and have not yet returned: approx.
48,701 assuming that the Feb/March/April caseload is
approx.9000) As you can see I am not Mike Todd, but I am standing in for him today as spokesperson. Mike is in New York this week promoting the European Union's Commitment to Kosovo, in partnership with the United Nations. Andy Bearpark Our Deputy SRSG Andy Bearpark has joined him to explain the role of the EU, in Kosovo's economic development. Mr Bearpark has also been holding meetings with the Swedish Ambassador to the UN Pierre Schori, The European Commission Head of delegation John Richardson and the World Bank. Tax Collection Points Tax collection points are up and running on the Administrative Boundary Line with Serbia proper. These include Gate Hen near Zubin Potok, Gate One near Lesak, Gate Three near Podujevo and Gate Five near Gjiliane. Over the past week More than 8 Mill DM was raised at these points and the other points around the perimeter of Kosovo. Serbian Sales Tax Exemption The federal committee for cooperation with UNMIK lead by Mr Trajkovic has put forward proposals to exempt goods consumed in Kosovo, originating in Serbia, from Serbian sales tax. We have neither agreed nor disagreed to what Mr Trajkovic has put forward - we will issue a comprehensive response soon. VAT We are approaching the final week for businesses to register for a VAT identification code. The deadline for registration is Friday 29th June. The Tax administration is holding a second round of VAT seminars on this issue. Without this identification number businesses will not be able to import into Kosovo or trade within FRY. Stability Pact As most of you know, Mr Bodo Hombach, Special Coordinator for the Stability Pact visited Kosovo on Tuesday and Wednesday. He held talks with representatives from the CFA, DOR, DTI and World Bank. The main purpose of his visit was to work with the EU pillar in the economic development of Kosovo by facilitating regional trade relations. KEK and disconnecting people for non-payment of bills? KEK is coming under increasing pressure from the donor community, who are dissatisfied with their revenue collection rate. The basic problem is that not enough people are paying for their electricity. Several donors have said that unless the situation improves, they will reduce their contributions towards the electricity distribution entity. To try and address this issue, KEK will be disconnecting customers who have not paid their bills. This policy is being carried out during the warmer weather so as not to cause severe disruption to the population. Department of Reconstruction The co-heads of the Department of Reconstruction, Roy Dickinson and Mehmet Hajrizi have made a landmark visit to the municipality of Leposavic in Northern Kosovo. Here they held meetings with the President and Vice President of the Municipality, to discuss reconstruction and economic development needs in the area, as well as the prospect for co-operation between the department and donors. (The municipality underlined the need for infrastructure development and creating more employment opportunities through Private sector development. Significant investments made by donors and Belgian Cimic in the municipality were acknowledged. The department of reconstruction has agreed to look at ways to re-establish traditional markets for products produced in the municipality. They are also looking at ways to make credit facilities easier to access. The municipality expressed concerns about lack of funding and the often bureaucratic and lengthy donor procedure to access funds. The DOR acknowledged this as a problem for all municipalities throughout Kosovo as a whole.) Questions: Q: Claire do you agree with what Susan said about the OSCE
report? Q: Do you agree with what Susan said, that the justice system is not as
bad as it was portrayed in the OSCE legal report? Q: I understand that Tome Gashi threated the judges. What can the
judges do in order to not be influenced by threats? Q: But it does it appear that they are bowing to political
pressure. Q: Because it was said that if they found him guilty something might
happen in Kosovo. Q: Claire, do you think the justice system in Kosovo works properly,
and it is good and fair? Q: Have you succeeded in realizing the international standards?
We have heard criticism of the local judges but now we are hearing it
about the international judges as well. Q: Are the political parties from Serbia, specifically the Socialist
and the Democratic parties of Serbia, do they have the right to register
in Kosovo and participate in the Kosovo wide elections? Q: That means the Democratic and Socialist parties from Albania can be
registered here in Kosovo? Q: I asked about the Serb political parties from Belgrade. Q: Do you consider the Serb National Consul to be a political
movement? Q: You said there were 5 murders. Have people been arrested or is
it still under investigation? Q: Yesterday Belgrade Radio B92 quoted Mr.Hombach as saying that Kosovo
would get more aid from the Stability Pact if it were be a part of
Yugoslavia. Are you aware of such a declaration?
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