UNMIK/PR/875
Monday 25 November 2002

SRSG Michael Steiner’s press conference following the signing of an Administrative Direction putting northern Mitrovica under UNMIK administrative control

· Today, northern Mitrovica has left the grey zone.

· Just signed Administrative Direction that brings legitimacy to northern Mitrovica.

· Mitrovica has, as you know an UNMIK Municipal Administrator John Rogers.

· Under his authority I established today the UNMIK Administration –Mitrovica.

· The office will be headed by: Ramesh Abhishek, who is deputy to the Municipal Administrator – He will have a staff of about 120 people.

· The UNMIK Administration - Mitrovica will be the sole structure providing all local government services in the northern part of Mitrovica.

· There will be 2 locations – Kolasinska 38 , now vacated, and this office which had so far been the Community Office and which has ceased to exist.

· The doors will open to the residents of Mitrovica.

***

· After three years and five months UNMIK has established its authority throughout Kosovo.

· We’ve traveled a long and sometimes painful road to this point.

· Since the arrival of UNMIK and KFOR, Mitrovica has had more than its fair share of violence.

· In 1999, KFOR troops had to lay barbed wire across the bridge over the Ibar.

· This was also when the so-called bridge watchers formed.

· In early 2000, a rocket killed 3 Serbs on a Mitrovica bus. The next day a grenade thrown into a café in northern Mitrovica injured 17 people.

· These attacks sparked a rampage that killed 8 people.

· As late as this April 22, UNMIK Police officers were badly injured in mob violence.

· Between these violent episodes, the north of Mitrovica has been a bleak place.

· Young people have been without jobs and without a future. There has been no chance of investment.

· Today the grey zone is behind us. Things from today in Mitrovica will be done legally and in daylight.

· This is the result of a deliberate policy that we have been advancing, step-by-step, for months.

· And I have to say that Belgrade has been helpful in this approach.

· This marks a decisive step in extending benefits of public services and law and order to all the people of Kosovo.

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· You remember that only last month I promised to do my part in making Mitrovica a normal European town.

· A secure town with a functioning administration and economic prospects.

· I promised to replace fear with trust and confidence through the Seven-Point plan.

· As I said, Mitrovica was at a crossroads and needed to choose which way.

· You remember, voters in north Mitrovica didn’t vote – perhaps they got confusing signals.

· Therefore northern Mitrovica has no legitimate representatives.

· And therefore we had to act to fill the vacuum.

· Mitrovica will now be under the direct administration of UNMIK.

· To get the views and concerns of Mitrovica residents, the Municipal Administrator will set up an advisory board.

· And what I said in the beginning of October is still valid.

· There will be no incursion from the South.

· UNMIK Police and KFOR will be watching the bridge.

· Let me make it clear: UNMIK Police and KPS supported by KFOR are the only legitimate security presence.

· Serbs from northern Mitrovica have started to join KPS. KPS Will provide full-time policing here.

· They will tackle traffic problems and petty crime. They will confront the bullies – they will bring order to northern Mitrovica.

· Let me also say a word on the economy.

· You all know we need to reinvigorate the economy in northern Mitrovica.

· Now investors and donors will feel free to look at opportunities there - we will encourage that.

· The EU liaison office will come to Mitrovica – will come to the north. And there will be jobs.

· The Kosovo Trust Agency will begin moving this week to Mitrovica.

· Its work is key to Kosovo’s future prosperity and it will also hire over a hundred local staff.

· Decentralisation will also follow once Mitrovica has full democratic representation.

· Let me conclude. I promised to bring legitimacy to northern Mitrovica and I have delivered today.

· The UNMIK Administration – Mitrovica is now being established.

· The people of Mitrovica should grasp this opportunity.

· The 25th of November starts a new chapter for Mitrovica: And for Kosovo