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UNMIK-UNMIK Police-KFOR- Press Briefing, 04 February 2002
UNMIK Spokesman Simon Haselock
KFOR Spokesman Squadron Leader Daz Slaven
UNMIK Police Spokesman Derek Chappell
Lori Galway, ICTY Outreach Coordinator for Kosovo
UNMIK Spokesperson Simon Haselock
Article in Epoka e Re
Firstly I must say something about the article that appeared in Epoka e Re this morning concerning an allegation. There is a newspaper in England which is known as a Sunday Sport which normally has articles on the front like "London Bus Discovered on The Moon". Well the story that appeared on the front page of Epoka e Re this morning was extremely similar to that sort of article. Apart from it just being funny and ridiculous from that point of view it is also highly dangerous and provocative given what has been going on over the last few days, and particularly in view of the context of the demonstration which is planned for today. This is a sort of journalism which is outrageous, dangerous and highly unprofessional. I am afraid that it is not the first time that this particular newspaper has indulged in such journalism, if that is the right word. Clearly it was crude, clearly it was orchestrated, and clearly it is just not credible. And that is all I have to say on the issue.
The Acting SRSG to continue meetings with political leaders from the Assembly
The Acting SRSG Mr. Brayshaw will be continuing the meetings with political leaders from the Assembly. Today he will be meeting representatives from the Turkish, Roma and Bosniac communities. There are more meetings scheduled for tomorrow but these have yet to be confirmed.
The aim of these meetings is to probe for their political position vis the current state of affairs in the assembly and to understand there current thinking. We are not pressing them on any particular solution the compromise is up to them and this is their business. Nevertheless we are clearly interested in monitoring progress.
IAC
There is an IAC tomorrow and the agenda will be: Security briefing, Returns. IMC, Emergency response and Preparedness.
Disturbances in Dubrava Prison
At approx. 4 p.m. yesterday during the out door recreational time a fight erupted amongst a group of detainees. As a result a number of detainees were injured. 4 have serious stab wounds and have been transferred to the Civilian hospital in Peja/Pec where they have been treated and have remained.
The disturbance was quelled and order restored and a search is continuing for weapons within the prison. No guards were hurt and there is no material damage.
You will be aware that the Milosevic trial starts this month on the 12th. Lori Galway, who is the ICTY Outreach Coordinator for Kosovo will give you some small background on that and answer some questions if you have any.
There will also be a briefing on budget on Thursday by Tony Preston Stanley, head of CFA, along with our briefing.
Before I hand over I would like to draw your attention to the photographs on the wall. This is a small photo exhibition from photographs taken by pour photographer. I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that hopefully either tomorrow or certainly by the next press conference our coffee bar will be open on the corner. You can seethe work being done there so you will be able to stay here, sip coffee and chat to us for longer.
UNMIK Police Spokesman Derek Chappell
Wife Slain in Pristina Bar
A 28 year old K-Albanian man is in custody today following the brutal shooting of his wife in a public café in Pristina last night.
The victim, a 23 year old K-Albanian female had been separated from her husband for several years.
The suspect had repeatedly attempted to have her return to him, without success.
On Sunday, February 3, he invited her to a café in Dardania and, facing rejection, he drew his semi-automatic pistol and shot her twice in the head at close range in the crowded bar.
His wife died and he has been arrested.
Had it not been for this senseless and brutal act I would have reported to you today that Kosovo had experienced almost 3 weeks without a murder.
Acting Police Commissioner
Following the departure of Police Commissioner Christopher Albiston last
Thursday, Deputy Commissioner Adalbert Gross will be assuming command
of UNMIK Police until a new Commissioner is appointed.
We are sad to see Mr Albiston leave for personal and professional reasons,
but the lack of an immediate successor in no way affects the functioning
of our organization.
As the executive officer in charge of UNMIK Police operations Mr Gross
has been responsible for the direction and management of police activity
across the regions, and has been Commissioner Albiston's designated deputy.
He is the best possible person to ensure that there is no interruption
in our ongoing initiatives during this period of transition.
January Crime Report
The monthly crime report for January is a clear reflection of the stabilisation of crime in Kosovo and the improving detection rates.
December January Arrests
Murder 08 07 02
Attempt Murder 14 17 16
Kidnapping 12 13 09
Serious Assault 16 21 06
Robbery 38 33 08
During January UNMIK Police arrested 55 persons for major crime activity as compared to 21 in December.
KFOR Spokesman Squadron Leader Daz Slaven
Lori Galway ICTY Outreach Coordinator for Kosovo
In light of last week's developments in relation to the Milosevic Indictments, I wanted to take the opportunity to explain exactly what has happened in relation to the trial of Slobodan Milosevic at the ICTY.
As you know, the Prosecutor has filed three separate indictments against Milosevic for alleged serious violations of international humanitarian law in Kosovo, Croatia and Bosnia.
Mr. Milosevic faces a total of 66 counts of crimes which fall under the Statute of the Tribunal, namely: grave breaches of the 1949 Geneva Conventions; violations of the laws or customs of war; genocide; and crimes against humanity
As brief background:
On 27 November 2001, the Prosecutor filed a motion with the Trial Chamber (which is hearing the case) to join the three Indictments.
In response to this motion, as well as submissions of the accused and
the Amici Curiae, the Trial Chamber issued a written order on 13 December
(based on oral decision of 11 December) that:
· the Croatia and Bosnia Indictments be joined;
· the Kosovo Indictment would be tried separately first, beginning
on 12 February 2002;
the Croatia and Bosnia Indictment would be tried immediately after the
Kosovo Indictment by the same trial Chamber.
What has happened?
Last Friday (01 February), the Appeals Chamber of the Tribunal overturned this decision and ordered the following:
· The three Indictments against Slobodan Milosevic which relate
to alleged serious violations of international humanitarian law in Kosovo,
Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina shall be tried together in one trial;
· That for the purposes of that Trial, the three Indictments shall
be considered as one Indictment and the case given a single case number;
· Unless the Trial Chamber decides otherwise, the trial shall begin
on 12 February 2002 with evidence relevant only to the charges related
to Kosovo being adduced until it becomes appropriate to adduce evidence
relevant to the charged relating to Croatia and Bosnia;
· That the Prosecution shall make available to the Accused as soon
as possible the material relevant to the charges relating to Croatia and
Bosnia;
· And finally, that the Trial Chamber may, if it decides to do
so, require the Prosecution in its Opening Address to give a general outline
of its case in relation to all three Indictments sufficient to allow the
Trial Chamber to consider any issue of admissibility of evidence which
may arise during the early stages of the trial.
The Appeal Chamber's reasons for this decision will be issued in due course.
Questions:
Q: So Derek, is this newspaper today, is this a part of your investigation?
DC: I think Simon gave the best possible answer to that. It is provocative, it is crude, it has no basis in fact, it is motivated by people that have self-interest at hart, and not the interest of Kosovo itself. This is not a part of any police investigation ….
Q: Why? UNMIK was directly attacked, let's say or has been suspected of doing this job. Why is it not part of the investigation?
DC: Let me take strong exemption to the word you used. You said that UNMIK is suspected. There is not any justification for using that word. This is a totally unsubstantiated allegation, a wild allegation by a newspaper that has a history of being unreliable, and of being provocative and antagonistic towards UNMIK Police.
SH: Sorry, but I don't actually understand your question. You've held up an article which I have already condemned, I don't understand what you are asking the UNMIK Police? Have they done this or that they are investigating the story? I don't understand.
Q: Why is this case not under investigation?
SH: What case? The case of this woman?
Q: Yes.
SH: First of all, I think it is already answered. We have an unidentified woman, identified only by initials, giving a completely uncorroborated statement to a newspaper which has a reputation of being totally unreliable and malicious. If people can bring any more evidence as to who this person is and what here motivations may be, may be there would be the basis for some form of investigation, but at the moment it is merely scandal scuttlebutt and malicious rumour. And I can't see any reasonable justification to take it any further then that.
Q: Speaking of the newspapers, investigations and police. I am interested to know your opinion, Derek, on the front-page article published in Koha Ditore. Can you condemn the article or what is your comment on this article?
DC: Can you identify the article for me please. This is the one alleging the investigation into the woman who was allegedly raped and then attempted to commit suicide?
Q: Yes.
DC: My response to that is that there are substantial flaws in that article. My colleague, Neeraj, who has investigated that on behalf of request from your newspaper and we have in fact shared details of that investigation far beyond what has become public knowledge with you. And the accusations that are made in the paper are not correct, they are based on inaccuracies and falsehoods and I would invite you, I'd welcome you in fact to come to our office and see the actual details that we have of the investigation and I think you might well write a different article in the light of being in possession of the facts.