UNMIK-UNMIK Police-KFOR- Press Briefing, 8 April 2002

UNMIK Spokeswoman Susan Manuel
UNMIK Police Spokesman Derek Chappell
KFOR Spokesman Commander Drew Anderson

UNMIK Spokeswoman Susan Manuel

Susan Manuel read out a statement by SRSG Michael Steiner:

SRSG Michael Steiner said today concerning the recent visit to Kosovo by Albanian Prime Minister Majko:

“Since UNMIK was established in June, 1999, procedures for visits to Kosovo by heads of state, prime ministers, ministers and other high-ranking officials have been in place, and these procedures are consistently followed, in full conformity with the UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

“There have been numerous such high-ranking visits over the past two-and-one-half years.

“Prior to such visits, a formal request is to be submitted to UNMIK or directly to the United Nations headquarters in New York.

“Thereafter, arrangements for the visit—including timing, security and the program—are coordinated between UNMIK and the authorities requesting the visit.

“These procedures were also followed in connection with the visit of Prime Minister Majko, who visited me in my office on 6 April.

“The request for this visit was submitted by the Republic of Albanian through the UN headquarters in New York.

“Therefore, all established procedures were followed, as required.”

Those were the words of SRSG Michael Steiner.

Now, in other news:

Travel documents

UNMIK will soon start issuing Travel Documents for children under 16 years of age. SRSG Michael Steiner recently signed Administrative Direction 2002/6 that enables this.

The date when we would start accepting applications for Travel Documents for children under 16 and the implementation of other procedures set out in the Administrative Direction, would be announced shortly.

The Administrative Direction gives detailed procedure for children to apply for Travel Documents. Children must be accompanied by parents or guardians to a Municipal Civil Registration Center after having been registered as a habitual resident of Kosovo. Parents or guardians must also be registered habitual residents of Kosovo.

Another important provision in the Administrative Direction sets out the guidelines for the correction of personal data on Travel Documents in cases of name change or when Travel Documents contain incorrect personal data.

The Administrative Direction also provides for the processing of cases of lost, stolen or damaged Travel Documents.

You can pick up a copy of the Administrative Direction from our office.

High Level Working Group

Tomorrow SRSG Michael Steiner will host a meeting of the High Level Working Group. This is the working group with the FRY-Serbia Coordination Centre and it will be here at UNMIK Headquarters. SRSG Michael Steiner will give a press briefing afterwards here at 1300 hrs

Egyptian Policeman Indicted

A UNMIK Polceman has been formally indicted by the Pec/Peja District Court for murder and theft. This was the Egyptian policeman who was charged a couple of months ago with the murder of a language assistant. He is now on his way to Austria for medical treatment and surgery. He wounded his hand with a bullet. He will convalesce in an Austrian prison and will return to Kosovo later. He required micro-surgery to his hand and that kind of surgery was not available here.

Andrea Angeli: The only thing is that such medical treatment was not available in Kosovo.

KFOR Spokesman Wing Commander Drew Anderson

Good morning ladies and gentlemen,

Following newspaper reports this morning you are aware that Mr Remi Mustafa was dismissed from the KPC on Wednesday 3 April 2002. At the present time, an appeal is pending this dismissal. The appeal process will take into account all information presented by all parties. Neither KFOR or UNMIK is in a position, therefore, to discuss this matter further until the appeal process has run its course. I would ask, therefore, that you accept this statement in the goodwill that it is offered.

Since our last Press Conference two weeks ago I am glad to report that it has been relatively quiet in the province with few security incidents of note. KFOR has continued with its framework operations in order to maintain the safe and secure environment in Kosovo.

Although things have been quiet we have had a number of high ranking official visits, not least of which was the visit by the Commander-In-Chief Allied Forces South Admiral Johnson. Admiral Johnson had very constructive and meaningful meetings with the SRSG, The President of Kosovo and the Prime Minister of Kosovo. Many things were discussed and Admiral Johnson wished to re-iterate the point that no decisions had been made on the issue of rationalisation and regionalisation of the Balkans forces. Further, he, as did the SRSG, the President and the Prime Minister all voice there continued support to the Weapon Amnesty and urged those still holding illegal weapons to hand them over to the authorities free from prosecution.

As we are all aware on 15 April 2002 we will see the conclusion of the Weapon Amnesty programme. The results have been encouraging and we intend to provide you with the final details of the amnesty when all the information hasbecome available. However, and more importantly, there is still time for those holding illegal weapons to free Kosovo from the chains of its violent past and look forward to the future. More than anyone else children are at risk from illegal weapons and unexploded ordnance. Let us not forget that every weapon removed from circulation can save lives. The Weapon Amnesty will not be extended so take the opportunity presented, “Say No to Weapons” and make a commitment to Kosovo; a commitment to peace and stability that can be enjoyed by all.

In the last 2 weeks, KFOR has carried out a number of search operations and a number of illegal weapons have been confiscated. This task is particularly frustrating, not to mention disappointing for both KFOR and UNMIK-Police, especially during an amnesty period as we would have much preferred the weapons to have been handed over to us willingly. Be that as it may, the following items were removed: 29 rifles, 7 pistols, 151 hand grenades and mines and over 11,300 rounds of ammunition of varying ca libre. Be assured that following the Weapon Amnesty KFOR will continue to target illegal weapons as it is considered one of the primary threats to the safety and security of the province. For those that have not handed their illegal weapons over when you are caught you will be prosecuted according to the current regulations.

UNMIK Police Spokesman Derek Chappell

We are pleased to report that Kosovo has again enjoyed a stable and relatively calm week. No murders were recorded and there have been few ethnically motivated incidents.

Success Against Smuggling

There has been significant success in countering the smuggling of fuel from Montenegro. Criminals have adopted the practice of concealing large fuel cans by strapping them to the underside of vehicles, filling them in Montenegro and driving into Kosovo to avoid customs duty. The amount of fuel is large and represents a loss to the Kosovo government of 400 Euros per ton in lost tax.

At the Kulina Pass last week 6 arrests and 5 seizures were made, amounting to almost 500 litres. Together with more intensive patrolling of the ‘buffer’ zone between the Montenegro border and UNMIK Customs checkpoint, smuggling has been greatly diminished.

Arrests made in Armed Robbery

On the 24th of March, two employees of a petrol station in Kamenica were confronted by two armed men who pointed a handgun at them and demanded cash. The victims handed over the contents of the cash register and the gunmen fled.

Within 24 hours, the Gnjilane Regional Investigations Unit had identified both criminals. A 26 year-old and a 19 year-old, both K-Albanian males, face charges of Armed Robbery.

Suspect Arrested for Attempted Murder

A K-Albanian man has been arrested in the January 11th attack on two brothers in Decani. The two victims were beaten by a gang, hit with sticks, and one was shot in the leg. The criminals fled, leaving the victims seriously injured.

Investigators identified a suspect, who was located and arrested on April 3rd. The 19 year-old K-Albanian man is charged with aggravated assault.

Police arrest 3 for Burglary, Recover Stolen Goods

Police in Gjakova have arrested a three-man burglary gang and have recovered stolen property valued at 100,000 Euros.

Following a burglary of a house on the 4th of April, police identified the suspects and located a vehicle they were using. After a chase, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and ran off. Police then conducted successful searches of several houses in the area they were believed to be hiding.

All three K-Albanian men are now in custody. Jewellery and electronics valued at 100,000 Euro were recovered, along with a small amount of marijuana.

Police Assist with Housing Eviction

On the 4th of April, Housing Department officials conducted an operation in Vucitrn to remove people from illegally occupied houses.

Seven evictions were carried out. UNMIK Police and KPS officers were involved to provide security for the operation. There was no resistance and the evictions were successfully completed. We are ready to assist with further evictions in the future.

Illegal Weapons

The weapons amnesty has one week left to run. Two cases this week highlight dangers posed by illegal weapons in private homes.

On the 3rd of April, in a village near Stimle, a land dispute involving 8 K-Albanian members of one family turned violent. Two cousins exchanged gunfire and both were seriously injured. Police have made one arrest and recovered an AK-47.

Yesterday, the 7th, a 52 year-old K-Albanian man died in Peja as a result of a trivial argument. The victim and another man were involved in a dispute when the suspect obtained an AK-47 from his room and used it to kill the victim.

How many more times do we have to deliver the message that weapons of war have no place in a civilised society.

Questions

Q: For UNMIK and KFOR. Do you have any other reasons that you have not announced for the dismissal of Mr. Mustafa?

SM: At this moment basically we are saying that he broke the terms of his suspension. He had previously been suspended. The case is on appeal, so we are not going to go into the details of either the appeal or the dismissal at this point.

DA: I have nothing more to add to what Susan says.

SM: It’s really a personnel matter. It’s not something to be publicly aired at this point.

Q: Who filed the appeal in Mr. Mustafa’s case. He himself or the KPC headquarters? And why did the dismissal take place?

DA: As Susan has already said, we can’t discuss the issues of the dismissal because it’s currently on appeal. As I understand, the appeal process or the actual reply to the dismissal has come through the KPC headquarters.

Q: (inaudible, but was about the High Level Working Group)

SM: It’s a rather full agenda, it includes returns, vehicle registration, implementation of the agreement on transfer of prisoners, basically a wide-ranging agenda.