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UNMIK-UNMIK Police-KFOR-OSCE Press Briefing, 9 January 2002 UNMIK Spokeswoman Susan Manuel
Kosovo Assembly The Acting SRSG Charles Brayshaw has issued a statement on tomorrow's Assembly session: In part, he said that … "The United Nations remains fully committed to the process of establishing substantial, meaningful and effective self government.., and has invested significant efforts to ensure peace and stability in Kosovo and in the region that permit the people of Kosovo to exercise the right to participate in their own government. The International Community has noted the efforts that the different entities have made over the last several weeks to build a coalition government. This is traditionally a time-consuming endeavor, including in well-established parliamentary democracies. UNMIK urges all the political forces in Kosovo to continue and develop
those efforts, thus demonstrating to the International Community their
commitment to democratic processes and their readiness to take on the
responsibilities of government." As one unsuccessful vote has already been taken, the next vote will also require a two-thirds majority to elect the president. Should that second vote fail to elect a president, a third vote will be taken and during that vote, only a simple majority, or 61 seats, is required to elect the President. It is not technically necessary that both votes will be taken tomorrow. UNMIK is working on how to ensure that the act of all voting is absolutely secret. As far as media, please be at the café entrance to the Government building by 10 a.m. The session opens at 11 a.m. Kamenica Death Since announcing this, I have received several vicious letters, primarily I believe, by people living out of the former Yugoslavia, condemning me and UNMIK for moral depravity in blaming the victim. Also several politicians continue to disbelieve the police statement, and demonstrators have gathered outside the victim's house in Kamenica. Police Commissioner Albiston plans to visit the scene today, as does Serb Deputy PM Covic, who will be in Kosovo for a meeting with the US office in Pristina. We are in no way blaming the victim. In having to resort to such a crude and dangerous device to protect his property, Mr. Markovic was indeed a victim of the times and the climate which remains tense and insecure for Serbs in Kosovo. Interethnic relations were particularly tense in Kamenica during the week before his death. Stones were thrown and there were two minor explosions. It would be natural to assume his death was related to this string of violence. However police believe it was not. If anything else develops, we will certainly let you know. Police News In other news from the police, the administration building of the Orahovac wine factory burned to the ground yesterday. We are still trying to determine the full extent of the damage. On Saturday, a Kosovo Albanian woman employed by UNMIK Police was killed in a shooting incident in Peja/Pec in which an UNMIK Police man was also wounded. The international police officer has been under guard in a hospital recovering from wounds he sustained in the incident. I would like to express our deepest condolences to the family of Ms. Vlora Berbati, who was a colleague of ours and a well-liked language assistant in Peja/Pec. Following the request of UNMIK to facilitate investigation of the matter, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has waived the immunity of the police officer to enable investigation into the matter to proceed, as well as to detain him. The police officer is expected to be transferred from the hospital to jail today or tomorrow. By waiving the legal immunity normally granted UN staff members in the field, Mr. Annan opens the way for the Kosovo justice system to proceed in the criminal inquiry into the case. Normally UN staff members posted internationally enjoy immunity from local prosecution to prevent manipulation or exploitation of their work in the field. During the time of UNMIK's presence in Kosovo, we have had the immunity lifted in at least two other times, so that Kosovo courts may deal with the alleged criminal acts of UN staff members Police are continuing the investigation, which is being overseen by an international judge. There have been a couple of incidents of robberies of international staff over the past few days. Ms. Carolyn McCool, a deputy head of the OSCE was robbed and beaten yesterday evening. She is recovering in Bondsteel hospital. Power Problems As the EU is not here, I can tell you that regarding the power debacle of the weekend, the problem was the breakdown of the coal conveyor belt leading to B2, as well as the failure of A3. While the plants are now producing 560 megawatts, which would have been enough for last year, the needs for Kosovo are now 750 megawatts. That means that even at full capacity, the power cut regime will remain four hours with electricity and two hours without. Derek Chappell Death In Pec/Peje We reported on Sunday that a 23-year-old Albanian female had died as a result of a shooting that also involved a 32-year-old male UNMIK Police officer. I would like to answer some of the many questions that have been raised and dispel rumours that have developed. The incident took place in Pec/Peje on Saturday, January 5. The location of the shooting was the residence of the officer. When Police arrived at the scene, only the two persons involved were found in the flat. Both had gunshot wounds. Both persons were taken to hospital and, tragically, the young woman later died. Police believed that only the two injured persons were involved in this shooting and the officer was detained at hospital for investigation. The woman was VLORA BERBATI, a Language Assistant who worked for UNMIK Police. The officer was stationed at Pec/Peje Police Station. A full forensic examination of the crime scene has taken place and the results are being examined. A special investigation team has been assigned to this case and they are conducting extensive interviews. The officer is still receiving treatment in hospital where he is being held under detention. An international judge has been appointed to oversee the investigation. The family of VLORA BERBATI are being kept fully informed of developments. This is not an internal investigation; it is a criminal enquiry into a murder. For that reason we will not publicly discuss details of the case that may well become evidence in a trial. We would emphasize that this is a personal tragedy for the deceased woman and for the male officer. Grenade Death - Kamenica Yesterday, UNMIK Police issued a statement concerning the death of Markovic DRAGOLJUB in Kamenica on the 6th of January. Mr DRAGOLJUB was killed as a result of a grenade explosion inside his shop at about 0830 on Sunday morning. The grenade had been set as a booby trap inside his shop. The investigation is continuing, however we have confirmed that the explosion was not the result of a criminal attack. It was the result of mishandling of the grenade by the victim. Daz Slaven Comments on Kamenica The incident in Kamenica as described by Derek is tragic and unfortunate. KFOR acted quickly and appropriately to ensure that the potential for escalation of inter-ethnic tension in Kamenica was averted by increasing the security arrangements in the town. KFOR will be constantly reviewing the situation and when we consider that the situation warrants it we will adjust the security measures in place accordingly. Violence Against KFOR On the 6 Jan 02 The were two separate incidents in Mitrovica where KFOR soldiers and UNMIK-Police officers were prevented from carrying out their duty through the aggressive intervention of a gang of men. KFOR will not tolerate acts of aggression against its soldiers at any time or at any place. Those who would challenge the authority of KFOR soldiers in the execution of their mission will meet with a robust response and they will be subjected to criminal prosecution by civil authorities. COMFKOR will not hesitate to use his special powers to detain under UNSCR 1244 in order to maintain a safe and secure environment again when required. As a further note to this issue, a representative of the K-Serb community in Mitrovice / Mitrovica handed over an AK-47 rifle to KFOR last night. This weapon being carried during one one of the incidents mentioned and shows that the majority of the K-Serb community reject those who would carry out violent acts in their name. Covic Meeting COMKFOR, the Deputy SRSG JC Cady, Brigadier General BG Millet and Regional Administrator Angus Ramsey met with Mr Covic on Friday 4 Jan 02 In a short but productive meeting a number of issues were discussed, including; the situation in Mitrovica, the security on the Administrative Boundary Line and the problem of smuggling and common crime. It was agreed to discuss measures to improve the situation in Mitrovica before the end of the month. Both sides agreed that co-operation on the Administrative Boundary Line was close and effective and that the other topics should be addressed within the framework of established co-operation between KFOR/UNMIK and FRY/Serbian security forces. Other News Search and cordon operations continued last week have yielded a slow but steady supply of weapons finds; each weapon confiscated and removed contributes to making Kosovo a safer place. Finally, As part of an ongoing effort to bring essential relief to isolated villages in Northern Albania, KFOR, in close cooperation with Albanian civil and military authorities, will airlift some 35 tons of food and medical supplies to the villages of Breglumi, Shale, Vokel and Vermoski. The next airlift of aid is scheduled for tomorrow but will of course be dependant on the weather conditions at the time. Sven Lindholm OSCE Restructuring The OSCE Mission in Kosovo prides itself in over the last two years of having a presence is almost all of Kosovo's communities. This commitment to Kosovo can be seen through efforts to promote democratic governance while working to create and develop institutions for Kosovo. In light of the election last November and the developments in Kosovo, the OSCE has undergone a comprehensive restructuring. The most visible result being a change in its field structure. Instead of having 21 field offices and regional centres across Kosovo, there will now be nine offices, each covering a number of municipalities - as well as a satellite office in Dragash / Dragaš. The choice of locations took time and careful consideration to ensure that the OSCE's work with people of Kosovo will continue. OSCE Offices will be located in the following municipalities and cover the following geographic regions: -- Gjilan / Gnjilane - Kamenicë / Kamenica, Novo Berdë / Novo
Brdo and Viti /Vitina The Community Centres will remain open and continue to provide service to assist community-based initiatives. In those areas where there is no longer an OSCE presence, OSCE contact points will be accessible, although not on a full-time basis. The OSCE's restructuring is a reflection of the successes experienced in developing and establishing institutions, and enhancing capacity and promote participation by all local communities in the democratic governance of Kosovo Questions: Q: What happens if Mr. Rugova doesn't get 61 votes in the 3rd round of
voting? Q: With a new candidate? Q: Let's discuss the cases in Peje and Kamemica. Why was there a rush
to say the Kamenica incident was inter-ethnic violence the very same day
as the event occurred, while in Peje there was no information. Now we
have a lot of mistrust in your information. Q: We had two different versions on the day of the event from UNMIK sources
- one saying the hand grenade was thrown from outside and then other said
it was a booby trap. Now we have the new news that it was self-inflicted.
It was also evaluated on the same day as interethnic violence… Q: Everyone knows who said it. What was it that Q: What preventative measures will KFOR take next time so they won't
be attacked in Mitrovica? Q: When will the new adminsitrat9or be appointed? Q: The same questions goes for the OSCE because you are also lacking
a chief of mission.
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