UNMIK-UNMIK Police-KFOR-EU-OSCE Press Briefing, 30 July 2002

UNMIK Spokesman Sunil Narula
UNMIK Police Spokesman Derek Chappell
KFOR Spokesman Wing Commander Drew Anderson
EU Spokeswoman Betty Dawson
OSCE Spokesman Poul Smidt

UNMIK Spokesman Sunil Narula

SRSG in New York

SRSG Michael Steiner is in New York today. He will present his report to the UN Security Council later in the day (Kosovo time). We will have a press release based on his speech in the three languages, ready for the press by 1700 hrs.

Lotteries

There is a press release along with the Administrative Direction 2002/14 outside on the licensing of lotteries, bingo games and games of chance. This is an interim measure taken on the request of the government.

PDSRSG in Prizren

PDSRSG Charles Brayshaw will be visiting Prizren to inaugurate a construction company. This event is around 4 p.m. Again Christian has the details.

UNMIK Police Spokesman Derek Chappell

Two Murders Under Investigation

Last week we recorded two murders. In PEJE at 1030pm on the 23 July three men were ambushed as they drove their car towards Klina. Several suspects opened fire on the car, which was hit by multiple bullets. The occupants of the car were a father and son, aged 14 years, and a friend. The father and son were injured and the passenger, a 23 year old man, was killed. The reason for the attack is unknown. Both of the injured victims are expected to recover.

In Prizren on the 28 July Police were called to the scene of a shooting near the Hospital. Upon arrival the body of a male was found on the road. Two other men were found with gunshot wounds. All of the victims are from the same family. It appears that the shooting resulted from a long standing dispute between two families. Police have identified three suspects for whom we are searching.

Open Murder Case Solved

On the 12 August, 2001 67 year old Qazim Muji was murdered in the village of Bresale, near Gnjilane. On Monday 29 July 2002 police concluded a year long investigation by locating and arresting the suspect in this case. The 28 year old was found in Pristina and taken into custody without incident at 6:30 pm last night. A search of his car and home resulted in the seizure of multiple weapons.

Counterfeit Currency Warning

Over the past two weeks there has been a rise in the number of counterfeit EURO notes being circulated. There have been close to 20 cases of false notes being handed to shops as payment. Most of the fake bills have been 50 EURO notes but there have also been some 20 and 100 denominations.

The majority of the cases have been in the Gnjilane and Prizren regions but yesterday two cases were reported in Mitrovice also.
People, especially shopkeepers, are asked to pay attention to the bills they are offered as payment, especially when it is a large bill being used for a small purchase.
Attached is an information sheet to help the public recognise false notes.

Dosja E Krimit

Last Friday night our television program Dosja E Krimit aired on RTK. The program gives people the chance to watch recreations of real crimes and help the police solve them and catch criminals by calling information to a secret telephone number.

We received over 100 telephone calls in the first hour, giving us tips on unsolved crimes and criminals across Kosovo. This clearly shows that people realise crime is the biggest threat to the future and it shows that they want to help the police.

We plan to now make the secret telephone line permanent. Any person will be able to call our number 24 hours a day and it will be regularly checked by Police, who will pass on the information to the region and unit involved.
We have invited the public to make a call and make a difference – and they have.

KFOR Spokesman Wing Commander Drew Anderson

Just one thing that I want to mention this morning and that is that the Russian Military Contingent have planned a media event for 2 August 2002 at Slatina Airport. The visit will include a visit to the underground storage tunnels near the airport; a presentation of several Russian Military Contingent activities including CIMIC and medical support and an exhibition of Russian military equipment.

For those that are interested in this event it is important to note that you must register with the CPIC before Wednesday 31 July 2002. For registration you are invited to contact Major Jean Axelos, CPIC Media Ops, as soon as possible.

Have a peaceful week.

EU Spokeswoman Betty Dawson

The Board of Directors of the Kosovo Trust Agency held its first meeting on Thursday 25th July. The Board adopted the Agency’s temporary Charter and the temporary By-laws. It also approved the official logo. The Board approved the appointment of two Deputy Managing Directors to run and represent the Agency jointly, until a Managing Director is appointed.

The BPK have announced that seven insurance companies have now been licensed by the BPK to conduct general insurance business in Kosovo.

The Governing Board approved amendments to two BPK pensions rules on licensing of pension funds and pension providers, and adopted 10 new prudential rules governing the conduct of pension funds and pension providers, authorized under UNMIK Regulation 2001/35 on Pensions in Kosovo. The rules are effective immediately.

A press release is outside giving more details of BPK activities.

From the European Agency for Reconstruction -

"On behalf of the European Agency for Reconstruction, I would like correct an article that was published in Bota Sot newspaper yesterday. The article contains inaccurate quotes and fabricated statements from the Agency's spokesperson that were never made.

I would like to correct the following errors on the Agency's behalf:

- Between 1999-2001, the Agency has managed EUR273 million in the energy sector, NOT EUR500 million that is quoted in the article.
- At no time were any views given on what the Agency might do next regarding additional funding for Kosovo B.
- At no time were any Agency statements made on alleged corruption in the energy sector.

The only information asked for, and therefore given, is this:
- that the Agency had invested EUR121 million in Kosovo B
- that the Agency had invested EUR273 million in the energy sector as a whole
- that there would be no comment on the fire at Kosovo B until the full damage assessment came through.

The energy sector is an interesting enough story, without journalists having to make up false quotes and information. Both the EU pillar and the EAR will answer any question you may have. There is no need to make up quotes and give inaccurate information, as it only serves to mislead the public.