UNMIK/PR/1017
Monday, 4 August 2003

Murder a setback to peace-building, says DSRSG Jean Christian Cady

PRISTINA – DSRSG for Police and Justice Pillar Jean Christian Cady issued the following statement on the killing of the UNMIK Police Officer from India, Satish Menon, today:

“This is a sad day for UNMIK and a sad day for Kosovo.”

“For the first time since 1999, an international police officer was killed, while performing his duty. Officer Menon had arrived from India in May. He was killed last night in an ambush near Leposavic.

“In the name of the United Nations, I want to express my deepest condolences to the family of officer Menon, his wife and his two children. I want to express my sympathy to his colleagues in the Indian police contingent, who have suffered a great loss.

“UNMIK will make every effort to find the perpetrators of this cowardly act and bring them to justice.

“This murder is a setback in the process of peace-building in which the international community and Kosovars are engaged together.

“Whatever the motives for this murder may be and whoever committed it, it shows that some elements in Kosovo society have not renounced violence. Kosovo has had enough of violence. Kosovo must acquire a new reputation. I am sure this is the wish of the huge majority of Kosovars. Together with the Government of Kosovo, we must condemn this despicable act. We must show that those who committed it have no support whatsoever.

“The United Nations and the international community will continue to work for the future of Kosovo based on peace, justice and tolerance.”