United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT

Press Briefing Notes, 6 May 2003

UNMIK Spokesperson Izabella Karlowicz,
KFOR Spokesperson Gary Bannister-Green
UNMIK Police Spokesperson Derek Chappell
OSCE Spokesperson Poul Smidt
EU Spokeswoman Monique De Groot

UNMIK Spokesperson Izabella Karlowicz

I would like to start with saying that it is with deep regret that we learned about the death of our staff member Vlora Lokaj who was working at the communication section at UNMIK. We would like to send our sincere condolences to the family of Vlora for this tragic event.

On the 30 of April customs officers seized two and a half million Yugoslav dinars in cash hidden under a car seat of a Serb registered car, which was entering Kosovo through, gate five. Under Administrative direction 2002/3 any transfer of money exiting the limit of ten thousand euros whether in cash or any form of money need to be declared properly. This is clearly to enable law enforcement bodies and the BPK to have a clear picture of what money is entering Kosovo and to ensure that money entering of Kosovo is legitimate and that it is not for money laundering or tax invasion. As the money has not been declared customs officers detained it for further investigation.

On 2 May, UNMIK was contacted by the CCK and representatives of the PTT who claimed the money was for pensions and child allowances in the Kamenica region. They were advised to apply in writing, under the terms of Section 2 of the Administrative Direction, for the return of the money with an explanation as to why it was not declared.

UNMIK remains perplexed as to why the money destined for legitimate purposes should be transported in such a clandestine manner and not declared to UNMIK Customs on the boundary. There are very clear procedures which are laid down by this administrative direction and which would have been followed by while bringing the money in to the territory of Kosovo.

The third announcement is the SRSG Michael Steiner is currently visiting the mixed village of Cernica where he will meet with the representatives of both communities.

KFOR Spokesperson Gary Bannister-Green

1. There have been a number of articles over the last week regarding KFOR troop numbers and we would like to clarify a few issues. Ever since KFOR’s initial deployment we have undertaken a continuous process of rationalization, in order to improve efficiency and realize an operational structure focused on the real security needs of Kosovo. The population of Kosovo should be in no doubt that KFOR’s commitment is as strong as ever and that any rationalization will always be balanced against the task. As stated before the security situation allows less heavy assets and more flexible and mobile forces undertaking intelligence led, inter-boundary operations. In simple terms the operational requirement will drive KFOR’s total numbers, the focus is on operational assets with a reduction in the support area. The final numbers and end-states have not been decided yet. As the situation in Kosovo improves, there will be fewer troops on the ground; however, the Operational Reserve Forces stand ready to respond to any emerging problems and to maintain peace and stability.
2. A good example of that ability and commitment is the Operational Rehearsal that will take place over the period 6-9 May. This Operational Rehearsal will involve Commanders of the Operational Reserve Force Battalions, who are part of our declared Over the Horizon Forces that can deploy rapidly to Kosovo from their normal operating base. They will familiarize themselves with their area of operation, to ensure that KFOR’s operational responsiveness and effectiveness is maintained and demonstrates NATO’s commitment to peace and stability in the region.

UNMIK Police Spokesperson Derek Chappell

MAJOR CRIMES

No homicides were recorded during this reporting period.

On 04/05/03 in Mitrovica North, a K-Albanian male was found on the street near the Main Bridge in a badly injured condition. He was brought to Mitrovica North Hospital in serious condition by K-Serbians. The victim was apparently attacked by 3 to 5 males of unknown ethnicity, who are still at large.

On 29/04/03 in Llusha Village, Pristina region, one K-Albanian male sustained serious head injuries after he was shot several times by another K-Albanian male. Police have arrested three suspects. The motive is not yet known.

RIOT

On 02/05/03 Police and KFOR responded to a riot taking place at the village of Suvi Do, in Mitrovica Region. Two groups (approx. 20 K-Albanians and approx. 20 K-Serbians) were involved in the conflict, which apparently originated from a football game. The situation was brought under control but one man was seriously injured and admitted to hospital.

ARREST FOR DRUGS

On 29/04/03 in Bistrazin Village, Pec Region, Police arrested three K-Albanians after finding 864 grams of white powder believed to be cocaine in their vehicle due to a vehicle checkpoint.

ARREST FOR SMUGGLING

On 30-04-03 in Pec Region, police arrested the Director of a company for transporting at least (34) truckloads of goods into Kosovo while using documents from a company that had gone out of business. The suspect was also arrested for illegally possessing a pistol.


FALSE NEWS REPORT

In todays’ edition of Koha Ditore, there is a story allegedly about prostitution in Kosovo. The story quotes The Chief of TPIU (Trafficking and Prostitution Investigations Unit) for Pec/Peja Region as making several statements. The statements include:

· “High ranking UNMIK Police officers and UN officials are involved in trafficking and prostitution”, and “There are photos proving this”.

· “Women from eastern Europe are trafficked into Kosovo via Turkey”.

· “The off-limits list is the only deterrent to UNMIK personnel” using prostitutes.

The story is a lie.

· The officer in question is a TPIU Investigator and not the Chief of TPIU.

· He stated he knew of no such cases when he was asked about UN personnel involved in prostitution/trafficking.

· The trafficking routes for prostitutes entering Kosovo are through Serbia and Macedonia, not Turkey.

· The off-limits list is used by all of the major international organizations in Kosovo to provide a way to warn their staff against using suspect businesses. UNMIK personnel are subject to termination and prosecution if they are caught using a prostitute. UNMIK Police and KPS officers are prohibited from having any non-official contact with prostitutes.

The “interview” was actually a presentation by TPIU during a training workshop for journalists sponsored by the OSCE. It is disappointing to see an event that was intended to provide training used in such a despicable manner.

Verbal communications with the journalist in question have been suspended, and police press officers in Kosovo are directed to respond to questions from this journalist only in writing.

EU Spokeswoman Monique De Groot

KTA

The OSCE invited the KTA to speak today at a seminar to the association of municipalities about the privatization process and the role of the municipalities and the KTA in the process.
Macro economic Seminar
The title for the next seminar is “The Kosovo balance of Payments”. The seminar will be held on Friday, May 9, 2003 from 10:00 to 11:30 in SOK conference room.

Europe Day

As you may know, Friday 9 of May is Europe Day, the day that marks the founding of the European Union. On this occasion Mr. Joly Dixon, the former head of pillar IV, will provide a lecture in the Law Faculty on Friday morning. Media are invited to attend. Press release with exact details will be sent out later this week.

Questions:

Q: A good question for the OSCE, just tell us when the time will come for Kosovo legitimately elected representatives can participate in the OSCE meetings in Vienna. Bearing in mind that president Rugova’s statement that he feels that some sectors are trying to isolate Kosovo international by not giving voice to its legitimate representatives to speak with the International bodies as preeminent Council of Europe. Do you think that it is a good thing that this has happened, that is to say that Rugova didn’t get invited and why not?

PS: The only thing that I can tell you is that this meeting is taking place on the 8th of May and an invitation German in office was issued directly to Michael Steiner, end of story.

Q: Do you think that president Rugova or Prime Minister Rexhepi should be invited to these occasions? I mean I don’t see why there is a problem when for example the chairman in office comes to Kosovo to meet them, but there is a problem if these guys need to visit there, and they haven’t a chance to say anything about this.

PS: Yes, but I am not here to speculate of who should be invited by the chairman in office or the Dutch government or the 55 member countries planning there meetings in Vienna. I can only say for this meeting is SRSG Michael Steiner who was the only one invited. I wouldn’t speculate in what kind of invitation should be issued by different capital on different moments, I mean it would be pure speculation. I am not here to speculate on which internationals, which institutions should invite, because they up there, those in Brussels, those in Washington, and those in Vienna, they are responsible for their invitations, and I am not here to help them and give them good advise who they should invite, because they are those inviting and I am just a simple servant and not advising Washington, or Brussels, or London or Paris whom they should invite and in what time. I think that I can leave it to the government up to there.

Q: But that was not my question

PS: No, I heard your question and that was my answer.

Q: For Derek, can you say and just to clarify in comparison is that also similar to CNN and Fox News Report from the Iraq war and why on Tuesdays press briefing do you use to unleash the local media, I mean you are doing it, KFOR are doing it, and UNMIK is doing it. Can you not go through the TMC I mean there is procedure.

DC: I don’t enjoy having to criticize the people that I am speaking to, over the past three years I think that we have built up a good relationship with the press, you know you have come to our office in UNMIK police almost anytime of the day or night, and we will be as open as possibly can. You know that there are requirement to look after security and privacy, all we ask is that the reports that we get are balanced and professional. And the reason that we are doing this today is that personally this is the only chance that I have had in the past week to speak to everybody. Secondly these incidents happened in the past days, and the incident last night on the evening news on the RTK, it seemed like an blatant attempt to turn a criminal incident into something very provocative and to draw an ethnic intent from something that might to turn out to be criminal, as I said before this might turn out to be ethnically motivated, and if it is we will honest and open with you and tell you. But to make that kind of speculation over very graphic pictures of an injured man laying in his hospital bed. I was a journalist as well, I know exactly what the intent of that report was and so do you as professionals. I don’t have to draw the picture.

Q: But you are not a journalist here, you are a police officer. Did they break the law and are you going to arrest them?

DC: We are going to consider, whom are we talking about now? The press?

Q: Yes.

DC: I will be perfectly honest, I think the people responsible for these reports were bad journalists, I think they let their personal motives get in the way and providing of their main job of providing information with informed comment to the public now that doesn’t constitute a criminal offence. It may constitute something for which we can file a complaint to the TMC, we have to consider that.

Q: UNMIK has suspended the TMK activities outside of Kosovo can you give us some more details on this?

IzaK: You are referring to the issue, which I discussed with some journalists yesterday. There was a joint letter written by KFOR and UNMIK, written to General Selimi. It was written to him because General Çeku was on leave at the time. In that letter, reference was made to the statement made by General Çeku on 17 April if I recall it well, in which General Çeku committed to identifying and removing from KPC, individuals and members of terrorist groups. UNMIK and KFOR’s letter solicited that specific action be taken and a report be produced on what has been done in this matter up till now. As a temporary measure and a precautionary measure all deployment and training of KPC either units or individuals out of Kosovo has been cancelled.

Q; Are the victim bodies of the bombed bridge near north Mitrovica identified?

DC: The state of the bodies was in such poor condition so that a DNA analysis is required. Now I know that identifying those people has made certain statements, but we cannot accept those statements, we have to have DNA analysis to confirm their identity. It will probably be at least one more week before that is completed.

Q: So how was the decision made by a joint letter from KFOR and UNMIK to KPC that these two people or at least one of them was a member of the KPC?

IzaK: Precautionary action very often is taken on a base of suspicion. This is how criminal procedure works. Preventive actions are frequently taken on base of legitimate suspicion while awaiting strong evidence. I think that this is a perfectly legitimate procedure, since the good name of Kosovo and KPC may be damaged when those people leave Kosovo. All the training and deployment of KPC outside Kosovo has been temporary cancelled. And this will go on until the presence of AKSh in KPC is resolved. This is because Kosovo’s and the KPC’s name can not be put at risk by such persons and the possibility that they might be send abroad by official capacity.

Q: Is UNMIK Police going to arrest all suspicion as AKSh members or ANA members and who are members of KPC?

DC: Well as that organization is now prescribed and anybody who is an active member and identified as such, yes he will get arrested.

Q: Is any one arrested so far?

IzaK: Gen Ceku until now has not acted. The letter I just spoke about refers to the commitment declared by General Çeku to resolve this situation through concrete actions. The letter which UNMIK and KFOR sent, requested that specific action be taken after Ceku declared willingness to act. This has not happen and this was precisely what the letter was referring to.

Q: So it is not specific mentioned that AKSh in the letter of Çeku

IzaK: The letter which had been sent to General Çeku does mention specifically AKSH. Ask me more, you don’t seem to be convinced Shaban.

Q: If I am remembering correctly you said that you are working along with the locals to prepare the rules of regulations for the next elections. The UNMIK and OSCE spokesperson told me that this is a reserved competence for the SRSG and that this group can do is to make some recommendations which is not preparing rules and regulations.

PS: I can refer to the fact sheet on which the election working group is doing that is why produce the fact sheets. So you have all the answers in there. I mean we are preparing with the people from Kosovo and we are coming up with strong recommendations and detailed proposals. So look into the fact sheets. If I can come back to the question before and the training, I just had a confirmation from my friend Sven that, we do in fact have had any request for training on internationals affairs, if there was such a request we would certainly look into it, but no one has ever requested this kind of training, and if there is such a request we can maybe take care of it but we will not mix it up with invitations from different capitals that is another issue. We are here to facilitate and we are here to assist the assembly and the municipalities assembly, we are here as a institution building pillar, but is not something that we are doing out of the blue air, it is something that we are doing cooperation with the people of Kosovo.

IzaK: I said this yesterday to other journalists that the SRSG is always willing to take representatives of local institutions with him, however we have to remember that it is always up to the host to decide who should be invited.

Q: Yesterday Rada Trajkovic had a demand for Serbian and Montenegro troops to come back to Kosovo as a part of the reduction of the KFOR troops in Kosovo, because she said that there will be an insufficient number of troops in Kosovo to deal with the problems. Can you comment on this?

GB: Troops numbers is not the critical thing here, but the effectiveness of our operation and how we carry them out. You should know that we started out with much bigger force when we first came here 99. But our offences have changed from very much when we hand over competencies. We take under consideration all the factors before we decide how we will deploy troops. People are trying to make political conclusions in any thing that we make and the fact is that there is no plans for the Serbian forces to come back here at all, that wouldn’t be allowed by us. It is clearly in 1244 what our responsible is here.

Q: Since that we are very close the Thessalonica summit, I am wondering what the UN or the Kosovo government or whoever is running this place are doing to ensure that Kosovo will be part of that summit, will be represented there, since it is like an issue that hasn’t been discussed that much recently.

IzaK: Tina, can I get back on this to you?