LETTER to the EDITOR, 22 August 2001

We wish to correct the information published in Beta news yesterday concerning a statement made by UNMIK Chief Hans Haekkerup on Tuesday alleging that he and Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic "agreed" that Kosovo Serbs should take part in Kosovo-wide elections.

Mr. Haekkerup did not at any stage say anything that could even possibly be construed in this fashion. Indeed, the subject of the elections was not raised with the press yesterday in connection with the meeting with Mr. Covic last week in Merdare at all. Such a suggestion is at best unprofessional journalism and at worst deliberate disinformation.

We have always clearly understood that Mr. Covic's position was to encourage Serbs to register only in order to keep their options open, reserving judgment on actual participation in the elections to a later stage.

There was no "agreement", reached between Mr. Haekkerup and Mr. Covic on this issue, as reported by Beta yesterday. However, it is well known that Mr. Haekkerup's opinion is that the Kosovo Serbs should participate in the elections in order to be properly represented within UNMIK administered Kosovo.

Simon Haselock,

Director of Public Information,
UNMIK