UNMIK/PR/379

PRESS RELEASE - 3 October 2000

IAC Opposes Pupil Participation in Political Activities

The Interim Administrative Council issued a statement today opposing the participation of pupils and students in election rallies.

"The Interim Administrative Council today discussed the issue of pupils and students participating in election rallies.

"All IAC members strongly support the Instruction No. 11 of the Department of Education and Science in which any kind of political campaigning in schools, any kind of instructions to take part in political activities and any suspension of classes for the purpose of political activities were prohibited.

"The IAC calls for the strict realization of the instruction."

The statement followed a broad discussion on the 28 October municipal elections in Kosovo, during which SRSG Bernard Kouchner expressed his satisfaction that so far the political campaign in Kosovo had been disciplined and without major incidents.

Dr. Kouchner also briefed the IAC on his recent meeting with the United Nations Security Council and his participation in a UN conference on peacekeeping missions in New York.

He also spoke about the establishment of an UNMIK bureau for missing persons and detainees, set to open on 12 October.

The IAC had a brief discussion on the Yugoslav elections.

They reviewed the draft regulation on benefits for war invalids and the next-of-kin of those who died in the conflict and will continue assessing the draft at the next IAC meeting.

The IAC endorsed the draft regulation establishing the administrative department of Non-Resident Affairs, which is co-headed by Hydejat Hyseni and Joe Kazlas. Also endorsed were two draft regulations amending existing regulations on excise taxes and customs.