UNMIK/PR/413

PRESS RELEASE - 11 November 2000

Municipal Assemblies Sworn in across Kosovo

Kosovo's first democratically elected Municipal Assemblies were sworn in today in simultaneous ceremonies held in more than two dozen municipalities.

Dr. Kouchner conducted the swearing-in ceremony in the municipality of Pristina, where he told the Assembly--which is to number 60 men and women--that they had accepted  "serious responsibilities."  He reminded them that their work would be judged by their constituents, and that their new roles required "respect for the views and legitimate interests of others."

His "most important message," he said, was that "the future of Kosovo lies in tolerance." He reminded the Assembly that all communities must be "treated in a fair manner without discrimination and with their interests protected."

The new Pristina Municipal Assembly includes members of the Bosniac, Turkish, Ashkali and Serb communities, although no Serbs attended the swearing-in today. Nine of the 60-member Pristina Assembly are minorities appointed by Dr. Kouchner, who has named additional members to several Assemblies throughout Kosovo in order to ensure minority representation in local government.

Today's Pristina ceremony took place in front of the Albanian, Bosniac and Turkish flags--as well as the UN flag--, following a request by some of the newly elected members that they be sworn in before their 'national' flags.

Most ceremonies proceeded smoothly. However, the flag issue prevented the ceremony from being concluded in Peja/Pec, where the elected PDK members refused to be sworn in, without the promise that the Albanian flag alone would be present during the inaugural session.

In the municipalities of Obilic and Vushtrri/Vucitrn, the PDK members walked out before the swearing in, without giving any reason.

In Strpce, a community divided among Serbs and Albanians, the PDK objected to the location of the ceremony--a school in the Kosovo Albanian part of the town--, but agreed later to be sworn in, along with the LDK assembly members. Kosovo Serb parties have yet to agree to take up their appointed seats in Strpce.

Three municipalities in the Serb-inhabited north of Kosovo did not hold ceremonies. Due to the fact few residents voted, the election results were not certified, and  SRSG Bernard Kouchner is to appoint the Assembly members pending bi-elections to be held next year.

Dr. Kouchner, whose address was repeated at all the ceremonies,  also stressed the need to uphold law and order and to "educate…advocate, implement and enforce legality."

Should Kosovo "pass this first test of democracy," he said, "we will work towards central elections" as soon as possible.

Dr. Kouchner described UNMIK's role vis-ŕ-vis the new assemblies as supportive, and  that the UNMIK municipal administrators would remain to ensure the assemblies function smoothly. His prerogative as SRSG remains to intervene if necessary to ensure full implementation of Security Council resolution 1244, he said.

Following the ceremony, members of the Pristina Municipal Assembly crafted a petition to the authorities in Belgrade demanding that all Kosovo Albanian political prisoners be set free immediately.