UNMIK/PR/422

PRESS RELEASE - 21 November 2000

SRSG Briefs IAC On His New York Visit

PRISTINA---Briefing IAC on his trip to New York, SRSG Bernard Kouchner today told the members that there is now “democratic competition” between Belgrade and Pristina and it was upto the leaders of Kosovo to compete in terms of public opinion. “The future is in your hands. This should be seen as a challenge”. This is a realistic picture of where “we stand”, he added.

SRSG said he had told the Security Council that central elections in Kosovo must be held next spring.

Dr. Kouchner told IAC members about his proposed trip to Zagreb later this week, where he would, among others, have a crucial meeting with Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica. He asked IAC members what message they wanted conveyed and everyone agreed that the issue of Kosovo Albanian prisoners must be raised in that meeting. They also agreed that Security Council Resolution 1244 must remain the basis for the work in Kosovo in future and that the issue of final status need not be raised now.

DSRSG Tom Koenigs briefed IAC about the the implementation of election results. Till this morning 18 municipal assemblies had elected their president. Four other assemblies were scheduled to meet today. Mr. Koenigs said that the swearing in ceremonies had gone well and termed their conduct as “successful and dignified”. He mentioned the Strpce municipality, where negotiations are still continuing to find a solution acceptable to everyone. He also briefed them about the three northern municipalities, which were sworn in yesterday.

Mr. Ali Sadriu and Mr. Tony Preston Stanley, co-heads of the Central Fiscal Authority, , briefed IAC about the preparation for the 2001 budget. The final budget figures will be presented to IAC in two weeks time.

IAC member Mr. Rexhep Qosja, leader of the LBD, today resigned from IAC, saying it was a personal obligation following the outcome of the election results for him to quit this body. Dr. Kouchner praised Mr. Qosja and greatly thanked him for his work and contribution to IAC and said IAC would seek his views whenever required.