UNMIK/PR/53

PRESS RELEASE

29 September 1999

Kosovo Transitional Council Condemns Kosovo Polje Attack

PRISTINA-In its regular meeting today at UNMIK headquarters, the Kosovo Transitional Council strongly condemned yesterday’s grenade attack on a marketplace in Bresje near Kosovo Polje, in which two people were killed and more than 35 others injured.

"This outrageous attack against innocent civilians aims at endangering our  joint efforts to achieve stability and democracy in Kosovo," a joint statement said. "The members of the Kosovo Transitional Council are determined to stop those cowardly acts of violence against civilians. The Kosovo Transitional Council reaffirms its commitment to retaining a multi-ethnic society in Kosovo based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law. Those responsible for the attack must be brought to justice."

"The members of the Kosovo Transitional Council reaffirm their view that all efforts must be undertaken to improve the security situation in Kosovo, particularly for members of ethnic minorities. We call on all political leaders in Kosovo, but also directly on the citizens: a free, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo can only be constructed on the basis of tolerance and justice. We condemn violence from whatever quarter. This is not the society we are trying to build."

The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Bernard Kouchner, who had visited victims of the attack in clinics near Kosovo Polje this morning, said that while KFOR troops and UNMIK police were already "strongly positioned" in Kosovo Polje, he and KFOR Commander Gen. Mike Jackson would increase security there, after talks today with local community leaders.

Kouchner noted that the return of the Serb KTC members, who announced last week they were ceasing participation in the Council, was particularly crucial now, following yesterday’s events in Bresje.

"This was not an act of revenge," Kouchner told the KTC participants. "It was a hideous crime aimed at killing a maximum number of innocent civilians."

KFOR Commander Jackson briefed the KTC members on the overall security situation, which until yesterday’s events had reached a plateau of relative stability.

During a subsequent discussion, the situation in Mitrovica, which remained tense and unstable, was raised by participants.

The SRSG then described progress in civil registration, certification, motor vehicle registration and banking and micro-credit systems.

Registration of Kosovo’s population will begin in late October, starting with the Pristina area and then moving to remote villages. All Kosovo residents will be registered, and all those over 16 will get an UNMIK identity card. Registration will restore the identity of individuals whose documents were taken or destroyed during the NATO bombing campaign. Registration will also pave the way for elections.

UNMIK is preparing the legal framework for the registration process and is recruiting 200 UN Volunteers who will supervise 500 local staff members working in 60 registration centers around the territory.

UNMIK has moved rapidly on restoring other documents to the Kosovo population, by  issuing birth, marriage and death certificates. On 15 October, UNMIK will begin issuing license plates in conjunction with its motor vehicle registration program. All vehicles will be registered provisionally for one year, and persons who can establish  ownership will receive permanent registration after that period.

Vehicle registration will also mark a significant step towards establishing a property owner database, and should reduce trafficking in stolen vehicles, as well as assist police in tracking criminal suspects who use vehicles in commission of  crimes.

Dr. Kouchner briefed the meeting on progress in establishing an autonomous  banking and payments system in Kosovo. The first step was taken last month when UNMIK passed a regulation authorizing the use of all currencies in Kosovo. Secure facilities were prepared to safeguard cash revenues, and preparations are underway to authorize a a payments bureau to make cash payments. Regulations on banking and payments are in the works, and by late October, branches of foreign banks are expected to open in Kosovo.

Before commercial banks begin operating, however,  UNMIK will support the creation of micro-finance institutions which will serve small businesses and low-income individuals. Micro-credit institutions, with financial assistance from Italy and the World Bank, will not take deposits, but will channel donor funds into small credits. Some may also offer technical services to borrowers to help them prepare business and financial plans and to learn about credit systems in the market place.

UNMIK has prepared a draft regulation on quick and simple licensing of micro-credit institutions.