UNMIK/PR/62

PRESS RELEASE

4 October 1999

KOUCHNER REASSURES BOSNIAK MINORITY IN PEJA

PRISTINA-The Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bernard Kouchner today visited the Bosniak village of Vitomirica near Pec/Peja to re-assure members of the Bosniak community who have suffered from increasing levels of harassment since the war.

SRSG Kouchner was accompanied by Hashim Thaci and Xhavit Haliti, both members of the Kosovo Transitional Council.

Bosniak community leader Numan Balic, also a KTC member, told Dr. Kouchner that since the war’s end in June, 600 families had been intimidated, beaten or expelled from their homes. Others had their shops expropriated. Thirty thousand Bosniaks had left Kosovo, and despite the cooperation from former members of the UCK in efforts to reduce tensions, the situation had grown worse in the last week, he noted. On Saturday, two Bosnian Muslim men were shot through window in their home in Pec, one of whom died.

Addressing a large gathering of the local population, Dr. Kouchner pledged renewed efforts by UNMIK and KFOR to ensure protection of Bosniaks.

"We are determined to do all we can to end the violence against all the minorities who want to live in a free and democratic Kosovo," he said.

Mr. Thaci emphasized that he would work to install democratic institutions in Kosovo and that the Kosovo Protection Corps would include Bosniaks and other minorities. He noted that anarchy must not be allowed in Kosovo.

The three men agreed to launch a public appeal promoting the free and unhindered use of all languages in Kosovo.