UNMIK-KFOR Press Briefing - 14 June 2000

UNMIK Spokeswoman Susan Manuel
KFOR Spokesman Major Scott Slaten

UNMIK Spokeswoman Susan Manuel

The applications for business registration must be filed by the 20th.  This is very important, not only because the businesses will face fines if they do not file on time, but because of the whole functioning of the business registration system.  The funds raised through the registered businesses will go into the Kosovo Budget to provide goods and services to the people of Kosovo.  Apparently, 50% of all businesses have already registered.  Local Media please help get the word out on this.

SRSG Bernard Kouchner has written an open letter to Czech president Vaclav Havel, inviting him to visit Kosovo.  The letter follows a misinterpretation in various media by Dr. Kouchner's remarks during the anniversary press briefing last Monday.  In his remarks, Dr. Kouchner had questioned the ability of UN Special Rapporteur Giri Dienstbier to comment on human rights in Kosovo, as he made only brief visits here.  Dr. Kouchner then cited Czech President Vaclav Havel who he said had in the past voiced similar misgivings about Mr. Dienstbier.  Nothing he said was meant as a criticism towards President Havel.

The letter sent today to Vaclav Havel:

My dear President,

As you know I have been a devoted admirer of yours for many years. You have been one of my most important role models. Our shared background and my great respect for you are all the more reason for my regret and irritation over the misinterpretation of my remarks which appeared in the press on Tuesday and which emanated from the reportage of one news agency.

The remarks, which I made during our UNMIK-KFOR anniversary press briefing on Monday, have been clarified, and I have set the record straight by speaking with the major press of your country.

However, I would like to take this occasion to repeat my invitation extended to you in the past, particularly in Istanbul, to visit Kosovo.

It is my sincere wish that you come here to see our work. You of all people may be able to appreciate the difficulties of our challenging job and to understand, as a fellow human rights campaigner, the painstaking road to progress in restoring tolerance and peaceful co-existence. Establishing a climate where human rights are respected and practiced is a long-term and complicated task. I would welcome your presence and your advice.

Regarding the proposed visit here of Albanian political figure Sali Berisha, Dr. Kouchner yesterday wrote Mr. Berisha a letter, reminding him of their past good and personal relations, and advising him that a visit at this point could pose a threat to public peace and order because of the volatile security situation.

Dr. Kouchner's letter was delivered to President Berisha's hand yesterday. This does not rule out the possibility of a visit at some point in the future, after appropriate consultations.

I understand that there are some ongoing demonstrations around Kosovo today over the Berisha visit.

Also today, UNMIK Regional Administrator, Mr. Lennart Myhlbach, hosted a delegation of Kosovo Albanian political figures on that subject, including Mr. Krasniqi and Mr. Bukoshi.

Yesterday an agreement on the lease, management and operation of the Sharr cement plant was signed between UNMIK and Holderbank of Switzerland. This is the first commercial agreement involving a public company in Kosovo to be concluded by UNMIK after conducting an international public tender for an investor. The results of this agreement should be the revitalization and modernization of the Sharr cement plant, which may provide a domestic supply of cement for reconstruction in Kosovo, employment for Kacani municipality, transfer of technology and expertise from Holderbank and revenue for the Kosovo Consolidated Budget. There is a press release outside explaining the terms of the agreement.  Holdderbank will invest 34 Million DM, and will pay an annual rent of 1 -2 million DM. 

From the European Agency for Reconstruction, on Friday there will be the launch of the construction of housing.  Eight thousand houses are to be rebuilt.  Press is invited to film the opening of the event and here the opening remarks by Mr. Mingarelli, who is the agency director. 

SRSG Bernard Kouchner, DSRSG Dennis MacNamara and the members of the IAC will visit Roma communities again in Peja/Pec on Tuesday, 20 June.  Media are strongly encouraged to come along, and arrangements will be announced later and handled by Paula Ghedini at UNHCR or Francois Charlier at UNMIK.

Also Tuesday, at 12:15 p.m., there will be a press briefing here by the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, Mr. Carla Del Ponte.
(Latest update: the ICTY press briefing will be held at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, 21 June 2000).

In Mitrovica the Vukovic trial has been postponed to 3 July as UNMIK attempts to hire more Serb judges and lay judges.  Today, we have a press release from UNMIK in Mitrovica saying that Regional Administrator William Nash today underlined the need for more qualified Serb judges and lay judges to step forward and participate in efforts to establish the rule of law in Mitrovica.  Mr. Nash stressed that while he had recently sworn in three Serb lay judges and one municipal judge, many more were needed to balance the scale of justice. In the past weeks more then 50 Albanian judges have been sworn in for duty in Mitrovica.  Currently there are 66 detainees in the Mitrovica detention center, including 38 Serbs.  Many of these have been in jails for months while investigations continue on charges against them.  Efforts to begin trials have been delayed because of the need for Serbs to join the Judicial Service.  Mr. Nash said "It is imperative for the judiciary to have the resources available so that everyone is assured of a fair and just hearing.  For this to happen there is a need for all qualified citizens from all communities to be involved." 

The Kosovo Transition Council is meeting today.  They are discussing the security situation, and are being briefed by Dr. Kouchner on his visit to New York and election preparations.

Regarding Mobile phones… the Alcatel system coverage has been expanded to include the towns of Djakova, Gnjilane, Peja and Mitrovica.  The number of subscribers is now 29,000.  There are 9 roaming agreements with Switzerland, Finland, Norway, France, Poland, UK, Latvia, Czech Republic and Belgium.  At the end of this week, a roaming agreement should be signed with Albania.

Regarding the fixed lines, 65 percent of the systems between towns have been reconnected.  Landline service within communities depends on the extent of the damage.  New tariffs have been in effect sine 1 June.  Bills must be paid and connections will be cut to those who don't pay!  Monthly fees are DM 7, which include 40 local calls of 3 minutes each.  DM 20 charge for business subscribers. The connection fees have been reduced from DM 600 to 300 DM for residential establishments, and DM 1,300 to DM 600 for business.

Tomorrow Dr. Kouchner will attend a mine-awareness media event at 3.00 p.m. and Major Slaten will describe that event.

Also tomorrow, the Kosovo Law Center will be open at 4.00pm.  There is a press release outside… (details). 

At 7.00 p.m. the OSCE will open a photo exhibit at the National Center as part of its one year anniversary.

KFOR Spokesman Major Scott Slaten

Tragically, one child was killed by gunfire yesterday afternoon in MNB South, 7 kilometers outside Prizren.

It was reported that three children were playing in a field with a stolen pistol when it accidentally discharged, striking the back of one of the children.  As a result of the shooting the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.  This is one more example, why KFOR soldiers are dedicated to removing as many weapons as possible from Kosovo.
Starting Friday, secondary schools, followed at the end of the month by primary schools, will begin the summer holidays. Children will no longer spend their days in the classroom, but instead will be roaming about outside enjoying good weather.  This factor coupled with the large number of mine fields and unexploded ordnance scattered about Kosovo can have deadly consequences.

In each Multi National Brigade area KFOR and UNMIK are continuing to educate children and parents to the dangers posed by weapons and explosives in order to prevent similar tragic accidents.  Parents are encouraged to get as much information as possible on these dangerous products of war and ensure their children are trained to play safely.

Environmental Concerns

During the past year environmental and health concerns have grown because of the difficulties removing garbage from major urban areas. Higher temperatures and poor rubbish facilities contribute to the health risks that are posed against all people living in Kosovo.

 In MNB West, KFOR soldiers and engineers are doing their part to improve the situation in the local community.  In the city of Pec / Peja trash has continued to accumulate along the streets and in open areas. This was not caused by a lack of concern by the population but because the road leading to the local dump was not passable for military or civilian
vehicles.

To improve the situation, KFOR Italian engineers and soldiers began construction on the road leading to the garbage dump at Svke on the 17th of April. The entire project lasted 27 days and was completed by the 23rd of May.

During the construction 3,700 meters of road was leveled and repaired and a lateral drainage ditch dug with a water pipe buried in cement.  Over 14 heavy vehicles were used during the operation including bulldozers, lorries, and power shovels.

Now that this project is complete the road will greatly assist the community to access the dump area and improve the sanitation situation in Pec / Peja.

Media Administrative Notes

Change of Command Ceremony

There will be a change of command ceremony for Multi-National Brigade South, involving Brig. Gen. Roland Kather and Brig. Gen. Fritz von Korffthe, which will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 15 June, 2000. The media is cordially invited to attend the event and to report to the Prizren field camp entrance by 9:30 a.m. For details please see the MNB South PIO.

Mine Awareness Event

Lt. Gen. Juan Ortuno and Dr. Bernard Kouchner tomorrow at 3 p.m. will jointly host a mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) media event scheduled for three kilometers from Pristina.

The event will last approximately an hour and a half and will demonstrate the co-operative efforts of KFOR and UNMIK to clear the mines and UXOs from Kosovo. Countermine and UXO clearance techniques will be demonstrated and an overview of the past years results discussed.

Interested media can be transported from the KFOR Press Information Center (CPIC) in a shuttle bus.  Please be at the CPIC no later than 2:15p.m.

Questions:

Q: Three weeks ago or month ago concerning the murder of Petar Topoljski your staff member.  Do you now have any information after the investigation has been ongoing concerning any drug connections that could be related to the murder?  I would also like to know where is Dr. Mohammed, Mr. Topoljski's boss?  What happened to him? 

SM:  The investigation is still ongoing so we will not discuss any of the details.  As far as his boss… I don't know, did you try to call him?  I am not aware of all the where-abouts.  We have several thousand staff members.

Q:  He is the boss of Mr. Topoljski, he is not just another staff member.  He is quite connected in this… he told Mr. Topoljski to buy something, I think. 

SM:  As far as I know, he is still in his office. 

Q:  You just said that there will be more checkpoints in the Podujevo area and that the road to Gracanica is open now.  If I can connect the two.  Is there more security now in Gracanica?  Are there more troops now to secure that enclave?  What is the reason for more checkpoints in Podujevo?  Are there any threats… any dangers?

SS:  There are no connections between the two.  Each and everyday the KFOR intelligence service here in all the MNBs assess the situation for security reasons.  We then redistribute our assets throughout the region to accomplish the task that we feel necessary for that day.  So we are constantly redistributing assets throughout the area of operations.  As stated by General Ortuno, we are conducting between 500 to 750 patrols daily, including checkpoints. 

Q: What is the reason now to reassess the situation in the Podujevo area?

SS: The reason I mentioned it was purely out of courtesy to the media.  If you are travelling that way, you can expect to have your vehicle possibly searched.  That was the only reason it was mentioned today… normally we don't mention these kinds of events. 

Q: Dr. Kouchner decided to close DITA for eight days.  After that they published a letter saying that they will continue to publish names of alleged criminals.  Yesterday in DITA, Mr. Beqaj, said again that he would continue to publish such names.  What do you intend to do?  Will you wait for those names to be published again in the newspaper?

SM: That is a good question… we closed DITA because there had been a threat to a staff member - to a person - who was later killed.  We are about to issue a regulation on print media, for a transitional period (emergency period), that will ban any other publication from doing the same thing.  He had continuously threatened that he would do it again.  He has not, so… I suppose that he is free to say what he is saying until he does it.  As far as I know that are no plans to take any actions again on DITA unless he actually makes good on his threats.

Q:  Firstly, under which particular legal clause did the SRSG prevent Mr. Berisha from coming into Kosovo?  Second, what exactly were the security concerns that he feared?  What did he think might happen if Mr. Berisha came?  Given that demonstrations have broken out around Kosovo because he can't come… wouldn't you say that the security concerns would be of his 'non-arrival' as opposed to his arrival?

SM: First of all, he asked him not to come.  He did not invoke any law.  Second, the demonstrations so far are peaceful.   Third of all, if there is a specific security situation this is not being divulged.  The general feeling was that his presence would 'muddy the waters' of the political scene here and it was simply not a good idea at this point.  Kosovo politics are for Kosovo politicians… not for politicians from other countries. 

Q:  Just to follow up on the DITA question… are you going to control or check your local staff?

SM: Are we going to control our local staff in Pristina?  (Answer from audience: Yes)  What do you mean by that?

SM:  Our local staff are good staff and we defend them.  As much as possible all staff of all nationalities are checked out but, as you know, there is not much as far as police records here. 

Q:  I'm talking about the background of all people, including Albanians, Serbs, and others who are working in your organization.

SM:  That is what I was saying.  When they apply for a job here, they submit a UN application form.  As much as possible we check them out but it has obviously been difficult given the lack of any records from before we came here. 

Q:  Has any suspect or person/s who is responsible for the last incidents in (unclear), Cernica or Gracanica been arrested or detained?

SM:  There is a suspect for Cernica in Bondsteel.  His detention has been prolonged by the international judge.  I believe that his next hearing comes up later this month.  We no one in detention on the other cases. 

Q:  Since Dr. Kouchner told Mr. Berisha that it would not be a good idea to come here, I would like to know why he said that.  Why didn't KFOR troops let him come in?  Did they have some kind of paper or were they told not to let him in… if they were told, by whom?

SM: I gave the reasons as much as I could.  Dr. Kouchner felt that his presence could disrupt the public peace and order at this point because he felt that the scene in Kosovo now is somewhat tense and volatile, but he did not rule out a future visit. 

Q:  A few days ago President Medani came and nobody said anything. 

SM:  I explained it as much as I can.  He was told not to come because of a potential threat to the public order.  The President of a country is different from a politician. 

SS:  The KFOR presence at the border is a joint presence with UNMIK.  The soldiers there operate under their orders.

SM:  As far as I know he did not approach the border.  He was in Kukes this morning… he gave a press briefing.

Several questions followed on the Berisha affair, lost due to technical problems. Two reporters prefaced their questions by saying Berisha had this morning approached the Albanian-Kosovo border and was turned back by UNMIK Police and KFOR. Reporters wanted to know who gave the order to turn back Berisha. Susan Manuel said she had understood that Mr. Berisha did not indeed come to the border. However, UNMIK Police had been instructed not to let him cross. A reporter asked whether Serbian politicians entering Kosovo had been treated the same way. Ms. Manuel said that Regulation 2, which allowed UNMIK to detain or expel potential trouble-makers had at times been invoked in the Mitrovica region, in order to preserve the public order. However, the proposed Berisha visit was quite different from any previous visit in that it was the subject of great media attention in Albania and obviously of great attention here in Kosovo.  One reporter cited SRSG Kouchner's recent statement that he did not intervene in police matters. Ms. Manuel said that statement had referred to an entirely different situation, i.e. to police investigations. This was a security situation, which fell entirely under Dr. Kouchner's purview and his mandate.