Press Briefing: 17 July 2000

UNMIK Spokeswoman Susan Manuel
KFOR Spokesman Major Scott Slatten
OSCE Spokesman Roland Bless

UNMIK Spokeswoman Susan Manuel

NAC
Twenty-two ambassadors from the North Atlantic Council will visit Kosovo tomorrow along with NATO Secretary General George Robertson. They will be meeting the SRSG, Doctor Bernard Kouchner and his deputies, members of the Interim Administrative Council, the Kosovo Transitional Council and Kosovo Protection Corps Commander General Ceku. There is a press briefing here tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.

On Saturday, SRSG Bernard Kouchner met with PDK leader Has him Thaci before he left for Brussels. They had a constructive discussion about issues such as war invalids, social assistance fund and Mitrovica. We do expect Mr. Thaci to return to the IAC tomorrow, to attend its regular meeting. That will depend on discussions he is having with his party in a meeting today.

Tomorrow, as we informed you last week, the IAC meeting will be held at 5 PM. to hear a report on Bernard Kouchner’s visit to Brussels and his talks with Mr. Solana, Mr. Humbach and Mr.Christopher Patten.

At tomorrow's IAC, they will also discuss their work plan for the coming two-three months. IAC will not meet on Friday, as the political leaders will be going to Washington.

Registration.
As you know the deadline for registration was extended through Wednesday at all centres to allow the backlog of applicants a chance to register. They have passed the one million mark. During the weekend there were meetings between UNMIK, led by Ambassador Daan Everts, head of OSCE, and Serb Community leaders in Leposavic to encourage them to register. These discussions will continue today and will include community leaders from Zvecan and Zubin Potok, the other municipalities, north of Mitrovica. The sites in Leposavic were closed when some Serbs from Mitrovica indicated they would go and try to discourage people from registering. These sites should be reopened as of 2 PM today in Leposavic and other areas of Northern Mitrovica with additional security.

Regulations
SRSG Bernard Kouchner has signed a regulation establishing the administrative Department of Sport. This department is responsible for the overall management of matters relating to sports in Kosovo and it will develop, promote and regulate sports and a life-long activity which should be available to everyone in Kosovo without discrimination. Co-heads are Jean-Selim Kanaan and Zemun Pajaziti.

The Department of Sport has already been active. Beginning last week they launched a project to start 74 summer camps for kids around Kosovo for a total of 330,000 DM. The camps will run in July and August with sessions of 2-4 weeks and 5,000 kids will be able to take part. There are also 10 minority camps.

This Friday, the Department of Sport will re-open the completely refurbished 
swimming pool in the Germija valley. Currently lifeguards are undergoing training.

The department is also preparing an administrative instruction on the use of grants-in-aid for federation and clubs so that their activities can be financed, as well as a directive for a complete overhaul of the sports infrastructure. And the department has sent a request to the UN in NY for a $1 million grant to refurbish some of the sports infrastructures.

Also signed into law is a regulation on the establishment and functioning of liaison offices of foreign governments in Kosovo. The purpose of such offices is to facilitate contacts between these governments and the international presence, both civilian and security within the purview of their mandates in Kosovo.

Power:
Regarding the power situation, unit A 3 has been running all weekend, generating about 100 MW. While B2 was down for repairs to the boiler, we had electricity imports from Greece. Unit B2 is now back on line, so there should be any cuts nor any need for imports

EU visitor
The EU budget commissioner Mrs. Schreyer was here over the weekend meeting with Dr. Kouchner and the pillars on financial matters and the Kosovo Budget.

She Visited housing projects in Vucitrn, where the EU Agency for Reconstruction is rebuilding 8,000 houses. The agency has already contracted 53 million DM of work out of the total 55 million DM’s commitment for housing.

UNMIK Police

UNMIK Police reported two grenades attacks overnight, one against a Kosovo Albanian house in Pristina, which resulted in considerable material damage but no injuries.  The other involved a hand grenade thrown by young people at a Serb-occupied house in Obilic. Again, there was material damage but no injuries.

At 3 a.m.yesterday in Lipjan, the Kosovo Albanian restaurant Napolitana was completely destroyed by a powerful explosion.
 
Now, regarding the 7 July incident in Streoc, Peja area, Police continued to interview witnesses over the weekend. They are analysing events leading up to the incident. They are seeking bodyguards of the participants to question. They have not yet been located. And they plan to interview Ramush Haradinaj upon his return to Kosovo from Germany.

Questions
Q: Can you tell us what happened in the village of Radishevo near Zubin Potok where apparently Serbs attacked Albanians?

SS: It kind of took us by surprise last night. We are trying to find some additional informations because very limited information was reported. It appears that the articles in the local newspapers state that there was quite a large gun battle that went out last Friday that would have lasted for several hours in that village. However, nothing like that was reported to KFOR. A primarily investigation of the area has discovered nothing that would demonstrate the fact that a large battle took place in the area. There is little to no damage in that area. So we are still investigating at this time in the village. KFOR patrols have visited the village since and currently, as we speak, are trying to discover evidences to sustain these kinds of descriptions.

Q: There was also an incident in Caglavica with Swedish soldiers with cars coming back from a wedding with flags. Can you give some more details on that?

SS: This is an other occurrence that happens fairly frequently. The wedding party decided to try and drive through a Serbian village waving flags. We have already stated in the past that it is an act of non-compliance. We prefer that people don’t use Albanian flags in Serbian villages. Once the situation a calmed, the flags were returned and the party continued on. From what I understand, the bride was fairly upset about it. It kind of ruined her day. The main thing is if you have to have a wedding ceremony and you want to display the flag, don’t fly it through a Serbian village because we will stop the car, confiscate the flags or at least keep the people from doing that kind of activity.

INAUDIBLE

SS: I don’t have any report on any damages whatsoever. I can research that though but nothing was reported.

Q: Does it mean that you recommend to the wedding parties to fly over the Serbian areas?

SS: No, it is very simple to put the flags inside the vehicle, drive through the town.

Q: Just a follow-up. Two incidents occurred on Friday, one in Mitrovica and one alleged incident in this village close to Zubin Potok. In Mitrovica, 74 shots were heard. Why no one was arrested? A follow-up question for UNMIK. Do you think that these are the neighbourhood watchers who were shooting in the Northern part of Mitrovica?

SS: First, shots in Mitrovica are fairly common and current. Last night, shots were reported also. You deal with an urban environment where it is very easy for someone to shoot off a few rounds, run back into their house. Nobody can find them. KFOR usually responds to what we call shot reports if we hear shots being fired, we will send a KFOR patrol to try and locate any evidence of the shootings. But, if you don’t see bullet holes, shell casings on the ground and if local residents are not coming to us and say. I saw a man down the street here firing his weapon, then it’s very difficult to catch these people that are involved in this, but we are continuing to do our searches in that area.

Q: But it was in the front of KFOR soldiers!

SS: I don’t have any report o KFOR soldiers standing right there when shots are being fired. Every evidence I have had, people are usually arrested or detained. If they are shooting illegal weapons. Even if you have a legal weapon, you are not allowed to discharge it without a reason

SM: I am not aware that UNMIK police witnessed anyone shooting.  They said that shots came originally from the South side of river, and then came from the North side to the Albanian dwellings or large apartment blocks. I don’t think they saw anybody shooting. They found a tube on the north side of town.

SS: I believe it was an M80 anti-tank weapon.

Q: Mr.Kouchner and Thaci have discussed about war invalids. Has they reached any sort of agreement on that issue and some other issues brought up by Mister Thaci in order so to make way for Mr. Thaci to come back. And again, is this a concession to Mr. Thaci.

SM: I don’t know what kind of agreement they reached, but Kouchner has been actively involved in the issue of war invalids and what kind of medical treatment and payment for medical treatment they can get. Thaci did indicate that he would come back to the IAC. If his party at its meeting today agrees.

Q: Presumably, you are trying to seek an agreement with the Serbs that they join in registration. Does it mean that you would extend the registration period again after Wednesday? May I also ask what kind of progress in producing an ID card for the voting process?

SM: There would be an other meeting tonight to discuss where we stand with registration. And with ID cards, we don’t really have a date on that now, because there has been a glitch in the computer programming that has delayed them and may cost several million dollars. So currently, there is an effort to find this money and then, reprogram whatever the faults have been.

Q: How much does it set the timetable back for elections?

SM: At this point, it will not set back the timetable for elections.

Q: How much would you be prepared to extend the registration period if the Serbs or other minorities would decide to join in?

SM: There is no actual date being discussed now. We should have more information after tonight.

Q: In a report today, it was stated that more than 90 Albanians families were searched for weapons in Mitrovica. Did KFOR any evidence that the shots were heard from the Southern part?

SS: The initial report states that a grenade rifle-propelled was fired from the Southern side to the northern side, Then shots were heard on both sides Then the last incident was a propelled grenade that was fired from the North against one of the three towers impacting against an unoccupied apartment. So basically, it is on both sides of the river.

Q: Did KFOR find any weapons during the search?

SS: I am not aware of any weapons that were found. The only one that I am aware of was the expanded tube of the rocket launcher that was on the Northern side and some evidences of the rifle propelled grenade on the southern side. That is all I can recall at this point.

Q: How many Serbs voters registered in Leposavic on Saturday before the early closure of the registration centre?

RB: We don’t actually have figures on the different nationalities. We base ourselves on the observation by the election offices on their registration sites. So far, for the entire Serb participation is a token few. Serbs are virtually not participating in the registration.

Q: Did anybody go to Leposavic registration centre before it was closed down early on Saturday?

RB: You mean to register. I am not sure about it. I would doubt it.

Q: I want to go back to Caglavica incident.  Why do you see this incident with the flag as a provocation when it is centuries old tradition?

SS: I understand that. Once again, as stated, I don’t see people being detained or stopped on the street throughout most of the areas here because they would carry a flag. But if you drive through a Serb village, the KFOR checkpoint will ask to please put your flag inside. When you exit the village, you can put your flags back up.
It is the same issue as if Serbs are driving through Albanian towns flying Serb flags. It would only intensify the tension between people here.
What I do know is that it has totally ruined the wedding that was in progress. So they have taken a wedding - a special event - to turn it into a political event. And to me, that should not be happening.

Q: Where do we stand with the registration process in Prizren area with the Turkish community? Do their leaders continue their negotiations with Dr. Kouchner and will the registration centre in Leposavic be opened again?

SM: Yes, it will be opened again this afternoon. As Roland said, we are not keeping track at this point of who is registering by ethnicity, but it is clear that a portion of the Turk community is registering but their leaders are still resisting the idea. They have certain demands put to UNMIK that we should return to their interpretation of the 1974 constitution in terms of Turkish language being a co-equal and national language all throughout Kosovo along with Serbo-Croat and Albanian. I believe that discussions are ongoing obviously but I don’t think anything has moved since last week.

Q: Can we go back to the angry bride? Does it mean that KFOR cannot secure Serb enclaves?

SS: Anybody can drive through that area.

Q: Albanians has put their flags even when the Serbian police were here. Why not now?

SS: The policy has been and is – unless it is revised in the future – that we prefer not top see Albanian flags being flown   through Serbian villages. Like wise, if we had the same situation, with a Serbian wedding party going to an Albanian town, flying Serbian flags. Obviously, it would increase the tension in that local community and we would tell them to stop.

Q: As a follow-up, there is case here.  I was at the scene. It was pretty damned horrible. The soldiers, after having stopped the convoy, have forced people out of the car, windows smashed. Four cars were there. KFOR Swedish soldiers who took tapes from personnel video recorders took the evidence of it away.  Do you have those tapes?
Did they report to you that they have deleted the pictures from the digital cameras of the journalist of Koha Ditore? For one hour, they did not communicate with the crowd with an interpreter. Would someone be charged for this or what is the procedure in this type of cases?

SS: First of all, I was not at the site myself. I have taken down what you just have stated I will go back and see if there is any additional information.

Q: You have indicated that the Serbs might be ready to register. What are you offering at this late stage that might convince them to join in?

RB: It is the same we have been saying all along. Don’t disqualify yourself.  Don’t get yourself outside of the political process if you want to demonstrate that your political future is within Kosovo, you have to register in order to vote. And there is no special incentive.  Because the registration process is an equal to all.

Q: Why they are taking notice now?

RB: That you should ask the Serbs community leaders. I am not here to talk on their behalf. I can confirm though that we have since last Thursday, the strongest indications so far that Serbs are interested to participate. This relates to the municipality of Leposavic.

Q: Just a follow-up on the flag story? What kind of regulation or law KFOR has to stop or take the flags, no matter which one.

SS: First stop, KFOR is here to protect to insure the security of all the people living in Kosovo. That’s one of our primary missions here. If we ascertained that it does increase the tension, then we will do what is necessary in order to reduce that.  One of those measures is please do not fly Albanian flags while driving through Serbian villages. Like wise, we don’t allow Serbian flags to be flown while driving through Albanian villages if it becomes an issue and it would and I know, it would, OK?

Q: It was a mixed village with Albanians houses.

SS: It is even more of a reason. Al right. It just increases the tension between the people living in these areas. It is the bottom line.

Q: We know that Paddy Ashdown is in town today.  Can you tell us more about his agenda and why he has come to visit Kosovo, as he is one of the candidates to replace Dr. Kouchner as far as we know?

SM: I’ll try to get his agenda for you but I don’t know if he is coming specifically on a UNMIK visit.

Q: What is the procedure to judge the actions of KFOR soldiers when they behave like they should not behave?

SS: KFOR soldiers are here under the rules and regulations as dictated by the various armies they are operating in. Every incident is usually investigated and will be dealt with by military law.

Q: How many are under discipline actions?

SS: We have soldiers disciplined throughout KFOR presence in Kosovo. We have currently a court martial being convened in Germany in reference to an American Soldier that is accused of crimes in Kosovo. There have been several soldiers from various MNB’s that have been disciplined removed from Kosovo or otherwise charged with criminal activity. Usually we are very open. If soldier is accused of criminal activity, we present that fact. I don’t see where the issue is.

Q: The issue is that only two cases are known from the public where KFOR soldiers were being charged or investigated and both are American. Nothing so far about these Norwegian soldiers and their behaviour in Caglavica

 SS: First of all, they are innocent until proven guilty. An investigation will be conducted. If impropriates are demonstrated, there is variety of different means to punish or justice the soldiers within the rules of military law. It is not a situation where KFOR troops can run in Kosovo doing what they please. KFOR has always done what we were supposed to do. If a soldier or an individual does something that they are not suppose to, the, we are conducting an investigation and proceed under military law.

Q: Will you start a procedure with the Norwegian soldiers?

SS: Once again, I am only reporting on the information that has been given to me. I have taken the information down from what you have presented. We will go back and try to find some more information on it for you. But no more information about the flags in this town?

Q: It is not question of flags, but a question of morale rules?

SS: That’s true and there have been many incidents in which soldiers have been removed from Kosovo because of their behaviour. Often, their behaviour was not bearing any criminal charges. If you did the same things Linda, you would not be charged with any type of crime. Yet, there was a higher standard applied to the KFOR soldier and he was removed from Kosovo. This has happened several times in the past.