UNMIK-KFOR Press Briefing: 15 November 2000
UNMIK Spokeswoman Claire Trevena
KFOR Spokesman Major Steven
Shappell
UNMIK Police Spokesman Derek Chappell
UNMIK
Spokeswoman Claire Trevena
KTC
The KTC is meeting as usual this morning. The co-heads of Department of Public Services are scheduled to make a presentation.
KTC Statements on Albanian Prisoners and Ashkali Murders
The KTC has adopted the following statement: "The members of the Kosovo Transitional Council condemn in the strongest terms the cowardly killing of the four members of the Ashkali community. The KTC supports the message of the SRSG to the Municipal Assemblies that the future of Kosovo lies in tolerance and recognizes the right of Kosovo citizens of all communities to return to their homes in peace and security".
On Albanian Prisoners
The Kosovo Transitional Council (KTC) expresses its deep sorrow at the continued detention of Kosovo prisoners illegally detained in Serbian jails.
The KTC calls upon the Belgrade authorities, as well as any other parties who may contribute to the establishment of the fate of all missing persons, to forward any information to UNMIK.
The KTC welcomes the constant support of the SRSG, Dr. Bernard Kouchner, on the issue of the missing and detained. The KTC appreciates that the SRSG shares the sorrow of the families, who are presently demonstrating throughout Kosovo, and extends its support to the SRSG as he brings this crucial issue once more in front of the UN Security Council in New York.
The KTC calls on the SRSG to continue making every possible effort to facilitate the release of Kosovo prisoners detained in Serbian jails as soon as possible.
The KTC appeals to the International Community, and in particular to the UN Security Council, to do its utmost to secure the release of all Kosovo detainees in Serbia.
The KTC agrees with the SRSG that the release of all Kosovo Albanian political prisoners who remain in Serbia would constitute justice and a major step towards a meaningful dialogue and lasting peace.
In the interests of moving the peace process forward, the KTC appeals once more to President Kostunica to act immediately to free all political prisoners.
SRSG to raise Albanian Prisoners Issue in New York
The SRSG is going to be bringing up this issue while he is in New York, at the Security Council. He has also welcomed President Kostunica’s declaration of last week that the Belgrade government would start a process to resolve the issue. UNMIK is also continuing its efforts through talks with Belgrade ministries, human rights lawyers in Belgrade and with other countries.
Funeral
The funeral takes place this morning of the four Ashkali found murdered
last week. That’s at noon at Kosovo Polje/Fushe Kosova. Tom Koenigs, the
DSRSG for Civil Administration will attend on behalf of Dr Kouchner who is
in New York. Tony Land, the acting chief of mission for the UNHCR, will
attend it on behalf of the UNHCR.
We understand LDK and PDK
representatives will also be there.
The KTC is also discussing the issue of the detention of Albanians in Serbian jails.
Zagreb Meeting
Just to clarify some confusion that is appearing in the Albanian media here – the SRSG, Dr. Kouchner is not expected to take either Kosovo Albanian or Kosovo Serb representatives with him to the summit in Zagreb later this month.
Pristina Detention Centre
UNMIK police are reporting a disturbance at Pristina detention center yesterday evening, which they say may have been provoked by Sebat Gaci. It happened during the evening meal when verbal insults were made towards an officer – this escalated into a fight involving nine prisoners. The situation was brought under control with the assistance of the Royal Marines.
IOM Internet Link
The International Organization for Migration is inviting journalists to what may be an emotional long distance reunion between Kosovo children in hospital in Italy and their parents. They will be using an internet video link to join Hajrullah Rexhep – a 7 year old with lukemia – and Blerim Leku – a 13 year old with testicular cancer – with their families in Pristina. Journalists who want to attend this event should meet at the Internet Centre at the University Library in Pristina at 10.30 tomorrow morning.
Friday Briefing
Just to alert you now that on Friday there will be a briefing by the UN Environment Programme Team which has been investigating depleted uranium here in Kosovo. As I said we will alert you to the time when we have that.
Father Sava will be holding his regular press briefing here after this press conference.
KFOR Spokesman Major Steven Shappell
Press Conference
At 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, 19 November 2000, Admiral Guido Venturoni, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, will hold a press conference at KFOR Headquarters. KFOR Commander Lt. Gen. Carlo Cabigiosu will also participate in the press conference. Transportation for the media will be provided from the CPIC, departing at 12:45 p.m. and returning by 2:30 p.m. Interested media representatives should contact KFOR Media Operations in the CPIC in Prishtina / Pristina.
Weapons Cache Destruction
On Friday, 17 November 2000, Multinational Brigade East will conduct a weapons cache destruction event at Camp Bondsteel. The weapons to be destroyed were seized from a weapons cache recently discovered near the village of Dac Mala. Beginning at 11:00 a.m., the weapons to be destroyed will be on display for members of the media. Following a lunch at the Camp Bondsteel dining facility, the weapons will be destroyed by controlled explosion. Transportation for the media will be provided, departing the CPIC at 10:00 a.m. and returning by 3:00 p.m. Interested media representatives should contact KFOR Media Operations in the CPIC in Prishtina / Pristina.
President of Ireland to Visit Troops
On Saturday, Nov. 18, 2000, the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, will visit Kosovo. During her trip, she will visit the KFOR Irish Transport Company located at Camp Clarke in Lipjan / Lipljan. She will also visit KFOR Commander Lt. Gen. Carlo Cabigiosu. Members of the media are cordially invited to accompany President McAleese during her visit to Kosovo. The media tour includes transport to the airport for arrival of the President’s party, briefing at Camp Clarke followed by lunch and a dedication ceremony, and a media opportunity at KFOR Headquarters in Prishtina / Pristina. Transportation will depart the Coalition Press Information Centre at 9:45 a.m., returning at approximately 3:30 p.m. Interested media representatives should contact KFOR Media Operations in the CPIC in Prishtina / Pristina.
Questions
Q: Claire, can you just tell us more about the prison riots in Kosovo? Also Ms. Trajkovic, one of the Kosovo Serb leaders said yesterday that they have decided that the Serbian elections would take place in Serbian enclaves in Kosovo. What is UNMIK's position on this?
CT: On the detention center disturbances, that is all I have on that. The police are investigating on what sparked it off and how it started but it was swiftly brought under control. There are some minor damage to some of the cells apparently. On the Serb elections on 23 December we still havent got a position. We are still talking with various parties and the SRSG will bring this up at the Security Council in New York.
Q: ……inaudible (question on the Serb elections)
CT: Hopefully very soon but it obviously has to be discussed widely to see what we should do and discussions haven’t finished yet.
Q: I have another question on the Serbian elections in Kosovo. I understand that you have not yet made a decision on these elections. But can we expect the United Nations Missions in Kosovo to monitor these elections as in the case of the recent Serbian elections?
CT: As I said before we have not taken a decision yet on how we are going to handle the elections.
Q: Two days ago you stated that you are in daily contact with Co- Minister of Justice in Serbia. Can you explain, what did you get from him? What is the situation of the Albanian detainees in the Serb prison in Nis? Are they in the hands of the rebels or in the hands of the prison guards?
CT: Apparently they are in safe condition. I don’t know the exact details but we have heard from the people in Belgrade that all the Albanian prisoners are completely safe. We have been appealing to the families protesting that we do know that they are safe and this message has gone back to families that the prisoners are safe in prisons. As I mentioned on Monday a number of them have been moved to other facilities but we know that all those who remain in the Nis prison are safe.
Q: So you actually don’t know in whose hands they are?
CT: Well I assume they are in the hands of the guards, I don’t know. We know that they are not in danger. We have been assured that they are not in danger.
Q: What is your policy? It has been reported today in the local press that a few days ago a Serb in Peja was arrested or kidnapped by some Albanians who recognized him as a person who committed a lot of atrocities, he was a para-military during the bombing in the unit called Frankes and they have handed over this person to the UNMIK Police. What is the case, what are you doing with this person, where is he now, is he detained? Have you started investigating him? Do you have any information on this case?
DC (UNMIK Police): Yes I do have some information on that case. The person in question was handed over to the police. We have two investigation teams at the scene now investigating the allegations. At the time he is in custody. The investigation teams I believe arrived yesterday so they are in the middle of conducting that inquiry now.
Q: Just to follow-up on this, how many murder cases have been solved until now. For instance, four Gypsies, a UN employee--the Bulgarian citizen, a UNHCR Albanian employee, etc, have been killed. How many cases have been solved until now?
DC: I don’t have the exact statistics here on the number of murders. I can certainly get those for you during the next press conference or contact you this afternoon.
Q: Claire indicated that it might have been Mr. Sabet Gaci who started the whole thing. What actually happened? What are they requesting?
DC: We are not certain what sparked the protests It started around supper time. It involved a total of nine prisoners. At no time was there any danger to any persons as the Royal Marines cordoned the area around the prison. It was secured. There was minor damages caused to several cells. One prison officer was slightly injured, not seriously. The majority of the prisoners went back to their cells peacefully once the Royal Marines had secured the prisoner.
Q: inaudible (on the Pristina Detention Centre).
DC: I spoke with the Prison Commander this morning and we do not know what sparked the protests. We are trying to find that right now.
Q: Did they make any demands.
DC: No, there were no demands made. It seemed to start with a dispute between the prisoners that was directed at the guard. There were some verbal insults that resulted in a physical attack on the guard. Other persons in the prison joined in. It became a general fight and that was how the disturbance started. They had not presented any demands and we are not certain what started it other than the obvious insults directed at the guard.
Q: What is the situation there now?
DC: At present the prisoners are in their cells. The prison is functioning normally and the situation is under control. There is no military cordon around the cell. It is functioning normally.
Q: Are the prisoners dissatisfied with their treatment in the detention centers
DC: As I said we are not certain what started the protests. It appeared to be a spontaneous protest from insults and an assault directed at a prison guard. We are not aware of protests that the prisoners had as a group about their conditions, about their treatment in the prison. The exact cause hasn’t been determined yet but I don’t believe there is any general discontent at the way they are treated in the prison.
Q: Was Mr. Gaci one of those who sparked it?
DC: I believe Mr. Gaci was one of the people that was involved in the protests and I believe that he did have a leading role in it.
Q: Do you have any information on an incident that happened at a children's theater in Skenderaj where someone threw poisonous gas at the children while they were having a show so the 30 children together with the theater employees had to be evacuated?
CT: I can find out about that for
you.