UNMIK-KFOR-UNHCR-UNMIK Police Press Briefing: 18 December 2000
UNMIK Spokeswoman Susan Manuel
KFOR Spokesman Major Steven
Shappell
UNHCR Spokeswoman Astrid van Genderen Stort
UNMIK Police
Spokesman Dmitry Kaportsev
UNMIK Spokeswoman Susan Manuel
SRSG Bernard Kouchner has condemned the violence, which took place over the weekend in Leposavic, in northern Kosovo.
"We in UNMIK will not tolerate the behaviour of any persons who believe they can carry out violent acts with impunity and who attempt to interfere with the legitimate actions of police officers and soldiers who are working to protect the local people," he said.
Dr. Kouchner said he also regretted the fact that Mitrovica has once again become the scene of tragic and senseless violence.
UNMIK Police regional headquarters in Mitrovica are investigating the death of a Kosovo Serb man who was shot and killed during the chaos of late Saturday night and early Sunday morning. The Central Criminal Investigation Unit and Forensic unit of UNMIK police headquarters in Pristina is assisting in the investigation. Today in the audience is Office Petar Zumhof, the assistant director of Investigations, should you have further questions.
A second Kosovo Serb man reportedly suffered a heart attack during the incidents and died. According to UNMII Police, a Kosovo Serb male is gravely injured in Mitrovica hospital. Police have unconfirmed reports that another man was wounded and being treated in Leposavic hospital.
The riot which began Saturday night and went on into the early morning hours Sunday were triggered by the arrest of a Kosovo Serb man by members of UNMIK Police and the Kosovo Police Service for reckless driving. The suspect, Vladimir Tomovic, will appear before the international prosecutor, Michael Hartmann today. Tomovic is reportedly a member of the Mitrovica bridgewatchers.
Shortly following Tomovic's arrest in Leposavic, a crowd gathered which began throwing stones and Molotov cocktails and eventually attacked the UNMIK police station in Leposavic. The police station was damaged and evacuated. One UNMIK Police officer remained inside until 2:30 a.m. this morning.
Negotiations went on yesterday between UNMIK Regional Administrator Tony Welch, KFOR MNB commander Falzone and three Kosovo Serb leaders of Leposavic to defuse the situation, and today Leposavic is quiet.
During those negotiations, it was decided that members of the Kosovo Police Service would not operate in Leposavic until after 23 December, and that UNMIK Police and the French gendarmerie would conduct joint patrols in the municipality when the situation will allow.
We have a press release outside which describes further the events of the weekend.
UNMIK Police in northern Mitrovica are meanwhile investigating a murder of a Kosovo Albanian man who was reported missing late Friday night. Early Saturday morning, UNMIK police broke into the locked apartment of Muharrem Sejdijaj, and found his body with several wounds including a gunshot to the back of the head. His apartment had also been ransacked.
Dimitri Kaporsov should have more details on police activity over the weekend.
COVEY
PDSRSG Jock Covey met with incoming SRSG Hans Haekerrup over the weekend in Copenhagen. We expect Mr. Haekerrup here in Pristina for further briefings on the 2nd and 3rd of January. He will officially take over his duties on or about January 13.
ID cards
There will be a major press conference by Tom Koenigs, the head of
UNMIK Civil Administration, today at 3:30 p.m. to announce the beginning
of the produces of distribution of identification cards. In addition to
announcing the beginning of ID card distribution, Mr. Koenigs will discuss
the state of affairs with ID cards and travel documents.
Power and press conferences
We are still on a load-shedding regime of four hours on and two off. While KEK has put A2 back on line, attempts to restart B2 yesterday were unsuccessful and it tripped out. We do not know when B2 will be back on line, but hopefully in the next day or two.
KEK and Department of Public Utilities officials will give a press briefing on Wednesday about the entire power situation and their projections for load-shedding this winter. The press conference, which will be conducted with simultaneous translation, will be held in room C301 and 3 p.m.
One hour earlier, at 2 p.m., the co-heads of the Central Fiscal Authority will give a press briefing in which they will introduce the Kosovo Consolidated Budget for the year 2001. Again this will be in room C301 with simultaneous translation.
The Mine Action Co-ordination Centre has also announced a press conference for Wednesday, in their headquarters' conference room. The UNMACC building is located next to the UNMIK Police headquarters. The briefing will describe the year's demining activities, which have ended for the winter. It will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
NIS
Yesterday UNMIK's Bureau for Detainees and Missing Persons in conjunction with the International Organization for Migration helped organize a visit by 20 Kosovo Albanians to Nis prison, in Serbia, to visit family members detained there. Family members brought the detainnes personal packages, and IOM provided an addtionof 40 packages of food, clothing and blankets to 40 other prisoners who included Albanians and Serbs. The visit was facilitated by Yugoslav authorities.
SRSG opening a school
A reminder that tomorrow, Dr. Kouchner and the French Minister for International Co-operation, Charles Josselin, will open a high school rehabilitated with the financial support of the Rhônes Alpes Region and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in co-operation with the French CIMIC.
Please see Sylvana Nzirorera about the event. There will be a KFOR bus leaving this Government Building at 1.30 PM on Tuesday.
KFOR Spokesman Major Steven Shappell
The Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Wilson is at Camp Bondsteel today. While he is here he will meet with KFOR leadership and the US Secretary of Defence Cohen. Secretary of Defence Cohen is down there on a farewell tour and US.
Update on Grenade Explosion in Mitrovice / Mitrovica
This is an update on the two KFOR French soldiers injured in an accidental grenade explosion Saturday. Late Saturday night, the more severely injured of the two soldiers was medically evacuated by air to Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France. Sunday morning, the soldier passed away at Percy Hospital. KFOR Commander Lt. Gen. Carlo Cabigiosu extends his deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the soldier. The accident remains under investigation.
Media Opportunities
Band Concert
On Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2000, at 7:00 p.m., the Allied Forces Southern Europe band will perform in the Pristina / Pristina National Theatre. The Naples, Italy based band will present a one-hour rock and roll concert. KFOR Commander Lt. Gen. Carlo Cabigiosu will attend the concert. Members of the media are cordially invited to attend this event but must obtain a free ticket from KFOR Media Operations. For more information, contact KFOR Media Operations in the Coalition Press Information Centre.
COMKFOR Press Conference
On Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000 at 11:30 a. m., KFOR Commander Lt. Gen. Carlo Cabigiosu will his monthly press conference in the UNMIK Government Building in Prishtina / Pristina. Members of the media are cordially invited to attend this monthly press conference. The normal UNMIK press conference will take place immediately afterwards. For more information, contact KFOR Media Operations in the Coalition Press Information Center.
Medical Assistance to Shale / Sedlare
On Thursday, Dec. 21, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. KFOR Greek medical doctors will visit the village of Shale / Sedlare to provide medical assistance to members of the community. The medical assistance will include exams and the dispensing of medicines. Members of the media are cordially invited to attend this event. Transportation will be provided from the Coalition Press Information Center in Prishtina / Pristina departing at 10:00 am. and returning by 1:30 p.m. For more information contact Sgt. Maj. Karalis Lambros in the KFOR Media Operations office.
Christmas event
Friday Night the British Royal Marine Band will perform a Christmas Concert starting at 8:00PM until 10:30PM at (?) in Pristina. Tickets of 5 DM can be bought from any police station here in Pristina 1-2-3 or 4. Tickets will be also sold at the door. The Royal Marine will donate all the perceived to local for charities.
The Finish Battalion announces that the official Santa Close for Kosovo will arrive this afternoon at stadium in Ljiplian at 15:00 by helicopter. Media are welcome to attend.
UNHCR Spokeswoman Astrid van Genderen Stort
Special Envoy
The mentioned visit of the Special Envoy to southern Serbia did not go ahead as planned on Sunday. UNHCR is however presently deploying staff to the area and establishing its presence and opening an office. As a result UNHCR will be closely co-operating with the local [partners and be able to closely monitor the situation form the other side.
From Gnilane
UNHCR estimates at least 3,000 persons have not returned to Preshevo valley and villages since the recent activities in the GSZ when an estimated 5,000 IDPs arrived in Kosovo since 20 November, 2000. Since Saturday 9 December, there has been no noticeable population movement indicating a return to or people fleeing from Serbia proper. Persons moving are determined to be regular traffic for markets and personal business. Persons returning state that they have become a burden on their hosts in Kosovo, the situation has for the time being stabilised and therefore they have decided to return. Persons returning at the same time express their concerns about the security situation in southern Serbia.Most of the IDPs remaining are from villages Lucane, Koncul, and Turija. The largest number of IDPs in Kamenica are presently located in Kamencia town and Topanice village. The identification and assessment of needs is still ongoing for Gnjilane municipality. Presently 14 families (65 persons) are temporarily accommodated in the Gnjilane Dormitory. ARC is creating approximately 60 new host family space for IDPs which should be completed in a few days. IRC/UNMIK has been managing the Dormitory and assisting with placement in host families. If no new influx occurs, all current residents of the Dormitory should be placed with host families by end December. The Gnjilane Sports Centre, the Vitina former community shelter and Kamenica IBG factory are on standby for transit accommodation.
With the Bujanovac-Gnjilane road closed the situation remains potentially volatile in the GSZ. UNHCR/UNMIK along with our partners will continue to be prepared for an additional influx during the winter months. Identification of firewood and additional food for longer term staying IDPs needs to be obtained. MTS will assist with monitoring needs in the various locations of IDPs.
Security conditions in the GSZ has also inhibited travel of minority communities to and from Serbia proper. This has had a significant effect on the communities perception of their ability to remain and return to Kosovo. KFOR has increased escorts to assist in their freedom of movement.
SE's visit to Montenegro
The SE visited the Republic of Montenegro on Friday and Saturday and met with the President of the Republic of Montengro, Milo Djukanovic, the deputy Prime Minister Dr.Burzan (vice president of the Montengrin government) and also with the Commissioner for Refugees Scepanovic. The main issue was to review the status for the refugees from Croatia and Bosnia and displaced persons from Kosovo and to discuss their prospects for return and integration. The Montengrin government has -as one of the rare cases- been very supportive of local integration off the refugee caseload. The government has however asked for continuous financial support in order to help make integration possible, as the economic situation in the republic is bad.
Absence
PI officer will be absent from 21 December till 14th of January. Kindly no crises.
UNMIK Police Spokesman Dmitry Kaportsev
Current Situation
Reports from UNMIK Police Regional Head-Quarters and Stations characterize the situation in Kosovo as tense and difficult.
The security situation in Mitrovica Region remains the main concern and a curfew is still being imposed from Midnight to 05:00Hrs daily in the confidence zones
Weekly Summary
The weekly crime index indicates that the number of major crimes slightly decreased as compared to the previous week (78/76).
There were four (4) murders reported in comparison to none last week.
Twelve (12) attempted murders occurred: in Pristina (2), Gnjilane (3), Prizren (3), Pec (2) and Mitrovica (2). Two cases were reported last week.Seven (7) aggravated assaults occurred this week, (9) last week.
Intimidation cases and assaults are still at the same high level in the Province
One (1) kidnapping was reported week as having occurred in Pristina in comparison with (2) last week.
Five (5) cases of arsons were reported (2) in Gnjilane, (1) in Pec, (2) in Mitrovica.
A total of 121 persons were arrested during the week by Police including (7) for major offences (2) for murder, (4) for attempted murder, (1) for kidnapping.
The total crime activity remains on a stable level in Kosovo, as it has been during the last several months. This week it was reported as 513 cases.
Overview
As it is the last opportunity for me to comment on police facts this year, I shall give you some overall figures:
Total crime activity in Kosovo since the beginning of the year is reported as 23,981 cases and is most likely to reach 25,000 by the end of the year. Pristina Region is leading with 8,949 cases, 3,316 Pec, 3,266 Mitrovica, 4,035 Prizren, 4,415 Gnjilane.
Police made 6,126 arrests, so far in the year 2000. It isn't quite over. Every day international Officers from 53 countries together with KPS perform 400 to 500 vehicle patrols, over 100 foot patrols including joint patrols with KFOR, and vehicle check-points.
Every day, Traffic police officers issue 400 to 500 citations for various traffic violations.
UNMIK Police are operational in 31 Police Stations, 4 Border crossings and at Pristina Airport.
Finally, on behalf of 4,338 International Police Officers and 3,130 KPS officers. Let me wish you a Merry and safe Christmas and a Happy New Year without Crime.
Thank you all.
Questions
Q: Does KFOR decide which troops are going to be deployed and where? Do you accept threats by local Serbs in Northern Mitrovica? There were specific threats yesterday, saying we don't want Belgian soldiers here, they haven't been treating us ok. Do you take that into consideration if you decide to keep troops there?
SS: We don't respond to threats from anybody. KFOR commander on
the ground decides what the security situation is and then sends whatever
troops are appropriate.
Q: Did the Serbs in Leposavic explain
you why they wanted the French Gendarmerie to put up patrols with UNMIK
Police? Why do they think they would get a better treatment from the
French forces?
SS: I don't have that information.
Q: Susan, you just said that French KFOR and Gendarmerie would redeploy to Leposavic when quote and quote "the situation allows it". Does this suggest that personnel apart from UNMIK Police and KFOR have dictated the situation?
SM: Right now, there are no UNMIK Police or Kosovo Police Services in
Leposavic. I believe the police are waiting for the situation to be calm
enough to restart police patrols. According to decisions made yesterday,
patrols will be conducted in conjunction with Gendarmerie.
Q:
UNMIK Police doesn't feel that it might possibly be their responsibility
to ensure that the situation is calm as opposed to let it calm itself?
SM: UNMIK Police has to decide and will comment on when the situation is secure enough for them to work, but they are not responsible for overall security in the area of Mitrovica.
SS: In the meantime, KFOR remains there and we have assumed the bulk of the security up there, maintaining a safe and secure environment.
Q: Are KFOR and UNMIK Police standing by their admission that it was Belgian peacekeepers that fired the fatal shot in Leposavic?
SS: Right now, we are not sure who fired the shots. There were some warning shots fired in the air by Belgian soldiers. As there is an investigation ongoing, we don't know right now who fired the shots that killed one Serb and injured the other.
PZ: We don't have any information who shot this guy we found in the hospital. A person died and one person is very seriously wounded. This is confirmed for our information.
Q: There were reports last week that a lot of threats were going on in Mitrovica. What preventive action did you take in order, for example, to find the dead body of an Albanian in Northern Mitrovica? This gentleman received a deadline according to which if he did not leave his apartment, he would be killed. What UNMIK Police did to prevent this? And, secondly, why this connection between 23rd December Serbian election with no UNMIK Police in Leposavic area?
SM: The decision was made regarding the Kosovo Police Service, not UNMIK Police.
Q: Why Serbian Kosovo Police Service cannot patrol until 23rd December. Why this connection with Serbian election?
SM: There is intra Serb rivalries and tension going on in that area. It was decided yesterday that it would be best if the Kosovo Police Service members who are all Kosovo Serbs would stay out of the area until after the Serbian elections are finished.
DK: On the first question, I am sorry; I don't have the details on this particular case here with me, so I will come back to you with it later.
Q: Yesterday, the Serbian leaders in Leposavic announced that they demand that the number of Belgian soldiers should be decreased. What is your comment on that?
SS: I don't have information on that specific request, however our troops figures are based upon the security situation. So we assess the situation and then we decide.
Q: Who is now controlling the Northern part of Kosovo? Who is in charge of security?
SS: KFOR is still there. We are still maintaining security in that area.
Q: How many people were detained after these incidents in Leposavic?
DK: One was under arrest and this is Tomovic who is supposed to be brought before the judge today.
Q: Yes, but this was before the incident?
DK: Yes.
Q: Was anyone detained after the disturbances?
PS: As far as I know, we detained no one in connection with that.
Q:
The Serb KPS officers will not be on duty until the 23rd. Does this mean
that whenever something starts that you will exclude the Serb Police from
their duties and does this mean that you don't trust these policemen?
SM: Of course, not, but they were the original target. When the arrest occurred, there was apparently an attempt by the suspect to attack the Kosovo Serb Police Officer. These are not fully-fledged police officers, so we don't want to expose them to any unnecessary danger. So, we have decided for the next week to pull them out of Leposavic.
Q: Are you also going to suspend the Belgian soldiers from their duties, because they were also the targets?
SM: Kosovo Police Service Officers are working in support of UNMIK Police. They are not fully fledged operational Police officers and, as you know, we don't have police primacy there, so there is no reason to expose Kosovo Police Service Officers, who are still in training to such risks. It is not at all equivalent with KFOR soldiers.
Q: KFOR said a few months ago that the bridge watchers had disappeared. How does it come that again Tomovic was a bridge watcher and was arrested?
DK: Regardless of his affiliations, he was apprehended, I think in Leposavic, doing what remains to be named by the Judge.
Q: Do you think that KFOR is in charge of security in the Northern part of Kosovo? We usually see the riots made by the Bridge Watchers there. Are you looking into the possibility of joint patrols with the Bridge Watchers in the Northern part of Kosovo?
DK: No.
SS: No.
Q: Usually, all the troubles in Mitrovica start once a Bridge Watcher is arrested. Have any of the Bridge Watchers been charged with anything longer than these three days in prison from their first day of existence? Is the visit of Mr. Kostunica today in Northern Kosovo supposed, together with UNMIK, to try to defuse the situation or is it a one-man show byhim?
SM: We haven't been informed of any visit by Kostunica today
DK: About the charges, I don't have that information either. We will search on that.
Q: Are you happy that KFOR continues to provide a safe and secure environment in all areas of Kosovo?
SS: Are we happy? Is that the question?
Q: Would you say that KFOR continues to provide a safe and secure environment in Kosovo?
SS: We are doing the very best we can. We have responded to the incident in Leposavic. We have reserves on short notice if we need to send them back up there. Obviously, Kosovo, eighteen months on after us coming here, we still have situations that arise. When they do, we send troops to deal with them. So, incidents do happen and we deal with them when they happen.
Q: Are there any plans to make any arrests in Leposavic following the weekend's incidents
DK: The investigation will reveal the possibilities of the arrests. This is a very early stage to comment. How can we plan if there was not yet investigation conducted?
Q: It appears that the official reason why Tomovic was arrested was for recklessly driving his car. Now, you say he is a bridge watcher. On what grounds eventually will he be facing a judge?
SM: He has been charged with reckless driving and perhaps drunk driving. We are not sure of the charges that Hartmann will levy, but he was arrested for reckless driving.
DK: He will be presented to the judge with evidences given by the Police which will include attempted murder, drunk driving and threats against a KPS officer.
Q: Attempted murder is one of the potential charges. That attempted murder occurred during the incidents. Did he drive his car at police?
DK: He was trying to run over the KPS officer when he tried to escape police. If you want we have here, the scheme of the incident. My colleague can present it to you.
Q: How many bullets were fired by the Belgian peacekeepers during the incident?
SS: I don't have that information. I can get it for you.
Q: Has any Belgian soldier being suspended from duty following this incident?
SS: No.
Q: How many shoots were fired by the Serb crowd?
SS: I am not aware of any other shoot apart from the Belgians' warning shoots in the air in order to get the crowd attention. The investigation is not done. But right now, we are of warning shoots.
DK: We have information about at least one shoot from the crowd in the direction of the police station.
Q: If Mr. Kostunica is coming today, has he requested the permission 96 hours before his visit?
SM: To be perfectly honest, this is you who are telling me that President Kostunica plans to come today. We don't have any information here in UNMIK? Can you tell me?
The journalist: I don't know. I just heard it here.
Q: Just to clarify. You're saying that the investigation is ongoing
into who shot this Serb man. Now, are the dead body and the wounded person
in KFOR or UN hospital for your investigation, or are they in
North Mitrovica Hospital controlled by Serbs?
DK: In North
Mitrovica Hospital.
Q: So, you don't have control of them?
DK: I can say so.
Q: It means that you cannot exhume body to find out what bullet hit him?
PZ: There is no bullet in the body.
Q: How was the person killed?
PZ: The shot got in the back and went out in the front and there is no bullet in the body.
Q: Did you have access to the body to do your investigation work?
PZ: We had access and we could make photos
Q: Question for Susan. I understand there was a briefing of senior officials in UNMIK on judiciary matters, Jock Covey describe the situation in Kosovo as an emergency situation in which normal human rights law does not apply. Is it UNMIK official position?
SM: No. That is not a position stated by UNMIK. Do you have this?
Q: I have heard it from a number of people out of this meeting.
SM: If you have a recording of the meeting&
Q: I don't have a recording of any meeting. Was it is a secret meeting or could you find out what took place in the meeting?
SM: There are meetings regarding judicial affairs every single day.
Q: & This is a meeting to discuss the issues of executive interference in judicial procedures.
SM: Your question is& ?
Q: Does the European convention of Human
rights form part of Kosovo basic applicable law and does UNMIK intend to
respect the rules regarding detention of suspects. Does it apply to the
Human rights Declaration?
SM: The major international conventions on Human Rights are officially part of the applicable law in Kosovo. However, we have a very difficult situation with a very young judicial system in an extremely violent atmosphere. We are looking for way to deal with that. But there is no intention to violate human rights.
Q: Are human rights law taking into account when any decisions on detention are made?
SM: Of course they are. As I said, the human rights conventions are the applicable law in Kosovo. It's written into the applicable law, into our regulations on applicable law.
Q: And UNMIK has no intention to break this basic law in Kosovo?
SM: We have no intention to break the basic law in Kosovo. We looking for ways to deal with some of the violence and terrorism that have been plaguing Kosovo since we've been here.
Q: Would you categorize this as an emergency situation or a state of emergency if you wish?
SM: We have not declared Kosovo as being in a state of emergency.
Q: I am back to UNMIK Police. Can you say that your investigation has shown the bullet entered to the body. Do you have the bullet in your possession? Do you know where it came from?
PZ: No, we didn't find the bullet.
Q: In SRSG's statement in UNMIK press release today, it's said the moment is too early to comment on the origin of the shots, referring to the Leposavic incident. Do SRSG and UNMIK stand by the fact of the admission of the Belgian Batallion Commander on the ground on record to two journalists in front Lt.Col. from the French Gendarmerie that it was his men who fired the fatal shoots. Do you agree with this, disagree with this, or deny it?
SM: We are aware that the Commander made a statement. However, we are conducting a police investigation into the death of the Kosovo Serb man.
Q: You said it's too early to comment on it. But he was there with his men, he knew what happened.
SM: The death of the Kosovo Serb man has not been fully investigated yet. I am fully aware of the statement of the commander and I am sure that the police have the statement as well.
Q: Dmitry added yesterday that it was KFOR who opened fire& .
DK: No. I was asked who was shooting outside the station. I said our people were not shooting. It's a public knowledge that KFOR was producing warning shoots. But I didn't say that they killed the people.
Q: You're on record as saying something else.
DK: I read the article you're quoting. But, that's the real comment I gave; and even if anybody, like you mention the Commander on the ground, gives a statement, this doesn't mean it should be taken for granted. It's only after the investigation that it will be decided who produced the shot.
Q: Do you police have access to the scene of the crime?
PZ: We will see the crime scene today.
Q: You'll see it two days after it took place?
PZ: After one day.
Q: The shooting was on Saturday.
PZ: We don't know it. We don't know who shot, when it was shot, where it happened.
Q: There was a pool of blood on the street as I was yesterday at lunch time in front of Leposavic. I don't know whose blood it is.
PZ: Our forensic team will take the blood, if it there is blood.