UNMIK-KFOR Press Briefing: 27 November 2000

UNMIK Spokeswoman Susan Manuel
UNMIK Police Spokesman Derrick Chappell
UNHCR Spokeswoman Astrid Van Genderen Stort
KFOR Spokesman Mark Whitty
KFOR Spokesman Peter Cameron

Susan Manuel

Today Dr. Bernard Kouchner is in Vienna participating in the OSCE Ministerial Council.
Upon his return tomorrow, he will go directly to the Plementina Roma-Ashkalia camp in Obilic, where he will meet with representatives of the Roma, Ashkalia and Serb communities in the camp. He should arrive at the camp at around 1:30 p.m.

Media are welcome to attend. If anyone needs transport, please let me know today or Sylvana tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow the SRSG will swear in the 10th international judge,  Renate Winter of Austria.

As it is Flag Day tomorrow, there will be no meeting of the Interim Administrative Council.

Dr. Kouchner has recorded a message which will be broadcast tonight on local television: Basically, he says that he 'welcomes the spirit of joy with which so many Kosovars will be waving their flags on this important day…' but he also sends a message of caution, reminding the people of Kosovo that last year's celebration was destroyed by the brutal  murder of a Serb professor, as well as other acts of intimidation. Dr. Kouchner recalls that the late Xhemail Mustafa loved the flag which will be honored tomorrow, but that Mr. Mustafa argued in favor of tolerance and against corruption and violence. Dr. Kouchner urged the people of Kosovo to carry on the work of Mr. Mustafa. "The people of Kosovo will truly honor their flag if they act with courage and remove intolerance of any kind from life in Kosovo," Kouchner said.

On Thursday, Dr. Kouchner goes to Greece to attend a conference on Albanians as majorities and minorities.

Regarding the power situation, Kosovo B1 should be completely off  today as the plant is prepared for  the start-up on Thursday of Kosovo B2, where an overhaul has now been completed. We were anticipating some load-shedding this week, however an agreement signed by UNMIK with the Bulgarian power company last week should mean imports from Bulgaria will arrive sooner than expected, and there may be no or minimal power outages during this transition period.
Astrid van Genderen Stort: UNHCR

Update of Preshevo IDP Situation

Yesterday a large amount of Albanian and Serbian civilians fled from the their villages in and around the GSZ into Kosovo and Macedonia.

Yesterday from the morning hours vehicles were lined at the boundary crossings with Serbia at Gate 5 and at Muchibaba. Field staff arrived at 1000hrs and KFOR reported crossings have been ongoing for the last two hours. After examining KFOR shared numbers and UNHCR population movement observations, the FO estimates a total of 1600 persons crossed today. (1000 at Gate 5, 600 at Muchibaba). Persons crossing stated Serbian military build up continued today and they feared from attacks. The latest movement of IDPs has increased the number of the new arrivals this week, ending today, to well over 2000 persons. All figures are reliable approximations as no registration is taking place at this time.

There was an increase of traffic crossing at Muchibaba coming from Preshevo and Bujanovac towns. Of the approx. 600 which crossed at Muchibaba, the majority was heading towards Kamenica, while some headed onto Pristina to stay with family or friends.

A new group of Albanians fled the mixed village of Nasalce (pop. 1800) and from Oslare (pop 1000). The IDs state that the villages are surrounded by military and police. Reports indicate these villages are practically empty except for some elderly and younger men.

All of the interviewed people have expressed fear and panic since the MUP is building up their forces in Bujanovac and around villages. No actual fighting or shelling was reported by the IDPs entering Kosovo: they mainly stated that by fleeing they were taking precautionary measures as they were afraid of what might happen today when the ceasefire ends. Many of the males returned to Koncul and Lucane after they brought woman and children to Kosovo.

All reports coming from the area indicate a massive build up by Serb Security forces is taking place just outside the GSZ and around villages the UÇPMB has control.

Serbs are leaving Bujanovac and mixed villages according to the reports of both Albanians and Serbs. Our office i Macedonia reported this morning that the border police at the Tabanovce border crossing between Serbia and Macedonia had registered five hundred persons (Serbians and Albanians) entering the country with proper documentation and "not stating any specific problems". All of them , according to the reports, went directly to private accommodation without need of any particular assistance.

So far the FO has only assisted 3 families with shelter. We expect the number of IDPs arriving to continue tomorrow and an increase in number in need of assistance.

KFOR, ICRC, UNMIK, IRC, ARC, DRC, have all been involved with UNHCR in the planning for a larger influx.

KFOR Spokesman Peter Cameron

Please see attached briefing notes on hard copy.