18 February
SRSG Michael Steiner
visited Sami Frasheri gymnasium in Pristina. Sami Frasheri, one of the
best schools in Kosovo, is a participant in the European Schools project,
financed by the Government of France. The SRSG stressed that with 52
per cent of the population being below 20 years of age, Kosovo needed
investment in education, which had prime importance for its economic
recovery.
SRSG Michael Steiner
met with all UNMIK's Municipal Administrators. As part of his continuing
meetings with local political leaders, Michael Steiner also met with
Ramush Haradinaj of the AAK.
The municipal inspectors
in Podujeve/Podujevo, supported by UNMIK Police and KPS, began an operation
aimed at removing shop extensions from sidewalks and public space that
block the passage of pedestrians. The shop owners were given a 7-day
notice to remove all permanent and temporary extensions. The action
has not only helped to free the pedestrian paths and public places but
also strengthened the authority of the municipality.
19 February
SRSG Michael Steiner
addressed the people of Kosovo over RTK. Stressing that Kosovo is a
"resourceful, young and dynamic society", the SRSG stated
that the "same energy and resourcefulness should now be used to
put in place a functioning government". He also highlighted three
challenges ahead: laying the foundations for economic success, such
as education, jobs, income and enterprise; beating crime and violence
and removing fear; and creating a fair society and a safe home for all.
20 February
An interethnic ski
coaching camp for girls from all over Kosovo began at the Brezovica
Ski Centre. The 10-day camp was organized by the Ski Federation of Kosovo
in collaboration with the Transitional Department of Culture, Youth,
Sports and Non-Resident Affairs. Twenty girls-15 Kosovo Albanian and
five Kosovo Serb-take part in the camp. This is the second major initiative
in bringing communities together through sports. In 2001, the Shterpce/Strpce
basketball team was admitted to the Kosovo basketball league by the
Basketball Federation of Kosovo. Since then the Shterpce/Strpce team
has been playing in the second division league. The Department hopes
that the ski camp will pave the way for more multi-ethnic sports events
in Kosovo. United States KFOR troops provided security for both sporting
initiatives.
21 February
SRSG Michael Stein
er completed the first round of his talks with political leaders from
the Kosovo Assembly and began the second round as well with a meeting
with Assembly President Nexhat Daci.
OSCE released a
manual which is intended to provide access to justice and fair treatment
to victims of crime in Kosovo. It is meant to be a practical tool for
dealing with victims and working towards the development of a comprehensive
and integrated system of victim advocacy. The manual presents a variety
of mechanisms, models and skills involved in crime victim response,
and is aimed to be a starting point to address what victims of crime
want and need.
Education officials
launched the Ministry of Education and Science empowerment project training
programme. Speakers at the ceremony at the Pristina Student Centre included
the Ministry's Principal International Officer Michael Daxner, Deputy
SRSG Tom Koenigs and Zenun Rexhep, the Ministry's future Director of
Information and Public Relations.
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