11 March
SRSG Michael Steiner
was in Brussels, where he met NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson
and addressed the European Union's General Affairs Council. This was
the first stop of a week-long tour of several capitals with a direct
interest in developments in Kosovo. The purpose of the trip was to "lobby
for Kosovo" and to stress the importance of continued international
support on the political and economic levels to Kosovo and its new institutions
of provisional self-government (PISG). PDSRSG Charles Brayshaw was acting
SRSG throughout the week
13 March
The SRSG held meetings
in Washington DC with US secretary of state Colin Powell and US national
security advisor Condeleeza Rice. He briefed American officials on UNMIK's
progress implementing UNSC Resolution 1244 and the formation of the
provisional institutions of self-government They also discussed UNMIK's
plans and measures to confront organised crime and prevent organisations
and individuals connected with terrorism from using Kosovo as a base
or transit area. They also discussed the prospects for the returns of
displaced people as well as how to slow the further exodus of minorities.
14 March
The third leg of SRSG Michael Steiner's trip took him to London
for meetings with UK foreign secretary Jack Straw and Foreign Office
minister Dennis McShane.
15 March
Prime Minister Bajram
Rexhepi opened the first official meeting of his cabinet, laying out
the priorities for the PISG. Nine of 10 cabinet ministers in the PISG
were present. The minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development,
who will be a Kosovo Serb, has yet to be appointed. PDSRSG Charles Brayshaw,
who was a guest at the meeting, said that the people of Kosovo and the
international community were looking to the new government to uphold
respect for and compliance with the rule of law. "Under the rule
of law, the people will exercise their freedom and their right to build
a prosperous and stable Kosovo for the benefit of all", he said.
"The first challenge you face is creating an impartial, efficient
and effective administration that serves all the people of Kosovo."
Dr Rexhepi promised a government of full transparency, working in co-operation
with UNMIK and KFOR. Each minister would be held personally accountable
for his work. As priorities he said the government would focus on: economic
development; reforms in education; the integration of minorities; completing
the legislative infrastructure; encouraging small and medium entreprises;
seeking investment from abroad; improving the quality of health care
and increasing public services. He said his office would particularly
encourage applications from minorities for staff jobs in the executive
structures.
UNMIK and KFOR launched
a one-month weapons amnesty, with the main message that people with
illegal weapons should "hand over all weapons and make Kosovo a
safer place for everyone". Anyone handing in weapons before 15
April will not be prosecuted. KFOR has reminded people not to take any
explosive devices such as mines and hand grenades to the weapons collection
points but instead to report their whereabouts to KFOR or UNMIK Police
who will arrange to collect them.
SRSG Michael Steiner
was in Moscow to continue his discussions on the importance of international
support for Kosovo. He held talks with Russian foreign minister Igor
Ivanov. Mr Steiner returned to Pristina at the weekend.
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