19 August
UNMIK responded
to a statement by Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi in which he had described
the recent arrests of former KLA members on criminal charges as unacceptable.
The government, which approved the statement by simple majority, described
the arrested people as political prisoners and hostages to the political
process. In its response UNMIK noted that it was mandated under UNSC
1244 to establish the rule of law in Kosovo. "We regret today's
statement ... which imputes a political motivation to recent arrests,"
UNMIK said in its response. "Recent arrests were the results of
long and complex investigations, some begun as early as 1999, by UNMIK
Police." UNMIK added that there was no political aspect or motivation
to any of the arrests which had been conducted against individuals suspected
of serious crimes, not against any group or organisation to which they
belong or may have belonged in the past. All those suspects arrested
will receive all rights accorded them under law and their cases will
be processed as quickly as possible, with fair and objective justice.
Francesco Bastagli
took up his duties as Deputy Special Representative in Kosovo in charge
of UNMIK's Pillar for Civil Administration. Mr Bastagli succeeds Tom
Koenigs, who joined UNMIK shortly after it was established in 1999.
Under Mr Koenigs' leadership, the foundations of a modern civil administration
in Kosovo were laid and basic administrative structures were established
from scratch at the provincial and municipal levels. Mr. Bastagli, who
has devoted his entire career to the United Nations, has expertise in
development issues, as well as in drug control and crime prevention.
Over the last three years, he has served as the UN Resident Coordinator
and UNDP Resident Representative in Iran. From 1991 to 1999, he worked
for the UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, where he became
Director of the International Drug Control Programme.
20 August
The EU Pillar renewed its appeal to the people of Kosovo to save
energy as much as possible and to turn electric appliances off when
they were not needed. The EU spokesman announced that the contract for
repairs on B2, which was put out of action by a lightning strike last
month, was signed the previous week and that repairs had now started.
The work is scheduled to be finished in the first week of December.
Last Friday the contract for the repair works of B2 was signed. Alstom/Innogy
were chosen to contract for the repairs. The repair works have already
started and are due to be finished in the first week of December. As
far as possible the current schedule of three hours on electricity and
three hours off will be maintained.
23 August
The Central Election
Commission (CEC) today adopted the rule on media during the electoral
campaign. This is meant to provide the public with accurate and balanced
information on those certified to run in the election. The rule directs
Kosovo's media to give free broadcast time for political entities certified
by the CEC and fair access and pricing for those who advertise in newspapers
and magazines. In addition all media are reminded to follow the print
and broadcast codes of conduct to ensure the right to freedom of expression,
which compels them to ensure accuracy, fairness and impartiality in
all reporting. Last year two media outlets were sanctioned for unfair
and biased coverage, and one for refusing to play the spot of a political
entity.
Supporters of former
KLA members detained on suspicion of having committed serious crimes
held a demonstration in Pristina. Police put the number of demonstrators
at around 2,000. Smaller demonstrations were held in several other towns.
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