21 October
The SRSG announced that he would invite the leaders of the major Kosovo
political parties and coalitions participating in all-inclusive municipal
elections to a Decentralisation Meeting on 1 November in Gnjilane/Gjilan.
The meeting was conditional upon an acceptable level of participation
in the municipal elections at the end of this week. Mr Steiner said
that his concept of decentralisation would bring government closer to
the people. He proposed that municipal units be established for sizeable
non-majority communities. These units would have administrative organs
and a budget and may be made up of one or more villages, settlements
and urban quarters within a municipality. UNMIK will ensure implementation.
22 October
SRSG Michael Steiner praised the OSCE for the efficiency with which
it had swung into action to run the municipal elections on 26 October.
Speaking to journalists after meeting the International Polling Station
Supervisors, hired by OSCE and undergoing training at Vushtrri/Vucitrn,
Mr Steiner said that the OSCE was managing a "big and solid operation,
a well-oiled and efficiently running engine". OSCE Head of Mission
Pascal Fieschi accompanied the SRSG to the training centre.
24 October
During a visit to
Leposavic, a Serb dominated municipality in north-east Kosovo, Mr Steiner
reiterated the importance of total Serb participation in Saturday's
municipal elections. "Four years is a long time and Serbs cannot
afford to be shut out of the legitimate institutions for this length
of time," the SRSG said. Mr Steiner began his tour with a visit
to the Saint Vasilije Ostroski Church, which is still under construction.
Speaking with the incumbent priest, Arsovic Milija, Mr Steiner agreed
that the church was a good sign that the citizens of Leposavic were
committed to staying in Kosovo. The new church is being financed by
donations from the Leposavic community.
25 October
PDSRSG Charles Brayshaw
took his election message to the people of the Gnjilane/Gjilan region
in the east of Kosovo, where he visited several towns and villages.
"It is so important that Kosovo's minorities participate in tomorrow's
election," Mr Brayshaw told the people of the village of Ropotovo.
"Your vote is the way for your voice to be heard." Mr Brayshaw
began his visit to the region in the village of Dobrcani, which has
a significant Turkish community living among the majority Albanian population.
Later he moved to Kamenica where he met representatives of the Serb
community. The importance of the decentralisation concept was also stressed
during his visits.
26 October
Elections for seats
in Kosovo's 30 Municipal Assemblies were held throughout the territory.
The poll was generally peaceful and orderly. These were Kosovo's second
municipal elections since the arrival of UNMIK in 1999, and the third
poll in three years. Serbs boycotted the first municipal elections,
leading UNMIK to nominate their representatives for the two-year term.
The current elections are for a four-year term. Preliminary results
showed a significant Serb participation in the five municipalities where
they could expect to win a majority. Official results will be announced
by the OSCE in due course.
27 October
Uke Bytici, the
president of Suva Reka municipality, and two of his associates were
shot dead in Leshane village after they got out of their car to remove
an obstacle from the road. A suspect, who was wounded during the incident,
was detained.
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