UNMIK/FR/064/01
Kosovo-Wide Elections
Serbs Should Not Turn Their Backs on the
Democratization Process in Kosovo
UNMIK Direct interview with Ambassador Daan Everts, OSCE Head of Mission
and UNMIK Deputy SRSG for Democratization and Institution-Building
U.D.: Many Serbs feel that registering legitimizes a process that
appears to be leading towards independence for Kosovo. Is that true?
Everts: No, that's not true. First of all, registration is a good thing
in its own right because it definitively records the Kosovo Serbs as part
of the Kosovo population. So, it reaffirms the status of an integral part
of this society and it does not point in any way towards independence.
The election itself is simply related to self-government. Now, self-government
is possible in all kinds of forms and there was a great degree of self-government
here in the past, in the 1980s. This was taken away in the late-1908s.
So, this is not a prelude to independence, it is simply what resolution
1244 calls for - namely that self-governing institutions are established
in Kosovo. In order to make these institutions democratic you need elections.
This is really an election for the minimum of self-government that any
territory should have and what had been prescribed by 1244. Nevertheless,
the international overall framework and presence remain very firmly there.
U.D.: There have been mixed signals coming from Belgrade. What have
they indicated to you about Serb registration?
Everts: Well, I think that Belgrade is convinced that Kosovo Serbs would
be poorly served if they were told to turn their backs on the whole democratization
process here. So, it is good that the leaders in Belgrade agreed that
at least registration should be done because that leaves open the choice
for participating in the election later on, or not. We have together,
in a way, de-coupled registration from the election. Registration is a
good thing in itself-so, that should go ahead anyway. Elections, we will
discuss at a later point. We feel that the election is equally important
and that the Kosovo Serb community should not be isolated and should not
be the only community left out of the process. So, I am convinced that
they have to be part of it, but I can see why some leaders are saying-let's
see first how the international community is responding to our needs before
we commit ourselves to this election. They are mostly concerned with the
issues of returns and the missing. In both areas I think there will be
progress and that should make it easier for them to decide to join the
Election. But, even without substantial progress, I feel that they should
participate, because that is the only way to be properly heard and to
push those very issues. These issues can be more successfully promoted
and pursued when Kosovo Serbs are part of that Assembly and have a very
loud and strong voice there.
U.D.: Let us say Serbs decide to participate in the elections and
their representatives join the Assembly-how will these representatives
be expected to function normally, when they can't get to work without
armed escorts and can't walk the streets of Pristina without fear of being
attacked?
Everts: Well, that's a good question and it is certainly not how it should
be in the longer run. We are hopeful that bringing normalization closer,
which the process of election will contribute to, will help to improve
the situation. Eventually, we will have a situation where such security
will not be required. Until then, however, there will be security measures
for them. This has been the case over the past year with the Kosovo Transitional
Council where Kosovo Serb representatives do come every week but, unfortunately,
accompanied by armed escorts. The sooner we can do without such measures,
the better. It is a policy of UNMIK to improve the situation. If the protection
is temporarily needed, so be it, it is not the ultimate solution. Obviously,
we will work on the security.
U.D.: What will be the OSCE's role in Kosovo after the election?
Everts: We still have a huge and continued role in capacity building and
making this a better place for everybody, including particularly the smaller
communities. We have that Human Rights mandate that we will, of course,
continue to carry. But, we will also continue to do a lot of work in capacity
building. So, the training of judges, prosecutors will remain, as will
the training of the police in our famous Police School. Such training
will remain an ongoing business. We will continue the training of the
Civil Service to ensure that they are truly professional and independent
bodies-this remains a priority. Additionally, there is a need to consolidate
what we have achieved in the media-to build on the foundations we've set
for an independent and free media, including an independent public broadcaster
RTK. There again, we still have lots of work ahead of us.
U.D.: How do you see the situation for Kosovo Serbs ten years from
now?
Everts: Well, a lot better, partly because international pressure will
continue to push for an improvement of their situation. Secondly, I think
the Albanian majority community will grow more tolerant over time when
the worst traumas are sort of digested and overcome. Trust will never
be easily and completely restored, but there will be at least a minimum
level of trust established, large-scale co-existence and normal conditions.
I would think that in ten years things will be a lot better. Also, the
relationship of Montenegro, Kosovo and other places in the region will
have become, hopefully, better sorted out so that we can speak about a
better-integrated region as a whole. The ideal situation is for borders
to not be seen as so important anymore. When people and goods can flow
freely, it benefits everyone.
U.D.: Any final message for Kosovo Serbs?
Everts: This is an absolutely historic moment to opt in or to opt out.
I don't think the Kosovo Serbs will ever again get such a generous offer
of representation in a parliamentary structure that effectively provides
for their over-representation and a very strong ability to defend and
promote their interests. This ability comes through the set-aside seats
and also through the special procedures that allow for any community's
interests to be defended and protected against dominance by majority rule.
So, we have an historic moment where the guarantees for the Serb community
are best preserved and provided-and, it is for Kosovo Serbs to seize that
opportunity. If they don't take this one, I think any alternative would
be worse. So, the message is: Come out, recognize your longer-term interests,
register, vote and determine your future and co-determine the future of
Kosovo.
Note for editors
The full document may be consulted online in English at http://www.unmik.org/. Albanian and Serbian
versions can be provided.
For a selection of photographs, please contact Mr Ky Chung at 038 504-604 ext. 5467