In his address to EU and Balkan leaders at the EU's Zagreb Balkans Summit, SRSG Bernard Kouchner coupled congratulations to Yugoslav President Kostunica, with reminders to assembled European leaders that Kosovo Albanians were resolved never again to fall under the former rule. His was the lone voice of Kosovo since Ibrahim Rugova and Hashim Thaci, also invited, had decided it was too soon for them to meet President Kostunica of Yugoslavia.

Coupling the democratic changes in Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) with the democratic municipal elections in Kosovo, Kouchner described the new trend in the region towards moderation and democracy as a key moment in the history of the Balkans. But while facing a monumental opportunity for peace and stability, we should not lose sight of the past, he said.

Deep wounds
The fall of the Milosevic regime and the changes in Belgrade could not bring peace in Kosovo and the region right away. Nor could the recently elections in Kosovo-successful as they were. Democracy in Belgrade and Pristina were both crucial, but they were not enough to bring stability, Kouchner underlined. It did not need further victims to make us understand that the conflict in Kosovo had not ended: "The wounds of violent conflicts are very deep in the hearts of the people, both Albanians and Serbs," he warned. All Kosovo's communities agreed it would take years to tear down the 'wall of blood' between Albanians and Serbs

Calling for continued commitment to rebuild Kosovo and to bring back to their home all those who were forced to flee, the SRSG urged continued political and military involvement to ensure security. "I believe that the international community has to continue its engagement in Kosovo to protect the right of all communities." However this would not be enough if democracy did not prevail, putting out strong roots equally in Pristina and Belgrade. The race for democracy between the two should be encouraged.

 The Serbian parliamentary elections in December would further strengthen democracy in Serbia. However,  extending them in the territory of Kosovo would seriously endanger the already fragile peace process, Kouchner feared. And it would put the international community and Kosovo Serbs at risk, he warned.

The general elections planned for Kosovo were also imperative for democracy and stability. They were needed, said Kouchner, to produce legitimate negotiators for Belgrade and the international community. They were also needed to establish the substantial autonomy and self-government in line with Security Council resolution 1244.

Too early for final status talks
His main message to the EU Summit was that resolution 1244 remained the legal foundation for cooperation and the future of Kosovo. "Success in Kosovo and stability in the Balkans will depend on Bel-grade and Pristina's commit-ment in becoming genuine part-ners in implementing UN Security Council resolution 1244 and agreeing to move forwards." As things stood, this was not the time to speak about the final status for Kosovo, the SRSG concluded.

In a surprise announcement, President Jacques Chirac of France voiced support for the SRSG's proposal to hold general elections in Kosovo around spring-time next year. France had earlier opposed  the idea of such elections in the first half of 2001. "Dr. Kouchner considers that general elections could be held next year," Chirac said in answering a journalist's question. "For my part, I am completely in favour of it, provided these elections can be held in an organized and serious way and provided that they can take place in the same orderly manner as the municipal elections."

In his first visit to Kosovo since the end of NATO airstrikes last June, President Chirac used the one-day stopover to encourage French troops in Multinational Brigade North and support SRSG Bernard Kouchner, whom he met at Pristina's Slatina Airport.

President Chirac told journalists that  he hoped the opening towards democracy in Yugoslavia would be confirmed and supported. He also condemned the actions of a "terrorist minority", which he said had been attempting to disrupt the peace process in and around Kosovo.

The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has finished its exhumation programme and can now build up a complete picture of the extent and pattern of crimes, ITCY Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte has told the UN Security Council. Almost 4,000 bodies or parts of bodies had been exhumed and examined. Nevertheless, there was a need for the ITCY to investigate allegations of ethnic cleansing carried out against Serbs and Roma after the arrival of KFOR. The Tribunal's mandate currently does not extend to events after the war, del Ponte points out. Expressing dismay at ICTY's forced inaction that "undermines the Tribunal's historical credibility", she is calling for a modification of its statutes to allow these investigations to be carried out.

This year, the Tribunal's team located 325 mass graves. This uncovered enough evidence to move ahead on war crimes trials, the ICTY told the Security Council.

In a further step towards developing Kosovo's governmental infrastructure, SRSG Bernard Kouchner on 23 November established a Council of Ministers, set to become a key player in the province's interim administration.

The Council of Ministers-which will supplement the work of the politically based Interim Administrative Council and the Kosovo Transitional Council-will comprise the Kosovo and international Co-Heads of the 20 JIAS departments. Chaired by the SRSG, it will be a forum to discuss policy decisions from the departments and regulations as they are developing. The Council will meet twice each week, starting on 7 December.

 "I want to meet with you on a regular basis and engage in a constructive dialogue that will move Kosovo's state of preparedness forward," Dr. Kouchner told the Co-Heads. "I want to look on you as my Council of Ministers, hopefully a wise council, which can offer prudent advice, not only to me but also among yourselves." He urged that the Council not be a place to do battle but rather to have informed and reasoned debate.

The move was warmly welcomed by both Kosovo and international Co-Heads.

The rate of returnees from Western Europe will be significantly less in the final months of the year than in the past few months, according to IOM and UNHCR. Some European governments have already responded positively to the appeal by UNMIK not to repatriate Kosovar refugees during the winter months.

The Department of Judicial Affairs is discussing with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) its draft regulation on the Law Applicable to Insolvent Enterprises, particularly with a view to determine whether a separate Bankruptcy Court should be established. It has recommended that the competency for bankruptcy matters should remain with the Commercial Court and that a bankruptcy panel be established within the Court. The DTI estimates that there are some 100 socially-owned enterprises in Kosovo that are essentially bankrupt and therefore, once a regulation is promulgated, there will be a ready-made case load for a bankruptcy panel.

To ensure drug distribution to minority areas after Pharmaciens Sans Frontiers hands over the distribution responsibility to Kosovo Pharmaceutical Cooperative (KFK) by the end of the year, a medical NGO funded by ECHO will be contracted to deliver the drugs within minority areas after collection from KFK.

A joint initiative to strengthen civil society through the participation of students and youth in community work has been launched by the Department of Education and Science (DES), Department of Youth and the Pristina Municipality. Specific projects have been identified in the areas of environment, waste disposal and recycling, transport and sports. The DES has pledged DM 10,000 to support the initiative.

Interim health policy guidelines for Kosovo, issued in September 1999, will soon be updated. The Department of Health and Social Welfare, with the support of WHO, has set up a Health Policy Working Group comprising 19 local health specialists. A Health Policy Conference reviewed the Working Group's report under five categories: delivery of health care services; public and environmental health; health financing; human resources; and organization and management of health care. The Department is studying the proposals and revising policy, where necessary.

Two major projects to improve Kosovo's health care facilities have been completed. The Emergency Department of the Pejė/Pec General Hospital was refurbished by Gruppo di Volontariato Civile (Missione Acrobaleno), with the support from Fiumicino community in Italy. The Coronary Care Department of the Gjakovė/Dakovica General Hospital was renovated by Caritas Lombardia. Many other similar projects are nearing completion.