By Andrea Saula

SLUG: After extremely low turnout by Kosovo’s Serbian population in October’s Parliamentary elections, there is still no indication from Serb political representatives that the 10 set-aside seats will be taken up by those who participated. But international pressure is mounting and the UN Mission says they expect the Serbs to engage in the political process.

Hello and welcome. From the UN Radio Studios in Kosovo….

Head of the UN Mission, SRSG Soren Jessen-Petersen spoke at the United Nations Security Council on Monday. Stressing the protection of minority rights, Jessen-Petersen highlighted the work being done by his administration on the issue:

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“One key way of reaching out to the communities is through decentralization, or reform of local government to form the basis for successful integration of Kosovo’s minority communities into the fabric of society.”

But, this goal is made more problematic because it is still unclear whether the Kosovo Serbs will accept the 10 minority parliamentary seats they have been promised.

If the pitiful turnout of the October Parliamentary elections is any indication of the political will of Kosovo Serbs, big challenges lay ahead for Kosovo’s political representatives.

Hua Yiang, the head of UNMIK Division of Public Information notes that the for the newly formed Kosovo Government, the main challenges in the next six months will revolve around integrating Kosovo’s minority populations into the social fabric.

Actuality No.1 Track 0.23 We have already got the implementation plan for the standards and the SRSG has the agreement of the International community to set up some top priorities among all the action poles and these top priorities are all linked to multi-ethnic society for Kosovo.

SRSG Jessen-Petersen expressed his expectation that the new Government - quote – “will honour their commitment to work closely with the representatives of minority communities and towards our common goal of building a stable multiethnic society”.

Still, Kosovo’s Serb politicians are in a quandary. Considering the low voter turnout – public statements from Kosovo Serb leaders suggest they cannot assume the parliament seats because their credibility has already been undermined.

Oliver Ivanovic, a candidate on the “Serbian List for Kosovo and Metohija” says - for the time being Kosovo Serb politicians must wait for political changes.

Actuality No. 2 Track 0.14 We have to get clear support in order to maintain credibility and after that we can assume the role Serbian representatives. For the time being we have to maintain contacts. We will have bilateral contact with UNMIK, and the Kosovo Government until the moment when a more favorable climate will be created for us to start directly participating in Kosovo Government affairs.”

SRSG Jessen-Petersen maintains the over-riding international opinion that Kosovo Serb participation in the provisional institutions will best serve their interests.

Meanwhile, as Hua Yiang underlines, the UN administration expects Kosovo Serbs to accept their political mandates. This includes joining the Government and the relevant working groups set up before the election – including the working groups on decentralization, returns, missing persons, and energy.

Actuality No. 3 Track 0.26 As far we are concerned these 10 K-Serbs who participated in the elections, were elected. They are the legitimate representatives of the Kosovo Serbs. Maybe their credibility - a lot of people would question that. But credibility would come along with progress. If they participate in the political process, if the results are going to be achieved, gradually their credibility will be increased.”

Meanwhile, SRSG Jessen-Petersen reiterated his intention to transfer more competences to the Kosovo Government at the UN Security Council meeting on Monday.

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“I recently agreed to establish three new ministries: returns and communities; energy and mining; and local government. This is in line with our strategy that all competences not directly involving sovereignty be transferred as soon as possible.”

According to various media sources, there are indications that Kosovo Serb leaders will be appointed heads of two ministries – the Ministry for Agriculture, a post currently held by Kosovo Serbs and the new Ministry for Communities and returns.

Once again, Oliver Ivanovic:

Actuality No. 4 Track 0.18 We intend to give input in to the profile of the new Ministry - through informal talks but it doesn’t mean that we will participate in the work of the Ministry from the very beginning.

For Belgrade and for Kosovo Serb politicians, the transfer of more power to local authorities is the political lynchpin for full participation in Kosovo’s institutions – in New York on Monday, SRSG Jessen-Petersen acknowledged this fact. He said the working group on local governmental reform would be key in resolving this issue.

UN Radio in Kosovo will continue to follow the story as it develops.