Transcript

One to One with SRSG Soren Jessen-Petersen(Part2)

Interviewer: UN Chief of Radio, Jackson Allers

Producer: UNMIK Radio

UN:

You’ve talked about transferring competencies to the local government, that’s a major theme. Do you have a clear picture yet as to where you think those powers are going to be transferred?

SRSG:

Yes, we are beginning to have a clear picture. This is one of the first things I did after arriving, that was to ask my colleagues to prepare a note for me on, not only what we have done, but also what could be done further in the area of further transference of competencies.

I asked for a note telling me, not what I could not do, but what I could do. I have received those notes. We’ve had internal policy discussions. We will complete them next week, and then I think we are ready to discuss with the Provisional Institutions, further transfer of powers.

I think we have a pretty good idea. There is quite a lot of space. We will not be transferring any powers attributable to sovereignty, but as I said, there is space for the transfer.

However, as I’ve said repeatedly: entrusting more responsibilities to the authorities also means more accountability. And I will certainly exercise that accountability in a very, very rigid way.

UN:

On the issue of accountability: there is an October 15 deadline set by the government for the reconstruction of houses damaged in March. If the government doesn’t reach that goal, with regards to the concept of accountability, what do you see happening there?

SRSG:

First of all, the 15^th of October deadline is important because it is important to maintain the pressure to make sure that everything be done to repair, reconstruct all the damage done in the March events.

Before we move forward on accountability, we have to examine why in certain cases it was not completed in time. There may be good reasons and there may be bad reasons. If there are bad reasons, first of all, we have to see how we can accelerate and make sure that it be completed in the shortest time possible.

If indeed it is a result of negligence, or lack of will, then we have to and we will deal with it.

UN:

I would like to dispel a rumor. Will there or will there not be a special UN envoy to move Kosovo closer to Status?

SRSG:

There is already a special UN envoy, that is me! The Special Representative of the Secretary General, and I don’t think there is any intention to appoint a second special representative.

Yes, there has been a lot of speculation in the media, but that speculation is wrong! It is based on no reality whatsoever. What is true is that we have been having discussions with the Secretary General on the right way forward.

The Secretary General’s view is that it is the responsibility of the Special Representative, which means me, to lead the process that brings us to Status talks. That process would be led by the Special Representative of the Secretary General, in close consultation with Secretary General.

There will not be a special envoy. There are no plans at this stage to appoint anybody. There are no names. It is all rumors and it is speculation. And, the sooner it be stopped, the better for Kosovo.

UN:

In your last two months as the SRSG, gathering information, what have you learned about Kosovo that differs from your previous experience in the Balkans?

SRSG:

What I have learned from Kosovo – I sort of had a feeling that was the case, even before coming here. That is, the countries in the region, they all come from a similar point of departure. Kosovo comes from a very different point of departure.

The process that we are involved in, only really started in 1999. Therefore, it does take a little bit longer here. The challenges that we are faced with are in many ways much, much greater.

We have not talked about the economy. That is the biggest challenge facing all of us. I think this is the biggest threat to the stabilization, normalization in Kosovo - that is the lack of progress in the area of the economy.

I think one has to recognize that the point of departure was much, much more difficult because in many areas we started from scratch, given the history of this place. And, for the same reason also to recognize that in many ways therefore also the problems are different.

Whereas I can look at the experiences in Bosnia, and other places, I also have to be careful that I don’t draw parallels that are too close because the points of departure are different.

However, what they all have in common is that all the places here are part of the same region. Kosovo is part of this region. Kosovo is and will be part of Europe. And, as I said upon arrival, resolving Kosovo is, in my view, resolving the last piece of the puzzle in the Western Balkans, which should bring stabilization, normalization and eventually economic European integration for all the places in the region. And therefore, I think resolving the issue of Kosovo is of the interest of all the states in the region, including the neighboring states.

UN:

Because you brought up the economy, the final question: How key is final status to attracting investors?

SRSG:

Final status is very, very important to attracting investment at the level that is required. However, it is no reason and should be no pretext for not already working very hard on doing so. And, I think we still could work and should work harder in identifying areas where we are ready.

Today, private investment could be solicited and attracted. A lot of work is underway. There’s been progress recently in the area of privatization. Where again, private investment, investment from abroad has been mobilized.

However, it is obvious that the real breakthrough, in terms of having access to the financial institutions, having access to international loan arrangements, etc. also really accessing the private investors – the real breakthrough will only happen as a result of resolution of the status.

UN:

Thank you very much Mr. Jessen-Petersen

SRSG:

Thank you very much.