UNMIK/PR/514
PRISTINA--- The members of the Kosovo Transitional Council today agreed to issue a statement on Albanians held in prisons in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia:
“KTC welcomes the announcement by the FRY authorities of the passing of the Amnesty Bill. However, this is only a partial measure and KTC remains concerned that not all categories of prisoners are included in the Amnesty Bill. KTC calls on FRY authorities to give a clear indication of who will be released and when, and to find a quick solution to the release of all remaining Albanian prisoners.
KTC is also concerned that the focus on the release of prisoners does not distract from the issue of the missing from all communities. KTC calls on persons from all communities and
responsible authorities who have knowledge of the missing to come forward with this information to ensure a resolution of these cases which continue to cause so much suffering for many families.
KTC requests the international community to continue its efforts to obtain the earliest possible resolution for the immediate unconditional release or return of all remaining detainees and prisoners.”
The co-heads of the Department of Health and Social Welfare –Hanna Vuori and Pleurat Sedjiu—today delivered the same comprehensive report on the state of Kosovo’s health care system to the Kosovo Transitional Council as they did yesterday to the IAC (see Press Release 512 for details).
The representative for the EU Pillar, Mr. Jurgen Voss briefed the KTC on the international donors meeting that was held last Sunday and Monday. He said the meeting was held in order to keep Kosovo on the agenda in the donor communities, and to ensure that the necessary donations would go ahead as scheduled.
Mr. Voss termed the meeting a success, with more than 80 delegates from different donor countries. He said that there would be no reduction in the assistance from donors to Kosovo this year, and that the pledges were on schedule. He did, however, stress that the recent increase in violence could have an impact on the continued commitment of donors, and that these events had raised concern in the respective donor countries.
The Deputy COMKFOR gave a short update on the situation on the border to FYROM, and said that KFOR kept close contact with the FYROM authorities. He said KFOR had introduced measures to closely monitor both sides of the border, but that the terrain and weather presented obstacles for military activity in the area. He also referred to the NATO Secretary General’s statement of yesterday concerning the conditional changes of the Ground Safety Zone on the boundary to Serbia proper.
The KTC members had several points to make on all the issues discussed. Some were worried about the changes in the Ground Safety Zone, whilst others had specific questions to the co-heads of the health and social department.