UNMIK/PR/483
The Interim Administrative Council today discussed the situation in the Presevo Valley, and following a briefing by COMKFOR Gen. Cabigiosu, all members agreed that a political solution must be found to the conflict.
Following a briefing by UNMIK Police Commissioner Christopher Albiston on yesterday’s violence in Mitrovica, the IAC also issued the following statement
“The Interim Administrative Council condemns the violence in Mitrovica which claimed the life of one Kosovo Albanian and left a Kosovo Serb gravely injured.
“The cycle of violence which has hurt all Mitrovica’s communities must be ended.
“Likewise, attacks on any international representatives must not be tolerated.
“The IAC calls on the people of Mitrovica and their leaders to calm the situation, to stop all acts of provocation and revenge and to work with the international community in building a peaceful and united Mitrovica.”
SRSG Hans Haekkerup also condemned the violence in a separate statement.
Following the IAC meeting, which Mr. Haekkerup called “very constructive,” he told media that the IAC members were very concerned about both the situation in Southern Serbia and in Mitrovica.
Mr. Haekkerup told media that UNMIK and KFOR would work to make the Confidence Zone respected, but he acknowledged that “there is no easy solution to Mitrovica” which he said was “correlated with the whole situation in Kosovo.”
The violence must be stopped by means of a political solution, he said, and by “using the means which we have.” He added that leaders in Belgrade must become involved in resolving the problems in northern Mitrovica.
IAC members also asked about progress on the legal framework for elections and the participation of Kosovars in formulating it. Mr. Haekkerup said he was continuing the work started under the previous SRSG; that the process was moving quickly; and that he would be working with the IAC and expert groups on the document. He said he was considering how to adjust the composition of the IAC in light of the municipal election results.
Today’s IAC was attended by Mr. Kole Berisha of the LDK and Mr. Arsim Bajrami of the PDK, as well as Rada Trajkovic of the Serb National Council. Regular members Ibrahim Rugova and Hashim Thaci were out of Kosovo.