UNMIK/PR/475
In his first meeting with the Kosovo Transitional Council, SRSG Hans Haekkerup today pledged to work closely with the KTC in implementing UN Resolution 1244. Mr. Haekkerup stated that he intends to speed up the drafting of the legal framework, which will define the powers of the elected assembly and executive body following Kosovo-wide elections.
"When the framework is ready, probably in the form of a regulation, I will set a date for the elections," he said.
Following the meeting, Mr. Haekkerup told journalists that in constructing that legal framework, he would be consulting political parties and other Kosovo leaders, as "it is also very much in their hands that we reach some kind of agreement on what the framework should look like."
Mr. Haekkerup informed the KTC that he intends to pursue a number of high-priority issues simultaneously, -- among them, the rule of law, the question of detainees and missing persons and the economy. He informed the KTC of his plans to establish an UNMIK liaison office in Belgrade to facilitate communication and contact with the authorities in Yugoslavia.
Members of the KTC raised various issues, including the return of Albanian prisoners, the question of missing persons, the security of minorities, the situation in the Presevo Valley and the proposed Belgrade office.
Asked by reporters about the purpose of the Belgrade liaison office, the SRSG said, "As you know, we already have an UNMIK office in Tirana and one in Skopje. It’s simply to have the necessary context to solve practical problems that will make Kosovo function better. That is the purpose. It will not change our policy toward Belgrade. It’s a question of taking practical steps."
On the question of prisoners, Mr Haekkerup said that the FRY government had presented an amnesty law to Parliament, and he would wait for the parliamentary decision before making any concrete statement. UNMIK will, however, continue to push for the release of all prisoners in Yugoslavian jails, as it had been doing previously. He later told reporters that ensuring the return of Kosovo Albanians in Serbian prisons was the most urgent problem facing his administration.
On minorities, Mr. Haekkerup stressed that the maintenance of law and order was not only an UNMIK concern, but was also the responsibility of all Kosovars, including their leadership.
Regarding the economy, he said that the international community hoped that Kosovo would become self-sustaining over the long term, and that in the near future, most of the revenues for running Kosovo would be locally generated.
Media also asked the SRSG his position on the proposal by Colin Powell, the U.S. Secretary of State-designate, to reduce US troops serving in the Balkans.
"We think that the presence of the U.S. is very essential to this mission and we hope that they will stay here as long as necessary," Mr. Haekkerup responded.
He was also asked his position on changing the Ground Safety Zone, to which he said, "As you know, the Ground Safety Zone is not my business. That’s a matter for KFOR, and the Military-Technical Agreement."