UNMIK/PR/234
PRISTINA--An agreement establishing a Joint Committee on Returns which will explore the ways and means for the safe and sustainable returns of Kosovo Serb displaced persons to their homes was signed yesterday afternoon in Gracanica, between UNMIK SRSG Dr. Bernard Kouchner, Serb National Council leader Bishop Artemije, KFOR Commander Gen. Joun Ortuno, Dennis McNamara, DSRSG for Humanitarian Affairs and Daan Everts, DSRSG for Democratization and Institution-Building.
The establishment of this committee represents the "first major joint achievement resulting from the decision of the Serb National Council to joint the Joint Interim Administrative Structure," the signatories stated, and an "important step toward the establishment of peaceful co-existence and a multi-ethnic society in Kosovo."
Signatories said they also looked forward to the close cooperation and future participation of other Kosovo communities in the work of the JCR.
Membership in the JCR also includes the DSRSGs of the Civil Administration, OSCE and EU pillars of UNMIK, along with the UNMIK Police Commissioner, the KFOR Deputy Commander and other Kosovo and international representatives.
The JCR will form committees to review all aspects related to the issues of return of Kosovo Serbs, to supervise the follow-up of proposals and recommendations by the JCR and to identified and implement specific projects related to returns.
The JCR's goals are to facilitate the return of Serb internally displaced people to Kosovo; to avoid an uncoordinated return that could endanger the security of returnees there; to identify donors for return and reconstruction programs; and to co-ordinate between the international security and civil presence, as well as between local leaders and the population.
"We want Serbs to return, " said SRSG Kouchner after the signing. "But properly, safely, with houses built and security in place."