UNMIK/PR/174
PRISTINA--The Kosovo Transitional Council today established its Secretariat, a rotating group of five KTC members which will prepare the work of the advisory body and coordinate its specialized working groups.
The Secretariat will consist of one representative of a political party in the Interim Administrative Council, two from political parties not in the IAC, one representative of civil society and one from a minority community.
Following the meeting, SRSG Bernard Kouchner told media that the KTC Secretariat will be crucial to establishing and assisting the working groups which will enable the KTC to bring to the attention of the IAC issues of concern to the communities of Kosovo.
"The KTC not only discusses matters, but it also acts as a so-called parliament", said SRSG Bernard Kouchner following today's meeting. "It has to raise issues and offer recommendations and advice through working groups."
From 1 March to 30 April 2000, the Secretariat members are representatives of the PPDK and PPK and PShDKK (all yet to be named), Ylber Hysa representing civil society and Sonia Nikolic, for the minority communities.
During May and June, representatives of the LDK, LKCK and PLK will sit on the Secretariat, along with Hajrullahu Gorani representing civil society and a Turkish representative.
In other business, the KTC discussed the security situation, the situation and plans for Mitrovica and political issues under discussion among the political parties, including the pre-election period and the kind of elections which are to be conducted in Kosovi this year.
In discussing security, SRSG Bernard Kouchner told media, "We underlined that the security is very difficult to reach because of extremists, because of some people killing others."
"I refer to this excellent doctor, Dr. Josip Vasic, who was shot down in Gnjilane some days ago in the street. He was the only one taking care of Albanian and Serb women, as a gynecologist. It's more than a shame. We are all very shocked.
"We talked about the situation of missing persons and how I can raise this issue in the Security Council. I'm still waiting for the letters from the Association with the list of the missing people. If I have the letters and the lists then I can have a stronger argument to the Security Council."