UNMIK/PR/169
Oliver Ivanovic: It was a hard discussion, more than one hour and now I can say we are exactly at the beginning of some kind of negotiations. We are trying to improve the situation and make the tensions lower and lower. And maybe in the future we can discuss a multi-ethnic city, a multi-ethnic Mitrovica.
Question: What about the plans for returning Albanians…?
OI: We will discuss it in the next seven days but I suppose we can succeed in returning back some families to the north.
Q. Did you discuss the creation security zone?
OI: Of course security is a very important matter. But security is such an important and serious question that we need more time for that.
Q. Did you actually come to any conclusions?
SRSG Kouchner: No. We just started. We just started to discuss, and this is the first millimeter on the way to co-existence. You know the starting point is always, every time, very important.
Q. When are you going to meet the Albanians?
BK: We were meeting, we are meeting. This is a long process.
Q. Are there going to be joint talks with the Serb side?
BK . Yes but wait. This is the beginning of our talks. So the next step is next week, when we meet again.
Q. When are you going to bring back all the Albanians who were expelled?
BK: It's a bit in advance, your question. Please, we are starting discussions, giving confidence to the people on both sides, and it takes time. It has always taken time, in the long process of peace. So this is the beginning and we were very happy to discuss with the Serbs, the Mitrovica Serbs, and we are going to start discussing with the Albanians very soon hopefully.
Q. Do you have any objection to the pedestrian bridge?
OI: Of course not. But I think that bridges cannot solve the problem. We can build many bridges, but it's more important to create some kind of safe atmosphere, on both sides of the Ibar River.
Q. What is the problem now?
OI: First KFOR and UNMIK must understand who is in danger now. This is the very beginning. If they understood that the next step would be easier.
BK. But we understand. We know that we have to ensure confidence and safety to the Serb area. Of course we understand, but this is not completely easy to achieve in one day. So we start, but this is the first time that we start to study a plan altogether, not on one side, but on both sides.
Q. Mr. Kouchner. Why has it taken eight months to reach a starting point?
BK: Why it has taken 15 years somewhere else, tell me. The peace process, the peacemaking process is always very long. It has never been achieved in some months. Never, anywhere. So we are here, doing it quickly. We are certainly advancing. We are taking some steps forward, some steps back.
Q. What about the French move to send more troops?
BK: It will bring confidence certainly, but not only French of course. Other (troops) and UNMIK police (have come). You notice we have increased the UNMIK Police on both sides. As soon as possible we'll withdraw the forces. This is not our goal or our target to occupy the city. We are in agreement on the goal, the achievement of a united city. So, we are taking this way.
Q. Mr. Ivanovic, do you want more troops?
OI: In any case I suppose our security atmosphere will be better. I hope that they will do the job as well and that first of all they will protect the Serb enclaves. That is more important. now. It is very clear that the Serbs are endangered now and they need protection, not the Albanians. Now. I'm talking about the present time. .
Q. Will you be having a meeting with Rexhepi?
OI: Of course. We have very strong decision from the SNC one month ago that I am not allowed to talk with Mr. Rexhepi. But I'm not going to respect this decision. Also, Mr. Bajram Rexhepi, according to my information, had the same request from his party. But I think that both of us are moderate people, and we can discuss with each other . It's very important for both communities.