UNMIK/PR/1234
PRISTINA - “By working together with KFOR, UNMIK, UNHCR and local authorities, I am convinced that it should be possible to find an urgent solution so that we can stop this humanitarian tragedy,” SRSG Soren Jessen-Petersen said after visiting IDPs who are still in temporary accommodations after their houses were destroyed in the March events.
SRSG met with the representatives of 17 families in the German KFOR base in Prizren, and listened to the accounts of their personal tragedies and pleas. “I understand your frustration,” he said in conclution of the meeting. “I can assure you that KFOR and UNMIK will continue our efforts until you are back to your houses in Prizren, a town where you consider as your home”, he said. He also expressed his expectation to the President of the Municipality, who accompanied him to the IDP camp, that the local authorities would try their best to make this possible.
Earlier in the day, the SRSG visited the Decani Monastery, which was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in July this year. He was met by Father Sava, Deputy Abbot of the Monastery, who briefed him on their concerns in the areas of security and environment protection. SRSG stressed that the Monastery is part of the cultural heritage of Kosovo: “it belongs to you, to me, to all of us,” he said to a waiting group of journalists, and added that the protection of the Monastery “is not just the responsibilities for UNESCO, UNMIK, it is also the responsibilities of all local authorities. It is the responsibilities of citizens all over Kosovo.”
After the visit to the Monastery, SRSG held a brief meeting with the Deçan/Decani Municipal President. He expressed his appreciation for the leadership that the President had shown in making the municipality a place where all communities can live freely and where the cultural heritage is protected.