UNMIK/PR/1230
Dear citizens of Kosovo,
tomorrow marks the beginning of the election campaign.
This may well be the most important election in Kosovo so far. An Assembly and Government will be elected which will be governing Kosovo as we progress towards the mid-2005 Standards implementation review. If the outcome of that review is positive, then the way will be open to talks on resolving Kosovo’s future status in which your elected representatives will be playing a vital role.
Kosovo’s voters face a major challenge and a great responsibility: to elect an Assembly and Government, which will contribute constructively and responsibly to the future of Kosovo, where a safe and secure future for all inhabitants of a multi-ethnic Kosovo is the common goal.
Great responsibilities will be placed on the lawfully elected bodies, which will be obliged to pay close attention to the needs of all individuals and in particular to the security of all communities. The Assembly and the Government, in all their statements and actions, will be obliged to demonstrate political maturity and a sense of responsibility and accountability that will be verified in the quarterly reviews and in the mid-2005 review.
The numerous political leaders with whom I have spoken in recent days have all assured me that they are committed to conduct an election campaign respecting all the established rules that are necessary for a free and fair election. They have assured me that they will seek dialogue and that they will accept the outcome. They have further assured me that they will respect and ensure the rights of all citizens in a campaign that will make every citizen want to vote and be proud of exercising their democratic rights - and make UNMIK and the International Community proud of Kosovo.
I would also like to take the opportunity to make a plea to the media. Impartiality and objectivity are the basic ethos of responsible journalism. During the campaign and the elections, your reports will be subject to even closer scrutiny, not only by the political parties, but above all by the public and the international community.
Much is at stake. The next four to six weeks will determine whether Kosovo is ready to take another important step forward on the way to becoming a respected and respectful member of the region, and to continue its journey towards Europe.