UNMIK/PR/1165
PRISTINA – SRSG Harri Holkeri today visited Ashkali and Roma communities in Fushe Kosova/Kosovo Polje together with the President of the Municipal Assembly Skender Zogaj.
Mr. Holkeri first met with Mr. Zogaj and representatives of the Roma and Askali communities as well as other key members of the municipality. After that the SRSG went to see the destruction that the Ashkali and Roma neighbourhoods suffered in Fushe Kosova/Kosovo Polje during the recent violence. Finally Mr. Holkeri visited the ethnically mixed Selman Riza school where Albanian, Roma and Ashkali children will go to classes together.
The SRSG was very pleased to hear from all the key municipality leaders including the President of the Municipal Assembly about their firm commitment to repair not only the physical damage within their Municipality, but to also concentrate on rebuilding the trust among the communities to be able to live together. “The international community encourages this approach”, Mr. Holkeri stated.
At Selman Riza school the SRSG met with Albanian, Roma and Ashkali pupils and teachers. “When I went to school, there was a war in my country. But I was privileged in having the opportunity to go to school and learn”, he told the children, “Enjoy your school, it’s your future.”
Addressing the media at the end of his visit, the SRSG said, “In many ways this has been a very important visit for me.”
“I am trying to bring the message to the international community that these people – even though they have suffered – represent the whole process of the developments in Kosovo”, the SRSG said. “They want to stay in their homes; they want to live their lives in Kosovo, in good partnership and as good neighbours.”