UNMIK/PR/792
Mr. President,
The last time I addressed the Council, you endorsed the benchmarks as the international community’s yardstick for measuring progress in Kosovo. Since then, Kosovo’s Provisional Institutions have embraced these benchmarks as internal goals and ends in themselves.
You have seen the extensive report presented by the Secretary-General. The report shows that, while difficulties remain, substantial progress has also been achieved.
Here is where we stand on the benchmarks:
I. Building Functioning Democratic Institutions
We finally have in place a multiethnic government with ten ministries and participation by Kosovo Serbs.
Last Friday, I promulgated the first law adopted by the Assembly, concerning pensions.
Preparations for the second municipal elections are on track.
Kosovo’s institutions are taking shape, and Kosovans can be proud of this progress.
However, the most difficult stage of building a functioning administration and developing a political culture suited to self-government is only beginning.
We have always said that mistakes would occur in the early stages.
The Assembly exceeded its competencies by adopting a resolution regarding the border with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which I was required to declare null and void. That matter has now been addressed.
I have urged the institutions to focus on urgent responsibilities within their mandate, including health, environmental protection, and public services.
The pace at which UNMIK can transfer further authority to the Provisional Institutions will depend on their readiness to assume real responsibilities.
The transfer of power requires internationals to let go and Kosovans to take hold of responsibility for the management of daily life.
II. Fighting Crime
Our policy is zero tolerance for crime and corruption.
We are intensifying efforts against organized crime.
UNMIK Police and the Kosovo Police Service have carried out several successful anti-smuggling operations, confiscating large quantities of cigarettes, fuel, and alcohol.
To strengthen the fight against corruption, a Financial Inspection Unit composed of specialists from Italy’s Guardia di Finanza will be established within UNMIK.
The people of Kosovo themselves are increasingly frustrated by lawlessness.
When I first arrived in Kosovo in February, thousands of Kosovans demonstrated against the arrest of three former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army. Windows were broken and people were injured.
In the past six weeks, UNMIK Police have arrested fourteen Kosovo Albanian men on charges including murder, unlawful detention, and torture.
Some of those arrested were prominent former KLA members, and once again a number of Kosovans chose to protest.
However, this demonstration received only limited support. After approximately one hour, the Police Commissioner informed me: “Demonstration peaceful. Demonstration over.”
III. Mitrovica
We have been working hard to establish UNMIK authority in northern Mitrovica.
Belgrade has agreed with me that there can be no partition, no monoethnicity, and no parallel structures. However, that objective has not yet been fully achieved on the ground.
The core of our strategy is effective policing, carried out with the full support of KFOR Commander General Marcel Valentin.
UNMIK Police are established and conducting regular policing activities in northern Mitrovica.
Soon, the Kosovo Police Service will also be deployed there.
In the north, we have received more applications from Serbs to join the Kosovo Police Service than there are available positions.
Progress in Mitrovica depends on replacing parallel structures with legitimate institutions.
Belgrade must cease financing parallel structures, including the so-called Bridge Gang.
UNMIK Police and KFOR continue to monitor the bridge closely.
It is encouraging that Belgrade has called upon Kosovo Serb judges and prosecutors to leave the parallel court system and apply to join Kosovo’s regular courts.
There are now sufficient applications, and all applicants will be individually screened and selected according to the same standards applied to all candidates.
To encourage Kosovo Serb participation in local government, we intend to bring government closer to the people.
Our decentralization strategy would delegate competencies and budgetary authority to local communities.
However, participation in municipal structures remains a prerequisite.
Economically, we are working on a new development strategy for Mitrovica.
Business and investment will not come into an environment dominated by illegal parallel structures. Therefore, these structures must be dismantled.
IV. The Economy
Significant progress has been made in Kosovo’s economy.
However, ten days ago we suffered a serious setback.
A devastating fire at one of Kosovo’s two main power plants was caused by a high-intensity lightning strike.
The situation was dramatic.
According to a police report:
“The fire forced a number of workers onto the roof where they were trapped. The firemen’s ladder was unable at first to reach the persons on the roof as their ladders only extend to 30 meters, the roof was higher.”
The trapped workers were ultimately rescued through the ingenuity of the fire brigade.
As a result of a single lightning strike, Kosovo lost more than half of its electrical generating capacity.
There was no arson involved, and the alleged TMT explosive was found by KFOR to be simple builder’s putty.
However, if police investigations identify mismanagement or serious negligence, those responsible will be held accountable.
The immediate result is power shortages.
Together with Kosovo’s institutions, we are implementing measures to manage the situation.
The greatest challenge, however, will come during the winter, and preparations must begin now.
A strong economy depends not only on energy, but also on strong institutions, reliable rules, and respect for those rules.
We have established a framework for privatization.
The Kosovo Trust Agency is now operational, thanks to support from the United Nations Secretariat, the European Union, and the World Bank.
Its Board held its inaugural meeting last week.
Preparatory work is now underway to clarify property ownership, encourage and protect investment, and put idle assets to productive use.
To take advantage of privatization and regenerate the economy, we must find a way to replace declining donor funding.
Kosovo’s economy remains far from self-sustaining.
I will require your support in obtaining access to credit.
This will require political backing to develop procedures for international loan and guarantee agreements while taking Kosovo’s unique status into account.
If external aid continues to decline, Kosovo must gain access to international financial institutions.
Otherwise, an unemployment rate of 57 percent will force many young people, Kosovo’s future generation, to emigrate.
V. Returns
There is no denying that the returns process has been too slow.
It is unacceptable that, in 2002, enclaves still exist in Europe.
However, we have succeeded this year in reversing the trend.
The number of minority returns now exceeds the number of departures.
According to UNHCR figures, approximately 1,000 people returned during the first six months of 2002, while 268 people left.
Although the number of returnees remains modest, it indicates that conditions are improving.
KFOR has been able to remove fixed checkpoints.
The Serbian language can once again be heard on the streets of Pristina.
Political support for returns is also growing, although some municipalities still need to strengthen their commitment.
Both the Kosovo Assembly and the Association of Municipal Assemblies have adopted resolutions supporting freedom of movement and unconditional return.
Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi stated:
“My goal is to integrate Serb enclaves that have been physically isolated until now. We will try to integrate them, to offer them a role in all government institutions, but also on the level of the economy, in enterprises and employment.”
Appropriate structures are now in place.
Milorad Todorovic has assumed the position of Inter-Ministerial Coordinator for Returns within the Government.
Nenad Radosavljevic, another Kosovo Serb, serves as my Special Advisor on Returns.
The UNMIK Office for Returns and the Housing and Property Directorate will both benefit from new leadership.
Property issues are central to the returns process.
The Housing and Property Directorate requires sufficient funding to fulfill its responsibilities.
Our concept of return is based on individuals choosing to return to their homes and remain there.
Success should not be measured merely by numbers but by whether return is a genuine option.
A genuine option requires:
- Security
- Freedom of movement
- Housing
- Employment opportunities
- Equal access to public services and utilities
- The ability to repossess property
Our responsibility is to help create these conditions.
The decision whether to return ultimately belongs to the displaced persons themselves.
In partnership with UNHCR, we have recently finalized a comprehensive package that will facilitate the return of 500 people to Peje/Pec.
Italy has provided €3.5 million in funding for this project.
We have thirty additional projects ready for implementation, with many more in development.
Returns require substantial resources.
The more successful we become, the greater our needs will be.
VI. Beyond Kosovo
Kosovo must look beyond its borders.
I have visited all neighboring countries in order to establish practical working relationships.
Kosovans are now able to drive to all neighboring states using Kosovo license plates.
They do not require visas for any of them.
Kosovans are also receiving driving licenses that meet European standards and can be used internationally.
Belgrade: Progress on many issues important to Kosovans requires intensive dialogue with Belgrade.
Kosovo’s political leaders have not yet fully participated in this dialogue.
The normalization of relations remains a key benchmark.
At the same time, we expect Belgrade to support UNMIK’s policies both in words and in actions.
Parallel structures must be dismantled.
VII. Standards Before Status
Our message remains clear: Standards before status.
Kosovo has not yet achieved the standards demanded by either the international community or its own people.
However, measurable progress is being made.
The benchmarks enable me to evaluate that progress, transfer authority where appropriate, and determine when the conditions are right to begin the process of defining Kosovo’s future status, in accordance with paragraph 11(e) of Security Council Resolution 1244.
While we cannot yet determine what Kosovo’s final status will be, we can state clearly what it will not be.
There will be:
- No partition
- No cantonization
- No return to the pre-1999 status quo
The outcome cannot be monoethnic.
It must be multiethnic.
It must be a democratic, safe, and respectable Kosovo on its path toward Europe.
Progress toward this vision is not guaranteed.
Many obstacles remain.
However, together with Kosovo’s institutions, the people of Kosovo, and the support of the international community, I believe this vision can be achieved.
Thank you.
