UNMIK/PR/681
Acting SRSG Charles Brayshaw chaired the second session of the High Level Working Group, which met yesterday in Belgrade to begin its substantive work as outlined by the Common Document of 5 November, 2001.
Mr. Brayshaw described the meeting as positive and constructive in terms of laying out the priorities for the work ahead on issues of mutual concern identified by the Common Document, which was signed by former SRSG Hans Haekkerup and FRY/Serbia Coordination Center President Nebojsa Covic.
Most of those priorities were on yesterday's agenda, including how to improve cooperation on establishing the fate of the missing from all communities; resolving issues of detainees; promoting returns of displaced persons to Kosovo; and improving freedom of movement by road and railway.
UNMIK introduced three proposed protocols-on the exchange of forensics expertise in work on the missing; on joint verification of allegations on hidden prisons; and on the cross-boundary returns of remains. The protocols should be taken up at the next meeting to be held in Pristina in approximately one month.
The Working Group also agreed to establish sub-groups on returns, the judiciary and police cooperation.
Contrary to reports on the meeting in the Belgrade press, the issue of Serbian Ministry of Interior participation in the organization or work of the Kosovo Police Service was not discussed and no such involvement would be acceptable to UNMIK, Mr. Brayshaw said.
Mr. Brayshaw introduced the meeting by reviewing the progress toward the establishment of Provisional Institutions of Self-Government . He noted the tragic loss of Kosovo Assembly member Ismael Hajdaraj, who was murdered on 17 January near Peja/Pec, and affirmed UNMIK's commitment to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators.
He assured Mr. Covic of UNMIK's commitment to create the necessary conditions for the return of a substantial number of Serbs and other non-Albanians to Kosovo over the next two years. "We are determined to improve conditions on the ground-both politically and in terms of the physical infrastructure and economic prospects for returnees," Mr. Brayshaw said.
How to extend Kosovo's commercial connections to allow service throughout Yugoslavia and to the rest of Europe was also discussed, as well as how to reconcile the issuance of vehicle license plates in a way that will facilitate freedom of movement for all residents of Kosovo.
