UNMIK/PR/216
The Interim Administrative Council today finalized membership of the Central Election Commission which will oversee the running of municipal elections later this year.*
Eight members were appointed, with a ninth place held open for a Serb who has yet to be named. There will also be nine alternates who can fill in when members are absent.
In other business, the IAC endorsed a draft regulation which would amend UNMIK Regulation 2000/2 on customs duties so that heating oil would now be subject to excise taxes. Heating oil was exempt from import duties during the winter.
The co-heads of the Department Reconstruction, Steve Lewarne and Mehmet Hajrizi, briefed the IAC on the current situation and plans for housing reconstruction. They reported that 12,000 houses were rebuilt or repaired through donor contributions in 1999, and that this year, grants will be available to rebuild or repair up to 17,000 houses, with the possibility of another 5,000 to be included. Housing committees in the municipalities are taking applications for home repair.
The IAC also received an extensive briefing on UNMIK's plans for the Trepca mining complex, which over the next 18 months will be prepared for exploitation. Reconstruction co-head Lewarne explained that the plan initially would involve short-term steps to preserve and clean up the mines. Meanwhile, a series of three audits will be conducted, analyzing the technical, financial and environmental condition and potential of the mining complex.
An international consortium of experts will conduct these assessments and then will draw up the terms of reference for future exploitation. When the tender process for exploitation begins, those companies involved in the assessments will be excluded from bidding.
At today's meeting, the IAC also agreed to create a Trepca supervisory board chaired by DSRSG Joly Dixon which would include the Reconstruction co-heads, representatives of KFOR and experts nominated by the Kosovo members of the IAC.
Following the meeting, SRSG Bernard Kouchner told reporters that the most immediate concern at Trepca is the potential for flooding, which if unchecked could ruin the mines.
He said IAC members and UNMIK would discuss with the European Union the possibility of securing funding for a flood control project.
Asked about his policy on returns to Kosovo of those who fled abroad during the conflict and earlier, Dr. Kouchner responded that "this is a very important problem. We set up a task force with UNMIK, and the first meeting is today. I signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany and Switzerland. But these were expressly to slow down, to calm and to regularize the process of the coming back of the refugees. We had a problem yesterday with some refugees who had been forced to return, and I hope that will be the last time."
"Nevertheless, we have to organize a better welcome for these people, and they must be welcome by Kosovars," Dr. Kouchner continued. "So we are looking for additional ways and means to get real power in the task force, and to have people waiting for those coming back. We have to be aware in advance not only of the arrival of the planes, but also the lists of people and their requirements. Do they have a house? Or do they have nothing. It's a huge and important task we're facing.
"I asked in my 'open letter' to calm down the process. At the same time, we cannot forget the return of the Kosovo Serbs and Roma. They must not come all at the same time. That would be very difficult for us."
Central Elections Commission
- Arsim Jkanova, Law faculty, University of Pristina. Member, Pristina Municipal Council (LDK)
- Xhelil Pajaziti, Lawyer, Gnjilane (LBD)
- Bejtush Jusufi, Law faculty, Univ. of Pristina; Lawyer, Gnjilane (PPDK)
- Hamide Konushevci, Central Statistical Unit (Academia)
- Safete Maliqu-Qormemeti, Pristina Hospital, head of "Pro mente Kosova." (NGO)
- Daut Dauti, Institute of North Atlantic Association of Kosovo and Journalist Ass'n. (Independent)
- Raman Aslani, Center for Social Work, CEC member 1990-97. (Bosniac)
- Ibis Cakal, Lawyer and member of "Esnaf," Prizren. CEC member 1978-1990. (Turk)
- Serb seat to be appointed.