UNMIK/PR/226
PRISTINA: The SRSG, Dr. Bernard Kouchner, today briefed the Kosovo Transitional Council about the visit of the Security Council mission, which is arriving in Kosovo tomorrow. A special session of the KTC will be held on 28 April, which will be attended by the Security Council members.
Dr. Kouchner hoped that the meeting with the members of the Security Council will result in a fruitful exchange of views and that it will help the Security Council to understand better the reality of Kosovo today. He outlined the two serious issues that need to be addressed during the session---the situation of the detainees and missing persons and the factors affecting the return of displaced persons of all communities.
The SRSG also welcomed the COMKFOR, Lieutenant General Juan Ortuno, who attended the first meeting of the KTC since assuming charge last Tuesday. Lieutenant General Ortuno told the KTC that his priority “remains the provision of a safe and secure environment within which all refugees and displaced persons can return to their homes and in which reconstruction of Kosovo can take place”. He said he would focus on ensuring security at the level of the local communities. However, Lieutenant General Ortuno highlighted “one worrying trend”. He said that there have been a “series of mortar attacks that have taken place in the western region of Kosovo. These have been directed at minority households, both Serb and Roma. Two days ago, some rounds also impacted very near a KFOR checkpoint. This violence is designed to intimidate and is unacceptable. KFOR will exert every effort to find those responsible for these acts and put a stop to it”.
The co-heads of the Department of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Pleurat Sejdiu and Dr. Hannu Vuori, briefed the KTC on the work being done by their department. The co-heads discussed, among others, issues related to management of health and social welfare, developing infrastructure and human resources and monitoring of health care system. The KTC was informed that the health facilities in Kosovo are completely free. However, starting sometime in May, nominal fees will be charged. It was also told that while the amount of 81 million deutsche mark earmarked for health care in the Kosovo Consolidated Budget was small, it was 20 per cent of the total budget, which was very large in proportional terms. It was also informed that the supply of medicines was adequate. The co-heads also spoke about plans to streamline and downsize some components of the health care system. For instance, they said the number of ambulantas will be reduced from 309 to about 200, but exception will be made for remote areas. They spoke of the inefficient use of the hospital beds. They said that there should be no panic over tularemia.
Dr. Kouchner commended the functioning the Department of Health and Social Welfare, saying that “it is an example of very good cooperation and that they were progressing very well”. He added that “for the future of Kosovo, this is how things should move”.
It was also decided that the KTC should be briefed on social welfare and pension related issues soon.
The Serbian members of the KTC, except for Sonja Nikolic, were unable to attend the meeting today on recommendations of KFOR, which cited security reasons connected to the demonstration related to the missing persons.