UNMIK/PR/484
PRISTINA---SRSG Hans Haekkerup today told the Kosovo Transitional Council that for any strategy to be implemented on Mitrovica the violence, especially against the international community, UNMIK Police and KFOR, must stop.
“It’s unacceptable that the frustration and anger at ethnic killings is directed at the international community”, Mr. Haekkerup stated. He urged members of the KTC to help calm the situation, adding “the precondition to taking any concrete steps in Mitrovica is for the violence to settle down”.
The KTC today had a detailed discussion on the situation in Mitrovica, which has been in the grip of violence since Monday.
Mr. Haekkerup said that the continued violence in Mitrovica was very disturbing. There was information that more serious violence may have been planned. “There is a strategy to deal with bridge watchers and other provocateurs, but it cannot be implemented in the face of mob violence”, he added.
In his security briefing, KFOR’s Major General Ladeveze dwelt on the situation in Mitrovica and Presevo Valley. “Things are going very badly in Mitrovica and the incidents there are unacceptable”, he said. He detailed the acts of violence in Mitrovica since Monday. He said a lot of rumours were floating around on the situation in Mitrovica. On Presevo Valley, he said the situation was not improving, but there were signs of goodwill on both sides, with Belgrade looking at a long term solution and the armed groups realising that violence wouldn’t provide a solution. He urged Kosovar leaders not to support the continued existence of the UCPMB.
The KTC also issued a statement on Mitrovica. The statement is as follows:
“The Kosovo Transitional Council condemns the violence in Mitrovica which claimed the life of one 15-year old Kosovo Albanian child and left four Kosovo Albanians, one Kosovo Serb and one Bosniac injured.
“The KTC also expresses its outrage at attacks on members of KFOR and the international community who are trying to provide security for all communities in Kosovo.
“The cycle of violence which has hurt all Kosovo’s communities must be ended.
“The KTC calls on the people of Mitrovica and their leaders to calm the situation, to stop all acts of provocation and revenge and to work with the international community in building a peaceful and united Mitrovica.”