UNMIK/PR/1162
PRISTINA – PDSRSG Charles Brayshaw today visited Gjilan/Gnjilane region where he met Albanian and Serb religious, political and community leaders.
Mr. Brayshaw first travelled to Draganac Monastery near Gjilan/Gnjilane, where he met with Father Kirilo. Then he met with the UNMIK municipal representatives, as well as the regional UNHCR, OSCE and EU representatives. After that he went to Partes village to see Serb village leaders of Gjilan/Gnjilane region. He ended his visit with a meeting with the Presidents of all seven Municipal Assemblies of this region.
Father Kirilo and Mr Brayshaw agreed that the trust between the communities had suffered the greatest damage. “We have the task of rebuilding confidence”, the PDSRSG stated. “One step is the paying of the physical damage by the Government. Another is the statement which was made at the end of last week with a commitment to a multiethnic society. A start has been made.”
In Partes village just outside Gjilan/Gnjilane, Mr. Brayshaw listened very carefully to the concerns of the assembled regional Serb village leaders and to their experiences during the recent violence. “Your communities were the victims in March. But those criminals do not represent all Kosovars”, he assured them.
At the meeting with the seven municipal presidents of Gjilan/Gnjilane region the PDSRSG found a clear recognition on all sides that the March events had damaged all of Kosovo.
Adressing the media at the end of his stay, Mr. Brayshaw expressed his deep satisfaction about today’s visit, stating that he was “very pleased to find the unanimous and solid condemnation by the Albanian leaders of the violence of 17-18 March, and hearing about the actions they have already taken in their municipalities.” At the same time he applauded the Serb religious and community leaders for “their firm commitment to continue to live in Kosovo.”