UNMIK/PR/330
PRISTINA— The SRSG Bernard Kouchner and German Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer, have called for action from Kosovo’s Albanian politicians to end violence against the province’s Serbian communities.
“We want real involvement because we have had condemnation several times before,” said Dr Kouchner.
He was speaking at a press conference just two days after one Kosovo Serb child was killed and three others injured by a Kosovo Albanian hit and run driver. That day also saw an elderly Kosovo Serb farmer shot in the village where a week earlier there had been a grenade attack on a group of Kosovo Serbian youngsters.
“How can I protect all the Serbian children of Kosovo?” said Dr Kouchner.
“These attacks are not only unacceptable. They are savage. These people are not on the way to democracy. I have told all the parties here that it is impossible to accept this kind of violence.”
The strong words were echoed by Germany’s foreign minister Joschka Fischer, who was on a one-day visit to Kosovo. He described the attacks on children as “barbarian”.
“I think there must be a strong condemnation from all political parties that such actions are unacceptable,” said Mr Fischer. “And not only condemned by lip service but with a real condemnation.”
Mr Fischer earlier met with Dr Kouchner where they discussed the security situation, as well as the run up to the election. In a separate meeting with Albanian political leaders, Mr Fischer again brought up the issue of Kosovo Serbs and Romas; he said the parties’ record of dealing with minorities had to be improved.