UNMIK/PR/1265
PRISTINA –The SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen today appealed to NATO Member States to “stay the course” and maintain adequate force levels as the international community entered a decisive phase. In his address to the North Atlantic Council in Brussels this morning on the political and security situation in Kosovo, he warned that “if we cannot contain such potential threats to order and security in Kosovo, we will fail in our goal to create a stable multiethnic society in the foreseeable future”.
Underlining the excellent co-operation between UNMIK and KFOR, the SRSG stated that security throughout the campaign and on election day itself had been very satisfactory. “Since March UNMIK and KFOR have worked together to improve the security environment in Kosovo with particular regard to the minority population” said the SRSG, adding that all communities of Kosovo had an obligation to contribute to a secure environment.
Speaking on the establishment of Crime Prevention Councils at the municipal level across Kosovo and the central Kosovo Security Advisory Group, the SRSG expressed his hope that the Kosovo Serbs would fully participate in these important groups.
Commenting on the statement by the ICTY Prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte, made at the North Atlantic Council one week ago, the SRSG underlined the co-operation of UNMIK with ICTY and his strong stance against witness intimidation. He added that “justice is crucial on the road towards reconciliation and stabilisation” adding that “reconciliation and stabilisation will be at risk unless the judicial process is managed not just with full respect for the law, but also with due account of the specific context in which it operates.”
Responding to questions from Ambassadors, the SRSG among others elaborated on his recent contacts with Kosovo Serb leaders and with the authorities in Belgrade. “It is vitally important that the Kosovo Serbs participate in processes, including the working group on decentralisation, that provide them with the opportunity to address issues of direct concern to them.”
The SRSG also stressed the need for a government to form rapidly in Kosovo. “The new government must reach out to the minority communities and make rapid progress on the implementation of standards, in particular in areas such as security, returns, freedom of movement, decentralisation, and rule of law. However, the Provisional Institutions should not be held responsible for lack of progress directly attributable to attempts to block the process”, he said.