UNMIK/PR/860
SRSG Michael Steiner met today with Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic. The SRSG later briefed Contact Group ambassadors on the current situation in Kosovo.
Following his meeting with Mr. Covic, SRSG Michael Steiner briefed the press about the recent municipal elections.
“Frankly, my impression is that Serbs from Kosovo have shot themselves in the foot,” he said. “The result of contradictory messages concerning the elections was the low turnout among the Serbs. This has diminished their capacity to take part in decision-making in Kosovo, but that was the decision of the voters.
“Seeing this outcome, it makes no sense to go forward with the meeting I had originally proposed for Gnjilane. But this does not mean that the philosophy of decentralization is off the table.
“Decentralization continues to be necessary and beneficial for all communities in Kosovo. We need decentralization in line with the Constitutional Framework and European standards, and we will find a resolution for that within Kosovo with all the legitimate leaders.
“It is true that I would have hoped for better participation from the Serbs in these elections, in their own interest. But, at the same time, I must say that there was no Kosovo-wide boycott. We had participation all over Kosovo, including from the Serb community, except in one place, the northern part of Mitrovica, where unfortunately there was a boycott of the legitimate elections organized by the OSCE.
“My seven-point plan was an excellent offer, including for the Serbs in the north, as it would provide security, establish a firm mechanism against outvoting, and provide economic perspectives. Unfortunately, co-governance is not possible now.
“We need to fill the legal vacuum created there by the boycott. We need to have a legitimate authority in the northern part of Mitrovica.”
