UNMIK/PR/1147
PRISTINA – SRSG Harri Holkeri today met Bishop Artemije in Gracanica and discussed the situation emerging from last week’s violence and rioting in Kosovo.
Earlier in the day, he visited Obilic and saw the destruction suffered by homes and religious sites in the violence and rioting.
In his meeting with Bishop Artemije, head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo, Mr. Holkeri said what Kosovo had experienced was ethnically motivated violence. It perhaps started spontaneously but it was orchestrated by extremist elements and was prepared in advance. He stressed the importance of bringing to justice those behind the violence. The other priority was to help the displaced persons and help them restart their lives again.
He said he would try and get international help to rebuild churches and religious sites which were destroyed last week.
Speaking to media afterwards, Mr. Holkeri said understood the frustration of Kosovo Serbs.
Bishop Artemije expressed deep disappointment and unhappiness at the recent events. He explained to the SRSG what had been happening in the last five years leading up to the events of last week. He sought better protection of all religious sites, including those which had been destroyed or damaged.
Earlier, Mr. Holkeri travelled to Obilic, where he met with the President of the Municipal Assembly, Ismet Hashani. After the meeting, he said that he had encouraged the local politicians to reconstruct what had been destroyed in the riots. “Before last week, what was reported from here, was regarded as an achievement. Don’t let that disappear.”
Mr. Holkeri also went to see the church in the town which had been torched, where he also met with some of the victims of the violence. “What has happened here was ethnically motivated violence and is unacceptable”, he told the victims. “The international community condemns this in strongest terms but now the time of declarations is over. Now practical actions are needed.” Mr. Holkeri underscored the firm will of the international community to support the Kosovo Serb community.