UNMIK/PR/677
PRISTINA - United Nations Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Jean-Marie Guehenno, on his third visit to Kosovo, brought a message to UNMIK as well as the people and leaders of Kosovo that the mission and Kosovo remained a high priority for the United Nations in New York and the international community.
Mr. Guehenno met with the senior staff of UNMIK and held a "town hall" meeting to which all staff were invited. He said that UNMIK and Kosovo were entering a new and critical phase in which foundations of sustainable self-government, such as the Constitutional Framework, laid in the past year, would have to be "fleshed out" and their goals implemented. This would require unity among staff and the people of Kosovo, he said.
In the wake of SRSG Hans Haekkerup's departure last week, Secretary-General Kofi Annan was seeking a replacement as a matter of top priority, Mr. Guehenno said, noting that Mr. Haekkerup had made a "huge commitment" to Kosovo, with significant achievements.
Mr. Guehenno also met with leaders of Kosovo's major political parties as well as with Mr. Rexhat Daci, the Kosovo Assembly President. He assured them of the United Nations continuing support and presence in Kosovo and urged them to find a compromise quickly in order to form a government and proceed with administering the province.
"The people of Kosovo can be commended for the remarkable achievements that won the admiration of those who watch Kosovo," Mr. Guehenno told media at the end of his visit. "The Constitutional Framework has laid the basis for the people of Kosovo to play fundamental roles in the government of Kosovo. The Common Document (signed between Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Covic and ex-SRSG Haekkerup) gives the possibility and opportunity for the people of Kosovo to discuss common issues with Belgrade."
"We are on a good path to achieve more this year. Now we have to implement what was agreed upon last year. We have to ensure the full rule of law as well as freedom of movement and security for all communities," he said.
Mr. Guehenno said he was encouraged to find that the Kosovo leaders "want to move on sooner rather than later" from the current stalemate in forming a government.
"I appealed to them to demonstrate flexibility and to accept compromises….The leaders will send a strong signal to the world when they show that the new powers handed them are used for the benefit of all people of Kosovo.
Mr. Guehenno described a "moral contract" between the international community and the people of Kosovo, which in this phase called for Kosovo leaders to "do their part-to establish effective governance and authority and to move on the pressing issues that must be addressed."
Meeting this test successfully will position Kosovo for entrance into the European community and will allow the international community to begin to address the issue of Kosovo's final status, he concluded.
