UNMIK/PR/486
Following a two-hour meeting today in Mitrovica, Kosovo Albanian leaders joined UNMIK SRSG Hans Haekkerup and COMKFOR Gen. Carlo Cabigiosu in a Declaration on Mitrovica, intended to restore calm and build confidence in the divided city.
SRSG Haekkerup and KFOR Commander Cabigiosu flew to the MNB-North headquarters in southern Mitrovica late this afternoon, where they called together local Kosovo Albanian leaders. All assembled agreed to issue the following declaration:
“Today, on February 2001 we the representatives of the Kosovo Albanian community and the international civilian and security presence in Kosovo met in Mitrovica to discuss the current situation.
“We strongly condemn the violence that has occurred in Mitrovica over the past several days. This violence started as a result of the killing of a 15-year-old Kosovo Albanian boy and also resulted in other serious injuries.
“We strongly deplore the violence directed at KFOR that resulted in numerous injuries to KFOR soldiers who are here to provide for a secure environment. We are very concerned about potential attacks on international civilian representatives.
“We recognize that the situation in Mitrovica poses a significant threat to a safe and secure environment and we call on all citizens to remain calm and to refrain from further acts of violence.
“Until the security situation in Mitrovica stabilizes, it will be impossible to address longer term issues involving the future viability and integration of the city.
“We jointly recognize the need for:
- Additonal security measures, specifically additional KFOR soldiers, UNMIK police officers and officers of theKosovo Police Service;
- The expansion of the zone of confidence;
- Ensuring the freedom of movement of all citizens;
- The return of displaced families to their homes;
- The establishment of functioning political structures.
The declaration was signed by SRSG Haekkerup, COMKFOR Cabigiosu, UNMIK Police Commissioner Christopher Albiston, TMK Region 4 Commander Veseli, Naxim Faiza of the AAK, Faruk Sahjija, LDK and President of the Mitrovica Municipal Assembly; Bajram Rexhepi, PDK; Ramush Haradinaj, AAK; Hajradin Kuqi, PDK and Kol Berisha, LDK.