Kosovo, the OSCE and Others Drama in two Acts with an Epilogue

Kosovo, the OSCE and Others Drama in two Acts with an Epilogue

Kosovo, the OSCE and Others
Drama in two Acts with an Epilogue
Academic Network South East Europe
www.academicnetwork-see.net
Wednesday 1 June – Friday 3 June 2005
Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy
Falkenstein 1, Hamburg
Organized and chaired by:
Prof. K.P. Tudyka
Dr. P. Schneider
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Introduction
The simulation on Kosovo entitled “Kosovo, the OSCE and Others: Drama in two acts with
an Epilogue” took place at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy on the 2nd and
3rd June 2005. As preparation for the simulation there was a lecture given by Dr. Helmut
Kramer of the University of Vienna on the 1st June. Students from across the region of SouthEast Europe participated in the simulation, they came from Albania, Bosnia-Hercegovina,
Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia-Montenegro as well as Britain, Germany, Italy,
Lithuania and Romania.
The simulation took the form of a debate between the various parties both before and in the
wake of the events of March 2004. The final section of the simulation involved a debate about
the prospects for the future. The whole event was carried out in the roles allocated beforehand
with everyone convincingly representing the views of their actor regardless of personal
opinions. This was a rewarding and enriching experience for all both in the simulation itself
and in the exchange of views possible before, after and inbetween.
This protocol takes the form of minutes and should provide the reader with a good idea of the
issues discussed and proposals put forward.
Besides the organisers the following students participated:
Meri Angeleska
Rajna Badeva
Goran Bandov
Selma Belshaku
Elena Bittasi
Max Bornefeld-Ettmann
Arben Coli
Laura Costescu
Joe Dethlefs
Valdet Gashi
Ermin Hadzic
Bernd-Kristian Kaczenski
Klajd Karameta
Anne-Katrin Hinz
Milica Isakov
Marko Ivkovic
Ruta Mockute
Nicholas Parrott
Stanislava Tasheva
Eren Tiryaki
Andreia Tolcio
Aleksandra Zdravkovic
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“Kosovo quo vadis? – Situation and perspectives of a
UN-protectorate in Europe”, Prof. Dr. Helmut Kramer
Minutes by Joachim Dethlefs
Professor Kramer works on Political Science at the University of Vienna and is a known
specialist for Austrian foreign affairs. In connection with this he has regularly and intensively
come in touch with the successor states of Yugoslavia and has a profound knowledge on this
topic. He has finished a book in cooperation with a colleague. It is called “Die KosovoBilanz” (“Kosovo: An assessment”) and is published by the Lit-Verlag Wien in July 2005.
At the beginning of his lecture Professor Kramer presented some interesting facts and
information about the region. For example he said that the effort of the United Nations in this
area have been surprisingly high. Since the beginning of the intervention there has been a total
number of 100,000 ‘internationals’ sent to Kosovo. Half of this number have been soldiers of
the KFOR–contingent, the other half staff members and activists from both governmental and
non–governmental organisations. Since 1999 the annual money spent for each inhabitant of
the Kosovo has been around €1000 on average. By way of comparison this figure for Bosnia–
Herzegovina is €250 and Afghanistan just €100.
According to Professor Kramer 2005 will be the year of decision for the region of Kosovo. In
the summer there is to be a “comprehensive report” the results of which could perhaps already
be in the autumn the beginning of EU-accession negotiations. In this context it is an
interesting detail that within the first six months of 2006 with Austria there is to be a country
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taking the presidency of the EU–council that always has had close relations to the South-East
Europe.
Compared with the invested expense on human, material and financial resources Professor
Kramer’s final result is critical :
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•
•
•
•
•
The security–situation within the country is stable, but a “positive freedom hasn’t
yet been reached”
From about 250,000 refugees only 12,000 have come back until now. And from
the 5,000 refugees after the riots in March 2004 also only 60 percent have come
back yet
The unemployment-rate is about 80 percent
The energy-supply is disastrous
The presence of more than 100,000 internationals has also caused negative effects
in the country like a destruction of the wage structure and the development of
prostitution
The political result is suboptimal. A democratic and tolerant political culture is still
missing
However : Kosovo is still a story of success in comparison to Haiti and Afghanistan.
Kramer doubts that the UN is capable of rebuilding the country. He criticises the absence of
any long term personnel policy. He calls it a “catastrophe” that 50 percent of the international
police are partly from undemocratic states and are not accepted by the people of Kosovo. He
tells how in New York only 15 desk-officers in the “Office for Peacekeeping-missions” are
responsible for the coordination of all peacekeeping-missions. That is in his eyes a reason for
the insufficient organisation and dubious personnel selection in the mission-area. Furthermore
Kramer says that some of the internationals are suffering a lack of identification with their
missions, they came with a limited knowledge of the country, culture and mission-subject. A
positive example in this context is the recently appointed Special Representative, Sören
Jessen-Petersen.
He concluded that as long as there is no carefully considered strategy, the effect of having the
internationals as good example in the region disappears. The fast changing foreign-policy of
the European Union also has a bad influence on the situation.
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First Act – The Dialogue – Departure for Europe?
The OSCE Chairman in Office expressed his thanks for the attendance of all parties and
hopes for a productive discussion over the following days. He handed the floor almost
immediately the United Nations Mission in Kosovo to open the debate.
UNMIK Max Bornefeld-Ettmann
The main responsibility of the UN Security Council is the preservation of global peace and
security. In the case of Kosovo and under the Security Council Resolution 1244 the main aims
of the International Community are:
1. An end to violence against the people of Kosovo
2. Return of refugees and displaced people to their homes
3. Humanitarian Aid
4. Reconstruction and economic development
5. Demilitarisation of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and other Albanian armed
groups
6. Exercise of civil administration through the United Nations
7. Arrangement of provisional institutions for democratic and autonomous selfadministration including the holding of elections
8. Arrangement of a security presence to ensure a secure environment and the guarantee
of law and order until this can be passed on to and international civilian presence
9. Advancement of substantial autonomy within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and
the beginning of a political process with the aim of determining the final status of
Kosovo.
By carrying out the elements of Resolution 1244 alongside the NATO-led troops of KFOR
there should be an international civilian presence through the UN installed, the United
Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Under the leadership of the
Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), the following four pillars were
established:
Pillar I: Humanitarian Aid and Return of Refugees (UNHCR), later Police and Justice
issues (UNMIK)
Pillar II: Civil administration (UNMIK)
Pillar III: Democratisation and build-up of democratic institutions (OSCE)
Pillar IV: Reconstruction and economic development (EU)
The international civilian presence established the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government
(PISG), through which democratic standards can be fulfilled in the future. UNMIK welcomes
the attendance of the negotiation parties to take part in the dialogue on the development of
Kosovo. We hope this can be a constructive meeting.
OSCE MiK Laura Renata Costescu
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On taking the floor the representative of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo showed that the
Mission coordinates the activities under the Pillar on institution-building within UNMIK and
emphasized the cooperation with UNMIK in various fields.
Continuing, the speaker indicated the eight principle objectives which are considered to be
necessary to be implemented before considering the question of the political status of Kosovo.
The speaker further pointed up the mandate of the OSCE MIK and the progress made from
July 1999. In the field of Human Resources Capacity-building the speaker showed that the
OSCE MIK had established the Kosovo Police Service School and the Kosovo Judicial
Institute (last one in collaboration with the Council of Europe) which was responsible for the
training and education of judges, prosecutors and defence counsels.
In the domain of the development of Civil Society, the representative showed that the OSCE
had been assisting political parties in developing programmes, organisational structures,
electoral platforms and election campaigns. On the other hand the OSCE MIK had been
supporting the development of local NGO’s through the establishment of a network of NGO
resource centres. The speaker further showed the activities of the OMIK regarding the
development of the local media and pointed out the success of the Mission in organizing the
elections for both the municipal level and the provisional assembly.
Continuing, the representative showed that one area of concern is the human rights situation
of Kosovo’s minority communities. Even though the Mission was active in this field through
different programmes, the evolution was not totally satisfying with the problem of refugees
and IDS and of minority protection not being solved. She also pointed out the cooperation
between OMIK and UNHCR.
Still, the representative of the OSCE MIK reported on a generally stable situation in the
region, in which standards were being achieved and in which the question of the political
future of Kosovo could be considered.
On the last point the representatives of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro and the
representatives of the Provisional Institution for Self Government had some remarks: the first
showed that mixed administrative bodies didn’t function and recommended building up
Serbian besides Albanian institutions, the second pointed out that the question of the status of
Kosovo should be settled independently of the achievement of the standards. To the first
remark the representative of the OSCE MIK responded that only one set of institutions were
required (the situation of 1999 with double formal and informal institutions should be
avoided) responding to the needs of the multiethnic society living in the region. To the second
remark the Representative of the OSCE stated that the international community had to ensure
that the standards regarding the functioning of democratic institutions, the enforcement of the
rule of law, the freedom of movement etc would be implemented in Kosovo.
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KFOR Officer Selma Belshaku and Anne-Katrin Hinz
The KFOR officer began his report with a review of the work done by KFOR from the
beginning of the mission (12 June 1999) and its achievements towards providing a secure
environment in Kosovo.
The first achievement of KFOR was the return of the refugees from Kosovo, who had fled
during the armed conflict and were accommodated in the refugee camps of the neighbour
countries, Albania and Macedonia. KFOR has demilitarised the KLA and initiated the
disarming process, the results of which are the voluntary hand over of thousands of weapons
and the confiscation of a good deal of illegally held ones. The ongoing campaign aims in
convincing the rest part of armed Kosovo-Albanians to give their weapons.
A great contribution for the security in Kosovo is the clearing of major routes and population
centres as well as the border line from the anti-human mines placed by both sides during the
war, the marking of the mine containing areas and sites and the extensive mine awareness
campaign in the media and schools. Worth mentioning was also the contribution of KFOR in
the reconstruction by building and repairing roads, schools and bridges with its engineering
squads, the assistance for UNMIK and NGOs in distribution of humanitarian aid, food,
clothing and rebuilding materials for houses and the medical assistance through KFOR field
hospitals.
By concluding the report the KFOR officer assessed the actual situation as calm and mostly
secure and pointed to the further engagement towards a growing security, with the protection
of minorities and the facilitation of their return as priority. Due to technical changes the last
part of the first act, which was supposed to make a parenthesis of the rioting of March 2004
(with people shouting and screaming and the KFOR officer talking privately to the
Chairman), did not take place.
Representatives of the US Joachim Dethlefs and Katharina Kobilarov
Ladies and gentleman,
Honourable members of the chair
First I want to thank you for the possibility to briefly outline the American position within this
topic. I will try to keep my explanations as structured and clear, as the American position
already is. We welcome the positive developments in the region, but we also see with sorrow
the standstill in some areas like the fight against organised crime. Let us briefly review the
history of the brutal collapse of the former republic of Yugoslavia. We have war in Croatia.
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The actors are the Croatians and the Serbs. Let’s go to Bosnia a little later. The situation has
escalated. We have war. The actors are the Bosnian Croats, the Bosnian Muslims and the
Bosnian Serbs which in our eyes can not to be totally divided from the Serbian people in
Serbia. In Kosovo there is an escalating conflict-situation similar to war. The actors are as
well the Kosovo-Albanians and yes: again the Serbs.
So, you all will agree: we have three different conflicts that are generally but not completely
in connection with each other. We have three different constellations of actors and of course
none of these actors is alone responsible for the happenings and crimes. It is common
knowledge that generally seen you always need two people for a conflict.
But one may think about, if after the experiences of the Balkan-conflict it is fair at all to treat
all groups in an equal way. That is one of the real problems behind the situation. It is a
question about realizing the difference between victim and perpetrator. But for the nonEuropean-members of the United Nations there seems to be no victim and perpetrator. And
our European friends will accept the existence of victim and perpetrator but – referring to
their individual history – having different ideas about who is victim and who is perpetrator in
the Balkan-context.
This is my main point. The problems existing in the region of Kosovo and the suggestions and
regulations drawn in resolution 1244 cant be solved and seen without realizing and accepting
the different responsibility of the local actors. To underline it: As long, as you treat the
Albanians and the Serbians in the same way, you will not come to a solution neither to a
development in the question of Kosovo.
Please allow me to point out, that it wasn’t the Europeans at all who have brought up the
ending of the conflict in Bosnia. It was essentially the initiative of the United States of
America with the direct and admirable engagement of visionary people like Richard
Holbrooke or Bill Clinton choosing Dayton as instrument to build the fundament for freedom
in the region. When I see the results I know that we were right.
And to make it clear as well : It wasn’t the Europeans at all who have decided to show the
regime in Belgrade with powerful arguments its borders in terms of Kosovo. The NATOBombardment started as an US initiative. And when I see the results I know that we were
right. I could name a lot more examples but our time is limited.
So let’s look on Kosovo with this American view that -against all resistance in the past
several times- has proven completely right. The conflict will go on as long as the economic
situation is not stable. And as long as the economic situation is not stable, the mental focus of
the people with further lay on the hate against their neighbour. What makes the sense in
forcing all these people living together in a country that is part of Serbia, if they just don’t
want? We from our side would very much appreciate more realism especially by our
European partners.
Of course the United States are not the only one to decide this, but to us it comes more and
more clear that the only way to make Kosovo a stable country is, to give it independence and
make it a partner integrated in a network of Balkan-countries. Also in Croatia and even more
in Bosnia today Serbians freely live within the local societies. But it is very important that
these countries are independent from Serbia.
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Multiethnic state? Yes! America is the best example for the success of a model like this. But
multiethnic state within the borders of Serbia? Within the borders of the country of people
who didn’t prove a lot in the past in showing tolerance towards other ethnics and religions? A
multiethnic state within the borders of Serbia is an illusion.
What I want to come to is that there seems to be still a lot of energy and monetary power left
within the European partners to try for several years longer to build up a multiethnic society
in Kosovo with in our eyes not sustainable and ineffective methods.
But the energy in these terms – even of a country like the United States of America – is
limited. I don’t have to explain to you the challenges for the American people connected with
the worldwide war on terror. No doubt that there will be a number of our troops remaining in
the Kosovo area. But we urgently have to reduce our engagement and let the European
countries take more responsibility in solving the conflicts happening directly at their front
door.
Thank you
European Union Elena Bittasi and Nicholas Parrott
Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen,
As you all know the European Union has been present in Kosovo since the very beginning of
the international effort to build a new future for this area and that the European Union is, by
far, the single largest donor providing assistance to Kosovo with 51.5 million for 2004 Annual
Programme and more than 2 billion since 1999.
The EU, including its Member States and the European Commission, is playing the most
prominent role in the reconstruction of Kosovo and to rebuild everyday life for all the people
of Kosovo – whatever their ethnic background.
The European Union’s presence in Kosovo has taken three major forms:
1) The HUMANITARIAN AID OFFICE
2) The EUROPEAN AGENCY FOR RECONSTRUCTION
3) As part of UNMIK, the EU is in charge of revitalising economic activity in Kosovo,
rebuilding what has been damaged by the war and creating the conditions for a modern, open
market economy.
In the initial period after the war, the HUMANITARIAN AID OFFICE donated more than
€400 million for emergency assistance, such as rehabilitation of rural areas, accommodation
for displaced persons, equipment of schools and the provision of medical supplies. ECHO
reduced its programmes in Kosovo substantially in 2001.
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The EUROPEAN AGENCY FOR RECONSTRUCTION from February 2000 is managing
sustainable reconstruction and development programmes in Kosovo. Nearly a billion euros
have been available for reconstruction and institution-building, with half of the funds
dedicated to the re-establishment of electricity supplies. Besides, other activities include the
rehabilitation of railways and road patching, housing, economic development, water and
environment programme, health care reform and the creation of credit facilities.
As a part of UNMIK, the European Union is in charge of economic development in Kosovo.
In the immediate post conflict phase, this focused on the repair and restructuring of basic
infrastructure. With a large part of the major reconstruction work now complete, the EU pillar
is seeing a gradual shift in the focus of its work. The development of an open, market
economy and of a framework for the development of modern enterprises is seen as
fundamental in order to establish a sustainable private sector, which will create employment
and be the main engine for growth. Therefore, the long term perspective in the European
Union’s pillar activities is to provide solid foundations to bring Kosovo’s frameworks closer
to European standards.
Before passing the floor to my colleague, I would like to state that there have been a number
of substantial improvements: the economy in Kosovo is growing, even if at a lower rate than
in the post-reconstruction boom.
The contribution of the EU both as member states and as a unit through the commission and
agencies have therefore been outlined. At this initial juncture we would also like to briefly
outline some of the elements we see as necessary into the future :
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•
EU membership is a big question for countries of the region. Clearly, Slovenia has
already joined as a successor state to Yugoslavia and Croatia is well on the way. The
European vocation of all countries of the region is clear – and membership in the
foreseeable future should be both a goal and an expectation.
However, the situation of Kosovo leaves considerable work to be done. We have heard
various proposals on the way forward this morning and the position of the EU is very
much that the current state of affairs is no longer sustainable.
Our member states within the Contact Group are taking a role in pre-discussions
towards final status.
The position of the EU is that we see economic and social development still as key.
This does not imply ‘standards before status’ in the former sense but rather that we see
the route of Kosovo to the EU as being built upon the establishment and
reestablishment of sustainable industry and jobs.
In conclusion we are absolutely convinced that the entire western Balkans will join the EU,
including Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo in whatever form. Reform in the direction of EU
membership should be paramount in all places and necessary compromises should be made to
that end.
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UNHCR Ruta Mockute and Eren Tiryaki
1) Mandate of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
The representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
introduced the mandate of the Office of the UNHCR. They underlined that UNHCR is a
humanitarian, non-political organization which is engaged in the following regions
worldwide: Europe, The Balkans, North Caucasus, The Palestinian Issue, Iraq, Afghanistan,
Sri Lanka, Horn of Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa and Columbia. The
basic aims that had been mentioned in this meeting are as follows:
• to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and their rights;
• to resolve refugee problems and to safeguard well-being of refugees worldwide.
The representatives accentuated that the UNHCR strives to ensure the right to seek asylum
and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate
locally or to resettle in a third country. It was also said that UNHCR promotes international
refugee agreements and monitors government compliance with international refugee law.
Moreover, the representatives pointed out that through its activities for refugees and returnees,
UNHCR promotes international efforts in prevention, conflict resolution and peace building.
2) Definition of a refugee
The UNHCR representatives characterized refugees as people who are outside their countries
or homes within the country borders (internally displaced persons) because of a well-founded
fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership
in a particular social group, and who cannot or do not want to return home.
3) Long-term solutions
The representatives informed the other participants of the meeting that UNHCR seeks for
long-term or 'durable' solutions. Firstly, by helping refugees repatriate to their homeland if
conditions warrant (only voluntary repatriation); secondly, by helping them to integrate in
their countries of asylum or to resettle in third countries (in which individuals, families and
even communities are voluntarily resettled into a new, third-party country and are integrated
into its social fabric). It was stressed that being able to return to their country of origin in
safety and dignity is widely recognized as the most desirable durable solution, and the one
generally preferred both by UNHCR and most refugees.
The representatives generalized that although the protection of refugees remains the mandate
of UNHCR, the ultimate goal has always been to work for durable solutions so that refugees
no longer need the agencies protection. In other words, to help them re-establish that most
basic of human needs, a place to call home free of threats to life and liberty.
The major components of the “Framework for Durable Solutions” were presented. These are:
"DAR" – Development Assistance for Refugees – for protracted refugee situations; "4Rs" –
Repatriation, Reintegration, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction – for voluntary repatriation;
and, "DLI" – Development through Local Integration – for local integration.
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4) Early warning system
Another important scope of the organization was stressed that it devotes resources for trying
to avert crises by anticipating and preventing huge population movements from global trouble
spots. One approach is to put in place a so-called early warning system – establishing an
international monitoring presence to confront problems before conflict breaks out.
As humanitarian crises have become more complex, UNHCR has expanded both the scope of
organizations it works with. For example, the World Food Program (WFP), the U.N.
Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.N. Development
Program (UNDP), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and others; also more than 570
non-governmental organizations.
OSCE-OSHIR-Director Aleksandra Zdravković and Goran Bandov
In recent years, organizing and supervising elections in Kosovo was one of the most important
tasks of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. As part of this process, the Department of Elections
(DE) played a major role in two Municipal elections in 2000 and 2002 and the Kosovo
Assembly election in 2001 and 2004. Through the process the Mission gradually handed over
its elections related responsibilities to the local institutions.
The 2004 elections for the Kosovo Assembly were held in October 2004 and were organized
by the Central Election Commission Secretariat (CESC). The OSCE continued to be
responsible for the specific operational activities such as: Voter Registry, by mail voting for
out of Kosovo voters, political party registration as well as planning and running of the Count
and Results Centre, and the financial audit office. These responsibilities are to be transferred
by the end of 2005.
Representative of the Government of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro Andreia
Tolciu and Bernd-Kristian Kaczenski
Having the floor, the Representative of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro (SCG) first
expressed his gratitude to the OSCE Chairman in office for the invitation and then he thanked
the former speakers, esp. the orator from the Russian Federation for their appropriate reports.
It followed a spell binding address.
From the of point of view of SCG the actual evidence is that the international community
already creates an independent Kosovo and Metohija while taking away the sovereignty from
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Belgrade. SCG accused the international community of doing it not coincidentally, but rather
consciously. The speaker also blamed the PISG for bad collaboration with Belgrade and for
the discrimination towards Serbians in Kosovo and Metohija in the legislation. Furthermore
he reproached the international community with not meeting their obligations as they are
stipulated in the resolution 1244 which he is recalling subsequently. The independence of
Kosovo and Metohija would not only mean its breakdown but also the destabilisation of the
whole region, SCG annotated, that it could even have negative effects on the problem with
Basks in Spain.
After this, the speaker took up again the violent events from March 2004 and blamed the
international community for having known in their secret services about the undertakings of
the Albanians and for not having prevented the brutal riots. Given that Albanians were
burning down orthodox churches in front of the KFOR, he invoked the cultural heritage in
Kosovo and Metohija and demanded its protection. As a result, he presented the main issues
of the passed resolution from March 2004 of the Serbian government which comprised that
SCG pledges itself to protect Serbians in Kosovo and Metohija, to protect the borders and to
establish its own institutions to facilitate the return of their refugees. In order to achieve this
goal, SCG asked to send around 1000 soldiers into Kosovo.
A further point was the question of the status. SCG pleaded for the determination of the final
status of Kosovo and Metohija in order to guarantee economic growth and direct investments
in both Serbia and Kosovo.
SCG requested the western world for cessation of the undertaking to build up a multinational
society in Kosovo and Metohija. The West is obliged, the speaker said, to respect the fact that
in Kosovo drastic cleavages subsists on an ethnic basis. Due to the fact that mixed
administrative bodies would not function the speaker recommended building up Serbian
among Albanian institutions in fields such as health care, education, security and judicial
system. In accordance to the resolution 1244 the goal must be to form surroundings in which
refugees could return.
Perorating the speaker summed up his allegations, demands and his assistant added
guarantees.
After SCG had finished its speech, the Representatives of the PISG got in a flap and disturbed
the following conversation. A speaker of the UNMIK challenged the neutrality of the
Representatives and accused them of making a campaign for their party. The speaker of the
OMIK rejected the critics and said it was too early to talk about the question of the status.
The OSCE Chairman in Office expressed his thanks for the calm and productive manner in
which he felt initial views had been put forward. He stressed his hopes for this to continue
throughout the discussion before closing the meeting and inviting the participants to the
following press conference.
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Intermediate Act: Press Conference – ABC: Accusation, Blames, Confusion
Group of Orthodox Church leaders Milica Isakov
After receiving the floor from the Speaker of the Chairman in Office, the Orthodox Church
leaders reported about witnessing the poignant reality left in the wake of extreme Albanian on
Serbian violence in Kosovo during the exile of 17-19 March 2004. According to UN and
Church statistics, 50,000 Albanians in the presence of 18,000 NATO peacekeepers drove
4,500 Serbs and other non-Albanians from their homes, injuring 900, including 150
peacekeepers, and killing 19 persons. With 33 synchronized flashpoints, all of Kosovo was
engulfed in flames, as over 800 homes, many of which had recently been rebuilt by the
International Community for repatriated Serbs, were looted and demolished.
In addition to the loss of precious human lives, Church had emphasized the desecration of
cemeteries and graves, in which uncontrollable crowds of people converged to obliterate
anything bearing the sign of the Cross, which was in complete violation of the international
norms on the manifestation of religious symbols. As Christian representatives, the Church
suffered the most seeing the destruction of 35 additional churches and shrines, some of them
under UNESCO protection, including those, dating to the 12th and 14th centuries.
Than Church gave the statistics of destruction and atrocities in Kosovo in the last 6 years,
that is from the time of the 1999 NATO-brokered international peacekeepers, which
witnessed the expulsion of 250,000 refugees, 1,000 kidnapped and 1,200 murdered, and a
sustained attempt at expunging the sacerdotal Serbian presence: of the original 1,657
churches, monasteries and monuments, over 115 were destroyed, added to the 35 above for a
total of 150; 211 Orthodox cemeteries desecrated and 5,177 monuments smashed, with many
graves opened and earthly remains of deceased tossed aside, all during the time of peace and
not war.
The Orthodox Church leaders pledged to reach out and extend a hand of cooperation in this
Kosovo and one again stressed that without cohabitation and realisation that Kosovo belongs
to all of its citizens, there can not be a long lasting peace in the province.
At the end of its speech, the Church pledged for the repatriation of 200,000 exiled Serbs and
50,000 other non-Albanian ; the restitution of confiscated church properties and
subsidiaries, and the resettlement of an otherwise non sustainable IDP population to the same
areas ; the reconstruction of churches, homes, schools and other destroyed buildings, by
implementing The Memorandum of Understanding signed on 24 March 2005 and the
implementation of local self-rule, which would allow for the sustainability and security of
resettled refugees, while encouraging Serbian participation in the provisional governmental
institutions of Kosovo and Metohija.
In the conversation that followed, the Church was accused of influencing the political
decisions involving the Serbian population in Kosovo by the representatives of the LDK. The
representative of OMNIK asked about relations with other churches, and Group of Roma
protested that they were not mentioned in the Church’s speech.
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Group of Roma/Gypsies people Aleksandra Zdravković and Goran Bandov
In the second part of Simulation Intermediate Act: Press Conference – ABC: Accusation,
Blames, Confusion they presented the position of the Group of Roma /Gypsies people (ngo)
which claims to be victimised by all parties and being marginalized and forgotten by the
international community. The Roma minority is one of the biggest minority on Kosovo. Roma
aren't protected and their rights are not under protection of Framework for protection of
national minorities of Council of Europe in Kosovo. 50000-70000 Roma are refugees and
they haven't possibility to come back on Kosovo. It was also pointed out that Roma people do
not have any state on their own where they would be welcome in contrast to Serbian refugees.
While Serbs also have the possibility of safer living in the northern part of Mitrovica, there is
no region for Roma to retire in peace.
Representative of the former UCK Joachim Dethlefs and Katharina Kobilarov
Ladies and gentleman,
First of all, my colleague and I want to enter a protest about the seating
arrangements. We see it as an unreasonable demand, that you forced us to sit right
here in one room, so shortly after the tragic occurrences in March and to have to
face the murderers of our children. This shows a lack of sensibility of the
organizers.
But we rather want to talk about our brave soldiers. Fathers, sons and grandfathers,
who defend their families and their ground like heroes. And that with their bare
fists against the Serbian soldiers or the Serbian police, which is basically the same.
Anyway both are well armed from the western states. We speak in a direct voice
for the people of Kosovo. The only people with a legal claim on the country,
which is illegally occupied by violent, orthodox peasants. How can you talk with
someone, who burnt down your mosques? Don’t be deceived by their
affirmations! We have seen in March, where this leads to.
The only lesson which is to draw from these occurrences is a free Kosovo. Give us
the responsibility for our land. Give us the responsibility for our lives. Then we
will soon be able to reach economic growth and rebuild the infrastructure. Without
the international protectorate we could be a full member of the European Union in
a short period of time, and fill up the over-aged labour-market with our young and
talented people.
We sincerely want to thank our true friends. The only countries which haven’t let
themselves be deceived by the Serbian propaganda and came to help our innocent
people in need. We say Faleminderit to our brave American friends. We say
Faleminderit to our brave and courageous friends: to the European states,
Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as to the NATO, who brought us peace
with their bombs of justice.
15
Speaker of the Albanian Government Max Bornefeld-Ettmann
The Albanian government absolutely rejects accusations of involvement in the renewed
violence in Kosovo. Such suggestions have been made against the Albanian government since
the time of the 1981 problems and always without basis. The Albanian government rejects all
forms of violence and calls for peace among the people of Kosovo.
Speaker of the FYROM Government Selma Belshaku and Anne-Katrin Hinz
The speaker of the Government of FYROM made in this press conference a declaration,
where he stated the position of its government related with the tense situation in Kosovo after
the rioting of March.
In the declaration the Macedonian Government condemned the desecration of the orthodox
churches and their symbols and demanded the stop of the violence from the part of Kosovo
Albanians against the Serbs and other minorities. The KFOR was asked to enhance the
security measures for a more efficient protection.
The precarious situation in Kosovo could have a negative impact on Macedonia, a fragile
country with 25% of its population ethnic Albanians. The country came up from an armed
conflict between the state and the ethnic Albanians, which could have ended in a civil war if
the international community had not intervened. This conflict was transported over the border
by former fighters of UCK (Kosovo Liberation Army). After less than 4 years Macedonia has
made considerable progresses in the integration process and is working hard for the
implementation of the framework agreement signed in Ohrid. Fearing the spread of any revolt
from Kosovo in its territory, by suspected elements, which would step Macedonia back from
its development the government of Macedonia called the international community with its
organisations to contribute as much as they can for the peace and development in Kosovo and
the whole region.
International Human Rights organisation Ruta Mockute and Eren Tiryaki
As the only present international human rights organization the representatives of the Human
Rights Watch (HRW) welcomed this opportunity to express their organization’s views on
Kosovo to all participants of the meeting. They stated that first of all, it is of high importance
that violence must be stopped as a prerequisite for the safe and secure return of refugees (and
avoiding further migration/displacement) and humanitarian living conditions of minorities.
Police forces such as the UNMIK police or Kosovo Police Service along with KFOR must be
able to establish certain security standards in the region. The Contact Group countries and
involved international organizations (NATO, UN, OSCE, EU) need to increase their
coordination among themselves and also with the regional administrations. The
representatives insisted that, indeed, these parties should show greater engagement with
Kosovo since the situation is still regarded as highly fragile. Second, the dialogue between
Kosovo’s Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, Kosovo Serb leaders and the
government of Serbia and Montenegro should be improved. The rule of law and especially the
accountability of politically or ethnically motivated crimes must be facilitated by all means. In
this respect, special attention should be given on minorities and returnees who all are to be
protected against treatments such as persecutions. Additionally, the role and regulation of
media organizations should be redefined. As a third and last point, the representatives
16
underlined that Kosovo (regardless of its legal status) is a multiethnic region where the
fundamental rights of all inhabitants have to be fully protected and respected.
Representative of the Business Community Elena Bittasi and Nicholas Parrott
Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,
as a representative of the Business Community, I want to underline that potential investors
from the region and from the diaspora were showing an increased tendency to see Kosovo not
only as destination of exports, but also for investments.
Nevertheless, we cannot ignore that attempts to attract foreign investors to Kosovo are
suffering severe setbacks after March 2004. Kosovo economy is far from being selfsustainable and even under the most optimistic scenarios will not become so in the short run.
Although economic indicators for last year were suggesting that the performance of the
Kosovo economy was further improving, unemployment remains a major concern, in
particular in the medium and long term. Also the trade deficit remains substantial, with the
current export/import coverage equal to 3.9%. Besides, several recent surveys have confirmed
a gradual decline in workers’ remittances and donor spending.
Now you can hear from one business, which has tried investing in Kosovo.
When we opened our battery factory we were very optimistic for the investment opportunities
in Kosovo. We committed a substantial amount of capital and local workforce, creating
crucial jobs in the local economy. We had left Kosovo in 1999 but decided to return at the end
of 2003 and in early 2004. In light of recent events, however, no one is willing to take longterm contracts because of fears for disruption to our supplies. This is a disaster for our
business.
We are still optimistic in the longer-term but in the short-term we have lost a lot of money.
There needs to be substantial investment in local infrastructure which is still not there and
complicates doing business.
Investment is, what Kosovo needs and on a political level it is crucial that a climate is created
whereby this can be fostered. We appeal for strong, effective and rapid action on the part of
the international community.
Speaker of the EBRD Laura Renata Costescu
The representative of the EBRD expressed his concerns regarding the development of the
political situation in Kosovo and emphasized the implications of the politically insecure
situation on the economical development.
Further the representative confirmed its sustained assistance for the reconstruction of the
region.
He pointed out that until that point the EBRD had been active with two projects: the Kosovo
Reconstruction Equity Fund, which was created to provide local enterprises and potential
17
foreign investors willing to invest in the Province with much-needed medium to long-term
financing, and the Pro Credit Bank Kosovo, whose aim was to provide reliable access to
financial services for Micro and Small Enterprises throughout Kosovo and to encourage banks
to enter the same market segment.
In the infrastructure sector, the Bank would continue to assist the authorities with the
implementation of a modern regulatory regime in the telecommunications sector that reflects
best international practice, and would engage in dialogue to identify areas in the energy sector
for potential Technical Cooperation that might lead to investments.
The speaker pointed out the importance of the development of the Small and Medium
Enterprises, as these were considered to be the engine of the economical recovery and
essential for the creation of jobs. He also emphasized the importance of the stabilisation of the
political situation and reconfirmed the future commitment of the EBRD to the development of
the region.
Asked in what the economical importance of the region on international level consisted, the
representative of the EBRD showed that Kosovo was a major junction of the trade routes of
South Eastern Europe and it was added that building up a strong Kosovo from the economical
point of view would reduce the emigration flows from Kosovo to Europe.
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Andreia Tolciu and Bernd-Kristian Kaczenski
Being the last speakers of the conference, the delegates of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
OSCE presented the position of the institution they represent with regard of the Kosovo issue.
For a better understanding of the situation in Kosovo, relevant additional material (pictures in
PowerPoint) were presented to the audience.
They shortly pointed out the attributions that the Parliamentary Assembly has to fulfil :
(a) assess the implementation of the objectives of the OSCE
(b) discuss subjects addressed during meetings of the Ministerial Council and the summits of
Heads of State or Government
(c) develop and promote mechanisms for the prevention and resolution of conflicts
(d) support the strengthening and consolidation of democratic institutions in the OSCE
participating states
(e) contribute to the development of the institutional structures of the OSCE and of relations
and cooperation between the existing OSCE institutions.
Within these responsibilities, the delegation of the OSCE PA condemned the recent acts of
violence in Kosovo and called for reestablishment of dialogue in order to secure sustainable
stability.
The Assembly representatives called for thorough investigations of the acts of violence which
occurred in March 2004 in Kosovo and also called upon the OSCE participating States to
provide the additional forces to the peacekeeping Kosovo Force (KFOR) that are necessary
not only to maintain stability but also to ensure that all displaced persons wishing to return to
their original homes in Kosovo have a secure environment in which to do so.
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The core messages of the statement was that without democracy there can not be any
stabilization in the region and that without a stabilization of the situation it is impossible to
take further steps towards a democratic society.
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation issued a proposal aimed at organizing, in the
near future, a meeting of OSCE parliamentarians, as well as members of the national and local
parliaments of the region, centred on joint cooperation in fighting trans-national organized
crime.
The OSCE PA delegation stressed that inter-parliamentary cooperation is also intended to
facilitate dialogue and mutual understanding in the region. The recent events in Kosovo
evidence that this is very much needed. The proposal was received positively and with
agreement to further pursue the matter.
Second Act – After the Disaster the Disillusion
The OSCE Chairman in Office opened the meeting.
OSCE MiK Laura Renata Costescu
Having the word, the representatives of the OSCE MIK pointed out that the year 2005 was the
moment when the question of Kosovo’s future had to be settled. The speakers described the
events of March 2003 and pointed out the consequences resulting in the destruction of towns,
cultural heritage and in the creation of a new refugee flow. It was also shown that the
international community was confronted with challenges ranging from security, standard
implementation to an accelerated transfer of competencies to Kosovo authorities.
Further the representatives made four points:
•
•
•
Security – it was admitted that the security of the region had badly suffered from the
events of March 2003, but it was also said that the situation had become more secure
during the last months, that the cooperation between the KFOR, UNMIK and the KPS
had been intensified and that the operational preparedness and refined contingency
planning were at hand after March 2003. It was also stated that the security in Kosovo,
as well as the situation of the minorities were still very fragile and that the
international community would still need to remain committed in the region.
Democratic institutions – were considered to have been well functioning. The
multiethnic Government elected in December 2004 had embraced Standard
Implementation. In the Kosovo Assembly there was for the first time a political
opposition
Implementation of Standards – it was shown that the Standards were not only the
ticket to the discussions about the status of Kosovo, but also facts, that would define
the future type of the society in Kosovo. In the end the role of the standards was to
ensure improved living conditions and security for the population of Kosovo. The
evaluations of the OSCE MIK showed that standards implementation could be
achieved
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•
Transfer of authority – it was shown that the UNMIK had transferred more
competences to the local administration and that the OSCE MIK supported the
ministries with coaching regarding strategic planning, strengthening management
capacities, etc.
The speakers showed that the new draft of a constitution contained clear norms regarding
minorities’ rights, which were in concordance with the standards of the Council of Europe,
this being considered to be a step forward towards the democratisation of the society.
In the end the representatives indicated that there was a need of dialogue with major
international actors and institutions and pointed out the importance of the Contact Group and
expressed that the region would rise to the challenge of putting an end to the conflicts of the
past.
The Russian Federation and the PISG expressed their disaffection regarding the activity of the
OSCE MIK in the region and considered that, given the events of March 2003, it had failed to
provide for security in the region and for the freedom of movement of the minorities. The
representatives of the OSCE MIK admitted that the international community had failed in this
regard, but showed that in the period following March 2003 there had been made progress.
The representatives of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro complained about the little
involvement of the Serbs in the political life of Kosovo and about the fact that there had been
politically motivated murders taking place. The representatives showed that there had been
created the conditions for Serbs to be actively involved in the political life (10 places for the
Serb minority in the Parliamentary assembly) and showed that support of the Serbian and
Montenegrin Government in this regard would be welcome. It was also said that politically
motivated murders took place also in other regions and that it was regrettable that they hadn’t
been avoided.
KFOR Selma Belshaku and Anne-Katrin Hinz
KFOR presented the reductions made in the total number of the soldiers from 1999 until
March 2004 and the changes as response measures to the lately events. In the beginning of its
mission KFOR had 50,000 soldiers. After the return of the Kosovo-Albanian refugees and the
establishment of a certain security environment the number of KFOR forces was reduced
continuously. The number reached 17,500 soldiers in the early March and another reduction
was planed. Due to the widespread rioting 90 Soldiers from United Kingdom, France, Italy,
Germany and USA were sent as reinforcement to Kosovo.
The KFOR delegation admitted that the rioting of March “caught KFOR by surprise”, as they
were unprepared for such a situation. Because of the few reserve forces to sustain the
operations and other deficiencies in the organisation the KFOR could not intervene as it
should. Being aware of the big challenge, the prevention of other events of this nature in the
future, KFOR intends to undertake various changes in the organisation towards better reaction
capabilities. Concretely these measures consist on the improvement of the alarm system,
improvements in the chain of commands and the organisation of intervention companies in
alert cases, the use of helicopters and other vehicles, such as sappers and lorries, for road
blocks.
KFOR stressed in its answer to the representatives of the Government of Serbia and
Montenegro the good acceptance of KFOR as security provider by the people in Kosovo, as
20
well as the minorities. KFOR soldiers accompany the Serb children and children other
minorities to school and are engaged in the protection of every individual who feels
threatened by racism and ethnically motivated attacks.
There was a dispute later on with the representative of the Russian Federation caused by his
pronouncement on the presence of KFOR in Kosovo. The representative said that KFOR had
completely failed in providing security and protecting the Serb population and its religious
symbols ignoring that way unfairly the efforts and achievements of a 5-year work.
As a multinational force charged with the establishment and maintenance of security in the
place, KFOR was committed to keep its neutrality and not interfere in the discussions between
the parties involved in the conflict and those supporting them about the status of Kosovo.
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities HCNM Ruta Mockute and Eren Tiryaki
1) Mandate of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) representatives started their
report by reminding the mandate of the HCNM as an institution which task is to identify and
provide solutions in time to certain ethnic tensions within or between OSCE participating
States. The HCNM is aware of the fact that ethnically motivated conflicts are one of the main
sources of violence and crime in Europe and that these crises also have the dangerous
potential to “spill-over” to neighbouring regions causing further catastrophic outcomes. To
respond to this challenge, the participating States of the then so-called Conference for
Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) decided on the Helsinki Summit in 1992 to
establish the institution of High Commissioner on National Minorities. The mandate defines
his role as "an instrument of conflict prevention at the earliest possible stage". In other words,
the High Commissioner's task is to provide "early warning" and, as appropriate, "early action"
at the earliest possible stage being relatively independent in his actions (e.g. without approval
of the Senior or Permanent Council or of the State concerned). Moreover, the High
Commissioner has to preserve his impartiality at any time in order to be truly effective as a
third party. It is equally essential that he fulfils the condition of confidentiality, which means
that the HCNM acts through preventive diplomacy. Furthermore, explicitly excluded from the
High Commissioner's mandate are individual cases concerning persons belonging to a
national minority or national minority issues in cases “involving organized acts of terrorism”.
2) Definition of a minority
The representatives of the HCNM stated that the mandate does not provide a specific
definition of what constitutes a national minority. According to the words of Max van der
Stoel, the first High Commissioner who was appointed in 1992, “the existence of a minority is
a question of fact and not of definition. (...) First of all, a minority is a group with linguistic,
ethnic or cultural characteristics, which distinguish it from the majority. Secondly, a minority
is a group which (…) also tries to give stronger expression to that identity.” The
representatives of the HCNM noticed that the participants of the meeting did not come to an
agreement on this issue at all - except the Roma representative.
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3) Recommendations
The representatives pointed out that the High Commissioner’s role of silent diplomacy and
conflict prevention is crucial in order to guarantee the full respect of human rights and
especially minority rights. Lack of communication, misperceptions, and broken trust are
factors that might create inter-ethnic tensions. Therefore, a structured dialogue between
majority and minority groups has to be established and maintained since the HCNM follows
also a long-term perspective. Moreover, minorities must be able to participate in the decisionmaking processes and bodies. It should be stressed that the integration of minorities in
Kosovo (e.g. Serb, Roma, Turks and other communities) due to several reasons still lacks
behind in these terms. The individual right to learn its mother tongue on the one hand and the
need to know the State language on the other hand serves as an example of this integration
process where diversity should be seen as an enriching rather than an alien element. The
European perspective is regarded as an important policy aim for the post-communist Balkan
States as it provides incentives to develop democratic standards and to comply with human
rights – including minority rights. Finally, the legal status question of Kosovo or in general
that of Serbia and Montenegro after the international communities’ involvement represents a
challenge of self-determination vs. territorial integrity in which the rights of minorities in a
democratic framework should never loose its relevance (e.g. appropriate administrative
capacities dealing with minority issues).
OSCE-Representative on Freedom of the Media Aleksandra Zdravković and Goran
Bandov
Even in a society with no ethnic conflict, linking the media to loss of life entails walking the
thin dividing line between defending freedom of expression and condemning hate speech. But
in a post-ethnic conflict society such as Kosovo, biased reporting alone could lead to violence.
This report offers ideas and recommendations as how to repair the evident deficiencies of the
media in order to prevent similar situations in the future and provide for a free, fair and
balanced media landscape in Kosovo. The media has a responsibility to react properly and
professionally to serve the best interests of the population of Kosovo.
They give a long list of Proposal of Measures. A few of them are presented here:
• A full investigation into the performance of the electronic broadcast media, Kosovo
Albanian and Serbian during the events of 16/17 March, should be conducted. This
should not only investigate the content of the footage aired, but also look at footage,
statements and evidence that were not aired.
• The findings of this investigation should be presented to the public in Kosovo and to
the donors, as well as to the journalists in question.
• Serb-language media in Kosovo relies mostly on information provided by broadcasters
in Serbia. Media broadcasting news programming generated out of Kosovo should be
held accountable for content, regardless of origin, according to the regulations valid in
Kosovo.
• A local Kosovo-wide Serb-language broadcaster should be established.
• UNMIK Public Information components need to take action in order to ensure that
UNMIK's message is represented in a fair and consistent manner in the future.
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US Delegation Joachim Dethlefs and Katharina Kobilarov
Ladies and gentleman,
Honourable members of the Chair
As representatives of the United States of America we have to make a clear contradiction in
one point. We just heard a phrase concerning the events of March 2004 in Kosovo: “While
displaying the weaknesses it did, the media was not, of course, intentionally investigating
violence.”
Considering the events of March 2004 in Kosovo and also in some areas within the union of
Serbia and Montenegro, we definitely see the main problem within the local media. The local
media was instigating the violence. Maybe not completely, but in some cases for sure it was
also intentional. Without the intense covering, especially in newspapers with emotionally
touching pictures and without the unreflective coverage within the TV, the local riots would
have never reached the shocking extents. Of course the word would have also been spread
without the media. The people of Kosovo do have their own enormous effective newsnetwork based on a mouth-to-mouth system personally or by phone. But analyzing the mediacoverage, it seems evident to us that the consumption of the thrilling, sensational and
instigating reports has caused a further development which fastened the process of escalation.
And we are sure that this has been the aim of some responsible persons who instrumentalised
the media for their political aims.
We don’t think that only the local journalists themselves are completely to blame for that, as
most of them are in comparison to the situation in the western countries, young and extremely
uneducated. At the end of this, we all have to see the responsibility to support the
development of a free, independent and competent media in Kosovo as one of the main-tasks
in the next years. Connected to that it has to be a matter to discuss that the freedom media
ends and has to end where the journalism ends and the political agitation begins.
The United States of America are proud to support the development within the several
institutions in the OSCE.
Thank you
European Union Elena Bittasi and Nicholas Parrott
We take the view that the problems should be seen not only as a challenge but also as an
opportunity. Recent events have provided us all with a warning of how the situation can
deteriorate rapidly, but fortunately it has not yet spiralled out of control. The very fact that all
the parties are contributing constructively to these discussions is great progress.
Although the EU sees its role as a facilitator rather than driver of the process, my colleague
will outline briefly some of the EU’s thoughts on the way forward.
Since Kosovo is a part of Europe, we have to give a European perspective to it. The EU is the
right actor to guide the international mission in Pristina and, differently from the United
Nations, the European Union has a lot of experience in coping with States in transition.
23
Doris Pack, head of the delegation of the EU Parliament for the South-East Europe, has
requested that, as soon as possible, the UNMIK administration should be substituted by a EU
structure.
Brussels is considering the possibility to create a European protectorate in Kosovo, which
would simplify the process towards the integration in the European union and could give to
the Serbs the possibility to effectively participate to the institutions of Kosovo.
An idea of micro-regions is being developed: this idea is based on a corporative concept, on
the renewal of ZADRUGA as basis of the economic units. The aim of such an organisation is
the aid to stabilisation of the societal basis of society and the stimulation of small and
medium-size enterprises, with which a rapid economic development would and could happen.
The micro-regions stabilize society, they re-enforce the local economy and they reduce the
importance of borders. Besides, these micro-regions should block the way to illegal
trafficking. For this kind of plan, some time is necessary, but also the creation of a coalition
between the Albanian and the Serbian parties, because without this, no positive change can be
expected. EU aids and investments through projects are also playing a fundamental role to
guarantee a credible solution.
Representative of the Government of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro Andreia
Tolciu and Bernd-Kristian Kaczenski
After the lunch break the Chairman refused to give the floor to Representative of SCG who
demanded for discoursing. SCG considered appropriate to have a reaction to the previous
speakers (especially to the latter speaker of the PISG). After talks and negotiations with the
Chairman, SCG was given the floor.
SCG said, it has been pleased with the positive course of the meeting and thanked
exceptionally the Representative of the Russian Federation to have bolstered SCG and to have
come up with very good points.
In respect of the PISG and their accusation that SCG is not collaborating with them and the
international community, the speaker referred back to the good cooperation with Den Haag
and the European Union as well as to the multitudinous attempts to seek after the dialogue
with the PISG. As a further contentious issue was mentioned, the Albanians hold the pivotal
departments in the PISG and Serbians hold just insignificant ones. SCG taunted the PISG’s
lack of competency.
Moreover the SCG rejected the reproach by the PISG to be responsible for the cruel deeds in
March 2004. “The suspects are probably on higher positions in their own ministries” said the
spokesman. Then, he rejected the statement that Kosovo was promised in the past to the
Kosovo-Albanians. He said that the democratic government of SCG is not responsible for any
statement the Croatian statesman Tito made.
Furthermore, the spokesman demanded an apology for having been abused by the OSCE
HCNM speaker, who called him racist and undemocratic. With respect to the report by the
OSCE HCNM the speaker of SCG felt misunderstood and not heard concerning what he said
in his first speech about multinational community in Kosovo and Metohija. He repeated the
quintessential issues of his first speech and added that Serbians trust neither policeman from
24
Zimbabwe or India, nor Albanian doctors or benches, which send summons in the Albanian
language.
Responding to the positive report by the OMIK, the Representative of SCG summed up that
the situation, as he pleaded Belgrade’s case in his first address, is not as good as it is
presented. Only a small number of Serbian refugees returned to their homes in Kosovo and
Metohija. He also criticized above all the deficits of the freedom of movements and the
moderate progress of the history workup. In his opinion the situation for Serbians did not
change at all.
Coming to an end he said that SCG should be granted more competencies in all fields and
areas.
After his report, there was a cross-talk between the PISG and the Representatives of SCG.
The OMIK representatives also responded to the report, defending the correctness of their
speech.
Representative of the EBRD Laura Renata Costescu
Due to delays the representative of the EBRD did not come to word anymore. The Chair
offered to take over the declaration of the EBRD made during the press conference in March
2003.
Still, the main points the representative intended to refer to are:
- the lack of de facto guarantee of the property,
- the country risk, given by the instable judicial situation, making it difficult to plan
ahead,
- the law enforcement of the law,
- the organised criminality and local “mafia”
- and the lack of infrastructure (telecommunication, logistics, transports, financial).
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Epilogue – Future II
The OSCE Chairman in Office opened the meeting and reminded speakers that at this last
session they should seek to provide opportunities for the way forward and not simply return to
the arguments discussed in previous sessions.
US Delegation Joachim Dethlefs and Katharina Kobilarov
Ladies and gentlemen,
Honourable members of the Chair.
In starting with our opinion concerning the future of Kosovo, we have to stress out that we see
ourselves as initiators, not as followers. Our statement is that we want a full independence
within current borders. And we want it the fastest as possible. Yes, we are thoroughly for a
speedy independence of Kosovo, whereby everything will be done in agreement with our
European partners. Some options should be ruled our and the process should be soon
concluded.
We claim first of all, to clear the status in order to get Kosovo back on track towards stability
and prosperity. We finally want an agreement and a solution for the status of the province of
Kosovo. So far standards have been before status. But what we want now is the combination
of standards and status and to set a new emphasize. People in Kosovo are unsatisfied with the
current status and have the wish for independence.
But also after the agreement of the status the international community should stay civil and
military in Kosovo, in order to watch and control the realization of the agreed solution and to
control that the rights of minority are protected.
We want to take the leadership concerning solving the problems and especially in order to
bring in a resolutions draft concerning the final status of Kosovo.
And at last, I want to emphasize that this will also be in the interest of the EU because it will
open the way for Kosovo to the EU and NATO.
Thank you
European Union Elena Bittasi and Nicholas Parrott
Initially to look at this from a European perspective - before my colleague goes on to provide
some more detailed proposals - we would like to stress various factors.
We first want to emphasise and outline how the EU is, should, can and will play a role in
assisting the whole region into the Union in coming years. This is certainly the case for both
Serbia and Kosovo. The EU accession process itself cannot begin in the same way that it has
with Croatia and is with Macedonia because of territorial issues.
26
It is clear that neither Serbia nor Kosovo can join, or even begin the process properly, without
status being determined. However, that status should be seen in the context of the fact that the
whole region will become part of the EU in the future. That does not mean to undermine the
integrity of future autonomy of Kosovo, but in the process of EU accession protection for
minorities on both sides should and will be guaranteed. The EU should be seen as an example
of shared sovereignty. It provides an alternative to the emergence of classic ‘nation states’ in
the region.
The European Union is considering creating a “Euro-region” in Kosovo, which would be
under European monitoring. The final status is conceived related to the European perspective
to Kosovo and Serbia, while the process of stabilisation and association with the EU should
be conducted for Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo.
Coming to the solution for the division of Pristina, we suggest the model which has been
adopted in Belfast or in Nicosia, with the inclusion of the organisations of the civil sector.
This will contribute to the solution of the aspects concerning security and economic
development, with the organised society of both parts of the city.
Our political analysts affirm that the institutions in Kosovo cannot resolve any crucial
problem on their own. We need an international agreement. The Euro-region Kosovo means
that Kosovo would have some representatives in Belgrade, but also a high level of autonomy.
Representative of the Government of Albania Max Bornefeld-Ettmann
The achievements of the international community in the region and specifically in Kosovo
have been great in recent years. The Albanian government thanks the international actors for
their contribution. The Albanian government is a stabilising factor in the region and wants to
create greater stability. The Albanian government rejects false accusations made against it.
We welcome the measures in the Stability Pact through which we believe the poor economic
situation in the region can be made better. The poor economic situation together with the lack
of knowledge about the future status of Kosovo are a key reason for the lack of satisfaction
among the people of Kosovo. Great care must now be taken as problems such as those in
March 2004 can destroy the progress on the way to Europe.
Representative of the Government of FYROM Selma Belshaku and Anne-Katrin Hinz
In the pre-conference on the future of Kosovo the Government of Macedonia didn’t come
with any concrete proposal for the solution of the status issue. It began its short statement by
thanking the international community for its help to Macedonia and its presence in the region
and underlined further the very important role of EU as the main donator in rebuilding
Kosovo and a promoter of the development in all the countries of the region.
At the end relating to the Kosovo issue the representative declared that the Government of
Macedonia would agree with any decision made by the international community and accepted
by both parties, the Kosovo-Albanians and Serbs, which would end the conflict and bring the
permanent stability and prosperity in Kosovo.
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Representative of the EBRD Laura Renata Costescu
The representative of the EBRD showed that the EBRD was the largest investor in Southeastern Europe, mobilising also significant Foreign Direct Investments. She showed also the
fact that the EBRD used the tools of investment to build up democracies and market
economies.
Further the speaker stated that the mandate of the bank stipulated that it could be only active
in countries that had committed to democratic principles and that its purpose was to foster the
transition towards market economies and to promote private and entrepreneurial initiatives.
Going on the representative briefly outlined the projects the bank had implemented in Kosovo
and underlined the engagement and commitment of the bank in supporting also other projects
in the future.
The representative concluded that, in concordance with its statutes, the bank would welcome
any solution that would support Kosovo on its way towards an market economy and towards
the implementation of democratic principles, in the same time ensuring political, juridical
stability for the region.
No questions or comments were asked regarding the statement of the EBRD.
Representative of ODHIR Aleksandra Zdravković and Goran Bandov
The Representative of the ODIHR recalls the unfeasibility of a partition along ethnic lines
also because of the existence of more than two ethnic groups. Mentioning that especially
minorities on Kosovo have been a target for the organized crime and attempts of burning
houses down from the Albanian population, the representative pointed out that Kosovo is not
ready for a status of a state. The representative of the ODIHR approved the approach of
“standards before status”. The question of protection of minorities on Kosovo must be solved
before any attempt for solving the problem of status can be undertaken.
Representative of the Government of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro Andreia
Tolciu and Bernd-Kristian Kaczenski
Having the floor, the representatives of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro firstly
summarised the proposals regarding the future status of Kosovo presented by the European
Union delegates, the Russian representatives and the PISG.
At this point, the delegates of Serbia and Montenegro stressed that the cornerstone of the state
policy of Belgrade is that the state borders cannot be changed and that the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro in the process of finding the
solution for the future status of Kosovo and Metohija, cannot be questioned.
Responding to a question of a PISG delegate, the Serbian government is ready to search, in
cooperation with all international factors and through direct dialogue with Pristina, for a
peaceful, comprehensive and permanent solution of the Kosovo and Metohija problems,
which includes full implementation of the 1244 United Nations Security Council Resolution.
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The delegates extended invitations to both the President and the Prime Minster of Kosovo and
Metohija for a direct dialogue. Although there has been no positive reply from Pristina, the
invitation for dialogue, deprived of any conditions, remained open. It is hoped that the leaders
of the Kosovo and Metohija Albanians will demonstrate in this case too "the growing political
awareness" and readiness for a dialogue.
Further on, the representatives of the Union presented the solution offered to the Kosovo issue
by the Belgrade government:
•
•
•
The Serbian part rejects any secession incentive made by the Kosovo-Albanian
representatives. Equal rights to all Kosovo population will be guaranteed within an
autonomic province of Kosovo, but still a part of the Union of Serbia and
Montenegro.
A compromise could be reached, if, in case of secession, the northern part of
Kosovo (the city of Mitrovica) will be handed to the Serbian part.
Meanwhile the International Community should recognize the right of autodetermination within a referendum of the Serbian population in the Srpska
Republic.
With other words, the Serbian government remains by its statement “less than independence,
more than autonomy” when dealing with the Kosovo future status.
Further on, questions regarding Kosovo coming from the other participants at the meeting,
especially the PISG delegates and UNMIK, were answered. The Serbian representatives
stressed once again the idea of a Kosovo province, part of the Union Serbia and Montenegro,
but let a door open to other proposals.
The OSCE Chairman in Office closed the meeting without any firm conclusions but
expressed satisfaction at the discussion of the issues and optimism for the future.
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