7/2/2003
Reaching UN Targets Essential For Determining Kosovo's Future

Backing the individual benchmarks and targets set by the United Nations, the Security Council this week welcomed the progress made in the province in 2002 and voiced its support for the UN's continued efforts in improving the economy and reducing the level of crime.

In a wide-ranging statement read out by its President at a formal meeting, the Council reiterated its full support for the "Standards before Status" policy, which sets targets in eight key areas: the functioning of the democratic institutions, the rule of law, freedom of movement, the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, the economy, property rights, dialogue with Belgrade, and the Kosovo Protection Corps.

"The fulfilment of these targets is essential to commencing a political process designed to determine Kosovo's future, in accordance with resolution 1244," said Ambassador Gunter Pleuger of Germany, which holds the rotating Presidency of the 15-nation body. "The Council strongly rejects unilateral initiatives which may jeopardize stability and the normalization process not only in Kosovo but also in the entire region."

The Council also reaffirmed its commitment to "the objective of a multiethnic and democratic Kosovo and calls upon all communities to work towards this goal and actively participate in the public institutions as well as the decision-making process, and integrate into society."

The statement condemned the violence within the Kosovo Albanian community, as well as the violence against the Kosovo Serb community, urging local institutions and leaders to exert influence on the climate for the rule of law by condemning all violence and actively supporting the efforts of the police and the judiciary. "The Council stresses that all communities must make renewed efforts to inject momentum into improving inter-ethnic dialogue and promoting the reconciliation process, not least through full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia," Ambassador Pleuger said.

The statement also called for the authority of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) to be respected throughout the province, and welcomed the establishment of its authority in the northern part of Mitrovica.

Speaking at an open briefing of the Council, Michael Steiner, head of UNMIK, said that while many politicians in the province were working hard to address the needs of the people, he was concerned that others in Pristina were becoming more assertive about status and status-related competencies, and not concentrating enough on the real bread and butter issues.

Mr. Steiner also noted that Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic had now changed course in Belgrade by also calling for an early resolution of Kosovo's status and requested the return of the Serbian State to Kosovo. "I don't believe that 2003 is the time for finally solving Kosovo's status," he told the Council. "But it is the time to lay the groundwork for the political process which in the end will determine status."

While there was general agreement on the goals, Mr. Steiner noted, Kosovo's institutions had not yet engaged with the benchmarks of accomplishment with sufficient vigour; some Albanian politicians even claimed that Kosovo had already achieved the standards. However, as the Security Council mission had stressed in December, Kosovo was still a long way from having truly functioning democratic institutions and a society where minorities could fully participate.

"We obviously do not expect the institutions to deliver in areas where they do not have instruments," the UNMIK chief said. "But public figures can and must be held accountable for a sustained effort to promote the values of the rule of law, for example. We expect them to take a stand against crime, to refrain from extremist statements, and to call on the public to cooperate with the police and courts. Tacit tolerance for crime and corruption must stop."

Mr. Steiner stressed that it was crucially important the Council remain in charge of Kosovo until the main objective set out in its resolution had been fulfilled, and noted that the European Union was expected to outline a more energetic strategy towards the Balkans at its Summit on 21 June. "Any engagement by the international community must be matched by equal engagement of our local partners in fulfilling the standards - the standards of a functioning democratic society," he said.