In April 2007, the EU began to ready for assuming its role in a "post-independent" Kosovo and sent its EU Planning Team (EUPT) to begin coordinating with UNMIK on its plans to take our place. Here
follows the minutes of the fourth meeting of the Mitrovica Task Force
to continue EU "coordination" with the United Nations. (Note: Compare the comments on the courthouse and parallel institutions to what actually happened after the unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence in 2008. For example, the courthouse debacle and my congressional testimony from 2011.)
November
23, 2006
Minutes
of the Task Force on the Mitrovica Area meeting
Participants:
Gallucci, Efimov (both UNMIK), Chevrir (UNMIK – CIVPOL), Irvine,
Simion (UNMIK - DOJ), Daca, Strohal (both OSCE), Stadler, Boura,
Carver (all ICO PT), Denis, Moerman (KFOR), Svensson, Lukits (both
EUPT)
TF
reviewed the Mitrovica Court and the Mitrovica Detention
Center. UNMIK noted the repatriation of prisoners agreement
between Serbia and Kosovo and the possibility that Serbia might not
continue implementation of it after status. UNMIK – DOJ noted that
individuals were transferred in armored personnel carriers to the
Detention Center and described times when KFOR had to intercede to
ensure that the vehicle (surrounded by hostile crowd) could proceed.
UNMIK noted ethnic mix of staff and prisoners and that 4 of the 5
“Category A” prisoners were ethnic Albanians. The TF noted no
major ethnicity-related problems among staff members (staff cohesion
remained intact even through March 2004 riots). There are no IC
prison guards. Prison guards (KCS) are unarmed; a Special Police Unit
(SPU) is responsible for perimeter security. KFOR noted its
contingency plan for evacuation of the Detention Center personnel and
prisoners should situation so warrant and said it could develop
similar plans for the Court. They also noted that all the evacuation
plans follow the certain priority listings. EUPT noted it had plans
for internal security of Detention Center. The TF noted that in the
case of the overall K/S boycott of the status settlement, the Serb
members of KCS would follow it. If the Court and Detention Center
remain in the North as mixed institutions, the challenges for
transition would be: security of the facilities and transportation of
the local staff.
UNMIK
raised a problem of previous lack of 24/7 security at the Mitrovica
Regional Court (serious implications for evidence &
records). Currently private security firm provides night-time
coverage (KPS or other providing day-time coverage). UNMIK noted that
UNMIK Criminal Court has no effective “parallel” rival. Parallel
civil courts, however, continue to exist. IC/PISG may want to review
the salaries policy as a mean of discouraging staff from accepting
salaries from Serbia.
Discussion
turned to the general issue of parallel structures. UNMIK
noted two scenarios: (1) parallel structures openly declare
themselves Serbian institutions and (2) parallel structures continue
to operate as “open secrets.” In second scenario, best case could
be establishing a dialogue between Pristina and local parallel
structures. If this is not possible, IC should have dialogue with
parallel structures. Establishing contact with these structures’
personnel is critical in eventually obtaining records and convincing
personnel to shift to central institutions.
ICO
PT reviewed its concept for ICO in Mitrovica (ICOM), plans for
staffing and monitoring settlement with possible use of corrective
powers. ICO PT emphasized openness to suggestions and criticism and
urged formal and informal dialogue with other IC actors. UNMIK
stressed ICOM’s role as facilitating settlement implementation.
Discussion turned to supporting dialogue between ethnic groups, among
Kosovo Serbs, and between Kosovo Serbs and Belgrade. OSCE noted its
and various NGO outreach plans in this regard.
TF
agreed to review: (1) Mitrovica Hospital, (2) Mitrovica University,
(3) financial flows, and potentially also the ICO-OSCE cooperation at
its next meeting, Thursday, November 30, at 11:00 a.m. at the
ICO PT office in Pristina. TF also agreed to review infrastructure
(including utilities) and related economic issues at a meeting on
Thursday, December 7, at 11:00 a.m. at the ICO PT office in Pristina.
Specific agendas will be distributed ahead of those meetings.
