UNITED NATIONS
United Nations Interim Administration Mission
in Kosovo
|
UNMIK |
NATIONS UNIES
Mission d’Administration Intérimaire des
Nations Unies au Kosovo
|
MEETING
WITH
Municipal
Assembly Presidents of Zvečan/Zvecan,
Zubin
Potok/Zubin Potok, Leposavic/Leposaviq
Location: Zvečan/Zvecan Municipal Assembly Building
Time:
10:30 – 11:45
Date:
Thursday, 7 December 2006
Participants:
Dragisa
MILOVIC – Municipal Assembly President of Zvečan/Zvecan
Slavisa
RISTIC - Municipal
Assembly President of Zubin
Potok/Zubin Potok
Velimir
BOJOVIC - Municipal
Assembly President of
Leposavic/Leposaviq
UNMIK
SRSG
Gerard
Gullucci - UNMIK Regional Representative
Juozas
Kazlas - UNMIK Deputy Regional Representative
Kerim
Bardad-Daidj – UNMIK OIC
Zvečan/Zvecan
Jean-Luc
Sintes - UNMIK Municipal Representative Zubin
Potok/Zubin Potok
Lilia
Galieva – UNMIK Municipal Representative Leposavic/Leposaviq
Background
There
is strong unity between three northern Municipal Presidents (MAP).
With very few exceptions, they come out with consolidated positions on
main issues (security, freedom of movement,
cooperation/non-cooperation with PISG, etc) usually guided by
Belgrade and the SNC. Such conformity not only relates to their
affiliation with the same political party (DSS) but also to
similarity of every day problems they face. As of June 2006,
following several security related incidents against K-Serbs,
presented by the SNC as inter-ethnic, all three municipalities
introduced boycott of PISG. Boycott stalled developing relations
with central level and, together with non-acceptance of salaries from
PISG, cost local population some two million Euros. The boycott also
led them to mostly refuse SRSG Contingency Fund support (though Zubin
Potok accepted and is utilizing).
Talking
Points
SRSG
message: now
and through transition period UNMIK will continue to work with all
communities helping them to address daily problems
Status
process and continued role of UNMIK
-
UNMIK not part of the negotiations process but is assisting the Special Envoy.
-
SE postponed submission of his proposals until after Serbian Elections
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UNMIK will neither support nor prevent the elections to the extent it does not endanger calm and public order; we expect local authorities to exercise responsibility and mature behavior during this and following period.
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UNMIK will continue working with local authorities during the coming month and through transitional period, and support them in tackling practical issues important for every day life of all communities.
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Other priorities for UNMIK include decentralization, transfer of authority, security sector review, restructuring, ensuring stability.
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Emerging package will include substantial decentralization, new municipalities (including north Mitrovica), protection for cultural sites, minority rights and continued involvement of international community.
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UNMIK will continue efforts to bring attention of international donors to the north. So far we have been successful in this regard and managed to generate more than 1.5 millions Euros for economic development in northern municipalities.
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We believe that continued dialogue and cooperation will be essential after the status determination and pledge our readiness to do so.
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What else do you feel you need to remain secure and increase your well-being in your communities?
Cooperation
between northern Municipalities and PISG
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UNMIK did not react politically to your boycott of PISG despite our strong disapproval of this action. Not only UNMIK but IC as well has been encouraging you to revisit this decision.
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Since June 2006, the International Security Presence in Kosovo has introduced additional measures to enhance security arrangements in Kosovo and specifically in minority areas. You have seen these changes in the north as well.
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It should be recognized that the general security situation has improved. The specific cases that you cited in your decision to cut ties with PISG remain very much under investigation.
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Meanwhile, the northern community has lost some two million Euros from the Kosovo budget during this period. This money is not “Albanian” or “Serb” but everyone’s.
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It is regretful that you did not accept funding for Quick Impact Projects from SRSG’s Contingency Fund. This was not even from. KCB.
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Against this backdrop, we ask that you reconsider your decision regarding the boycott at least partially, regarding budgeting. We are ready to assist.
Electricity
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In line with UNMIK’s general efforts to improve every day life of local communities one of greatest concerns is power supply especially during coming winter.
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UNMIK has been engaged in series of consultations with Belgrade authorities to address electricity issue more broadly. Recent contacts in this regard proved to be encouraging and in the near future most probably you will see practical results.
Return
to Svinjare (Background:
All
essential repairs and reconstruction are on track to be completed by
14 December, following which, on 15 December, there is scheduled to
be the final Svinjarë/Svinjare Decision Making Board held in
Svinjarë/Svinjare, signalling the successful completion of the
project. However, few IDPs appear willing to return at this time).
-
Reconstruction of houses in Svinjare is almost complete. Next week IDPs can start returns and this is a very good development. The OKPCC will be able to provide those who return this year with wood stoves, firewood, and fencing. Necessary security arrangements will be in place. It’s time for the IDPs to make up their mind.
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No one can question their right to make a choice in good will and without intimidation. They can return, or sell, or use those houses for rent.
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A realistic concern, however, is that if the houses are left unoccupied over the winter, they will be vulnerable to thefts and weather damage. Such scenario is not acceptable. By finishing reconstruction and handing over the premises to the owners, UNMIK will complete its part of the job and will not carry further responsibilities of maintaining them in order or with regard to additional renovation after the winter.
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We are ready to assist IDPs in every reasonable way as soon as they make decision. It may be possible, for example, to facilitate a rental scheme for those properties. This way the houses will be taken care of, but IDPs would maintain the right to return to their property.
Return
to Roma Mahalla
-
After many years of delay Roma Mahalla reconstruction is developing in a very satisfactory way. The actual return could start in January 2007.
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Municipal authorities in Mitrovice/a actively cooperate to help the process.
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UNMIK expects that K-Serbian community can contribute to the ERA returns in positive way.
Reactive
(municipal
concerns likely to be raised during the meeting)
Security
(Background:
MAPs continuously criticize lack
of progress in investigation of incidents which happened earlier this
year (killing of one K-Serb from Zitkovac and shooting at two young
Serbs at gas station, attack of a Priest and his family, throwing of
a hand grenade to a family in Rudare, hand grenade attack at “Dolce
Vita” Café); they claim that this situation presumes impunity for
K-Albanians and provides grounds for new attacks. They may also
criticize KPS for lack of professionalism, experience, and equipment,
for presence of K-Albanian KPS in the north especially near the
administrative boundaries in the north and in traffic control unit).
Suggested
response:
-
Security related issues top priority for UNMIK.
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But security issues should be separated from politics.
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In order to perform effectively, Police needs support and cooperation from local leaders and community.
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There are a lot of cases when investigation cannot be done properly because of lack of cooperation from locals.
Zubin
Potok MAP may raise the long-standing issue of Water/Electric
Company "Ibar Lepenac" (Background:
the local Serbs believe that this company -- based in Pristina and
made up of K-Albanians -- wrongly claims to represent the Ibar
Company which actually runs the Gazivode Dam and Hydro plant in Zubin
Potok. According to the MAP, Ibar Lepenac is nothing more that a
group of former Ibar employees who misrepresented themselves as the
proper management of Ibar in order to collect the EU10 million a year
in payments for the water and power from Gazivode.
In
return, the people who actually run the Dam get nothing other than
funds for 40 of the 200 people who work for Ibar in the north [the
rest getting salaries from Serbia].)
Suggested response:
-
UNMIK has done the best it can on economic and business issues but much needs the clarity that future status will bring.
-
We are look into the issue you raise.
MAPs
may raise issue of
unspent funds due to boycott of KCB municipal budget
and quire about possible ways of spending it next year or suggest
deposit into a separate bank account.
Suggested
response:
-
UNMIK must follow established procedures and you have had time to consider for yourselves the implication of the refusal to accept your money through the KCB.
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However, with our basic approach of helping UNMIK can consider your official request to make an exemption from the established deadline.
Additionally
MAPs may rise questions related to privatization (allegedly unfair
for Serbs), cuts of telephone lines in enclaves.
*NOTE: The Memorandum of Conversation will be in next post.
