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Violence in Kosovo-Metohija must be stopped immediately
New York,
19 March 2004
The United Nations Security Council (UN SC) concluded at its emergency session held yesterday at the request of the State Union of Serbia-Montenegro that violence in Kosovo-Metohija must be stopped immediately, and those responsible for its outbreak be brought to justice. The Security Council stressed that the creation of a multiethnic and democratic society in the province remains the primary goal of the international community.
The Security Council said that attacks on the international forces in Kosovo-Metohija are actually attacks on the international community as a whole and that extremism will have no place in the future of Kosovo.
The Security Council urged all communities in the province to stop the violence in order to prevent its further escalation, to restore peace and abstain from irresponsible statements and accusations.
The participants in the extraordinary session reiterated that people in the province must use peaceful and democratic means, and express their complaints through legitimate channels, including the UN structures and institutions of interim self-administration in Kosovo.
The Security Council said that Kosovo authorities must immediately take efficient measures to secure the rule of law and real safety of all ethnic communities. The Security Council will closely monitor the fulfillment of obligations stipulated by the document on standards for Kosovo.
The Security Council supported the efforts of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Kosovo-Metohija aimed at restoring peace in Kosovo, and urged institutions of interim self-government in the province, Belgrade authorities and other entities to establish full cooperation.
The Security Council called for detailed investigation of all crimes committed during the two days' clashes in Kosovo. It said that an investigation is under way to clear up the attack on the Serbian teenager and the death of three Albanian children in Kosovska Mitrovica.
In addition, the Security Council expressed condolences to families of all victims, and regrets for the members of the Kosovo, UNMIK and KFOR police who were injured or killed in the recent outbreak of violence.
Serbia-Montenegrin Minister of Foreign Affairs Goran Svilanovic told during the session that the latest events in Kosovo cannot be defined as multiethnic violence, but as a deliberate drive to expel Serbs who have remained in the province.
Svilanovic said that the main task is to immediately stop attacks against Serbs and secure guarantees for their safety. After that, the international community should begin its work on securing institutional guarantees, which should establish decentralisation within the territorial organisation of Kosovo, including the autonomy for Serbs living in the province.
The Security Council urged all communities in the province to stop the violence in order to prevent its further escalation, to restore peace and abstain from irresponsible statements and accusations.
The participants in the extraordinary session reiterated that people in the province must use peaceful and democratic means, and express their complaints through legitimate channels, including the UN structures and institutions of interim self-administration in Kosovo.
The Security Council said that Kosovo authorities must immediately take efficient measures to secure the rule of law and real safety of all ethnic communities. The Security Council will closely monitor the fulfillment of obligations stipulated by the document on standards for Kosovo.
The Security Council supported the efforts of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Kosovo-Metohija aimed at restoring peace in Kosovo, and urged institutions of interim self-government in the province, Belgrade authorities and other entities to establish full cooperation.
The Security Council called for detailed investigation of all crimes committed during the two days' clashes in Kosovo. It said that an investigation is under way to clear up the attack on the Serbian teenager and the death of three Albanian children in Kosovska Mitrovica.
In addition, the Security Council expressed condolences to families of all victims, and regrets for the members of the Kosovo, UNMIK and KFOR police who were injured or killed in the recent outbreak of violence.
Serbia-Montenegrin Minister of Foreign Affairs Goran Svilanovic told during the session that the latest events in Kosovo cannot be defined as multiethnic violence, but as a deliberate drive to expel Serbs who have remained in the province.
Svilanovic said that the main task is to immediately stop attacks against Serbs and secure guarantees for their safety. After that, the international community should begin its work on securing institutional guarantees, which should establish decentralisation within the territorial organisation of Kosovo, including the autonomy for Serbs living in the province.
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