SECRETARY-GENERAL, ADDRESSING UNITED NATIONS MISSION STAFF IN PRISTINA, OUTLINES CHALLENGES AHEAD IN REBUILDING KOSOVO INSTITUTIONS

Press Release
SG/SM/7176

SECRETARY-GENERAL, ADDRESSING UNITED NATIONS MISSION STAFF IN PRISTINA, OUTLINES CHALLENGES AHEAD IN REBUILDING KOSOVO INSTITUTIONS

Following are the remarks addressed to United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) staff in Pristina on 13 October, by Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

Two days ago, I was in Sarajevo when I heard about the unfortunate event regarding our colleague, Valentin. May I ask you to maintain a moment of silence in his honour and in honour of all colleagues that have died in search for peace.

First of all, let me say how happy I am to meet you all. When I visit duty stations as I travel around the world, I’m one of the fortunate few. Wherever I go, I have a family. Every country, every city. In some situations, the family is very small; in some, it is large -– as large as you are -– and larger.

For those of us that work for the United Nations: what you are doing here is extremely important. For the average man in the street, for the average Kosovar, you are the United Nations, you are the face of the United Nations. The United Nations is not a distant building in New York or the Secretary-General who is never around here. It is you, Mr. Special Representative, and you, as individual staff members, who are in daily contact with the population here, trying to improve their lot. I would like to express my appreciation and that of all your colleagues in the United Nations system for what you do here. Here, of course, I’m referring to both the international staff and locally recruited staff. The task and assignment of each of you is extremely important, regardless of whether you are a messenger, a director. In the United Nations, each one of us is extremely important. I am grateful to all of you.

I hope that we will serve the people of Kosovo well and that the United Nations will leave here with its mission achieved. I would like to also pay special tribute to our colleagues working in the five regions and the 29 municipalities, because I’m not sure all of them have been able to join us here today. They often work under difficult conditions, which are even more trying than those you face here in the capital. The work you are all performing will play a crucial role in bringing lasting peace and stability and democracy to Kosovo.

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Security Council resolution 1244 gave the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) a far-reaching and uniquely challenging mandate. World attention has been focused on the establishment of UNMIK and on every action of the Mission. Expectations and demands are very high, and sometimes that is frightening. I know that you have all done your best to ensure the speedy establishment of this Mission. It is quite remarkable when I listen to some of my colleagues and I read their reports, and when I come to see for myself what has been achieved in a relatively short period of four months. I can assure you that I am fully aware of your efforts and the many obstacles you have confronted. The UNMIK was established and became operational in a relatively short period. There is construction going on. Everywhere you turn, people are building houses.

But the reconstruction and rebuilding of Kosovo should not be seen in terms of bricks and mortar alone. We need to establish an interim civil administration, we need to build democratic institutions, as well as reconstruct the economy of Kosovo, so that, in time, it can become self- sustaining. However, as you know much better than I, despite what we have achieved, much remains to be done. Over the next months, you must continue to address both urgent humanitarian needs, and improve the provision of public utilities and civil administration services. At the same time, you must pursue the medium-term issues of institution-building, democratization and reconstruction with all vigour.

All these activities are, of course, dependent on a secure environment and a stable political situation. The UNMIK has worked closely with Kosovo Force (KFOR) to provide security throughout Kosovo. And I’ve had a very good discussion with General Reinhardt this morning. Cooperation with KFOR has been excellent and must continue. Obviously, the security situation has improved. However, the level and nature of violence in Kosovo continues to be unacceptable. And, of course, we know what happened a few days ago. There has been progress, but we must do better.

The vicious cycle of ethnically related violence must be broken. The human and civil rights of all people in Kosovo must be respected. Without achieving this minimum level of civility, we cannot hope to meet our larger aims.

In this regard, I would like to recognize the vital work being performed by UNMIK civilian police, which is becoming stronger everyday. Almost 2,000 civilian police officers are now deployed, and I hope more will follow.

But my dear friends,

This is the first time the United Nations has undertaken a law- enforcement mission as part of its peacekeeping operation. In the past, United Nations police have monitored the performance and work of the local police. Here, we have to enforce the law.

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We are, therefore, setting a standard for the future of international peacekeeping and future police work of the United Nations. No less important in establishing the rule of law in Kosovo is the creation of a legal and judicial framework, which several companies of UNMIK are working very, very hard on. And, of course, with that comes the penal system.

On the political front, UNMIK has taken important steps to create structures to involve all the people of Kosovo and associate them with the decision-making. The demilitarization of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and the ongoing transformation of the former KLA remain priorities for the work of this Mission. The UNMIK is working hard to ensure that civilian employment opportunities are identified for former combatants. And, of course, job creation, as difficult as it is, must also be high on our agenda. And where we can, we should encourage groups, non-governmental organizations and others to establish quick-impact projects that will create jobs and absorb some of the people who are unemployed or demobilized.

While these are encouraging developments, there are still serious divisions in Kosovo. I had the chance to meet the representatives this morning. We must all redouble our efforts to ensure that all political and ethnic groups in Kosovo work together.

Our common goal is a multi-ethnic, stable, peaceful Kosovo enjoying substantial autonomy and meaningful self-administration. This goal will only be reached if all parties work together and put the past firmly behind them.

We also have to work together within UNMIK. The Mission is complex and challenging as regards both mandate, composition and size. The UNMIK brings together the United Nations system with that of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union and many other important actors who are making tremendous contributions.

I know you already work hard, but I believe you can work harder and do even better. Coordination of the various components and pillars of this Mission is essential. In this connection, flow charts and structure on paper are useful. But, in the end, it is the personal effort that really makes a difference. In the end, it is the individuals and peoples of the Mission, and the way they pool their efforts and the way they work together, that makes a difference between whether we do well or produce an excellent product. I would stress information-sharing, transparency, the respect for different approaches and the ability to listen as crucial, if we are to succeed in this Mission. This has tested other missions, and I’m sure it is equally difficult here, but it can be done.

At Headquarters in New York, we are trying and will continue to provide you with our best possible support. We may not always succeed, but, if we don’t, I am sure the Special Representative will let us know. You must stay in close and regular touch with us, and share your valuable observations and concerns. We are a team. We must work together as a team.

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Finally, I would like to thank Dr. Bernard Kouchner, the Special Representative, for taking on this challenging assignment and heading one of the most difficult missions the United Nations has ever mounted. And, Bernard, let me assure you, you have our full support and confidence. Together with Bernard Miyet and the rest of you, the team at United Nations Headquarters, I would assure you that I would do all I can, not only to provide you with assistance, but to support you and defend your work. I am grateful to you and every member of this important Mission, for your service to the United Nations and the work you are doing here.

Thank you very much.

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