SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES VOLUNTARY SURRENDER TO INTERNATIONAL

TRIBUNAL BY KOSOVO’S FORMER PRIME MINISTER

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the fact that the former Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, has shown a good example of cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia by resigning from his post and surrendering voluntarily to the Tribunal.

The Secretary-General also welcomes the fact that the representatives of Kosovo’s Provisional Institutions, Kosovo’s political leaders and the people of Kosovo have expressed their feelings related to his resignation and departure in a peaceful, democratic manner.

Building on the achievements reached under the government led by Mr Haradinaj, Kosovo must continue to make progress on the implementation of standards without delay in light of the envisaged comprehensive review and, pending the outcome of the review, a possible decision to initiate talks on Kosovo’s future status.  It is essential that we all remain focused on the work at hand so that we can move forward in building a stable, multi-ethnic and democratic Kosovo.  The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) is ready to continue to support the people and Provisional Institutions of Kosovo in the implementation of standards.

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