UNMIK/PR/1645
PRISTINA - Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Kosovo (SRSG) Joachim Rücker discussed citizens' concerns about decentralization, new municipalities and other status-related issues at a packed town hall meeting today in Viti/Vitina municipality. The SRSG appeared on a panel with COMKFOR Lt.-Gen. Roland Kather, Prime Minister Agim Çeku and Viti/Vitina Municipal Assembly President Musa Misini.
Mr. Rücker stressed that UNMIK is "not negotiating in Vienna over the Ahtisaari package," but is mandated to facilitate the process. He described the process as "encouraging, as we go from milestone to milestone."
The SRSG stressed that successful resolution of Kosovo's status will require the close cooperation with the international community. "Unilateral steps would be a dead-end street," he said, adding that Kosovo has never before been so close to a resolution of the status issue.
Acknowledging citizens' concerns about a new municipality that would be created in the Viti/Vitina area, Mr. Rücker explained that "the rationale behind the decentralization and new municipalities is to make everybody feel at home in the new Kosovo, including the minority communities."
Mr. Rücker explained that any shortcomings in the decentralization process can be reviewed on the basis of a census that will be called one year after final status takes effect. According to Mr. Ahtisaari's proposal, a review could take place six months after the census is completed.