Developments today, 16 February 2000 -
Updated 3:30 p.m. EST
Civilian administration
Security Council holds private meeting on Kosovo: The Security Council today held a private meeting in which it was briefed on the latest developments in Kosovo by Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hédi Annabi. A UN spokeswoman said that Mr. Annabi told the Council that UNMIK continues to be preoccupied by the harassment, eviction and murder of minorities. While observing that the security situation in Kosovo deteriorated in early February, Mr. Annabi also noted that UNMIK had made gradual progress in restoring the rule of law, including the first round of appointments of judges and prosecutors.
Regulation to appoint international judges signed: The head of UNMIK, Dr. Bernard Kouchner, yesterday signed a regulation authorizing the appointment of international judges and prosecutors, as part of the implementation of emergency measures for re-establishing security in Mitrovica. UNMIK said today that Regulation No. 6/2000 specifies that such appointments shall be made to the District Court of Mitrovica and other courts and offices of the prosecutor within its jurisdiction. International judges and prosecutors will work alongside their Kosovar counterparts in Mitrovica. Mr. Christer Karphammar from Sweden was appointed last night as the first international judge under the new regulation.
Last night there were no incidents of unrest on the streets of Mitrovica and "everyone respected the call for law and order", KFOR Spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Henning Philipp said today. He said KFOR patrols will continue to be "very visible" and alert to any unrest or crime.
For further information, contact the Spokesman's Office: tel (212) 963-7161/2; fax (212) 963-7055.