Civilian administration
Bulgaria offers to promote dialogue
between Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo: Bulgaria's Prime Minister Ivan
Kostov has offered to contribute in promoting the dialogue between ethnic
Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo, UNMIK said today. The Prime Minister, on
a visit to Kosovo along with Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Marim Rajkov,
made the offer yesterday during a meeting in Pristina with the head of
UNMIK, Dr. Bernard Kouchner. Mr. Kostov also offered to increase the number
of Bulgarian police serving with UNMIK.
Kouchner inaugurates Serb clinic: The head of UNMIK, Dr. Bernard Kouchner, on Saturday, inaugurated an emergency health clinic for the Serb community in Gracanica. The clinic was set up to meet concerns of Serbs who have been unable to seek medical treatment outside of their community because of security concerns. Dr. Kouchner said the opening of the clinic was part of UNMIK's agenda of coexistence, a confidence-building measure meant to improve living conditions and protect all the communities living in Kosovo. Medicins du Monde Greece will run the clinic, which is funded by the Greek Government with additional donations from UNMIK and NGOs.
Kouchner meets with NGOs to discuss coordination: The head of UNMIK, Dr. Bernard Kouchner was scheduled today to meet with representatives of local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Kosovo to discuss issues relating to the coordination of activities between UNMIK and the NGOs. They will also discuss the re-orientation of the involvement of NGOs from relief to reconstruction, as well as capacity building and funding of local NGOs.
Kosovo B restarts after repairs: Unit 1 of Kosovo's power plant, Kosovo B, is back on again after repairs and is generating 250 megawatts of electricity. None of the units of the second power plant, Kosovo A, is currently operating, but repairs are being carried out. Approximately 115 megawatts of power are being imported from Albania, Serbia and Macedonia. The power-rationing regime is three hours on and three hours off in two different groups.
Danger of land mines reported: UNMIK reported today that there may be a danger of land mines and cluster bombs in the area known as Kojlovica, in the northeast side of Pristina. This area is a social gathering spot for picnics and leisure activities.
UNMIK Police report two murders over the last two days: UNMIK Police today reported that a 19-year-old Albanian male was on Friday stabbed in a fight between a group of youths in the Dardania area, in Pristina. The victim later died from his injuries. A 16 year-old male Albanian later surrendered himself to UNMIK police and confessed the offence. On Saturday, the police found a body of an Albanian male, a former police officer, shot once in the head inside his vehicle in Gnjilane.
A total of 566 police officers were deployed in Mitrovica as of the end of February, UNMIK reported. This is part of the special measures announced by the head of UNMIK, Dr. Bernard Kouchner, after the breakout of violence early February in Mitrovica. Due to regular rotation and training, 510 police officers are deployed today. UNMIK also announced that the next class of the Kosovo Police School will start on 27 March at the Police School at Vucitrn. The lists of selected candidates have been displayed at all regional police headquarters in Pristina, Prizren, Pec, Gnjilane and Mitrovica.
Other activities
Reconciliation the only lasting solution in Kosovo, new study says: A new study concludes that the only lasting solution to the Kosovo crisis is a political settlement that reconciles legitimate ethnic Albanian interests about the future of the province and long-term peace with Serbia. The study, released today by the UN University, argues that the current situation in Kosovo can only be an interim solution. Titled "Kosovo and The Challenge of Humanitarian Intervention", the study argues that communities bitterly divided for centuries cannot be forced by outsiders to live together peacefully. It also warns that in the face of persistent threats of ethnic cleansing of Serbs by Albanians, the lack of international solidarity and effective action further entrenches the victim mentality among Serbs and undermines prospects of long-term stability. The full text of the study is available at www.unu.edu.