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UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK): 30 Nov 1999

Civil Administration
Kouchner marks start of vehicle registration: Head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), Bernard Kouchner today marked the start of the registration for motor vehicles in Kosovo by adjusting a new licence plate to the first vehicle at the registration centre in Pristina. "This is the most visible sign of law and order in Kosovo. With the return of regular licence plates it will be safer on the roads of Kosovo", he said in a press statement.

The temporary vehicle registration will not establish ownership but will create a database on vehicles and their holders. "We must be sure that the cars and their holders have some kind of relation," said Dr. Kouchner, stressing the importance of the temporary registration in fighting and preventing car theft.

Six more registration centres will soon open throughout Kosovo and motorists have until 31 March 2000 to register their vehicles. After that date, UNMIK Police will penalize drivers of unregistered vehicles. For the moment, drivers are receiving only their registration plates. Registration certificates will be issued in a few days when insurance companies will have met UNMIK's requirements to sell insurance in Kosovo.

Netherlands gives $15 million for the Kosovo budget: The Dutch government today gave $15 million to support the Kosovo budget for 1999. The contribution will be used to pay for public services and stipends for needy Kosovars. Presenting the donation, the Head of the Netherlands Office in Pristina, Mr. Robert Van Lanschot said the money would cover 25 to 30 per cent of the Kosovo Consolidated Budget. "It's a very considerable amount for keeping this place running as far as the normal public sector is concerned like medical care, education and the judicial system," he said in a statement issued by the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

Head of UNMIK, Bernard Kouchner said the money "will spread out to over approximately 50,000 Kosovars in the health and education systems and other sectors". The Dutch Government's contribution would be an integral part of the UNMIK's rebuilding effort in Kosovo and would help foster the economic recovery process in the province, he added.