KOSOVO - STATEMENT FOR JANUARY 16 UNSC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 004780

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV UNSC
SUBJECT: KOSOVO - STATEMENT FOR JANUARY 16 UNSC
CONSULTATIONS ON UNMIK REPORT



1. The Department requests USUN to draw on points in
paragraph 2 during the January 16 UN Security Council
consultations on the Secretary General's report on the
work of the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).


2. Begin Points:

-- Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to thank
Special Representative Joachim Ruecker for his
presentation. Mr. Ruecker and his team at UNMIK have done
an extraordinary job in Kosovo under challenging political
circumstances.

-- While the Security Council has focused much attention
on Kosovo's status, we must not lose sight of the work
that remains to help Kosovo become a more secure,
democratic, and well-governed society. The United States
is encouraged by the "steady progress in all substantive
areas of standards implementation" outlined by the
Secretary General in his recent report. Nevertheless, we

SIPDIS
note that this progress is uneven and must be accelerated
in key areas, such as the return of displaced persons.

-- With that in mind, I would like to make six points.

-- First, we congratulate the people of Kosovo for the
successful conduct of the November parliamentary and
municipal elections.

-- We strongly agree with the Secretary General's
assessment that the free and fair conduct of elections
that have taken place since the United Nations began to
administer Kosovo in 1999 demonstrates the increasing
maturity of Kosovo's new democratic institutions. We also
congratulate the new Kosovo government, represented here
by Prime Minister Thaci, on their formation and for
including Kosovo Serbs and minorities in ministerial
positions.

-- Second, I would like to reiterate what Ambassador
Reucker has told the Council today and in delivering
previous reports, that UNMIK has done virtually everything
it can do in the absence of a final status determination.

-- This Council designed UNMIK, Mr. President, to help
Kosovo recover from the war that was waged against its
civilians and to help build functioning democratic
institutions. UNMIK has largely accomplished this core
mission. As proof of this, we only need to look to Kosovo'
s five rounds of free and fair elections, its ten fully
functioning ministries, its legislative assembly, and its
multi-ethnic police force that meets international
standards. Yet without clarity on status, Kosovo will be
unable to take the next step in its democratic evolution.

-- Third, we note with concern both that Belgrade called
upon Kosovo Serbs to boycott the November elections and
the well-documented incidents of intimidation and pressure
against those Serbs who did want to participate.

-- I would like to welcome President Tadic to the Council
today. I know that we differ on what needs to happen,
but I look forward to working with Serbia to build a
strong relationship. I also want to take this opportunity
to urge his government to lift its opposition to Serbs who
want to participate in Kosovo's democratic institutions.
There are Kosovo Serbs who want to work with the
international community and the Government of Kosovo.
Belgrade's actions and support of parallel governance for
Kosovo Serbs will only lead to the further marginalization
of this community.

-- Fourth, we note with concern that Belgrade has recently
opened an office of its government in northern Kosovo
without UNMIK coordination or permission.

-- This action was a challenge to UNMIK's authority
pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1244. It was also
contrary to the pledge made by Belgrade not to engage in
provocative acts.

- Fifth, we join with the Secretary General in noting our
concern that Kosovo's minorities are still subject to
harassment, discrimination, and isolation.

-- We believe the Security Council must continue to

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support efforts to protect and promote multi-ethnicity in
Kosovo, to ensure that the rights of Kosovo's minorities
are fully protected, and to support their full integration
into Kosovo's social and political life.

-- Sixth, we welcome that the Secretary General, in his
report, expressed a willingness to continue to assist
Kosovo on the path toward sustainable stability.

-- Until the Security Council decides otherwise,
resolution 1244 will remain in effect. In this
connection, we note the European Union Council's
readiness to play an enhanced role in Kosovo. Because
Europe is the region most affected by new instability in
the Balkans, we applaud their willingness to assume
greater responsibilities. In particular, we welcome the
incorporation of the standards implementation process into
the broader and more challenging process of Kosovo's
European integration.

-- We also agree with the Secretary-General that the OSCE
should continue to play an important role in Kosovo. The
OSCE's work -- including democratization, institution
building, and human rights monitoring -- is aimed
primarily at ensuring the rights of Kosovo's minorities.
A cessation of OSCE activity in Kosovo would hinder
international efforts to build sustainable multi-ethnic
institutions at all levels of Kosovo's government. We
therefore call on the OSCE to continue its solid work.

-- In conclusion, Mr. President, the Secretary General's
report underscores yet again that the lack of resolution
on Kosovo's status is preventing Kosovo from fully
developing its democracy and is preventing the further
development of the region.

-- Therefore, the United States believes that the time has
come to resolve Kosovo's status. We note that the
recommendations of the Secretary-General's Special Envoy
Martti Ahtisaari remain on the table. They provide a
blueprint for building not only a more secure, prosperous,
and democratic Kosovo, but also the certainty and
stability that will allow all the people of the Balkans to
realize their natural aspirations of fully integrating
into Europe. We hope that in the coming weeks and months
the international community will be able to work in
harmony to help Kosovo continue to move forward.

Thank you.

End Points.
RICE