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 STATE 00004780 002 OF 002 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