UN mission in Kosovo regrets decision by Albanian
leader to boycott joint administration
JULY 5 -- The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)
regrets the decision announced yesterday by the leader of Kosovo
Democratic Party (PDK) to freeze participation in the territory's joint
administration, a spokesperson for the mission said today.
UNMIK spokeswoman Nadia Younes said that the head of UNMIK, Dr.
Bernard Kouchner, was hopeful that Mr. Hashim Thaci, the president of
PDK, will end his boycott of the Joint Interim Administrative Structure
(JIAS).
She said Dr. Kouchner yesterday met briefly with Mr. Thaci and they
agreed to meet again on Friday to continue "bilateral
discussions".
Mr. Thaci is the former political leader of the disbanded Kosovo
Liberation Army and leader of one of Kosovo's largest political parties.
He blamed his boycott of the JIAS mainly on an agreement signed last
week between Dr. Kouchner and Bishop Artemije Radosavljevic, leader of
the Serb National Council. The agreement lays down "concrete
steps", including the setting up of a special force to protect
Serbs, as a precondition for the Serbs to end their own boycott of the
JIAS.
Ms. Younes said the "understanding" with the Serbs will not
be changed and some of the measures have already been taken.
Document compiled by Dr S D
Stein