UN envoy condemns attack on UNMIK offices in
Kosovo
JUNE 26 -- The head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission
in Kosovo (UNMIK), Dr. Bernard Kouchner, today strongly condemned
another outbreak of violence which destroyed the UN offices in Strpce,
in the southern part of the territory.
The incident occurred Friday night, when a large crowd of Kosovar
Serbs stormed the UNMIK offices in the town, destroying everything
inside, including computers, files, windows, doors and furniture. The
offices of local Serb employees, except for that of a Serb viewed as
being a "moderate," were left untouched.
In a statement, Dr. Kouchner said the events in Strpce were
"well coordinated and organized by persons not from the area."
These acts of vandalism, he said, were "unacceptable and must
stop." The attack followed the disappearance of a Kosovar Serb
shepherd from the area.
In another incident yesterday, one Kosovo Serb was killed and one
injured by gunfire in the town of Kosovo Polje. The ethnicity or motive
of the attacker is unknown.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kouchner, yesterday welcomed the decision taken by the
Serb National Council (SNC) to rejoin the Interim Administrative Council
and the Kosovo Transitional Council as observers after a temporary
suspension two weeks ago.
"This courageous action will allow the Kosovo Serb
representatives once again to play their rightful role in building a
democratic, peaceful and tolerant Kosovo," he said.
Following talks on additional measures on security and freedom of
movement, UNMIK and the SNC are expected to sign an
"Understanding" later this week containing concrete steps to
improve the life of the Serb community, according to an UNMIK statement.
Document compiled by Dr S D
Stein