UN peacekeeping chief: Everyone must respect UN SC 1244
The United Nations peacekeeping chief Jean-Marie Guehenno, on a visit to Pristina, northern Kosovo and Belgrade, has called for the full respect of UN Security Council resolution 1244.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, May 05, 2008
"I am glad to see that all parties want to maintain the rule of law. I believe that we all have to work in practical terms, based on resolution 1244", he said.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had announced Guehenno's visit almost immediately after the unilateral declaration of independence on February 17, but the delay has been explained as a product of complicated circumstances surrounding this controversial issue.
However, the Guehenno's real task will be a start of productive talks aimed at solving a series of troubling issues, including the Serbian presence in UNMIK-led institutions in Kosovo, including police, judiciary, education, health services and customs.
"None of the talks will deal with the status issue, because the UN wants to stay neutral in this issue",UN diplomats told KosovoCompromise.com.
The discussions will also cover so-called dual international administration, created after the European Union decided to deploy unilaterally its 2,200 strong mission in Kosovo, creating the legal mess and unclear division of powers between two international organizations.
Guehenno, whose mandate on the helm of UN peacekeeping expires in June, has been dubbed as potential successor of UNMIK chief Joachim Ruecker, who want the leave the volatile province after a series of inner-conflicts with his fellow UN officials.
His visit to Kosovo came amid ongoing UN investigation into circumstances which led to violent clashes between Serb demonstrators and UN police in northern Kosovska Mitrovica in mid-March, which resulted with the death of a Ukrainian policeman and dozens of injured internationals and protesters.
The investigation, led by UN secretary-General's specially appointed representative, Ugandan lawyer Francis SSekandi, plans to cover a wide range of issues including the personal responsibility for violence by local Serb leaders and UN officials, as well as the use of lethal or banned ammunition.
