PRISTINA, Jan 21 (Hina) - The economic development, the fight against crime and the bolstering of security as well as the building of a multiethnic society are priorities of the UN civil administration in Kosovo in 2003, but the final
solution to Kosovo's status should not be expected this year, UN Civil Administrator Michael Steiner said.
PRISTINA, Jan 21 (Hina) - The economic development, the fight
against crime and the bolstering of security as well as the building
of a multiethnic society are priorities of the UN civil
administration in Kosovo in 2003, but the final solution to
Kosovo's status should not be expected this year, UN Civil
Administrator Michael Steiner said. #L#
The time for solving the final status of Kosovo will come but not in
2003, the German diplomat said in his televised address to citizens
in Kosovo.
This year we have to tackle three priorities: the improvement of
economy, the struggle against crime so that families may feel safe
and secure and we must create a multiethnic society, Steiner said in
his address broadcast by a public TV station "RTK" on Monday night.
The UN Civil Administrator announced that he would transfer as much
power as possible to local institutions.
This week he is planning to meet leaders of political parties in
order to explain them his concept and seek their support for his
efforts.
Steiner said that the most important element in such bids would be
permanent support of the people of Kosovo.
He added that he would advocate the equal treatment of all
minorities and announced that the foreign policy and bids to
counter organised crime would remain within the jurisdiction of the
UN mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).
UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and Kosovo constitutional
frameworks do not envisage the establishment of mono-ethnic
organisations, Steiner said and this was his commentary on Monday's
set-up of a community of Serb-populated municipalities in northern
Kosovo.
(hina) ms