KOSOVO GOVT. ACCEPTS DECLARATION SLAMMING RECENT ARRESTS

PRISTINA, Aug 19 (Hina) - The Kosovo government on Monday adopted a declaration criticising the local UN Mission and the KFOR peace- keepers for their arrests of former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) who are now senior officials of the Kosovo Protection Corps. #L# The declaration, which was adopted by a majority vote, was presented to reporters by Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi. The document states the arrests are harmful to the political process and democratisation in Kosovo and that they are aimed at criminalising the struggle of the Kosovo people and the KLA. According to the declaration, the arrests overstep the UN Security Council's Resolution 1244. The government, therefore, views the arrestees as political prisoners and hostages to the political process in Kosovo. The Kosovo government calls for putting an end to the arrest campaign and expediting trials. The declaration also says the government will cooperate closely with the UN Mission and KFOR in combating negative phenomena, organised crime in particular. (hina) ha