PRISTINA, Aug 14 (Hina) - The UN civilian administration in Kosovo (UNMIK) on Monday began implementing a plan for the return of local Serbs. On 13 August, 54 Serbs left a refugee centre in Kladovo for Kosovo. At the boundary-line
between Serbia and Kosovo this first group of returnees was welcomed by UNHCR representatives and a patrol of NATO-led international peace keepers (KFOR). The returnees were escorted until they came in their village of Osijane, the municipality of Istok in western Kosovo. Under this plan, Serbs should return into nine villages in areas of Istok, Klina, Lipljane, Gnjilane and in northern part of Pristina. For this purpose, 2.2 million German marks have been appropriated. UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees) has ensured tents for the returnees' temporary accommodation, whereas the reconstruction of their houses is to start next week. Oliver Ivanovic, a me
PRISTINA, Aug 14 (Hina) - The UN civilian administration in Kosovo
(UNMIK) on Monday began implementing a plan for the return of local
Serbs.
On 13 August, 54 Serbs left a refugee centre in Kladovo for Kosovo.
At the boundary-line between Serbia and Kosovo this first group of
returnees was welcomed by UNHCR representatives and a patrol of
NATO-led international peace keepers (KFOR).
The returnees were escorted until they came in their village of
Osijane, the municipality of Istok in western Kosovo.
Under this plan, Serbs should return into nine villages in areas of
Istok, Klina, Lipljane, Gnjilane and in northern part of Pristina.
For this purpose, 2.2 million German marks have been appropriated.
UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees) has ensured tents for the
returnees' temporary accommodation, whereas the reconstruction of
their houses is to start next week.
Oliver Ivanovic, a member of the committee in charge of Serbs'
return, described yesterday's event as a very important one which
gave hope to others about their come-back to homes.
Ivanovic assessed that the UNMIK had started to create favourable
conditions for potential Serb returnees, adding that this meant the
fulfilment of commitments under UN Security Council's Resolution
1244.
International peace keepers have taken comprehensive measures to
ensure the protection of Serbs returning to the said locations.
(hina) ms