Written Answers. - Kosovan Conflict.
Brian O'Shea
Question:
104
Mr. O'Shea
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the Government's views on the steps being taken to establish democratic structures in Kosovo; if he has satisfied himself with the steps being taken to disarm the KLA and establish a civilian police force; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17959/99]
The Government takes the view that the establishment of democratic structures in Kosovo will require action chiefly by the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the other international organisations active in Kosovo over the medium term.
In the short time that it has been deployed, UNMIK has made significant progress in exceptionally difficult circumstances. It has established structures to allow the people of Kosovo to play a role and share responsibility for the development and future of the province. Foremost among these structures is the Kosovo Transitional Coun cil which meets on a weekly basis and is chaired by the special representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of UNMIK, Mr Bernard Kouchner. This body brings together representatives of all the political parties and ethnic groups in Kosovo. This includes Kosovo Albanians, Kosovo Serbs, Turks and Roma. To give it greater responsibility for the administration of Kosovo the special representative has proposed the establishment of a number of directorates answerable to the transitional council which will be responsible for housing, health, education and public utilities and which will be co-chaired by a UNMIK representative and a person drawn from the local community. The intention is that the selection of the local director would be based on criteria such as experience, technical competence and considerations of ethnic and political balance.
In addition to the transitional council an independent media board has been set up and preparations are under way for a Kosovo television station. Political support centres have also been set up with a view to offering practical support for all political groupings engaging in political activities, and committed to democracy, regardless of party affiliation. and a legal centre to support the administration in the drafting of legislation.
Much, however, remains to be done. The Deputy will no doubt be aware of reports of attacks on ethnic minorities, particularly Serbs and Roma, carried out by Kosovo Albanians. The security situation in Kosovo remains a cause for concern and although it has improved in recent weeks with a decline in the number of reported attacks, this may reflect the fact that ethnic Serbs and Roma have either left Kosovo or moved into ethnic strongholds. The Government and its EU partners are committed to the existence of a multi-ethnic pluralist society in Kosovo and will support all efforts to bring this about. Clearly the security situation does not make it any easier to inspire confidence among members of minority population groups still in Kosovo that they have a future in the province, or to persuade those that have left to return.
The Government attaches great importance to the success of the demilitarisation of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Including the agreement last week between the outgoing KFOR Commander, Lieutenant General Sir Michael Jackson, and the KLA by which the latter ceased officially to exist at midnight on Tuesday, 21 September. However, to be effective, arrangements for demilitarisation must provide a future for former combatants. At the very least, unemployed and resentful former fighters are a source of instability as the international community attempts to build a stable political system in Kosovo. I welcome also, therefore, the agreement to establish a Kosovo Protection Corps.
The steps being taken to establish a multi-ethnic civilian police force are also encouraging. The OSCE police training school received its first 200 recruits for the new Kosovo police service in early September. Until the Kosovo police service becomes operational, however, the UN International Police Force will fulfill police duties in Kosovo in co-operation with KFOR. I acknowledge that the build up of the UN International Police Force has been slower than intended. However, it has recently expanded its presence and will be at full strength in the near future. One of its main tasks will be to provide practical training for the recruits of the Kosovo Police training school from mid-October.
