Bernard Allen
Question:64 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Mitrovica. [8321/00]
Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
Emmet Stagg
Question:70 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Kosovo; if he has satisfied himself that UN forces are taking adequate measures to prevent ethnic clashes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8483/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:162 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he and the international community are satisfied with the progress in Kosovo; the new measures, if any, proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8614/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 64, 70 and 162 together.
The security situation in Kosovo is a cause for serious concern. There have been a number of incidents resulting in injuries to international, mainly French and Russian, KFOR troops. Nevertheless in the rest of Kosovo, apart from Mitrovica and one or two other areas, the number of ethnic clashes has decreased. This is due in part to the fact that ethnic Serbs and other minorities have either left Kosovo altogether or gathered themselves into well protected ethnic strongholds, and in part due to firm action by KFOR and the UN international police. There is still concern, however, at attacks taking place between ethnic Albanians, as extremists attack supporters of more moderate political leaders. There is also concern about the involvement of former Kosovo Liberation Army fighters in organised crime, including drug smuggling and trafficking in women.
Although still tense, the situation in Mitrovica is under control and some KFOR reinforcements drafted into the city in the wake of recent disturbances have now left. The presence of the international police has been augmented. The town is still divided along ethnic lines, ethnic Serbs in the area north of the River Sitnica and ethnic Albanians to the south. Negotiations are under way with community leaders of both sides with the aim of allowing freedom of movement for ethnic Albanians, addressing the security concerns of the ethnic Serbs, and allowing orderly returns of members of both ethnic communities to their homes. The ultimate aim of the United Nations administration in Kosovo is to create a visibly different administration for Mitrovica, involving a joint municipal government which can serve as an example elsewhere in Kosovo. This success of this political process will depend not only on the international police and KFOR to provide a secure environment, but also on progress in expanding public services and encouraging economic revival.
Another major focus of concern is the Presevo valley area of south western Serbia, which lies on the border with Kosovo and is inhabited by many ethnic Albanians. As a direct result of attacks by an ethnic Albanian paramilitary group, the Presevo Liberation Army (PLA), on Serbian police units in the region and the resulting security operation by the Serbian authorities, some 7,000 refugees have crossed over into Kosovo. The aim of the PLA would seem to be to provoke a conflict in the Presevo area in the hope of encouraging an intervention by KFOR troops. The international community is determined to avoid this and KFOR has reinforced controls on the border to prevent the passage of paramilitaries and arms from Kosovo. Albanian political leaders have been encouraged to distance themselves from PLA activities and objectives.
Notwithstanding this difficult security situation, real progress has been made in Kosovo. A joint interim administrative structure and an interim administrative council have been set up, allowing local people some say in their own government. The ethnic Serb community still refuses to participate in these structures, because of concerns about their security. It is suspected that the Milosevic regime in Belgrade is influencing the Serb community in Kosovo; however, negotiations are continuing and it is hoped that Serb representatives will eventually agree to participate.
Registration of voters is being carried out in preparation for elections which will take place in September or October. It is hoped that, following these elections, further progress can be made towards democratic self government for Kosovo, with the participation all the ethnic communities.
The Government will continue to support international efforts in Kosovo, aimed at building a multi-ethnic democratic and pluralist society which will contribute to the stability of the entire western Balkans region.