KOSOVO.

• Author: Rutsch, Horst
• Position: Brief Article

On the Path to Self-Governance

On 22 September, Secretary-General Kofi Annan reported that Kosovo's transition to self-governance could be derailed by hard-line Albanian elements who used violence to undermine confidence in the democratic process. The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) would not tolerate such acts and would continue its preparations for holding free and fair municipal elections on 28 October, he said. UNMIK intended to use all its resources, with the assistance of the international peacekeeping force (KFOR), to create an environment in which the people of Kosovo could vote freely and without fear. The Secretary-General said final responsibility for deterring political violence rested squarely on the shoulders of local leaders. "A resurgence of violence risks jeopardizing international support and crippling Kosovo's economic and political development," Mr. Annan said, adding that "the real key to success on 28 October lies with the people of Kosovo."

On 27 September, UNMIK head Dr. Bernard Kouchner told the Security Council that the situation of non-Albanian communities continued to be the most serious problem in Kosovo. Serbs and Roma, in particular, were often still excluded from daily life and were "under great personal security risks", he said. UNMIK tried to counter the "truly deplorable situation" with a multitude of initiatives and special assistance programmes for the Serbs and the establishment of specialized local community offices to facilitate the access to services for the minorities and increase their protection. The fate of missing persons and remaining detainees also remained a key...