Ukraine protests violence in Kosovo (09/10/00)

Ukraine protests violence in Kosovo

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

NEW YORK - "Ukraine strongly condemns the continuing acts of violence in Kosovo and requests that the U.N. mission and peacekeeping forces use all means available to them with the intent of stopping these violent acts. The guarantee of peace in this region is only possible through the establishment of adequate conditions of securit, as well as adherence to basic human rights for members of all ethnic groups," stated Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko of the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations during the August 24 meeting of the U.N. Security Council, during which the situation in Kosovo was discussed.

Ukraine's representative noted several positive developments in Kosovo as a result of international cooperation, in particular, the organized return to the region of the first group of Serbian residents, the establishment by the United Nations of an international commission to resolve questions regarding property belonging to residents and refugees, as well as the publication by the United Nations of a plan for self-governance in Kosovo on the level of a municipality.

At the same time Ambassador Yelchenko expressed concern about the refusal to allow well-known representatives of several national minority groups in the region to participate in the pre-election process leading up to the municipal election, which is scheduled for October of this year. He also expressed concern about the rising incidence of acts of overt political pressure and violence in Kosovo.

In the near future, a select group of militia from the forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine will be sent to join the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.

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