[ALBSA-Info] Voice of America

[Agron Alibali]

[01] U-N-KOSOVO DEBATE (L ONLY) BY BRECK ARDERY
(UNITED NATIONS)
DATE=8/24/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-265826
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO: Plans for municipal elections in Kosovo sparked
controversy today (Thursday) as the United Nations
Security Council debated the latest developments in
the province. V-O-A Correspondent Breck Ardery reports
from the United Nations. 

TEXT: Council members heard a report from U-N official
Hedi Annabi who discussed plans for municipal
elections in Kosovo that are scheduled for late
October. He blamed intimidation from radical Serb
elements for the fact that few Serbs in Kosovo have
registered to vote in those elections. More than one-
million people are registered to vote, nearly all of
them Kosovar Albanians. Mr. Annabi also repeated the
explanation for the recent closing by the United
Nations Mission in Kosovo UNMIK -- of a Serbian owned
and operated smelter in Kosovo. He said the only
reason the plant was shut down was because it was
emitting dangerous pollution. He said the workers will
be paid while repairs are underway and will be back at
work once repairs are complete. But Russian ambassador
Sergey Lavrov questioned the explanation for the
closing of the smelter. Speaking through an English
translator, Mr. Lavrov said it appears to be part of a
plan to seize Serbian property in Kosovo. 

/// Lavrov translator Act ///
We know that this plant, which was seized by force, is
intended by UNMIK to be handed over to the
administrative department for trade and industry (in
Kosovo) which is working under the U-N Interim
Administration and contains not a single Serb. 
/// End Act ///
Mr. Lavrov also said the recent political violence in
Kosovo means now is not the time to hold elections. He
criticized the U-N's Kosovo administrator, Bernard
Kouchner, for scheduling the elections without
consulting the Security Council. But United States
representative James Cunningham said the elections
illustrate the strong leadership of the U-N
administration in Kosovo. 
/// Cunningham Act ///
It is a tribute to UNMIK's strong leadership that
municipal elections will take place on October 28th.
This will mark an important step in the establishment
of transitional self- governing institutions and it
has our strong support. 
/// End Act ///
Mr. Cunningham did express concern for the politically
motivated violence in Kosovo, saying there should be
"zero tolerance" for it. (Signed) NEB/UN/BA/LSF/JP
24-Aug-2000 15:29 PM LOC (24-Aug-2000 1929 UTC) 
NNNN 
Source: Voice of America 

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