[Prishtina-E] NAAC, Disturbed by UNMIK Bias, Calls for Calm

[Valbona Sherifi]

National Albanian American Council
2021 L Street, N.W., Suite 402, Washington, DC  20036
481 8th Avenue, Suite 922, New York, NY 10001
Brigada e Krajishtes, No. 8, 38000 Prishtina, Kosova
Telephone: (202) 466-6900   Fax: (202) 466-5593
Web: www.naac.org   Email: naac at naac.org

________________________________________________________________________


For Immediate Release: August 15, 2002      Contact: Valbona Sherifi (202)
466-6900





PRESS RELEASE





NAAC, Disturbed by UNMIK Bias, Calls for Calm


Washington, DC, August 15, 2002: The National Albanian American Council
(NAAC) issued the following statement regarding the recent developments in
Kosova.

The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) is deeply disturbed by the
recent events in Kosova and the undeniable pattern of bias displayed by
UNMIK against Albanian Kosovars. NAAC fears that UNMIK is succumbing to the
pressures of those nations that allied themselves with the aggressors during
the recent wars and who are attempting to discredit Kosova and her
institutions’ rightful claim to independence.

Over the last two months the United Nations Mission in Kosova (UNMIK) has
engaged in a rash of arrests of former Kosova Liberation Army leaders
totaling nearly sixty in all.  Most recently, the campaign was intensified
through a series of arrests culminating in the public arrest of one of the
principle former KLA figures and the indictment of a prominent Kosovar
politician for “endangering the safety of others.”  These actions by UNMIK
are taking place at a time when Serb war criminals, responsible for engaging
in genocide, ethnic cleansing, murder and rape, are allowed to openly stroll
the streets of northern Mitrovica, a Kosovar region which falls under UNMIK
jurisdiction pursuant to U.N. Resolution 1244.  Furthermore, UNMIK permits
some of these same criminals to defiantly thwart UNMIK authority and control
access to Mitrovica, through the establishment of their own “check-point
controls” on the Iber River Bridge.  This situation has existed for over
three years and continues to be a principal cause of destabilization in
Kosova.

NAAC calls on UNMIK to carry a fair and just process and become even handed
in its prosecution of suspected criminals.  “We support the arrest and
prosecution of any individual suspected of crime, particularly a war crime.
However, UNMIK has demonstrated a strong bias with a clear pattern of
arrests of Albanian leaders in Kosova.  An indictment against an individual
for endangerment in the face of war criminals walking freely in Mitrovica
demonstrates poor prioritization.  Furthermore, the removal of detainees to
a prison in Serbian controlled Mitrovica is not only ill conceived, but an
open insult to all those who fought for freedom, including NATO forces and
Albanians everywhere.” stated Executive Director Martin Vulaj.

The recent arrests have resulted in the people of Decan and other areas
taking to the streets in protest, which led to injuries to both Kosovars and
UNMIK police.  Kosovars have a proud tradition of peaceful protest.  NAAC
supports the right to protest, but calls for calm and for the Kosovars to
engage their leaders and utilize their institutions to reach a resolution of
the present situation.  NAAC further urges the United States Government to
utilize its influence as a credible broker to pressure UNMIK to display
fairness and restraint.


The National Albanian American Council ("NAAC") is a not-for-profit
organization dedicated to advocating for Albanians and promoting peace and
economic development in the Balkans by fostering democratic policy,
promoting respect for human rights, and conducting educational and
developmental programs. For more information on the National Albanian
American Council please visit us on the web at www.naac.org
<http://www.naac.org/>

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