Civilian administration

Kouchner hopes for speedy appointment of special representative for missing persons: The head of UNMIK, Dr. Bernard Kouchner, today said that he hoped that the visit of the Security Council last week in Kosovo would speed up the appointment of the special envoy on detainees and missing persons. Briefing the KTC about the visit, Dr. Kouchner said that the appointment of the special envoy would help put pressure on Belgrade regarding detainees held in Serbian prisons.

Dr. Kouchner also said he had met twice with people protesting for action on detainees and missing persons, led by Mr. Shukri Klinaku of the LKCK party. He had also arranged a meeting between them and the Security Council delegation and regretted the resignation of Mr. Klinaku from the KTC over the issue.

Democracy and institution building

More than 100 people register daily in Kosovo: On average 135 people were registering every day in the Kosovo civil registration, the OSCE head of mission, Daan Everts, said today. Briefing the KTC, he said the process was going well so far with 98 registration centres operating as of today. Four Serbs -- three in Orahovac and one in Mitrovica -- had registered, he said.

Security matters

KFOR expresses concern over attacks on Russian KFOR soldiers: KFOR Major General Jean Philipe Wirth today expressed concern over the recent attacks on Russian KFOR soldiers and the frequency of mortar attacks in general. Major General Philipe was briefing the KTC about the security situation in Kosovo.

Humanitarian affairs

Kosovo Albanian and minority leaders agree plan for possible return of displaced communities: Kosovo Albanian and minority leaders have agreed to a plan action, brokered by the UN mission, which could lead to the return of displaced Roma, Ashkalija and Egyptian minorities. The plan, agreed by the three Kosovo Albanian members of the Interim
Administrative Council and by six representatives of the minorities, calls for a series "confidence building" meetings between the communities both inside Kosovo and in neighbouring countries. Over the next two weeks, Albanian leaders will visit Roma, Ashkalija and Egyptian communities around Kosovo. It is estimated there are about 30,000 displaced Romas, Ashkalijas and Egyptians.

Other matters

International forensic experts restart work at Kosovo gravesites: The gathering of evidence of war crimes has restarted in Kosovo after a break for the winter with an International Criminal Tribunal of Former Yugoslavia forensic team working at a first site in Gjakova. A British forensic team is also in Kosovo and will begin work on Saturday, while two other international teams from Sweden and Austria will begin work later this month.

For further information, contact the Spokesman's Office: tel (212) 963-7161/2; fax (212) 963-7055.

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