PRISTINA, Serbia-Montenegro (AP) - The United Nations mission in Kosovo said Wednesday that ethnically motivated crime is going down in this disputed province.
Soren Jessen-Petersen, the U.N.'s top official in Kosovo, "called on all concerned to refrain from propagating misinformation on the security situation in Kosovo, particularly with respect to the Kosovo Serb community," according to a U.N. statement.
"I have noted with concern periodic statements from certain quarters that risk creating a climate of fear and insecurity among the Kosovo Serbs," Jessen-Petersen said, most likely referring to Belgrade officials.
The United Nations has been trying to bring Kosovo's bitterly divided communities -- ethnic Albanians and Serbs -- closer since it took over the province's administration in 1999.
Crime statistics for the first quarter of 2006 reveal a marked decline in potentially ethnically motivated crimes, the U.N. said. There were 19 such incidents from January to March, compared to 72 during the first three months of 2005, the statement said.
This year's incidents included 12 involving Kosovo Serb victims, six involving ethnic Albanians and one involving a Kosovo Croatian victim, it said.
"Whereas we always deplore any attack on any citizen, statements of misleading nature are not helpful and are in fact contrary to the interests of the Kosovo Serbs," Jessen-Petersen said.
"This kind of misinformation not only erodes their confidence level, but has a cascading negative impact on interethnic relations."
Although nearly seven years have passed since the end of the war, the ethnic groups remain divided, with Kosovo Serbs mainly living in isolated enclaves fearing attacks by ethnic Albanians.
Talks to determine Kosovo's future are underway in Austria. Western envoys hope that some form of solution will be found by the end of 2006, which should primarily ensure the well-being of minorities, particularly Serbs.
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4 comments:
I dont have the detailed statistics but this is odd because I watched a UNMIK spokesman say in a press conference that the recent attacks on Kosovo Serbs was worrying and that UNMIK / KFOR has agreed to increase patrols / presence in Serbia areas.
And the method of statistics analysis is also a bit odd. I would think that the comprison would be made with the previous quarter ie October to December 2005 and not with last years January to March tally.
Still, if the attacks do cease or markedly decline then I'd be happy. Until now that still hasnt happened and in my view the internationals have to take responsibility for this failure.
retired ITC I know very well how figures are complied. The trick is to produce the figures which are most favourable to your own case.
We all are guilty of doing this sometimes although I try to avoid it. And naturally I am suspicious whenever any figure is quoted to me. Seasonal factors Im also aware of but as far as I know there are no seasonally adjusted figures on attacks in Kosovo.
A marked decline or cessation in my definition isnt one that reduces from one year or quarter to the next. If the figures are true its welcome but the marked decline Im talking about is longlasting and definite. And I think the very large majority of people who live in Kosovo of all backgrounds want this as well.
'Serbs causing a disproportionate amount of the problem. '
LOL - But Im sure you're right, its those dastardly Serbs again to blame, they should stay indoors more and then the attack statistic will be further reduced!
(Sometimes I wonder I really do.)
There was a prog on a few nights back on RTS about Kosovo. It was very interesting, one of the participants was Goran Svilanovic and the other was a DSS guy also born in Kosovo.
I was pleasantly shocked at how grown up the discussion was.
Adding to LtC. As told in the UN press release, even the 12 crimes are suspected of being ethnically motivated, or as UNMIK put it, "ethnic motivation has not been ruled out."
BgAnon,
How do you explain the fact that Serbs refuse to join the police force?
NY its not Dardinias fault. You did say Christian and by definition that includes catholics, protestants, orthodox.
Kristian, warchild I would say the reason why Serbs havent joined the police force is similar to the reasons why Kosovo Albanians didnt vote in federal elections.
I respected their decision at the time, even though many of those in the Serbian opposition couldnt believe that Kosovo Albanians wouldnt try to join them in toppling Sloba who was doing harm to Serb and Albanian interests.
So, if a Serb refuses to join the police force it is his decision. One might be tempted to say if he doesnt its his fault if the consequences are bad. Thats also what some Serbs said when Kosovo Albanians didnt join them in voting Milosevic out.
The Albanian answer would be repression against them in Kosovo.
The Serbian answer today would be similar.
But, yes I agree with you Kristian that Belgrade could have done more. If it had been my choice I would have, I think there was even scope for this behind the scenes at such a late stage as the mid 90's.
But political cowards never have the courage to do the difficult thing do they?
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