Kosovo citizens see outgoing UNMIK chief as best international leader

Text of report by Kosovo Albanian television KohaVision TV on 12 June

[Announcer] During the two years of his mission in Kosova [Kosovo] the UNMIK [United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo] Chief Soeren Jessen-Petersen has created the image of a cooperative administrator who was determined. He insisted constantly to find a resolution on Kosova's status as soon as possible and encouraged institutional and party leaders, as well as Kosova people, to work in accomplishing their dream for independence. Who is he, and what did he do in Kosova, let us hear the report:

[Reporter, Xhemajl Rexha] The stereotype [among Kosovo nationals] of a cold Scandinavian has not changed, but this is not true about the Danish Soeren Jessen-Petersen. He was nominated at the post of UNMIK chief on 16 August 2004 and he managed to improve the image of UNMIK and the post he was holding. This is best illustrated by a UNDP poll: on March 2004, when the riots took place, the approval rate for UNMIK fell to 25 per cent, whereas for its chief to 30 per cent; only a year later, in March 2005, UNMIK chief Soeren Jessen-Petersen enjoyed much popularity with an approval rate over 80 per cent. This was the record support for an UNMIK chief administrator.

Jessen-Petersen stood out for his close ties and good cooperation with institutional and party leaders as well as Kosova minorities. During his mission he dealt with two presidents and four prime ministers. He made efforts to raise the consciousness among the citizens and the leaders to build a democratic and multi-ethnic Kosova with a good future. During his time he visited many Kosova villages and towns and spoke to the people about the importance of the Standards [set for Kosovo by international community]. On 24 October 2005, when the UN Security Council approved the beginning of Kosova status talks, Jessen-Petersen reported before the Council about Kosova government's efforts to secure a safe and secure environment for all.

In many of his declarations Jessen-Petersen said he hoped that the dream of the majority would be fulfilled. In a single case in Decan [Decane] he also mentioned independence, something he hesitated to talk about today. Not everyone liked the Dane; Self-Determination Movement activists protested in front of his offices several times and even blocked the entrance to the mission he will lead for another three weeks. Jessen-Petersen called the activists of the movement enemies to Kosova's independence.

Jessen-Petersen is leaving at a very important time, when talks on final status are expected to start soon. According to him things are moving in the right direction because, according to him, the status quo is intolerable. Before coming to Kosova he served as an assistant to the High Commissioner for Refugees and as a special envoy of the EU in Shkup [Skopje, Macedonia] until 2004. He is a jurist and a trained journalist. He has a number of publications. His family, wife and four children, live in Washington. He also said he would write a book part of which would be dedicated to Kosova.

Source: KohaVision TV, Pristina, in Albanian 1700 gmt 12 Jun 06