Kosovo premier gets official invitation to travel to UN

Text of report by Kosovo Albanian television KohaVision TV on 9 June

[Announcer] Kosova [Kosovo] Prime Minister Agim Ceku has received an official invitation to travel to New York together with UNMIK [UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo] chief Soeren Jessen-Petersen. Jessen-Petersen will be reporting to the UN Security Council on the progress made in the implementation of Standards [set for Kosovo by international community] in Kosova. The head of the international administration said the decision on local elections would be taken after consultations with [UN special envoy for Kosovo status talks] Martti Ahtisaari and that before he takes the decision he would take as a basis Kosova's interests, which is resolution of the status during this year.

[Reporter Xhemajl Rexha] While in New York, Kosova Prime Minister Agim Ceku will be meeting representatives of the five countries that are permanent members of the Security Council. Jessen-Petersen will be reporting before this UN body on the progress made in the fulfilment of the Standards. His report will come before Martti Ahtisaari's report on the continuation of negotiations. In their weekly meeting Soeren Jessen-Petersen and Agim Ceku discussed the government's decision to take over responsibility for the transport of minorities.

[Soeren Jessen-Petersen, in English with Albanian voiceover] I welcome the fact that the government will be taking over the transport of minorities, on the other hand, I hope that the shameful acts of throwing stones at buses will stop, because they are not in Kosova's interests.

[Reporter] The Kosovo premier asked the UNMIK administration for support in a number of fields in order to accomplish successfully the 13 priorities set by the Contact Group.

[Agim Ceku] There are many fields where UNMIK can help us, especially in the field of return, reconstruction of homes, the issue of missing persons, property agency and many other issues, where UNMIK's participation and contribution is necessary.

[Reporter] Jessen-Petersen also met the Democratic Party of Kosova [PDK] leader Hashim Thaci to discuss the future of local elections. He said the position of the PDK, as the second biggest political force in the country, is very important, yet, according to him, the decision should be in the best interests of Kosova.

[Soeren Jessen-Petersen] I see my job right now as doing whatever I can to support the status process, definition of status within 2006, because this is an issue that determines everything. My decision will be based in Kosova's best interest and for this I will consult Ahtisaari as well.

[Reporter] The body that voiced its disagreement with the postponement of the local elections most is the Ora Reformist Party.

Source: KohaVision TV, Pristina, in Albanian 1700 gmt 9 Jun 06