Friday, June 09, 2006

UNMIK chief says Self-Determination Movement's rally not in Kosovo's interest

Text of report in English by independent internet news agency KosovaLive

Prishtina [Pristina], 9 June: The head of UNMIK [UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo] Soeren Jessen-Petersen said today that the enemies of independence will be very happy when they see the protests of the Self-Determination Movement on the streets of Prishtina, while Prime Minister Agim Ceku said that at this crucial time all should be responsible not to prolong the process of Kosova's independence.

Jessen-Petersen and Ceku made those comments at a meeting which was held during the time of police interventions against protestors.

"I simply do not understand what these people (Self-Determination Movement protesters) are doing. I think they are lost. I think they are misguided and clearly they are not working in the interest of Kosova," he [unspecified] said.

"The enemies of independence must be very happy with what is happening in front of UNMIK HQ. We do not need anything that will distract attention from the status process," he said.

Jessen-Petersen said that UNMIK is doing its job in helping the people and the institutions of Kosova. He also said that he feels proud of the job UNMIK has been doing in Kosova.

Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 9 Jun 06

2 comments:

Wim Roffel said...

To: AlbanianThrough&Through
95% of the population must be allowed self-determination

With the last count it was 85% Albanians. Or do you want to legalize the ethnic cleansing since then?

Albin Kurti with his Vetëvendosje looks like a classical fascist organisation to me with the typical mix of hate mongering and violence. Kosovo will be regretting that they have given him room for his excesses long after it has become independent.

Bg anon said...

Well I dont usually agree with Petersen but his comments ring true. Of course his primary concern is to serve the majority population.

Yes the internationals are a corrupt bunch, yes they are a pain in the rear sometimes, yes they can be arrogant and encourage prostitution or worse.

But as I said before the only real chance of stopping Kosovo(a - as it will be) independence is if the Albanians completely turn on UNMIK and the other internationals. Kurti is doing a fine job in attaining this dubious goal from an Albanian perspetive.

If I were a conspiracy theories I might even think that he is on the payroll of the Serbian security services. But I dont think its that, the guy is a real extremist I think - suffering from a Communist mindset hangover, as many in the region do.

Actually I dont think this is all bad from a Albanian perspective. Kurtis actions may have the effect of waking up Albanians who may sympathise but realise that that form of extremism can only lose international friends. And the name of the game is to make as many international friends as possible.