Ambassador Khalilzad's Comments at UNMIK Session
January 16, 2008

AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Mr. President.

For two reasons, in my contribution today, I will not enter into a debate on final status for Kosovo.

First, we have agreed to focus on the UNMIK report. Second, we have had our debate, and our respective positions are known -- in other words, we have been there and done that. We regret that Belgrade and Pristina were not able to reach agreement; we all know that the Council was and is blocked on the matter.

I would like to welcome President Tadic; we have listened to him with respect. I would also like to welcome Prime Minister Thaci.

I would like to thank Special Representative Joachim Ruecker for his presentation. Mr. Ruecker and his team at UNMIK have done an extraordinary job in Kosovo under challenging circumstances.

I would like to make five points today.

First, there is still much the international community can do to help Kosovo become a more secure, democratic, and well-governed society. The United States is encouraged by the "steady progress in all substantive areas of standards implementation" outlined by the Secretary General in his recent report, and we stand ready to do our part to help sustain and accelerate Kosovo’s progress.

Second, we congratulate the people of Kosovo for the successful conduct of the November parliamentary and municipal elections.

We strongly agree with the Secretary General's assessment that the free and fair conduct of elections that have taken place since the United Nations began to administer Kosovo in 1999 demonstrates the increasing maturity of Kosovo's new democratic institutions. We also congratulate the new Kosovo government, represented here by Prime Minister Thaci, on their formation and for including Kosovo Serbs and minorities in ministerial positions.

I note with concern both that Belgrade called upon Kosovo Serbs to boycott the November elections and reports on incidents of intimidation and pressure against those Serbs who did want to participate.

President Tadic -- I know that we differ on what needs to happen in Kosovo, but the United States looks forward to working with Serbia to build a strong relationship. I also want to take this opportunity to urge your government to lift its opposition to Serbs who want to participate in Kosovo's democratic institutions. There are Kosovo Serbs who want to work with the international community and the Government of Kosovo. Belgrade's actions and support of parallel governance for Kosovo Serbs will only lead to the increasing marginalization of this community.

Third, I once again note with concern that Belgrade has recently opened an office of its government in northern Kosovo without UNMIK coordination or permission.

This action was a challenge to UNMIK's authority pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1244. It was also contrary to the pledge made by Belgrade not to engage in provocative acts. Such actions poison the atmosphere in Kosovo and ultimately undermine the interests of Kosovo Serbs.

Fourth, we join with the Secretary General in noting our concern that Kosovo's minorities are still subject to harassment, discrimination, and isolation.

We believe the Security Council must continue to support efforts to protect and promote multi-ethnicity in Kosovo, to ensure that the rights of Kosovo's minorities are fully protected, and to support their full integration into Kosovo's social and political life. We welcome Mr. Thaci's commitment to working on behalf of all Kosovo's communities.

Fifth, we welcome that the Secretary General, in his report, expressed a willingness to continue to assist Kosovo on the path toward sustainable stability.

Until the Security Council decides otherwise, Resolution 1244 will remain in effect.

We also welcome the European Union’s readiness to play an enhanced role in Kosovo. Because Europe is the region most affected by new instability in the Balkans, we applaud their willingness to assume greater responsibilities. In particular, we welcome the incorporation of the standards implementation process into the broader and more challenging process of Kosovo's European integration.

We also agree with the Secretary-General that the OSCE should continue to play an important role in Kosovo. The OSCE's work -- including democratization, institution building, and human rights monitoring -- is aimed primarily at ensuring the rights of Kosovo's minorities. A cessation of OSCE activity in Kosovo would hinder international efforts to build sustainable multi-ethnic institutions at all levels of Kosovo's government. We therefore call on the OSCE to continue its solid work.

Thank you.

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