Europe

Joachim Rücker

UN envoy to Kosovo condemns blast that damaged minister’s car

15 September 2006
The senior United Nations envoy to Kosovo strongly condemned an explosive attack today which damaged the car of the Minister of Internal Affairs but resulted in no injuries, saying the violence ran counter to the will of the province’s people, who are seeking peaceful change.

In Kosovo, senior UN official speaks out against violence

14 September 2006
Visiting a local community in Kosovo today, a senior United Nations official spoke out against violence in the province, which the world body has administered since western forces drove out Yugoslav troops in 1999.
Security Council

Integration is the answer for Kosovo’s Serbs, UN envoy tells Security Council

13 September 2006
The senior United Nations envoy in Kosovo today told the Security Council that integration, not isolation, is the answer for the minority Serb population, as the 15-member body met to discuss Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s latest report on the future status of the UN-run province.

Slovakia: UN agency assists asylum-seekers forced to flee burning refugee centre

12 September 2006
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is providing assistance to some 40 asylum seekers in Slovakia who were forced to flee a fire at a refugee reception centre.

Annan calls for ‘more flexibility’ from both sides in talks over Kosovo

12 September 2006
Expressing disappointment over the lack of common ground during the past few months of talks over the future of the United Nations-run province of Kosovo, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called for “more flexibility” from both the Serbian and Kosovo delegations, saying they need to show a spirit of compromise.
Antonio M. Costa

Sweden’s drug control policies model for other States – UN official

7 September 2006
The Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said today that Sweden’s successful drug control policies were a model which other countries could emulate.

Kosovo: UN envoy welcomes treatment for former residents of lead-polluted camps

1 September 2006
The senior United Nations envoy in Kosovo has welcomed the start of medical treatment to help internally displaced persons (IDPs) suffering from lead toxicity as a result of living in camps in the northern part of the disputed province.

In step forward, Kosovo Government takes over minority transportation from UN

31 August 2006
In a step forward towards fulfilling international goals for Kosovo, which the United Nations has administered since 1999, the world body has turned over responsibility for transportation services for minorities to the local Government.

UN Tribunal fines Croatian journalist for publishing confidential material

30 August 2006
The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has found a Croatian journalist guilty of contempt for publishing closed session transcripts and part of a witness statement.

Kosovo: UN official condemns grenade attack in Mitrovica

27 August 2006
A senior United Nations official in Kosovo has strongly condemned Saturday night's grenade attack in North Mitrovica, where nine civilians were injured when an explosive device was thrown at a local café bar.