Kosovo: after talks with UN officials, NATO delegation warns against extremist violence

Following a briefing by the head of the United Nations mission in Kosovo, NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson and members of the North Atlantic Council today delivered a stern warning against any further activities by Albanian extremists in Kosovo, the FYR of Macedonia and Serbia's Presevo Valley.

During their visit in Pristina, Lord Robertson and representatives of the Council's 19 countries deplored the recent violence stressing that it undermined the international community's support for Kosovo's reconstruction and development.

According to the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) the NATO chief and the Council members met today with UNMIK officials and members of the Interim Administrative Council (IAC) and the Kosovo Transitional Council.

Lord Robertson said he had invited the head of UNMIK, Hans Haekkerup, and a delegation representing all Kosovo communities to visit Brussels on 26 April for further talks.

Briefing the visiting delegation, Mr. Haekkerup said elections would be held this year, and while there was "a question mark" about Kosovo Serb participation, there were indications that they would take part.