Top UN official in Kosovo welcomes Yugoslav remarks on elections

The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) today reacted positively to a reported statement by the leadership of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia advising Kosovo Serbs to register for the upcoming elections.

"This is good news," said Simon Haselock, a spokesman for Hans Haekkerup, who heads the UN mission. "Mr. Haekkerup would like to welcome President Kostunica's remarks reported in the press that he and the Serbian Government would recommend to Kosovo Serbs that they should register as voters for the Kosovo elections."

While noting that President Kostunica's statement was not a commitment to recommend that Kosovo Serbs participate in the 17 November elections, Mr. Haekkerup felt that an encouragement to register helped to keep their options open, the spokesman said. He stressed that from UNMIK's point of view, all Kosovo citizens should fully participate in the elections.