Security Council calls on 'all women and men of Kosovo' to vote in elections

Applauding the role played by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in advance of the election in Kosovo, the Security Council this morning called upon all women and men of the province to take part in the vote on 17 November.

In a statement read out in an open meeting of the Council by its current President, Ambassador Patricia Durrant of Jamaica, the 15-member body welcomed the helpful role played by Yugoslav President Vodislav Kostunica, his Government and that of the Republic of Serbia, in recommending Kosovo Serb participation in the elections. The Kosovo Serbs' vote, the Council said, would allow them to help shape the province's multi-ethnic future.

The statement also welcomed the signing by the UN mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and Belgrade on 5 November of a Common Document, which was consistent with Security Council resolution 1244 and the Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self-Government in the province.

The Council encouraged the further development of a constructive dialogue between UNMIK and Yugoslav authorities, emphasizing the responsibility of the provisional institutions of self-government and all concerned to fully respect the final status of resolution 1244. It also underlined its continued commitment to the full implementation of that resolution, which it said remained the basis for building Kosovo's future.

Today's action by the Council follows its 5 October statement urging all Kosovars to vote and calling on the province's leaders to publicly condemn violence and ethnic intolerance.