UN envoy urges Kosovo to take the high road towards peace in 2004

Declaring that Kosovo is at a crossroads in its history, the senior United Nations envoy to the province today urged its people to choose the peaceful, democratic path taken by the nations of Central and Eastern Europe after the end of the Cold War.

Harri Holkeri, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Kosovo, told an Orthodox New Year reception in Kosovo's capital, Pristina, that the alternative is "the low road of perpetual conflict, corruption and organized crime."

The envoy cited the examples of many of Kosovo's regional neighbours as the model for the province to follow.

"Fifteen years after the largely peaceful revolutions that ended totalitarian rule, these societies now are on the verge of joining the European Union," he said.

Mr. Holkeri said that while Kosovo is clearly a safer place than it was a year ago, anger and intolerance continue to simmer just below the surface - noting a drive-by shooting at the weekend that prompted clashes between Serb and Albanian villagers.

The envoy said the task of the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) is to help locals prepare the province, which has been under UN administration since June 1999, for the resolution of its future status - and then to leave.

But he said this would not work unless Kosovo meets many challenges during 2004, including holding fair parliamentary elections, ensuring the rule of law, promoting multi-ethnicity, encouraging dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, and establishing an effective market economy.

"The minority communities must feel safe and secure," he added. "Returnees must not feel threatened."

Mr. Holkeri also reiterated the importance of implementing and adhering to the province's recently elaborated set of formal standards, designed to prepare Kosovo for the eventual decision on its future status.