New UN report paints mixed picture of Kosovo's Provisional Institutions

The record of achievements by Kosovo's Provisional Institutions is mixed, with progress apparently stalled in some areas, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in a new document made public today.

In a report to the Security Council on the activities of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), Mr. Annan calls for Kosovo's leaders and institutions to uphold the values of multi-ethnicity, tolerance and equal rights for all communities.

The Secretary-General notes that not all ethnic communities meaningfully participate in the Provisional Institutions - the presidency, the government and the Kosovo Assembly. He voices concern that the Assembly "is once again refusing to take into account legitimate minority concerns in the legislative process, [and is] over-stepping its competencies."

But Mr. Annan says he was encouraged by some progress, including the preparation and adoption of laws at the central and local levels of self-government.

Established in June 1999 following war in the province, UNMIK is an interim civilian administration led by the UN under which Kosovans can progressively enjoy greater autonomy.

UNMIK retains certain reserved powers in Kosovo, including control over security, foreign relations, minority rights protection and energy, until the province's final status is determined.

Mr. Annan observed that in November a mechanism was set up to review and measure the progress made by the Provisional Institutions towards the benchmarks required before any final decision on Kosovo's status can be made.

In another development, UNMIK customs officers today detected a large quantity of what is suspected to be heroin in the boot of a car leaving Kosovo for Albania.

The seized goods - the latest in a series of discoveries by UNMIK customs officers - have been transferred to the border police, with laboratory analysts set to determine the precise nature of the substance.