UN envoy says Kosovo progress "disappointing"

ADN KRONOS INTERNATIONAL (ITALY) 28-Jul-05 12:31

Pristina, 28 July (AKI) - The UN envoy to Kosovo has said he is disappointed with the situation in the province, which has been under UN control since 1999, and that "additional progress" was needed before the talks on the final status of Kosovo could begin. Kai Eide, is expected to submit a report to the Security Council and to UN secretary general Kofi Annan in September on implementation of the human rights and democratic standards set by the international community as a precondition for the talks.

In an interview to Swiss news organization ISN Security Watch, Eide said some progress has been achieved in creating a legal framework in Kosovo, but he voiced a disappointment with slow return of refugees and general security situation.

"Frankly, I wish I had seen more progress and more maturity by the Kosovo leaders", said the Norwegian diplomat. In his words, the basic need was to create a political environment which would stimulate the return of refugees. "I don't think that it exists in Kosovo", he added.

Over 200.000 Serbs and other non-Albanians have fled Kosovo since 1999, and remaining demands independence. Ethnic Albanians, who make up a 1.7 million majority, want independence for the former Yugoslav province.

Eide evaded a question on what action he would recommend to the Secretary-General and the Security Council, but said that "in this phase additional progress is needed".