Raskovic-Ivic: Project for multiethnic Kosovo a complete failure

Radio Television Serbia, Belgrade, Thursday, September 21, 2006 12:40

Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija president Sanda Raskovic-Ivic said that during a visit to Prizren and the Sarski district she saw for herself that there are no refugee returns and the restoration of church buildings is proceeding very slowly. Raskovic-Ivic said that it was a confirmation that "the project for a multiethnic Kosovo proscribed by the international community is a complete failure, and practically does not exist".

"Sixteen Serbs returned to Prizren, and about 20 others never left it. That means a total of some 30 plus people, and not the several thousand UNMIK officials talks about," said Raskovic-Ivic.

She said that in conversation with the few remaining Serbs in Prizren she learned that they are exposed to horrendous isolation and all kinds of abuse, psychological and physical. Raskovic-Ivic also said that she saw for herself that the restoration of church and cultural heritage is going extremely slowly.

"Only one church is being properly restored. Work on Bogorodica Ljeviska [the Holy Virgin of Ljevis] has begun but you can't see it. The old Serbian quarter in Prizren is still destroyed, torched and neglected," she said.

The Coordinating Center president also pointed out the problem of illegal construction, which she said is blooming in Brezovica, even though that region has been proclaimed a national park.

She announced that tomorrow she would continue her visit of the Sarski district where she will be visiting several villages and speaking with returnees. A visit with the monks of Holy Archangels is also planned. Raskovic-Ivic added that on Friday she will be visiting the villages of Metohija, returning to Belgrade on Saturday.