(30/11/05) International Crisis Group over Kosovo 7/2005

• 2006-01-11
• Europa in de wereld

UNSG Annan appointed Kai Eide special envoy for evaluating Kosovo’s implementation of democratic standards. UNMIK chief Soren Jessen-Petersen convened first long-delayed meeting of Political Forum, aimed at building consensus among Kosovo politicians for final status process. Tensions rose in Mitrovica after UN formally reopened symbolic bridge across river Ibar; Serbs maintained human blockade to deny Albanians entry to Serb-dominated North Mitrovica; clashes between demonstrators and nearby Albanian residents ensued 19 June. Controversial journalist for Bota Sot daily, Bardhyl Ajeti, died following shooting near Gnjilane 3 June. Former PM Ramush Haradinaj returned to Kosovo 8 June, granted pre-trial release by Hague tribunal. Efforts by “Serb List for Kosovo and Metohija” to persuade Serbian government to allow them to take up Kosovo Assembly seats agreed to by Serbia-Montenegro FM Vuk Draskovic but rejected by Serbian PM Kostunica’s adviser Prorokovic 23 June.

“Draskovic urges Kosovo Serbs to join province's institutions”, Southeast European Times, 29 June 2005.

“For Serbs, a slow road back to Kosovo”, Christian Science Monitor, 22 June 2005.

“Violence erupts in north Kosovo town”, International Herald Tribune (AP/Reuters), 20 June 2005.

For background see Crisis Group Europe Report N°163, Kosovo after Haradinaj, 26 May 2005.