Robertson Underlines NATO Commitment to Kosovo
27/06/2003
The North Atlantic Council arrived in Pristina on Thursday to underscore the alliance's commitment to the province, and to stress that Kosovo may be ready for change.
By Seremb Gjergji for Southeast European Times in Pristina - 27/06/03
NATO Secretary General George Robertson visited Pristina on Thursday (26 June), with North Atlantic Council (NAC) members and seven who will join NATO in 2004. Robertson said NATO would not be satisfied until a multiethnic society is established in the Serbian province. Much time and effort has been put into making Kosovo a more democratic place and the international community is expecting results.
"We are here to underline NATO's commitment to Kosovo and our determination to finish the job and to provide security and safety for the people of Kosovo," Robertson said.
There is strong support for the work done by the Kosovo institutions, but at the same time, the NAC is asking for more responsibility.
"I am very impressed with the progress in Kosovo, but there is still much to be done. A great achievement has been done in fulfilling the standards, but it is still too early to talk about the future status of Kosovo. First you have to fulfill all the standards put forward by UNMIK," said US Ambassador to NATO Nicholas Burns. "Let me just say from the NATO and US perspective, our commitment to Kosovo is very clear. We are committed that NATO stays here and to have the presence of KFOR and our American troops so they can secure a safe environment in Kosovo."
UNMIK chief Michael Steiner briefed the delegation on the political situation in Kosovo. "We are very much encouraged that the highest body of NATO and its secretary general support our policy for the direct talks with Serbia," he said.
Roberston stressed that the people of Kosovo must oppose organised crime and extremism and promised that the alliance will remain committed to helping them. He said the international community was not prepared to give up Kosovo "to organised criminals and those who use brutality in the name of ethnic nationalism".
Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova and Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi expressed concern about security and the economy. "We support a multiethnic Kosovo," they said in the meeting with the NAC delegation. "A zero tolerance against crime is our main policy and responsibility."
For his part, Robertson urged Kosovo to start a dialogue with Belgrade on technical and practical issues as soon as possible.
NATO may reduce the number of troops in Kosovo, he said, but "we would still maintain the robust military presence here and back up UNMIK and the job that it is doing."
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