Security Council consultations on the Situation in Kosovo

Statement by Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations (18th March, 2004)

Thank you Mr. President for convening today’s meeting on the situation in Kosovo. We are grateful for the presence of the Secretary-General and his eloquent statement to the Council. We welcome the participation of Foreign Ministers Fischer of Germany and Svilanovic of Serbia and Montenegro in this meeting.

Mr. President,

  1. Pakistan condemns the violence in Mitrovica (Mitro-vit-sa) and other parts of Kosovo in the strongest terms, especially the loss of human life including the deaths of innocent children. We also condemn the attacks against UNMIK and KFOR personnel and against religious sites, and demand that they be stopped. Like others, we call for legal investigations to ascertain the origins of these alarming events and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
  2. Pakistan supports the efforts of SRSG Holkeri and the calls made by the Secretary-General to help restore clam and stability.
  3. The disturbing events underscore the urgent need to uphold the rule of law, ensure proper security for all ethnic communities, and to bring to justice all those involved in criminal acts. We join others in urging all the people of Kosovo to work through the recognized legitimate channels – including UNMIK and the Provisional Institutions – to address their grievances. We also agree that the establishment of a multi-ethnic, tolerant, democratic and peaceful society in Kosovo remains a fundamental objective, in the implementation of resolution 1244.

Mr. President,

  1. The present disturbances are the worst that Kosovo has experienced since 1999. We must reflect deeply on the reasons. We must evaluate whether our approach so far required any adjustment. We must note the perception brought to our attention today, that the international community is not being seen in Kosovo as taking credible steps toward final stages of a durable solution.
  2. Our fundamental aim must be to address the root causes of the tensions and conflict in Kosovo. In this regard, I wish to conclude by offering some observations on what steps should be taken to address the challenge at hand, which I would like to leave for the Council’s consideration.

    3. First: There is a need to press all parties to rein in their respective extremists and to ensure that such violence – especially against innocent civilians – will no longer be tolerated.
    Second: to intensify security efforts against these elements as well as organized crime – which feeds all the extremists – including as far as possible the securing of Kosovo’s borders; and
    Third: to seriously prepare the ground for a peaceful, legal, and democratically rooted process of resolving Kosovo’s final status. Without this, the solution to the problems in Kosovo might continue to remain elusive.

I thank you Mr. President