[news] UNSG Annan criticises Kosovo institutions on standardsimplementation

[ANTIC.org-SNN]

UNSG Annan criticises Kosovo institutions on standards implementation    Under the headline Delays in standards can postpone resolution of final status, Koha Ditore carries as the leading front-page story the latest political report on Kosovo done by the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. According to the paper, the report speaks of delays in the implementation of standards after the start of status negotiations, except for the standards on the Kosovo Protection Corps and the protection of property.   “While I welcome preparations on the process of future status, I am very concerned about delays in most areas of standards implementation. The implementation of standards by the political and institutional leaders is an obligation toward the people of Kosovo. I strongly call on Kosovar leaders to enliven their efforts in order to ensure a substantial progress in standards implementation,” UNSG Annan is quoted as saying.   According to Koha Ditore, the 8-page political report also criticises the functioning of the Kosovo Assembly and calls for more democratic debate. The report also criticises delays in the appointment of members of the anti-corruption agency.   SG Annan said that demonstration of progress in main areas of standards implementation, such as returns, dialogue and decentralisation, can contribute and reduce tensions between the communities. Annan also said that Belgrade authorities must encourage Kosovo Serbs to constructively participate in the provisional institutions of self-government in Kosovo, especially on practical issues.   In his report, Annan also called for direct meetings at a higher political and technical level between Pristina and Belgrade, in order to advance the political process.   Koha Ditore notes that despite the critical approach toward most areas of standards implementation, the report however also brings about the positive sides. “On the positive side, jobs have been created for minorities in the Central Government and the Kosovo Protection Corps.”   The report also said that work in the reconstruction and preservation of Serb cultural heritage has continued and has become one key point of contact between the provisional institutions and Serb representatives.   Commenting on the issue, Koha Ditore editor-in-chief Agron Bajrami notes: “Kofi Annan’s criticism is a warning that delays of processes by the Kosovars can cause a change in the international position vis-à-vis Kosovo, which would not annul the building of the international consensus for giving Kosovo ‘conditional independence’, but could go in favour of conditions in damage of independence.”