Statement by H.E. Mr. Yoshifumi Okamura
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Security Council Briefing on the United Nations Interim
Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)
29 February 2016
Mr. President,
Let me first express my gratitude to the Secretary-General’s Special Representative Mr. Zahir Tanin for his comprehensive and insightful briefing. I also welcome First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Serbia, Mr. Ivica Dačić and Ambassador Vlora Çitaku to the Security Council.
Mr. President,
Immediately after the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) was established in June, 1999, I personally served the mission in Pristina. My office was next to that of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Bernard Kouchner—perhaps Mr. Tanin is now using the same office in Pristina. It was a very difficult time, and we were almost at a loss in the face of numerous challenges. Moreover, at that time UNMIK did not have a clear perspective on Kosovo’s future. The major concerns were (i)whether democracy would be restored in Kosovo and (ii)whether reconciliation among Kosovar people could be achieved.
In October, 2000, after overcoming so many challenges, the first local election was conducted in Kosovo with the assistance of the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. I was encouraged to see people waiting for more than half a day—due to the very bad organization of the election-- amid rain to cast their votes. I was very much struck by the strength of the Kosovar people’s aspiration to democracy. They wore traditional clothing in celebration of the democratic process.
Sixteen years have passed since then. I am glad that democracy has been taking root in Kosovo. I congratulate Mr. Hashim Thaçi on being elected President. However, a recent series of disruptions in the proceedings of the Kosovar Assembly by opposition parties using violence run counter to the Kosovar people’s determination for democracy. It is of grace concern that tear gas was sprayed inside the Assembly during Presidential election last Friday. My delegation urges those responsible to refrain from using any violence and strongly hopes that the Assembly will be normalized expeditiously.
Mr. President,
The reconciliation between two ethnic groups in Kosove is critical for its future as well as the Western Balkans region. In this regard, I welcome the continued dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. We welcome the most recent meeting between Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić under the facilitation of the European Union on 7 February.
When I served in Kosovo, there was no such dialogue. It was almost impossible to travel between Belgrade and Pristina by car at that time. I hear that people now cross the border freely.
I encourage both Serbian and Kosovar authorities to redouble efforts to sort out their differences and normalize their relations through continued dialogue. I recall being on the bridge in Mitrovica crossing the Ibar River on New Year’s Eve in 1999. UNMIK was organizing the millennium ceremony on the bridge, and representatives of the different ethnic groups—Kosovar Albanians, Kosovar Serbs—were all together. In that ceremony, everybody promised that they would walk together for the future of Kosovo. I earnestly invite all political leaders in Kosovo to remember that speech. I have faith in the people in Kosovo, their readiness and strong determination for democracy, and their belief in a better future.
I thank you, Mr. President.
