Ruecker stepping down as UNMIK chief

Joachim Ruecker has announced that he will be leaving the post of UNMIK chief. The new UNMIK chief will be named by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Pristina media report that Ruecker will be leaving Kosovo in late June, along with his deputy Larry Rossin. Ruecker stepping down as UNMIK chief UNMIK has yet to confirm the news, but well-informed diplomatic sources say that Ruecker and Rossin’s departures are nigh on certain, and that they are just awaiting final consultations with UN headquarters in New York, before a new UNMIK chief is appointed. Ruecker did not want to comment on the rumor on Monday, though he did invite journalists to a farewell party at one of Pristina's top restaurants. Media portray Ruecker as the last UNMIK chief with such extensive powers, akin to those of a sovereign. There is still a lot of work to be done in relations between UNMIK, the Kosovo government and the European Union, but it is certain that since the Kosovo constitution took effect, the UN mission has been scaling down its operations, adjusting to the new situation. Rucker confirmed this, stating that "as long as Resolution 1244 is valid, the United Nations will play a role in Kosovo. That is clear and is referred to in the secretary general’s letter. But, we will adapt to the change of circumstances." By the looks of things, the first step in this adaptation will be the departures of the most senior UNMIK officials.

Ruecker stepping down as UNMIK chief

UNMIK has yet to confirm the news, but well-informed diplomatic sources say that Ruecker and Rossin’s departures are nigh on certain, and that they are just awaiting final consultations with UN headquarters in New York, before a new UNMIK chief is appointed.

Ruecker did not want to comment on the rumor on Monday, though he did invite journalists to a farewell party at one of Priština's top restaurants.

Media portray Ruecker as the last UNMIK chief with such extensive powers, akin to those of a sovereign.

There is still a lot of work to be done in relations between UNMIK, the Kosovo government and the European Union, but it is certain that since the Kosovo constitution took effect, the UN mission has been scaling down its operations, adjusting to the new situation.

Rucker confirmed this, stating that "as long as Resolution 1244 is valid, the United Nations will play a role in Kosovo. That is clear and is referred to in the secretary general’s letter. But, we will adapt to the change of circumstances."

By the looks of things, the first step in this adaptation will be the departures of the most senior UNMIK officials.