Protest over UNMIK downsizing plans

Serbia has lodged a letter of complaint with the UN Security Council over announcements that the budget for the UN mission in Kosovo, UNMIK, would be cut. The protest also concerns a planned reduction in personnel numbers of the mission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed today in Belgrade, according to Tanjug news agency. Protest over UNMIK downsizing plans Serbia believes that in case UNMIK's budget and personnel numbers were to be downsized, the mission's ability to administer the province and implement the Belgrade-UN six-point plan would be jeopardized. The letter was sent to the presiding ambassador of the UN Security Council for the month of March, Mexico's representative Claude Heller. Belgrade has asked the Security Council to undertake appropriate steps to stabilize the situation concerning UNMIK and make sure that the mission's mandate is implemented in line with UNSCR 1244, adopted in June 1999. Any failure to secure funds for the rule of law in the budget proposal is a cause for serious concern, primarily since EU mission in Kosovo, EULEX, is expected to be status-neutral and subordinate to UNMIK, the letter said. It also noted that the draft budget does not set aside money to implement the six-point plan, agreed on by the UN secretary-general and the Republic of Serbia's highest officials. The Serb demand was supported by Russia. According to the Russian media, Moscow's ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, said that UNMIK budget and personnel cuts would bring into question compliance with the Security Council resolutions and international law in general.

Protest over UNMIK downsizing plans

Serbia believes that in case UNMIK's budget and personnel numbers were to be downsized, the mission's ability to administer the province and implement the Belgrade-UN six-point plan would be jeopardized.

The letter was sent to the presiding ambassador of the UN Security Council for the month of March, Mexico's representative Claude Heller.

Belgrade has asked the Security Council to undertake appropriate steps to stabilize the situation concerning UNMIK and make sure that the mission's mandate is implemented in line with UNSCR 1244, adopted in June 1999.

Any failure to secure funds for the rule of law in the budget proposal is a cause for serious concern, primarily since EU mission in Kosovo, EULEX, is expected to be status-neutral and subordinate to UNMIK, the letter said.

It also noted that the draft budget does not set aside money to implement the six-point plan, agreed on by the UN secretary-general and the Republic of Serbia's highest officials.

The Serb demand was supported by Russia. According to the Russian media, Moscow's ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, said that UNMIK budget and personnel cuts would bring into question compliance with the Security Council resolutions and international law in general.