UNMIK to reduce staff, won’t close office

The UN mission in Kosovo, UNMIK, is planning to reduce the number of its staff, an Albanian language daily reports today. But UNMIK will not to close down the office in northern Kosovo at the end of June 2010, Koha Ditore writes. UNMIK to reduce staff, won’t close office The staff will be reduced in order to develop and adapt the mission to the situation on the ground, and it has nothing to do with the International Civilian Office (ICO) and the Kosovo government's planned strategy for north Kosovo, UNMIK spokesman Russell Geekie was quoted as saying. “We believe that UNMIK's office in the north plays an important part in smoothing over the relations between different communities. It is accepted by the local people and it is important to us that that there is no vacuum,” he said. Geekie also confirmed that UNMIK would continue its work in the north after June of this year. “UNMIK will remain present in the north after the end of the fiscal year,” Geekie said, confirming that the mission will downsize personnel by 60 by that time.

UNMIK to reduce staff, won’t close office

The staff will be reduced in order to develop and adapt the mission to the situation on the ground, and it has nothing to do with the International Civilian Office (ICO) and the Kosovo government's planned strategy for north Kosovo, UNMIK spokesman Russell Geekie was quoted as saying.

“We believe that UNMIK's office in the north plays an important part in smoothing over the relations between different communities. It is accepted by the local people and it is important to us that that there is no vacuum,” he said.

Geekie also confirmed that UNMIK would continue its work in the north after June of this year.

“UNMIK will remain present in the north after the end of the fiscal year,” Geekie said, confirming that the mission will downsize personnel by 60 by that time.