Sources: UN to review UNMIK, EULEX

The UN is reviewing the possibility of legalizing the EU mission in Kosovo, while taking into account Russia's stand, Tanjug has learned at UN HQ in New York. Russia insists that UN SC Resolution 1244 must be respected. Sources: UN to review UNMIK, EULEX According to diplomats, the United Nations will not let the EU mission, EULEX, replace UNMIK after Kosovo's constitution takes effect on June 15, something the authorities is Pristina hope might happen. Diplomats from the most influential countries in the United Nations are holding discussions about the possibility of enabling the deployment of the EU mission in the province under the UN auspices. Tanjug was told that these were initial and informal talks. In this context, the United Nations points at a statement made by head of UN peacekeeping operations Jean-Marie Guehenno in Pristina two days ago that the UN Security Council holds talks with EU representatives to ensure peace and stability and implementation of Resolution 1244 in the province. According to the diplomatic sources at the United Nations, UN secretary-general's special representative in Kosovo-Metohija Joachim Ruecker, who according to Kosovo Serbs and Belgrade supports Kosovo's independence, might soon be replaced by another UN official. Meanwhile, Albanian language newspapers in Pristina say that the UN mission will remain in Kosovo after June 15, "but without present authorities". "The main role in Kosovo will belong to the International Civil Office headed by Peter Feith, and to the EU mission with authorities in the fields of police and judiciary, as well as to Kosovo institutions," daily Zeri said in its Monday issue. The newspaper reports, referring to Western diplomatic sources, that a recent meeting of representatives of five Western countries held in London decided that UNMIK's mandate "cannot automatically end after June 15". Diplomats of the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany have agreed that "UNMIK should stay in Kosovo for some time", and that "plans should be made for its joint action with the European Office, EULEX and Kosovo's government". According to the daily, however, the Western diplomats point out that "this does not mean that UNMIK will remain the top international authority", as it has been so far, under UN SC Resolution 1244.

Sources: UN to review UNMIK, EULEX

According to diplomats, the United Nations will not let the EU mission, EULEX, replace UNMIK after Kosovo's constitution takes effect on June 15, something the authorities is Priština hope might happen.

Diplomats from the most influential countries in the United Nations are holding discussions about the possibility of enabling the deployment of the EU mission in the province under the UN auspices.

Tanjug was told that these were initial and informal talks.

In this context, the United Nations points at a statement made by head of UN peacekeeping operations Jean-Marie Guehenno in Priština two days ago that the UN Security Council holds talks with EU representatives to ensure peace and stability and implementation of Resolution 1244 in the province.

According to the diplomatic sources at the United Nations, UN secretary-general's special representative in Kosovo-Metohija Joachim Ruecker, who according to Kosovo Serbs and Belgrade supports Kosovo's independence, might soon be replaced by another UN official.

Meanwhile, Albanian language newspapers in Priština say that the UN mission will remain in Kosovo after June 15, "but without present authorities".

"The main role in Kosovo will belong to the International Civil Office headed by Peter Feith, and to the EU mission with authorities in the fields of police and judiciary, as well as to Kosovo institutions," daily Zeri said in its Monday issue.

The newspaper reports, referring to Western diplomatic sources, that a recent meeting of representatives of five Western countries held in London decided that UNMIK's mandate "cannot automatically end after June 15".

Diplomats of the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany have agreed that "UNMIK should stay in Kosovo for some time", and that "plans should be made for its joint action with the European Office, EULEX and Kosovo's government".

According to the daily, however, the Western diplomats point out that "this does not mean that UNMIK will remain the top international authority", as it has been so far, under UN SC Resolution 1244.