Russia, China back UN-led organ trafficking probe

Russia's UN envoy has called on the Security Council to support Serbia's initiative for a Kosovo human organ trafficking probe under the auspices of the UN. At the same time, Vitaly Churkin expressed suspicions about the way the EU mission in Kosovo, EULEX, is handling its investigation. Russia, China back UN-led organ trafficking probe The case is question concerns allegations that ethnic Albanian KLA in 1999 and 2000 kidnapped Serb and other civilians in the province, illegally imprisoned them in northern Albania, and harvested their body parts to be sold in the black market. The case is also being investigated by the Serbian War Crimes Prosecution, and was the subject of a report submitted in late 201 by Council of Europe Rapporteur Dick Marty. "We are worried about the way EULEX is investigating the facts brought forth in Dick Marty's report on illicit trade in human organs in Kosovo," Churkin said at a session of the UN Security Session in New York today dedicated to the situation in Kosovo. He noted that Marty's report implicates "some incumbent Kosovo officials". The investigation must be impartial and instill confidence, which is why we ask that it be turned over the the UNSC, Churkin said. "Right now the investigation into the involvement of Kosovo leaders is being conducted by the countries which, in the past, have helped these people come to power in Kosovo," he added. "We know the United States has a leading role in the investigation and that, what a coincidence, an American citizen (Clint Williamson) is in charge," Churkin added. He said there was a conflict of interest in connection with the ongoing investigation, since former chief Hague Tribunal prosecutor Carla Del Ponte had pointed to problems she had with international presence in Kosovo during an investigation into illegal organ transplants. The Russian diplomat also talked about the bad situation in Kosovo when it comes to witness protection, which has been confirmed by the Council of Europe. "We call on UNSC member countries to support Serbia's proposal and set up an investigative mechanism under the auspices on the SC, which will guarantee neutrality," Churkin said. The Russian ambassador expressed suspicions about the neutrality of KFOR and EULEX, criticizing their treatment of a Russian humanitarian convoy sent to the northern part of Kosovo. Churkin noted that Serbs continued to leave Kosovo and do not feel protected, and assessed that these issues, of key importance to security in Kosovo, have been only partially considered in the report by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo, the U.S. deputy permanent representative to the UN, rejected as irresponsible and unfounded the allegations about the EULEX team investigating the organ trafficking allegations and the head of the team Clint Williamson being biased. The United States is encouraged by the progress in the dialog between Belgrade and Pristina and expects to see all the agreements implemented, she said. DiCarlo called for enabling freedom of movement throughout Kosovo and said that barricades were unacceptable. She welcomed the calls by Serbian President Boris Tadic to remove the roadblocks. The Chinese representative to the UN expressed "great concern" over the allegations of human organ trafficking in Kosovo, and said his country considered Serbia's concern to be justified. China supports the initiative for the United Nations to lead the investigation into the case. China "follows closely the developments in Kosovo, especially those in the northern part of the province, appealing to all sides to avoid any unilateral moves," said reports from New York, and added that this permanent Security Council member believed that solutions should be sought "within the framework of Resolution 1244 and based on a dialogue of the two sides". (Tanjug, file) Tanjug

Russia, China back UN-led organ trafficking probe

The case is question concerns allegations that ethnic Albanian KLA in 1999 and 2000 kidnapped Serb and other civilians in the province, illegally imprisoned them in northern Albania, and harvested their body parts to be sold in the black market.

The case is also being investigated by the Serbian War Crimes Prosecution, and was the subject of a report submitted in late 201 by Council of Europe Rapporteur Dick Marty.

"We are worried about the way EULEX is investigating the facts brought forth in Dick Marty's report on illicit trade in human organs in Kosovo," Churkin said at a session of the UN Security Session in New York today dedicated to the situation in Kosovo.

He noted that Marty's report implicates "some incumbent Kosovo officials".

The investigation must be impartial and instill confidence, which is why we ask that it be turned over the the UNSC, Churkin said.

"Right now the investigation into the involvement of Kosovo leaders is being conducted by the countries which, in the past, have helped these people come to power in Kosovo," he added.

"We know the United States has a leading role in the investigation and that, what a coincidence, an American citizen (Clint Williamson) is in charge," Churkin added.

He said there was a conflict of interest in connection with the ongoing investigation, since former chief Hague Tribunal prosecutor Carla Del Ponte had pointed to problems she had with international presence in Kosovo during an investigation into illegal organ transplants.

The Russian diplomat also talked about the bad situation in Kosovo when it comes to witness protection, which has been confirmed by the Council of Europe.

"We call on UNSC member countries to support Serbia's proposal and set up an investigative mechanism under the auspices on the SC, which will guarantee neutrality," Churkin said.

The Russian ambassador expressed suspicions about the neutrality of KFOR and EULEX, criticizing their treatment of a Russian humanitarian convoy sent to the northern part of Kosovo.

Churkin noted that Serbs continued to leave Kosovo and do not feel protected, and assessed that these issues, of key importance to security in Kosovo, have been only partially considered in the report by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo, the U.S. deputy permanent representative to the UN, rejected as irresponsible and unfounded the allegations about the EULEX team investigating the organ trafficking allegations and the head of the team Clint Williamson being biased.

The United States is encouraged by the progress in the dialog between Belgrade and Priština and expects to see all the agreements implemented, she said.

DiCarlo called for enabling freedom of movement throughout Kosovo and said that barricades were unacceptable. She welcomed the calls by Serbian President Boris Tadić to remove the roadblocks.

The Chinese representative to the UN expressed "great concern" over the allegations of human organ trafficking in Kosovo, and said his country considered Serbia's concern to be justified. China supports the initiative for the United Nations to lead the investigation into the case.

China "follows closely the developments in Kosovo, especially those in the northern part of the province, appealing to all sides to avoid any unilateral moves," said reports from New York, and added that this permanent Security Council member believed that solutions should be sought "within the framework of Resolution 1244 and based on a dialogue of the two sides".