Galluci back in Kosovo, Albanians unhappy

UNMIK says it expects "continued cooperation" between its K. Mitrovica administrator and local Albanians. One of the UN mission's spokesmen, Gyorgy Kakuk, said Thursday that continued cooperation is expected from southern Kosovska Mitrovica municipal head Bajram Rexhepi. Galluci back in Kosovo, Albanians unhappy The comment came after Rexhepi's announcement that he will "break all contacts with UNMIK Regional Administrator Gerard Galluci". Kosovska Mitrovica is a town in northern Kosovo divided by the Ibar River to its northern, mostly-Serb inhabited, and southern, Albanian parts. "UNMIK does not comment on media reports," Kakuk told Tanjug, but it "continues to maintain that the best way for ensuring peace and stability, as well as the integrity of Kosovo, is through dialogue and cooperation with all local authorities". "This naturally includes also Mayor Rexhepi, who is highly appreciated by UNMIK and with whom very positive relations have been maintained so far," the spokesman said. Rexhepi yesterday announced he would sever all relations with Gallucci, "because he is an obstacle to the implementation of legality in Kosovska Mitrovica". "The United Nations New York Headquarters can send Galluci back to work," Rexhepi told reporters yesterday, but added that he would not cooperate with this regional administrator. According to Rexhepi, Galluci was opposed to the UNMIK and KFOR action carried out on March 17, when these forces stormed a court building in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica, to arrest the Serbian judiciary workers protesting there. But this led to rioting and the death of one UNMIK policeman, a serious wounding of a Serb, and the injuring of more than 130 people on both sides. Galluci submitted a strongly critical report in the wake of the violence, and tendered in his resignation. But it was not accepted at the UN New York headquarters, and Galluci Wednesday resumed his duties as the regional UNMIK administrator.

Galluci back in Kosovo, Albanians unhappy

The comment came after Rexhepi's announcement that he will "break all contacts with UNMIK Regional Administrator Gerard Galluci".

Kosovska Mitrovica is a town in northern Kosovo divided by the Ibar River to its northern, mostly-Serb inhabited, and southern, Albanian parts.

"UNMIK does not comment on media reports," Kakuk told Tanjug, but it "continues to maintain that the best way for ensuring peace and stability, as well as the integrity of Kosovo, is through dialogue and cooperation with all local authorities".

"This naturally includes also Mayor Rexhepi, who is highly appreciated by UNMIK and with whom very positive relations have been maintained so far," the spokesman said.

Rexhepi yesterday announced he would sever all relations with Gallucci, "because he is an obstacle to the implementation of legality in Kosovska Mitrovica".

"The United Nations New York Headquarters can send Galluci back to work," Rexhepi told reporters yesterday, but added that he would not cooperate with this regional administrator.

According to Rexhepi, Galluci was opposed to the UNMIK and KFOR action carried out on March 17, when these forces stormed a court building in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica, to arrest the Serbian judiciary workers protesting there.

But this led to rioting and the death of one UNMIK policeman, a serious wounding of a Serb, and the injuring of more than 130 people on both sides.

Galluci submitted a strongly critical report in the wake of the violence, and tendered in his resignation.

But it was not accepted at the UN New York headquarters, and Galluci Wednesday resumed his duties as the regional UNMIK administrator.