Geneva 27 June 2002

Mr. Chairman,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Permit me at the outset to express my gratitude for the invitation extended to the Yugoslav delegation to participate in the work of the Working Group on Humanitarian Issues of the Peace Implementation Council.

Eleven years have elapsed since the first refugees affected by war operations in Croatia had sought refuge in Serbia. Since then, the number of refugees, war-affected and internally displaced persons has been on an ever increasing rise, never dropping below 700,000 - the figure registered in the first official refugee census conducted in 1996.

I believe you are acquainted with the humanitarian situation prevailing in my country which still shelters 377,131 refugees in Serbia and 14,500 in Montenegro, including over 280,00 internally displaced persons. In a period of initiated reforms in all spheres of life, such a humanitarian situation additionally burdens the existing serious economic situation, inherited from the past, that may be described as poverty and painful transition through which my country is going. A new strategy of transformation of humanitarian aid into development projects must take into consideration this situation too. It is certain that a long-term strategy must be directed towards development projects, but we cannot disregard the huge number of refugees and internally displaced persons still dependent on humanitarian aid.

Despite all these factual difficulties, the governments of the FRY and the Republic of Serbia are taking an energetic stand with regard to problems faced by refugees and internally displaced persons. However, without a proper financial assistance, our efforts shall remain but a list of wishes; such a wish may become the National Strategy for resolving the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons. I would like to take this opportunity and invite you to take part, today at 15,00 hours in the Palais des Nations, in the presentation of the document titled "Program of implementation of the Strategy for resolving the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons".

It should like to say but a few words with regard to documents prepared for this meeting. I believe that the situation in the field has been depicted in an impartial manner and that lines of action for further activities were formulated in a pragmatic manner. The only issue we cannot agree with is that the international community, UNMIK and UNHCR did not establish a proper framework for the issue related to the return of internally displaced persons; and after three years, time and patience demonstrated by internally displaced persons is running out.

We find it particularly important that these documents also highlight problems facing on a daily basis Serbs and other non-Albanian population who are under round the clock protection by KFOR and in a situation of constant fear of violence threat. It is true that the deployment of international forces on 12 June 199 put an end to the inexcusable persecution of ethnic Albanians, conceived and carried out by the Milosevic regime. It was a beginning of new life for the Albanians that they had longed for for years. But, concurrently, the inexcusable persecution and hardships began for ethnic Serbs, and those, who have been courageous enough to stay on their hearths, have had to suffer for sins they have never committed. We expect that, in compliance with provisions of the UNSC resolution 1244, they be guaranteed security, freedom of movement and right to normal life devoid of violence, uncertainty and fear. We are committed to the right to sustainable life and return that must not be impeded by whatever political interests. This is in accordance with our commitments, but indeed also based on all relevant international documents. Only in that manner will be achieved a commonly agreed goal - a multiethnic, multinational and multireligious Kosovo and Metohija. It is certain that such a concept can function provided the majority community demonstrates an appropriate degree of tolerance while the minority community accepts to integrate.

Allow me to recall that the governments of the FRY and the Republic of Serbia greatly contributed to the stabilization process in Kosovo and Metohija by taking an active commitment in the setting up of temporary organs of local self-governance in Kosovo and Metohija, by supporting Serbs and other non-Albanians to participate in elections and to engage in those bodies, an act considered by the international community as an important contribution to political stability in the region.

Dealing with the crisis in Southern Serbia, confronted with arms, violence, and extremism, we exercised prudence and solved the crisis peacefully, focusing on a number of confidence-building measures and cooperating closely with the international community. Of the total number of 12,500 of internally displaced persons, almost 10,000 ethnic Albanians have already returned to this part of our country. Our further activities are aimed at their integration into all spheres of social, political and economic life. Such an approach, based on establishing and strengthening of confidence brought about, for a brief time period, good results. I believe that it could prove to be a good model taking into consideration the specific nature of each region.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In Kosovo and Metohija, whatever the final solution might be, our desire is to have a strong and successful multiethnic society, like the one I have just described in Southern Serbia. We have been working hard to help this objective be achieved, as it will have a direct impact on the stability of the whole region. If we are not successful in creating a multi-ethnic society in Kosovo, the resulting turmoil and dislocation will have a dramatic, negative impact on the political situation in Yugoslavia and in the region as the whole. But as difficult and dangerous as it can be in the rest of the region, it in fact is just as bad or even worse for the future of Kosovo.

Believe me, for Kosovo to survive and flourish economically, it must have a positive, constructive relationship with the rest of Yugoslavia. Otherwise, it will continue in perpetuity to rely on the generosity of the international community.

Exactly two weeks ago, the people who live in Kosovo and Metohija marked the third anniversary of the entry of the international forces in the province. These have been three years of relief, joy, and freedom for some, three years of agony, fear, and tears for the others.

The non-Albanian property has been neither protected nor preserved. In most cases, if it has not been totally destroyed, it has been usurped by ethnic Albanians. In a few cases, certain groups of ethnic Albanians have made enormous profit from renting this property. In some cases even to international organizations!

I am deeply concerned about the situation in Mitrovica that is a consequence of existential concerns of the Serbs and a result of profound interethnic distrust. We have been working closely with UNMIK and the local Serb community in Mitrovica to resolve this issue. It is a long and sensitive process. The Serbs in this town fear and worry that the same that has happened to many of their friends and relatives throughout Kosovo and Metohija will happen to them, too. They fear and worry that they will be thrown out of their homes, that their lives and their way of life will be threatened. That is why solutions that come out of improvisation and pressure can bear no fruit. It takes time to build confidence among all parties, to make sustainable compromises, and to respect interests of all.

Some may say that you cannot improve the conditions that have deteriorated for a long time in a day or in a year. I do agree and it would be unfair to say that the current conditions are worse that those of the past. I genuinely and deeply respect the results that UNMIK and KFOR have achieved under very difficult circumstances. But so much more remains to be done. In November 2001 I signed with then SRSG Haekkerup a Common Document outlining how we would work together to improve the situation in Kosovo. Belgrade has demonstrated by the get-out-the vote-campaign and on the Kosovo Albanian prisoner issue, that we can play a positive role. I believe that the key to our common future is to fully implement that agreement with your support and assistance, in good faith, and with as much energy as possible. This includes making a major push this year on refugee return, confronting extremists on all sides and insisting that there be real freedom of movement throughout Kosovo, working hard to make the institutions work, and trying to account for the missing on both sides.

Finally, a word about the relationship today between Belgrade and the Kosovo Serbs. There is a theory advocated by many that the Kosovo Serbs must learn to live entirely within Kosovo and Metohija. That same theory seems to prejudge the future of the province, by the way, by ensuring that it would be totally independent of the rest of Yugoslavia.

The communities in Kosovo and Metohija have a long way to go to true democracy and genuine reconciliation. And only then can we speak about a final solution. We need to address these issues as efficiently as possible and as soon as possible and make major progress even this year. If we fail, the future of Kosovo will look bleak indeed.

The FR of Yugoslavia encourages a regional concept of solving problems related to return of refugees. With regard to that, we believe that to provide security environment is one of the key preconditions necessary to carry out the return and the recovery of property. In order to prove that fact we wish to point out that, for example, with such an evolution of events, 43% of the total number of refugees and internally displaced persons hosted in the FR of Yugoslavia returned to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I should like to draw your attention to a part of the Joint Statement by ministers for foreign affairs of states members of the Cooperation Process of South-East European countries, adopted at a meeting held in Belgrade on 19 June 2002, in which it is underscored that achievement of rights of refugees and internally displaced persons to return on a voluntary base to their homes requires close cooperation on an interstate level to the effect of strengthening security in the region.

At the end, I should like to emphasize that we believe it is particularly important to join processes initiated by the Stability Pact, that already developed a series of political initiatives to the effect of alleviating the process of economic recovery of South East Europe creating thus a political framework for the promotion and strengthening of regional cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

There is no doubt as to the commitment of countries in our region to join as soon as possible European integration flows. Of particular importance is the fact that this is also the commitment of the European Union. However, this process cannot be successful if, in addition to democratization and economic reforms, problems related to refugees and internally displaced persons are not solved. The FR of Yugoslavia is ready to continue to contribute, in a serious manner and in good faith, to the solving of this problem.

Thank you for your attention.