Zarif: Situation on the ground fragile

At the session of the UN Security Council dedicated to Kosovo, Zarif said that the persistent negotiatiors, Ivica Dacic and Hasim Taci, showed courage during the dialogue. He estimated that great progress had been achieved, but challenges occurred on the ground and several incidents were recorded. The political dialogue is in the critical phase.The sides are moving toward the key progress, but stability on the ground still remains fragile, the UNMIK chief noted. Zarif voiced deep displeasure with the wave of vandalism that occurred between January 13 and 22, when certain Orthodox monuments were desecrated, some even by using explosive and fire arms, and condemned the attempts of the press to justify these incidents. Zarif, however, voiced satisfaction with the timely and good statements of the Kosovo police, noting that representatives of the international community, including UNMIK officials, had unanimously condemned these acts of vandalism. Although the Kosovo authorities took all adequate and welcome actions, such as the restoration of damaged monuments, the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo is still concerned about expressions of hatred and intolerance that could be heard during these incidents, he added. Local leaders backed protesters and helped them enter the Visoki Decani Monastery. KFOR has so far been able to prevent them from approaching the monastery, but stronger engagement of politicians is needed for universal values to be defended in practice, Zarif said. The UNMIK chief said a consensus on city government in Kosovska Mitrovica was also lacking, leading to incidents, tension and confrontation. He pointed to the attack in northern Kosovska Mitrovica on February 4, when two Serb children were injured in a hand grenade explosion while they were playing at their home. Zarif said many cases remained unsolved in northern Kosovo, becoming objects of political manipulation. A rhetoric that stirs conflict and undermines efforts to implement agreements has also been used, he noted. Unfortunately, the lack of safety in the field is also caused at times by bad statements from local leaders, Zarif said, adding they should base their statements on reliable information and avoid inflammatory speech for the sake of cheap political points. He called on Belgrade and Pristina to assume a leadership role, calm the reactions and emotions of their people and increase activity involving the people in northern Kosovo. He regrets that UN officials do not have access to all the areas stated in their mandate, especially since EULEX was now focusing more on investigative work. Zarif hopes the members of the UN Security Council will support the progress reached and pointed out that the international community should be well prepared to support all agreements already made and their implementation. Too much is at stake for the international community to ignore the need to reduce instability. A coherent action of all international bodies is needed to create an environment where political talks can reach their full potential, and the efforts have to be adapted to the situation in the field, the UNMIK chief concluded.