UNMIK downsizing gives OSCE opportunity for larger role in Kosovo, UNMIK head says

VIENNA, 4 September 2008 - The reconfiguration of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) offers the OSCE an opportunity to make an even more concrete impact in Kosovo, UNMIK head Lamberto Zannier told the OSCE Permanent Council today.

"The role of the OSCE will become even more critical, particularly at the field level, not only to help fill possible gaps but, more importantly, to ensure that the achievements we have accomplished together so far are not dispersed," he said.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is the Organization's largest field operation with almost 800 employees spread throughout Kosovo.

"The OSCE has distinct comparative advantages at the regional or 'country' level: its neutrality, its 'rights-based' approach and its decentralized network of regional offices and sub-offices. Your Organization has already left an important legacy in terms of its contribution to peace and security and to the fulfilment of UNSCR 1244," Zannier said.

He noted that OSCE was well-positioned to carry out what he called "soft intervention" in the field of civil administration by continuing to develop strong personal ties at the local level through an advising, mentoring and mediating role. Such work has proven effective for UNMIK, he said.

"While we will not abandon this kind of interventions in the future, I would personally welcome a more proactive role of the OSCE, in these instances and in similar instances, in close co-operation with us," he said.

UNMIK also considered stronger joint action with the OSCE essential in the fields of protection of minority communities and of returns of displaced persons, Zannier said.

"The changes affecting UNMIK present the OSCE with both opportunity and challenge: an opportunity because it will be in the 'front line' in terms of monitoring, mentoring, advising and 'sounding the alarm bell' if necessary; a challenge because none of us will have the robust rule-making authority once undisputedly in UNMIK's hands," he said.

"Stronger co-operation will be required, and the desirability for more active role in the field may provide you, in this phase of transition, with a good opportunity to reassess the operation in light of the new realities emerging on the ground."