Statement by the Head of the KVM, Ambassador William G. Walker

PRISTINA, 19 March 1999 - Following the announcement by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Norway's Foreign Minister Knut Vollabaek, that the international staff of the OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission were to leave the Province as soon as possible. Ambassador William G. Walker, KVM Head of Mission, made the following address to the locally employed staff of the Mission:

This is a very painful moment that I wish had not come. The Mission was making a difference to the situation in Kosovo but this has been increasingly difficult to maintain. Not just the verification of agreements, but offering security; working between the parties to alleviate violence, suffering and most important, buying time for the peace process.

Unfortunately, the time bought, and the unarmed approach had its limits and success eluded us. What comes next could be that the situation gets worse before it gets better. And this is something that will fall on your shoulders, a sad reality for me and all the international staff. Throughout the Mission local and international staff joined to bring peace and security, but what is faced now is greater violence.

I want to explain why it is essential that we leave, for a while at least. The situation with regard to peace talks is stagnant. There is no way to break through the impasse other than a dramatically different approach demonstrated, if necessary by force, that both sides to the conflict must sign the draft agreement.

We who leave understand your fear of what lies immediately ahead. We know that some might feel abandoned. But let me tell you my feelings. You have been, and are, a wonderful collection of people. Serbs, Albanians and others have all worked together for a common aim without reference to each other's ethnicity. Our collective effort must not be allowed to end. We must continue to work for the well being of Kosovo. The overwhelming majority of the population wants only peace, safety and jobs - goals for all without reference to ethnicity.

I have been extremely proud of what we have accomplished, internationals and local staff collectively, working under extremely difficult circumstances. But we have much more to accomplish together. I want to be part of that effort. I am sure that all internationals share my feelings. The Mission will be back, hopefully within days.

I ask your understanding of this decision. Take care of yourselves in the days ahead. The best of luck to you all. Many thanks.