Newsroom
First phase of multi-ethnic police training in southern Serbia a success
BELGRADE 7 June 2001
BELGRADE, 7 June 2001 (OSCE) - The Head of the OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Ambassador Sannino, travelled today to southern Serbia on the occasion of the conclusion of the first phase of the mutli-ethnic police training, consisting of three five-day refresher courses for former police officers and reserves which has already resulted in the successful patrolling of the area by mixed Serb-Albanian teams.
"We have been encouraged by the results of the first phase of the multi-ethnic police training and will now go ahead with the next phase, namely a five-week training programme for 40 candidates with some police background, said Ambassador Sannino after his visit to Presevo where he met with Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic, Head of Co-ordinating Body for Southern Serbia, Mayor of Presevo, and Mr Riza Halimi, leader of the Party for Democratic Work.
He continued to explain that the second phase, even more extensive than the previous one, is a proof that all parties involved in multi-ethnic policing are aware of the fact that they share a common responsibility and interest for security and peace in Southern Serbia.
"The participants in today's meeting all expressed the need to continue with the development of a training course for a mixed Serb-Albanian police force", said Ambassador Sannino. In order to underline this commitment of all parties, it was decided that a working group will be established consisting of representatives of the OSCE, Serb and ethnic Albanian representatives. "The OSCE is of the opinion that the participation in meetings of the working group strengthens the ownership of all parties with an interest in the multi-ethnic police training, thereby guaranteeing the successful implementation of the second phase of the training, as well as providing a framework for preparations for the third phase".
The third phase, consisting of a 12 week basic training programme for new recruits, i.e. for candidates with no previous police experience, will start on 31 July 2001. The goal of this basic training programme is to train a larger number of multi-ethnic police officers on a more permanent and systematic basis than in the first provisional phases. The OSCE Mission to the FRY is satisfied that the preparations for this third phase have started with an official announcement for candidates to apply and encourages members of all ethnic communities who meet the basic requirements to submit their application. Presently, the OSCE is working together with the Serb authorities under creation of a center for multi-ethnic police training, for which representatives from other ethnic communities have also shown an interest.
In addition, the OSCE agreed to look into the possibilities of further international assistance, particularly with regard to improved communication links and the establishment of a network of local police stations.
For further information, please contact Stella Ronner, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Belgrade, tel.: +(381-11) 3672 425 or +(381-11) 3672 427; fax: +(381-11) 3672 429
"We have been encouraged by the results of the first phase of the multi-ethnic police training and will now go ahead with the next phase, namely a five-week training programme for 40 candidates with some police background, said Ambassador Sannino after his visit to Presevo where he met with Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic, Head of Co-ordinating Body for Southern Serbia, Mayor of Presevo, and Mr Riza Halimi, leader of the Party for Democratic Work.
He continued to explain that the second phase, even more extensive than the previous one, is a proof that all parties involved in multi-ethnic policing are aware of the fact that they share a common responsibility and interest for security and peace in Southern Serbia.
"The participants in today's meeting all expressed the need to continue with the development of a training course for a mixed Serb-Albanian police force", said Ambassador Sannino. In order to underline this commitment of all parties, it was decided that a working group will be established consisting of representatives of the OSCE, Serb and ethnic Albanian representatives. "The OSCE is of the opinion that the participation in meetings of the working group strengthens the ownership of all parties with an interest in the multi-ethnic police training, thereby guaranteeing the successful implementation of the second phase of the training, as well as providing a framework for preparations for the third phase".
The third phase, consisting of a 12 week basic training programme for new recruits, i.e. for candidates with no previous police experience, will start on 31 July 2001. The goal of this basic training programme is to train a larger number of multi-ethnic police officers on a more permanent and systematic basis than in the first provisional phases. The OSCE Mission to the FRY is satisfied that the preparations for this third phase have started with an official announcement for candidates to apply and encourages members of all ethnic communities who meet the basic requirements to submit their application. Presently, the OSCE is working together with the Serb authorities under creation of a center for multi-ethnic police training, for which representatives from other ethnic communities have also shown an interest.
In addition, the OSCE agreed to look into the possibilities of further international assistance, particularly with regard to improved communication links and the establishment of a network of local police stations.
For further information, please contact Stella Ronner, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Belgrade, tel.: +(381-11) 3672 425 or +(381-11) 3672 427; fax: +(381-11) 3672 429