UN Kosovo Chief to Leave Soon
| 16 June 2008 |
Joachim Ruecker
However Ruecker, who has been heading the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, UNMIK since 2006 said the mission will continue to be present in Kosovo for some time as long as the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 continues to remain in force.
“For as long as Resolution 1244 remains in power, the United Nations will have a role in Kosovo,” said Ruecker, adding that “we will however substantially adapt to the created circumstances in Kosovo.”
Resolution 1244 was passed at the end of the 1998-1999 conflict between Serb forces and Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority and regulates the mandate of the UN administration introduced in Kosovo after the war.
Veto-wielding Russia's opposition to any change in Kosovo's status without Serbia's consent means the resolution is still effectively in force.
Last week the Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the performance of Ruecker as UNMIK chief and demanded his removal arguing that “he took arbitrary steps to reduce the administration of the UN in Kosovo.”
Russia backs Serbia in vehemently opposing the independence of Kosovo and is against replacing the UN mission with a European Union-led law and order mission, EULEX.
On Sunday Kosovo's constitution came into force, a move that saw more powers transferred from the UN Mission to Kosovo authorities while EULEX will begin speeding up its deployment.
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon last week said the world body would maintain a 'symbolic presence' in Kosovo, working together with EULEX while it 'reconfigures' in preparation for its exit. He said Ruecker would also be replaced. Read more: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/10966/
A source within the UNMIK told Balkan Insight that Ruecker is most likely to be succeeded by Italian diplomat, Lamberto Zanier.
“His appointment has not been made by the Secretary General yet but Zannier is the man most likely to be the next head of UNMIK,” the source said.
