World Bank gives $25 million and tags up to $60 million to rebuild Kosovo.
OCTOBER 8 -- The World Bank has approved $25 million to Kosovo to help rebuild the territory's shattered infrastructure and to foster development of a modern economy.

The grant is the first tranche of a $50 to $60 million plan outlined in a Transition Support Strategy Paper approved yesterday in Washington by the Bank's Executive Board.

"This welcome new strategy allows us to help Kosovo with its reconstruction effort, and eventually pave the way for the province to embark on a transitional process towards a modern, market economy," World Bank Coordinator for Southeast Europe, Christiaan Poortman, said following the Board action.

The 18-month strategy -- based on the latest post-conflict assessment of damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure in Kosovo -- includes some direct funding for planning and implementing reconstruction projects.

The Bank plans to continue its on-going effort to mobilize international aid for the territory and monitor its use. The Bank, along with the European Commission, is in the process of finalizing an overall programme to guide international efforts to support Kosovo's recovery. Bank monies will also be used to leverage funds received from international donors.

In addition, the Bank will provide economic policy advice to the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and, in the future, directly to Kosovar authorities.

UN Deputy Secretary-General reviews security in Kosovo with OSCE leaders.
OCTOBER 7 -- The current security situation in Kosovo and efforts to build democracy in the territory were a focus of discussions United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette held in Vienna today with officials of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Preparation for local elections in Kosovo and efforts to develop an independent media were also reviewed as Ms. Frechette met with OSCE Secretary-General Jan Kubis and Kai Eide, Chairman of the OSCE Permanent Council.

As a main partner of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the OSCE is responsible for fostering democratic institutions in the territory.

Meanwhile, OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek, today concluded a two-day trip to Kosovo by urging the people of the territory to step up reconciliation efforts.

Speaking in Pristina, Mr. Vollebaek called on all parties to enter a dialogue on the future of a democratic Kosovo in which all nationalities could co-exist peacefully.

During his visit to Kosovo, Mr. Vollebaek held meetings with the head of UNMIK, Dr. Bernard Kouchner, and visited the OSCE-run police academy where local Kosovars are being trained to join an endogenous police force. He also opened a centre in Pristina to facilitate the work of Kosovo's political parties.

UN deplores violence killing Serb man in Kosovo; international police and troops injured.
OCTOBER 6 -- Dr. Bernard Kouchner, head of the UN operation in Kosovo, today deplored violence which erupted near Mitrovica yesterday killing a Serb man, and injuring three UN international police and 18 KFOR soldiers.

The "horrible incident" revealed that the security situation remained difficult in Kosovo, despite all efforts of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the KFOR international security force, Dr. Kouchner said, opening the weekly meeting of the Kosovo Transitional Council in Pristina.

Forty-seven UN police in Mitrovica, along with KFOR troops, restored order in Mitrovica yesterday after a funeral service for ethnic Albanians turned violent, UNMIK reported. Eleven Serb civilians were also injured during the incident.

Following Dr. Kouchner's remarks, Transitional Council members, among them leaders of the Albanian community, discussed measures to address the continuing security concerns and ease tensions between the Serb and Albanian groups. Among issues discussed was the difficulties faced in establishing mixed schools in the climate of continuing ethnic tensions.

Dr. Kouchner told reporters following today's meeting that although local leaders generally wanted mixed schools, it would take time to achieve. Long-term international assistance would be needed to help children overcome trauma suffered during the recent conflict in Kosovo, he said.

Meanwhile, UN-led efforts are under way to enhance security for Serbs and other vulnerable groups near Kosovo Polje, where several Serbs were killed when a grenade exploded in a market last week.

A working group of UNMIK, KFOR and local Serbs has been formed and plans set to establish a clearing house of information on food supplies, transportation and access to market places. Also, a regular bus line will link Kosovo Polje, Pristina and other towns. The bus, under KFOR protection, will also be used to transport school children.

UNMIK clears way for oil imports and sale in Kosovo.
OCTOBER 6 -- The United Nations in Kosovo has cleared the way for the import, distribution and sale of oil and other petroleum products, in advance of the cold winter months in the territory.

Signing legislation today in Kosovo's capital Pristina, the UN head in Kosovo, Dr. Bernard Kouchner, also established a regulatory board which will supervise the flow of oil products into the territory.

Under the new regulation, individuals and companies wishing to deal in oil or other lubricants in Kosovo must be licensed by the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Those applying for licensing are required to indicate delivery capacity, sources of procurement, pricing structures and delivery quantity.

The new Fuel Supervisory Board is charged with ensuring competition in the market, fair pricing and product standards.

The new regulation does not apply to oil imported for use by UNMIK, the KFOR international security force and other international agencies in Kosovo.

UN refugee agency in Kosovo and KFOR say civilian blockades hinder humanitarian deliveries.
OCTOBER 4 -- The United Nations refugee agency in Kosovo today said it was very concerned that the blockade of roads by Albanian and Serb communities may hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Roadblocks erected near agency warehouses in Kosovo Polje and Orahovac "may stop or slow down the distribution of humanitarian aid", spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Philippe Lamair, told the press in Kosovo's capital, Pristina.

KFOR, the international security force in Kosovo, also voiced concern that a number of barricades around Kosovo were beginning to impact the ability of the international community to deliver aid.

Serbs near Kosovo Polje raised roadblocks last week, following a grenade attack which killed several Serbs. Near Orahovac, Albanians have blocked roads for weeks to protest KFOR plans to deploy Russian Federation soldiers there.

Also addressing the press today in Pristina, KFOR spokesman Roland Lavoie said if the disruptive behavior persisted, KFOR would have to take appropriate action to restore freedom of movement around Kosovo.

"We will also not tolerate an interruption in the vital delivery of humanitarian aid to the extent that lives can be put at risk in the coming months," he said.

UN civilian police have been reinforced in the area of Kosovo Polje, in hopes of stabilizing the situation there. The UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) said today that six UN police units from the capital had been assigned to assist the 37 officers stationed in Kosovo Polje. Additional deployments are planned within days.