Who's in Charge in Kosovo?

International Politics

th On 10 June 1999, the United Nations Security Council authorised the Secretary- General of the UN to establish in Kosovo an interim international civilian administration under which the people of the province could enjoy substantial autonomy. The Council took its action by adopting resolution 1244 after NATO suspended its air operations following the withdrawal of security forces of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from Kosovo. To ensure stability in the province a military presence under K-For was introduced. In order to lead the region back into normal civilian life the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) was established.

K-FOR

KFOR is a NATO lead multi-national security force, with contributors from 38 nations. The 39,000 troops provide a safe and secure environment to allow UNMIK and the new civil administration to bring stability and prosperity to Kosovo and the wider Balkan area. KFORs support UNMIK-Police and the Kosovo Police Force with the enforcement of law and order and monitor the Kosovo's borders and boundaries to deter smuggling activities. As normality returns to the region KFOR's presence will gradually reduce, but not substantially in the immediate future.

UNMIK

UNMIK is now in stage three of its five-phase strategy to introduce substantial autonomy and self government in Kosovo and to introduce structures to allow the local population to perform basic civil administrative functions. UNMIK has set up a series of government departments to deal with the running of everyday life in the province which are currently headed up by international staff with politically appointed local counterparts. With the announcement that general elections will be held on 17 November to create a 120 seat provincial assembly, the shape and make up of these departments is undergoing change. However, the Special Representatives within UNMIK will still have the right of veto over policy decisions that they see as detrimental to the development of the province. The length of the stay of UNMIK is undetermined and essentially linked to the resolution to be taken on the settlement of the final status of Kosovo. However the numbers of international staff are beginning to decrease leaving local counterparts in their place.

Police and Justice Pillar I

Pillar I, Police and Justice, was launched in May 2001 to counter organized crime, terrorism and inter-ethnic violence. It realigns UNMIK Police and the Department of Judicial Affairs into a single structure. The goal of Pillar I is to strengthen the fight against crime while providing greater focus, centrality and coordination of efforts between UNMIK, KFOR and international resources. Only in this way will Kosovo become a safe place for all its national communities.

UN Pillar II

The United Nations pillar is responsible for establishing a multi-ethnic governmental infrastructure to carry out civil service functions and public services. In addition it has laid the groundwork for a civil administration to run throughout Kosovo both at central and local levels. It currently has responsibility for 15 Administrative Departments. These Departments will become Kosovo run ministries as part of the Provisional Self Government to be elected on November 17, 2001.

OSCE Pillar III

Pillar III is responsible for democratisation and institution building; this is led by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Their main remit is to work in the areas of Democratisation; Registration and Elections; Human Rights; Rule of Law; and Media Affairs. OSCE will run and oversee the November elections.

EU Pillar IV

As part of UNMIK the European Union (EU) is in charge of economic reconstruction and stimulating economic activity in Kosovo. The EU Pillar runs four departments including the Department of Trade and industry, Department of Reconstruction, Central Fiscal Authority and Public Utilities. It is closely linked with the Customs Authority and the Banking and Payments Authority of Kosovo.

Due to the reorganisation that will follow the November elections, these Departments are currently in a transitional phase. After the elections locally elected politicians will be assigned to the Departments which will then be officially converted to Ministries and other new structures will be created. The new structures under Pillar IV will be:- the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Kosovo Trust Agency and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission.

So who is in charge?

The "Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self Government" aims to put the people of Kosovo in the "driver's seat" by handing over as many government functions as possible to the Provisional Institutions for Self Government (PISG). In the economic sphere this means that policy areas such as private sector development, industrial policies, or public utility regulation will largely be transferred to the PISG.

However, the SRSG will retain the political responsibility for the management oversight of SOE's and public enterprises, as well as the implementation of the envisaged privatisation programme, while the PISG will largely determine the economic framework impacting on the viability of enterprises and the prospects of privatisation. The International Community will still remain present in these structures either in advisory or decision making roles.