US Secretary of State Urges Kosovo Albanians to Work Closely with UN Administration

US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright yesterday met with ethnic Albanian leaders in Kosovo, including Hashim Thaci, head of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), and urged them to work with the UN administration to establish a democratic, multi-ethnic government. The KLA has been accused of exploiting the power vacuum created by the UN's delay in setting up structures, allowing them to exert control at the local level. However, Thaci maintained that the KLA had taken on the obligation to bring back normality and order, and that they were ready to cooperate fully with the administration.

Key Takeaways:

• Madeleine Albright, US Secretary of State, met with ethnic Albanian leaders, including Hashim Thaci, head of the KLA, to urge them to work closely with the UN administration.
• Concerns are growing in Kosovo that the KLA may be exploiting the power vacuum created by the UN's delay in setting up structures.
• The KLA has appointed 23 local prefects around Kosovo, despite the UN's responsibility for local administration.
• Ibrahim Rugova, the moderate leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), has remained absent from Kosovo in Italy, leading to deep divisions among Kosovar Albanians.
• Thaci defended KLA actions, stating that they took on the obligation to bring back normality and order, and were ready to co-operate fully with the administration.
• Mrs Albright warned ethnic Albanians that they would lose the support of the world if they took the law into their own hands, following the murder of 14 ethnic Serbs last Friday.
• The KLA's actions have led to anarchy in Kosovo, with the KLA exerting control at the local level.

Statistics:

• 23 local prefects appointed by the KLA around Kosovo as of yesterday.
• 14 ethnic Serbs killed in the wake of last Friday's murder, warning ethnic Albanians that they would lose the support of the world if they took the law into their own hands.

Sources:

• Financial Times Limited 1999.