UN chief outlines reconfigured UN role in Kosovo

(UNITED NATIONS) - UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Thursday unveiled plans to reconfigure the UN mission in Kosovo, including a transfer of many of its responsibilities to the European Union.

In a report on activities of the UN mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), Ban said: "Pending guidance from the Security Council, it is my intention to adjust operational aspects of the international civil presence in Kosovo" and cited the need for "a practical adjustment to the structure and profile of UNMIK."

UNMIK has run the territory since 1999, when a NATO bombing campaign ended a Serb crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists.

The report was issued as newly independent Kosovo said Thursday that it would adopt a constitution at the weekend that will herald a changeover in the international powers that have run it for the past decade.

Pristina's move angered Serbia and Russia which strongly oppose Kosovo's unilateral secession from Belgrade.

Kosovo -- with an overwhelmingly ethnic Albanian population -- unilaterally declared independence from Serbia on February 17. It has been recognized by more than 40 countries, including the United States and most members of the European Union.

Ban made it clear that unless the council decides otherwise, council resolution 1244, adopted in 1999, would "remain the legal framework for the UN's mandate, whose practical implementation will depend on evolving circumstances."

His report, sent to the 15-member council, said the European Union would over a period of time, "gradually assume increasing operational responsibilities in the areas of international policing, justice and customs throughout Kosovo."

"It is understood that the international responsibility of the United Nations will be limited to the extent of its effective operational control," he added.

Functions to be carried out by UNMIK would include, among other things, "monitoring and reporting, facilitate, where necessary and possible, arrangements for Kosovo's engagement in international agreements, facilitate dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade on issues of practical concern."

The UN secretary general noted since it was created nine years, UNMIK had seen the scope of its activities "reduced significantly."

"Following the entry into force of Kosovo's constitution, in my assessment UNMIK will no longer be able to perform effectively the vast majority of its task as an interim administration," Ban said.

"In keeping with the European Union's expressed willingness to play an enhanced operation role in Kosovo in the area of the rule of law, I intend to move forward with practical arrangements to enable the European Union to enhance its operation role in this sector," he added.

The European Union launched a vast police and justice mission in February just before Kosovo declared independence from Serbia but its deployment has ground to a halt in the face of Serbian and Russian opposition.

Russia has demanded that any changes be made by the UN Security Council, where it has veto powers.

Moscow on Thursday called for the German head of the UN mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) to be removed because of what it called "scandalous" plans to curtail the mission.