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KOSOVO - Official U.S. Government Documents
For more information regarding the latest policy statements and other materials related to the Kosovo crisis, visit http://www.usia.gov/regional/eur/balkans/kosovo/
***********************************************************Fact Sheet: Kosovo Police and Justice Programs
(July 26: State Department Fact Sheet)[The following fact sheet was issued by the State Department July 26, 1999.]
The U.S. State Department
July 26, 1999FACT SHEET: Kosovo Police and Justice Programs
Establishment of the rule of law is a critical step in the development of a stable, civilized society. In Kosovo, it will mean the development of law enforcement institutions that are representative of, and serve, the people of Kosovo in an effective and impartial manner. It also will involve the introduction of Kosovo-based judicial and penal systems that ensure that justice is meted out fairly, with full respect for democratic freedoms and human rights. The United States is committed to working with the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other international partners, to bring the rule of law to Kosovo. Efforts include:
-- Developing a Kosovo Police Service: With the forced withdrawal of the Serbian Interior Ministry Police (MUP) from Kosovo according to the NATO-FRY Military Technical Agreement, a Kosovo police force, comprised of Kosovars, must be developed from the ground up. The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) is responsible for recruiting approximately 3,000 qualified Kosovars, a process that has just begun. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), working within UNMIK, then will train these new candidates in basic policing skills, later providing more advanced and specialized training. A facility in Vucitrn, not far from Pristina, is being refurbished to serve as the police school and trainers, including many experienced American police instructors, will arrive in Pristina soon. The police school is headed by American Steve Bennett and U.S. police experts have worked closely with the OSCE on training plans and curricula. Upon graduation from the police school, Kosovars will receive field training and be mentored by UN civilian police (CIVPOL).
-- International Civilian Police Operations: It will be some time before the Kosovo Police Service can assume full responsibility for law and order throughout Kosovo. In the interim, some 3,100 international police personnel will assume these functions as part of UNMIK. These 3,100 plus personnel will include 1,800 civilian police, 205 border police, and 10 special units of approximately 115 officers each to perform civil disorder management and other special functions. These officers will have arrest authority and most will carry sidearms. The United States has pledged to contribute 450 U.S. police personnel to this effort. Twenty U.S. police personnel are expected to deploy with other CIVPOL advance teams to Kosovo this week, where they will join the approximately 150 international police personnel transferred earlier from the Bosnia CIVPOL mission. Deployments of new CIVPOL contingents also are expected to begin this week and accelerate next month, with over 100 U.S. police due to depart for Kosovo in early August.
-- Development of Justice and Penal Systems: UNMIK, with help from the OSCE and KFOR, is beginning to establish a justice system in Kosovo. It has appointed the Joint Advisory Council on Provisional Judicial Appointments (JAC), composed of three international and four Kosovar legal experts. The JAC is responsible for nominating justice personnel to UNMIK for appointment as judges and prosecutors. To date, some 37 judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys have been appointed. They are conducting detention hearings at KFOR detention sites throughout Kosovo. The OSCE is finalizing plans for training programs to be offered for UNMIK-appointed legal personnel who will be responsible for conducting criminal trials and other legal proceedings. The United States has been assisting in this process and will continue to do so through technical assistance from experts and training. KFOR will continue to handle detentions until such time as UNMIK, working with international experts, has established a detention/corrections facility.
(end Fact Sheet)
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