Press Release (2001) 070 16 May 2001

The Secretary General of NATO welcomes the promulgation of the Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self-government I welcome the promulgation of the Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self-Government by the Special Representative of the Secretary General, Hans Haekkerup, on May 15. The Framework puts in place a fair and necessary structure of interim institutions in the interest of all the people of Kosovo consistent with the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. There are adequate safeguards built into the system to protect and uphold the rights of all communities of Kosovo. I add my voice to those of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, and Mr. Haekkerup in urging all communities to participate in the elections planned for November 17 this year. The elections will be critical in providing an opportunity to all communities in Kosovo to take an active part in the shaping of their common future through representation in the interim institutions. I particularly encourage the members of the Serb community to seize this opportunity; they must exercise their rights. I also wish to stress that NATO and KFOR will continue to support the efforts of UNMIK and to provide for the security of all inhabitants of Kosovo, regardless of their ethnicity.

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