Source: United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)
Date: 29 Aug 2005

UNMIK/PR/1404

PRISTINA – SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen today visited the crime scene near Strpce/Shterpce where two persons had been killed and two others injured in a shooting incident on Saturday night. At the scene the SRSG was briefed by Police Commissioner Kai Vittrup and senior investigators on the circumstances of the incident and the status of the ongoing investigation.

Addressing the media at the crime scene, the SRSG said, "I wanted to come here myself to look at the crime scene and talk to the very able officers who are investigating the crime, so that I should also have all the facts that are available right now. I condemn this crime in the strongest terms. I want to make sure that we spare no efforts whatsoever to come to a result here and I am absolutely satisfied that we are sparing no efforts. UNMIK Police and KPS are working very hard on this."

The SRSG said, "There have been a lot of speculations on this very tragic incident. All this speculation is unhelpful and irresponsible. I appeal to all of you, to political leaders here and in Belgrade, to stop speculating. We want to build up a stable Kosovo. We want to work with all communities. It is not helpful in such circumstances that there are those who immediately are ready to jump to conclusions. We should only base our comments on facts; that is what matters. At this stage we all want to see results…I join the Police Commissioner and the Police in asking the community and asking possible witnesses to come forward."

"I am still very shocked by this tragedy," the SRSG said, "Right now our thoughts and condolences are for the families and also for the quick recovery of the victim who is still in the hospital. At the same time we are investigating…we need that police be given the time to investigate, to get the witnesses." Refusing to comment any further on speculations, the SRSG said, "That is not fair to the victims and is certainly not helpful."