NEWS

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
March 21, 2004

UNMIK CONSOLIDATED SITE REPORT AS AT MARCH 21, 08.00 HRS: 270 HOUSES AND 30 CHURCHES BURNED

The situation is calm but very tense throughout Kosovo. There have been no major incidents since the last SITREP at 20 Mar 04 2000hrs. The possibility of outbreaks of violence continues to be high, especially due to the funerals planned for today in Mitrovica Region.

24 Dead
851 Civilians injured including
22 serious injuries

ERPKIM Info-Service
Gracanica, October 31, 2003

The situation is calm but very tense throughout Kosovo. There have been no major incidents since the last SITREP at 20 Mar 04 2000hrs. The possibility of outbreaks of violence continues to be high, especially due to the funerals planned for today in Mitrovica Region.

Significant Events. Humanitarian aid from Serbia has been arriving unhindered over the last 24 hours. There has been no confirmation that the vehicles carrying humanitarian aid reported to be coming into Kosovo yesterday have arrived. ICRC and UNMIK (ORC) are continuing to coordinate the delivery of this aid.

Some of the K-Serb IDP's that were evacuated to KFOR camps on the 18th and 19th of March are being moved to safe areas within Kosovo. KFOR is continuing to provide security for theses moves and in Serb enclaves.

Proceedings against the perpetrators of recent violence is continuing. A further three KvAlbanian males were arrested yesterday evening and charged with setting K-Serb property on fire.

Assessment. While last 24 hours have been relative calm and the responsible behavior of groups at funerals and other peaceful demonstrations is a positive sign, this should not be taken as an indication that the current crisis is over. The funeral of the K-Albanian children who drowned in Mitrovica this afternoon is a significant event; if this passes without incident it may indicate a return to a more stable situation. It cannot be excluded that the funerals will trigger new outbreaks of violence, not only in Mitrovica Region but throughout Kosovo.

Key issues to address within the next 12 hours will be:

• Security arrangements for the funeral of the children drowned in Mitrovica.
• Support to the IDP situation.
• Security of enclaves.
• Safeguarding the evacuated UN Buildings.
• Verify Security Contingency Plan.

A brief summary of the incidents, by area is listed below; this has been drawn from Police, KFOR, UNMIK MLC and UNMIK SITCEN reports. It is stressed that the figures listed are not guaranteed. However, they provide the best assessment at this time.

Mitrovica Region. It was relatively calm in the Region, and there are no significant events to report. The UN Regional HQ has not been reoccupied yet.

Pristina Region. Pristina was quiet during the reporting period. One suspicious package was found in the centre of Pristina last night. The device was neutralised by KFOR EOD.

Gnjilane Region. There have been no significant incidents since the last report.

Prizren Region. There have been no significant incidents since the last report.

Pec Region. There have been no significant incidents since the last report. The UN Regional HQ has not been reoccupied yet.

Casualties:

There has been no update to the UNMIK Police casualty figures issued on 20 March. These have yet to be cross-referenced against figures provided by KFOR and other agencies, and therefore there may be discrepancies. Yesterdays figures are:

24 Dead (we cannot confirm an accurate ethnic breakdown, however, K-Albanian and K-Serb deaths are both in double figures - no international / KFOR).
851 Civilians injured including 22 serious injuries.
98 UNMIK-P and KPS injured.
55 KFOR wounded.
270 Houses burnt down.
80 Houses damaged.
30 Churches burnt down.
10 Churches and Monasteries damaged.
27 UN vehicles burnt and destroyed.
23 UN vehicles damaged.
17 KPS vehicles damaged.
24 Civilian vehicles damaged.

Respondents of this report wishing to add additional information should send this to:
unmikmlo-info@un.org