Prospects for Ethnic Harmony in Kosovo

Transcript

Wednesday, June 19, 2002, 4:00 am

Witnesses

Alush A. Gashi

Kosovo Parliamentarian and Foreign Affairs Secretary

Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK)

Rada Trajkovic

Kosovo Parliamentarian and Leader

Serb Return Coalition ("Povratak")

Valerie Percival

Kosovo Project Director

International Crisis Group

His Excellency Nebojsa Covic

Deputy Prime Minister, Republic of Serbia, and President, Coordinator Centre for Kosovo and Metohia

Daniel Serwer

Director

Balkans Initiative, U.S. Institute of Peace

Hon. Christopher H. Smith, Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, presided this hearing on the prospects for ethnic harmony in Kosovo.

The hearing discussed the situation of human rights in Kosovo, focusing on minority ethnic rights following the release of an OSCE-UNHCR report which emphasized the need for progress in upholding minority rights and refugee returns.

Congressman Smith was joined by very distinguished witnesses. Alush A. Gashi, from the political party of Kosovo's President Rugova (LDK) and Foreign Affairs Secretary; Rada Trajkovic, leader of the Serb coalition within the Parliament and leader among the Serb community in Kosovo ("Povratak"); Valerie Percival, projector Director for the International Crisis Group (ICG); His Excellency Nebojsa Covic, Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, with the responsability of representing Belgrade in Kosovo and southern Serbia; and Daniel Serwer, Director of Balkans Initiative.

Relevant Countries

Serbia

Leadership

Christopher Smith