HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN SAYS RETURN OF DISPLACED TO KOSOVO "UNCERTAIN"

Pristina, 10 February: Kosovo-Metohija Human Rights Ombudsman Marek Antoni Nowicki on Monday 10 February warned that, in view of the real situation in Kosovo, the process of the return of the displaced is uncertain.

In an interview to Pristina Blue Sky radio, Nowicki said that if the displaced Serbs do return to Kosovo, their numbers would be only several thousand. According to Nowicki, the reasons for this are the lack of the freedom of movement, the grave economic situation and the uncertain future of Kosovo.

Only several thousand Serbs, Romanies, Ashkali and ethnic Egyptians will return to Kosovo, he said, adding that the reason for this is the serious situation in which the minorities live. Although the living conditions in collective centres in (central) Serbia are very bad, they have one advantage over the Serbs living in Kosovo - they are free, Nowicki stated.

My analyses show that there are no prospects for the return of the displaced to cities, because there is no room for them, their property has been seized and all services are currently in ethnic Albanian hands, Nowicki set out.

He said that the issue of the return of the Serbs should not be politicized.

Nowicki warned about the difficult living conditions of thousands of Serbs who remain in Kosovo.

Source: Tanjug news agency, Belgrade, in English 1624 gmt 10 Feb 03
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