United Nations

  NEW YORK, 4 April (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan: 

 The Secretary-General welcomes the decision of the Serb National Council of Gracanica to participate as observers in the sessions of the Interim Administrative Council, as well as in the Kosovo Transitional Council. This is an important and courageous step which underlines the commitment of the Kosovo Serb representatives to take their rightful place in a multi-ethnic and democratic Kosovo. It is his hope that the representatives of the Serb National Council in Kosovska Mitrovica will also soon join these structures. 

 For its part, the United Nations is determined to take every measure to ensure that the Serb community is able to live with dignity and in safety in Kosovo. The Secretary-General hopes that, in the very near future, the Serb community will feel confident to fully participate in the Joint Administrative Structures.