UN Wraps Up Kosovo Mission With New German Head

The UN Security Council plans to establish Kosovo's ultimate political status by the end of the year, and UNMIK will gradually begin handing over its competences to the local democratic institutions.

As UNMIK's new chief, Joachim Rücker has his work cut out for him.

Rücker, who replaces acting UNMIK head Steven P. Schook from the United States, has been the director of UNMIK's Pillar for Economic Reconstruction for the past two years. He considers the establishment of sustainable economic development in the region to be the greatest challenge in his new role, particularly in light of the impending transfer of authority in Kosovo.

The new UNMIK head is confident this can be achieved, but said that integrating Kosovo into the larger markets in Southeastern Europe and the EU is essential.

Economic integration necessary for development

"It's very good that Kosovo is a member of the regional energy league in southeastern Europe, which links the regional energy markets," Rücker said. "Without integration, it won't work. Investment in the infrastructure -- and especially private investment -- is necessary. The privatization program is contributing to this."

Rücker, a 55-year-old native of the southwestern German state of Baden-Württemberg, brings practical experience in solving macro-economic problems. As mayor of the town of Sindelfingen from 1993 to 2001, he managed to revamp the city's budget, which had been burdened by heavy debts.

"I think that this administrative experience in a town with difficulties is very important," said Franz-Lothar Altmann, an economic expert for southeastern Europe at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin. "He has shown that he can lead a larger political entity, which is what Kosovo is."

Repairing ethnic divisions

In addition to the economic developments, Rücker will have to contribute to ethnic conciliation between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo. His goal is that, by the end of his mandate, all citizens will be represented through the elected institutions in the region and ethnic minorities will be active in social and political life.

"UNMIK is mandated to administrate Kosovo as a whole and structures that work against this cannot be tolerated," said Rücker, referring to parallel administrative structures in the region that aim at dividing Kosovo between the Serbs and Albanians.

The implementation of standardized license plates is one example of efforts to promote political and ethnic cooperation, Rücker said. To enhance freedom of movement for all residents, UNMIK introduced license plates several years ago that don't reveal which city the vehicle is from. Previously, nationalist street mobs had attacked returning refugees after identifying from the license plate where they came from.

However, the newer standardized plates still aren't in use in Serbian-dominated northern Kosovo, because they are not officially recognized by neighboring Serbia. Serbs from the north drive with Serbian license plates or none at all. They don't dare to come south, and drivers from the south avoid heading north with standard plates.

Status decision expected by year's end

Whether with license plates, ethnic reconciliation or economic development, Rücker is aware that change won't come over night, he said.

"It's very important for us that the residents of Kosovo have perspective," he said. "This will come with the beginning of the status negotiations, at the latest."

The negotiation process on Kosovo's ultimate political status is being chaired by Finnish diplomat Martti Ahtisaari. Resolving Kosovo's status is a major factor in the stability of the region, Rücker said.

"We will do everything we can so that Mr. Ahtisaari and the contact group are able to stay on schedule," he said. "That means that they should be able to submit a final decision on Kosovo's status to the Security Council by the end of the year."