SRSG
Micheale Steiner Visited Decani Monastery
and talked to Bishop Artemije, Apr. 16, 2002

Michael Steiner with Bishop Artemije and Abbot Teodosije
during his visit to Decani Monastery, Apr. 16, 2002
PRESS
RELEASE
COMMUNIQUE
OF
THE DIOCESE OF RASKA AND PRIZREN
UNMIK
HEAD MR. MICHAEL STEINER SPOKE WITH BISHOP ARTEMIJE IN VISOKI DECANI
MONASTERY
Decani,
16 April 2002
Today
UNMIK head Mr. Michael Steiner and his associates visited Visoki Decani
Monastery and spoke with Bishop Artemije and representatives of the
monastery regarding the living conditions of the Serb community in
Kosovo and Metohija.
During
the course of the hour-long discussion held in the monastery library,
Bishop Artemije stressed that two fundamental priorities exist for
the Serbs of Kosovo and Metohija: an improvement in living conditions
for the remaining Serb people in the Province and the return of temporarily
displaced Serbs to their homes. Without the realization of the former,
it is impossible to achieve success in the return of our expelled
population, emphasized Bishop Artemije, appealing to Mr. Steiner to
do everything within his power to create conditions for a democratic
and multiethnic society in Kosovo and Metohija. The situation has
not improved significantly for the Serbs since the war and attacks
are practically continuing on an everyday basis, said Bishop Artemije
with regret, pointing out that the best way of contributing to the
resolution of this situation is the development of multiethnic institutions
within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1244, as well
as the implementation of the Haekkerup-Covic agreement concluded last
year.
The
abbot of Decani Monastery, Father Teodosije, spoke about the isolation
of the Serb enclaves in Metohija, especially of our monasteries, which
have for the past three years been under a kind of siege, and Protosindjel
Sava stressed that it is difficult to expect the integration of the
Serbs into a society which has an exclusively Albanian ethnic character
and which is essentially lacks room for free and equal life by other
ethnic communities.
In
response to Bishop Artemijes comments Mr. Steiner stressed that
the best way of improving the position of the Serb population is their
participation in newly created structures, especially the Kosovo Government.
It is essential to accept responsibility and work on improving conditions
as quickly as possible, said Mr. Steiner. In this manner the Serbs
themselves will participate in creating conditions for the return
of the displaced. Mr. Steiner expressed satisfaction that the Serbs
were ready to participate in the Kosovo government, emphasizing that
by doing so finally all the necessary factors will be in place to
contribute to the return of the displaced Serb population. Mr. Steiner
expressed special concern because of the existence of destructive
elements who do not wish well for their communities and behind whose
deeds hide personal interests, not the interests of the people. He
asked Bishop Artemije to use his personal influence on other Serb
leaders in order to constructively join the work of Kosovo institutions
and thus assist the survival of their people in the best way.
Mr.
Steiner emphasized that the protection of cultural monuments, especially
monasteries, was a priority for UNMIK and expressed the hope that
the day will soon come when monasteries will not need to be protected
by soldiers because all communities will feel a common responsibility
for the protection of cultural treasures. In conclusion Mr. Steiner
agreed with the view that the integration of communities in Kosovo
can be achieved only on an equal basis in mutual respect for the identity
of every ethic group. This is the only model for entry into Europe,
concluded Mr. Steiner.
Following
the discussion and luncheon in the monastery refectory Mr. Steiner
and his associates toured the church and visited the icon painting
and wood working workshop of Visoki Decani Monastery.
The
Information Service of the
Diocese of Raska and Prizren

PHOTO COVERAGE
(photos courtesy
of UNMIK, photographer Afrim Harullahu)

Fr. Sava meeting
Mr. Steiner and Marguerite Roy (UNMIK Regional Administrator)

At the lunch in
the monastery refectory

Fr. Sava showning
the church and frescoes to Mr. Steiner