Holkeri resigns as head of UNMIK

Former Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri quits UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo citing health reasons.

“In the midst of a tough work schedule while in France I was reminded that a person is not a machine, because I had to get medical treatment,” Harri Holkeri told journalists in Helsinki, Tuesday. “I returned to Finland from France via Pristina for a full medical check-up. Fortunately, it didn’t reveal anything new that would greatly disrupt my life in the future. Despite that, I contacted the UN Secretary General on Monday evening and asked him to relieve me of my duties as his Special Representative and as head of the UN Interim Administration.”

Mr Holkeri said that he based his request on the warning sign he had received concerning his health and on medical advice. He said that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had reacted sympathetically. Mr Holkeri will return to Pristina to ensure that practical matters are arranged flexibly before he officially resigns his post.

“I want to stress that this decision is based purely on health reasons and that it is mine alone. I have not been pressured from any quarter neither do I have any complaint to make about any quarter with whom I have worked,” said Mr Holkeri.

He has been taken aback by recent criticisms and allegations made in Finland and Kosovo concerning his work. “But I’ve got used to the fact that in Kosovo information put out is not always true and is sometimes totally groundless.”

Mr Holkeri said that the situation in Kosovo remains problematic, describing the eruption of violence in March as a step backwards. He said that UNMIK and the international community have been trying to find a way out of the current difficulties.

“One problem is that UNMIK has to be loyal to all directions of the international community, which are not always commensurate.” He said that the most serious situation will arise if reforms are not carried out. The key issues are to implement Kosovo’s legislative and political standards, develop decentralised or local government, improve the economy and rebuild buildings destroyed in the conflict. Mr Holkeri said that on the other hand the new situation requires a rewriting of the standards’ implementation guidelines.

“My successor will have plenty to do”, he said.

Mr Holkeri was appointed as head of UNMIK in August 2003. His mandate was for one year. US State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher on Holkeri's resignation

Javier Solana, EU High Representative, on Holkeri's resignation

Prime Minister Vanhanen on Holkeri's resignation

Statement by NATO´s the Secretary General on the Resignation of SRSG Holkeri