Thank you, Mister Chairman.

We remain greatly concerned about the continuing violence in Kosovo, not just in Mitrovica but throughout the province.

Not only is this scourge of bloodshed an ongoing tragedy, but it is also an obstacle to progress in other, crucial areas. For Kosovars -- and, by this, we mean residents of all ethnicities and religions -- to enjoy the future promise of peace, stability, and prosperity it is essential that we break this current cycle of violence and retribution.

There can be no lasting resolution to these problems without meaningful dialogue. The creation of a stable, multiethnic Kosovo cannot be the product of the international community alone, nor can it be achieved without the participation of all constituent ethnic groups. For this reason, we welcome OSCE/UNMiK efforts to implement a Joint Interim Administrative Structure, through which the international community can help the Kosovars to assume greater responsibility for running their lives and through which Kosovo's ethnic communities can together arrive at decisions which will affect their future.

But for this project to be a success, it will depend on the participation of both the ethnic Albanian and Serb populations.

We therefore welcome the results of last week's meeting between Secretary of State Madeline Albright and Kosovo Serb leaders Bishop Artemije and Father Sava Janjic to discuss the situation of the Serb community in Kosovo. In this meeting, the Secretary and Bishop Artemije agreed that the Serb community should be fully represented in all aspects of Kosovo's developing democratic structures.

In this context, and on the basis of SRSG Kouchner's "Agenda for Coexistence," Bishop Artemije indicated the intention of the Serb National Council, of which he is President, to take the seat reserved for the Serb representative on the Interim Administrative Council. He also stated his intention to encourage Serb representatives to work in the Joint Interim Administrative Structure and its administrative departments.

We welcome Bishop Artemije's statement of intent, and reaffirm our appeal to Kosovo's ethnic Serb population to participate in the IAC so that its views are represented.