EULEX: head EU mission in Kosovo to report to Brussels only

The head of the European Union's rule of law mission in Kosovo (EULEX), Yves de Kermabon, said Monday that he would report to Brussels only and not to the United Nations headquarters in New York. De Kermabon said EULEX is not under UN umbrella although under the plan devised by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, EULEX will initially operate under the auspices of the reconfigured UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). He said EULEX is not authorized to replace UNMIK and its role is to assist Kosovo institutions. "In this environment EULEX is under very clear chain of command, which is a European chain of command, and we will report through this specific organization in Brussels," said the French retired general. He welcomed UN secretary-general's decision for UNMIK reconfiguration, hoping it would enable EULEX deployment and operation... [read full story]