Pristina, 13 August 2008
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo remains deeply committed to fighting organised crime and other evils, in order to secure the life and security of Kosovo’s citizens. As part of this fight, last month three trucks were stopped, carrying into Kosovo – under false documentation – dangerous substances (dimethyl sulphate) which, according to the appropriate analyses, does not fulfil the standards for which it was destined. Furthermore, according to information received, such materials have been brought into Kosovo without difficulty in previous years, thus endangering the life and security of the citizens of Kosovo. This incident continues to be under investigation and the government expects the appropriate prosecuting authorities to do their work, and those responsible and all those who might be involved in this dangerous business to be brought to justice.
Meanwhile, the Government of Kosovo has taken the decision that the ‘dimethyl sulphate’ will be destroyed in a safe and transparent manner. The entire process of destroying this substance has already begun and will be done under rigorous safety measures protecting the biological environment. For some months the citizens of Mitrovica have shown their discontent at the delay in finding a solution to this problem. The public must understand that the only reason why these trucks were positioned in the Trepça industrial park, and not in any other place in Kosovo, is the fact that, according to experts in the field, this location offered the best security. Kosovo is still not equipped with adequate stability for storing these substances. Nevertheless, the Government of Kosovo assures the citizens of Mitrovica and all of Kosovo that it will never do anything which would jeopardise life and security.
To this end, we call on you, the citizens of Mitrovica, who are worried by this problem, to be mature and reasonable in your actions. The citizens of Mitrovica and the representatives of the protest council are welcome to be present at any government activity leading to the complete destruction of this substance. The Government of Kosovo believes that the citizens of Kosovo will unite and give their assistance in overcoming this problem and that they will support the government in its fight against organised crime.
Last modified: July 31, 2022