Mr Nash said that the UN wanted to see a change in the political balance of local authorities. We are quite anxious to deal with those people who are interested in democracy, and those that are not interested in democracy can go elsewhere. They can leave Kosovo in a variety of ways. Doctors from the local hospital in northern Mitrovice dismissed claims that the smelter was causing pollution. The head of the UN mission in Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner, denied those claims, saying that at least 160 cases of lead poisoning were being reported a year.
Money is to be spent on a full-scale refurbishment of the plant.
Local leaders have voiced concerns that workers may have to be laid off and part of the factory closed. This was also denied by Dr Kouchner. We have no intention of closing any part of the Trepca mining complex. On the contrary, we're going to make it safe and profitable. Outside the factory there was scepticism about the UN's plans.