The UN Human Rights Commission's special rapporteur on FRY, Jiri Dienstbier, has recommended that the sanctions against Serbia be lifted, as has Greek Foreign Minister Yorgos Papandreu. However Madeleine Albright has urged the EU not to suspend sanctions. The US has called on Albanians to correct the bad governance and corruption in Albania. Albanian Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo, and the US Undersecretary of State, Thomas Pickering, confirmed during a meeting last Sunday the readiness of both governments to improve bilateral relations between the two countries. International suppliers have been asked to submit tenders for building materials.
Suppliers are often unable or unwilling to make the trip through Montenegro, due to insecurity.
Communications remain difficult because of poor and damaged telecommunications infrastructure. Satellite phones are the only reliable form of communication. Inter-ethnic hostilities between Serbs and Kosovo Albanians remain intense. It is well-nigh impossible to work cooperatively with the two communities in the Mitrovica area. It would have been useful to have a rapid procurement process to assist all ACT shelter activities - more houses would have been completed.