The Serbian Orthodox monastery in Gracanica, about five miles from Pristina, is heavily guarded by Kfor troops. The monastery and chapel, dating from 1539, are in a courtyard surrounded by a high wall, giving a sense of security to those inside.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, met Bishop Artemije here yesterday as part of his visit to Kosovo as chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. He was accompanied by the council's general secretary, Mr Walter Schwimmer.
On the walls of the monastery there are photographs of what are, at first glance, heaps of rubble. In the corner of each photograph is a smaller picture, showing an intact church or monastery. The pictures show what has happened to them since the end of the war.
"We survived 500 years of Turkish rule, but we could not survive seven months of international peace," the bishop told them. "Monasteries and churches are being destroyed, many dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries . . .
"The people who did evil to ethnic Albanians left Kosovo a long time ago when Kfor arrived. What we expect from you is to stop the violence in Kosovo. We want a multi-ethnic Kosovo, but only when we have security will it be possible".
Mr Andrews said he was saddened and horrified by the attacks, of which he was aware. He lit a candle in the church before going to meet representatives of the Albanian community.
This meeting was to have been attended by the three main political leaders of the Albanian community, but in the event only one, Mr Hashim Thaci, was present.
This may have been as a result of the flu which had hit Pristina, or it may have indicated the continuing difficulties which exist in persuading the Albanian political leaders to co-operate.
Mr Thaci told the delegation that the Serbs were and are citizens of Kosovo and should participate in the life of the country.
There were places for them on the recently formed Administrative Council, he said, but they had not taken them up.
He said there was a political vacuum in Kosovo and that, as a result of the lack of institutions and a functioning police force, criminal acts did occur.
The delegation also met Dr Bernard Kouchner, head of the UN administration in Kosovo. He admitted that attacks were taking place on churches and said increased resources were necessary to carry out the work of the UN mission.
He asked Mr Andrews if judges from Ireland could come for a period of four to six months to help in the construction of judicial institutions.