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CONTENTS: NOV. 1ST SHALA: TRADING WITH THINGS THAT ARE PRICELESS
Zëri carried on page one a column by its editor-in-chief Blerim Shala, who wrote: They are in no hurry. Then you presume that only we have interest that they participate in 17 November general elections. This is how in one short sentence an international participant described the talks between UNMIK and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic. The latter emphasized after the meeting that no one has to inform him what will happen on 17 November, because they are very well aware of this. Thus, 16 days before elections, two days after the appeal letter sent by US President George W. Bush and after one of the many in series of meetings between UNMIK and Belgrade representatives, there is nothing new from Belgrade. It really looks like there is no hurry over there. However, it seems the impression of the second western diplomat is more important: UNMIK, OSCE and most importantly Albanian politicians have a great interest that Kosovo Serbs participate in elections. Every Kosovo citizen should take part in elections for the representatives in parliament and government. Kosovo Serbs have their share in this. In this circumstance it is of vital interest that Kosovo Serbs participate in general elections. Therefore the interest is mutual. This conclusion is not being understood in Belgrade or they deliberately do not want to comprehend it. The dragging of a final decision by Belgrade speaks clearly of an aspiration to trade things that are priceless.
All major papers carried a report on the incident that happened in Prishtina Municipal Assembly where Nysret Pllana accused Trajko Slavkovic of committing war crimes in Kosovo. Koha Ditore had the most extensive coverage of this event on page three. Representatives of the parliamentary groups in the Prishtina Municipal Assembly (LDK, PDK, AAK, LKÇK, BSDAK, PPT and PDASHK) said on Wednesday that they are suspending their participation of the Prishtina Municipal Assembly if the participation of the Serb delegate Trajko Slavkovic is not temporarily forbidden. "Amongst the municipal delegation there is person whose place is in The Hague and he is Trajko Slavkovic," said on Wednesday Nysret Pllana. "He used to be my neighbor and I have facts that he committed crimes against Albanians in the Gollaku region. He especially committed crimes against the Reka and Berisha families," said Pllana. Prishtina Municipal Assembly ended the session on Wednesday afternoon after PDK member Nysret Pllana accused Slavkovic of war crimes. Afterward all of the parties represented at the Municipal Assembly prepared a joint statement to clarify their stance after the fact were introduced on Wednesday. "The statement by the political parties is unacceptable. Prishtina Municipal Assembly is not competent to convict a person guilty of crimes," emphasized Prishtina Regional Administrator Sigfried Brenke. The statement released by the political parties in the Prishtina Municipal Assembly says that Slavkovic should temporarily be removed until the investigation is conducted and legal measures are undertaken against him.
Today there might be a definite decision by official Belgrade for the participation of the Kosovo Serbs in 17 November elections reported Koha Ditore on page three. UNMIK Chief Administrator Hans Haekkerup and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic did not come to any concrete results after the Wednesday meeting in Prishtina. As all of the previous meetings, this one was also called constructive and the atmosphere as good during the meeting by UNMIK representative for Public Information Simon Haselock. He added that the international administration considers that the negotiation process has shown progress. There have been no disagreements, even though an agreement has not been achieved yet, it was said after the meeting emphasizing that Haekkerup and Covic discussed the document that would improve the lives of the Kosovo Serbs so they can participate in November elections. "We gave our version they gave theirs. We discussed the possibilities of achieving an agreement. This cannot be achieved overnight," said Haselock. "Serb delegation led by Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic now has to discuss our remarks with the officials in Belgrade," said Haselock who again added that "time is an essential factor that has to be taken in consideration".
Zëri reported on page four on the meeting between AAK Chairman Ramush Haradinaj and the governmental Malaysian delegation. AAK Chairman Ramush Haradinaj informed the Malaysian delegation about the situation in Kosovo and the developments in the electorate race for the November elections and the AAK program and the visions for self-rule and Kosovo's development. On the other hand Ambassador Lili insured Haradinaj that the Malaysian government is resolved in helping Kosovo with concrete investing projects that are to be fulfilled very soon. AAK Chairman Ramush Haradinaj also met with head of the Greek Office in Prishtina Evangelos Carokis. He congratulated Haradinaj on the peaceful and dignified electorate campaign. The Greek diplomat empathized that his government is fully engaged in positive developments in the region and is closely monitoring the process in Kosovo. PDK held a rally in Lypjan reported Koha Ditore on page six. "Wherever PDK representatives show are automatically privileged, because their voices do not tremble when they address the citizens of Kosovo, they are not ashamed and they do not blush because they have worked for Kosovo and the good of its citizens," said PDK Chairman Hashim Thaçi before the citizens of Lypian. PDK Presidential candidate Flora Brovina said: "I have not joined these
elections to help Hashim Thaçi because he has no need for this. I am here
to help the boys of freedom, because they brought this day and these
elections the first free elections in Kosovo's
history".
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