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Daily Media Monitoring Summary: Wednesday 5 December, 2001
As a consequence, Kosovars should govern Kosovo. This is what Valentine is really saying. Another message could logically be tied to this blunt one by Valentine. After the general elections Kosovo must now enter the process of great political and economic change. The interest of the Kosovar citizens, no matter from which community, religion or political background, should be the primary interest of Kosovo's Parliament. Under these circumstances, Kosovo's government must change the position of the Serbs in enclaves. To say it bluntly, the enclaves have to be removed, and this will happen when the feeling of security improves for Serb citizens in Kosovo. Many might think that currently this is unachievable however it should be understood that joint efforts by the Kosovar government, UNMIK and KFOR could be successful in the medium term period. Naturally the success of this endevour depends on the return of northern Mitrovica to Kosovo and Kosovo to northern Mitrovica, the release of Albanian prisoners, shedding light on the missing and indicting the war criminals. Kosovo's government must function throughout all of Kosovo and be accessible to all of its citizens.
This visit was organized by Mitrovica Municipal Assembly, UNMIK and UNHCR, and was requested by the dwellers of this northern Mitrovica neighborhood. A visit was also planned for the Serbs that were expelled from the southern part of Mitrovica. "On our way to our burnt homes the Serbs gathered and we requested to be escorted and protected by MNBN soldiers," said Shahin Vitaku, one of the Albanians attacked. He added "the organizer of this trip, Sebastian Lasia, and KFOR representatives told us not be frightened, because according to them everything was in order." This drama was witnessed by the head of UNMIK administration in Mitrovica Samantha Chavapllda who did not have any comment to make regarding this incident. Neither did the Regional Administrator, Jon Rogers. "During the attack when Serbs were throwing rocks and beating us with wooden sticks our escorts from the French KFOR did not help us, on the contrary they laughed all along and moved away from the scene," emphasized Vitaku. After this attack seven heads of the families and two of their children wanted to remain, however French soldiers put them back into UN vehicles and returned them to southern Mitrovica. The leader of this visit, Ramadan Ademi told Koha Ditore that the visit was planned for Thursday 6 December, however on Monday night the KFOR leader of the planned visit, Sebastian, informed us that the visit would take place on Tuesday at 11:00. He added that this attack was coordinated and in cooperation with MNB French soldiers and Serbs. "Nevertheless we shall return to our homes" concluded Ademi. It has been said that Serb formation "The Bridge Watchers" has calmed down and that it is now under UNMIK control, however according to our information members of this formation are walking freely armed with sticks with the aim to frighten citizens in northern Mitrovica especially now when Kosovo's Parliament is being constituted, said Mitrovica Municipal President Faruk Spahiu. According to Spahiu this was an initiative of the MA and the regional administrator. The return of Albanians does not concur with the Serbs who are abusing the current situation. We will also approach the French Defense Ministry, because they might not be informed of the actions of their soldiers here in Kosovo concluded Spahiu. International officials in Mitrovica denied responsibility for these accusations. MNBN spokesperson Capitan Vareilles Frederik said that KFOR is not at fault for the attack because the escort was organized by UNMIK and not KFOR. KFOR tried to ensure security and from the information that we received not one citizen was injured thanks to the intervention of KFOR soldiers. According to KFOR press center around 100 Serbs participated in this rebellion.
Koha Ditore reported that the two leaders would meet on Thursday and that the meeting would be informal, whereas other details surrounding the meeting were not provided. Hajredin Kuçi, deputy leader of the Kosovo Democratic Party, confirmed the news on Tuesday. Kuçi told the paper that his party received a phone call from LDK officials regarding a meeting, which according to Kuçi would be held between the party leaders on Thursday. On the other hand, LDK officials didn't confirm the news. Nonetheless, an LDK official told the paper that they had received an invitation from the PDK for a consultative meeting between all Kosovar political parties due to be held Wednesday in Prishtina. The official didn't confirm whether the LDK would respond to the invitation, however other sources within the party claimed that a delegation, without chairman Rugova, would participate in the meeting. Furthermore, the paper said that US Head of Office John Menzies held separate meetings with LDK leader Ibrahim Rugova and PDK leader Hashim Thaçi. Quoting its sources, the paper said that the meeting pointed out that Kosovo should by all means have a broad government and not one created by a single entity. It was also emphasized that the upcoming government must have the attributes of an opposition government in relation with Belgrade's interests, which would work for Kosovo and not for the specific interests of one party. It was further agreed that Rugova would become the president of Kosovo, whereas the other governing posts in the new executive would be defined in a preliminary agreement which should be reached in Thursday's meeting. On the other hand, Zëri reported that the meeting would be held on
neutral territory, in one of the representative offices of the western
governments in Prishtina. PDK and LDK officials have agreed that the talks
should start without conditions. In fact, added the paper, the
Rugova-Thaçi meeting would define their wider plan on the main points of
co-governance.
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