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CONTENTS: 6 Oct 2001 EU'S MESSAGE: THE ELECTIONS IN KOSOVO ARE CRUCIAL Javier Solana and Christopher Paten arrived in Kosovo on Friday in order to meet Albanian and Serb political leaders, and leaders of the international administration. Their message was clear: the November elections are crucial, reported Koha Ditore on page one. Due to Solana and Paten's conviction that the general election in Kosovo was "crucial", they encouraged the Kosovo Serbs to participate in them and the Albanians to do everything in their power to let the elections flow properly and in peace. "This is a historic moment for the people of Kosovo," stressed the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Javier Solana, and appealed for a postive campaign. "The elections will make it possible to effectively govern Kosovo based on the UN Security Council Resolution 1244." Nevertheless, it is still unclear whether the Serb minority will participate in the elections. "We appealed for the participation of the Serb community in the general elections. This is a good chance for them to become a part of Kosovo's future," stated Solana. Impressed with the achievements in Kosovo, Solana said, "Kosovo is much safer than it used to be. Generally speaking, the security situation in Kosovo is on the right track." Paten shared said that he is very impressed with the investments of the European Union in Kosovo during the last two years. Paten reported that he brought 45 million Euros for the establishment of democratic institutions and preparation for the elections. "With this we have accomplished many of our goals in the process of reconstruction. Now we have to contribute to establishing the political and economic reforms, which are essential for Kosovo to join the European family," stressed Paten. "Europe has spent 200 million Euros to repair the thermal- power plant. Do not ever think that the ones who pay the taxes in Europe will pay the electricity bills for the people of Kosovo," stressed Paten while trying to explain the problems regarding the lack of electricity in Kosovo. "After all the money given by the European Union, if you want to constantly have electricity in Kosovo, Kosovo's politicians must tell their citizens to start paying the bills. If you want to know what you have to do to become a responsible society, then you have to pay the electricity bills and not wait for the Europeans, who pay taxes, to do this for you," stressed Paten. "There are many requests for help in Europe and in the whole world. The latest developments will especially increase these requests. We will now support your efforts to become your own boss," stated Paten.
Although several months before the electoral campaign in Kosovo began, the OSCE mission made it clear that they will not finance any political party in the November elections, some "small parties" have requested the OSCE to finance them, reported Koha Ditore on page six. Ten Kosovar political entities sent a request to hold an urgent meeting with the Head of the OSCE, Daan Everts, in order to discuss a solution for financing their electoral campaigns. However, the OSCE Spokeswoman Claire Trevena made it clear that this mission has not changed its mind and will not finance the political parties. "It makes no sense for us to organize the elections and pay for these people's participation," stressed Trevena, adding that the only money these and other political parties will receive is the money donated by the European Agency for Reconstruction. Trevena does not know how much money the EAR will donate and how the OSCE will distribute it to the political entities that will participate in the elections. This amount of money is a part of the financial package of 45 million Euros the European Union's representatives, Solana and Paten brought. Trevena does not believe that a meeting will take place between Everts and the political parties that are complaining about their financial situation. She added that Everts would not be in Kosovo anyway. "The document signed by these parties was not signed by the competent people of the LPK and no one was present at the LPK headquarters when it was signed, therefore it is not valid for us," a communiqué issued by the LPK said, adding that this entity is preparing for the electoral campaign.
Zëri on page one carried a column by its Editor-in-Chief Blerim Shala, commenting on the general elections, which are to take place on 17 November. Shala wrote: "Following the difficult talks in Skopje, which were unsuccessful, the European Union High Representatives, Javier Solana and Christopher Paten's stay in Prishtina felt probably like a vacation for them. The Kosovars' 'political acts' during the last several months have been highly evaluated. The Albanian community in Kosovo is most probably the most pro-Western nation in the Balkans. Washington and Brussels will sooner or later come to this conclusion as well. As for the European Union, the political and financial investments in Kosovo, the good organization of the parliamentary elections with the participation of all minorities, especially the Serbs, is crucial during the next few months. The Kosovars, USA and the European Union agree on this issue as well. Thus, the democratization of Kosovo has a joint value for all Kosovars and Americans regardless of the ethnic background. UNMIK and the OSCE will organize the general elections based on the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the Constitutional Framework approved in May. The boycott of the general elections in Kosovo means a boycott of
UNMIK, OSCE and the international
community." |