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CONTENTS: 7 NOV. 2001 SHALA: PARALLEL GOVERNMENT IN KOSOVO
Zëri carried on page one a column by its editor-in-chief Blerim Shala, who wrote: The co-signers of the UNMIK and FRY Common Document cannot agree on the interpretation of its contents. UNMIK Chief Administrator Hans Haekkerup is trying to minimize the problematic weight of the document, by stating that this document just repeats again the obligations that derive from UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and that the issue of Kosovo's final status is not addressed in this document. On the other hand, Nebojsa Covic accompanied by some first hand politicians in Belgrade, keeps on bragging about the triumph by the Belgrade regime in every field: from the removing of the danger of Kosovo's independence all the way to return of the Serbs and the Yugoslav politics to Kosovo. For this reason Covic is calling for Kosovo Serbs to participate in 17 November elections to seal Serb return to Kosovo. Naturally both of the co-signers have their reasons for the propaganda, for one or another interpretation of the most problematic document in Kosovo since June 1999. However, the huge contradiction between Haekkerup and Covic speaks itself for the nature of the document, and the fact that Covic's aspirations were achieved: the wording of the document is such that Belgrade considers that it has improved its positions toward UNMIK. With this document Belgrade considered that what will be on the scheme of the government in Kosovo from now on is: UNMIK will deal with Albanians and others and Belgrade with Kosovo Serbs. Thus, Haekkerup fell into the most dangerous possible trap: the one of the parallel government in Kosovo.
For the first time since the agreement was reached, UNMIK Administrator Hans Haekkerup met the Kosovar main leaders and saw the consequences of their reaction, he could not hold the regular IAC meeting, reported Zëri on page two. Before Haekkerup informed the participants on the discussions and the agreement with Serbs, PDK Chairman Hashim Thaçi stood up and expressed the PDK position regarding the Common Document: it is not acceptable to the PDK. Right after he went out of the meeting in order to continue his electoral campaign. Zëri reported on Kosovalive quoting PDK member Ramadan Avdiu, "We, as the PDK representatives, were present at the IAC meeting. However, we had to depart due to our engagements for the electoral campaigns." LDK Chairman Ibrahim Rugova expressed his position regarding the Common Document during the LDK electoral rally in Pejë. He considers the document unacceptable but advised the citizens not to worry too much, as the issue will remain under discussion with UNMIK. Meanwhile, AAK Chairman Ramush Haradinaj repeated his conviction regarding the document: it is damaging Kosovo and will have very bad consequences. Zëri quoted Haradinaj saying: "We support cooperation with the international community regarding the establishment of Kosovo's institutions. But no one should forget that we are ready to pay a very high price for Kosovo's independence." Kosovo's main three political parties did not give any decisive announcement regarding the issue of the IAC. They did not say that they were boycotting the IAC. They said that they would express their positions in the near future. UNMIK Spokeswoman Susan Manuel tried to be optimistic for the Kosovars. According to her, "the document does not return Serbia to Kosovo and does not bring an end to the Kosovars' dream of independence."
One day after the signing of the Haekkerup-Covic document Zëri retorts on pages one and the three about the situation in UNMIK. Relations between UNMIK administration and Kosovar politicians came to one of the lowest point. This is one of the biggest crisis since international administration arrived to Kosovo in June 1999. For the things to be even worst - this crisis of relations between UNMIK Chief Administrator Hans Haekkerup and Kosovar main politicians coincided with the most vulnerable stage of the electorate camping. The moment, when the final messages are expected to be conveyed in the race for the mandates in the first democratic parliament in Kosovo's history. The cause of this worsening of relations is the Common Document signed by Haekkerup and Covic on 5 November in Belgrade. Current reactions of the Albanian political leaders are almost similar: this document is Haekkerup's big political mistake and the consequences for the process of the formation of Kosovo government could be very serious. For this reason this document does not have any weight and cannot be applied after the 17 November elections. It looks like Hans Haekkerup understood now the dimensions of the problems that were caused after 5 November. He understood it after the clear reactions of the Albanian political politicians and after the transparent statements by Covic in Belgrade, that this document is considered as great success by Belgrade and opens the doors of return to Kosovo of FRY and Serbia. Diplomatic sources close to UNMIK inform that Haekkerup is asking for help from the UN in New York to 'calm' down Covic who, in his messages from Belgrade says that the document will play some role in the decision on Kosovo's final status, which cannot in any way be discussed at this time and at these circumstances. Covic is revealing Haekkerup's concessions to the Serbs and this is not very favorable to the latter one. We have been informed that Haekkerup is very upset with the inauguration ceremony of the church in northern Mitrovica on 10 November. Covic and Archbishop of the Serb Orthodox Church will be present during the inauguration ceremony. Regarding the Albanian side, it looks like Haekkerup will ask for the help of the western diplomats in Prishtina, who can have some influence in convincing the Kosovar politicians that the Common Document 'does not endanger the process of forming a democratic government and does not prejudge Kosovo's final status'. Haekkerup is convinced that he will have the backing of the western capitals whose joint aim is the participation of Kosovo Serbs in 17 November elections. From what we found out, Haekkerup did not consult with the representatives of the five main western countries in Prishtina (USA, Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy) on the final version of the document, which was compiled on 2 November. This document was accepted for Belgrade. What is also evident in the document is KFOR's clear absence, though KFOR has the main responsibility for security in Kosovo. KFOR officials, unsatisfied with the whole process and the obligations that could derive from this document, did not want to be present in Haekkerup's proposals. This fact makes Hans Haekkerup's weight of the responsibility even worse. What will Haekkerup face now, will be the next problem. Several regulations were to be approved, two of which very importance. The Regulation on using the flags in Kosovo and the Regulation on the work of the Kosovo Parliament. If the three Albanian representatives do not participate in IAC, then Haekkerup will make the final decision on these regulations. This could only widen the political gap between Haekkerup and Kosovar political leaders. Nevertheless, our diplomatic western sources conclude that Hans Haekkerup continues to think that his step in Belgrade was needed and successful.
The West is satisfied with Haekkerup-Covic document, reported Zëri on page three. The three main Albanian political leaders boycotted the IAC meeting because of the Common Document signed by Haekkerup and Covic. However, western officials expressed satisfaction evaluating the document as a big step for the good of Kosovo and a step towards multi-ethnic Kosovo. NATO Secretary General George Robertson released a communiqué in favor of the document in Bratislava and also welcomed Kostunica's call for the participation of Kosovo Serbs in 17 November elections. EU fifteen member states also spoke positively about the document. High
EU official Javier Solana said that this document is the basis for the
cooperation between UNMIK and Belgrade authorities for the good of Kosovo.
He welcomed the signing of the document and Kostunica's call for the Serb
participation in 17 November elections. Full participation of Serbs would
be an important step towards development in Kosovo of a multi-ethnic
society where all communities will live in peace and security.
An Orthodox church is being constructed in the Albanian enclave in northern Mitrovica, reported Koha Ditore on page three. "A new big excavator stared working on the construction site of the Orthodox Church in the northern part of Mitrovica," informed UNMIK spokesperson in Mitrovica Gyorgy Kakuk during his extraordinary press conference. He explained that there was no license given by Municipal Administration in Mitrovica for the construction and that UNMIK and KFOR have taken some steps to stop the work. Mitrovica Administrator John Rogers met with the architect and the Serb
committee for the building of the church. "The committee received
necessary the information and what they are doing is illegal".
PDK Chairman Hashim Thaçi called for a joint meeting with LDK Chairman Dr. Ibrahim Rugova and AAK Chairman Ramush Haradinaj to be held tomorrow, reported Zëri on page two. "Dear sirs, the situation created after the signing of the 'agreement' between UNMIK and Belgrade authorities calls for close cooperation between the Albanian political leaders in Kosovo. With the greatest responsibility for the situation I invite you to meet and to streamline our points of view and actions in service of Kosovo's political interest and the interests of all citizens. I propose that the meeting is held at the office of the political parties in Prishtina, tomorrow on 7 November 2001," wrote PDK Chairman Hashim Thaçi in his invitation distributed to the media.
Koha Ditore on page eleven reported on the EU and UNMIK Department of Public Information's press-release stating that Robert McSwiggan had been appointed the Interim Manager of the Higjienoteknika in Prishtina. According to the press release, the current manager Abit Aliu will report to McSwiggan, the Higjienoteknika under the leadership of McSwiggan would improve, and a legal procedure to appoint the permanent manager would meanwhile take place. According to Zëri, Mr. McSwiggan was appointed to temporarily manage Higjienoteknika and to introduce new ways of increasing its effectiveness. One of the main responsibilities of the new manager will be to design and implement the plan of the enterprise development with the value of 1 million DM.
Zëri on page five and Koha Ditore on page eleven reported on an incident that took place Tuesday. A KPC member tried to tell a citizen not to park his car in front of the KPC Fifth Command Zone, but the citizen would not listen and started offending the KPC, which ended up with the KPC officer shooting in the air. Regarding this incident, the KPC General Staff issued a press release, according to which, the conduct of the officer was in accordance with the regulations and the disciplinary code of the KPC. "Our officer defended the dignity of the institution, in which he serves by showing responsibility and great professionalism. Therefore, he has our undivided support. The provocative conduct of irresponsible people is an offense for the KPC. We will fulfill our duty of defending the dignity of our institution," stated the press-release signed by the Commander of the KPC Fifth Zone Rrahman Rama.
Even though the KEK officials are keeping silent about their failures, the only way to soften the crisis is to import electricity, reported Zëri on page five. KEK Information Manager Fadil Lepaja informed that an agreement was reached to import 100 MW. According to him, this will reduce the lack of electricity to four hours of electricity and two hours of darkness.
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