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CONTENTS: 08 NOVEMBER.2001 A MEETING IN WHICH LDK WAS ABSENT
Koha Ditore, on page two, carried a report about a meeting held yesterday between the PDK and AAK during which both sides agreed on a four-points declaration. The meeting, which was called by PDK Chairman Hashim Thaēi, took place at the political parties building. "We the Albanian parties, and members of IAC, agree on the following joint declaration: 1. The Haekkerup-Covic Document is unacceptable to us and to Kosovo citizens because it does not unite us. 2. The UN SRSG is requested to cease forthwith any further issuing of regulations until the Kosovo Assembly is constituted. 3. We appeal to all Kosovo citizens to take part in the November elections in great numbers. 4. We welcome the participation of Serbs and other minorities in Kosovo in the Kosovo general elections, said the joint statement. The joint declaration will be sent to the LDK for signature. "Even though the LDK did not attend the LDK, we hope they will sign the declaration," said AAK Deputy Chairman, Muhamet Kelmendi.
Koha Ditore, on page eight, carried a follow-up story on the Slavkovic case. On 16 may 1999 in Siēevė near Prishtina seven members of the Berisha family were massacred. Jakup Berisha was the only one to survive. As the sole survivor of the massacre he saw on that day Slavkovic wearing a paramilitary uniform. "I was only twenty meters from the house. I do not know how I survived. Slavkovic came and gave the order to massacre my family," said Jakup Berisha. "I went with a VHS cassette that contains proof of my family's massacre to UNMIK Prishtina Municipality Administrator, Brenke, to show Slavkovic's guilt," said Berisha, but still after giving more than twenty statements this man still has not been arrested for his war crimes. Hashim Reka gave the following testimony on the events in Bėrnica e Epėrm. "On 26 March 1999, I was stooped at a Serb check-point where I met my childhood neighbor Trajko Slavkovic who told me that he received the order to assemble all Serbs including his own son," said Reka. After that not one Albanian was allowed to leave Bėrnica. It is interesting that when we were assembled our eyes were covered, so we could not see the persons that were abusing us," said Reka. He adds that they recognized the voices and knew some of their neighbors were involved. Members of the Reka family said that it is time for the criminals to answer for their deeds. "We have shown our readiness to testify anytime with facts for the crimes committed and anywhere if needed. However, our request was ignored and until now nothing was undertaken to apprehend these persons," concluded the members of the Reka family.
What is the truth behind the malfunction in B2, asked Koha Ditore on page three. On Sunday a technical malfunction caused B2 to stop functioning, leaving Kosovo in darkness. The consequences of this failure should have been an explosion that should have blown up Kosovo B power plant with most of the employees in it. However a miracle happened. "I do not know how it happened that the B2 did not explode. Nevertheless this is a fortune in a misfortune," said Kosova B director Sabri Hashani. He added that the malfunction is part of the problem with the whole system. For three months this year and also for three months last year Alstom was repairing B2. The cost of the repairs went over 220 million DM funds which were donated by the EU. After the repairs were finalized, B2 did not show the much needed improvement forseen in the contract. For this reason the investigating group has called those responsible
for the repairs in Alstom to come to Kosovo. It is expected they will
arrive in Prishtina airport on Thursday. Zėri, on page four reported that KFOR and KPS attempted to arrest former KPC Zone II Commander Gen. Sami Lushtaku. Lushtaku was suspended from the KPC after his name was published on US President Bush's black list. KLA Veterans Association in Prizren interpreted the attempted arrest as shameful and a grave offence to former KLA members of which Lushtaku was a one of the most notable commanders. A source informed the paper that the reason for the attempt to arrest Lushtaku was the verification of the license of his personal weapon that was issued while he was with the KPC. Regarding KPS involvement in this case, its Prizren spokesperson emphasized that KFOR requested for assistance in verifying the legal possession of Lushtaku's weapon.
The Municipal administrator in Mitrovica has received a request from the Serb side to allow the building of an Orthodox church in northern Mitrovica to go ahead, while the ownership of the land where the church is being build is still in dispute, reported Zėri on page eight. While UNMIK has declared that they still do not know who owns the land, the Director of Urbanization in Mitrovica Municipal Assembly, Gani Beshiri, said that the land belongs to the municipality. According to UNMIK regional spokesperson Gorgy Kaukuk, regional and municipal administrators are aware that there is a politically very fragile situation and that any gossip between the two communities could make the situation even worse. Kakuk said that Archbishop Artemije understands the situation and offered to cooperate with UNMIK. He also said that he would not participate in the inauguration of the church.
Zėri, on page six, carried a report on LDK rallies in Malishevė, Rahovec and Therandė. In Malishevė LDK Chairman Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said: "I call on all the citizens of Kosovo that the elections pass in peace and a democratic way. This we will show the world that we are ready and capable of leading the state of Kosovo". In Rahovec the LDK Chairman said: "this is an open programme with open doors, a programme of vast possibilities whose priority is Kosovo's independence with a national aim of economic growth". In Therandė Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said: "Recognition of Kosovo's independence would spiritually free the people of Kosovo, create security for the future and also calm the region". Zėri carried a report on an AAK rally in Kaēanik, where AAK Chairman Ramush Haradinaj's main topic was the Haekkerup-Covic agreement. Haradinaj said: "Yes to Kosovo's citizens, all of the minorities and the international community but no to those that have a conquering mentality towards us". PDK held a meeting with Albanians in northern Mitrovica, reported Koha Ditore on page five. PDK representative Bajram Rexhepi said that PDK's priority is the unification of the divided town of Mitrovica. PDK Chairman Hashim Thaēi meets with Prishtina youths, headlined Koha Ditore on page five. According to the story Thaēi said: "I will always support your innovative viewpoints". PDK presidential candidate Flora Brovina met with the women in Viti,
reported Koha Ditore on page five. Brovina said: "UNMIK Chief
Administrator Hans Haekkerup cannot ignore the legitimacy of the Kosovar
representatives". |