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CONTENTS: 14 NOVEMBER 2001 SLAVKOVIC GAVE THE ORDER FOR THE MASSACRE
Yesterday family members of war victims held a protest in Pristina against the Pristina Municipal Assembly member Trajko Slavkovic, reported Koha Ditore on page three. "I have seen Slavkovic with my own eyes. I was sonly 20 meters away when he massacred my family members," said an eyewitness of the massacre in April 1999 in which six of his family members were killed by Serbs. The protestors were holding Trajko Slavkovic's picture to show that they remembered him well. "They should be brought to justice like all war criminals and not be rehabilitated by the international community". One of the family members, Jakup Berisha, who survived the killing, said that ICTY's chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte was present when their family members were re-buried and she promised that these criminals would be brought to justice. "These are unacceptable and shameful acts of the competent bodies, on whose conscience falls the second crime committed on all the victims," said Ejup Reka representing the families of the massacred in the village Bėrnica e Epėrm. He said "Let this protest be a strong message for independence. Local leaders must work more seriously to bring all criminals to justice".
OSCE Department of Elections advisor Jarret Blanc thoroughly explained the formula for the minority seats in Kosovo's future Assembly, reported Kosova Sot on page three. How many seats will Serbs have in Kosovo's Parliament if around 170,000 of eligible voters participate and how many seats are reserved for other minorities? Blanc said: "If we have a reasonable number of voters in the election their representation in the parliament will be higher than the percentage of the population". According to him there will be greater representation of the small communities than there are seats reserved in parliament. Out of 120 seats in parliament political parties will be eligible for 100, while 20 are reserved for ethnic minorities in Kosovo. Reserved seats do not only guarantee that a political subject is
represented in parliament but it also guarantees higher representation of
the smaller communities, said the OSCE official. He added that reserved
seats foresee representation by all communities.
Koha Ditore on page ten carried a letter addressed to the Head of German Office Michael Schmunk. The advisor in Prishtina Municipal Assembly and former PTK Manager, Agron Dida wrote the letter, which said: First, allow me to say that I admire your writing. In them, I see a sincere German and European citizen, an intellectual who works and is active in establishing a new Kosovar society on a Western model. The essence of your message is: Kosovars, try to become Europeans, act in a European way, work as one works in Europe, fight against organized crime and everything will be alright. We will help you to slowly integrate within the European nations. Allow me to express a modest opinion of mine. All I want to do is try to make you see the truth from another point of view. Meaning from the point of view of the responsible staff of the UN and OSCE in order for us to turn our joint wish of establishing a Kosovar-European society into a reality. I do not think that you arrived here right after the war when an incredible incident regarding the tender for Vala900 took place in Kosovo. UNMIK Administration acted against all European norms by violating the procedures for the tender, ignored the evaluations of the tender's professional commission and applied pressure on me while I was PTK General Director. Thereafter, once Kouchner suspended me (due to lack of cooperation!), UNMIK decided to give this job to 'Alcatel' although the offer of 'Siemens' was far better. This project was not a donation; it was a very serious and commercial project to the value of 30 million DM, all of which Alcatel financed. As far as I am concerned, PTK experts and managers carry a part of the responsibility regarding the system not functioning properly. One of the main causes of this situation is the violation of the tender procedures. Some mistakes turn out to be truly irreparable. Here is another paradox that I do not understand and do not want to believe that it is right. Although it clashes with UN Security Council Resolution 1244, the Belgrade company 'Mobtel' keeps providing mobile services in Kosovo and earning a great amount of money. This happens although the resolution does not allow Serbia to do business here. To make it a bit more ridiculous, as far as I know, Belgrade's company does not pay the taxes to UNMIK. Many examples illustrate today's situation, which can have negative implications and impede the positive process in Kosovo, including the process of democratization and of improving the security situation. Above all, Kosovars are to blame for this, but it is also true that a part of the responsibility is that of the ineffective institutions established by UNMIK and the European Union. It would be wrong and we would seem very ungrateful not to mention the undeniable positive developments that have taken place due to UNMIK and their people. We are very grateful for the positive developments to which the international community, NATO, USA and all European countries that participated in the rescue mission in Kosovo, contributed.
We have been informed that UNMIK Administrator Hans Haekkerup and Serb representative Nebojsa Covic signed a document, which changed the original provision in the agreement to transfer Albanian prisoners. This happened without any consultations with humanitarian groups or relatives of the prisoners, reported Zėri on page four. Why the Albanians did not participate? The new agreement is not exactly clear. In fact, it is very confusing. What is worse, Serbs probably managed to get everyone's minds off the release of the Albanian prisoners, whose cases have been discussed in bogus courts, which were established by Milosevic's regime. These courts should now be 'reconstituted through international standards'. But who will do this and when? And why should these cases be sent to court at all? After all, the process under which these people were arrested, tortured and tried in bogus courts violate international standards and the Yugoslav Constitution as well. Is this democratization? Albanians were never allowed to directly participate in this process. Meanwhile, the American Senate decided to block 115 million dollars for Yugoslavia while the prisoners remained in Serbia. On Tuesday, the US Office expressed its support for the document. Are the American officials aware of what is happening in Kosovo? They should be. To our surprise, US President George Bush, US Secretary of State Colin Powel and Advisor Condoleeza Rice met Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic. But who was there to represent the 1.8 million Albanians? No one. Now I ask, is this democratization? This is a result of the surprising, irresponsible and contradictory policy of Bush's administration. We let go of the idea of a fair and objective agenda of human rights in the Balkans. As far as human rights are concerned, objectivity should be our national and international interest. The dramatic change in the fate of the Albanians held in Serb prisons On 12 September, Yugoslav/Serb authorities reached an agreement with UNMIK, which guaranteed the transfer of 200 Albanians to UNMIK's control. They agreed to UNMIK's Justice Pillar supervising the transfer. Those who remain imprisoned are supposed to be held in the renovated prison of Dubrava, where they would meet their relatives, lawyers and friends. The prison of Dubrava has been renovated according to international and humanitarian standards. On 5 November, Haekkerup and Covic approved the Common Document.
According to the document, "Kosovo Albanian prisoners in Serbia's prisons,
accused of having committed criminal deeds in Serbia, after being tried,
shall be delivered to Kosovo and handed to the UNMIK prison authorities as
soon as possible.' This means that the Albanian prisoners will remain in
Serbia and that Serbia's judicial system, and not UNMIK, will review their
sentences. This provides a chance for confirming or reducing the sentences
of people accused of "threatening FRY's territorial
integrity". LDK held closing rallies in Shtime and Ferizaj reported Zėri on page six. "We declared Kosovo's independence in 1991 and insist that USA, the EU and other countries recognize it, so that this part of the world calms down. LDK's program is the program for Kosovo's statehood, independence and future," said LDK Chairman Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said in Shtime. In Ferizaj, he praised the joint governance with the internationals in Kosovo, especially the five ministries that were headed by LDK members. LDK election headquarters closed the election campaign in Besianė. The importance of these elections can be seen from the fact that Serbs are going to participate in these elections, thus Albanians must massively participate, said President of the Election office in Besianė, Agim Kika. PDK held the closing rallies in Therandė, Rahovec and Prizren reported Koha Ditore on page seven. "We are coming close to the greatest day, the day of the election, when Kosovo will get a parliament and president. If PDK prevails, Kosovo will have peace and quiet, independence and democracy," said PDK Chairman Hashim Thaēi in Prizren. In Rahovec, PDK Chairman Hashim Thaēi urged the electorate to show ethnic tolerance and said, "To vote for PDK is to respect our glorious past and clearly determine the future of Kosovo's citizens". "PDK will win the 17 November elections so Kosovo will have unity, self-governance, constitution, peace and order, economic growth and employment," said PDK Chairman Hashim Thaēi in Prizren. AAK held a rally in Gjakovė, reported Zėri on page eight. "AAK is ready for the challenges that await Kosovo," said AAK Chairman Ramush Haradinaj there. The Serbs in northern Mitrovica called on their fellow Kosovo Serbs not to vote in the 17 November elections, reported Zėri on page nine. The Serb campaign against the elections urges Kosovo Serbs to say a big NO. A no "to the Albanian state", no "to an Albanian parliament", no "to an Albanian president", no "to an Albanian government" and no "to Rada Trajkovic".
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