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CONTENTS: NOVEMBER 16, 2001 HAEKKERUP: HOW I SEE KOSOVO AFTER THE ELECTIONS HAEKKERUP: HOW I SEE KOSOVO AFTER THE ELECTIONS Kosova Sot on page five carried an interview with UNMIK Chief
Administrator Hans Haekkerup. Firstly, I do not believe that the contents of this document contain elements, which clash with UN Security Council Resolution 1244, Constitutional Framework or the authority of the interim self-government. I hope that the Common Document will be accepted and that the new government and assembly will fulfill the tasks in the document. According to the document, no authority has been handed to Yugoslavia. We are only identifying the fields of joint interest where we could cooperate and reach solutions. How much will your signature in the document affect your relations with the Albanian leaders? Although the Albanian leaders have not accepted the document, nothing will change. We will work towards implementing the document through the government. How do you evaluate the political forces? I believe that things have improved since my arrival here, especially in the relations among the leaders and political parties, including Serb representation at the IAC. The mood is very good and much more relaxed. Many local and international monitors will monitor the elections on Saturday. What are your predictions? I believe that the participation will be immense. Serb and several other communities, which did not participate in the local elections, will participate in the general elections. The elections will result in self-governance, in which a majority of the fields that deal with the daily life of the Kosovar population will have the power and responsibility. This is a very important step forward and I see it as a process of reconciliation and elimination of the hostility that was caused by previous processes. The participation of all communities in the elections result in institutions, which are an instrument to bring Kosovo forward. I believe that we will live to see this day. What are the indications regarding the participation of the communities, especially Serb in the elections? Do you believe that they will take part? I believe they will, because Yugoslav President Kostunica and Patriarch Pavle have made several strong appeals for Kosovo Serbs to enter the elections. We have several politicians here in Kosovo who are against Serb participation. But regardless of that, Kosovo Serbs will vote and participate in the institutions. This is an important accomplishment because it will change the security condition for the better. Explain to us what the establishment of the institutions means and what will change thereafter? There will be an assembly, a government, prime minister and nine ministers, who will take over the legislation and be responsible for administering the fields of health, education, social welfare and many other important fields. Kosovo will also have a president, who might not have a great deal of formal government, but he will represent Kosovo and appoint the prime minister. I also believe that Kosovo's President will soon gain a high level of the government. The Constitutional Framework assured a wider field of authority for you as the SRSG. Can you tell us about the transfer of the governmental responsibilities from the international authority to the local leaders and their institutions? UNMIK will have the power to mediate in events and decisions that are not in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 or the Constitutional Framework. The issue of Kosovo's final status is in the minds of all Kosovar citizens, especially Kosovo Albanians. For how long can this issue be delayed and is there danger for Kosovo to remain under an undetermined or long-lasting international protectorate. We are trying to bring Kosovo forward. But during this process, we have to deal with the Constitutional Framework and the Common Document. However, these two documents will not affect Kosovo's final status. We should not prejudge our path whether it is independence or something else. What we are trying to do is make it easier to find a final solution in the future. The international community, Serbia and Kosovo's communities are for a final solution. However, I believe that we must have movements in order to achieve this as soon as possible. We must develop political maturity and create a democracy in Kosovo, in which all communities participate and this will lead the way to reach a final solution. I believe that the new assembly and government have a lot ahead in creating the necessary trust and by cooperating, we can reach that target. SHALA: KABUL AND PATIENCE Zëri carried on page one a column by its editor-in-chief Blerim Shala, who wrote: If PPAK existed as a political party would surely have five seats in Kosovo's Parliament. PPAK would stand, let us say for: Party of Generator Owners in Kosovo. Their number in Kosovo is big and if they gathered to organize in a political party they would surely represent the fourth political force in Kosovo. Surprisingly generators have still remained one of the main symbols and "attractions" of the post-war Kosovo, however they were not mentioned in the programs and electoral campaign promises. No one dared to say: After 17 November elections you will have no need for generators! Politicians have the courage to offer the shortest road to independence, offer travel without visas for Kosovars, the building of the road Prizren-Durrës, regular pensions, bigger salaries and social security, however no politicians was daring enough to tackle the issue of generators and the lack of electricity. In this "battlefield" there are no victors and there is nothing to promise. On Wednesday night BBC correspondent reporter from Kabul, a city that is celebrating its freedom with the right to listen to radio, watch TV, wear ordinary clothes and faces without beards. Behind the journalist stands Kabul that has been non-stop at war for 22 years was full of lights. If this night BBC journalists reported from Prishtina the town which is for three years under UNMIK international administration would have in its background only darkness. It is about time that Prishtina changed its name. The best name that
would suit it now is:
Patience.
Independence is the dearest word. LDK concluded their electoral campaign for the national elections. Koha Ditore on page five quoted LDK Chairman Ibrahim Rugova while concluding the electoral campaign in Prizren saying, "We are practically independent, we just want our friends to formally acknowledge our independence." PDK concluded its electoral campaign in Prishtina and used the last day to once more remind the citizens to vote for this entity. "A vote for PDK is a vote for Kosovo's democracy and independence," said PDK Chairman Hashim Thaçi reported Zëri on page five. AAK held rallies in Mitrovica and Prishtina closing the electoral campaign. "Kosovo will not stop at independence, because independence is just another step in integrating Kosovo in NATO, European Union and Western structures," stressed AAK Chairman Ramush Haradinaj reported Zëri on page six. Bota Sot carried on page four KPC Commander Gen. Agim Çeku's message regarding the 17 November elections "I am convinced that following the elections, all parties will cooperate with the international community. Thus, they will create a basis for solving Kosovo's final status, which will be in accordance with the peoples' will. I appeal to all Kosovars to massively participate in the elections". Epoka e Re carried on page three NATO Secretary General George Robertson's message to the Kosovars on the 17 November elections. "Elections in Kosovo will bring good influence to the region," said Robertson.
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