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CONTENTS:17 October 2001 ELECTION CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP
Koha Ditore reported that while other political parties launched their electoral campaigns in cities, the PDK held a promotional rally in the village of Greme. "It is a privilege for me to be present in the list of the PDK," stated PDK member Makfire Sadiku. "This party has the right approach toward the minorities, whose task is to respect the law in Kosovo. The difference between the PDK and other parties is that the PDK does not consider the elections as a solution for many issues. The PDK did not wait for freedom to come, but did something about it. It will not wait for independence or democracy to come either." PDK member Agim Aliu reminded the youth of Greme that the PDK has not forgotten them. Aliu promised to increase the level of employment and greater effort to fight the negative phenomena such as drugs and prostitution, reported Koha Ditore on page seven. Koha Ditore on page seven carried a report on the electoral campaign of the LDK in Vitia. The LDK promised to reach Kosovo's independence, increase security, integrate Kosovo with developed states, and increase the level of economic development and tourism. "Kosovo is surely proceeding forward toward statehood," stated LDK candidate Samet Dalipi. "The LDK supports the KPC as Kosovo's transitional military and will support its development and consolidation," stressed candidate Sanije Aliu, adding that the establishment of the state will eliminate the criminal acts, drugs, prostitution and will bring an end to corruption and usurpation. Koha Ditore carried another article on LDK's promotional rally in Burim. Since the early hours, the small city of Burim was overcrowded with vehicles carrying the portrait of LDK Chairman Ibrahim Rugova. "Apparently, history blessed November and reserved it with decisive incidents, which will decide the fate of the Albanian nation," stressed Chairman of LDK Branch in Burim Fadil Ferati. "I am honored to be here in Istog, which is the hometown of our leader Rugova, who was elected president of Kosovo in 1992 and 1998. Rugova is once more ready to win victory and become president of our country. We also feel the pain in Istog, because it is the city of Shaban Manaj and his family. In this rally, which is taking place in freedom and democracy, we recall those who gave their lives for the freedom of the future generations," stressed LDK member Alush Gashi. "We are committed for the future of Kosovo to be based on cooperation and not conflict. The LDK appeals for all to participate in this work. We should not forget that the electoral campaigns are being launched at a time when many families have not even found the bones of their loved ones. Therefore, I appeal for modesty, tolerance and agreement," stressed Gashi for Zëri, adding that the international community will remain in Kosovo even after the general elections take place. "The project of the LDK is the project that has always been in your minds and souls. It is a project of the true independence, which will soon occur. We are convinced that this will soon happen because we know that we can work hard to improve Kosovo and integrate it in the civilized world. The LDK is a party of tradition, and includes the most important values of the Albanian history," stressed Deputy Chairman Fatmir Sejdiu for Koha Ditore on page six. Whereas, Zëri on page nine reported on an LDK press briefing that took place in Besiana. For the first time since the electoral campaign was launched, Spokesman of LDK's Electoral Staff Skënder Gashi informed on the electoral activity of the LDK. According to him, the LDK is engaged to hold a calm electoral campaign, in which each entity will present its values. "We will once more prove that we are capable of holding a calm electoral campaign in the level of European and Western standards. We will also get engaged to ease among the political parties that are competing in the general elections," stressed Gashi Zëri. According to Zëri, Gashi appealed to the LDK chairmanship and its fans to be more tolerant to the other parties and not tear the posters and other propaganda material, which they have placed over the cities and villages. "Let us help the pensioners," was one of the PDK's mottos, which together with the other symbols of the PDK decorated the Hall of Culture in Prizren, reported Koha Ditore on page seven. The LDK revealed its electoral program to the electorate. The first man to hold a speech was PDK Deputy Chairman Hajredin Kuçi, who passed the message of PDK Chairman Hashim Thaçi. Kuçi said that Thaçi is currently in Turkey, but reminds people to "continue the co-existence with the others." "The PDK is entering the elections with specific characteristics. The PDK is a democratic entity and ready to take over the responsibility for Kosovo. It is also willing to cooperate with the international community. We have proven this by approving the OSCE's request regarding 30% of the candidates for Kosovo's parliament being female. We done much more than what was requested of us, we have announced a female to run for president of Kosovo," stressed Kuçi for Zëri on page eight, adding, "no one can gather the children better than the mother." Koha Ditore quoted member of Albania's Alliance for Democracy Destan Spahiu saying that the "PDK is not just an old party of the past that has made lots of hollow promises." Zëri on page eight carried a report on the electoral rally of the National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo (LKÇK) in Prishtina. It is the first time since for this party to hold a rally ever since the electoral campaign was launched. LKÇK Chairman Fatmir Humolli held a long speech about this party's engagement to free the Albanian population from the Serb regime. According to Humolli, his party accepts the new reality in Kosovo, but is determined to do everything in its power to thoroughly change it. According to Humolli, war is inevitable if the international community to its policy whose target is to return the status of autonomy to Kosovo, reported Zëri. "Those who request independence, are in reality requesting autonomy," stressed LKÇK Deputy Chairman Shukri Klinaku for Zëri. The Central Electoral Committee (CEC) received the lists of candidates for the general elections. The OSCE issued a communiqué, according to which the OSCE accepted the participation of approximately 1282 candidates in the elections, reported Koha Ditore on page eight. "It is a great thing that all the parties have fulfilled the conditions of the CEC. It is a great announcement for further democratic progress," stressed Head of OSCE Daan Everts for Koha Ditore. The OSCE said that the CEC gave more time for the Serb coalition "Povratak", due to the fact that the entity was not established on time and was handicapped due to its representatives and sympathizers being scattered all over Kosovo. The OSCE reminds that every third person in the first two thirds of the list of candidates, should be a female. Whereas, Rilindja on page six carried a report on the LPK launching its electoral campaign in the Hall of Culture in Ferizaj in the presence of its members and sympathizers. The LPK is the favorite party of the citizens of the municipality of Ferizaj. "The LPK's program is devoted to solve Kosovo's problems. We swear that we will deal with issues, which result in great changes for Kosovo. We need an international conference for Kosovo, in which we would determine the conditions and the agenda for the independence of Kosovo," stressed LPK Secretary Shemsi Bushi for Rilindja.
Zëri on page two reported that the Project for Interethnic Relations has announced a roundtable to get together Albanians, Serbs and other communities. The leaders of the three biggest political parties in Kosovo: Ibrahim Rugova (LDK), Hashim Thaçi (PDK) and Ramush Haradinaj (AAK) are invited to participate in the meeting. Among the invitees from the Serbian side are: Nebojsa Covic, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister, and the political representatives of Kosovo Serbs, Rada Trajkovic and Momcilo Trajkovic and Bishop Artemije. The above mentioned personalities are expected to hold talks on the current political situation in Kosovo, confirmed the OSCE Press Office in Prishtina, the organization which will seat the political roundtable.
Koha Ditore on page ten carried a commentary by the editorial's office, which noted: "When he started the dialogue with Covic, we knew Haekkerup wasn't going to have an easy time. Not due to the fact that Haekkerup doesn't know how to face politics coming from Belgrade, but because the Serbs would have so many demands and that compromise must be made somewhere. It is understandable that this kind of politics by Belgrade is proving to be fruitful, because UNMIK is interested in including the Serbs in Kosovar institutions." "The international community is of course very interested in the participation of Kosovo Serbs in the elections. Furthermore, it can be said that, "the non-participation of Kosovo Serbs in these elections would be understood as a huge failure of the international community". The Serbs, especially the Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic, are well aware of this and have pragmatically started bargaining. Covic has told the international diplomats, who still have a great amount of trust on him, that he would ask the Kosovo Serbs to take part in the elections, but now he is trying to benefit something from all this." "Will there be elections in Kosovo if the Serbs don't participate?" Yes, there will be. And this is quite clear to all western relevant diplomats, despite the fact that they don't like this scenario. This is very clear to Nebojsa Covic. It is also very clear to Covic that nothing can be changed in the Constitutional Framework of Kosovo. Therefore, it is very enigmatic what Belgrade wants in return from the international community, for convincing Kosovo Serbs to take part in the elections, because the international community is not so naïve not to know that Kosovo Serbs don't decide by themselves on the participation on the elections, but the decision is made by Belgrade. According to some diplomatic sources, Covic is making efforts for Belgrade to have a bigger role in UNMIK's decisions, not only to have cooperation with UNMIK but also to be a part of the decision-approving system in Kosovo, though Kosovo is not under Belgrade's administration. Diplomatic sources emphasize that Covic demanded this from Haekkerup several times, but that Haekkerup doesn't accept while relying on UN Security Council Resolution 1244. The Serb side was quoted as saying, "Resolution 1244 was endorsed under different circumstances which have now changed in Serbia and that Serbia is no longer what it was during the time of the endorsement of the resolution." "Covic told Serb media that he will try and make changes in Resolution 1244, and this makes the claims of diplomatic sources, according to which he asked for a direct role by Belgrade in UNMIK, even more reliable. The process of asking for a bigger role by Belgrade on the decision making process in Kosovo isn't anything new. The politicians must have noticed such a message even from the statements of the French Foreign Minister, who visited Kosovo several days ago and was quoted as saying, "some decisions for Kosovo have to be made in Kosovo, some in the United Nations, and some in Belgrade". However, the western diplomats are well aware that the Resolution 1244 is a kind of an "Achilles Heel". They also know that both Albanians and Serbs would like to make some changes in it, but both parties in their own directions. In addition, Covic's insistence for a bigger role by Belgrade in decisions regarding Kosovo would decrease the space for preparations for a conference regarding Kosovo's status and this status would gradually face a fait accompli." "The statements of Kosovo Serbs that there are no conditions for elections can be understood as a concern for the freedom of movement of the Serb community. They may be right in this aspect, but the fact that a year ago Kosovo Serbs took part in the Serbian elections in the territory of Kosovo and nothing happened to them, then why shouldn't they participate in these elections. It is also known that even for others in Kosovo there are no perfect conditions for democratic elections that we all would like to witness. The more the international community applies pressure on the participation of the Serbs in the elections, the bigger will be Belgrade's efforts to benefit from the role of convincing Kosovo Serbs to take part. However, both UNMIK and the international community should know the limits of concessions toward Covic's demands, and they shouldn't forget that a lot of Albanians in the diaspora couldn't be registered due to the excessive discrimination in the discriminatory system of voters' registration. As for the pre-election campaign, the Kosovo Serbs don't need one, because they will participate in the elections with a sole coalition and all Serbs will cast their votes for it." "This is all happening at a time when Kosovar political parties are making promises for not only making Kosovo independent and a member of NATO, EU, OSCE and the EU, but also with residencies, tourist centers, airports, etc. It seems that the Kosovar Albanian politicians cannot avoid the symbolic, and make concrete actions."
Only the flag of the United Nations will stand in front of the official buildings in Kosovo, such as the parliament building or the seat of the Prime Ministry. The same flag will also be used during meetings of Kosovar officials with their international counterparts, after 17 November, during the period in which Kosovo will be under the administration of the United Nations, reported Koha Ditore on page three. The paper noted that the Constitutional Framework of Kosovo in the last point of the constitutional articles defines that "the interim institutions of self-governance use only the symbols which are which can be determined through UNMIK's legislation". "And based on this, UNMIK's legislation has began preparations for a regulation that would define the use of flags and symbols after 17 November in Kosovo," added the paper. Tom Koenigs, deputy to the international administrator in Kosovo, proposed Tuesday in front of IAC members a regulation on the use of flags and symbols, and said that the only official flag in front of the Kosovar official facilities will be the flag of the United Nations. "The UN flag will stand on the top of the buildings which are considered to be official or public, because according to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 this country is under UNMIK administration and as long as we have this mandate the UN flag will stand in the entrance of these facilities," he told the media after the meeting. According to Koenigs, the regulation would be discussed several times, but it will nonetheless be endorsed before the start of the work of the future Kosovo Parliament, therefore before 17 November. Koenigs said that the flags of the communities living in Kosovo would also stand inside the public or official facilities, as was the case with the Prishtina Municipal Assembly. Koenigs also added that the future parliament could review or correct all regulations, as long as they remain within the criteria defined by the Constitutional Framework. "I am sure that the parliament will decide for its and Kosovo's future symbols," said Koenigs, explaining that all communities are free to unfold and use their national symbols. "However, we have to endorse these regulations for the official facilities and meetings." Commenting on the regulation, the Albanian representatives assessed it premature and meaningless, adding that the future Parliament of Kosovo could compile these regulations during one of its future sessions. Kolë Berisha, deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), was cited as saying, "we asked that this regulation be transferred to other instances and that the parliament decide on its endorsement. The Parliament of Kosovo will have competencies for this, of course in cooperation with UNMIK, because it will have competencies to ask for changes." Berisha also added that the Albanians would do all in their power to use the Albanian national flag throughout Kosovo, whereas he said that it is still too early to talk about the issue whether Kosovo should have its own flag. Ramush Haradinaj, chairman of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, said that the Kosovo Parliament would be prepared to decide on the symbols of the country. "Therefore, we think that such a regulation is premature," said Haradinaj. Asked on the possible flag of Kosovo, Haradinaj responded, "the Albanian people have their national flag, whereas Kosovo should have its state symbol." Koha Ditore on page three carried a commentary titled "The Flag", by its editor-in-chief, Baton Haxhiu, in which he wrote: "Did anyone mention during the election campaign the problem of symbols and whether Kosovo should have its own identity if it should become independent. Or is it that political parties are making politics of weddings in which symbols are a commitment of wedding parties rather than a fight to create a state identities." "It is understood that the politics of symbols is not for creating a state, but for the very beginning you need an identity that differs one from the other. Therefore, it should be different from Albania. For 12 years of politics led by Kosovar leaders we have created neither a identity nor a symbolic of Kosovar statehood, except for the identity of precious stones or the two-head symbolic of the Albanian state in the mountains of Kosovo. The identity problem should have been solved through a regulation endorsed by UNMIK two and a half years after the war in Kosovo. We never showed the internationals that we want our own identity and symbols." "The internationals cannot understand why should we use the flag of another country. From the internationals' perspective, what is happening in Kosovo is understood as continuity of the Albanian state, or the other version that Albanians want to keep the continuity of what existed before, a minority in a future state." "We once wrote about a hypothetic situation: Imagine if the Prime Minister of Albania and the Kosovar Prime Minister would meet in New York. In the official protocol, both states would have to be represented with national symbols and anthem. What would the Kosovar Prime Minister do? Though it seems a hypothetical situation, for the reader this reflects the problematic situation of the flag and state in Kosovo." "The question is: do the Kosovars want a state and do we want our own state symbols? If yes, then how can this be done without their symbols? Without the flag of Kosovo, the anthem and other elements which comprise the state identity." "Looking at the political continuity in Kosovo, one gets the impression that Kosovar Albanians are fighting for the independent state of Kosovo. And every national rule has some principles that cannot be changed: states cannot have same symbols and no internationally-recognized country cannot allow its flag to wave in front of the UN building on the name of another country." "If someone reflects the belief that this fight and the others were led with these flag and sacrifices were made on its name, then the problem takes on an emotional and moral, but not a substantial connotation. Therefore, the future statehood of Kosovo is in danger. Imagine the state of Austria with the German flag and anthem. This is meaningless. Both Germans and Austrians speak the same language - the German language. However, they have different state symbols. If Kosovar Albanians are to choose between the state and the flag, then we should sacrifice the flag for the state of Kosovo. Fortunately, we are in a historical moment when we can choose both to keep the national flag and to adopt a state flag. But this requires the blessing of the Albanian state." "On the contrary, we will be slaves of emotion rather than of the fact that we fight for Kosovo's statehood. Should we say more than if we don't make other will do so on our behalf."
Quoting UNMIK officials, Koha Ditore on page four reported that the new university in northern Mitrovica would become official on Monday. Gyorgy Kakuk, spokesman for the international administration in Mitrovica, said on Tuesday that Monday's inauguration announced by Serb media was more a formal act, given the fact that last Monday Serbian leading officials decided to return the so-called Prishtina University to Mitrovica from various centers in Serbia. Koha Ditore also said Kakuk refuted that it is a new university for the Serbs, promising that its name would be defined in the future and it would not be a part of parallel structures. On the other hand, the Committee for Politics and Finances of the Mitrovica Municipal Assembly, assessed the opening of the new university as an act against the unification of the town, and as a step that prejudges the territorial division of the town. "By not opposing the higher education for the members of the Serb minority, there is a stance that this could have been solved in the spirit of efforts for the integration of the town," it was noted in the press release of the committee. "The Municipal Assembly cannot bear responsibility for the decisions which are not in accordance with its stances, therefore it will most seriously review the further cooperation with UNMIK and other international factors, which are contributing to the division of the town through their acts and decisions," concluded the press release. Koha Ditore on page ten carried a commentary titled "Decisions on Serb University in Kosovo should be made in Prishtina and not in Belgrade," by Ardian Arifaj regarding the opening of the Serb University in northern Mitrovica and decisions surrounding it. Arifaj wrote: "As of Monday, Serb news agencies report from Mitrovica on the start of work of the Milosevic-created University, which left Kosovar students outside their facilities, and which paved way to ethnic discrimination, ethnic hatred and the denial of human rights for 90 percent of the Kosovar population." "All this happens following decisions by new authorities in Belgrade which should be completely different from the authorities during Milosevic's regime." "This is the report of the Belgrade-based Beta news agency: "The rectorate of Prishtina University has started work in northern Mitrovica, in accordance with the decision of the Serbian Government to return university institutions in the province." This was the precise headline of Beta." "Koha Ditore has continuously warned that the Serbian institutions are making decisions on Kosovo, and that UNMIK is allowing them." "But it seems that the international officials don't see this and with the arrogance of an ignorant insist that Albanian media in Kosovo are misinterpreting the measures undertaken by UNMIK to ensure higher education for all Kosovars." "Neither Koha Ditore nor any other media and citizens have never expressed opposition for the right of education of any Kosovar, regardless of their ethnic background. They neither expressed opposition toward the opening of new universities in Kosovo. And they will never deny this right to anyone." "But both the media and the Kosovars are against the fact that the
Serbian Government is making decisions for Kosovo, be it decisions for
education or others. Furthermore, UNMIK, which leads this country, should
say "no" to these things, though it never did so." "However, there is opposition for the tolerance toward decisions by the Serbian Government regarding Kosovo and for allowing the implementation of these orders in a land for which Kosovo (UNMIK) should decide on. What is most irritating is the fact that UNMIK in Kosovo allows the activity of the same institutions which have paved way to hatred which hurts Kosovo to this day, which paved way to the division of people based on their ethnic background, and which paved way to the intervention by the international community." "Therefore, once again: we are not against higher education in Serbian or any other language. We would also not oppose the idea for the Prishtina University to open its own departments in various areas in Kosovo. This was always the case - in fact, Prishtina University was not allowed to act in northern Kosovo, though it offered to act there as a multiethnic institution." "However, such a concentration of institutions of one entity in one part of Kosovo, where they would operate completely divided from Prishtina and would furthermore apply the orders of the Serbian Government, in the eyes of people who are informed on the events in the Balkans means division - the division of Kosovo into two entities."
Zëri on page five carried an interview with General Sylejman Selimi,
deputy commander of the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC). During the
interview, Selimi refuted the accusations of the German paper "Der
Spiegel" on alleged connections of the former Kosovo Liberation Army with
the Mujahedins of Osama Bin Laden. Selimi also refuted information
published by the Albanian daily paper Bota Sot according to which during
the war in Kosovo, Selimi ordered the arresting and mistreatment of
Kosovar citizens. |