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CONTENS: 18 October 2001 COVIC'S ARROGANCE WITH EIGHT CONDITIONS
Project for Ethnic Relations (PER) organized a meeting in Prishtina, in which representatives of Kosovo's political parties, civil society and the minorities participated, reported Koha Ditore on page one and three. Zëri reported that several of the issues that were discussed in the meeting were about the current political situation in Kosovo and the relations among various communities in Kosovo, in particular Albanians and Serbs and the future elections. The conditions of Serb Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic for Serb participation in the elections were the application of resolution 1244, implementation of human rights, no one to have the right to change Kosovo's status, the majority should not rule the minority, freedom of movement and security for Serbs, Serb returns to Kosovo, UNMIK's cooperation with FRY and the establishment of a joint commission for implementing these conditions, reported Koha Ditore. LDK Chairman Ibrahim Rugova said that a lot of progress has been made during the last two and a half years. The Kosovars have established an administration together with UNMIK, 20 departments have been functioning, local elections were held democratically and stable local structures were established for the integration of the Serbs. "We are engaged in holding free and peaceful parliamentary elections, which aim to facilitate freedom of movement of all citizens," stressed AAK Chairman Ramush Haradinaj for Koha Ditore. The meeting was calmly proceeding forward until Covic showed up late. His arrival caused Haradinaj to stand up and depart the room. "I would meet any Kosovar Serb but not Covic,' stressed Haradinaj for Zëri. According to him, it was not good to meet Covic before the elections because he had a specific policy on Kosovo and was challenging the positive issues, for which Kosovars have worked very hard. PDK Chairman Hashim Thaçi joined the afternoon session of the meeting. According to sources, Thaçi pointed out that this meeting could not start the dialogue for solving Kosovo's political status. This meeting was an effort to overcome the various blockages, which prevent positive and democratic developments from taking place. "It must be clear that Yugoslavia does not exist any longer. It died long ago. The time has come for us to talk about concrete things, which are in the interest of both sides, for example the release of the Albanian prisoners from Serb prisons," stressed Thaçi. Rilindja on page two quoted head of PER Alain Kassof saying, "I can say that there were no indications that Belgrade would encourage Kosovo Serbs to participate in the general elections in Kosovo. However, this is still a possible option." Thaçi told Koha Ditore that Covic's way of talking made it clear that Belgrade would decide on Serb participation in the elections. Thaçi turned to Covic and told him that he believes that Belgrade had a mistaken concept of Kosovo. "I do not know Belgrade as well as some other people here. But I managed to remove Belgrade's domination from Kosovo and I am proud of that. This domination reflected positively on Serb citizens as well, for which you should be grateful." "Thaçi made it safe for me to move free in Serbia as well," replied Covic ironically, which made all the participants laugh. Regarding Covic's conditions, Thaçi said that problems cannot be solved by putting conditions to each another. According to him, the first step in solving problems was through discussions. "We had polemical discussions with Covic and requested the Serb side to join the other communities in Kosovo, participate in the elections and parliament and thereafter contribute to solving the problems of Kosovo," stated AAK member Mahmut Bakalli for Koha Ditore. "Allow me to say that the leaders of the Albanian community support Serb participation in the elections. They hope Serbs will participate and contribute to institutional development and democracy in Kosovo," Zëri quoted Kassof speaking at a press briefing. "For now, our response for the elections is no. However, there is still time until 17 October and we hope that by then the international community and the local political parties will consider our conditions in order for us to participate in the elections," stressed Covic following the meeting. Head of OSCE Daan Everts said that the meeting went properly and will help the dialogue that will take place in the future. "We must stop dividing people on ethnic, religious or political basis in order to develop true democracy in Kosovo. The Albanian leadership strongly appealed to the Serb community to participate in the elections. I believe that it was a sincere appeal," stressed PER Executive Director Livia Plax, reported Koha Ditore.
Koha Ditore on page six carried a report on the AAK going to the legendary area of Prekaz, Poklek and Drenas, all of which are located in Drenicë. This party held an electoral rally in Drenas. "In our speeches, we have always said that the ones who sacrificed their lives for freedom are the ones who deserve it the most. We deserve our freedom. We have sacrificed so much and are now engaged in establishing our state and institutions," stressed AAK Chairman Ramush Haradinaj. "We cannot be satisfied if Drenicë has only one proper road," stressed AAK member Bujar Dugolli for Koha Ditore and discussed the level of education and the general development of Drenicë. The AAK was not the only political entity to visit Drenicë. The LDK visited Drenicë for its electoral campaign in Qirez and revealed its political and economic program to the electorate, reported Zëri on page eight. LDK Chairman in Drenicë Sejdi Koca elaborated on the process of the electoral campaign and said that the next few weeks will go by the same way, meaning without violence. "Obviously, the citizens of this municipality are very understanding and have gained experience from the local elections. Therefore, the electoral campaign is proceeding well," Zëri quoted Koca. "There is no doubt that the LDK will win a majority in the general elections. The Kosovo population has never for an instance forgotten LDK's great contribution in the last decade and the promise of President Rugova, which turned into reality," stressed LDK Deputy Chairman in Drenicë, Fadil Geci. The Green Party of Kosovo (PGJK) was the last party to launch its political campaign due to lack of financial means. But regardless of that, PGJK's target is three seats in the future parliament, reported Kosova Sot on page five. According to PGJK Chairman Daut Maloku, his party's election program is different from that of others. "We expect to get Kosovo independent economically and politically. The PGJK is especially engaged in the economic development of Kosovo while trying to protect its environment," Kosovalive quoted Maloku. Zëri on page seven carried a report on the National Movement of Kosovo (LPK), which announced its electoral program in Gjilan. According to LPK Deputy Chairman Gafurr Elshani, this party had a 20 year tradition in politics and saw the elections as a historic chance for Kosovo. According to Elshani, the election system had been designed to favour Serb interests. "We will enter the general elections with a concrete and reasonable program, which is in the interest of Kosovo's independence. Due to this, it is important for the parliamentarians who represent the LPK to swear that they will work in accordance with the interests and aspirations of the people of Kosovo," stressed Elshani to Zëri.
Zëri on page one carried a column by Mufail Limani. The role of Serb Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic proves that the 'problem of Kosovo Serbs' does not exist at all. The only problem is Belgrade's effort to regain control over Kosovo. It is the same as in Milosevic's time. Serbs from Serbia are the victims of Belgrade's political pressure. The Constitutional Framework gives many things to Kosovo Serbs, therefore no one really believes that the Kosovo Serbs are having a difficult time. Covic's strategy to take Kosovo back under Serbia through UNMIK is obvious. Different international agenda is being sought to be implemented here, with the intention of causing disagreement and conflict among the Albanians. This strategy might be successful if the trust among Rugova, Thaçi and Haradinaj decreases even more. On the other hand, the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 gives hope to Serbs because we are well aware that this resolution was a compromise for Albanians and not a victory. Nonetheless, Kosovo cannot go back to Yugoslavia because Yugoslavia is dead now. One cannot create a monster, which is already dead. The Balkans should never again be under the influence of Serbia and Russia. The time has come for a new approach.
Koha Ditore on page three carried a commentary by Adriatik Kelmendi, commenting on the irresponsibility of UNMIK spokesmen to provide information. "On Tuesday, the Cultural Hall in Suhareka caught fire and thus over 20,000 books were burnt and the PDK and LDK offices were demolished. In a way, the incident destroyed the good image of parliamentary election campaign. Even before the investigating police could come to a conclusion, UNMIK spokesmen said that what happened in Suhareka was politically motivated. UNMIK Spokesman Andrea Angeli could not wait to get rid of the journalists, he was so impatient that he told AP that the "target were the LDK offices." This was enough for the news to reach every corner of the world and the efforts of our citizens and political parties to go down the toilet. All of this is happening due to the impatience of UNMIK spokesmen and their having to comment on everything that takes place without having any fact or proof. How come these people never think of how much their irresponsible statements can damage us during the electoral campaign? Don't they get a bad conscience when the main international news agencies publish articles entitled: "the first explosion of violence before the elections", in a place that is doing everything to be a part of civilized Europe? 'We are pretty sure that no explosive was placed in the LDK offices in Suhareka,' was the explanation of the commander of Regional Police in Prizren Berndt Meterhausen, adding that the cause of the explosion might have been the great temperature in the building. Nevertheless, this explanation is not enough to change the impression of all international readers. How can we ever explain how people who are supposed to be professionals, after all they work in Kosovo's highest institutions, can be so immature and irresponsible? An old saying of ours goes, 'think twice before you do something.' As far as UNMIK spokesmen are concerned, 'do it and then think as much as you want.'
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