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CONTENTS: 20 Oct. 2001 ELECTION CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP
Economists, directors of enterprises, businessmen and ordinary citizens from Gjakova had gathered on Friday to listen to the visions, concepts and ideas of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo regarding Kosovo's major problem - economy. In the meeting, the attendants did not face only the banner "With the Alliance from an economy based on aids to a developed economy," but also detailed interpretations on the transition of the economy, reported Koha Ditore on page seven. Mazllom Kumnova, AAK branch leader in Gjakova, opened the meeting and spoke about the implementations of the programs of the party adding optimistically that success would not be lacking. Ramush Haradinaj, chairman of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), pointed out the difficulties faced by the people of Kosovo and stressed that a considerable part of the population such as pensioners and people living with aids have been struck by poverty. Haradinaj also mentioned the prisoners, and said that it would be better if they were to be released today following international intervention than tomorrow as a result of pressure. Bajram Kosumi, AAK deputy leader, said that taking a step forward in the economic direction implies a prerequisite for all other processes, including independence. "Two thirds of our programmmes are dedicated to economic issues. This is sufficient proof of the Alliance's concept for Kosovo's economy," said Kosumi. On the same page, Koha Ditore carried a report from the meeting of AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj with students of a journalist school in Prishtina. "The other political parties in Kosovo are both our opponents and partners, whereas we are engaged in the process of defeating them, because we think we are the best," Haradinaj told the students. Commenting on the independence of Kosovo, Haradinaj said, "we do not think of independence only as a goal of the state of Kosovo in the Balkans, but as a step forward in the integration of Kosovo." According to Haradinaj, many people misunderstood the Mitrovica problem, by demanding a physical unification of the town. "It is not good to damage the integration of northern Kosovo with huge mottos, but to make concrete engagements on its unification. And let us not forget, the northern part is inhabited by Serb citizens, therefore if we want the north we want the Serbs as well," he added. "LDK promises independence by 2003," was the headline of the Koha Ditore article on page eight that reported on the rally of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) in Vushtrri. The huge attendance of sympathizers reportedly made Xhemajl Abazi, LDK leader say, "if I had known that we have all this support I would surely run for deputy". Furthermore, he was also quoted as saying, "By 2003, number 23 will offer you the independence of Kosovo, therefore we see no reason why you shouldn't give your vote to the LDK. Naim Jerliu, deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), told the audience that party leader Rugova asked them to undertake a peaceful and tolerant campaign. He also called upon them to cast their votes for the LDK. "I call upon you to vote for the LDK and its project on the 17th November," said Jerliu. Koha Ditore on page nine carried a report on the official opening of the campaign of the Kosovo Greens Party. "The Kosovo Greens Party launched its campaign by promising its electorate that if they win, then Kosovo would create a human environment with a normal life. Daut Maloku, the leader of Kosovo Greens, promised the audience that if his party wins the upcoming general elections, people would find it easier to breath since the air would be much cleaner," noted the paper.
Bekim Kastrati, a correspondent of Bota Sot from Skėnderaj, was murdered last night by unknown criminals in the entrance of Skėnderaj. Witnesses claim that Besim Dajaku incurred grave bodily injuries during the incident, whereas former KLA commander Gani Geci was slightly injured, reported Bota Sot on page one. According to the paper, the incident took place at around 2000 hours, while on their way to Skėnderaj the men were shot at by unknown persons. Quoting its sources, the paper said that Bekim Kastrati died on the spot after his body was riddled with bullets. The other wounded were given first aid in Skėnderaj and then sent to Prishtina Hospital. Koha Ditore on page one also reported on the incident, however in a shorter content.
Bota Sot on page five carried a commentary by Sylejman Aliu, in which he wrote: "During an RTK debate attended by Simon Haselock, Fatmir Sejdiu, Arsim Bajrami and Enver Hoxhaj, there were many true things said for Prishtina University and for UNMIK's Serb University, which received incorrect answers. Based on what could have been seen and heard, it can be said that the three Albanian leaders shouldn't have brought up firm arguments and thus force Haselock to make statements which were not true. This roundtable once again proved that the Albanian truths as well as their arguments are not important. The conclusion that UNMIK would not allow the creation of a parallel institution in Kosovo and on other hand, thievishly allow the establishment of the Serb university, demonstrates another of the international administration's unclear activities in Kosovo. UNMIK's Serb University in Mitrovica is the most concrete step of allowing the Serb violation of the territory of Kosovo. This violation was allowed two years ago, when UNMIK removed its flag from the Mitrovica Hospital invaded by the Serbs, thus acknowledging that the international administration is giving up on its competencies in this part of Kosovo, and thus allowing the Serbs to both govern and violate Kosovo's territory and carry out ethnic cleansing. In-between these two acts (the removal of the UN flag from Mitrovica Hospital and now the establishment of UNMIK's Serb University) the international administration also tried to be a dividing wall in Mitrovica." According to Haselock, the Serb political university in Mitrovica, allowed by UNMIK, is normal. He tried to blame Pristina University for its alleged monopoly of the university system! In the meantime, the three university leaders almost swore on their lives that that was not their intention and that they tried to make Pristina University multiethnic. On the other hand, Haselock must have been surprised by the willingness of the three university leaders on multi-ethnicity and he almost told them "you are forced to do so, whereas we on the other hand want to make our Serb university." "The Serb minority in Kosovo is not afraid of the Albanians, because
they know that the Albanians are peaceful but they are afraid of their own
evil and criminal acts against the Albanians. The Serbs always fear their
own acts. Neither UNMIK nor KFOR will ever be able to eliminate that
fear." |