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CONTENTS: 27 October 2001 ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP
Koha Ditore on page eight reported on LDK Chairman Ibrahim Rugova's meeting with the chairmen of the LDK branches in Kosovo. The topics of discussion were the electoral campaign and the incidents that have taken place in Kosovo during the last few days. After informing the members about his visit to Sweden, Rugova told them that Sweden is very interested in the general elections in Kosovo, the establishment of democratic institutions and the economic aids for Kosovo during the next period. Regarding the efforts of the SRSG to convince the Serbs to participate in the elections, Rugova said that the Serb minority should participate in the elections in order to be able to integrate into institutional life. But if they refuse to do this, their representatives will be appointed to the future parliament and the processes will proceed forward. "Now that we are entering the final stage of our electoral campaign, we should keep in mind the requests of the citizens, from all political parties and not only from us," reported Zėri on page four. According to the paper, the members discussed the murders that took place in Skėnderaj and other violent acts, which Rugova pointed out proves that there are specific people in Kosovo who do not want calm elections, democratic institutions, order, security and progress in Kosovo. "Nevertheless we will continue to hold our electoral campaigns and prove that the LDK has always supported a tolerant and democratic atmosphere and cooperation with all other political entities," stressed Rugova. With the motto "independence, democracy and prosperity," the LDK introduced the program of its electoral campaign for the parliamentary elections during a rally that took place in Rahovec, reported Zėri on page eight. The rally began with a minute of silence for the victims who died in USA during the terrorist attacks and the two Albanian men in Skėnderaj. The LDK Deputy Chairman in Rahovec Ibrahim Kryeziu condemned the murders in Skėnderaj and the LDK Deputy Chairman in Gjakova Haqif Shehu repeated the motto of the LDK is independence, democracy and prosperity. According to him, the general elections are a great chance for the Kosovars to express their will and elect legitimate representatives and institutions. Zėri quoted Shehu promising the electorate in Rahovec that the LDK is capable of bringing life back to Trepēa, in which case many people would deliver jobs and eliminate the darkness in the homes of the Kosovars. "We can make a lot of progress by increasing the democratic order. We need a Kosovo in which we would have freedom of speech, movement and prosperity. This would mean that we would have a Kosovo without violence or massacres," stressed LDK Secretary General Fatmir Sejdiu. According to Sejdiu, Kosovo needs a strong military and police and should be working toward reaching independence. Due to this, the LDK has made great and powerful friends throughout the world, which will help Kosovo gain independence. According to Kosova Sot on page five, the LDK members who are running as candidates in Kosovo's Assembly visited Besiana and met the citizens of Pollata and Repa. During this rally, the participants discussed the many problems of the villagers of this area. Kosova Sot on page four carried an article under the title "A population and government that do not respect the people who brought them freedom have no future". The article reported on the PDK chairmanship, including Hashim Thaēi visiting Mitrovica municipality. Thaēi and colleagues held an electoral rally with the relatives of the martyrs, war invalids, retirees and education employees. According to Thaēi, right after the general elections take place, in which hopefully the PDK will win, the PDK will do its utmost to fulfill the obligations toward 100 thousand retirees, provide institutional care for the relatives of the martyrs, orphans and war invalids. "I assure you that the PDK has very professional people who are capable of fulfilling this obligation," stressed Thaēi. "Vote for the PDK- vote for your future," was the PDK's message during an electoral rally that took place in Llashtica, Gjilan municipality. "The PDK is engaged in improving the conditions of this village in order for the population to have a better life, education, institutional care for war invalids and the families of war victims," stressed PDK member Ismail Kurteshi. "These promises will turn into reality through close cooperation with MNB East, UNMIK, OSCE and other international mechanisms, who have helped us during the worst times," stated Kurteshi. Regarding the latest violence in Kosovo, Kurteshi said, "it is the job of the investigation bodies to deal with the violent acts. People with personal ambitions and hatred are committing these acts. Even those who we believe cry the most for the victims, might be implicated in crimes. Those who incite violence, denigrate and offend those who do not share the same opinion as they do, cannot support violence." "We respect our neighbors, but we respect ourselves more. We will work alone on the issues that concern us and we will cooperate on the issues that concern the entire region. But we will never ask people who have tried to commit genocide upon our population to come to our help," stressed AAK Chairman Ramush Haradinaj to the electorate in an electoral rally in Lipjan, reported Zėri on page six. Finnish KFOR troops were located at the entrance of the building where the rally was taking place and thoroughly searched the sympathizers and AAK members, including Haradinaj. "It is the second time that we are being searched during our electoral rallies. We will do something in this direction in order for this not to take place anymore," stressed Haradinaj to the electorate, quoted Zėri on page six. "Vote for the right entity on 17 November, vote for your targets and joint aspirations. We will always be there for you, therefore we appeal for you to be there for us on this date," stressed Haradinaj. On the same page, Zėri carried a brief report on AAK's further engagement in Kosovo. AAK members met the athletes of Peja and introduced its electoral program. According to the officials, the AAK's program on sports consists of issuing a law on sports, its financing and organizing. Koha Ditore on page nine reported on a new party, the PD (Justice Party) launching its electoral campaign in Vushtrri. The article was titled "We speak from our hearts and souls". The PD chairmanship appealed to the population of Vushtrri to have trust in God, judge and then vote for justice. "Aids, drugs, prostitution, organized crime and corruption do not characterize our nation. We have honor, a clear conscience and a healthy family. A healthy state can only be built upon a healthy family," stated PD Chairman Sulejman Cerkezi.
Bota Sot on page seven carried an interview with Co-head of the Justice Department Nekibe Kelmendi. A delegation from Kosovo has been to the Hague Tribunal to testify about the Serb crimes in Kosovo. Can you tell us what was in the "file" you offered to the Hague? First I want to explain that this delegation did not go to the Hague to testify or bring files. The purpose of the delegation was to go to the Hague, to see how this institution is organized, how it functions, which are its bodies, procedures and the number of the indictments. I, as a member of that delegation, have used the chance to deliver a file that proves the crimes that have been committed in Kosovo. You have survived a crime that was committed on your own family. Did you provide the tribunal with concrete information regarding the crime committed toward your husband and two sons? It is true that I have experienced a great deal from Belgrade's genocidal acts in Kosovo because I have lost my husband and both sons. The Hague has undertaken investigations regarding this issue in Kosovo and I had the chance to offer a complete file on the murder of my husband and children. I believe that the indictments will probably include the murders committed against my family. As the entire world knows, one of the targets of the Serbs was to eliminate my entire family. This is proven by the fact that a day after my husband and sons were taken, they came back for my daughter. Fortunately, she was not there. Thus, they wanted to eliminate my entire family. But my daughter, daughter-in-law, her two children and I survived. Therefore, I have the role of the victim and the role of a witness. You are Co-head of the Justice Department, which will dissolve once Kosovo's Assembly is elected. How do you evaluate this decision of the international community and why Haekkerup does not allow Kosovo to have a Ministry of Justice? I know one thing and that is that according to the Constitutional Framework for Kosovo's Interim Self-governing there are no judicial or constitutional obstacles which impede the establishment of Kosovo's Ministry of Justice, Police or Foreign Affairs. I truly do not know why the SRSG did not include the Ministry of Justice in Kosovo's structure. But I can say that such a step degrades Kosovo's judicial system. Another thing is that the legal government and the executive government will not separate. They will be united in an executive government. Meanwhile all political parties during their electoral campaigns keep saying that if they win, they will establish all ministries. But if this cannot take place and the LDK wins, will you insist that all least the presidential institution include all sectors of a normal functioning state? If the LDK wins in the general elections, we will establish all institutions the Constitutional Framework allows us to. During our electoral rallies, I have always pointed out that we promise only the things that we can fulfill and we will fulfill what we promise. Regardless of the good beginning, criminals stained this electoral campaign. Once more, people with different opinions, nations, and political backgrounds are getting killed, just as it was the case during and after the war. Do you believe that the crime that is taking place in Kosovo has a name, which is not being revealed? We all know that crime is very present in Kosovo. We do not know who the perpetrators are, but we do know the motives. They are all political motives, which are directed against the interests of the Albanian nation, Kosovo's future and against the LDK. The national elections are about to take place. Two years after the war has come to an end, Kosovo is about to establish a democratic state. Where do you see Kosovo three years from now in case the LDK will win? I see Kosovo as independent and independent it shall be.
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