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Daily Media Monitoring Summary: Friday, November 30,
2001
Kosovo is in a post-elections period. How do you evaluate the entire electoral process? I believe that the general elections in Kosovo were a success for democracy, order and stability. The Kosovars have the right to be proud of a good electoral campaign, which was held in an atmosphere of freedom. It was a great step forward and I believe that it contributes to setting up self-government in the near future. The Albanian political parties, especially the main three ones say that their main target is the independence of Kosovo. On the other hand, the international community, in particular the UN, believes that the issue of independence is not in the parties' mandate and it will not be considered by the assembly of Kosovo. How do you see the future developments in this aspect? I understand what the international community is saying and share the opinion regarding there being no disagreements among Albanians on their joint aim of independence for Kosovo. I believe that Kosovo's parliament and government will have to face two issues. The first one is to prepare a program for independence, which would prepare the people of Kosovo with ways of getting independence. Thereafter, the program would have to gain legitimacy through the way the leaders govern. Parliament and government must work to gain experience of self-government. I believe that if they do this and gain this experience, they will show that they are responsible and capable of living with one another in a democracy. I truly believe that this would be the basis for independence. It would also be a basis for the international community to acknowledge independence. This will be a live issue for three years, the same as parliament's tenure. In fact, this is the transitional period to independence. During this period, Kosovo will have to show that it is capable of democracy, that it abides by its election results, turns the wishes and needs of the minorities into reality, and exports stability in the region by acknowledging the border with Macedonia and other neighboring states. Apparently, the authority of Kosovo's new parliament and government will be limited. I believe so unless UNMIK Administrator Hans Haekkerup and the international community come to the conclusion that the Kosovars are ready to take over the responsibility and lead Kosovo. It is clear that the United Nations was not capable of governing Kosovo although it made great efforts. We will soon have a government and local leaders who are capable of successfully governing Kosovo. Apart from other responsibilities, the leaders will also have to deal with the issue of collecting taxes. Of the main decision made by the leader of the government is which Kosovar representative to send to Washington. This can happen everywhere in the world, but as far as I am concerned, it would be essential to open a small office for Kosovo in Washington. Following the events that took place on the 11th of September, several analysts believe that the presence of the USA in the Balkans will eventually reduce. Do you think this is an option? I believe that the Pentagon intends to reduce the number of the American troops in Bosnia and the number of SFOR in general. This might take place in Kosovo as well, but it is also believed that the US troops and a considerable number of NATO forces should remain in Kosovo. (2) The presence of the Albanian flag in the institutions of Kosovo caused many problems, especially following the general elections, reported Zëri on page seven. The problems on this issue were present even on the day of the elections. Fortunately, quick agreements convinced the Albanian electorate to vote in buildings, in which the national flag was not waving. Nonetheless, based on the steps of UNMIK Administrator Hans Haekkerup, this issue will soon reach a solution. "The Constitutional Framework says that the issue of the flag will be decided later on. Kosovo's assembly, and not Haekkerup, will decide this issue," stressed a source. The Albanian political parties disagree with the Haekkerup issuing and approving any regulations. "The law regarding the usage of national symbols should be within the full competencies of Kosovo's assembly. Following a debate on this issue, a law, which enables the free usage of national symbols should be issued," stressed AAK Deputy Chairman Arsim Bajrami. "Now that the general elections are over and we are waiting for the establishment of the assembly, there is no point in Haekkerup continuing to issue regulations. The assembly should gradually take over the entire field of the activities of the SRSG," stressed Bajrami. Haekkerup's proposed regulation is on what flags would fly in official buildings. According to his regulation, it is up to the assembly to decide on the use of flags during private celebrations. "We believe that decisions regarding the usage of national symbols, flags within buildings or out of them should be made in cooperation with Kosovo's future assembly," stressed AAK Official Muhamet Kelmendi. (3) One of the things that makes us proud of Gjergj Kastriot Skenderbeu is the fact that at a certain period in our history he was one of the leaders who managed to unite many Albanian leaders, an editorial by Koha Ditore. His figure has symbolized through the ages the unity among Albanians, from the time when he declared independence from the Ottoman Empire 558 years ago in the town of Krujë on 28 November. History continuously shows that he never stopped to reconcile and unite the divided Albanian leaders at that troubled time and proved that only in unity they could oppose the strong Ottoman Empire. Surely this was the dearest history lesson lectured by teachers and learned by students wherever they were. The feeling that Albanians were once upon a time capable of breaking the Ottoman soldiers, the strongest army ever assembled on the face of the earth, brought warmth to every Albanian. 28 November was on Wednesday - a great Albanian holiday. This time 28 November was even greater in Kosovo because Skenderbeu's statue was placed in the center of Prishtina. Thousands of Kosovars with great emotions came out to welcome this gala event. It looked like every one wanted this day to be a celebration and all of the grudges, hatreds and old scores should be forgotten. However, this unwritten rule only applied to all citizens and once more it failed to convince the leaders of the citizens gathered around the legendary leader. Just after 15:00 when the statue finally was placed on its designated location, speeches by our political leaders, the people worked and helped to mark this day along with Skenderbeu's statue, began. Dr. Ibrahim Rugova chairman of the LDK, the political party that won the majority of the votes, gave the opening speech. Many listened to his words, though the chairmen of the two other Albanian political parties, Hashim Thaçi and Ramush Haradinaj, were not present for it. What message, was sent that day to the Kosovars? A simple one: There is no event or celebration that can bring our leaders together. Not even the greatness of the Flag Day and the arrival in Prishtina of the bravest among Albanians, Skenderbeu, an Albanian recognized by world history. What would he say if he were around? This is something that the statue unfortunately cannot speak. (4)One of the hardest questions that can be asked nowadays is 'Why can't Serbs walk in freedom in Prishtina?' If a reply such as 'it is their own fault' is not right, then we have nothing left to say. Zëri carried a commentary by Mufail Limani. The greatest problem among the Albanians and Serbs of Kosovo is the establishment of joint institutions and implicitly the establishment of new political identities in Kosovo. Kosovo's parliament has the power to unite all Albanians and Serbs of Kosovo under one roof. This might be a good time for a new beginning. However, Albanians who suffer from war traumas and Serbs must change a great deal in order for the general situation in Kosovo to change for the better. The chances for change are very slight if 'Povratak' functions as a branch of Belgrade's DOS and not as an entity representing the interests of the Kosovo Serbs. What can Albanians do for their Serb neighbors to enable them to come to the capital city of Prishtina and walk in freedom? It is time for our leaders to make great political decisions, which we need more than we need humane speeches. Due to the rights and privileges, which are guaranteed by the Constitutional Framework, Kosovo Albanians have now made the first step towards the long way of reconciliation. Now, it is the Serbs' turn to do the same. (5) A group of Serbs protested in northern Mitrovica, blocking a road in the confidence zone, reported Koha Ditore on page five. Quoting international police officials, the paper said that the Serbs protested against the return of Albanian residents in northern Mitrovica. By afternoon, the protest ended peacefully, the officials added. On the other hand, quoting its sources in the northern part of the town, the paper reported that there was an altercation between KFOR peacekeepers and members of the so-called Serb "Bridge Watchers". However, the spokesmen for both KFOR and the international police denied having information on the incident.
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