|
UNMIK-OSCE-EU-UNHCR Press Briefing, 18 October 2001 UNMIK Spokeswoman Susan Manuel
Labour Law SRSG Hans Haekkerup has signed a regulation on a new labor law. The regulation is rather long and is available in the press office. We will also have a press release on it this afternoon. The law regulates employment in Kosovo, including employment relationships under which work or services are performed. This is mainly employment in the private sector as it does not include the civil service, etc. The regulation prohibits discrimination in employment and occupation. It sets the minimum age of employment at 15. People aged 15 to 18 can be employed in "light work that is not likely to be harmful to his or her health or development and shall not affect his/her attendance at school. There can be no forced or compulsory labor. Employees also have the right to organize and establish unions and other organizations and employers can establish their own federations or organizations. Collective agreements can be made between an employer and a union. Please see the full regulation for a full understanding of the text. Suva Reka Fire Regarding the Suva Reka fire to the LDK offices, there was a mistake in the initial report. This happens sometimes and puts us in the dilemma as to how to give information as soon as possible and how to get the facts. The initial police assessment changed from an attack to an accident. This was revealed by an investigation that naturally took time. The same has happened with the information on the six KPS detained in Montenegro. Initial reports were that they crossed the boundary line by mistake and only by 20 meters. The investigation is still ongoing, however now it seems that at least two of them had traveled further into Montenegrin territory and were chasing a suspect (600 meters). I hope you can understand that we release information sometimes too quickly in our eagerness to assist the press and not to appear to be hiding information. Also, when we don't say much about an incident, it is almost always because the information has not yet been produced or confirmed by investigation. There is a press release outside on the Suva Reka incident. From the police There was one murder yesterday-an Albanian woodcutter in a village near Skenderaj. There is also another woodcutter who is missing in the same area of Radoseva village. Regarding young, six-year-old child found in Kacanik with his head crushed, it turns out to have been a playground accident. He was caught in the mechanism of a carousel. From the courts In the Gnjilane district court yesterday 10 people were found guilty illegal possession of weapons and sentenced to prison terms of two to 4.5 years. They were tried by a panel of three judges, two of them international. Seven of the suspects were from Macedonia and three from Kosovo. All were arrested in 9 June by US peacekeepers in the village of Lubiste, as they were trying to transport weapons and expositive to Macedonia from Kosovo. Background briefing on the Assembly Services This morning we held a background briefing on the Assembly's administration. Some of the major media outlets did not show up. This is really unfortunate as you will be covering the Assembly from late November or early December and we are trying to prepare you. While it's possible some of the invitations did not reach you, we did call everyone yesterday to pass on the message. COMKFOR Press Briefing COMKFOR Gen. Marcel Valentin will hold a press briefing tomorrow at Film City. A bus will leave here at 9:15 for the 10:30 press briefing.
Elections The Central Election Commission has approved the list of candidates from 25 of the political entities which are contesting the coming election. There are more than 1,200 candidates contesting the election. Five parties are running a full slate of 110 candidates while others are just running a few. If you are interested in having a copy of the list, you can come by our office or pick it up from our web site. We would very much hope that the papers among you will be carrying the lists of names so your readers know just who is contesting the election. This year the candidates names will not be on the ballot paper; only the political entities and the independent candidates - those who are running on their own, not as part of a political party or coalition - will be named on the ballot paper. The challenge period ended yesterday - with 11 people coming forward to challenge the voters list in their particular polling centres. These challenges will be fully investigated by the Election Complaints and Appeals Subcommission. The person whose name is being challenged does have the right to respond to the allegations. The decision of the Election Complaints and Appeals SubCommission is final. The next really public stage in the preparation is the opening of voter information centres. They open at the end of next week and will remain open until the day before the election - the 16th November. These are, literally, information centres for people who want to vote - and if you do not know where to vote, you will be able to find out, there. Bar Exam Tomorrow sees the start of training for the bar exam in Kosovo, for the first time in 10 years. The OSCE is organising the training with a grant of 140,000 euros from the European Agency for Reconstruction. Training for the exam is not obligatory - but it is aimed to assist the jurists to be well prepared for the substantial test. The training will cover topics which appear in the Bar exam. The OSCE sessions will run twice a week for two months before the exam. National legal experts will organize the lectures.
New Regulations Following its endorsement by the IAC earlier this month, the draft regulation on Financial Reporting has now gone to UN headquarters for final approval. The new regulation will establish a Kosovo financial reporting board and a regime for financial reporting of business organisations. The regulation also covers the certification of accountants and licensing of auditors. The purpose of the regulation is to create a framework for accounting and auditing in Kosovo that meets the best European and international standards. It is also designed to create confidence in the quality of financial information and in the competence of certified accountants and licensed auditors. The regulation is another important step in the development of a well regulated business and financial environment in Kosovo. In addition to giving added confidence to investors, it will further limit the capacity for economic crime and compliment ongoing efforts in the creation of an efficient, effective tax regime. Environmental Clean-up This week at the IBG Battery factory in the Gjilan region there was an official signing ceremony of a contract between French K-FOR, TMK and the Management of IBG to clean up the Nickel and Cadmium waste in the plant. The process is expected to take around 50-60 days. Euro Preparations Continue Preparations for the changeover to the Euro continue. Last Friday the BPK held the first in a series of meetings aimed specifically at businesses. The BPK were keen to emphasise two key points: The first is that all businesses should begin the practice of dual pricing, that is to list the price of all goods in both DM and Euro. This is very important to help customers prepare and familiarise themselves with the exchange rate, which is almost exactly 2 DM to 1 Euro. The second point, which was made very clear, is that the changeover to the Euro is not an excuse for increasing prices and the BPK are urging the media to continue to carry information on the Euro so that all consumers are aware of this fact. The second in this series of Euro meetings will take place at the end of this month, Friday October 30, in Mitrovica. Interim Credit Unit Tomorrow, the first enterprise to receive a loan, one year ago, from the Interim Credit Unit, furniture manufacturers 'Galanteria' in Podujevo, is celebrating its 14th anniversary and is at the same time presenting the new production programmes and equipment which have been made possible through the loan. The Interim Credit Unit was set up in with funding from the European Agency for Reconstruction in conjunction with the World Bank and Department of Trade and Industry, to nurture and encourage financial institutions in Kosovo and support small and medium sized enterprises through direct loans. The representatives of the media are invited to attend the ceremony, which takes place at Galanteria's headquarters in Podujevo, at 16:00.
Figures
Total Number of Arrivals Since the Beginning of
the Conflict: 81,830
The estimated number of returnees is over 60,000
(undergoing revision). Returns Returns to FYROM have further decreased by nearly 40% on average a day: UNHCR recorded days with around 300, as well as days with maximum a hundred returnees a day. Over 60,000 people have returned to FYROM, a figure that is presently being revised. UNHCR is estimating that less than 20,000 refugees are remaining in Kosovo. It is expected that most of these will remain during the winter in here, as they see no possibility to reconstruct their houses before the winter sets in, nor do many believe that the political and security situation will improve in the near future. Despite the amnesty agreement very few men of military age or former NLA members have been reported returning, as they still do not deem the return safe enough. For the first time since 19 July UNHCR Gnilane/Gnjilane have recorded new arrivals, a family with six members. The reason for the departure from FYROM was the poor humanitarian situation in the area of return and a destroyed house that can not be repaired before the winter. The family preferred to return to their host family in Kosovo, rather than staying in displacement inside FYROM. UNHCR Kosovo expects that several families (up to several hundred people) will decide to return to Kosovo for a second time to pass the winter here. The most significant group of refugees is still in Kacanik, Ferizaj/Urosevac, Viti/Vitina and Gnilane/Gnilane, with over 1000 people represented from the northern villages in FYROM (Tanushevc, Malina Mala), where the first refugees to Kosovo came from. A refugee committee representing these villages has been formed to break isolation and potentially organise a GIV to Skopje to discuss a future return. UNHCR is preparing the winterisation programme to assist the remaining refugees. Firewood, stoves on a case by case basis as well as additional blankets, mattresses, hygiene kits (through NGO Alivei), shoes (NGO Krik) and winter clothes (UNICEF) will be distributed. Displacement inside FYROM The Macedonian Red Cross reports that 53,800 people are internally displaced with 50,250 staying in host family accommodations and 3,550 in collective centres. The increase in the above numbers is due to the agency's re-registration of their beneficiaries, and does not reflect further displacement. Assistance inside FYROM UNHCR continues to provide assistance to returnees inside FYROM. On Tuesday alone, 150 returnee kits were distributed in Matejce, a village that was heavily destroyed during the fighting. The village had a pre-war population of 3600, with 90% ethnic Albanians and 10% ethnic Serbs. Most of the ethnic Albanians have now returned while the Serbs are still internally displaced in FYROM or refugees in nearby FRY. Houses and buildings located around the main square are heavily damaged or completely destroyed, and electricity has not been re-established yet. Additional to the returnee kits, and in order to help the inhabitants fix part of their homes, UNHCR also distributed roofing and window plastic sheeting. Additional assistance will be distributed this week in Vaksince, Aracinovo, and Lipkovo. In and around Tetovo, UNHCR provided kits to the population of Bogovinje, Sipkovica, Lavce, Selce and Radusha. UNHCR also started to transport water on a daily basis to Ljuboten, a village ten kilometres north of Skopje, as the water supply is too poor to meet the needs of the returnees. Repairs to the water system could be possible in a near future under UNHCR's Quick Impact Project programme. Bus UNHCR's new busline between Kumanovo and Lipkovo is now running on a daily basis except on Sundays. While the majority of the travellers are ethnic Albanians, ethnic Macedonians going to visit their homes in Lopate and Opae are also reported to be among the passengers. Three other UNHCR bus lines have already been transporting passengers from all ethnicity's in the Tetovo region since September 21. The bus lines aim at improving freedom of movement for all communities in the war-affected areas. Macedonian Refugees
In Presevo over 4500 refugees from Macedonia are
still remaining. Food distributions are underway and up till this date a
total of 4,500 refugees have received assistance from the Yugoslav Red
Cross in Presevo. Unfortunately so far return for those who wish has not
been organised as those applying for return still deem the political
situation fragile to ensure a secure return. UNHCR continues to remain concerned about the situation of minorities all over Kosovo. Even though security has ameliorated in some areas, freedom of movement has definitely not. The ongoing sale of minority property all over Kosovo remains a burning issue and is being watched closely. In some areas we have seen that the ongoing sale of property increases the fear of personal security of the direct neighbours, other minority members in the community. It is the responsibility of the majority population to make a minority population feel secure, rather than creating circumstances that would decrease this sense of safety and belonging.
Q: If the Macedonian authorities request seven Macedonian citizens who were charged the day before yesterday in Gnjilane to be handed over, what will UNMIK do? SM: Good question. I will have to find out. Q: How much time have you given to Coalition Return to provide the list, if that is the case? CT: We don't have an official deadline but we would really like to have the list by the end of next week, no later. SM: Albana, let me get back to your question. They broke the law in Kosovo, so I think there is no reason for them to go to Macedonia. The crime was in Kosovo. Q: Is there no extradition agreement…. SM: Yes, but extradition has to do with crime committed in the home country, not the host country. Q: But in case they do request it, will this be the official answer of UNMIK? SM: No, I'll have to find out the official answer. But I doubt that they would request it because they committed the crime in Kosovo. Q: Susan, you are urging the Serbs to participate in the general elections in Kosovo. You are in favor of the Serb University in the northern part of Kosovo. How come you say there is no safe and secure environment for the Serbs to join the university in Pristina when you say that the Serbs should participate in the work of parliament in Pristina. Does this mean that there are double standards for Serbs, that there is no safe and secure environment for citizens but there is for parliamentarians? SM: We haven't said it is safe and secure environment. We are urging Serbs to participate in the elections and the provisional self-government because we believe that by participation, by mingling with Albanians, by passing legislation and working with other communities that will help improve the security environment. Providing security for the Assembly members and those who will work in the provisional government will be a huge enterprise and the plans are being made now on how to do that. This is one of the Serb's major points, they say that it is not a safe and secure environment so why should we participate in your elections. We are saying that we are taking a long-term view and that by participation, by working on and in government is how you would help to improve that situation. Q: Susan, I hope you will answer this question although it is addressed to KFOR. Russian KFOR officers in Kamenica stated that there is a mujahedin camp where some 50 members are being trained. The Russian KFOR officers have officially stated this. Do you admit it or deny it? SM: I don't admit or deny. I imagine the police must be looking into it. I've never heard a confirmation of such a camp, but I saw it in the Russian press. Political Advisor to the Commander of Russian KFOR: Regarding the message in the article in the press, which appeared yesterday. It is not the official version; KFOR has never given such kind of information to any agency. Q: Susan, since last year majority of all the municipalities and heads of municipalities are working as they were elected except for Strpce where the elected head of the municipality is Albanian. Last month UNMIK escorted him to the municipality building and then the Serbs refused to accept him and UNMIK in the building. UNMIK says that there is no other administration yet they sent a letter to UNMIK signed and stamped with Republic of Serbia seal. Can you explain why he is not allowed in the municipality building and why UNMIK and KFOR are not doing anything about it? SM: It is not true that we are not doing anything about it. We are having some problems in Strpce. We've always had problems since the municipal elections. As you know Strpce municipality is predominately Serb inhabited, however the Serbs did not participate in the municipal election in any of Kosovo. So, UNMIK appointed an assembly 50 percent Serbs and 50 percent Albanians which does not reflect the population and the Serbs have always been angry about this so they did not show up for the assembly. The assembly in Srtpce remains the Albanian members of the assembly because they were the ones who were elected and they are the ones who were participating. We have to do something about the balance, and we are talking to the Serbs there about participation but so far they haven't agreed to participate in the UNMIK administered municipal assembly. I have the letter, it does not mean anything to us because so far they haven't agreed to participate in the assembly. And we will have to work on the numbers, the numerical balance is not right, but only if they agree to participate. So I don't know what they are going to do about bringing the assembly president to Strpce. Strpce town is all Serbs and if it is going to be a matter of violence just for this one man to go to his office…. we are working on it, we are in talks with the Serbs in Strpce and this letter doesn't really mean anything. There is only one assembly in Strpce and it happens now to be the Albanian one. Q: Yes, but the general elections are in one month and the situation is not in place, nothing is there in place at all. SM: It is not true that nothing is in place. We have a municipal administration; we are working in Strpce, but… Q: But tell me why was the letter not stamped with an UNMIK seal but … SM: The letter comes from some Serbs. Why should UNMIK seal a letter that comes from a group of Serbs? Q: Yes, but it says the president of municipality of Stimlje, Slavica Recic. SM: She is not the president that we recognize. You can send me any kind of letter but if you are not the person that I recognize it doesn't matter. We have to resolve the situation in Strpce, but just to send a letter is not a crime, you know. Q: Susan, just the follow up to my first question. You said that you are making some plans on how to provide an escort if the Serbs decide to participate. The members would then be members of parliament here in Pristina. What is the plan, how will they be escorted to this building for parliament meetings? SM: It is all a matter of the Working Group on security now. I don't have the exact plan. I am sure it won't be divulged when it is finalised. There will have to be security for the minority members, at least for a while. Q: I suppose this room will be the assembly meeting room? SM: Yes, this is the assembly meeting room. Q: Will it be divided in two parts with the police in between two? SM: I think that anyone who is going to serve as an assembly member is going to be a person of maturity. There will be no weapons allowed; there will be no personal bodyguards allowed in this room. You come in without weapons, you come in without you entourage and we trust you will behave yourself, although I have seen western European parliaments having fist fights and even in the state of Texas I saw it on television, but it won't be allowed here in Kosovo. Q: Regarding the labour law. What about the minimum age and the enforcement of it. I'm interested in what will be done with the young children selling cigarettes and phone cards, how this will be enforced? SM : I don't have the administrative direction here on how they are going to enforce it. I assume that the police will enforce it. Q: Will it apply to those selling on the street? SM: The caviat is that none can be employed under 15, and between 15 and 18 it is that it should not hurt their development or prevent them from going to school. Q: I just wonder if it only apply to children's employment by obvious business or shops. Would that be a way of addressing the issue of the street sellers? SM: I'm sure that those kids would be covered by this regulation but how are they going have police grabbing the kids off the street I don't know. Q: Claire, about the voter list. Will the list be posted at the poll stations? CT: The list will be posted in every polling station so people can have a chance to see. We will be printing copies of the list and distributing it, but we obviously hope the political parties will let people know their own voters, but yes we will be putting in polling stations. Q: When is the bar exam? CT: The bar exam itself is in December. The training starts tomorrow. Q: And the exam is based on European models? CT: I know that Department of Judicial Affairs is organising the exam. We are organising the training. I think it is based largely on European models and on the past Kosovo bar exam that existed previously. Q: And can you tell me who is eligible to take the bar exam?
CT: There is going to be a panel, which will pick
candidates for it. Q: This is about the fire accident in Suha Reka. UNMIK did not always say it was an accident. It was said that it had with politically motivated, furthermore an UNMIK spokesman stated very firmly to AP that the target of this attack was the LDK office in Suha Reka? In most cases there is a penalty for giving false information to newspapers. My question is: is there any penalty on UNMIK officials when stating something which is very harmful and damaging to the election campaign? SM: The information was not given with any negative intent. The fire started in the LDK office, so the assumption was made that that was the target. It was a mistake and we have made mistakes before and as I tried to say the alternative is simply not to say anything to anybody until an investigation is completed. It has happened several times since I've had this job and also when I was a reporter. The initial information is sometimes wrong and there was no ill intent on the part of any spokesman or any police officer. Q: What would happen if the journalist made a mistake like that one? SM: When I was a journalist I did mistakes all the time. In a court of law, journalist is punished when they do something with an ill intent. Simon, you 'd like to add something? Simon Haselock: I don' won't to intervene, except that I think I was a spokesmen who gave the remarks which our colleague reefers to. It is quite simply the fact that you go with the information you re given at the time. We were given the information that this was an incident, which has been caused by an explosion. There was clearly the information at the time that that was the case. And it turned out not to be the fact. I am perfectly willing to stand by the information I was given at the time. It turns out to be wrong, I was therefore wrong for which I apologise, but I go on the information I've got at the time and it is as simple as that. Q: Could it have happened that there was a bomb inside the building and that the fire triggered it? Question for Todd. You mention the waste. Where is the waste going to be dumped now? MT: You mean the environmental clean up. I am not sure of the details. Q: Where is the battery factory waste, which is quite dangerous going to be dumped? MT: I am sure they have taken all of that into consideration. It is quite an important clean up and I am sure they are going to handle it in an environmentally friendly manner. SM: We discussed this with the police and I discussed it with the Police Commissioner last night. They are 99 per cent sure that this is the end of the subject of Suva Reka fire. But we did discuss if something else developed and they are confident now that they have the story.
|