02 November 2002 Saturday Edition

CONTENTS

· Steiner starts talks with Kosovar leaders on decentralization concept (Dailies)
· Steiner presents return strategy for 2003 (Dallies)
· Steiner today to meet Kostunica in Belgrade
· Trajkovic: Unification of Mitrovica is not something realistic (Koha Ditore)
· Covic: No government can be imposed in Mitrovica (Koha Ditore)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Steiner starts talks with Kosovar leaders on decentralization concept (Dailies)

Steiner received the green light for compiling a concrete plan on decentralization from President Ibrahim Rugova, Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi, PDK chairman Hashim Thaçi, AAK chairman Ramush Haradinaj and head of the Serb Coalition Povratak Rada Trajkovic. Kosovar leaders have authorized Steiner to write a letter to Council of Europe, which after dinner handed to the media, report all dailies.

It seems that Friday night dinner was a substitution for the conference that Steiner planned to hold in Gjilanë, which was postponed for an indefinite time because of the low Serb turn out in local elections. After the dinner that lasted just over three hours all Kosovo leaders and Steiner gave statements to the media.

"We have agreed that the government should come closer to the people, in accordance with the Constitutional Framework and following modern European principles," said Steiner after the dinner. "All representatives welcomed the invitation I made to the Council of Europe to urgently send an expert team to Kosovo. This team would compile a proposal for decentralization with Kosovo institutions," said Steiner.

"With this we aim to give Kosovo a modern and efficient administrative structure in accordance with European standards and the Constitutional Framework," said Steiner in front of his home after he bid farewell to his guests.

"We talked about…election results, their implementing, decentralization in Kosovo, an overall democratic decentralization, government closer to the people, I will not say anything more, Mr. Steiner will give a statement for the media," said President Rugova.

"We talked about election results, the issue of return and the process of decentralization in Kosovo. There will be a joint press release," said Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi.

"It was a working dinner that resulted in a joint statement of the entire Kosovar political specter that re in the Kosovo institutions, the government and the assembly, but also the representatives of the non-Albanian communities," said PDK chairman Hashim Thaçi.

"This process will make Kosovo administration more efficient and will bring the government closer to the people,' said AAK chairman Ramush Haradinaj.

"We have agreed that all Kosovo communities work within the Kosovo institutions. We stood here eight months ago when we formed Kosovo government; this time we have representatives of the Serb community. Kosovo is moving forward," said Steiner.

Steiner presents return strategy for 2003 (Dallies)

Four days before going to Brussels, UNMIK chief administrator Michael Steiner forms a working group that will deal with return of all displaced from Kosovo, report all dallies.

"Decision was made that a group should be formed, Task Force" will directly coordinate all these issues," said Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi, according to whom that strategy on return will deal with all communities and a special emphasis on the Serb community. "It is known that we have a joint strategy with UNMIK office for returns," said PM Rexhepi. Ata the meeting were present ministerial coordinator Milorad Todorovic, UNMIK Councilor for return Nenad Radosavljevic, UNHCR, KFOR and UNMIK Police representatives.

Steiner today to meet Kostunica in Belgrade (Koha Ditore)

FRY President Vojislav Kostunica will meet in Belgrade on Saturday with UNMIK chief administrator Michael Steiner informs Beta. The meeting is scheduled to be held at Federation Palace in Belgrade at 11:30, reports Koha Ditore.

After the dinner with Kosovar leaders, UNMIK chief administrator Michael Steiner did not refute or confirm his eventual trip to Belgrade, he only said that a great deal more issues are to be solved. "Let us not forget the issue of Mitrovica, an institutional vacuum has to be filled there. There are many other issues to be dealt with, and I have been authorized by all Kosovar leaders to say what I have said," stressed Steiner after the dinner with Kosovar leaders. Steiner admitted that he will go to Belgrade many more times, however Kosovo problems will be discussed within Kosovo and the legal institutions.

Trajkovic: Unification of Mitrovica is not something realistic (Koha Ditore)

Head of the Serb Coalition Povratak Rada Trajkovic at Kosovo Assembly has evaluated that unification of Mitrovica into one administrative unit for the moment is unrealistic, reports Koha Ditore.

"They can do this, however it will not bring any results. They can bring decisions, however they cannot implement them. These ideas remind me of the Milosevic regime, the will of the Serbs who were a minority imposed the Albanian who boycotted elections," said Trajkovic. She stressed that northern Mitrovica is the last place where Serbs are a majority in Kosovo, Trajkovic believe that no one in the international administration is ready to admit that institutions banishment will happen in this town. "The best solution is that northern Mitrovica is under direct Steiner's supervision or an administrator is named for this town," said Rada Trajkovic.

Covic: No government can be imposed in Mitrovica (Koha Ditore)

Nebojsa Covic, most senior Serb official that deals with Kosovo issue said that the boycotting of local elections on 26 October by Kosovo Serbs in Mitrovica "there can be no imposing of any kind of government in this part of the town, however there is an agreement to be reached very soon," said Covic, reports Koha Ditore.

"We agreed on Monday with Steiner in Belgrade that decentralization process must continue and it shouldn't be tied with any conditions. I will repeat it again, no matter what the participation of Serbs from Mitrovica in local elections…the government cannot be imposed," told Covic Serb news agency Beta.

Asked if Serbs, as UNMIK chief administrator Michael Steiner said, "Serbs shot themselves on the foot," on the decision to participate in Kosovo local elections in such a low number, Covic added, "this also happened with several Kosovar political entities".

RTK News Headlines

Kosovo Press Headlines
Koha Ditore
Front page

· Kosovar agreed with decentralization to be prepared by Council of Europe
· Who cut down the trees on Mother Theresa Street
· OSCE to announce final election results on Sunday
· Steiner presents return strategy for 2003
· KPC aids in protecting the environment

Other headlines

· LDK Central HQ opposes voting in Lipjan (2
· Tahir Desku released from prison (2)
· Kosovo Albanian caught in Italy with 20 kg of heroin (2)
· Crvenkovski government receives the necessary votes, opposition leaves (3)
· Census starts in Macedonia (3)
· Macedonia Ultra Nationalists took responsibility for bomb at parliament (4)
· Steiner today to meet Kostunica in Belgrade (4)
· Tiranë: Transnational Radical Party meets today (4)
· There was no robbery in MEB Bank (4)
· NATO will continue mission in Macedonia next year (5)
· JTI: We aren't illegally smuggling cigarettes (6)
· BPB Bank receives a 1.8 million retro loan (6)
· Nothing has been approved on the workers status (6)
· Four MA President realized that their partner had gone bankrupt (6)
· Kikaj: We will govern Podujevë municipality with a full mandate (7)
· Allam: I am leaving however my heart remains in Malishevë (7)
· AAK in Klinë is ready to co-govern (7)
· KPC to start an exercise Eagle 5 (7)
· Çeku visited KPC center in Mitrovica (9)
· Aid for widowed wifes and their children (9)
· Palokaj: Belgrade cannot come closer to NATO before handing over all accused by Hague for war crimes (10)
· Trajkovic: Unification of Mitrovica is not something realistic (10)
· Covic: No government can be imposed in Mitrovica (10)

Zëri
Front page

· Steiner hands the government strategy for return of displaced
· Kosovo teachers will receive their 176 promised euros by end of November
· Shala: Political maturity
· Steiner start talks with Kosovar leaders on the concept of decentralization
· OSCE: Parties that have remarks have the right to complaint
· Crvenkovski-Ahmeti government formed in Macedonia
· We did not seek asylum, we reacted because we were insulted

Other headlines

· First class of police technicians graduates (2)
· Kofi Annan to visit Belgrade (2)
· KTA has not finalized any decision (2)
· The sum of 30 euros has nothing to do with registering say at Prishtina University (2)
· Tahir Desku released from detention (2)
· Registration in Macedonia is being conducted in mother tongue of citizens (4)
· Empty chair is waiting for Fadil to come from prison (4)
· Polluter pays, is the first principle of the Law on Environment (5)
· BPB Bank receives first international loan (5)
· Rexhepi: In principle we support decentralization (5)
· Fee for non immigrant visa for US raises (5)
· Zahir was the central figure of KLA's beginnings (6)
· Fired workers have nowhere to complain (6)
· KPC to start exercise Eagle 5 on 4 November (6)
· Why referendum should be separated from Resolution 1244 (7)
· Montenegrins do not want Ymer Prizreni in Ulqin (7)
· Tiranë and Brussels sign agreement of air traffic (7)

Bota Sot
Front page

· Chappell: Authors of political crimes are professional killers
· Who dares threaten Kosovo with civil war
· Krenar Syla did what every PDK member should do
· Which senior PDK member visited Bytyçi's killer several days before killing
· BPB Bank first in Kosovo to receive an international loan
· Government starts work, VMRO boycotts parliament
· Things cannot undo what was done

Other headlines

· Klinë to be governed by LDK-PSHDK coalition (2)
· One Albanian and one Macedonia organization take responsibility for bomb in front of parliament (4)
· Deans office proposes 30 euro participation for one semester (4)
· Privatization process without an operational policy (4)
· Kosovo a place where politicians are guarded by bodyguards (4)
· OSCE to announce final election results on Sunday (5)
· Hoffman: Killing of Ukë Bytyçi is a tragic event (5)
· KPC started training for police technicians (5)
· When leftist politicians trey to hide signs of political crime in Kosovo (6)
· Who is making a civil war in Kosovo (7)
· US non immigrant visas more expensive (9)
· Commemoration for Zahir Pajaziti's 40th birthday (9)
· Gen. Çeku visited KPC Zone I (9)
· Return of private property discussed at UNMIK (9)

Kosova Sot
Front page

· After dining with Kosovar leaders, Steiner goes to Belgrade
· Dickinson: Kosovo will be integrated in European structures
· Steiner: This is the strategy for return
· A new winter with old reductions
· Will Kosovars have enough time to convince donors in Brussels to invest in Kosovo
· Through seventeen hands without being detected
· Where will funds for privatization come from
· OSCE to announce on Sunday final election results

Other headlines

· Unsuccessful elections, a consequence of confusion created by Serb leaders (2)
· EU must have its own strategy for Kosovo, says Prime Minister (2)
· Prizren after local elections (4)
· Zahir Pajaziti a leader and war strategist (4)
· Daut Haradinaj on trial on 7 November (4)
· USA raises fee fro non immigrant visas (4)
· KPC hold field exercise Eagle 5 (4)
· Tahir Desku released from prison (4)
· The agony behind electing a permanent secretary (7)
· Gen. Çeku among seed plotters (8)
· No more monopoly over mobile telephones in Kosovo (9)
· Macedonia with new government (10)
· BPB Bank receives an international loan (11)

Belgrade Media Highlights

· Kostunica talked with Cutigliero (Politika/ Tanjug)
· Emergency vehicle attacked (Politika)
· Largest number of Serbs voted in Novo Brdo (Danas/Tanjug)
· Serbs won in five municipalities (Glas)
· Arrest again? (Vecernje Novosti/Tanjug)
· Results on Sunday (Blic)
· SNC and DSS form authority in Zvecan and Leposavic (Nacional)
· The public demands indictments against Albanians (Nacional)

Other news:

· Independent Autonomous Region of Kosovska Mitrovica (NIN)
· Nenad Radosavljevic: Covic's own-goal (NIN)

Kostunica talked with Cutigliero (Politika/ Tanjug)
In talks in Belgrade, Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica and UN special envoy for human rights Jose Cutigliero stressed the need for speedier resolution of the difficult position of IDPs from Kosovo and Metohija. Cutigliero said that on that plane, no significant progress had been made since his previous visit to Yugoslavia in February this year. He also stressed the need for shedding light on the fate of the missing in the region of FR Yugoslavia, and cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. President Kostunica pointed to the importance of the return of IDPs to Kosovo and Metohija for normalizing a very grave state of affairs in the sphere of the protection and exercise of human rights in the province.

Emergency vehicle attacked (Politika)
Upon returning from a Mitrovica hospital, an emergency vehicle that was transporting a Romani woman for further hospitalization was stopped near Vucitrn. According to Milomir Cosic, a specialist anesthesiologist, the nurse, driver, doctor anesthesiologist Dragan Ivanovic, and the patient's brother were taken out from the car in the middle of the night and verbally molested for over an hour. Then they were taken to a UN Police station and kept until morning. Milomir Cosic says that the UN Police has not for a single moment tried to protect them but accused them of transporting Serb terrorists.

Largest number of Serbs voted in Novo Brdo (Danas/Tanjug)
At the recent local elections in Kosovo and Metohija, out of 16 municipalities where Serbs voted, the best turnout was in Novo Brdo where 1,157 voters voted or 78.98% out of totally registered 1,465 voters. The lowest turnout was in Kosovska Mitrovica, where only 70 people voted or 0.81% out of registered 8,610 people, it says in a preliminary report by CESID submitted to the CCK. Out of a total of 72,980 registered voters, a total of 23,142 Serb voters turned out for the local elections in Kosovo and Metohija on 26 October.

Serbs won in five municipalities (Glas)
Constituent assembly sessions in all of the 30 Kosovo municipalities will be held from 18 to 25 November. Serbs will have a two-third majority in five municipalities. A Serb representative will be leading the municipalities of Leposavic, Zvecan, Zubin Potok, Strpce and Novo Brdo in the next following years. OSCE Spokesman in Kosovska Mitrovica Bernard Vrban has announced that the newly elected independent region will have 41 assembly members and will have authority in the entire region of Mitrovica as a single municipality. There will be no Serbs in the seats because they boycotted the elections. Following the confirmation of the results and the forming of an independent region, the newly elected assembly members will go through a joint training for performing the jobs. The OSCE will perform the training.

Arrest again? (Vecernje Novosti/Tanjug)
Member of the SNC executive board for northern Kosovo Vladimir Adzic has said in Kosovska Mitrovica that he has "reliable information" on a possible arrest of SNC leader Milan Ivanovic over his political activities. It was said at a press conference that SNC was not to blame for the failure of the local elections in northern Mitrovica but SRSG Michael Steiner because he conditioned the realization of his seven-point plan with Serbs taking part in the elections.

Results on Sunday (Blic)
The final results of the municipal elections in Kosovo will be announced at noon on Sunday, 3 November, OMIK, the organizer of the elections, announced. The results will be announced at the Media center in Pristina. Head of the Mission Pascal Fieschi will present on behalf of the Central Electoral Commission a proposal to SRSG Michael Steiner to verify the results.

SNC and DSS form authority in Zvecan and Leposavic (Nacional)
Representatives of SNC for northern Kosovo have announced that they will form, in coalition with DSS, local authority in Zvecan and Leposavic, and that, after pressures by "political means" and talks with UN representatives, they will bring a decision on how the local authority will be organized in northern Mitrovica. Executive board chairman Momir Kasalovic accused SRSG Michael Steiner for the boycott of the elections in Kosovska Mitrovica, and assessed that the UN administrator "made a mistake" when he proposed his plan.

The public demands indictments against Albanians (Nacional)
Serbian Justice Minister Vladan Batic has expressed during talks with the UN high Commissioner for human rights in Yugoslavia and B-H Jose Curtigliero "dissatisfaction of the public" in Serbia because indictments for war crimes against Albanians had not been brought yet before the ICTY. An announcement said that the justice ministry "a year ago" submitted to the ICTY "immense documentation" about Albanians suspected of committing crimes in Kosovo and Metohija.

Other news:

Independent Autonomous Region of Kosovska Mitrovica (NIN)
Until recently, the most wanted fugitive in Kosovo, SNC leader for northern Kosovo Milan Ivanovic, was peacefully sitting in a leather armchair in a hospital in Kosovska Mitrovica until the phone rang around 3:30 p.m. on 26 October. "Why is Covic calling Serbs to vote now? All those who are
artificially maintaining KP in power will experience worse things then Sloba (Slobodan Milosevic)," Ivanovic almost shouted over the phone. A moment later, Ivanovic dialed Nebojsa Covic's mobile hoping to get some reasonable explanation. As soon as he pronounced several words, the line was cut off. However, Ivanovic did not give up and called one more number. He heard a polite female voice over the speakerphone explaining that she would not want to interrupt Mr. Covic because he was presently at a meeting with William Montgomery, the US Ambassador in Belgrade. Ivanovic was
controlling himself for several minutes while his face and fingertips were becoming pale. "Well, it is probably clear now why nobody here trusts these from Belgrade," says Ivanovic and adds: "I see we are only wasting time and that we should have proclaimed an Independent Autonomous Region of Kosovska Mitrovica a long time ago."

"The turnout of Serbs at the elections has shown that neither Steiner nor Covic had received a passing grade. Steiner has no reason to be happy over these elections and I wouldn't be surprised if he were to start making even more crack brained moves," says SNC leader for northern Kosovo, who received a majority in Zvecan where 44,51% of Serbs voted. Serbs won local authority in three more municipalities: Leposavic and Zubin Potok where DSS won, and in Strpce where SPS won. It will be known whether Thaçi's PDK won in Novo Brdo where Serbs are a majority, only following the counting of the votes of all those who did this through email. All together, the local elections in Kosovo are not so important to the Serbs because they are planning already now to hold municipal elections within six months (organized by themselves), should talks on decentralization and the plan
for the return of IDPs end unsuccessfully. "We will organize them on our own, we don't even need those from Belgrade, because if we had to agree with them, we would have never had elections. The elections will be our initiative. Anyway, we have shown that we can self-organize in defense," says Ivanovic, convinced that Steiner would not be able to do much in order to prevent these elections. "As far as I know, Steiner is supposed to be replaced in two, three at the most, months, because his stocks are falling, this is why he is not getting out of Kosovska Mitrovica at this time," concludes Ivanovic, admitting he has no "spare" tactics.

Nenad Radosavljevic: Covic's own-goal (NIN)
"Following such election results and following such a disastrous low turnout of Serbs at the local elections in Kosovo and Metohija, KP must think through what and how things had been done, what they wished and what were the results. This is the first reaction by Nenad Radosavljevic, high
representative in the cabinet of SRSG Michael Steiner, in charge of the return of IDPs, and the vice-president of New Democracy for Kosovo and Metohija. In a statement to NIN, Radosavljevic is accusing the Head of the CCK Nebojsa Covic for KP's failure at the elections. "One must know who is
the man, who is the person that was in charge of implementing the election campaign on behalf of the Serb entity in Kosovo and Metohija. We are witnesses that this was pure failure, that is, that it never occurred. If one doesn't count the three days upon the elections, Mr. Covic was in charge of conducting the election campaign. He asked for his DA party to receive 40% of the mandates within KP. He sacrificed his own people, but apart from his party, he also sacrificed DS, ND, and SD? He is the most responsible person for this. I imply political responsibility; not at all linking to the CCK whose leader he is, not linking him as the deputy premier of the government that represents the interests of Serbia and Yugoslavia in Kosovo."