13 November 2002

CONTENTS

Press coverage on SRSG Michael Steiner's visit to Berlin (all dailies)

All dailies carry reports on SRSG Michael Steiner's visit to the German capital, Berlin, where he met Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, officials of the Foreign Ministry and delivered a lecture at the university of Humboldt on the topic 'Three years of international administration in Kosovo'.

Under the headline Steiner has full support of German Govt for his work in Kosovo, Koha Ditore notes, "Kosovo public opinion should know something: the way of departure of former chief administrator Hans Haekkerup will not be repeated by the current chief administrator Michael Steiner."

Koha Ditore reports that Steiner met with Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, who told journalists after the meeting that Steiner was doing a very good job in Kosovo, 'and he will continue to have our full support'. Fischer said that he and Steiner talked about the situation in Kosovo after the successful local elections and the issue of decentralization. The two also reportedly discussed the issue of security, fight against crime, possibility of further economic assistance and returns.

Fischer said that Steiner could count on Berlin and the European Union for the reconstruction of Kosovo and for advancing regional cooperation in the Balkans. Fischer also said that the international community and the EU would not forget the Balkans and Kosovo and that the region would still be a priority for German and European foreign policy.

Steiner pointed to the success of the international community in Kosovo and emphasized the importance of further EU and US engagement. According to Koha Ditore correspondent in Germany, Beqë Cufaj, Steiner said that the status issue is in a way linked to the proposed new structure of Serbia and Montenegro, which after three years will either begin or its end.

Koha Ditore reported that the meeting between Steiner and Chancellor Gerhard Schröder was held behind closed doors.

Koha Ditore also carried the entire speech that SRSG Steiner gave at the University of Humboldt.

In three to four years, Kosovo will have its final status, which no one knows what will be, said SRSG Michael Steiner on the second day of his visit to Berlin, Zëri reports.

In the University of Humboldt lecture, Steiner said that the EU should start making preparations so that after some years it can take over the leadership of Kosovo from the UN. "The future resolution on Kosovo, say it is Resolution 1644, will solve the issue of the status. The number of the resolution suggests the time line of three to four years," Steiner said.

Zëri reports that Steiner divided the international engagement in Kosovo in three phases. The first stage began in spring 1999, when NATO's engagement was necessary to stop the nationalistic excesses of then FRY President who is now being tried at The Hague.

Steiner said that the second stage began in summer 1999, when NATO handed over the leadership to the UN, following the endorsement of UNSC Resolution 1244, when UNMIK began work on reconstructing and transforming Kosovo into a functioning society.

Steiner said that by the end of the second stage, there should be a new resolution on Kosovo which would pave way to the third stage. Steiner added that at this point, the EU should take over the leadership of Kosovo from the UN.

Kosova Sot reports that during an interview for the German newspaper Der Tagespiel, SRSG Michael Steiner said that Kosovo's status would not be resolved in seven or eight years, 'however, this should in no way become an issue to continue for generations'. "Until some issues are clarified, the US presence is very necessary," Steiner said.

Bota Sot reports that Chancellor Gerhard Schröder reaffirmed full support for the UNMIK chief Michael Steiner.

Epoka e Re also quotes Steiner as saying that Kosovo's legal status should be resolved sooner than planned. "This should happen sooner than expected," Steiner said.

According to Epoka e Re, Steiner said that the status issue remains open and added: "There will be no turning back to the prewar status of 1999, and a partition of Kosovo is also not possible. There will be no cantonization or partition on ethnic basis. Furthermore, Kosovo should be truly multiethnic, a European society with the full participation of minorities… No one at this point can say what its status will be."

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Shala: Senator Dole, Kosovo and competencies (Zëri)

Zëri carries an editorial by Blerim Shala who says that nomination of Senator Dole as Kosovo's representative in the US would not harm UNMIK competencies. Shala says that if Washington would lead negotiations for resolving the Kosovo issue, Dole would have an important role no matter the conflict of competencies. Shala wrote:

Senator Bob Dole, one of the most influential American politicians in the last 20 years, who played a tremendous role in the engagement of official Washington on Kosovo's side, has these days suddenly become part of the endless discussions between UNMIK and Kosovars, for competencies on each side.

As it is known, Rugova decided that Dole would be Kosovo's high-ranking representative in the USA. The UNMIK officials' reactions were that this is not in accordance with Kosovo's foreign policy, which is the competency of the SRSG. It is known that a few months ago, because of the conflict on competencies, a memorandum of cooperation between Kosovo and Albania was annulled, which was later signed by Michael Steiner.

Where UNMIK and Kosovo President's competencies are concerned perhaps a discussion, which would last for a few days, could be opened. Nevertheless, Dole's nomination as Kosovo's representative in Washington, in essence, doesn't have to do with the creation of new political circumstances, where let us say Dole would negotiate different issues on behalf of the present organization of Kosovo's government with Washington.

To be clear, it is logical that Dole is expected to have an important role in the phase when official Washington would take lead in resolving Kosovo's status issue. Therefore, Dole cannot lose his position because of the conflict of competencies.

COMKFOR Fabio Mini: Kosovo will have a bright future (Bota Sot)

Bota Sot carries an interview with General Fabio Mini, the KFOR commander. Mini spoke on the current situation in Kosovo, the reduction of KFOR troops, rule of law, the Mitrovica problem and other issues.

General, what is your assessment of the current situation in Kosovo?
From a military point of view, as commander of KFOR, my focus is on the security situation. Since 1999, the security situation in Kosovo has changed a lot. Kosovo has no external threats and its relations with neighbors are constructive. The municipal elections are an encouraging sign that politics is getting closer to the people. The international community has reacted positively to elections organization. Nonetheless, some cases of intolerance give me a feeling that internal security is fragile. In order to improve this situation, we don't need only political and military forces or protection of international forces, but Kosovo also needs self-confidence and more tolerance.

What is your opinion on the reduction or restructuring of KFOR troops in Kosovo and how long will KFOR stay in Kosovo?
KFOR troops are acting according to UNSC Resolution 1244 and therefore we must fulfill those tasks. This implies that the security situation in Kosovo both now and in the future will be determined by KFOR. There is an ongoing process of verification. In order to reduce external military threats and to reduce internal armed threats and to secure a safer environment, we no longer need huge military equipment because KFOR is capable of quick mobility. The people of Kosovo must have no doubts because KFOR's commitment is as big as ever.

What is the willingness of NATO countries continuing with their assistance for Kosovo in the military, political and economic fields?
The engagement of NATO countries in Kosovo has never changed and we don't foresee any reduction in current engagement. We must wait for more economic and political progress.

General, one of the most crucial issues in Kosovo is law and order. Can you tell us what is your assessment of the level of organized crime in Kosovo and what is KFOR doing in order to prevent it?
Organized crime is a serious concern. KFOR together with UNMIK Police are working in this respect with the goal of developing the joint strategy on Kosovo. KFOR has huge potential for intelligence collection and capability to control special areas. This capability is available for Kosovo institutions and UNMIK, 24 hours a day.

What is the support of the local population?
KFOR has very good relations with the population. The local population offers very good support for KFOR's actions. The people of Kosovo have understood KFOR's mission and it helps us a lot and this makes our mission a lot easier.

One of the biggest problems in Kosovo is Mitrovica, therefore what is your assessment of the situation in Mitrovica?
Mitrovica is an area of concern. The international community wants to achieve progress there. From the security point of view, KFOR fully supports a plan that aims at progress.

How do you imagine the future of Kosovo, now after the 26 local elections?
The peacefulness that characterized the election period marks a huge step of progress in Kosovo. Unfortunately, the elections were also marked with serious episodes of intolerance. However, in the spirit of cooperation, democratization and mutual respect, Kosovo will have a bright future.

What is your message to the people of Kosovo?
My message to the people of Kosovo is that they should support the democratic process, with the aim of having a bright and prosperous future. Democracy means that the leaders of the elected institutions should take over responsibilities and protect the interests of the people. KFOR and the population are working in this respect.

There is no KPS police station in northern Mitrovica that would be opened by Kofi Annan (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that Mitrovica citizens recently heard news in local media that the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan would visit Mitrovica on 19th November and open a station of the Kosovo Police Service in the northern part of town.

Koha Ditore reports that UNMIK and police officials in Mitrovica said they were not aware that UN SG Annan would open a police station. In fact, some police officials reportedly said that there were no KPS policemen in northern Mitrovica.

"There will be no opening of a KPS police station in northern Mitrovica," said UNMIK police spokesman in Mitrovica, Soji Idowu.

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Balkans political leaders to meet in Luzerne (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that a high-level meeting of political leaders of southeastern Europe will be held on 15 and 16th November in Luzerne, Switzerland. The US organization 'Project for Ethnic Relations' led by Allen Kassof has organized the meeting which will reportedly gather the most important decision-makers of the region to discuss the current and future relations between Albanians and their neighbors.

SRSG Michael Steiner, PM Bajram Rexhepi, President Ibrahim Rugova, Assembly Speaker Nexhat Daci, PDK leader Hashim Thaçi, AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj, Assembly Presidency member Oliver Ivanovic, Skender Hyseni, chief political advisor to President Rugova, and Coalition Povratak chief Rada Trajkovic are invited to attend the meeting which will also gather personalities from Albania, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Switzerland, Turkey and the US.

KTA and UNMIK: Makolli was suspended due to improper behavior (Zëri)

Zëri reports that the Kosovo Trust Agency and UNMIK said yesterday that the suspension of the deputy director of Kosovo Railways Vesel Makolli was done due to improper behavior and violation of work rules.

"The assistant of the general director of UNMIK Railways Vesel Makolli was suspended after written warnings for improper behavior and violation of the work rules of UNMIK Railways," noted a press release issued by the KTA.