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17 November 2002, Sunday Edition
CONTENTS
· Steiner:
Trust me on Mitrovica (Koha Ditore)
· Petritsch:
There is no solution on status opposing explicit will of Kosovars
(Koha Ditore)
· First official
Kosovo-Serbia talks (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo Media Highlights
Steiner: Trust me on Mitrovica
(Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore's correspondent Beqë Cufaj interviewed UNMIK chief administrator
Michael Steiner in Lucerne.
Mr. Steiner can you tell something more about the conference "Albanians
and their Neighbors". What are your impressions before leaving for
Prishtina?
It wasn't so bad. I believe it was good that it was held. Prime Minister
Rexhepi was very constructive, while Serb Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa
Covic did a very good gesture by asking for forgiveness before everyone
for what he did before Rexhepi was elected Prime Minister, which resulted
with a shaking of hands before everyone. What I have to say is that we
all should salute this gesture. Regarding the overall conference I believe
this was a good chance to look at the possibilities that lead to dialogue
and good neighborly relations between Albanians and their neighbors.
This week you went to Berlin now you are in Lucerne. Are these visits
tied to the speculations that you are leaving Kosovo soon, or was the
visit and meetings with senior German officials a way to return the attention
to Kosovo?
No, no, there are no truths to these speculations. They are nonsense,
and I don't know where they came from. Naturally my visit to Berlin produced
foremost a very good and constructive meeting with Chancellor Gerhard
Schroeder and Foreign Minster Joschka Fischer. What came out of these
meetings is very clear: We have full and strong support from Berlin on
the work that we are doing at UNMIK. We need the continuing support of
international centers for the work that is before us. As you know I was
invited in Berlin to hold a discourse on the international administering
of Kosovo.
Mentioning international administering, the UN Secretary General will
visit the region and Prishtina this week. Is this visit tied to any concrete
step - for example regarding the divided town of Mitrovica or is this
a pre-planned visit?
The visit of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was announced earlier. He
will visit Prishtina and other centers in the region and the Balkans.
I believe that Kofi Annan's visit is a sign of support for that. This
is also the continuing support that I revived during my last visit to
Berlin.
Let us return to the current situation in Kosovo. It seems that after
the recent events that are tied with the preamble that include Kosovo
in Serbia and the approval of the resolution by the Kosovo Assembly, Serb
members in the assembly will not return and approve of other laws with
their colleagues…
I believe this issue is very simple, even though at the moment I shouldn't
talk about this issue, however I have to say that it is the task and priority
of the majority within institutions and within the assembly to do the
utmost that minorities and their representatives are protected within
these institutions. The assembly should be the precise place where minorities
should be protected. It also very important that work rules and regulations
are respected in an absolute and precise manner. Because if a place and
institutions as the assembly doesn't function properly then we have a
situation that will give reason for all those that are criticizing us
that nothing is functioning, as it should. For this reason I have to say
that the assembly has a great responsibility to protect the minorities
that are represented there.
Nevertheless, the question remains, is the work of the parliament blocked
or isn't it?
I shall repeat this again. Ethnic problems cannot be solved by territorial
means. For this reason it remains on the shoulders of the assembly to
solve every problem within the institutions, basing its work on the regulations
of this institution.
When we are at ethnic problems and the attempt to solve them through
arrangements or territorial answers we think of the divided town of Mitrovica.
This town is attempting to be solved through territorial disorder, meaning
division. Now there is talk for different forms for solving the problem
of the dived town of Mitrovica. What can you say on this issue? Is there
any truth that joint Albanian-Serb Council will be formed or that special
elections will be held in Mitrovica for a local assembly?
All I can say for the moment on Mitrovica is: Trust me!
Petritsch: There is no solution
on status opposing explicit will of Kosovars (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore carried an interview with former EU envoy on Kosovo Wolfgang
Petritsch.
Mr. Ambassador you were the EU negotiator in the crisis and talks in
Rambouillet on Kosovo, how do you see Kosovo today?
I have to say that now that I had the chance to talk to Veton Surroi I
believe that Kosovo has seen considerable development. Especially security
which for the majority of the Albanian population had none, now it can
be seen and felt life is slowly normalizing. One the other hand I hear
that there are difficulties especially with electricity. This irritates
me especially the fact that three years have gone by (since the end of
the war) and this problem still hasn't been solved. However, looked at
in general I see a lot of progress. At the same time I have to say that
Albanians should be more open to the return of Serbs. believe that life
will be normalized only when all those that want to live in Kosovo can
really live freely and without fear.
Kosovo institutions are complaining that they don't have necessary competencies
to influence the development and stabilizing of Kosovo, while UNMIK isn't
doing anything for Kosovo's economy as for example privatization.
I cannot judge on this issue because I am not on the scene. What I can
say is that administrator Steiner is doing a great job. However the difficulties
lay in details for example the issue of the right to property and similar
things. It is natural that many things wait to be solved; I hope it will
not take long time to solve these obstacles.
While everyone is talking about the need to start a dialogue between
Prishtina and Belgrade last week we faced a political irritation. The
cause was the Constitutional Charter of the new Serb-Montenegro Union,
which includes Kosovo as a part of Serbia. This and the fact that the
EU sponsors of the Charter has brought discontent among Albanians even
doubt toward EU policy. How do you evaluate this development?
These are fundamental issues that cannot be solved today or tomorrow,
more time is needed. This is the reason that international community and
UN are in Kosovo to attempt to find a just solution and ensure the people
a normal life. This process needs among others things an economic reform
so people can work and lead a normal life.
Mr. Ambassador! The question was on the Serb-Montenegro Constitutional
Charter and the Albanian worries that EU is trying to return Kosovo into
Serbia.
We have to see which is the best solution for Kosovo. I would advise Kosovo
to carefully listen to the EU. Important issues as the one of Kosovo's
final status have to be clarified through a dialogue between Prishtina
and Belgrade and the aid of the EU. This is important. However I don't
believe that there can be a solution on Kosovo's status that explicitly
opposes the will of the people that live and want to live in Kosovo.
There are signs that that preparations are being done for talks on Kosovo's
final status. Do you belevie that time has come to initiate these talks?
Yes, I believe so. I also believe that is very important that majority
of the Kosovo population the Albanians clearly understand that living
in Europe means to demand the recognition and respecting of European standards
on human rights. The issue is the minorities, how they are treated and
how they live. Naturally we deal with a basic issue of democracy, co-existence
in peace and tolerance. I belevie that Kosovo leadership and all Kosovo
democratic political parties should show a great interest on this issue.
You think that a lot more has to be done before preparations for final
talks on status?
The problem with electricity shows the necessity for economic and democratic
stability. When these primary aims are achieved then we can say that conditions
for talks on Kosovo's final status are formed. This is my personal view;
naturally I'm not informed in detail. Be as it may I trust Michael Steiner
whom I know personally and I belie that he represents with dignity the
international community in Kosovo.
First official Kosovo-Serbia talks
(Koha Ditore)
Serb Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic met yesterday in Lucerne with
Kosovo Assembly President Nexhat Daci and Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi
and evaluated that this in a way is the start of talks on Kosovo between
Belgrade and Prishtina officials, reports Koha Ditore.
"These are not still official talks, but it is good that officials are exchanging their ideas in a constructive environment. Naturally there are still many open wounds. Only a short time sago people were looking at each other at the end of the barrel of a gun and many of them died," said Covic via telephone from Lucerne to Serb news agency Beta. The atmosphere is gradually changing toward a constructive approach evaluated Covic and stressed, "the most important point for everyone in the region is European integration".
"During talks with Daci and Rexhepi I received firm promises that they are determined for return of all displaced persons. This encourages me, however we have to move form words into actions. I believe that time that is before us and the dialogue and constants contacts will result to a pertinent solution that will lead to a better life for all the dwellers in this region".
Covic said that in Lucerne there were clear stances on Kosovo's final status. "There can be no talks until an agreement is reached on standards for a normal life in multiethnic area…all options are opened and they are before us. This is a clear stance by the international community repeated by EU, CoE and US State Department. This stances were said in a way representing a warning for all those that are in a hurry to achieve final status," said Covic.
RTK News Headlines
PER Lucerne Conference on Albanians and Neighbors
concludes
Report does a wrap-up of the conference organized by US-based Project
on Foreign Relations on Albanians and Neighborhood, which was participated
by the political leadership of Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia Albanians.
UNMIK's SRSG Michael Steiner was also present at the congregation.
Although the conference was held behind closed doors, Saturday's concluding session focused mainly on the situation in Macedonia and the position of an Albanian political factor in the country.
Soundbites: Ali Ahmeti, BDI (FYROM), on the position of Albanian community in Macedonia and the support given at the conference in regard to further improvement of its situation in the country.
Soundbites were also taken from personalities such Arbën Xhaferi (PDSH, FYROM) and Ferhat Dinosha (UDSH, Montenegro), generally focusing on the necessity to understand the Albanian political structures and population as the key stability factor in the region.
Fatmir Limaj (PDK) focused on the priorities regarding the solution to the Albanian question in the region, stating that the Kosovo Albanians aim for an independent state remains a legitimate goal.
In its concluding comment, the RTK report reiterates that solution to the Albanian question remains the key to solving other regional problems.
Northern Mitrovica Police raid reasons "Still
Unclear"
Report on the follow-up of northern Mitrovica UNMIK Police raid that took
place on Thursday evening emphasizes that the reasons and the outcome
of the operation "continues to remain unclear".
Report raises doubts on whether the action was aiming closure of the "parallel Serb administration" that continues to operate in the northern part of the city, or it was "just a visit" to the premises.
Soundbites: Barry Fletcher, UNMIK police, saying that "the investigation" is undergoing in regard to the reasons and the events that took place during the operation. A number of people will undergo investigation, "including individuals who happened to have been inside the building".
Fletcher also made clear that its personnel invited the special police units in the building. Although, from the outside, it may have left the impression of a raid, this was not the case. "It was more of a social visit".
Although the statements by UNMIK police officials reiterated the different nature of the "operation", the RTK report concluded with a commentary "the days ahead will clarify the real reasons behind the action".
Kosovo Press Headlines
Koha Ditore
Front page
· Laws in Kosovo need to be publicly debated
· Petritsch: There is no solution on status opposing explicit will
of Kosovars
· Steiner: Believe me on Mitrovica
· First official Kosovo-Serbia talks
· Bush: This is why we are engaged in Kosovo
Other headlines
· Lucerne: All Albanians under one roof (2)
· How will Prishtina be urbanized when illegal buildings never
stop (3)
· Reconciliation is the focal point of Annan's visit to the Balkans
(3)
· Real problems were not even mentioned (4)
· Kosovar travel agencies cannot enter in Bosnia (5)
· Kosovar asylum seekers rob a gas station in Austria (5)
· EAR: A program that will cost 1.2 million euros (6)
· KEK tests new methods for billing for spent electricity (6)
· Novobërdë: After four years bakery starts working (6)
· Ferizaj: Old leaders of anew assembly (7)
· Orphans are the problem of all society (8)
· Three NGO's under a joint roof (8)
· Moisiu doesn't believe that Rugova will visit Albania (10)
Bota Sot
Front page
· Albanian are a factor of stability in the region
· Berlusconi: You gave the world the persona of the century, Mother
Theresa
· Manuel's last political game in Kosovo
· International conference in Washington "Kosovo's Future"
· Kofi Annan is coming to Kosovo to reinforce Kosovo's territorial
integrity
· Gas stations in Kullë 'Time Bombs' against Kosovo economy
Other headlines
· Six traffic accident and many robberies (2)
· Bush informed Congress on US troops in Kosovo (3)
· Investing in University is compiling a national strategy (4)
· Tetovo: Masked people again on the roads (4)
· There is no more opposition on Education University (4)
· Eyewitness Vuçitërna: Serbs took 367 Albanian Tractors
in Malishevë (5)
· On Tuesday University of Tetovo to elect another dean (5)
· Handicapped need institutional care (6)
· Small parties: Time for liberalism and social-democracy still
hasn't come (7)
· Who is continuing the agony in Kosovo (8)
· Halimi: Solution for Albanian issue is being laid down with arguments
(8)
· Kosovo Police School aids the family of Ali Vitia (8)
· Kofi Annan will meet with Rugova, Steiner, Rexhepi and Mini (8)
· Steiner: There will be no cantonizations (9)
Kosovo has the highest pollution rate in Europe (9)