18 November 2002

CONTENTS

Local press coverage on UN SG Kofi Annan's upcoming visit to Kosovo

Zëri reports that Annan's visit to Kosovo has caused huge interest. According to the daily newspaper, Annan will open the Kosovo Police Service station in northern Mitrovica. Local analysts claim that this will be the first symbolic step toward dissolving parallel structures in northern Mitrovica and to reestablish the situation under the control of legitimate authorities. "After three years of international administration in Kosovo, the arrival of Kofi Annan to Kosovo has been commented in Prishtina as support for UNMIK and its chief to expand authority throughout the territory of Kosovo, as foreseen in UN SC Resolution 1244," added Zëri.

Kosova Sot carries soundbites of Kosovar politicians on their expectations from SG Annan's visit to Kosovo.

LDK spokesman Lulzim Zeneli: Annan's visit confirms the commitment of the international community in Kosovo and at the same time strengthens the progress achieved so far.

PDK deputy leader Ramë Buja: This is maybe a routine visit that Annan pays to various countries from time to time… I don't believe that something spectacular can be expected from this visit.

AAK deputy leader Naim Maloku: I think Annan's visit has a symbolic importance because Kosovo is under UN administration for three years now… Annan's visit is a message to all forces within and outside Kosovo, or even international circles, that aim to divide Kosovo.

In another article related to Annan's visit and headlined 'Mitrovica - a big challenge for the UN', Kosova Sot quotes a Serb that protects the entrance to northern Mitrovica as saying, "We will never allow Albanians to enter our part of the town. We are not interested in Steiner's plan or in Annan's arrival. All Serbs from southern Mitrovica have been expelled. If we allow them [Albanians] to return to the north, we will be extinguished from here. This is why we will rather die on this bridge than allow them to expel us from our homeland."

Bota Sot carries a column by the editorial office headlined 'UN SG Kofi Annan, Nobel peace prize winner, arrives in Kosovo today'. After initially presenting a full biography of the Secretary General, the daily newspaper writes: "The advantages of Mr. Annan as SG were the revival of the United Nations through a wide program of reforms, strengthening UN's role on peace and development, encouragement and protection of human rights, equality of universal rights, rule of law, tolerance and human dignity, regaining public trust in the UN through the motto 'How to bring the UN closer to the people'."

Epoka e Re carries the full agenda on Annan's visits and meetings during his stay in Kosovo.

Under a headline 'Kofi Annan comes with the message of reconciliation', 24 Orë reports besides meeting with local and international leaders in Prishtina, UN SG Annan will also visit northern Mitrovica where he will meet with Serb residents and the village of Gornji Makres near Novobrdo. "However, Annan has not pre-announced that he would visit the families of missing persons, whose problem remain specific even three years after the deployment of the international administration," added the newspaper.

24 Orë also carries a commentary by historian Hakif Bajrami, who claims that the phenomenon of the political imprisonment of KPC generals should be presented to UN SG Kofi Annan.

Top

Albanians are on the right path to gain their rights (24 Orë)

24 Orë carries an interview that Kosovo's PM Rexhepi gave to Deutsche Welle after the Lucerne Conference.

PM Rexhepi reportedly said that "All discussions went towards a relaxation of tensions that existed before, starting from Albania and Kosovo's representatives but also those from Macedonia, Montenegro and Presevo valley. The Albanian factor proved to be a factor of stability. Previous accusations that Albanians are a factor of destabilization don't stand up any more because a completely new reality was created."

On whether there were conceptual differences among delegations from Albania, Kosovo and other regions where Albanians live, the head of Kosovo's government was quoted as saying "Each delegation presented their specifics. Albania has started the association-stabilization process. Kosovo has an undefined status, while problems of the Macedonian and Montenegrin Albanians have their own characteristics. I think that they are on the right path to gain the rights which belong to them".

On the crucial question on how the PM sees the perspective of the Albanians' rapport with the neighbors, Rexhepi was quoted as saying: In the regional and EU integrations.

Asked about the connotations of Serbia's deputy PM Covic's apology for his previous accusations against PM Rexhepi and on the news from this meeting, Rexhepi said that the apology was made for an ungrounded accusation.

"This was the news, because he apologized for an ungrounded accusation against me. It was disinformation and he apologized publicly. I also accepted it publicly," said Rexhepi.

"In the future maybe we have to create joint teams which should work on the issues of joint interests such as infrastructure, economical issues, missing people etc", he said.

PM Rexhepi was also asked to estimate Serb stand at this conference. "It wasn't aggressive. During all the discussions they tried to keep a balance. There were individuals with radical stands, but in general it was constructive," he said.

Shala: Paying for the damages (Zëri)

Zëri carries an editorial by Blerim Shala who says that Kosovo has to pay double for the damages made yesterday at two churches. First Kosovo has to pay for the damages caused to the buildings and second Kosovo will pay for the bad image in front of westerners. Shala also elaborates on whether the fact these attacks happened one day before Kofi Annan's visit and three days after UNMIK's police intervention could be a coincidence.

It is not known who did it, but it is known who will pay for it. This is how the comment on the damages of the two Kosovo orthodox churches in Gjurakovc and Lubovë could be concluded. This is how the comment should start: One day before the arrival of UN SG Kofi Annan to Kosovo, who will visit Kosovo for the second time, and three days after the police intervention of UNMIK police in the building of the parallel system in northern Mitrovica, two Orthodox churches in two different places in Kosovo are damaged. UNMIK officials would add in this case that this kind of ordering of information brings us to a suggestive conclusion. Then our critics would proceed with "theories of conspiracy".

Of course everything can be a coincidence. But then, the one who did these attacks has to be from Thailand, somebody who doesn't know what is happening in Kosovo and the region, or a local who for a long time was disconnected from the environment where he lives.

While the investigations continue (and never end, based on the experience of similar cases in the past) and the search for those who committed this act, it remains to us to pay for the evident damages, which this time according to the announcements will be expressed in two ways: On the one hand funds should be divided from Kosovo's budget to repair the two churches, while on the other hand Kosovo's "political budget" will undergo a huge damage on the eyes of the westerners. Thus, Annan will arrive in Prishtina on the day when the top story is the damaging of two churches.

Top

Thaçi: Albanians and neighbors (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore carries a commentary by PDK chairman Hashim Thaçi on the issue of Albanians and its neighbors in the region.

This issue is one of the most delicate and sensitive issues of the last century and of this that just has started in Europe, however looking from the realistic point of view is one of the easiest to be solved. Albanian issue cannot be laid down as isolated discussion as national priority but ass commitment in principle solving this in cooperation with other communities in the region.

Problems in the Balkans aren't only regional problems and locals alone cannot solve them. Open issues that need solving can keep up the positive pace only with the managing of democratic transitions from the west.

For this to be achieved, there is need to fulfill democratic sustainable standards, and then to replace the old-traditional mentality (the idea of negative feeling toward each other and withy ourselves) with civilized values.
Albania - an important part of democratic intervention
Albania: After democratic changes in the beginning of 90's with all of turbulence within politics and ordinary citizens considerable progress has been achieved. However it can be concluded that in the last decade, Tiranë wasn't always on the right path of regional developments - opposite developments in the world and its position.

Political animosities, unrealistic reflections at certain moments relating to neighbors, taking sides indifferent times with certain political formations with their compatriots first in Kosovo and afterward in Macedonia in a way it paled the positive role of Tirana's official policy. Nevertheless it played a constructive role during the war in Kosovo. Everyone, (state and citizens) helped in ending the crisis in a just way. Albania was an important part of western intervention.

During the crisis in Presevo Valley and in the more sensible crisis in Macedonia, Albania had a constructive principled stance and it did not take sides. It worked to help to overcome the crisis and recognition of equal rights for the citizens that live in those two countries.

Respecting good cooperation between Tiranë and Podgorica, it supported the necessity and the right of Albanians for representation and integration in democratic institutions but also to respect the readiness of responsible actions of Montenegrin authorities for recognizing national rights for Albanians.

It seems Albania is vitalizing the necessary democratic criteria for integrating in western structures. Political and institutional stability is at a higher level - law is being respected more, human rights and rights of minorities. It doesn't have border problems with its neighbors: Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Greece and Italy.

Tiranë today has good relations with all neighbors and countries in the region. This multidimensional progress has been evaluated also by the international community it has opened the doors to Albanian to join the Agreement on Association - Stabilization with the European Union.

Therefore I evaluate that Albania can play an important role in democratic developments in the region but not the decisive unifying role or influential in the Albanian entity. Historically Albania wasn't a direct initiator of movements for the rights of Albanians, but it sometimes monitored them or commented the developments. Tiranë always morally supported the demands of all Albanians, however in the institutional level was very careful in continuing coherent support but with results.

Relations among Albanians and the communicating among each other has achieved a high level then in the past, but it also has space for more dynamic engaging in all institutions and civil circles.

On the notion of national crisis that have passed, I evaluate that Albanians had a dignified humane, national and political stance toward one other. All Albanians living in the region had a unified stance and they supported (with very few exceptions) the just fight of the Kosovo Liberation Army and western intervention. Humanity of highest level was shown among the people during the refugee crisis during 1998-99.

The gathering of problems for decades in the region, the unjust position of Albanians after the war in Kosovo it formed other crisis as in Presevo Valley and Macedonia. Conflicts were not a part of Albanian interest and of western engagement in the region. These crises were more a negative reflection of static intolerant political positions of the head of those states and it wasn't at all imported from Kosovo. Kosovo suffered some damage from these conflicts. A short time ago it seemed that west was doubtful of the determination that Albanians had for peace in the region. Constructive diplomatic and military engagement by the USA and EU, new bloodshed was avoided.

We respect political status in these countries and we attempt to positively influence in democratic integration of the Albanian entity international democratic institutions. This is our standard of political commitment for the future of these countries with which we will build good neighborly relations.
Standard and status
Solution on defining the process on Kosovo final issue in a future time frame, are encircled in democratic standards, which are closely tied with its status. Internationals have placed conditions to Kosovars (even though they are committed) the implementing of political, economic criteria and modern legislation.

It remains to be seen if standards are a democratic condition laid by internationals for Kosovars or is it tactical-diplomatic move to gain time - to postpone the solving of Kosovo's final status.

However if they expect for to Kosovo build an ideal democratic order than the time for solving Kosovo's status will be indefinite. Kosovo today, even though it doesn't have a solved status it is more democratic than many independent countries. We can say with utmost assurance that Kosovo has more security and stability, more transparent governing with a wide political basis and multi-ethnicity that ensure the rights of minorities and are working for forming the conditions for return of displaced. The forming of a modern legislative, privatization - free economy is on the phase of imports ant developing and consolidation, but also as in every country in transition for successfully fulfilling these issues there is need for investment and time.

I ask a question without any prejudice:
What are the criteria that were fulfilled by Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia or Baltic Republic when the international community recognized their political status?

The answer is simple:
They were all in the sodium of the ABC's of democracy. In Kosovo the fulfilling of standards and the solving of political status have to be implemented at the same time.

Decentralization as form of reorganizing the government in principle is acceptable, however have to be careful that this process is in the service of fulfilling operational and efficient institutions, and not to take reflecting political connotation as favor to the interests of one ethnicity. In this case we have to have in mind the danger of compromising and degeneration of this process effective for the citizens.

Elections in Serbia by most of citizens and institutions in Kosovo went unnoticed and did not have any influence in developments in Kosovo just as much influence had some Kosovar citizens in Belgrade institutions.

We cannot with hold a new element of the situation: It is dangerous to turn the minority issue of Kosovo Serbs into a border dispute between Kosovo and Serbia (tendencies to divide Mitrovica). Often decision-making centers in name of compromise recognize first the reality in hand than the legal right. This practice should not happen in Kosovo.
Past should not punish the future
Dialogue with neighbors: we consider as normal to start dialogue in principle with neighbors, without conditions and with transparence. The role of the internationals should be understood as positive approach toward our countries. In the past there were grave consequences and negative reflections as lack of this readiness to talk and not oppress one other. This should not be repeated in the future. We have many reasons for this: conflict and hatred did not bring anything good to our people, only tragedy and backwardness. The past should not punish the future.

Today countries that overcame the animosity of wars can cooperate and integrate. Prishtina and Belgrade can cooperate in equal levels, but alos to achieve agreements accepted by both sides.

A secure future and stability can be built only with good neighborly relations and mutual respect of national and democratic values. It cannot be that every Serb value is anti-Albanian and also it cannot be that Albanian national values are anti-Serbian. We have same values that both nations respect.

We have to seek and find mutual interests for communicating and not those that division and hatred. The role of the USA and EU will be crucial for the phase of starting the dialogue and agreements. All countries in the region aim to integrate to western structures. However not communicating or isolating one other or even self-isolation cannot achieve this integration.

Top

Adem Demaçi gives interview to Epoka e Re

In an exclusive interview for Epoka e Re, Adem Demaçi has called upon Albanians to wake up from their sleep and oppose the slavery that is being prepared for them. 'Because if this continues, the people will be forced to accept a version which would be less than freedom. Now the problem is whether we will accept to live in freedom or in non-freedom,' he added.

Demaçi said that the issue of determining the final status of Kosovo is already being raised. He claimed that the conference organized in Luzerne is the beginning of talks with Serbia.

Commenting on the statements of Kosovo chief administrator Michael Steiner that the UN Security Council will decide on Kosovo's final status, and not Prishtina or Belgrade, Demaçi was quoted as saying, "Others will decide for us as long as we are incapable of deciding for ourselves and until we understand the importance of organization. There is no strength without organization, and without strength there can be no changes in the reality. The world has always respected three things: knowledge, money and strength. For the time being, we don't have any of these; therefore, we are subject of international policies. This is the reason why the Albanian cause in general is excluded from all other European issues and has remain unsolved…"

Demaçi said that Steiner was a very capable worker who is doing his job very good. "Anytime he sees that Albanians start making noise, he makes a softer sentence as the one in Berlin, and gives hopes to Albanians that 'we will bring things in order…' and Albanians fall to sleep again," said Demaçi.

Demaçi told Epoka e Re that Steiner's recent statements were a continuity of Covic eight-point proposal. "Steiner refused to accept those eight points, because they were an ultimatum from Serbia, and now he has come up with another version which in essence is not very different. Both proposals are compiled to give unseen privileges for Serbs," he added.

Demaçi said that Europe doesn't realize what is happening in Kosovo, and it doesn't understand that by imposing Kosovo to Serbia it will ruin the latter. "Serbia doesn't have the capacity to deal with the Albanian people once again," he elaborated.

Demaçi also claimed that UNMIK has manipulated with justice. "There are a hundred facts about this. Here people are arrested and held in jail for years without any arguments, and then released as innocent. There are serious violations of human rights. And this all happens because our political parties are not informing the people on the real situation," added Demaçi.

Top

Illusions and political reality (Zëri)

Zëri carries a commentary by the editorial office on the outcomes of the conference held in Luzerne on the topic 'Albanians and their neighbors'. The editorial also asks what would have happened if Albanians had organized such a conference.

For the third time in the last three years, the Project for Ethnic Relations led by Alan Kassof, organized the conference 'Albanians and their neighbors'. This time the conference in Luzerne, Switzerland, a country that gave shelter to hundreds and thousands of Albanians and other victims of the wars of the 90s initiated by the Serb regime, gathered the decision-makers of countries where Albanians live. However, it was said that it shouldn't be expected from the conference to make political decisions.

From this conference, which was mainly closed for the media, there were some formulations and information which should confirm its success. Therefore, the international public opinion was told that Albanians are a factor of stability in the Balkans, and that there was an honest exchange of opinions between politicians of this part of the Balkans, that Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic apologized to Kosovo PM Bajram Rexhepi for a letter that he sent to UNMIK chief Michael Steiner accusing Rexhepi as a war criminal, and that Covic met with Rexhepi and Assembly Speaker Nexhat Daci. Some media even said that this was the first official between Serbian and Kosovar representatives, even though the content of the meeting and its effect was not clarified.

If we avoid the atmosphere of this conference and conclusions, it is difficult not to articulate the basic suspicion for the goals of this conference.

Let us imagine that Albanian politicians would plan to host such a conference on the same subject. Surely, the neighboring capitals of Prishtina and Tirana, and then Brussels and New York would react with the well-known harshness and sound conclusions saying that this is the secret political agenda of Albanians for creating a united Albanian state in the Balkans.

But, Albanians are not organizers but also participants in the Conference of the Project for Ethnic Relations, therefore someone might say that there is no harm that this meeting is held in Switzerland, where Albanian politicians can meet between themselves and also meet with the politicians of neighboring countries. The supporters of this logic would remind us of the abovementioned successes of the conference. In this imagined dialogue, those who undoubtedly follow this initiative would say that Albanians, in countries the live in, have their public political agendas, are aware of the contribution they gave they should make for regional stability, that they have confirmed this with the peaceful agreements in Macedonia and Presevo Valley and that the key to sustainable stability is the recognition of Kosovo's independence. The same people would add that Covic, for example, should have apologized a long time ago for the scandal caused by his previous letter and that the entire issue cannot be erased with a simple apology. Finally, they would say that it is not quite logical to see in Luzerne, Switzerland, Nexhat Daci and Oliver Ivanovic and Rada Trajkovic, and not see them working together in the Kosovo Assembly, because the Serb assembly members have boycotted it.

In general, a conference such as this in Luzerne rather produces illusions than brings the politicians of the region closer to reality and options which are in accordance with the goals for regional stabilization.

Top

UNMIK wants to halt Kosovo's economic independence (Koha Ditore)

Approval of the bill on foreign trade has been temporarily blocked, given the fact that the last draft by Kosovo Government has faced serious remarks from the UNMIK legal office, reports Koha Ditore. The basis of remarks by UNMIK is that these are reserved powers by UNMIK chief administrator.

International administration considers that it has the right to make remarks when laws that are proposed by Kosovo Government touch reserved powers. Kosovo Government and Kosovar economists see these remarks as UNMIK attempt to broaden their competencies but also as obstacles, which they will attempt to slow down Kosovo's economic independence.

Koha Ditore's source said that Alexander Borg Oliver of the UNMIK legal office has made 29 remarks and they were returned in English to the Kosovo Government on 30 October. The translated draft was sent last Wednesday and this was the reason that in the last session the assembly didn't approve the law.

Kosovo Government and UNMIK have decided not to reveal the remarks made by UNMIK Legal office, however Koha Ditore has mange to find out the substance of what UNMIK doesn't agree with. Most of the remarks deal with article 2 where limitations and definitions of the Bill on Foreign Trade are given, said a source form the Kosovo Government.

Most serious remark is regarding the term "Kosovo territory", "foreign states", "public authority" said the source to Koha Ditore. "Office for legal issues has the right to make comments on the reserved powers of the propped bill," said EU spokeswoman Monique De Groot.

"The aim of these remarks is for UNMIK to have more competencies then foreseen by Constitutional Framework and on the other side the aim is to slow down the dynamic of handing over of competencies to government," said a source at Kosovo Government who asked to remain anonymous.

"The approving of this law is very important for establish the rules on export and import in ok, with this an economic independence is gained and this is why UNMIK is trying to slow down things," said Vice-president of Kosovo Chamber of Commerce Mustafë Ibrahimi. "This law regulates relations between enterprises that deal in export-import and foresees the signing of an agreement for free trade," added Ibrahimi.

Top

Commander Remi's detention extended for another month (Zëri)

Quoting information provided by its sources, Zëri reports that international judges have decided to extend the detention of Rrustem Mustafa for another month.

Rrustem Mustafa, also known by the nom de guerre Commander Remi, was arrested on 11 August 2002 by international police in Prishtina under charges of 'committing penal acts and war crimes against civilians'.