24 November 2002, Sunday Edition

CONTENTS

· SRSG Michael Steiner to meet with Kosovar leaders today (Koha Ditore)
· Rada Trajkovic calls Steiner for a meeting (Koha Ditore)
· Daci: I believe that Serbs will wait for a long time for an apology (Koha)
· A delegation of the US Senate visits Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
· UN Security Council to visit Kosovo in December (Koha Ditore)
· Solana: A new challenge that needs an answer (Koha Ditore)
· 80,000 forged vehicles in Kosovo, 160 million euro loss for budget (Koha)

RTK News Headlines


SRSG Michael Steiner to meet with Kosovar leaders today (Koha Ditore)

Quoting sources at UNMIK, Koha Ditore reports that SRSG Michael Steiner will meet with the chairmen of the three main political parties in Kosovo. Ibrahim Rugova, Hashim Thaçi and Ramush Haradinaj are expected to talk with the UNMIK chief about a new strategy which the latter will present to them; however there have been no official information as to what it might be.

Rada Trajkovic calls Steiner for a meeting (Koha Ditore)

Quoting information broadcast by Beta news agency, Koha Ditore reports that Povratak chief Rada Trajkovic has called UNMIK chief Michael Steiner, OSCE Head of Mission Pascal Fieschi and COMKFOR Fabio Mini to a meeting with a delegation of the Serb coalition and talk about the return of Serb representatives at the Kosovo Assembly.

Koha Ditore also reports that in a meeting held on 21 November in northern Mitrovica, the Povratak leadership decided that the return of Serb Assembly members would depend on the result of the meeting with Steiner, Fieschi and Mini.

Daci: I believe that Serbs will wait for a long time for an apology (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that Assembly speaker Nexhat Daci has finally 'opened his heart' and said that his colleagues from the Povratak Coalition can either return or not return to the Assembly, but that he would not apologize to them. During an interview for KTV, Daci said he would apologize only when he thinks that something was done not in accordance with assembly and intellectual rules. "I don't think it is reasonable to apologize to them," Daci was quoted as saying.

Daci also reportedly said that he has done nothing of what he is being accused by his Serb colleagues. "I will always apologize when I don't respect the rules of conduct at the Assembly and the rules of intellectual behavior," he added.

Although he referred to the Serb acts as democratic, Daci said they wouldn't disorient the work of the Assembly. "We don't want their rights to be violated, but they will manage to remove the Assembly from the political stability and the strategy of normal and democratic actions through their marketing," concluded Daci.

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UN Security Council delegation to visit Kosovo in December (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that the United Nations Security Council has decided on a visit to Kosovo next month, which was initially postponed due to the urgent debate on the demilitarization of Iraq. The mission of the Security Council will be led by Norwegian Ambassador Ole Peter Kolby, who will visit Kosovo and Belgrade during the period 13-17 December. The aim of the visit is to show support for the work of the UN mission in Kosovo.

A delegation of the US Senate visits Kosovo (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that in order to get upclose information on KFOR operations, the US support and the constant presence of KFOR in Kosovo, a six-member delegation of US Senators has visited Prishtina on Saturday.

During their stay in Kosovo, the delegation met with NATO SACEUR Joseph Ralston, COMKFOR Fabio Mini, SRSG Michael Steiner and other UNMIK and KFOR officials.

US Head of Office Reno Harnish said that the visit shows the constant interest and commitment of the US in the mandate of KFOR and for creating a peaceful and safe environment in Kosovo.

Solana: A new challenge that needs an answer (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore carries a commentary by EU senior representatives Javier Solana, who writes:

After a decade of death and destruction in the Balkans there is a better situation now. My frequent visits to the region assure me that democracy is now prevailing and that policies of disintegration have been replaced with policies of integration.

This is a great achievement. But the success will be fragile if the issue of organized crime remains undefeated in the region.

Organized crime is the most serious threat for political and economic stability in the Balkans, and presents implications for stability and security throughout Europe. The rate of this problem is very misty. It is assessed that nearly 200,000 women are trafficked every year as part of the sex business.

It is believed that criminal groups in the territory of the former Yugoslavia now control over 70 percent of the network of heroin distribution in European countries.

Every country in the region is characterized by drugs and cigar smuggling, human and arms trafficking, and corruption and extortion.

The affect of this situation is intolerable - war criminals haven't been caught and they are often linked to organized crime. This is facing justice, as an obstacle toward the development and progress of countries in the region and as a threat to the security of all of us.

This should simply be stopped.

For regional governments it is intolerable that organized crime can be a danger for the future of European integrations.
For the European Union it is intolerable that organized crime is an obstacle to establishing rule of law in our neighborhood.

It is a bitter fact that the system of the strongest does exist in the Balkans and where organized crime is fed by the military conflict.
A small but powerful group of people in the region has no interest in the normalization of the political and economic life and the strengthening of countries.

The interest of this 'criminal-brotherhood' has been paid in the damage of the absolute majority of citizens.
The Balkans will continue to be an exit of organized crime until all criminal networks are stopped from doing their business in developed western countries.

Nearly 1,000 tons of illegal cigars are believed to cross the Adriatic Sea on the way to the European market. Western companies produce the majority of these cigars. After a transit pass through the Balkans, they end up in our markets through the backdoor.

Giving an end to this also implies establishing order in our own house.
The geographical original of corrosive criminal are often something distant.

"The Balkans Path" starts from the East, in Small and then Middle Asia.

Eliminating organized crime in western Balkans means to use forces that can spread all the way to Afghanistan and Pakistan. This because criminal networks are transnational; governments cannot successfully fight organized crime by themselves.

Joint actions between governments within and outside the region, the European Union and other actors of the international community are the key to success.

An important test for this partnership will take place in Bosnia next January when the European Union takes over the vital police mission from the United Nations.

The progressive development of the capabilities of the European Union in the fields of security, defense, justice and foreign affairs increases the number of mechanisms that we have.

New initiatives and new coordinating structures cannot achieve success alone.

The challenge is here and our enemies have numerous sources.

In order to be victorious we need true political determination, to assure that our efforts are implemented in the most efficient manner.

The battle against organized crime can be won only if we are determined and united.

Today in London, representatives of the European Union, organizations from the Balkans, and international organizations will talk about these challenges at a conference.

The aim is to find practical solutions and ways how the assistance of the EU and the international community can serve in solving these problems.

All Europeans have direct interests in the fight against organized crime in the Balkans. I welcome this commitment to mobilize EU sources for this battle.

This commitment should be backed by words and actions of the regional governments, if they want to pave their way toward the European Union.

80,000 forged vehicles in Kosovo, 160 million euro loss for budget (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore claims that a criminal network of forgers of vehicles is believed to have seriously damaged the budget of Kosovo. While the budget of Kosovo is believed to be 350 million euros, the country has lost almost half of this amount from forged documents of vehicles. Quoting a reliable source, Koha Ditore claims that nearly 180,000 vehicles are registered in Kosovo, and 80,000 of which are registered with forged documents.

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RTK News Headlines
19:30 edition

US Senate Members Visit to Kosovo

Report focuses on the visit by a group of US Senate members to Kosovo, and their visit to Bondsteel after meeting the SACEUR Joseph Ralston and COMKFOR Mini at KFOR HQ in Prishtina, as well as the UNMIK SRSG Steiner.

US Office head Reno Harnish was quoted as saying that the visit by the US senators confirmed American commitment to the region and to the continuation of US troops presence in Kosovo.

Initiative for Talks With Serbia "too early", KA Chairman Daci and PM Rexhepi

Report focuses on the statements by Ka chairman Nexhat Daci and PM Rexhepi regarding the eventual initiative for starting the talks on the final status of Kosovo with Serbia.

Both Kosovo politicians were quoted as saying that "in this stage there can be no talks on the possible start of any sort of negotiations with Belgrade that would tackle the issue of the final status for Kosovo".

Soundbites: Daci, on the international community's key role and the leading position of the US govt. in any such initiative and facilitation. Daci believes that the Kosovo issue is "so delicate that the Europe alone has no suitable references to deal with it." Daci also said that "new Kosovo institutions should eventually embark in adopting early decisions in this regard".

Soundbites: PM Rexhepi on the fact that at this present moment there are no conditions to start any form of status-related negotiations with Belgrade. Rexhepi reiterated the role of international community and the US in any such scenario and emphasized that Kosovo institutions should continue to deal with Belgrade in the same manner they would cultivate "pragmatic" relations with any of the surrounding countries.

Rexhepi rejected the allegations that his meeting with Serbia's deputy PM Covic in Luzern was of "any substantial relevance" and that it was "intentionally elevated to the level of officiality" by Covic or even the Luzern gathering organizer, Alen Kassof from Project on Ethnic Relations.

Mitrovica Local Govt. Responds to Serbia Deputy PM Covic Statement

Report focuses on the statements by Mitrovica local govt. officials who were quoted as saying that they will continue efforts to sustain control over the entire city, including its northern part. Report recalls the Serbia Deputy PM Covic's statement published few days ago that "Mitrovica local administration eloected after Oct. 26th elections will not extend to the northern part of the city".

Soundbites: Hysni Syla, spokesperson with Mitrovica municipality, saying that such a statement by Covic comes after the visit by UN SG Annan to Mitrovica and his reconfirmation of the efforts for reuniting the city.

Soundbites were also taken by various officials from major Kosovo Albanian political party branches in Mitrovica, generally stating their resentment with Covic's statement, which they perceive as "taking advantage" from the flexible approaches by UNMIK administration.

Commemoration for Xhemail Mustafa, Rugova's Advisor, Killed in 2000

Report focuses on the commemoration ceremony for Xhemail Mustafa, former political advisor to Kosovo President Rugova, killed on November 23, 2000 by unknown gunmen.

Report also notes that two years after the tragedy, "nothing has been done to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice".
Report continues with soundbites taken from Mustafa's family members and other former associates and colleagues.

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Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page
· 80,000 forged vehicles in Kosovo, 160 million euro loss for budget
· Does the standard of a professor at PU deserve the highest payment of students in the region?
· Solana: A new challenge that needs an answer
· Will Ramosaj remain chief executive?
· Daci: I believe that Serbs will wait a long time for an apology

Other headlines
· Five perspectives for spatial development (2)
· A delegation of the US Senate visits Kosovo (2)
· UN Security Council to visit Kosovo in December (3)
· Steiner to meet with Kosovar leaders today (3)
· Rada Trajkovic calls Steiner for a meeting (3)
· German Defense Minister to visit German KFOR troops (3)
· KA members offered special training on role of committees (3)
· He sacrificed himself to save a child (4)
· Vllasi: The most difficult situation in the Valley is in Medvedja (5)
· I will represent the interests of the citizens, that was my oath, says Haziri (7)
· Judicial and Prosecutorial Council condemns publication of information on candidates for judges (11)

Bota Sot

Front page
· US continue to work with intl partners for peace and security in Kosovo
· A bouquet of flowers from President Rugova at the site where Xhemajl Mustafa was killed
· Xhema - a man of the noble language
· Protection and media silence toward punishing crime in Kosovo
· Prishtina municipal administration determined to demolish illegal buildings
· Implementation of Ohrid Agreement increases chances for NATO integration

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Other headlines
· Demilitarization of life in FYROM (2)
· Investigations launched against Destani for possession of 3 kilos of heroin (2)
· KPC will celebrate November holidays with numerous shows (3)
· Prisoners enter hunger strike (4)
· Esat Haxhijaha proposed Malisheva MA chairman (4)
· Trial against a member of the Bridge Watchers has begun (4)
· Discussions on role and importance of committees at the Assembly (5)
· On 28th November, we must decide to give an end to acts of violence (6)
· Trajkovic and Artemije's statements similar to those of Milosevic's regime (7)