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06 October 2002 Sunday Edition
CONTENTS
· Serbs
consider seven-point plan an ultimatum, Albanians are skeptical
(Koha Ditore)
· Covic "salutes"
Steiner's Plan, but also querries it (Bota Sot)
· Assembly
disciplines Government, Government considers it a theatre play
(Koha Ditore)
· In the train
to …Albanik (Koha Ditore)
Serbs consider seven-point plan
an ultimatum, Albanians are skeptical
Mitrovica Serb leaders are against the manner by which Kosovo's chief
administrator offered the seven-point plan, while Albanian inhabitants,
because of the failure of previous plans, are waiting with skepticism,
says Koha Ditore.
"Bridge Watchers" political representative, who is also member of the Serb National Council presidency is quoted as saying " We are always ready to discuss the solution of Mitrovica's problems, but this kind of manner is an ultimatum, because Steiner loudly said that Serbs should support this plan or Serbian community will stagnate. Also, he has called Serbs to participate in the elections in order to to fulfill his promises". He also said that promises should be fulfilled before the elections because Haekkerup had also promised to improve Serbs' position before the previous elections, but they were never fulfilled. The "bridge gang" representative considered the presentation of the seven-point plan as incorrect because it wasn't previously discussed with Serb representatives. He appealed to UNMIK chief to sit and discuss further strategy on Mitrovica with Serbs, says Koha Ditore.
Regarding decentralization of the government, Rakic said that Serb representatives of northern Kosovo have different opinions from Steiner's plan which predicts only some municipal sub-units similar to the local communities. "We consider that municipal centres should be established in those Kosovo parts where Serbs live in the majority" he was quoted as saying.
On the other hand, Mustafë Pllana, vice president of Mitrovica Municipal Assembly said that execution of six points of this plan depend on the seventh, which predicts participation of Serbs in local elections. "Establishment of KTA in Mitrovica would implicate more security investments and this is necessary since Mitrovica is an industrial city. He also said that if the donors conference is held and if it succeeds, than Mitrovica will prosper, but it should not be like the conference held last year that didn't bring any results.
Albanian citizens think that the plan is good but they are skeptical on its execution because they said that the international community hasn't bee efficient so far in penetrating northern Mitrovica with its administration. "If the plan is to be realized then some people from the "bridge gang" should be arrested, since they are the source of the turbulences in northern Mitrovica," a citizen was quoted as saying.
Another citizen said that this is a minimum that the international community should do for Mitrovica. He didn't agree with the third point where safeguards against outvoting by the majority were mentioned. "We know the Serb logic of acting in blocking everything that is in favor of the city". The fact that returns of Albanians to their homes wasn't mentioned in the plan, means it should be considered a failure, according to this citizen.
Bota Sot also carries two articles where Mitrovica citizens expressed their opinions on the SRSG's seven-point plan for Mitrovica.
Covic "salutes" Steiner's Plan, but he also querries it
In general Covic considered the seven points to be positive, but in a way, when he said that "mistrust of local Serb representatives is because they have been living in difficult conditions and without freedom of movement", expresses Belgrade's intention to once again sabotage the international community and the SRSG's efforts for normalizing the situation and unifying Mitrovica. Once again Covic and Belgrade want to harvest as many pre-election fruits as possible, says this editorial, on the aims of the conditions put forward by Serb representatives in order to participate in the elections. The editorial further mentions western countries and local politicians who supported SRSG Michael Steiner's seven-point plan for Mitrovica.
Assembly disciplines Government,
Government considers it a theatre play
On Thursday, Kosovo Assembly refused to discuss the draft law on foreign
trade since Minister of Trade and Industry responsible for the draft wasn't
present at the assembly session. This was a slap on the face of Rexhepi's
government, says Koha Ditore.
Deputy Hajredin Kuqi told Koha Ditore that "I am a jurist and I demand respect for Assembly procedures, work and the deputies, even from ministers". He said that there were rare cases when Ministers have to stand and report to the Assembly. Therefore ministers should have the highest respect and responsibility. Ministers seem convinced that their draft laws will be approved. "Each minister should be shivering when presenting a draft law to the Assembly", deputy Kuqi was quoted as telling Koha Ditore.
Kosovo Government officials consider all this to be a theatre performance. Prime Minister's advisor Hoti said "Assembly chairman and some deputies' response wasn't based on international rights". According to Hoti, it is all right if a minister's draft law is presented by another minister. Assembly should concentrate on work and not on performances" Hoti was quoted as saying to Koha Ditore.
In the train to …Albanik
[Leposavic]
"Road to Peace" was the name of the caravan which, with technology
and rave sounds of music, united Albanians, Serbs and Roma in a train
party which was going towards northern Kosovo, says Koha Ditore.
Kosovo's chief administrator Steiner went to the railway station to wish
a nice journey to those who had the courage to overpass all Kosovo society
barriers on the trip towards peace, says Koha Ditore.
"This journey shows that Kosovo's young people are not different
form the young people of the rest of the world. They only want to have
fun and have a perspective. The ideas about entities are far from their
preoccupations," SRSG Michael Steiner was quoted as saying.
Further, this daily quotes young Serbs and Albanians who were dancing and drinking and had no idea "what their parents would think about their friendship".
Kosovo Press Headlines
Koha Ditore
Front page
· Tirana 2002 - lesson for the region
· Assembly disciplines Government, Government considers it a theatre
play
· Bosnians elect their new state leaders
· If salaries are not increased, SBASHK wants to know who from
Ministry of Education is to be blamed
· Macedonia: First round of discussions failed
· Table-tennis with hectares of land - municipal property
Other headlines
· Presents for government, unclear for public (2)
· Skopje: Macedonian police arrests a member of BDI presidency
(2)
· In the train to …Albanik (3)
· US Office: Don't be deceived by 50,000 visas for entire world
(3)
· Serbs consider it seven-point plan an ultimatum, Albanians are
skeptical (4)
· Danger from radio-active material neutralized (4)
· Woods in Istog municipality cut without mercy (6)
· Grape harvesting in Rahovec continues (6)
· For some, green tents are still the only shelter (7)
· War against drugs should be a national duty (7)
· LDK: Prizren, a good example for other municipalities (8)
· PDK: Results are obvious, but the needs were too many (8)
· Krasniqi: Gjakova should lead with democratic changes (9)
· Krasniqi in Deçan: We will change the future (9)
· PNDSH: Kosovo independence would solve many present problems
(9)
· LDK rally in Junik (9)
· Milo: Albania and neighbors (10)
· LDK in Prishtina: We succeeded to repair and build new roads
(13)
· AAK presented its program in Fushë Kosovë (13)
Bota Sot
Front page
· Teachers continue strike, ask for 300 euro salaries
· What is UNMIK's stand on opening Kosovo offices in western countries?
· Is Steiner's seven points plan return of the lost hope?
· Closure of Kosovo office in Tirana, PDK electoral result
· LDK aim is formal recognition of Kosovo independence
· Tetovo University urgent Assembly issue
· Kryeziu: LDK is not a party, but your faith, devotion and moral
· Albania: Ministry of Order officials arrested for corruption
· Macedonian police arrests [BDI] Sadulla Duraku
Other headlines
· Covic "salutes" but refutes Steners plan (2)
· No LDK rally in Kaçanik on the day of Bekim Kastrati's
murder (3)
· BDI with four ministers, PPD with one deputy prime minister (3)
· LDK in Junik: We know and we can lead municipality and the state
(3)
· LDK in Rahovec: We aim victory because we are the best (3)
· Faith on Tetovo University increasing (3)
· Lajçi: There is no demagogy behind our promises (4)
· PLK launches election campaign in Fushë Kosovë (4)
· USA will remain present in Preshevo, Bujanovac and Medvedje (5)
· After 28 months imprisonment, Afrim Zeqiri released as not guilty
(5)
· Zogaj: LDK doesn't kill, steel, usurp and threaten (5)
· Government should fulfill teachers requests immediately (6)
· Mitrovica citizens - optimist but also skeptic on Steiner's plan
(7)
· Quiet exodus of young Albanians continues (8)
· In Albania, in every 100,000 people, 22 killed (8)
· Montenegro: Albanian parties boycott elections (8)
· Prishtina needs more preschool institutions (9)
· Save the water to have it for tomorrow (9)
· PSHDK will always protect national interests (9)
· Macedonia: Shaqiri Parliament vice-president (11)
· New government to implement Ohrid agreement (11)
· PDK presents its plan in Gjakova (12)
· LDK spreads election campaign in villages (12)
· Entities promise, citizens wait to see who will implement promises
(12)