09 October 2002 Media Analysis

CONTENTS

Steiner: I receive letters from Covic everyday, but the seven points for Mitrovica are not open for negotiations (Koha Ditore)

SRSG Michael Steiner gave an interview to Koha Ditore journalist Beqë Cufaj in Switzerland. What follows is the entire text of the interview, as it appeared in today's paper.

What is your stance on Nebojsa Covic's letter regarding your plan for Mitrovica?
I have received a lot of letters from Mr. Covic and it would be a real surprise if a day went by without receiving a letter from him. Nevertheless, I must reiterate what I have said until now and that is that the responsibility for this plan falls upon my shoulders. I must also reiterate that this plan is not open for negotiations and furthermore no one should react reflexively toward proposals. Let us stop and see what I have proposed. The plan that I have proposed is for the good of the citizens of Mitrovica and Kosovo. I believe that the first five points are simply non-negotiable. What are these points? First, a guarantee that there would be no danger for the citizens of northern Mitrovica. The second point has to do with deploying regular KPS forces and we have talked about this several times and I believe that we will have positive outcomes in this respect. The third point has to do with talks about a coalition; however, the coalition for the Mitrovica Municipal Assembly can be raised only after the elections and after the citizens of both parts of Mitrovica and Kosovo take part in municipal elections. The fourth point is related to decentralization. Please, we cannot have decentralization without institutionalization. This means that if Kosovar citizens, including the Serb community, don't accept institutionalization, then we cannot talk about decentralization. When I talk about decentralization, I don't refer to divisions and similar things, but decentralization similar to Europe, where the government is very close to the citizens; and thus the latter can participate in what is called the development of power.

The fifth point is to move the Kosovo Trust Agency to Mitrovica. You should think about the advantages if we send the KTA to Mitrovica. I have mentioned this issue several times and it would be too much if I say something else in this respect. The sixth point is related to the donors' conference, which would be organized for this occasion; and I don't need to say that this would be in the interest of citizens of both parts of Mitrovica. It would be important to organize such a conference. In addition to attracting investments to Kosovo, it would also get rid of what we call the 'grey economy', because there can be no economic future for the children of that part of Mitrovica through a gray economy.

The seventh point is related to participation in elections. If someone doesn't participate in elections, he/she will automatically exclude himself or herself from the four-year-long upcoming processes in Mitrovica and Kosovo.

There are two points that can be discussed; however, this can happen only after the elections. Decentralization is related to the constitution of the Mitrovica Municipal Assembly. I must talk to all Kosovar citizens and first of all with what are called the institutions of Kosovo. Therefore, decentralization shouldn't be misunderstood as a division or something similar.

The second point, which can be discussed after the elections, is related to a coalition for forming the assembly in Mitrovica, which would of course be an assembly comprised of various parties.

However, decentralization in Kosovo has two meanings. It is a public secret in Kosovo that Albanians perceive decentralization as rapprochement, whereas Serbs perceive decentralization as the possible division of Kosovo.
This is a very important point that I must address and I must reiterate that decentralization has nothing to do with the division of Kosovo, because I must talk to all parties in Kosovo.

There can be no decentralization without institutionalization. Kosovar Albanians will participate in the elections and will accept Kosovo institutions for the coming four years, and then they will automatically become a part of what could be called talks for the future of Kosovo and for the future of decentralization, a topic that is an everyday issue in Europe.

Let us again return to Nebojsa Covic's letter. Is this a blow or a contribution to your plan? What do you think about Covic's proposal that we should sign an agreement, as he did with Hans Haekkerup? Is there something on this issue?
No. This is meaningless. I said before that the most important thing for the time being is that citizens participate in the elections. Do they want to be a part of Kosovo institutions and change something if they want to, or do they want to become a part of various delays that were imposed upon them. Therefore, this is the most important thing for the time being. Mitrovica should know about this issue, because it is of utmost importance for Mitrovica to accept the upcoming changes. But when it comes to the elections, we shouldn't forget about the offer we have made to Mitrovica.

A part of the youth has remained without a future and it is in no one's interest to be part of this status quo without a future.

A contribution to the status quo is surely today's news that Povratak leaders will meet with Milan Ivanovic, who is wanted by Kosovar judiciary?
First, I must say that it is good that Povratak leaders are making efforts for talks and contribute to institutionalization in Kosovo. When it comes to Milan Ivanovic, I must repeat what I have said before. He has two choices - he can either give himself up to judicial bodies and then they will decide if he is guilty or not, or the Kosovo police will arrest him and then the judicial bodies will have the final word on whether Ivanovic is guilty or not.

Let us return to your plan for Mitrovica. Oliver Ivanovic, a leader of Serbs, said that you have pressed the Serbs against the wall by the fact that you announced your plan on Mitrovica only three weeks prior to local elections in Kosovo.
This is not true; I never wanted to press the Serbs against the wall. However, I must say that an issue has to be raised whether or not Serbs want to become a part of Kosovar institutions in the coming four years or isolate and damage themselves, because their future rests on the participation in Kosovo institutions. We can only talk about interethnic municipal coalitions and decentralization, and the latter doesn't involve only Serbs but all ethnic groups, even Albanians, so that citizens can be closer and participate in local power.

At the time you presented your plan for Mitrovica, something else happened in Kosovo that in a way cast a shadow over your seven-point plan. The teachers' strike. What can you or UNMIK do to meet the demands of teachers for higher salaries?
This is an issue that is related to the Kosovo government. Now it is known there is a phenomenon in Kosovo in the form of a complaint that the international community does not allow Kosovars to take on power. We have transferred our competencies to the Kosovar government for this issue and the government now has to find a solution to this problem. I understand that Kosovar teachers and professors are a sacrificed part of Kosovar society, which had to function under Milosevic's brutal regime for 12 years. I understand the demands of teachers and professors, but the government has to decide on this issue because this is their responsibility.

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Eight days of teachers' strike at Kosovo schools (all dailies)

All dailies carry reports from the ongoing teachers' strike in Kosovo elementary and secondary schools. After meeting with head of US Office Reno Harnish, Minister of Education Rexhep Osmani denied that he had promised higher salaries to teachers. "I never mentioned higher salaries for teachers, but I said that we would look into all possibilities… The ministry will soon take a public position on this issue," said Osmani who just returned from a seminar in the USA.

"Minister Osmani had earlier promised he would coordinate with the other two ministries to provide higher salaries by September 2002," said Agim Hyseni, president of Union of Education and Science in Kosovo (SBASHK), reported Koha Ditore.

Harnish said that the best way to help education in Kosovo is not to stand in the way of those that are working. "Kosovo has its own institutions and its elected leaders. They must sit down and find a solution for education, the level of salaries, the amount of funds that will be spent on education and infrastructure, issues which are related to Kosovars and not internationals". Harnish thanked the ministerial staff for informing him on the problems that Kosovo is facing, included here the teachers' salaries.

"The working group met yesterday for the first time; however most of the members were not present," said SBASHK general secretary Zenel Zeka, and he added, "We were informed that Ministry of Economic and Finance and Ministry of Education was compiling a project that will be proposed tomorrow at the Kosovo Assembly."

Zeka explained that Bilall Sherifi, a representative of the Ministry of Public Services had proposed that surplice from his ministry be used as aid for education. Meanwhile, the head of Prishtina University Union Xhafer Xhaferi said that UP professors would decide on Wednesday if they would join the teachers' strike.

Ramadan Avdiu, advisor to Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi, explained that the working group does not have any decision-making powers and that it could only recommend to the government a way out of the current situation. "I have to explain that the issue of leveling salaries was misunderstood. It was suggested that the leveling of salaries implies that they would be equalized with all public services. However, this is not the case; leveling would determine minimum and maximum wages and the differences between salaries," said Avdiu.

"I believe that tomorrow's government meeting will clarify everything," said Avdiu.

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Shala: Internationalization of the strike (Zëri)

Zëri carries an editorial by Blerim Shala who talks about the current situation in education in Kosovo. He says that no one knows the number of working groups that deal with the education issue at present, and what would US Office chief Harnish announce after the meeting with Minister of Science and Education. Shala says that "those who speak the most about responsibility, mandates and obligations, expect the others to solve problems".

There are two questions, the answers to which are unknown to Kosovar public opinion.

The first question is, how many working groups are currently working on the Kosovar teachers' strike? The second is, will US President George W. Bush make a statement on the situation in Kosovo education? It might sound like these questions are an exaggeration of some events that occurred over the past two or three days. But the days are passing by, the strike is continuing and damages are too great.

As far as the first issue is concerned, we don't believe that anybody can figure out what is happening with the working groups and what will be the offer of the Kosovo government, which could put and end to the strike. Improved social welfare of teachers and higher salaries for them will be difficult to achieve with a magic wand and in a short period of time. Therefore, an agreement with respect to deadlines should be reached, which would show up the gradualism and dynamics for changing the situation in education, and also in healthcare and everywhere else in public services.

The second point surfaced after announcements that we could read and hear about the solution of the strike, which derived from a meeting between the head of the US Office, Reno Harnish, and Education Minister Rexhep Osmani. It seems that many people in Kosovo expect Harnish, as the key US diplomat, to be the one who will find a solution for Kosovo's current number one problem.

Those who have the most to say about responsibility, mandates and obligations, expect others to solve our problems.

Limited commercials for RTK (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that the marketing regulation recommended by the international group of experts for the three main Kosovo television broadcasters is unacceptable for the two commercial stations (KTV and RTV 21) and their donors, while it is favorable for the Kosovo public broadcaster (RTK).

KTV and RTV 21 representatives have evaluated that the experts' recommendation does not provide concrete solutions for RTK's commercial income, specifically, it does not determine the overall time of commercial transmission.

RTK General Director Agim Zatriqi expressed his satisfaction during the meeting, but gave no statement after the meeting. KTV and RTV 21 representatives asked the international experts (Dutch, German and English), in cooperation with the Temporary Media Commissioner's working group, to set a date for the start of payment of the TV tax (with electricity bill) within 30 days, as the basis to determine the overall time for transmission of commercials.

"The TV tax with electricity bills should be applied for RTK and depending on the revenue from this tax, commercial [income] should be limited. This would enable the survival of the two other TV stations," said RTV 21 director Afërdita Kelmendi. The US Office in Prishtina made the same request.

"I hope that the comments and complaints [of some members of the working group] regarding the report will be taken into consideration before Steiner decides on this issue," said Temporary Media Commissioner Anna Di Lellio.

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500 million euro in condition (Koha Ditore)

In the economy section, Koha Ditore carries an article about conditioned 500 million euros for Kosovo.

Donors have promised to give Kosovo 500 million euro in next three years. However the paper says that this amount wouldn't be enough for a stable development of Kosovo, since it is a rapid fall compare to the donnors for Kosovo last three years. The gap created with the fall of donors cannot be compensated with state sources; therefore credits for capital investments are an urgent need says Koha Ditore.

Donors as well as taking credits was supported by Managing Council of the seven industrialized countries of the World plus Russia known as G8. Dukagjin Manxhuka, Albanian with American passport, advisor to chief for donors UNMIK Pillar IV for economic development was quoted as saying in Koha Ditore that "Based on some indications we will gain 500 million euro in next three years".
He reportedly said that from that amount, 450 million euro would be implemented through their implementing agencies, while the other 50 million will be given to Kosovo budget. "Money will not be given for operative purposes as can for instance salaries be, but for capital investments" he said. He said that the money could be negotiated between Kosovo government and UNMIK since the fields where donors want to invest are already known. He also said that for the first time, Ministry of Finance and Economy would be member of tripartite agreement.

But, there are conditions in order to receive the funds, explained Andy Bearpark's advisor. "The three conditions for the donors to support us are budget stability, good governance and integration of minorities." What Kosovo government and UNMIK should do is implementation of IMF expert's recommendations. "They should with work convince World Bank and IMF that we are building and applying the budget in accordance to European standards" Manxhuka was quoted as saying. Every donor before giving money to any place first of all consults these two instances. IMF wasn't satisfied with priorities for the next three years, especially when operative expenses are concerned. One of their recommendations was not to increase teacher's salaries.

Manxhuka said that three last years, 2.1 billion were promised and 1.6 million euro from it was spent, the difference remains to be spent during this and next year.

In order to solve this problem Andy Bearpark in support of World Bank and IMF have started a campaign to ask for donors and credits in order to find two or three solutions for the problem, said Manxhuka; The issue of the credits has to also be argumented in the donors meeting to be held in Brussels in November.

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Gas stations closed down on Montenegrin side of border (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that gas stations that are operating on the Montenegro-Kosovo border in the vicinity of Kulla will be closed down. This information was released by Sanapres news agency.

Sanapres reminds that Montenegro Prime Minister Filip Vujanovic said that Kulla gas stations are temporary and that they are only to encourage tourism in Montenegro. Tourists Minister Predrag Nenenzic said that no one informed him of that gas stations in Kulla were opened to develop tourism in Montenegro. On the other hand Sanapres quotes Montenegro Economy Minister Darko Uskovic, "No one at the ministry issued licenses for the opening of gas stations and they were not controlled by police and customs in Montenegro".

Anti-American graffiti in Rapça/Gora: "Long Live Bin Laden" (Epoka e Re)

The deployment of KFOR US troops in Sharr municipality has brought different reactions in this municipal with mixed communities. While Albanians have welcomed the American presence some pro-Serbian elements within the Goran community that are poisoned with Serb propaganda and still are seeing dreams that Serbia is going to return one day, reports Epoka e Re.

Some Goran leaders have told Serb media that US KFOR is discriminating them. This had negative affects! There is clear anti-American mood among Goran population and the best proof are the anti-American graffiti written on the walls of several houses in village Rapçe which is inhabited 100% by Goran community. The graffiti are in Serbian and English. One graffiti says: "Živeo Bin Laden" (Long Live Bin Laden). This anti-American and anti-Albanian graffiti does not help Goran community. To show anti-Americanism in Kosovo is same as to show openly hatred for Albanians. The other three graffiti say: Amerika je Jevrejska kurva (America is a Jewish whore), and Bush Go To Hell.

Serb KPS cadet attacked in Priluze (Zëri)

Quoting information provided in an UNMIK Police press release issued on Tuesday, Zëri reports that police are investigating a case of attack and intimidation of a Serb KPS cadet in Vushtrri/Vucitrn.

The press release noted that the Serb KPS cadet informed the police that on 4 October at 1800 hrs, a known [sic] Serb physically attacked him near the train station in Priluze. The attacker reportedly insulted, pushed and tried to hit the KPS cadet with a metal baton.

The KPS cadet claimed he left the site in order to avoid greater problems. However, later in the day, at approximately 1940 hours, the suspect, armed with a handgun, entered the victim's front yard and threatened him. The case is under investigation.
Regional Update

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Macedonia

US calls for the dispersing of Lions

US Ambassador to NATO Nicholas Burns visited Macedonia and met with President Boris Trajkovski and LSDM president Branko Crvenkovski who has the mandate to form the Macedonia government, all dailies reported.

"US government believes that the special police units Lions should be dispersed because they are not contributing to democratic process," said Burns after meeting with President Trajkovski.

Trajkovski calls for continuation of Amber Fox

Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski has sent an official request to NATO to extend the mandate of the Amber Fox mission until 15 December. The letter addressed to NATO Secretary General Sir George Robertson evaluates that NATO mission Amber Fox played an important role in stabilizing the situation in Macedonia, Zëri reports.