14 October 2002 Monday Edition

CONTENTS

Palokaj: Steiner shouldn't beg Serbs too much to vote in elections (Koha)

Koha Ditore carries a commentary by Brussels-based Augustin Palokaj, who claims that the international community made a mistake in its approach toward Kosovo Serbs by giving them room for manipulation and conditions. Palokaj wrote:

For three years in a row, NATO and the European Union have begged Serbs to participate in Kosovo elections. The more powerful the appeals, the more room Serbs and their leaders had to place conditions on their participation in the elections. It is very clear why the internationals care so much about Serb participation in the elections. Regardless of the number of voters, the non-participation of Serbs would be perceived as a failure. In fact, some international officials have taken this so far that they would consider this a personal failure. Steiner might be one of those politicians.

Three years after the conflict in Kosovo, there is no reason to beg the Serbs to participate in the elections. They've had plenty of time to realize that without participating in elections and without being integrated into Kosovo institutions, they can achieve their goals, including the return of Serbs who fled after the war.

The international community is feeling the mistake it made when it agreed to talk to Kosovo Serbs through Nebojsa Covic. The Serbian Deputy Prime Minister has proved that at any given time he can convince Kosovo Serbs to participate in the elections and, as such, he has imposed himself as the only factor in relation to the international community. If we convince Kosovo Serbs not to participate in the upcoming elections, he will be isolated by the international community.

Until recently, Covic was the most preferred Serb politician in Brussels. The doors of NATO Secretary General George Robertson and Javier Solana were always open to Covic. He played a positive role in solving the crisis in Presevo Valley and has helped convince Kosovo Serbs to participate in parliamentary elections in Kosovo. Now one can notice frozen relations between Brussels and Covic, because the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister hasn't been invited to Brussels for quite a while. Covic proved that he bought his role in the international scene through Kosovo Serbs by paying frequent visits to Brussels and New York. Recently, he proved that he is almighty and that he can play the role of the policeman and judge at the same time.

Regardless of the fact that they might refer to it as a victory of the judicial system, Covic humiliated the UNMIK system when he handed in Milan Ivanovic. Proof of a 'deal' between Covic and UNMIK were Covic's previous statements when, after a meeting with Steiner, he was quoted as saying, "Ivanovic cannot surrender under the current circumstances", which means that he gave up Ivanovic only after "the circumstances had changed". How could Covic have known that the circumstances had changed, if not through closed meetings?

Covic must be told he cannot have the right of veto in developments in Kosovo

Therefore, even in the event of Serb (non) participation in the elections, Covic has brought himself to a position where he will be given the credit or the blame for this. Regardless of whether or not Kosovars liked him, former Kosovo chief administrator Hans Haekkerup once told Serbs that elections in Kosovo would be held regardless of whether they participated or not. Steiner undoubtedly has the same goal and he will surely not allow the eventual non-participation of Serbs to call into question the entire electoral process. If the Serbs are allowed to find out that elections would fail if they don't participate, then they will present additional conditions for their participation.

The arguments that Serbs had used for the first elections are now dimmed. The security situation, though not perfect, is much better than before. On the other hand, Serbs have been integrated in Kosovar institutions; have gained much more than Albanians in the last three years, be it in Kosovo elections or in Serbian elections. Therefore, it is clear that they want to score political points by conditioning their participation in elections.

Serbs from Croatia can participate in Kosovo elections, hundreds of thousands of Kosovars cannot

Covic is making wrong calculations if he is planning to enter a conflict with Steiner and his seven points. Immediately after the seven-point plan was announced, it was clear that a huge and powerful international mechanism is backing Steiner. Within hours after it was announced, NATO, EU and Washington gave their public support for the seven-point plan. As usual, after they heard the messages from international centers, Albanian leaders showed their support, because they still act according the policy 'we shouldn't be hasty'. Steiner should bear this in mind and not yield to pressure from Covic, because the international community is fed up with Covic's game of creating problems and then imposing himself as the one who can solve them.

Despite the good will of the international community when it begs Kosovo Serbs to participate in the elections, [UNMIK] truly shouldn't take this too far. It is understandable that there must be delays in improving the conditions for minorities, but a minority shouldn't be allowed to block the progress in Kosovo and the majority of Kosovars shouldn't be left behind in the interests of the minority. Bearing in mind that there can be abstentions by Albanians in the local elections, not as a result of the calls of LKÇK but due to disappointment and depression in Kosovo, Steiner should launch a campaign amongst Kosovar Albanians, calling them to participate in the elections in large numbers. Huge concessions were made to Kosovo Serbs.

During Milosevic's trial, the Croatian President said that "Milosevic had a plan to colonize Kosovo with Serbs from Croatia"; and even though he failed, a number of Serbs from Croatia were, in fact, sent to Kosovo. UNMIK and OSCE laws have enabled those Serbs to vote, while hundreds of thousands of Kosovars who fled Kosovo during Milosevic's regime don't have the right to vote. If the international community continues with such behavior, it will risk the danger that a growing number of Albanians will think that the international administration in Kosovo is biased and favors only minorities and damages the majority. The local elections are a test of this.

Top

Djindjic: Serbs must forget the dream that Belgrade will rule Kosovo (Zëri)

Zëri carried the interview Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic gave to Tages Anzeiger.

Your political opponent at the level of what is being called 'Yugoslavia', Vojislav Kostunica, has accused you of being linked to organized crime. Will you recognize him as the Serbian President (interview was made prior to the second round of presidential elections in Serbia)?
The elections could be repeated if 50 percent of the electorate doesn't vote. If we don't have a president, even after the next round of elections, then the parliamentary speaker will take over the presidential post for three months. Then we are going to have problems. The current constitution dates from the Milosevic era. We are engaged for a parliamentarian democracy. We must change it as soon as possible. In the future, the president must be elected by the members of parliament. As for Kostunica, I could care less who is elected president. I have appeared only once during the election campaign and I gave my support to Miroljub Labus. He is, in fact, a member of my political party, but he is running as an independent candidate. The ten other candidates haven't focused on the presidential post, but have launched a campaign against the government and me.

Don't you have secret hopes that the elections will fail? In this way you would gain time to stabilize the government. Prior to the TV duel between Kostunica and Labus, you said you would rather watch a basketball game between Partizan and Real Madrid.
That is correct. Even two years ago, when Milosevic was arrested, I watched a movie with my son; I think it was the "Gladiator". I was not interested in the TV duel between Kostunica and Labus because I know both of them.

If Kostunica is elected President of Serbia, then there could be clashes. He wants to announce new elections. Are your days as prime minister numbered?
Everything Kostunica has said until now is election rhetoric. According to the constitution, he can neither announce elections nor dissolve the parliament. If he had won two third of the votes in the first round of elections, then it would have been a clear sign that people want changes. He won slightly over one million votes. Two years ago he won 2.4 million. This means that he lost 40 percent of the voters, and I consider this as a clear failure. If he becomes president with the votes of Vojislav Seselj's radicals, we wouldn't consider that sufficiently legitimate to change the current government. For the time being, I don't see any huge differences between Kostunica and Seselj. Both of them swear to the past and lack visions for the future.

Do you exclude compromise with Kostunica?
Even as president he would continue with his policy. On the one hand, he criticizes reforms, and on the other, he says reforms are going too fast. Or, he says that we should cooperate with the international community but not with The Hague tribunal. This impedes us in reaching compromises. It's strange when the World Bank has a better opinion of our country than the Yugoslav President. Politically we don't have anything in common because has no ideas for concrete issues.

This means that the country remains paralyzed and the ruling DOS is divided into reformists and nationalists.
The problems started when we - the government of Serbia - ousted Milosevic and then handed him over to The Hague. Kostunica was not only against this, but he also wanted to impede the process. I am not willing to question the credibility of the government just to preserve the spiritual peace of the Serb nation. I don't even want to speak about nationalism. Kostunica wanted Milosevic to be tried in Serbia. How? Eighty percent of the judges have been appointed by Milosevic. We cannot fire these judges from work without proof. The same goes for the police force. The criminal underground still has good connections with the State Secret Service.

What has the government done to inform the population on the dark past?
Talking about the past is not such a popular topic in Serbia. The government can do something in this respect only if it achieves economic success. It is difficult to explain the past to someone who is paid 70 euros per month.

Is that why you don't want to extradite other war criminals to The Hague…
…we have extradited Milosevic. Even his closest associates are at The Hague, except for the current Serbian President, Milan Milutinovic, and the former Interior Minister, who committed suicide.

Will Milutinovic be extradited once the president is elected?
There has been no pressure from the outside to extradite him. If The Hague wants this, then we will do so.

What about the three officers who are accused of war crimes in Vukovar…
…I don't know where they are. This is Kostunica's duty; he is the supreme commander of the army.

Reconciliation with the neighbors has shown no sign of progress. Kostunica even questions the borders with Bosnia and praises the victory of Karadjic's political party in the elections.
What Kostunica said about Bosnia is irrelevant nonsense. This is the first time we have had good relations with our neighbors; we want to liberalize border controls and stimulate the free market.

What is your solution for Kosovo?
The problem is that we don't have an initiative from the West. I wish the EU would develop a better strategy for the region. Time waits for no one. We should try and talk with Albanian politicians and find a solution. If they continue to insist on independence, the Albanians will ruin their path toward Europe. However, the Serbs must forget about the dream that Kosovo will be a province ruled by Belgrade. This is unrealistic. A solution would be if Albanians have a broader autonomy and Serbs are given self-administrative rights similar to Albanians in Macedonia.

Top

It's best if we boycott the elections, says Serb National Council (Zëri)

Zëri reports that the representatives of the Serb National Council (SNC) in northern Kosovo have announced that it would best if Serbs don't participate in local elections on 26 October. SNV senior official Momir Kasalovic said that the council would decide on participation this week, but he warned that 'for the time being, a decision in favor of participation is not very likely'.

Kasalovic says that SNC representatives have told UNMIK chief Michael Steiner that the international community should understand the real situation in Kosovo and why it would be best for Serbs if they boycott the municipal elections.

Another SNC member, Vladimir Rakic, said that last week's incident in Peja when a bus of Serb pensioners from Osojan/Osojane came under attack would have an impact on the decision. Rakic also said that the attack sent a clear message to all those who want to return to their homes that this cannot be done. "The attack of Albanians against Serbs shows that we are still far from freedom and democracy in Kosovo. Not only Mitrovica is a grey area, as Mr. Steiner says, but there are black areas as well," he added.

Zëri reports that SNC chairman Milan Ivanovic opposes Serb participation in the elections. "No one has the political or moral right to tell the Serbs they should participate in the elections. There are no basic conditions for a positive response because violence against Serbs is continuing; there are no returns and the process of decentralization on the Kosovo level has not begun," he said during an interview for Jagodina-based TV station Palma Plus. "Despite discreet position from Belgrade regarding Serb participation in the elections, Kosovo Serbs must make the decision. There is a good possibility that under such circumstances, Serbs won't participate in the elections," he said.

"It is illogical for UNMIK to be trying to solve the problem of northern Mitrovica as the main problem in Kosovo, and to forget that almost all urban areas in Kosovo represent ethnic cleansing by Albanians, except for northern Mitrovica," Ivanovic was quoted as saying.

Top

Optimism for a plan, skepticism about its implementation (Kosova Sot)

Arsim Bilalli's article for Kosova Sot's about the current situation in Mitrovica argues that the majority of the people in Mitrovica consider SRSG Michael Steiner's plan a restoration of their lost hope. Happiest are the Albanians, who for three and a half years haven't been able to return to their homes in northern Mitrovica. However, the majority is still skeptical that a positive move towards unification of Mitrovica can be achieved by the end of the year. Their skepticism about Steiner's idea for Mitrovica to become a European city is based on 38 post-war months during which the international community has promised a lot for the integration of the city and made many agreements, but none has been implemented.

Bilalli claims that Serbs have blocked every single initiative on unification of the city, including the latest. Even though they don't accept the new reality or UNMIK, they are the most privileged, because during the last three years they haven't paid a cent for electricity or telephone service. Based on the announcement by Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Covic, 30,000 Serbs in Kosovo are still paid salaries by Serbia as well, which leads to the conclusion that, being doubly privileged, Serbs have no reason to integrate into Kosovo institutions. And UNMIK spokesperson Gregory Kakuk made public the decision to establish the northern Mitrovica branch of the municipal assembly, along with the names of two Serb officials, Mihajlo Matanovic, secretary of the northern branch of the municipality, and Zoran Bratic, chief executive of this branch, in an unacceptable way, considering that, for more than three years, parallel structures have been active in northern Mitrovica, where Resolution 1244 and UNMIK regulations are not applicable.

Billali then highlights the increase in crime, the creation of new gangs to expel Albanians from the north, bribery, the black market and other negative occurrences in northern Mitrovica.

He focuses on the fate of Zvecan municipality, which was established in 1995 in an undemocratic procedure, based on a proposal by Vojislav. Ex-chief administrator Bernard Kouchner reconfirmed the establishment of this municipality, and based on regulation 2000/43, Zveçan/Zvecani was nominated the thirtieth Kosovo municipality. A bill for a municipal status for Mitrovica was prepared after the first local elections and article 5 says that "Municipality borders are defined in 2000/43, and can be changed in accordance with laws approved". The previous commission, which drafted the bill, said that no judicial, political or moral basis exists to accept the division of Mitrovica municipality or to legitimize decisions of the Serbian Assembly.

Skender Bucpapaj in Bota Sot creates a similar depiction of the situation in Mitrovica in an article untitled Mitrovica unification only if imposed. He speaks about the privileged Serbs, human trafficking and smuggling.

Bucpapaj argues that Serbs would like Steiner's plan to be a written agreement like the Haekkerup-Covic Common Document, with one version for the public and another secret addendum only for internationals and Belgrade. They want the seven-point plan to include, in writing, what they are reading into it "between the lines". These lines, according to Buçpapaj, imply the division of Mitrovica, paralysis of the rest of Kosovo, and finally recolonization of Kosovo.

Serbs in Kosovo were allowed to vote in the Serbian presidential elections, Serbs in Serbia and Montenegro were allowed to vote for their representatives in the Kosovo Assembly. They also have the right to get angry with the international community, to humiliate and attack them, while they shouldn't retaliate, he says.

Serbs have succeeded in paralyzing Kosovo from within and isolating it from abroad, and no one calls this to their attention. Time has shown, concludes Buçpapaj, that all this preferential treatment serves to irritate the Albanians and radicalize Serb actions.

Top

Minister Osmani guarantees 44 euros, SBAHK feels betrayed (All dailies)

Schoolteachers will continue their strike on Monday and, according to SBASHK, they won't stop until an agreement is reached guaranteeing that every teacher will receive an additional 44 euros per month, report all dailies.

SBASHK wants the "aid" guaranteed until a law on the leveling of salaries for all public employees in Kosovo is approved. Meanwhile Minster of Education, Science and Technology Rexhep Osmani met Sunday with the directors of all Prishtina schools and gave written guarantees that every teacher in Prishtina municipality would receive the 44 euros. He asked Prishtina school directors to start school on Monday. "As one and one is two, teacher salaries will rise," Osmani promised the directors, and he added, "Teachers that continue striking after Monday won't receive a single cent." Minster Osmani ended the meeting by saying, "Starting today, every day of the strike is politically motivated."

"The minister is attempting to bypass the teachers' union by promising all Prishtina school directors 44 euros," said SBASHK general secretary Zenel Zeka. He says the aid should be guaranteed by a written agreement between SBASHK and the Education Ministry. "They might reach an agreement with Prishtina school directors, but we will not end our strike until our demands are fulfilled," he said. He said school would not start on Monday and that SBASHK would wait for Fiscal and Economic Council to meet on Monday. According to Zeka, University of Prishtina professors will join the teachers' strike on Monday, and he stressed that the strike will continue.

"The Economic and Fiscal Council is not meeting just because the government decided to offer a five million euro aid to teachers," said Ramadan Avdiu, advisor to PM Rexhepi. He added that if SRSG Steiner doesn't approve the five million euro, the sum will be guaranteed from different ministries in the Kosovo Government. "We are working to ensure 44 euros for teachers," said Avdiu, and he added that the Kosovo Government is seeking ways of finding a long-lasting solution for Kosovo teachers.

Will health workers strike? (Zëri)

Even though the Kosovo Government has promised aid to the education and healthcare sectors, more than 13,000 healthcare workers aren't satisfied and are looking into the possibility of joining the teachers' strike, reports Zëri.
Secretary of the Independent Healthcare Workers Union Jahir Mulolli said that a decision would be taken on Monday whether or not to strike. A month ago, healthcare workers held a two-day warning strike awaiting a positive answer from the prime minister and the Healthcare Ministry. This time they would call a general strike.

Top

If strike continues, it will have grave consequences for Kosovo's future (Bota Sot)

As the teachers' strike enters its third week and the election campaign enters the final ten days, Bota Sot has asked political parties to comment on the strike.

LDK: Now the union doesn't have any further reason to continue with the strike.
"Kosovo Assembly has called teachers to end the strike immediately and start school, especially now that the government has offered a package of financial aid for the difficult position that they are currently in," said LDK presidency member Fatmir Rexhepi.

PSHDK: The union did not choose the right moment to solve the problem.
"The solution offered is only a temporary one but we believe that in the future the Education Ministry will offer a long lasting solution for teachers' financial situation," said PSHDK vice-president Nazmi Halimi.

PLK: There shouldn't have been a teachers' strike during the campaign.
"Teachers passed their exams in the last decade when we organized the institutions of the Kosovo Republic and the main burden fell on teachers' shoulders. We believe the strike should have been postponed until after elections," said PLK head Gjergj Dedaj.

Balli Kombëtar: There are some factions that are manipulating teachers.
"We support the teachers' strike, because they are demanding their rights. On the other hand, we believe that this was not the appropriate moment to strike and that some factions are manipulating the teachers," said Balli Kombëtar head Xhafer Selimi.

PSDK: We do not support politically motivated background to the strike.
"We believe that education is in a grave situation. We fully support teachers' demands but we do not support politically motivated background to the strike," said Palokë Berishaj, PSDK spokesperson.

PNDSH: Our message is clear: Schools should start as soon as possible.
"I don't believe that the teachers' strike is politically motivated. Our message is clear: School should start as soon as possible," said PNDSH President Ali Tyrbetari.

UNIKOMB: Some political circles should not abuse teachers' strike.
"We don't believe the teachers' strike is tied to 26 October elections, but, at the same time, we condemn all those using the strike for political motives," said Sadri Ramabaja, the UNIKOMB spokesperson.

PGJ: The Union did not choose the right moment to strike.
"The teacher strike is not politically motivated, but the fact that it was organized during the electoral campaign, it automatically has political connotations," said the PGJ, president Daut Maloku.

Top

Kosovo Campaign Coverage

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK)
LDK held rallies in Prizren, Suharekë/Suva, Klinë/Klina, Reka, Astrazub, Lladovo, Zllakuçan, Drenoc, Grabanic, Zajm and Bicaj.

"LDK does not have a magic wand to change things overnight. We have to leave aside for a while the thirst for power," said LDK presidency member Kolë Berisha in Drenoc reports Zëri, Bota Sot & Kosova Sot.

"LDK will work for a functioning government and a democratic state for the good of the citizens," said Fatmir Sejdiu in Grabanic, reports Bota Sot.

"So many worries and insecurity our youth had in the past, but we never gave up. We will continue to work for the future of Kosovo," said Eqrem Kryeziu in Prizren, addressing the LDK Youth Forum, reports Bota Sot &Kosova Sot.

Kosovo Democratic Party (PDK)
PDK held rallies in Pejë/Pec, Prizren, Istok/Istog, Drenica, Ferizaj/Uroshevac and Bardhosh. "With your trusted vote, PDK will be engaged for better public services, developing small and medium size enterprises. We are not offering this; this is our obligation to you who have placed your trust by voting for PDK," said PDK President Hashim Thaçi in Pejë/Pec, reports Koha Ditore & 24 Orë.

"Every municipal government should take care of its own businessmen. The stronger they are, the bigger their contribution to the municipality. Thus you have to be careful whom you are going to vote for," said Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi in Prizren, report Zëri & Kosova Sot.

"Changes in our lives have an advantage; the time has come for the citizens to start to govern," said the PDK candidate for president of the Prishtina Municipal Assembly, Fatmir Limaj in Bardhosh, reports Kosova Sot.

Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK)
AAK held rallies in Prizren, Gjilanë/Gnjilane, Podujevë/Podujevo, Klinë/Klina, Deçan/Decane and Sharr.

"These elections are important because they mark the passing of competencies from internationals to locals. The alliance has the formula to face all the problems," said AAK president Ramush Haradinaj in Podujevë/Podujevo, reports Zëri. "We need a secure and peaceful Kosovo so we can develop it economically and work toward independence. We have our credit for everything that has been done in Kosovo," he told supporters in Lloqan, reports Zëri.

Top

Kosovo New Party (PReK)
PreK held a promotional rally in Deçan/Decani to mark the beginning of the electoral campaign in this municipality. With the slogan "With us different", PreK presented 10 candidates for the municipal assembly, reports Koha Ditore.

Kosovo Liberal Party (PLK)
PLK held a rally in Bishtazhin village. " If LDK is the trunk of the nation, then PLK and ODSHK are its branches," said PLK president Gjergj Dedaj, report Zëri/Bota Sot.

Albanian Christian Democratic Party (PSHDK)
PSHDK held a rally for supporters in Gjilanë/Gnjilane. "We are allies with LDK because they pursue the path to independence, the path to national interest, and we will remain by their side until a total victory," said PSHDK president Mark Krasniqi, reports Zëri, Bota Sot, 24 Orë.

Vatan Coalition
Bosnian Coalition Vatan held a rally in Mitrovica. "Most of our brothers and sisters live on the other side of Mitrovica and cannot participate in this rally because Serbs have blocked most of the roads. I appeal to all Bosnians to join together so we can survive and fulfill our rights," said Vatan president and Minster of Health at Kosovo Government Numan Baliq, report Zëri, Kosova Sot, 24 Orë.

National Movement for Liberation of Kosovo (LKÇK)
LKÇK held rallies in Malishevë/Malisevo and Suharekë/Suva Reka. "LKÇK continues with anti-electoral campaign, while other political parties are fighting for elections that will lead us to slavery,' said LKÇK vice-president Flamur Shala in Malishevë/Malisevo. He said that "in 26 October elections more political parties from Serbia than from Kosovo will participate," reports Koha Ditore, Zëri, 24 Orë.

Democratic Party of Kosovo Ashkali (PDAK)
PDAK held a rally in Ferizaj/Uroshevac. "Our aim is that…we achieve the values of civilized world. To work for a better future for our children, to build peace, increase ethnic tolerance, security and equality among all communities because our main aim is to form a multiethnic and democratic state in Kosovo," said PDAK President Sabit Rrahmani, report Koha Ditore, Zëri, Kosova Sot.

Top

Belgrade Media Update

Albanians fleeing Kosovo as well (RTS)
Police in Albania arrested 11 Kosovo Albanians and one local Albanian in Drac in possession of false documents. They were trying to board a ferry to Bari, from where they planned to go to Western Europe, the Albanian national news agency ATA reported. In course of a routine control at the border crossing, regional police have found false passports and visas and arrested 12 persons, police declared on Sunday. In the last four weeks 125 Kosovo Albanians who attempted to reach Italian ports were arrested in Drac and were charged with possession of false documents. They told the police that they acquired the forged documents in Kosovo and Macedonia for a price ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 euros.

EU is the biggest donor in Kosovo (Tanjug)
The newly appointed European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR) director Richard Zink said in Pristina that EU was the biggest donor in Kosovo. Speaking at a press conference, Zink said that EU has spent 570 million euros so far, and added that by year-end EU would donate an additional 134 million euros.

Outcome of the presidential elections could influence the municipal elections in Kosovo, says Covic (Fonet)
Head of the CCK Nebojsa Covic told Fonet that the outcome of the second round of the presidential elections in Serbia could influence the upcoming municipal elections in Kosovo. "A question remains of what will be the Kosovo Serb position regarding the municipal elections in the province and to what extent the failure of the second round of the Serbian presidential elections would influence this. These were the presidential elections and the municipal elections are by their nature less important, so it remains uncertain what the turnout will be. Thus, we have to see what is the electorate we are dealing with this time, what their situation is, and how they feel about this," he said.

He assessed that the Kosovo Serb electorate is "concerned, terrified and very endangered", adding that Kosovo Serbs do not see clear perspectives for their future in a society lacking freedom of movement and safety. Covic said that the Serbian electorate felt humiliated and the Serb national community shares this feeling. Covic says low turnout in the second round of the Serbian presidential elections in Kosovo should not be attributed to "extremism or radicalism", but rather to the difficult conditions for Serbs living in Kosovo.

Top

Bishop Artemije: Election flop is a bad sign for the entire nation (Tanjug)
Bishop of Raska-Prizren's Eparchy Artemije assessed that the flop of the second round of the Serbian elections was a bad sign for the entire nation, and especially for Kosovo Serbs. "I hope that Serbs and other citizens of Serbia will finally realize their real interests and take their destiny into their own hands in the next elections," he said, and added that he believed that people would not allow themselves to be manipulated by those who have squandered their trust in the past. Artemije and clergymen from his Eparchy served a holy liturgy in Sokolica monastery in nearby Kosovska Mitrovica Monday morning.

KP called on Yugoslav Foreign Minister to react to the opening of customs offices between Kosovo and Albania (SRNA)
KP caucus in the Kosovo Assembly harshly protested UNMIK's decision to open two customs offices between Kosovo and Albania and urged the Yugoslav Minister of Foreign Affairs Goran Svilanovic to react swiftly regarding this case. "The opening of these border crossings and the forming of customs offices directly violates UNSCR 1244. By doing this, UNMIK and neighboring Albania are violating FRY's territorial sovereignty as well," reads a letter sent by KP to Svilanovic. An official opening of the border crossings is scheduled for Wednesday, 16 October. It has been announced that senior UNMIK, KFOR and Albanian Foreign Ministry officials will attend the ceremony.

Regional Update
Macedonia

Talks on the new government could end on Wednesday (Kosova Sot)
Kosova Sot says that by Wednesday Crvenkovski could present a proposal for the new government to the parliamentary chairman Nikola Popovski. Except for the four ministerial posts, BDI is also expected to gain the post of deputy prime minister. The paper says that names were not discussed at the meeting. Both LSDM and BDI declared that the talks have reached the final stage and are going on in a constructive atmosphere.

German Bundeswehr will stay in Macedonia until the end of the year (Koha)
Koha Ditore carries a report published in the German daily, Bild Zeitung, which says that German soldiers participating in the NATO "Amber Fox" operation will remain in Macedonia until the end of the year. Senior officials of the Defense Ministry had no further comment on this information, according to Koha Ditore.

Top

Contradictory comments on dissolution of the 'Lions' (Kosova Sot)
This article reports on different opinions on dissolution of the 'Lions' special police unit in Macedonia. President Boris Trajkovski criticized the procedure of the establishment of this unit by the Georgievski government, and said that after the improvement of the security situation in Macedonia, the unit should be dissolved.

General Stojkov rejected the suggestion that some members of the Lions have a criminal background. He said they are professional and well trained, and that if necessary, they can be divided into two groups: anti-terrorist and border police.

International officials have continuously asked for the unit to be dissolved. US NATO ambassador Nicholas Burnes said that it should dissolve because it doesn't serve the democratic process in Macedonia.

The Macedonian Interior Ministry, which is still led by hardliner Boshkovski, said that Macedonia is not under a protectorate and that only legitimate institutions could decide about the existence of such units. The new government is expected to make the final decision, says Kosova Sot.

Albania

KESH guaranties lights for winter (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that KESH [Albanian Electro-Energy Corporation] expects a better winter. The article says that use of gas in Albania has increased, and it is expected that interest in gas usage would increase to 70 percent. Heavy rains have also given a hope for a better winter where power is concerned. Another positive move is reported to be the reforms at KESH, which has dismissed corrupt employees and also established an executive order enabling prosecution of those who don't pay their electric bills. KESH has also ensured electricity imports, says Koha Ditore.

Maximum train speed 40km per hour (Koha Ditore)
At an international conference on regional infrastructure held in Vienna, Albanian Communications Minister Spartak Poçi spoke about the difficult situation of the railway in Albania. The signaling system and communications are damaged, while the trains are about 35-years old, according to Poçi.

Top