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20 October 2002 Sunday Edition
CONTENTS
· UNMIK:
Steiner stands by his seven-point plan and decentralization concept
(Koha Ditore/Bota Sot)
· Serb leaders
postpone decision, ask Steiner for firmer guarantees (Koha)
· Sejdiu: Assembly
members ask Steiner for further explanation [of 7-point plan], which they
perceive to be a reasonable request (Bota Sot)
· UN SC mission
to Kosovo postponed because of Iraqi crisis (Koha)
· Mutzelburg
appointed new advisor to Chancellor Schröder (Koha)
· Pllana pays
20,000 euro bail to defend himself in freedom (Koha Ditore)
· Criticism
of Kosovo, UNMIK and Belgrade on human rights (Koha)
· Macedonian
Police patrol kills one Albanian, wounds another (Koha)
· Albanian
Minister says Arkan met Gazideda in Shkodër (Koha)
Kosovo Media Highlights
UNMIK: Steiner stands by his seven
point plan and concept for decentralization (Koha Ditore/Bota Sot)
In response to media reports on Saturday of a meeting alleged to have
taken place in Mitrovica between UNMIK and Serb representatives, UNMIK
issued a press release issued on Saturday afternoon, which is covered
in both dailies, Koha Ditore and Bota Sot, published today. "The
SRSG Michael Steiner stands by his Seven Point Plan and his concept for
decentralization. The SRSG says there will be no decentralization leading
to separation. There have been no UNMIK talks or negotiations in Mitrovica,"
noted the press release.
Serb leaders postpone decision,
ask Steiner for firmer guarantees (Koha)
Koha Ditore reports that during a meeting held in Mitrovica, Kosovo Serbs
leaders postponed their decision on participation in 26 October local
elections and, instead, compiled a document for SRSG Michael Steiner asking
for firmer guarantees that he will fulfill Serb demands. The leadership
now says the final decision will be taken on Monday. After the meeting,
Serb leaders said they would meet with SRSG Steiner on Sunday.
Povratak Coalition chief Rada Trajkovic said the Mitrovica meeting reviewed four options: participation in elections, boycott, selective participation and the organizing of Serb parallel elections. "If UNMIK replies to us [referring to the document], the final decision for participation could be made tomorrow [Sunday] or, at the latest, on Monday afternoon," she said.
Milorad Todorovic, inter-ministerial coordinator at the Kosovo Government, told journalists that the decision on participation depends on SRSG Steiner. "Everything now is in Steiner's hands and if he gives us guarantees for the promised decentralization of power, sustainable returns and better security, we will take part in the elections. If Steiner refuses our demands, then he has made the decision, and we will not participate," he was quoted as saying. Todorovic also expressed hope that Kosovo Serbs will be understanding of their leaders for postponing the decision on elections.
Koha Ditore reports that while Serb leaders went to the meeting in Mitrovica, Michael Steiner visited Gracanica on Saturday morning to talk with the local population and call upon them from the studio of Radio Gracanica to participate in the elections.
Koha Ditore says that, prior to the meeting of Serb leaders in Mitrovica, Steiner was replying to numerous questions from Kosovo Serbs for more than two hours in Gracanina. A local citizen asked him about the return of Serb army and police to Kosovo, while another reportedly complained that he couldn't get KS license plates after more than four months. Regardless of the questions, Steiner focused his efforts on persuading the audience of the necessity and importance of Serb participation in the elections and institutional life in Kosovo.
"It is everyone's right to vote or to decide not to do so," he said, and added that it is his duty to tell people what would be the outcome in both events. "My priority is Serb participation in political life, their security and sustainable returns; and I will not give up on this. It is important to know that returns are taking place in municipalities and therefore it is very necessary for Serb to have their own representatives there," said Steiner.
Koha Ditore reports that Steiner also took time to visit an exhibition by a Serb artist, a branch of the American Bank of Kosovo, the UNMIK Office for Communities; and he reportedly showed interest in the business of the only bakery in town.
According to the daily papers, most Gracanica citizens looked at Steiner with "surprise and indifference". Two elderly men stopped the SRSG on the street and complained about the difficult conditions and the apartments that have been taken away from them in Prishtina. Steiner told them that the issue of ownership of apartments in Prishtina would be resolved soon. He also gave some money to an elderly woman who was crying in the street.
Sejdiu: Assembly members ask Steiner
for further explanation [of 7-point plan], which they perceive to be a
reasonable request (Bota Sot)
Bota Sot carries the second part of the interview with Fatmir Sejdiu,
a member of the Kosovo Assembly Presidency. Asked to comment on the request
of assembly members that the SRSG should brief the assembly on his seven-point
plan, Sejdiu reportedly said, "The request…should be perceived
as a reasonable approach... I don't think that by making such a request,
the Assembly wanted to put Steiner in a position for negotiations."
UN SC mission to Kosovo postponed
because of Iraqi crisis (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that the United Nations Security Council has postponed
its mission visit to Kosovo, due to debates regarding the Iraqi crisis.
The three-day mission, including a visit to Belgrade, was to start next
Friday but SC representatives want to go to New York for talks on Iraq.
Koha Ditore reports that Russia had proposed the mission to Kosovo, aiming
to support the 26 October local elections.
Mutzelburg appointed new advisor
to Chancellor Schröder (Koha)
Koha Ditore reports that German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has appointed
Bernd Mützelburg as his new advisor on foreign policy. The paper
states that Mützelburg will replace Dieter Kastrup who was appointed
to the post after the resignation top advisor Michael Steiner, now head
of the UN Mission in Kosovo.
Pllana pays 20,000 euros bail
to defend himself in freedom (Koha Ditore)
Sharr Pllana, director of the Cadastre Directorate in Prishtina, who was
detained under suspicion of being involved in illegal property transactions,
has been released on bail, Koha Ditore reports.
Criticism for Kosovo, UNMIK and
Belgrade on human rights (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore carries the entire text of the report issued by the Human
Rights Office of the Council of Europe. The report elaborates on the level
of respect for human rights in Kosovo, the position of minorities and
the obstacles for IDP returns. Koha Ditore adds no commentary to the report.
Macedonian police patrol kills
one Albanian, wounds another (Koha/Bota)
Koha Ditore and Bota Sot report that Macedonian Police killed one Albanian
and wounded another in Tetovo town on Friday night. A Macedonian Police
spokesman said that the incident took place when police tried to stop
a vehicle but "the driver hit the gas and started firing at the police
patrol which then responded with fire". However, quoting sources
on the ground, Koha Ditore reports that the victims were going home and
never fired shots at the police.
Albanian Minister says Arkan met
Gazidede in Shkodër (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that the Albanian Minister of Order Luan Rama said
yesterday that the late Zeljko Raznjatovic, aka Arkan, visited Albania
during the war in former Yugoslavia and met with the head of the National
Intelligence Service, Bashkim Gazidede. "I state with full official
and civic responsibility that Arkan visited Albania," he said. Quoting
information provided by the Tirana-based newspaper Korrieri, Koha Ditore
reports that the visit took place in 1995 in Shkodër, the largest
city in northern Albania. [Arkan, the leader of a paramilitary formation
in the former Yugoslavia, allegedly sent his troops to Kosovo during the
1999 conflict. He was shot dead in front of a Belgrade hotel in 15 January
2000.]
RTK News Headlines
PM Rexhepi Views US Visit "Difficult"
yet "Successful"
A short interview with Kosovo PM Bajram Rexhepi in New York focuses on
a wrap-up of meetings he had with various international diplomatic levels,
from UN Security Council to the US State Dept.
Soundbites: Rexhepi, on the meetings as "delicate and, at times, difficult". He states that "numerous remarks were addressed to Kosovo institutions", and that his government "is deeply committed to living up to international expectations".
Rexhepi emphasized the meetings with G8 summit countries representatives and those who participated the donors' conference in New York.
Privatization Seminar: Organized by European Confederation of Free Trade
Unions
Report emphasizes key statements by the Kosovo unions leaders during a
seminar held in Prishtina on privatization process of socially owned enterprises,
namely their demands that the situation of the former workers with the
SOE's set for privatization be addressed.
Report also focuses on the need to establish "legal preconditions" and a legal basis for an appropriate start of privatization process in the country.
(Break I, end of top-news)
SRSG Steiner Continues Persuasive Actions for
Kosovo Serb Participation in Local Elections
Report highlights that the decision that will be taken by the Kosovo Serbs
leaders on participation the 26 October local elections is still uncertain.
This was followed with excerpts from the SRSG Steiner's visit to Gracanica,
and his message to the local Serb population.
Soundbites: SRSG Steiner: "In the end, it is their decision whether or not to participate in the elections; and it my duty is to show them what would they gain or lose by choosing to vote or refusing to vote."
Report continues with several vox-pops from local Serb residents of Gracanica, who note the necessity of voting, but also remain aware that they have their own political leadership in Kosovo. Therefore, they say that it is up to the leadership to decide whether local Serbs will vote or not.
Index-Kosova & Gallup Int.'s Survey on Electoral
Mood
Report introduces findings of a public opinion poll of the majority Albanian
population, conducted by the local company, Index-Kosova, in cooperation
with Gallup International. Some 16 per cent (out of 1,000) of the people
polled expressed reservations regarding their participation in the 26
October municipal elections, with some 4 per cent against, and 6 per cent
being undecided voters. The poll did not address the opinion of the Serbian
community in Kosovo on participation in the elections.
Through charts and graphics, the report explains the findings that, of three major political parties in Kosovo, LDK ranks first with over 40 per cent of popular support; PDK is second, with some 18 per cent; and AAK third, with 6.2 per cent.
Kosovo Press Headlines
Koha Ditore
Front page
· Serb leaders postpone decision, want firmer guarantees from Steiner
· Albanian Minister says Arkan met Gazideda in Shkodër (Koha)
· Criticism for Kosovo, UNMIK and Belgrade on human rights (Koha)
· Bugajski: US' Balkan allies
· Fevziu: What is the purpose of Carla Del Ponte's visit to Tirana?
Other headlines
· UN SC mission to Kosovo postponed because of Iraqi crisis (2)
· Mützelburg appointed new advisor to Chancellor Schröder
(2)
· Kosovar Roma want to protest (2)
· Kosovo has future in the region, it was said in NY conference
(2)
· Moisiu: Serbs haven't found a way to apologize to Albanians (3)
· Sharr Pllana pays 20,000 euros to defend himself in freedom (3)
· Prishtina-Sarajevo bus service stopped in Montenegro (5)
· Parliamentary elections in Montenegro on Sunday (5)
· Macedonian Police patrol kills one Albanian, wounds another (6)
· Gjilan-based Handikos presents project for rehabilitation center
(7)
· Rugova meets electorate and asks for their votes (9)
· PDK's victory will enable institutional stability, says Thaçi
(9)
· Rugova promises independence can be achieved with LDK (10)
· Jashari: We are not engaged in verbal patriotism but in work
(10)
· No party better prepared for cooperation with citizens than AAK
(11)
Bota Sot
Front page
· Memorial academy for Bekim Kastrati and Besim Dajaku
· Bekim Kastrati, a martyr and a hero of freedom of speech
· Homage to Bekim and Besim who were shot by black hand of crime
· In next four years, LDK will lead most Kosovo municipalities
Other headlines
· President Rugova participates in LDK rally in Peja (3)
· Decentralization doesn't imply separation (3)
· Macedonian police kills one, wounds another, Albanian in Tetovo
(5)
· Ajeti: Bekim will never die - he lives with us (6)
· Sejdiu: The request of assembly members that Steiner should provide
additional explanation should be perceived as a reasonable approach (7)
· Rugova and LDK have powerful support (7)
· No international judges in municipal courts by 2003 (8)
· Ambassador Pascal Fieschi visits Rahovec/Orahovac (8)