21 October 2002 Monday Edition

CONTENTS

UNSG Kofi Annan criticizes Kosovo Assembly and Government (Zëri)

Zëri reports that one week prior to the local elections in Kosovo, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has sent remarks in an address on Kosovo institutions. In a report for the UN Security Council, SG Annan asked Albanian leaders to make certain that local authorities serve all ethnic communities in the same manner. Annan said that the Kosovo Assembly lost a key opportunity when it decided not to include the university in northern Mitrovica as part of the educational system in Kosovo.

Zëri carries the statements of Rexhepi Hoti, advisor to Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi, and Alush Gashi, member of the Kosovo Assembly.

"In order to provide an adequate treatment for minorities, the Assembly has ten seats reserved for the Serb minority and has also enabled them to have a ministerial post for returns in the Kosovo Government," Gashi was quoted as saying.

In the meantime, Hoti said that Rexhepi's government has paid much attention to the integration of minorities and in this respect he pointed to Rexhepi's visits to areas inhabited by Serbs and the resolution for returns and minority integrations which was later endorsed by the assembly. Hoti said that those visits aimed to increase the trust of Kosovo Serbs in the government. "Since the forming of the government, two-thirds of its activities were focused on the integration of communities in the institutions," Hoti was quoted as saying.

Commenting on Annan's criticism that the government hasn't properly allocated budget funds for municipalities inhabited by minorities, Hoti was quoted as saying, "The local institutions have nothing to do with the distribution of funds, be it in the central or local level, because that was done by the international administration in Kosovo," added Hoti.

In closing, Zëri noted that Annan made his criticisms at a time when Prime Minister Rexhepi and several ministers of his government were on a visit to New York.

Cufaj: Practical appeals with practical answers (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore carries a commentary by Germany-based journalist Beqë Cufaj, who says it is good that Steiner is appealing to Kosovo Serbs to vote in local elections, as their participation will be good for Kosovars.

Does anyone remember the correspondence between SRSG Michael Steiner and one of the heads of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Artemije? To tell you the truth there was very little to remember because it was a very short correspondence, a letter from Artemije and Steiner's response. It was a short correspondence that touched many aspects of the survival of Serbs in Kosovo, without any concrete viewpoints and, as such, it was doomed to end fruitlessly. Like almost everything in the chaotic Serb leadership in Kosovo, but in the same measure as how Belgrade responds to Kosovo. Not only the present SRSG but also his closest aids have had difficulty in convincing Serbs to join what should be the institutional life in Kosovo. Serbs have proven that they really do not have a telephone number (V. Surroi) that would give a clear answer as to what they want and how they want to act in post-war Kosovo.

In this respect, with a clear head we have to focus on two things that make it difficult for Kosovo Serbs to join Kosovo institutions. The first is tied to the not so distant past, while the second is tied to the future.
Where did most Albanians go wrong

The first aspect deals with the mistake that the majority of Albanians made, which is tied to how most of the Albanian population acted right after the war: the bad image created in the eyes of the world during and after Kosovo Serbs fled Kosovo. The fact that Kosovo society, political leaders but also the media did not manage to explain to the world the difference between Serbs fleeing (them being participants in crimes upon Albanians) and victimization (when Kosovar killed and usurped Serb property) is one reason that Kosovo is still paying the high price of not being recognized by the international community. This awkwardness is a bad mark that Kosovo has to pay the price for. What is most important is that this aspect of the fight by the Serb community for survival will be in the hands of the Serb Kosovo leaders in Prishtina and in some circles Belgrade will be used as a powerful political point in their hands. This will be so until Kosovo Albanians prove that they can guarantee security for Kosovo Serbs. After we do this, we won't be receiving letters from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan [telling us] that minorities are not being treated well. There are useless, or, better said, the complaints by the Albanian majority are unrealistic when they say that the Serb majority is represented in Kosovo institutions more than any minority in the world, when the reality deals primarily with freedom of movement of Serbs is on the contrary different. I believe that it would be better if we did not mention this fact at all - "the many rights that Kosovo Serbs have in Kosovo" - because this would bring us back to the time of Milosevic's regime when they used to say "minorities in Serbia have more rights than any other minorities in the world".

The second important aspect that makes it difficult for Kosovo Serbs to join in institutional life and also to participate in local elections deals primarily with what can be called a Serb dream for the return of Belgrade to control in any way the government in Kosovo. After these elections, this dream will be even more distant and unreachable.
Steiner's package disturbs some plans by Serb leaders

These two very thick paths should be sufficient for Serbs, especially for their leaders, to make a very difficult to call their fellow countrymen to vote in the 26 October elections in Kosovo. To this we have to add two 'issues' that SRSG Michael Steiner laid on the table: the seven point plan for unifying the town of Mitrovica and also the hope for decentralization of Kosovo municipalities, a plan that has to be looked as one integral part in all Kosovo municipalities, especially the model called Mitrovica.

Finding themselves in this position, it cannot be said that Serb leaders have difficulty in participating in the elections. The fact itself that Kosovo is becoming a secure place even for Serb community, the fact that the return of the Serb military and government is a dream, and the letters written on unification of Mitrovica. Having this package as a starting point, which Serbs believe is a fait accompli that Steiner has laid down on the table, has troubled them. To this, we have to add his political offensive to convince Kosovo Serbs that it is for their own good to participate in the elections. Naturally at a second glance, it can be seen that it is vital for Kosovo's not so distant future. It is imperative. This has to be accepted even though Steiner does not talk about this. It is clear that the UNMIK chief administrator knows very well that it would be a failure for him if Serbs do not participate in elections. This would be a failure for Serbs, Albanians and all other communities in Kosovo. It is not right to say "Steiner should not beg Serbs to participate" or Steiner is begging Serbs in a "pathetic manner" to participate in elections. Steiner's appeals are practical. For the present and Kosovo's future.

For the time being from these appeals we have the following: Djindjic and Kostunica are for participating in elections. Kosovo Serb leaders do not know exactly what to do, and they will come up with a halfway solution, to participate in some parts and boycott the others. While Covic continues with his double standard that has the only aim already known to everyone: his personal gain of not getting lost in the vast number of DOS politicians in Belgrade. When UNMIK chief administrator Michael Steiner spent all of his cards in talks to convince Serbs to participate, he was left with his one and last card. This ace is called influence, or if you want to call it "begging" that the Serbs will receive from Washington, London, Brussels, Berlin that it is for the good of Serbs to participate in Kosovo local elections. If happens what is most expected, that Serbs will only "partially" participate in elections, then this would be only a sign that that Serbs want to answer Steiner and the international community in a practical way. This is not such a good thing for Kosovo because this would imply status quo. We know that status quo is the last thing that Kosovo needs in these hard and difficult moments of venturing into the consolidation of long-lasting institutions.

Top

INDEX KOSOVA poll: More than 70% of Kosovars will vote (Zëri)

Index Kosova, a partner with BBSS Gallup International, carried out the first poll on media coverage in Kosovo. Citizens older than 18 were asked what are their political preferences, participation in elections and their interests in politics, reports Zëri.

The polling was conducted from 4-10 October 2002, and 1,100 Albanians from all of Kosovo participated. According to the polls, 73.1% will probably vote, 16.1 are most likely to vote, 2%, a very slim chance they will vote, 4.5% say that it is almost impossible that they will vote in these elections, while 4% say that they have not decided if they will vote or not.

According to the poll, the three main political parties are represented: LDK has 54% female and 46% male voters. AAK has 56.5% female and 43.5 male voters. PDK has 55.1% male and 44.9 female voters.

Fieschi: Quiet campaign-result of prosperity in Kosovo (Epoka e Re)

There are 100,000 more Kosovar eligible to vote than in the last elections, said head of the OSCE, Ambassador Pascal Fieschi, during his visit to Rahovec, where he called the citizens to participate in 26 October elections, and added that the future of Kosovo is in the hands of its people, reports Epoka e Re.

Fieschi stressed that after these elections there will be no more representatives appointed by the international community, as was the case with first local elections where Serbs were appointed because Serbs had boycotted the elections. Fieschi added that after local elections, local government in Kosovo would have more competencies.

Shala: Businessmen and investment (Zëri)

Zëri carries an editorial by Blerim Shala who says that it wouldn't be honorable to ask Albanians in Diaspora who have invested so much before and after the war, to invest in Kosovo again. He also stresses that Albanian businessmen in West would ask for the same conditions that international businessmen would.

It would sound slightly pretentious to say that meetings of our government with Albanian businessmen in Western Europe and US are conferences for investments in Kosovo. Governors would hasten to correct us, saying that we have to do with conferences where our Diaspora (and use of this word is disputable) is being informed on Kosovo's economic and political development.

Nevertheless, it would be unrealistic to expect that after these meetings, our businessmen would immediately respond with their investments. These are different times. In the nineties, Albanians' political organizing, be it peaceful or later military asked for a great support from Albanians abroad. It is known that tens and hundreds of millions of dollars and DMs were given. Even during the first years after the war, a lot of money has come from there, this time for rebuilding individual properties. Such a fast recovery of Kosovo would have been impossible without financing from the West.

But there are different circumstances now. It wouldn't be honorable if we in Kosovo expect our businessmen to enter here with investments, first of all based on the political logic of help for Kosovo.

Finally, even if this logic were to be considered, it would be soon exhausted. Our businessmen in the West are westerners as far as their belonging is concerned - business. To bring them here the same conditions as bringing foreign investors would be required. And our businessmen have the right to ask for legal, banking and political security before they invest.

COMKFOR General Fabio Mini interview for Koha Ditore
Koha Ditore carried an interview with the recently appointed COMKFOR, General Fabio Mini.

Could you describe the general situation in Kosovo and the progress achieved since summer 1999?
There is huge progress in Kosovo, especially in security. The economy has also developed, especially when you fly over on a helicopter and notice the changes that have taken place; however, there are still some things that remind you of 1999.

These black points that you mention are the Serb enclaves or…?
Most of these areas are in Serb enclaves, but there are also areas inhabited by Albanians which are not so developed. This has to do with the advantages that were given to those areas in reconstruction. There are some areas that weren't a top priority, and these are the areas that I say remind one of 1999.

What is KFOR's contribution to achievements in Kosovo?
One of the main achievements is that, thanks to the presence of KFOR and the international community, we have managed to create a safe environment for Kosovar citizens and there is no danger from foreign elements to security and peace in Kosovo. Therefore, this danger no longer exists and we don't feel any danger coming from foreign elements.

The second achievement is that the duties of KFOR are gradually being transferred into the hands of the international police and Kosovar institutions, i.e. security in Serb enclaves, KFOR checkpoints and several other duties.

The third achievement is freedom of movement. I remember 1999 when people in Kosovo felt endangered during their movement and this improved now. There are still some deficiencies in freedom of movement due to interethnic relations and therefore work still must be done in this issue.

What about KFOR's role on election day…?
KFOR's role on election day is to provide overall security. We don't provide security to individuals or specific polling stations, but we manage the overall security of the process. This doesn't mean that we are not interested in physical security. We have reserve forces, which are prepared to react at any time and place in Kosovo if democratic principles are violated during the elections.

Should more competencies be given to Kosovar institutions, the Government and the Assembly?
I think that the forming of Kosovar institutions, the Government and Assembly, is an important step and marks tremendous progress. I think that this is the initial process. The international community has started to gradually transfer their competencies, but the institutions should have more competencies in the decision-making process and more authority.

In this respect, there must be a progressive transition. Local institutions must prove they are willing to take competencies from the internationals.

The seven point plan to resolve the problem of the divided town of Mitrovica, compiled by UNMIK chief Michael Steiner, was welcomed by international and Kosovar institutions.
KFOR supports Steiner's seven-point plan on Mitrovica, because this plan is a wrap-up of actions undertaken in the past and shows a clear vision for the future.

As for KFOR's contribution on the issue of Mitrovica, I don't agree with those who say that KFOR has done little work in that area. KFOR contributed a lot to stabilizing the situation in Mitrovica and, thanks to KFOR, Mitrovica is no longer a troublesome area in Kosovo.

One of the achievements is that KFOR has deployed an interim administration in Mitrovica, together with KPS and UNMIK Police, and now the Mitrovica problem is not solely in the hands of KFOR. I think that if there is no progress after the elections, then we should be more engaged in this sector and what I think we should in the future is to initiate the idea of multinational troops. Instead of having one brigade in one sector, we should have many brigades.

What role has KFOR played in arresting extremists from northern Kosovo, i.e. Milan Ivanovic?
We have given all our information to the police and the local judicial system in Kosovo. On the active part of arrests, you know that KFOR is not allowed to make arrests. We don't arrest people because that is within the competencies of UNMIK Police and KPS. We never interfere in the judicial system.

In the military aspect, what would be the consequences of Kosovo Serb votes for extremism, respectively for Vojislav Seselj?
I think that voting by Kosovo Serbs in the Serbian presidential elections and their support for extremism can have an impact on Serb voters who must participate in 26 October local elections, and I believe there can be no other impact. Presidential candidate Vojislav Seselj was stopped at the Merdare crossing point and wasn't allowed entrance to Kosovo because Kosovo has its area of responsibilities and I think the decision not to allow Seselj to enter was correct, because the current situation in Kosovo doesn't allow for such activities.

What is your message to the people of Kosovo, now that we are on the eve of second local elections, due to be held on 26 October?
I gave a message to the people of Kosovo during handover ceremony from General Valentin. We leave the past behind and look toward the future. Sometimes we are too focused on the past and sometimes we think only of the future. By placing our hopes only in the future, we forget about the present.

The present time is a time of opportunities and chances. Every Kosovar, especially young people, should take over responsibilities. If we just sit around and wait for someone to come and lead us toward a better future, then this will never happen. The international community can help the country develop, and living in the past and illusions about the future are useless. If I take personal responsibility for security in Kosovo, I will be pleased with the task and will know what to do.

Why do most meetings of KFOR MNB commanders tackle the issue of reducing peacekeeping forces, an issue that worries the people of Kosovo?
People in Kosovo shouldn't be worried about the reduction of troops in Kosovo, because if they think that troop reductions are related to our commitment to Kosovo, that is simply not true.

We will reduce our troops because there is a safer environment and because we have to increase the efficiency of our tasks. Many military engagements will be transformed into local engagements, such as civil institutions, police, customs and the local population. People here should be concerned if troops are not reduced because this would mean that the overall situation hasn't improved and that a lot of work remains to be done.

Top

Serbia has to forget Kosovo (Kosova Sot/Epoka e Re)

Kosova Sot and Epoka e Re carry reports from the interview that Janusz Bugajski, director of the program at the Institute for International and Strategic Researches for Central and Eastern Europe in Washington, given to Voice of America.

Bugajski reportedly said that Serbia should become Europe and it shouldn't stagnate at the half way point, in no man's land. Speaking about the Kosovo issue, Bugajski said that courage would be required in order to release Kosovo, to separate, because with Kosovo, "problems, not solutions are made", since the Albanian population doesn't want to be part of Serbia.

"Unfortunately, Serbia doesn't have courageous politicians who would say - Kosovo is the past, let us move forward and become part of Europe," Bugajski told VoA.

Predicting the continuation of political problems in Serbia, Bugajski said that the necessary 50 percent turnout for elections in Serbia has complicated the situation.

"If the Kosovar population was taken off from the general number of voters, Kostunica would today be president," he said. Comparing the platforms of the two strongest political entities in Serbia, Bugajski said that Kostunica has a greater chance of winning the elections.

Commenting on affirmations in the West that the Yugoslav president encouraged ultranationalists during the election campaign, Bugajski said that "Kostunica is certainly not Milosevic and he will not impose his beliefs using violence".

"If he would create an atmosphere for a greater Serbia, than this would be a negative message for the entire region," he said.

Instead of nationalism, Bugajski advises Serbia to think about reforms, because without economic reforms the state cannot prosper. "Integration is required, attracting of foreign investments, undertaking the most different economic measures…these are still absent in Serbia" Bugajski was quoted as saying.

Buçpapaj: Kofi Annan should believe Kofi Annan and not Kostunica (Bota Sot)

Bota Sot carries a commentary by Elida Buçpapaj, who compares the report by Kofi Annan and Vojislav Kostunica, released on 12 September at UN Security Council. She wrote:

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica met on 12 September at Security Council. On the same day, Kostunica's speak to the UN Security Council was full of lies and falsifications in which he labeled Kosovo as "factor of political destabilization and the center of organized crime". He once more lied about the overall number of Serbs when he said that 250,000 Serbs were expelled from Kosovo to Serbia, when we know from official Serb statistics that 190,000 Serbs lived in Kosovo, and right now there are about 100,000 Serbs living in Kosovo. He continued with falsified information saying that Serbs and Albanians are not treated the same, when it is common knowledge that Serbs live better than Albanians, because Serbs have financial backing from Serbia as well as from Kosovo and KFOR provides security for them.

A month after Kostunica's visit to UNSC, on 18 October UNSC Kofi Annan criticized local government in Kosovo "that is treating minorities differently" and because the Kosovo Assembly has not agreed to include the Serb university in northern Mitrovica as part of the unified education system". Reading Annan's text it is clearly seen that the report was influenced by Kostunica's falsifying propaganda during his last visit to New York. Annan's October report has changed by 180 degrees from the 26 July report where UNSG Annan said, "The UN expresses the optimism for the well being of minorities in Kosovo," and Annan evaluated that "for the first time since UN Mission in Kosovo there are conditions for the start of ethnic dialogue". Nothing significant happened in these three moths that should have changed Annan's report so dramatically. While regarding Kostunica, we know that he has remained the same ultra-nationalist Serb leader that has constantly opposed UNMIK in Kosovo, the Hague tribunal and the will of 95% of the people of Kosovo. Vojislav Kostunica continues to defend the Serb ultra-nationalistic thesis regarding Kosovo.

Top

Belgrade Media Update

Kosovo Serb IDP associations have differing views regarding participation in municipal elections in Kosovo (B92/Fonet)

Kosovo Serb IDP representatives have not yet reached a decision regarding participation in the municipal elections scheduled for next Saturday. They convened on Sunday and established The Alliance of Kosovo and Metohija Associations. The head of the CCK, Nebojsa Covic, as well as other participants, refused to comment on the results of the meeting. Serb representatives have differing views regarding this issue. Some think that it is in their interest to participate; others are calling for a boycott of the elections and for their own elections for parallel municipal bodies in the province to be organized

Vojislav Stijovic, head of the IDP association, Djeravica, , is advocating another option, "We would not vote, as we do not see what we would gain by participating in the elections and for many other reasons. Mr. Steiner and the international community have not done anything for us. We have a feeling that they do not want us to return there. We do not have basic human rights - to live, to move freely, to work…That is why we think that these elections should be boycotted and that we should continue our struggle the best way we can," said Stijovic.

Selective election participation unacceptable, says Rada Trajkovic (Tanjug)
Kosovo Serb political leaders will reconvene once again in Kosovska Mitrovica today to review whether Serbs should participate in the municipal elections scheduled for October 26.Tanjug has learned that the meeting is to take place at noon in Kosovska Mitrovica .

According to Rada Trajkovic's assessment, selective participation in the elections in five municipalities where Serbs are in the majority, would signal that those Serbs and Serbs living in the enclaves as minority residents are disunited, which would be directly against the interests of Serb returnees.

However, Tanjug has learned that Serbs will not make their decision at the same meeting should take place, the Chief of UNMIK Michael Steiner has scheduled a press conference. He is expected to announce whether he has accepted the most recent Serb conditions to give firm guarantees for decentralization prior to the municipal elections, or to reiterate his stance that decentralization of the province can be discussed only after 26 October.

Top

Steiner to offer alternations of his plan to Kosovo Serbs (SRNA)
UNMIK Chief Michael Steiner is to present alternations to his decentralization plan today in Pristina, as a concession to Serbs to participate in the municipal elections in Kosovo, SRNA learned from UNMIK.

The main alternation is that municipal sub-units, consisting as parts of every municipality in Kosovo, could grow into municipalities on their own, where Serbs could be in majority.

Steiner has scheduled a press conference for noon today to present the changes and once again call on Kosovo Serbs to participate in the municipal elections.

UNMIK has unofficially announced that decentralization of Kosovo would start right after the elections, pending the Serb participation.

Steiner invited political leaders to discuss Kosovo's decentralization (B92/Beta)
UNMIK Chief Michael Steiner has invited the leaders of major political parties and coalitions participating in the municipal elections to a decentralization meeting on November 1 in Gnjilane. Steiner points out that his decentralization concept is giving a possibility to "sizeable non-majority communities to establish municipal units, consisting of one or more villages, settlements or urban quarters within a municipality". "Those municipal units will be established on the basis of a request by elected municipal assembly members, or a petition from inhabitants in those areas where there has been sizeable participation by the community concerned in the municipal elections," he said. He did not directly mention the Serb community in Kosovo at all, or all Serbs and their requests for participating in the municipal elections in Kosovo, scheduled for October 26.


Steiner invited political leaders to discuss Kosovo's decentralization (RTS)
The Chief of UNMIK, Michael Steiner, invited the leaders of major political parties and coalitions participating in the municipal elections to a decentralization meeting on November 1 in Gnjilane. Steiner points out that his decentralization concept is giving a possibility to "sizeable non-majority communities to establish municipal units, consisting of one or more villages, settlements or urban quarters within a municipality".

Steiner invited political leaders to discuss Kosovo's decentralization (Beta : full version )
The Chief of UNMIK Michael Steiner invited the leaders of major political parties and coalitions participating in the municipal elections to a decentralization meeting on November 1 in Gnjilane. Steiner points out that his decentralization concept is giving a possibility to "sizeable non-majority communities to establish municipal units, consisting of one or more villages, settlements or urban quarters within a municipality".

"Those municipal units will be established on the basis of a request by elected municipal assembly members or a petition by inhabitants in those areas where there has been sizeable participation by the community concerned in the municipal elections," said Steiner. He did not directly mention the Serb community in Kosovo, or at all mentioned Serbs and their requests for participating in the municipal elections in Kosovo, scheduled for 26 October.The Chief of UNMIK just read the announcement and did not answer any questions.

Those municipal units, according to Steiner, would have authorities in the areas of primary and secondary education, primary health care, urban and rural planning, and would be provided with a budget commensurate with the responsibilities and size of the unit. The municipal units would be dealing with "the development of services and facilities, in accordance with municipal policy" and would be authorized to make decisions over issues of local importance, "such as markets, public spaces, cultural activities and sports," said Steiner.

"It is my position that in those municipalities where non-majority communities have participated in a sizeable way in the municipal elections, they will be entitled to executive posts in the municipal government in line with the Constitutional Framework," said Kosovo's administrator. He added that "upon discussions of this concept" he would "promulgate the decentralization program in the form of a legally binding document". Following this, elections for the councils of the municipal units will be organized within six months after the initiation of their establishment. Steiner said that "in the longer term" a look at the competencies of central and local authorities would be needed, as well as their redefinition where necessary.

Top

Regional Update

No massive turnout in Montenegrin elections (all dailies)
Dailies report on elections held in Montenegro on Sunday. Koha Ditore says that these elections will determine whether the pro-independence coalition lead by Milo Djukanovic or the other entity, which favors closer relations with Serbia, would win.

Since both communities support the agreement to replace "Yugoslavia" with Serbia and Montenegro Union, the election campaign was concentrated on economic problems, says Koha Ditore.

Bota Sot reports that there was no massive turnout of population in elections.

Contests within BDI on nomination of two ministers (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that while LSDM has nominated seven ministers on Sunday evening, DBI had disagreements on the nomination of Rexhep Selmani for minister of healthcare and also Abdylhalim Kasami proposed for Minister of Transport and Communications. Koha Ditore says that Ali Ahmeti proposed these two candidates; however, ex-NLA members of this entity objected.

This daily reports that Branko Crvenkovski was supposed to announce the names of his cabinet on Sunday and present the list of ministers to the parliament.

Zëri reports that on Sunday three unidentified persons in an Opel-Ascona shot at a group of young Macedonians who were playing basketball. The three injured were sent to Tetovo hospital, but one of them died en route. The night before, at the same place, Macedonian Police killed one Albanian and injured another, reports Zëri. This daily says that the attack on young Macedonians could be revenge on the event a night before.

The same daily reports that BDI condemned these events in Macedonia: It is the last opportunity for Macedonia to be ruled by the state of law, and for the police to complete its duties in defense of the citizens and order and not by violating them.

Top