22 October 2002 Tuesday Edition

CONTENTS

We Serb local leaders are at a deadend (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore carries an article about discussions with the Serb Municipal Assembly advisor in Artanë/Novo Brdo, Srboluub Djokic, who was appointed by former SRSG Bernard Kouchner after the Serbs boycotted the first municipal elections in Kosovo in 2000.

"Novo Brdo Serbs could be total losers if they decide to boycott Kosovo's second local elections. They can even lose what was achieved so far," Koha Ditore quotes Djokic as saying.

He further said, "Based on OSCE data, Serbs in Novo Brdo are the majority and if they participate in the elections this time, they could elect a Serb mayor, they could share governance with Albanians, they would have one more advisor than the Albanians, and they could also decide on development, return of their families and existence in these areas." Djokic thanked UNMIK and Albanian leaders who, despite the boycotting of previous elections, allowed them to participate in municipal government.

Djokic talked further about good inter-ethnic relationships in Artanë/Novo Brdo among both citizens and officials. He affirmed that Serbs have been participating and holding senior posts in municipality institutions.

Koha Ditore says that Djokic, like many other Serbs, is frustrated because he doesn't know what Serb politicians' final decision will be, but he thinks Serbs should participate. He says it is not correct for Kosovo Serbs to wait for decisions from higher up and not decide at the local level.

"There are many speculations regarding the final decision and these speculations affect potential voters in Novo Brdo. While Rada and Moma Trajkovic are for boycott, another option is that a selective participation in the municipalities where Serbs are majority should take place. This confuses us as representatives and as a population. We tell them to participate, and they say they heard Kostunica, Covic and Rada Trajkovic saying that they shouldn't," he said, and added that no one asks local leaders. He says Belgrade offers different options to escape from responsibility.

"They keep throwing the ball from Belgrade to Kosovo Serbs, to Povratak, and then they throw it to Serb National Council in Gracanica, but no one asks the population or local leaders and this is how we reached a dead end," Djikic said for Koha Ditore. He said those who encourage them not to participate in the elections should bear the responsibility; and "I would ask them how many Serbs will live here in four years if we don't participate in the elections and let's see whether we would be a majority there any more". He remarked that even though the Serbs didn't participate in the previous local elections, their participation at the local assemblies was rewarded.

"It would be difficult if Serbs don't participate, because I have been struggling for almost a year to develop democracy in this municipality," he said and added that Serbs and Albanians in Novo Brdo have achieved joint schools, institutions, healthcare and buildings. "Everything was done in a positive direction, but I don't know what will happen in the future," said Djokic who was moved from second to fifth candidate on the candidates' list by Povratak because of his outspoken opinions, says Koha Ditore.

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Serb Kosovo leaders demand 11 municipalities from Steiner (Zëri)

Zëri carried an "exclusive" report on the latest Serb plan for decentralization in Kosovo, which Rada Trajkovic, head of Serb Coalition Povratak, handed to UNMIK chief administrator Michael Steiner on 19 October. The Povratak proposal preceded Michael Steiner's unprecedented announcement on Monday, regarding the implementation of decentralization in Kosovo, after municipal elections this coming Saturday.

Dear Mr. Steiner,

I want to take the chance to greet you and inform you of our proposal for decentralization and promotion of the identity of the communities and the agreement that was reached between Povratak and Serb National Council on 19 October 2002 in northern Mitrovica. Given the importance of decentralization for the Serb community in Kosovo, I implore you to inform us of your stance by 12:00 on Monday, 21 October 2002.

With this letter, I am sending our proposal for decentralization and the promotion of the identity of communities.

Sincerely yours,
Rada Trajkovic
Head of Serb Coalition Povratak.

Excerpts from the Serb proposal read, as follows:

The best way to gain the trust of all communities and especially of Serbs in UNMIK institutions will be fulfilled by including them from local to central Kosovo institutions. This opens the way of the most efficient path in quickening the process for return of the Serb community in Kosovo. In full filing these aims, "we need to redefine Steiner's seven point plan on Mitrovica".

1. Municipal units - new entities would be composed of two or more municipalities, municipal sub-units, municipalities, and special municipal units and also the forms for self-governing.

2. Within municipalities where there are different ethnic minorities (under 1,000 dwellers), we propose forming municipal units, which receive a part of the municipal competencies, including the budget, which would be controlled local community offices.

3. With the aim of resolving mutual interests more efficiently, municipalities would have the possibility of joining with local community offices which can later form joint bodies.

4. National communities in Kosovo can form national self-governing organs: Council of National Communities and National Communities League with the aim of solving issues that are in the interest of preserving the national, cultural and religious identity of the communities.

5. Concept of Kosovo's decentralization implies competencies of the entity.

6. Local and regional units would have their own budget that would be filled from taxes and by other means.

7. In ethnically mixed local and regional self-governing units, a special mechanism would be created to ensure the interests of the communities, thus balancing the principle of being out voted by the majority.

8. The forming and the functioning of local, regional and national self-governing units would not undermine the rights of national communities and Kosovo citizens.

9. International community would form a mechanism that simultaneously and constantly would ensure the right of local, regional and national self-governance and would also harmonize the legal system formed in such manner. During the transition period, the function and the guarantees would be ensured by the SRSG.

10. Within 30 days after this plan is published, the SRSG would make a special act - lex specialis, which will legally recognize the system of local, regional and national self-governing in Kosovo in the shortest possible term (not longer than 90 days), and will approve an act that follows the process of electing and implementing it.

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Political enclavization (Zëri)

Zëri carries an editorial by Blerim Shala who says that boycotting elections means confrontation with the West. According to Shala, the suggestions Serb politicians made to the SRSG are intended to establish monoethnic local government and to create not only territorial but political enclavization.

EU has called Kosovo citizens to participate in the 26 October elections, in this way clarifying its position on the announcements of a possible boycott of elections by Kosovo Serb politicians, or a call to participate only in those municipalities where Serbs are in the majority.

Western pressure must certainly have some other, not so public configurations, which should produce results in the next few days.

Nevertheless, the present position of Steiner, UNMIK, EU and the US is very clear: There is no reason not to participate in the elections. A boycott cannot be understood other than as a confrontation with the West.

In fact, the differences between UNMIK, Albanian politicians and Serb politicians is becoming clearer and clearer, not only the perception of Kosovo reality in the present, not only the arguments about the reasons that brought the war in Kosovo, but also about the establishment of a stable government, which would contribute to Kosovo's long term stabilization.

The latest suggestion from Serb politicians in the Povratak Coalition supports this conclusion. They are asking for the establishment of 11 new municipalities and reorganization of the big towns based on other principals. Thus, it isn't just a question of decentralization. We're dealing with the intention to establish monoethnic local government and to create not only territorial but political enclavization.

This is a very dangerous proposal.


Kosovo Campaign Coverage

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK)
Dailies report on LDK election campaign in Gjakovë/Djakovica, Ferizaj/Uroshevac, Deçan/Decani and Junik.

Zëri quotes Rugova as saying in Gjakovë/Djakovica that Kosovo is entering an important phase of development. Rugova thanked businessmen and promised new jobs. He also promised more engagement to shed light on the fate of the missing in this municipality. Rugova praised Gjakovars for their "Homerian ancientness", and mentioned the "ancient 3000-year-old River Krena", reports Zëri.

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Kosova Democratic Party (PDK)
Dailies report on PDK election campaign in Drenas/Glogovac, Malishevë/Malisevo and Fushë-Kosovë/Kosovo Polje.

Zëri quotes Thaçi as saying in Drenas/Glogovac that the vote for PDK is "respect for the blood and sacrifices".

"Malishevë youth is Kosovo's pride and honor, therefore they deserve a better life," Thaçi said. While in Fushë-Kosovë/Kosovo Polje he reportedly said that it is important to have quiet and peaceful competition.

Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK)
Ramush Haradinaj is convinced that the Alliance will win in Gjakovë/Djakovica, says Zëri. AAK candidate Mazllom Kumnova was quoted as saying, "With AAK, Gjakovë will have more smiles, jobs, perspective, asphalt roads…" AAK also held a rally in Sharr, report dailies.

Surroi: Looking for pilaf (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore carries an editorial by Veton Surroi who comments on President Rugova's participation in the electoral campaign.

1. If we had listened to last year's electoral campaign by LDK President Ibrahim Rugova, we should have planted rice in Landovica fields. Last year's unfulfilled directive was replaced this year at Shurdhan village (Def), in Gjilanë/Gnjilane municipality, where Dr. Rugova designated that the seed for rice should be planted.

Maybe it would be a good fate for all Kosovo villages if the election campaign were named Shurdhan, because Dr. Rugova decided to announce in Anamorava that he would name Strezoc village in Dardanë, "Silicon Valley", while the people of Viti should be happy because, according to the president of the Kosovo's largest political party, this region is rich in uranium.

The preelection debate that was led by the most well known Kosovar figure in the world has the merit of a debate in a village coffee bar, which is very close to being in an agricultural co-op. Should or shouldn't we plant rice in that village and would there be any material gain? Does Dr. Rugova know that that valley in California is called Silicon Valley, not because of its mineral wealth but because silicon is used in the manufacture of computer micro-processors; and that valley in California is so called because are many computer-based companies located there and not a mine? Does he know that uranium can be found everywhere in the world but the problem lies in proving if it is profitable to exploit it?

In conclusion, what does this have do with the election campaign for those institutions that should come up with answers as to how sewers are going to be fixed, roads repaired, and all other issues that concern our lives in our municipalities?

2. Dr. Rugova cannot be faulted because he is looking for a place to plant rice in Kosovo. At the end of last year's electoral campaign for the Kosovo Assembly, the primary cards of Kosovo economic development were export of the Illyrian Sheep dog and production of peppers in cream, pickled pears and grape jam. If last year's electoral campaign had lasted little longer, we would have gotten a book full of recipes from traditional Kosovar cuisine, including the alcoholic beverages that go along with all these specialties. And with this electoral platform, his party won first place in the popularity contest.

This year, we have to seek our fate elsewhere. First of all, with his gastronomic affinities, this amateur mineralogist is Kosovo's president and, according to the Constitutional Framework, he represents Kosovo's unity. According to this framework, his presence in favor of one political party breaks the unity among Kosovo citizens. This flagrant violation of the Constitutional Framework is today an accusation against UNMIK, which is responsible for respecting the highest Kosovo legal act. Letting Dr. Rugova represent himself as a party leader has allowed the President of Kosovo to use his imagination for party needs. And with this he divided his personal affinities from his duties as president.

3. But Dr. Rugova might be right to treat all this political development with a dose of cynicism. While he determines fields where rice should be planted, Kosovo government ministers, where his party are members of the coalition but which is led by the opposition, go to New York to present their important activity: Donors' Conference.

An event that leaves half of the government out of the country is in fact a meeting at a hotel in New York where they explain to a handful Albanian-American entrepreneurs, who, anyway, have been pro-Albanian activists for many years and who can often be seen in the streets of Prishtina, how the Kosovo economy should be arranged. All this based on the words that Rugova said more than ten years before, "It should be invested in Kosovo."

In a Kosovo, where the framework of law is still not completed yet, where none of the government competencies is clear, and where Kosovo institutions still lack offices, this entire activity is equal to the establishment Silicon Valley in Kosovo. Finally, when they return in Kosovo, they can say that it was a misinterpretation, that there were no donors, except for those who could buy a lunch or a dinner for the ministers.

4. The problem in Kosovo is not that a comic phase of political activity has been established, because this took place long time ago, but that the comical phase is taken seriously and not as an offence to citizen's healthy powers of reason.

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Belgrade Media Update

Serbs to participate in the elections, where it is safe (RTS)
Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica spoke last night in the Palace of Federation with representatives of Kosovo and Metohija Serbs, the presidential cabinet declared in a statement. The Head of the CCK Nebojsa Covic also attended the meeting and the discussion was mainly focused on the issue of upcoming municipal elections.

At the meeting the SRSG Michael Steiner's announcement on steps aimed at decentralization that he plans to take after the municipal elections was discussed. It was assessed that the announcement represents a certain, although not sufficient, improvement regarding the requested concrete guarantees for local self-government.

The stance that prevailed was that both Serbs who have survived in Kosovo and Metohija and those who have been forced to leave the province, should participate in the municipal elections scheduled for October 26 - particularly in places where adequate security and institutional conditions exist.

Serbs will be ready to participate in the local authority in the province to the extent of adequate decentralization concept-making which should take place right after the elections, said the statement.

This anything but easy decision to call on to the Serbs to participate in the elections wherever conditions are right, has been adopted by the participants while hoping that the international community would show more resolve in securing the conditions for a more massive return of IDPs and respect for basic human rights in Kosovo and Metohija.

Serbs have made decision to participate in election (BBC in Serbian, 6.50 am)
Local journalist Zorka Djukanovic said a press release issued by the office of the FRY President late last night called on Kosovo Serbs to participate in the Kosovo local elections. The decision was taken in a meeting between the FRY president, CCK head Nebojsa Covic, and a delegation of Kosovo Serbs, which was appointed after yesterday's meeting in Mitrovica. [believed to be Rada Trajkovic, Milan Ivanovic, Oliver Ivanovic, Marko Jaksic, and possibly Gojko Savic]

The press release said, in substance, that despite there being insufficient guarantees for participation, Kosovo Serbs were called to vote in municipalities where they have conditions for preservation of their rights.

According to the report, it could be concluded that the FRY press release was not entirely clear. Djukanovic reported that Oliver Ivanovic said that this decision [SRSG Michael Steiner's announcement on decentralization] had come at a very bad time for Serbs, because it is only four days before election day, which means there is not enough time for the Serbs to organize themselves, launch a proper media campaign, particularly in distant areas like the enclaves. And this means the people there will not be properly informed about the latest decision, Serb representatives claimed.

FRY President's press release (RTS News at 7.00 am)
After yesterday's meeting in Mitrovica, a press release was issued from the FRY president's office saying that Serbs were called on to participate in the Kosovo local elections, regardless of the fact that there were not sufficient guarantees for the Serbs.

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KLA derived parties against Steiner's municipal plan (BETA)
Albanian parties formed by demilitarizing the KLA have negatively reacted to SRSG Michael Steiner's concept for the decentralization of power in the province, stressing that it will perform an ethnic division of Kosovo. AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj told the Albanian language broadcast of Radio BBC that the concept of the decentralization of power in Kosovo also represented "a factual division of Kosovo."

"The constant granting of concessions represents further removal from the principles on which not only Kosovo society has been built so far, but also cooperation and mutual partnership between the people of Kosovo and the international community," said Haradinaj, adding that Steiner's latest formula is not drawing communities in Kosovo closer but represents a definite division among them, and that this is UNMIK's failure.

The assessments of the PDK, led by Hashim Thaçi, do not favor Steiner's decentralization concept either, according to the report.

The spokesman for President Rugova's LDK, Luljzim Zenelji, is of a different opinion and says that Michael Steiner's concept is offering a more efficient functioning of the authorities in Kosovo, and that at issue is the transferring of authority from the central to the local authority.

Election results invalid in the village of Slivovo (SRNA)
The Chairman of the Kosovo Objective Party, Milija Popovic, has been told by the OSCE that the results of the voting conducted in the village of Slivovo, near Gracanica, through OSCE's special program for voters who do not have full freedom of movement will be annulled because Serbian government humanitarian aid was distributed on the day. Serbs living there will be asked to vote once again.

Popovic told on Radio Antena, from Caglavica near Pristina, that he had submitted a request to the OSCE Central Election Commission because the elections organized according to OSCE's special program took place precisely on the day of the second round of Serbian presidential elections when Serbian government's humanitarian aid was distributed to Serbs from this village.

"I assure you that the distribution of the Serbian government's humanitarian aid through my private company Ponik Commerce has nothing to do with the activities of my party, and it was pure coincidence that a member of my party, the chairman of the local board of the village of Slivovo, Ljubinko Pavic, was distributing aid to Serbs on election day," he said.

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Serbs to meet Quint Ambassadors in Belgrade, says Bogdanovic (Tanjug)
Kosovo Minister of Agriculture Goran Bogdanovic told Tanjug that Serbs have decided to vote in five municipalities only without stronger guarantees from SRSG Michael Steiner. He pointed out that the six-member delegation is having talks in Belgrade today with ambassadors from the US, France, Great Britain, Germany and Italy.

"When we receive firm guarantees and better living standards, better security, mass and sustainable returns, the Serb community will be ready to take part in other Kosovo municipalities where they are a minority. But we do not wish for the Albanian majority to outvote our representatives in these municipalities," said Bogdanovic.

Jaksic: Serbs to vote in five municipalities (SRNA)
One of the leaders of the SNC for northern Kosovo, Marko Jaksic has announced that the SNC for northern Kosovo will call on Serbs today to turn out en masse at the polls in five municipalities where they are in the majority, and not to turn out in areas where there is no security or institutional protection.

"At last night's meeting with Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica, the overwhelming opinion was that Serbs be called on to take part, first of all, in places where security and institutional conditions [already] exist, although it was not specified or established what these places are," Jaksic told Srna. Stating that SRSG Michael Steiner's decentralization offer is not good, Jaksic said that they had concluded at the meeting that, by their decision, Serbs should show that they wish and are ready to continue cooperation with the international community.

Jaksic announced that the SNC for northern Kosovo would hold an urgent meeting today, to be followed by a press conference where they will call on Serbs to turn out for the elections in those places where security and institutional conditions exist, and not to turn out for the elections in those places where there are no such conditions.

The plan is good for all people of Kosovo, says Steiner (Fonet)
"The Seven Point Plan for decentralization is not good for Serbs or Albanians only, but good for all of Kosovo and all ethnic communities," UNMIK chief Michael Steiner told Fonet. "I took into account the interests of all communities, trying to balance these interests with binding provisions of the Constitutional Framework, in order to do something in the interest of the people living in Kosovo," the SRSG explained.

"Decentralization could not be implemented over night," he said and assessed that the concept of decentralization by creation of municipal units could be worked out quickly. "I expect that Serbs will carefully observe the reality, as I cannot violate the Constitutional Framework. I have to work in line with the CF and that is the obligation I have towards the majority, and if that is so, then we have to see what is in the Serb interest," Steiner pointed out.

"Security and returns are the most important [issues] for the Kosovo Serbs. In order for them to have real security, they need to be represented in the institutions. This is even more important when it comes to returns, as they will take place at the municipal level," said Steiner.

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Ivanovic: Serbs to participate in five municipalities (Beta)
The Serb National Council from north Kosovo today called the citizens of five municipalities in the province to participate in local elections on 26 October. SNC President for north Kosovo Milan Ivanovic said today that Serbs "...cannot participate in the elections in municipalities where no security and institutional conditions exist".

He said that such conditions existed in Leposavic, Zubin Potok, Zvecan, Strpce and Novo Brdo but not in "Kosovska Mitrovica and for that reason SNC calls the voters from north part of the city not to participate in elections". "We do not boycott this elections, but we will not participate in municipalities where these conditions do not exist," Ivanovic added.

Carla del Ponte to hand over the arrest list to Steiner (BKTV)
BKTV reported that the chief ICTY prosecutor, Carla del Ponte, will hand over to UNMIK chief Michael Steiner the list containing names of Albanians - ex-KLA members, today KPC officers - who should be arrested for war crimes committed during and after the conflict in the province. After visiting Pristina, Carla del Ponte will go to Sarajevo.

Regional Update
Macedonia

BDI calls for conviction of police officer
After the killing of Metin Avdyli by the police in Tetovo by unknown persons, Vanco Josifovski, of the ethnic Albanian BDI party, called on the police department to suspend the officers that killed Avdyli and find the Josifovski's killer. "It is time that laws starts functioning in Macedonia, and that the police to do its job to protect the citizens and the law and not to violate it by causing tragic incidents," says the BDI communiqué, reports Koha Ditore.

Macedonia to form new government on 31 October
After a long debate, BDI has decided the four ministers that will represent them in the new coalition government made up of LADM and BDI will be, as follows: Minister of Health, Rexhep Selmani from Likovo; Minister of Transport, Milaim Ajdini from Tetovo; Minister of Justice, Ismail Dardhishta from Skopje; and Minister of Education and Science, Aziz Pollozhani from Krcova. Ali Ahmeti's right hand, BDI General Secretary Musa Xhaferi, will be one of the three deputy prime ministers in the Crvenkovski government, report all dailies.

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