27 October 2002

CONTENTS

· KACI: LDK loses absolute majority, Serbs expel Povratak (Koha Ditore)
· SRSG Michael Steiner tours the municipalities on election day (all dailies)
· Unclear whether decentralization will be fulfilled (Koha Ditore)
· K-Albanian leaders consider vote as step toward independence (Koha Ditore)
· Serbs mainly boycotted elections (Blic)
· Covic: Local elections have nothing to do with final status (Poliltika)

Kosovo Media Highlights

KACI: LDK loses absolute majority, Serbs expel Povratak (Koha Ditore)

Based on information provided by the Kosovo Action for Civic Initiatives (KACI), Koha Ditore reports that the Democratic League of Kosovo is once again victorious in the local elections in Kosovo; however, it failed to win an absolute majority and lost in several municipalities.

Koha Ditore reports that the PDK is satisfied with the second place, as it gained two or three more municipalities and a bigger percentage of the votes in most municipal assemblies in Kosovo.

The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo also some achieved some progress, with the tendency to take over control of the municipalities in the Dukagjin region.

Koha Ditore also reported that "radical Serbs" won in four municipalities where Serbs are in the majority, and thus have completely pushed the Povratak Coalition out of the political game. The DSS, lead by Vojislav Kostunica in Serbia and Marko Jaksic in Kosovo, has won in Albanik/Leposavic and Zubin Potok; Milan Ivanovic's Serb National Council won in Zveçan/Zvecane; and the Socialist civic initiative "is victorious in Shtërpce/Strpce", according to reports.

Surprising, according to KACI, are the good results of the Gjakova Democratic Union; the approximate 3 percent of the vote gained by the Bukoshi-led PreK; and the considerable number of votes won by Mark Krasniqi's PSHDK.

Major cities such as Prishtina, Prizren, Mitrovica, Gjilan and Ferizaj remain under the control of the LDK; towns in Dukagjin region such as Gjakova, Peja and Deçan could move under the patronage of the AAK and its allies; while PDK controls the "more rural" municipalities such as Skënderaj, Drenas/Glogovac, Shtime, Kacanik and Malisheva and Lipjan.

The post-election headlines in the other papers read, as following:

· LDK wins in majority of Kosovo municipalities (Bota Sot)
· Prishtina: LDK 58%, PDK 26.1%, AAK 7.2% (Kosova Sot)
· Deçan residents return debt to Ramush Haradinaj (24 Orë)

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SRSG Michael Steiner tours municipalities on election day (all dailies)

All dailies carry reports from SRSG Michael Steiner's tour of Kosovo municipalities yesterday to observe the voting process at close range. Koha Ditore reports that hot doughnuts and burek in Gracanica, a traditional Turkish lunch in Prizren, as well as numerous meetings, greetings, applause and flower bouquets, made the chief administrator feel quite satisfied with the character of election day in Kosovo.

The UNMIK chief visited numerous polling stations throughout Kosovo, including Prishtina, Artanë/Novobrdo, Gjilan/Gnjilane, Prizren and the Serb enclave in Gracanica. "What we have here today is the result of good cooperation between internationals and locals, and this shows that Kosovo is a part of Europe, and Europe is satisfied with developments here," he said.

Asked whether his tour was a final effort to convince the citizens to vote, Steiner was quoted as saying, "It is up to the citizens to decide whether or not they want to vote. It is my obligation to tell them what they will lose if they don't cast their votes and I can tell them that they will lose a lot."

After visiting polling stations in Serb enclaves, Steiner said that elections were very well organized. "Furthermore, the security situation enables all Kosovar citizens to vote. Therefore, there is no reason not to participate in the elections," he added.

Under a headline, A Serb lady deceives Steiner, gets a free ride, and doesn't vote, Koha Ditore reports that a Serb woman managed to convince Steiner's convoy to give her a lift from Gracanica to her village of Badovc/Badovac. "In Gracanica, Steiner stopped to talk to the old lady, who told him she was going to vote in her village of Badovc. Steiner offered to escort here there, but on the way, Steiner realized that there was no polling station there and that all Badovc residents had gone to Gracanica to vote. "Have a nice day; I am leaving now," she said as she stepped out of Steiner's car," Koha Ditore reports.

Unclear if decentralization will be fulfilled (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore carries a report from the press briefing of UNMIK and OSCE officials, held only two hours after the polls closed. The two municipalities with the highest turnout of voters were Prizren and Gjilan, with 57 percent, followed by Peja (52%), Mitrovica (49%), Prishtina (45%); while voter turnout in Serbia and Montenegro was 14 percent.

Koha Ditore claims that it is not certain if there will be a basis for the conference on decentralization announced by SRSG Steiner for 1 November in Gjilane, as Serb participation in the municipal elections was a precondition for decentralization. "These [results] are only preliminary; therefore they are not definitive. No one has mentioned the boycotting of elections, so without analyzing all the figures, we can make an evaluation on the decentralization of local power," Steiner was cited as saying.

In a story headlined, Steiner nonetheless says decentralization plan cannot be implemented, 24 Orë quoted the SRSG as saying, "According to these figures, we are not sure we have a basis for decentralization."

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Kosovar leaders consider vote as step toward independence (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that Kosovar leaders, President Ibrahim Rugova, PDK leader Hashim Thaçi, AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj, and Kosovo Assembly speaker Nexhat Daci cast their votes yesterday in polling stations in Prishtina. Comments from Kosovar leaders are, as follows:

Rugova: "Today I voted with the first lady of Kosovo, with my spouse, and I see Kosovo as independent and integrated into EU and NATO and in everlasting friendship with the US."

Thaçi: "I believe this is the most important postwar step to accelerate a solution for Kosovo's final status."

Haradinaj: "We have shown political maturity during the election campaign and we have shown that we are a democratic society. I hope for this day to be a continuation of our successes."

Çeku: "I expect KPC to be on the agenda of local institutions."

Daci: "I believe this is another victory for Kosovo and a step toward its independence... It is certain that in 2003, municipal governments and assemblies will have numerous obligations toward the citizens, and there will be no more time to complain that we don't have competencies."

Kosova Sot also carries statements from local and international leaders about the 2002 municipal elections.

SRSG Steiner: "Your vote proves that you care about the future of Kosovo."

Rugova: "After these elections, there will be greater stability and more work for local authorities."

Prime Minister Rexhepi: "With their votes, citizens will have an impact on positive developments throughout Kosovo, including Mitrovica. And I believe that during this mandate the Mitrovica issue will finally be resolved."

OSCE HoM Pascal Fieschi: "I am not satisfied with Serb turnout."

Thaçi: "I believe this day will truly bring democratic changes for all in Kosovo."

Haradinaj: "I hope future municipal authorities will stay close to Kosovar citizens."

Çeku: "I expect all local institutions to be independent in the coming four years."

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Serbs mainly boycotted the elections (Blic)

The estimation of the Cesid monitors is that the Serbs mainly boycotted the municipal elections held yesterday in Kosovo and Metohija. It is estimated that the total turnout of Serbs reached 20% of the registered number of electors. [See below on Belgrade Media Highlights.]

Covic: Local elections have nothing to do with final status (Politika)

CCK head Nebojsa Covic, who yesterday renewed his invitation to Serbs to cast their votes in the Kosovo municipal elections, commented on the declarations of Kosovo Albanian political leaders, who say that these elections move Kosovo closer to independence. "The Albanian politicians foul their electorate by promising them something that is not in their power," he said, and reiterated his view that "these local elections have nothing to do with the final status of Kosovo" and that "the Security Council of the United Nations will decide on the status of the province in line with Resolution 1244". [See below on Belgrade Media Highlights.]

RTK News Headlines
(19:30 edition*)

Local Elections Voting Day Update
The focal point of the entire newscast was the voting process in local elections in Kosovo. Special edition report of RTK main newscast brought a compilation of statistical data on the percentages of the turnout, the monitoring process and problems of a "technical nature" at some of the polling stations.

(*The 19:30 edition offered no data on preliminary results of the voting, nor any other lead that would reveal eventual hierarchy in percentages won by participating political entities.)

Kosovo Leaders Believe Local Elections Bring Country Closer to Independence
A wrap-up of statements of leaders of main political entities in Kosovo on the election day was quoted as "a moment that brings Kosovo closer to independence".

Soundbites were taken from Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova, PM Bajram Rexhepi, KA Chairman Nexhat Daci, KPC's Agim Ceku, PDK's Thaci, etc.
Generally, their statements were focused on the hopes of further enhancing country's institutions and governance, and the fact that the local elections continue to pave the way to Kosovo's independence.

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SRSG Steiner Visits to Numerous Voting Stations on the Voting Day
Stating SRSG Steiner's opinion on the voting process as "impressive", the report on the UNMIK chief's visits to various polling stations in the country captures footage from Gjilan, Prizren, and other places. Report was interlaced with statements by voters, monitors and OSCE officials, generally focused on the calm atmosphere and respect for the voting procedure.

Steiner was also presented visiting polling stations in Gracanica with majority of Kosovo Serb population. Also, statements were taken from various political representatives at polling stations where the major Kosovo Serb community participated in elections.

Soundbites: Rada Trajkovic, on the fact that "today, Kosovo Serbs vote for their local representatives, while in six months, they will be voting for their independence within the decentralization concept…"

Kosovo Press Headlines
Koha Ditore
Front page

· KACI: LDK loses absolute majority, Serbs expel Povratak
· [Albania] Homage and flowers for Queen Geraldina
· Kosovar leaders vote, see this vote as a step closer to independence
· Unclear if decentralization is going to be fulfilled

Other headlines

· OSCE stops RTK from breaking election silence (3)
· RTK blocks others, especially Koha Ditore (3)
· Steiner: It was a festive atmosphere, just as it should be (4)
· Serb woman tricks Steiner into giving her a free ride, and doesn't vote (4)
· Mitrovica region: LDK - 48.22% PDK - 32.5% (5)
· Gjakovë: LDK - 37%, Alliance - 23.8 (5)
· Kaçanik: PDK wins in Kaçanik (5)
· PDK wins in Malishevë (5)
· Lipjan: PDK wins 51% of votes (6)
· Fieschi visits Serb voters in Lipjan and Gushtericë (6)
· Dardanë: LDK - 47%, PDK - 30.8%, AAK - 13.9% (6)
· Drenas: PDK wins 78% of votes (6)
· OSCE mistake: Malishevë voters' list ended up in Drenas (6)
· Kastriot: LDK won 57% (6)
· Pejë: Alliance and PDK together have more votes than LDK (7)
· Gorazhdec: 2 percent of Serbs vote (7)
· Deçan: Alliance has a chance to control a municipality for first time (7)
· Fushë Kosovë: LDK - 58.5%, PDK - 23.5%, Serbs in Kuzmin voted (7)
· Klinë: LDK - 38%, PDK - 31% (7)
· LDK wins in Gjilanë (8)
· PDK wins in Shtime (8)
· Ferizaj: LDK wins 58% (8)
· Skënderaj: PDK wins 76.9% (8)
· Podujevë: LDK wins 59% (8)
· Prizren: High turnout of voters, LDK wins 48.2% (8)
· Ordanoski: Albanians fear census in Macedonia (10)

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Bota Sot
Front page

· LDK wins majority of Kosovo municipalities
· Prishtina: LDK wins 58% of votes
· President Rugova: Today is a solemn day
· Fieschi: Kosovo meets all European standards with these elections
· OSCE: Citizens understood that participation is important to Kosovo
· Berisha: These are Klosi's crimes
· HRH Queen Geraldina buried

Other headlines

· Daci: Four-year mandate will show the capabilities of our leaders (2)
· Steiner: Vote…so your voice is heard in municipal assemblies (3)
· Steiner: I am impressed with voting in Prizren (4)
· CNN: Elections for stability (4)
· Mitrovica: Serb gangs impede voting process (4)
· By 15:00 all Kosovo municipalities had a 50% turnout (4)
· Lavdim Rexhepi killed in blood feud (4)
· Mitrovica voted for unification of the town (5)
· Two Kosovars injured in car accident in Krujë (5)
· Albania: SHIK tapped Berisha's secretary (5)
· A counter-opposition laboratory (5)
· Another LDK victory, a victory for Kosovo (6)
· Proof of electorate maturity (7)
· Pejë: More than 52% vote (7)
· Lipjan: normal voting process (7)
· Prishtina dwellers expect more from new leaders (8)
· Another vote for the forming of the state of Kosovo (8)
· Haziri: Municipal institutions to be first step toward Kosovo statehood (8)
· What lies behind threats against Skënder Zogaj (8)
· Sali Gashi voted in Dardania elementary school (9)
· Ferizaj: LDK leads in these elections (9)
· Steiner visits Gjilanë (12)
· Vushtrri: High voter turnout (12)
· KTV has misinformed public opinion in Fushë Kosovë (12)

Kosova Sot

Front page

· Prishtinë: LDK - 58%, PDK - 26.1%, AAK - 7.2%
· Yesterday's process, quiet and democratic

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Other headlines

· OSCE satisfied with election process (2)
· UNMIK Police Commissioner Feller reports that elections were quiet (2)
· Police helped OSCE when flags were put in inadequate places (2)
· What did senior local and international officials say on 2002 elections (4)
· Elections in Kosovo, proof of stability (4)
· Sunny day, unsatisfying participation of voters (5)
· In south liveliness, in north, polling stations empty (5)
· Prizren: LDK - 48,2%, PDK - 20,7 of votes (6)
· Turnout in Gjakova 60% (6)
· Irregularity in Fushë Kosovë (6)
· In Klina over 50% of population vote (6)
· KACI: Elections fair and correct (6)
· Steiner: Elections were organized in professional manner (7)
· Podujevë: One citizen killed (7)
· OSCE satisfied with Albanians' turnout, but not with Serbs (7)
· It is important that we vote freely, less important who we vote for (8)
· Peaceful elections in Prishtina without euphoria (10)
· Citizens don't agree to vote without national flag (11)
· 12 monitors at polling stations (11)
· 26 October 2002- leaders vote (12,13)

24 Orë
Front page

· Deçan returns debt to Ramush Haradinaj
· Kosovo, yesterday after all voted for changes
· Johnston: Albania in NATO in three years

Other headlines

· LDK doesn't to score previous results, AAK and PDK mark growth (2)
· Haradinaj: I want municipal govts to stay together/serve population (2)
· Maloku: Obvious increase of AAK (3)
· PM voted at 1030 hrs in Mitrovica (3)
· Municipality has to resolve problems of KPC members (3)
· Steiner satisfied, Thaçi and Limaj in an even better mood (3)
· Nonetheless, Steiner says decentralization plan cannot be implemented (4)
· KACI: Participation of voters in elections 60 per cent (4)
· LDK lost Dukagjin, PDK gains some, AAK victorious in Deçan (4)
· Vote of the old Ramize in Dardania (4)
· McClellan: Satisfying turnout (4)
· Deçan turnout around 50 percent (5)
· Turnout in Skënderaj lower than expected (5)
· Vote for strengthening municipal institutions (5)
· Vote for the best or for losers (5)
· Kaçanik: By midday 30 percent voted (6)
· PDK celebrates victory in Kaçanik (6)
· By midday, 800 people voted in Pozhoran (6)
· Peja: Quiet elections, without excesses and long queues (6)
· LDK voting poll coordinator threatens KMLDNJ monitor (6)
· Participation around 60 percent, Steiner thanks God for sunny day (7)
· Fieschi: Elections valid even if 20 percent of population votes (8)
· Podujeva: Low turnout at polling stations (8)
· Gjilan: Placement of flag, normal voting flux (8)
· Steiner satisfied with participation of citizens of both communities (8)
· Mitrovica: Satisfying turnout at polling stations (9)
· 'Bridge gangs' threaten citizens who want to vote in Mitrovica north (9)
· Shtime: At 1100 hrs, 30 percent of citizens voted (9)
· Lypjan: LDK voting poll coordinator threatens KMLDNJ monitor (9)
· Prishtina: Dignified voting, 50 percent participation (10)
· Fushë Kosovë: The elderly vote, youth with their ears toward Belgrade (10)
· Gjakova: Celebrating atmosphere (10)
· Women, frequent victims of violence (11)

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Belgrade Media Highlights

· Serbs mainly boycotted the elections (Blic)
· Serbs expected to govern in five municipalities (Glas Javnosti)
· Covic dissatisfied with the turnout (Politika / Beta)
· Steiner visited most of the polling stations (Politika)
· Jaksic: Fully aware of the instant (Politika /Tanjug)
· Covic: The local elections have nothing to do with the final status of Kosovo (Poliltika)

Serbs mainly boycotted the elections (Blic)
The estimation of the Cesid monitors is that the Serbs mainly boycotted the municipal elections held yesterday in Kosovo and Metohija. It is estimated that the total turnout of Serbs reached 20% of the registered number of electors.

OSCE Head of Mission, Pascal Fieschi, visited almost all the polling stations in the region of central Kosovo where Serbs voted. "What I see makes me very sad. There are no Serbs at the polling stations. The fact is that there is a very low turnout, although
I must underline that the participation of the Serbs to these elections is of essential importance for the process of decentralization and of return of the IDPs. It would have been necessary that all the inhabitants of Kosovo participate to these elections, that they get included in that process and not that they stay aside as I can observe it" he declared.

The leader of SPOT Momcilo Trajkovic, commented, upon casting his vote in Laplje Selo, that the "people in Kosovo is in total confusion." "The authorities in Belgrade advised the wrong decision, ie, neither going to the polls nor boycotting the elections. Obviously the conditions for voting do not exist and the fact that I cast my vote is uniquely a sign for the international community and its representatives in Kosovo and Metohija that I am ready to participate with them in resolving the status of the Serbian national community", said Trajkovic.

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Serbs expected to govern in five municipalities (Glas Javnosti)
Commenting on the disposition towards the boycott of the elections by the electors of Kosovska Mitrovica, Nikola Radovic, Mayor of north Mitrovica, explained to Glas that the conditions for the organization of these elections in this town did not exist. "Among local Serbs the predominant thinking is that the conditions for the elections of the local bodies would not exist until decentralization is implemented and two municipalities are formed, in the northern, Serbian, and southern, Albanian, parts of town" said Radovic.

Nenad Radosavljevic, who is in charge of the issue of Returns in the office of Head of UNMIK, said, after he voted in Leposavic, that he expected that Serbs would also vote in the areas where they are a minority, for them to get their representatives in the municipal
working groups that would work on creating the conditions for survival and Returns.

Among the first in Kosovo, in Gracanica, where about 3,600 electors are registered, the Head of the KP parliamentary group in Kosovo Assembly Rada Trajkovic,
cast her vote and told the journalists present that she thus wanted to encourage the Serbs to go to vote en masse.

Covic unsatisfied with the turnout (Politika/Beta)
The President of the Coordination Center for Kosovo Nebojsa Covic considered that the local elections in Kosovo were held "in the best order" although he expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the turnout of the Serbian community. In a declaration to Radio KiM, Covic, in the name of the Federal and Republican Governments and in the name of President Vojislav Kostunica, called Serbian and other non-Albanian electors to go to the polling stations. "This is of major interest for the State and for the People, and of major personal interest for the electors" he said, adding that by participating to the elections the electors have to "help the State in order to create the possibility for the State to help them". Covic estimated that it was very important for members of the Serbian community go to vote, although he underlined that, in this sense, "there would be no conditioning". Today the press release issued by the Cabinet of the Yugoslav President, in which it is underlined that all Serbs from Kosovo shall turn out to the polls, has been distributed to voters in some areas of central Kosovo.

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Steiner visited most of the polling stations (Politika)
"This is the day of democracy in Kosovo, the day when all citizens of Kosovo have to vote for their bodies of local administration. These elections are in the interest of all communities, including the Kosovo Serbs" said Steiner, who added that after these elections he would talk on decentralization with the political leaders of the Kosovo Serbs and Albanians. "I think that Mrs. Rada Trajkovic, by the sole fact that she went early to vote, gave the good example to the Kosovo Serbs on what they should do today, and that is to vote for themselves, for the future of their municipalities and for the future of their community" declared Steiner to Tanjug.

Jaksic : Fully aware of the instant (Politika/Tanjug)
The member of the Executive Board of the SNC Marko Jaksic declared that the Serbian people in north Mitrovica shows a high level of responsibility by boycotting today's local elections. The Serbs from north Kosovo are fully aware of the instant they are currently living in, Jaksic told Tanjug after he voted in Zubin Potok sometime after 2 PM.

Covic : Local elections have nothing to do with final status of Kosovo (Poliltika)
The Head of the Coordination Center for Kosovo Nebojsa Covic, who renewed yesterday his invitation to the Serbs to cast their vote, commented the declarations of the President of Kosovo Ibrahim Rugova and of the head of the PDK, Hashim Thaci, after they voted in Pristina, saying that "this is a big day for Kosovo and for the Albanians and that Kosovo would be independent in the future." "The Albanian politicians foul their electorate by promising them something that is not in their power," said Covic, and reiterated that "these local elections have nothing to do with the final status of Kosovo" and that the "Security Council of the United Nations will decide on the status of the province in line with Resolution 1244".