30 October 2002

CONTENTS

Steiner's decentralization plan frozen after weak Serb participation (Koha)

Koha Ditore carries a front-page article on the situation following the local elections in Kosovo, the fact that there was a small Serb turnout, the eventual meeting between SRSG Michael and Serb Deputy PM Nebojsa Covic in Belgrade. Koha also quotes of Kosovo municipal leaders about the decentralization plan.

When they cast their votes on Saturday, 25 percent of Kamenica Serbs must have thought that within a short period of time they would get what they asked for - the legitimate administration of territorial units within a municipality. Or, in other words, that they had won their condition: the right of decentralization of local authority in their municipality.

However, their dreams might turn into a nightmare because of the fault of their fellow countrymen who didn't appear at polling stations this Saturday.

A week ago, chief administrator Michael Steiner promised the Serbs that if they participated in the elections in considerable numbers, there would be negotiations on the decentralization of local power in Kosovo.

Serbs haven't satisfied Steiner with their turnout on Saturday, and have forced him to postpone the start of negotiations on decentralization, if not to cancel a meeting that was due to be held in Gjilan on 1 November.

Based on the first reactions of the largest non-Albanian majority in Kosovo, this led to a situation in which even the small number of Serbs who voted on Saturday have lost their trust in Steiner. Oliver Ivanovic is one of those Serbs. This leader of Kosovo Serbs clearly shows his disagreement with Steiner. "I believe that Steiner is showing some anger, which is not good because the issue of Serb participation is not a personal thing," said Ivanovic, adding that everyone, not only Serbs, needs decentralization. "Decentralization is an objective need of all communities living here; and I think that it will happen sooner or later."

According to Serb leaders, the boycotting of municipal elections has been justified by Steiner's "unserious" statements on decentralization, which have left room for doubts on the honesty of his goals.

Koha Ditore suggests that though he had promised decentralization and then regretted it, Steiner will discuss this issue with Belgrade, and not with Kosovo Serbs, and not on 1 November, but on 30 October. According to sources at UNMIK and in Serbia, Steiner will go to Belgrade on Wednesday to discuss this issue.

Belgrade-based Beta news agency reported on Tuesday that CCK chief Nebojsa Covic has announced he would meet with UNMIK chief Michael Steiner in Belgrade on Wednesday to talk about the local elections and the schedule of the next meeting on decentralization in Kosovo.

Covic told journalists that the conference on decentralization was postponed because of a relatively small number of voters.

Koha Ditore reports that UNMIK Department of Public Information Director Simon Haselock refuted the possibility of such a meeting. "I think the information is wrong," Haselock said when asked if Steiner would meet Covic on Wednesday and talk about decentralization. "The implementation of the original idea that we have presented prior to the elections cannot be implemented in the same form. It was based on a larger participation of the minority in the elections than what we have witnessed. Now we have to think of something different," he said.

Haselock also told Koha Ditore that decentralization would now include all of Kosovo. "We will continue to work on decentralization as a principle, and maybe there will be a meeting at a later stage. This is why we said that the meeting in Gjilan has been postponed and not cancelled," added Haselock.

On the other hand, Albanians, respectively the leaders of Kosovo institutions, said on Tuesday that they knew what the denouement of the issue of decentralization would be, and they showed full support for Steiner's temporary decision to cancel the Gjilan meeting.

After a meeting of the Kosovo Assembly Presidency, Assembly Speaker Nexhat Daci said that decentralization could be implemented only when Kosovo institutions are respected throughout the country. "I think that decentralization has been misinterpreted even by UNMIK, because it could have been developed as a process only after the unification of Kosovo's territorial integrity and the expansion of authority throughout Kosovo. I talked with Steiner about this and I have said that any other step for Kosovar well-being is possible, but after the implementation of the competencies of Kosovo institutions… As a phenomenon, decentralization is very valuable for Kosovo, as long as it is not only for one ethnic group. We cannot divide citizens based on the blackmails that they do to the institutions, therefore the denouement is exactly how I imagined it," said Daci.

Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi said that Steiner's decision to temporarily stop decentralization was rational. "I think this is a rational opinion because certain conditions that Steiner has put forward weren't fulfilled and it is completely normal to postpone this for a later stage," said Rexhepi.

Koha Ditore claims that some think that Steiner is conducting a good policy in Kosovo, and that decentralization would be no exception in this respect. "He has proved to be a practical politician in implementing his policy," said a senior political advisor at the Kosovo Government.

Koha Ditore also claimed that the biggest problem that could result from decentralization is the relations between municipal units and the municipality itself, or the municipal executive authority. Or the fact that would be the competencies of the local government to govern something within a municipal unit.

Lutfi Haziri, chairman of the Association of Kosovo Municipalities and Gjilan municipal leader, said that the most important aspect of Steiner's plan on decentralization is negotiable. "Nothing has been determined yet, and this will be done in the Gjilan meeting, where Albanian political leaders should go well-prepared," Haziri was quoted as saying one day prior to the local elections, when it was believed that Serbs would participate and win the conditions set out by Steiner.

"I think that everything should be clearly determined in a draft, which should come out of the Gjilan meeting and then be legitimized at the Kosovo Assembly, by being transformed into a law," Haziri added. He also said that the draft would define the competencies of municipal structures, respectively local - international, and to define the relations between the municipality and municipal units.

Haziri said that Kosovo doesn't need decentralization on ethnic basis, because it wouldn't be successful. "By doing so we would pose danger for establishing a disproportion of competencies between various neighborhoods and locations."

Mitrovica MA Chairman Faruk Spahija said he supports Steiner's plan and that he doesn't see a blockade or an obstacle for the functions of the municipal authority within the new units that could be created. "The work of the local government cannot be blocked only because decisions are made in the municipal assembly… Laws endorsed by the Kosovo Assembly will be implemented, therefore, neither the municipal assembly nor municipal units should make decisions that confront these laws," he elaborated.

Kamenica MA Chairman Shaip Surdulli told Koha Ditore that there shouldn't be decentralization in the municipality of Kamenica. "There is no need for decentralization in Kamenica, because after the conflict Serbs have had freedom of movement, Serb students have go to school without any problems, and they were not impeded in any way."

Surdulli reportedly refused to provide further comments as to what problems would the forming of three Serb municipal units in Kamenica.

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Were UNMIK and administrator Steiner bypassed (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore in its economy section reports that the Greek Plan for Reconstruction of Balkans has given the green light for a 15 million euro fund for Kosovo. This daily reports that Greek Deputy of Foreign Minister, Andreas Loverdhos told Deutsche Welle that Kosovo is a special case. "We asked the parliament and the Permanent Commission approved the transfer of funds without a central agreement, as it happened with the other six profiting countries. The transfer of funds will be completed through the European Commission fund established in Kosovo and some NGOs. The only Greek organization will be Solidaritet.

Asked why SRSG Michael Steiner did not sign the agreement, Lloverdhos was quoted as saying "Surely, Mr. Michael Steiner can sign such agreements. But Mr. Steiner is facing so many needs to cover the expenses of international presence, that we had the sensibility that money would take that path". He reportedly said that they wanted the money to be seen, and also to make sure that the money would go on reconstruction which is in the direct interest of the people of Kosovo. "We avoided UNMIK not because we don't want its cooperation. We want to have a warm cooperation and we value Mr. Steiner's activity. But little money of Greek aid for development, because we are not some colossus, we want to be spent on reconstruction of Kosovo and on preserving of cultural heritage. This was our evaluation and we realized this," Loverdhos was quoted as saying in Deutsche Welle.

Furthermore, he explained that the funds are dedicated to production, healthcare, education, building of flats and telecommunication. "Priorities are already defined and start of distribution is a matter of time," concluded Loverdhos.

Shala: Authentic disarmament (Zëri)

Zëri carries an editorial by Blerim Shala who says that the killing of Ukë Bytyçi and his two companions has devalued the success of the elections. Shala's stance is not only disarmament of population but also disarmament of politics and journalism should take place in Kosovo. He complains that UNMIK and OSCE haven't contributed positively to this issue.

All the statistics failed. There were many calculations on who won and who lost on these elections, who gained and who failed, who should make coalition with whom to lead the government in this or that municipality.

After the news of the killing of Ukë Bytyçi, chairman of Suharekë/Suva Reka municipal assembly, and his two companions everything underwent great devaluation. All of a sudden, we all became losers. We started to count who was killed after the war in Kosovo, what were the consequences of political violence, what can we expect from now on. During the two previous elections, we were afraid that pre-election violence could have a negative effect on voting. This time we understand that the killing that happened one day after the elections makes these elections more marked by this event than by campaign or the voting itself, which were an example for the region.

Sunday's killing, besides everything else, radicalized the issue of disarmament of our population. It becomes obvious that the two KFOR projects for collecting arms from civilians, followed by amnesty for those who voluntarily handed them over, didn't bring the required results. Arms should be expelled from our citizen life, from politics. Only uniformed and authorized persons should carry arms.

At the same time, disarmament of politics and journalism should take place. There are many words that induce strong opinions that raise tensions that call for violence. And in this UNMIK and OSCE haven't done a single thing. This has to be said openly.

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Morina: Where were you General Çeku? (Bota Sot)

Bota Sot carries a commentary by Bajrush Morina, who comments on KPC Commander General Agim Çeku's absence from the funeral of Suhareka MA Chairman Ukë Bytyçi. Morina wrote:

All Albanians who are against crime in Kosovo participated in the funeral of Ukë Bytyçi, Suhareka Municipal Assembly chairman and LDK leader in Suhareka. Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova, Assembly speaker Nexhat Daci, the academic, Mark Krasniqi, and many other senior political and institutional figures attended the funeral. Albanians from the four corners of ethnic Albanian lands and from the four corners of the world, spiritually-speaking, attended the funeral. MNB South General Skodowski also attended the funeral and brought a wreath. The criminals that killed Ukë Bytyçi didn't attend, because fortunately they are being held in prison, and neither did those who intimately support this crime and above all those who politically inspired this crime.

What was most noticeable was your absence General Çeku. You didn't attend either physically or spiritually. Not only did you not attend, but you also didn't even bother to write a letter of condolence. You who brag of having led the famous fight of the KLA have bragged of leading the future army of Kosovo. Where were you today, General?

In fact, do you know Mr. General that the late Ukë Bytyçi was one of the most famous commanders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, who led the glorious fight in the Pashtrik Area with the 123 Brigade? Why didn't you attend the burial ceremony, General? Why did you have to show the world once again that you are a general that hides in his pocket a notebook of a political party, whose militants killed Ukë Bytyçi?

You, a KPC general, should know that when Ukë Bytyçi took up arms and put on the KLA uniform, you were either an officer in the Croatian Army, or were hanging out and having fun in luxurious hotels in Tirana. When Serb police arrested and beat Ukë Bytyçi, you were sunbathing at the Croatian seaside or were partying in the numerous ceremonies of the Croatian Army, along with your fellow officers who spoke Slavic, the same language used by your spouse.

You, general, who sends letters of condolence and organizes mortal ceremonies for the natural death of the communist Fadil Hoxha, how could you think not to either physically participate or to send a letter of condolence in the burial of Ukë Bytyçi?!

General, crime in Kosovo has no name and surname. The time has come for you to understand once and for all who are the criminals who murder the freedom and independence of Kosovo. I hope to God you haven't voted for the political party, whose militant killed Ukë Bytyçi? Or else, God help you, God help our army that you are leading, and God help the future of Kosovo.

General, it is about time that you behaved as the General of the army of Kosovo!!!

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In 2003, America will be teaching in Kosovo (Koha Ditore)

The wishes of many Kosovars to have an American university diploma will become a reality by the year 2003, when the first 100 students will be admitted to the American University in Kosovo (AUK), reports Koha Ditore.

Lesson plans and all administrative work will be conducted in English. Students will be accepted only on their merits, including results from TOFEL tests, essays and other tests. "American University in Kosovo (AUK) will be a private institution with very rigorous standards and very efficient academic studies," said a communiqué released by AUK officials. AUK will eventually have five schools [faculties], but will start with only two.

"Our priority will be to contribute to Kosovo's economic development. The first class will have 100 students," says the communiqué, quoting Andrew Gridinsky, Director of Academic Planning. "We are ready to offer college courses, so later on students can apply for diplomas, if they chose to do so. All of our programs are transparent for all the Kosovo communities and those who successfully complete their studies will receive diplomas certified by AUK," according to Gridinsky.

AUK academic programs will offer advanced teaching in English and local training programs. The lessons will be in English and teachers will be native English speaking professors, most of them with PhD's. "AUK's partner will be an American university, AUK foresees that students will receive two diplomas one issued by AUK and the other by their institutional partner."

Russian peacekeepers, KEK debt champions in Kamenica (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports on KEK debtors in Kamenica. Selami Spahiu, who is responsible for the KEK unit, says that the number of bill payers has increased and in some cases even doubled. The debts to KEK in this city are 1.7 million euro, more than one million of this from household debtors.

"Of one and a half million euro debt to KEK in Kamenica…Russian troops owe KEK over 200,000 euro," Spahiu was quoted as saying in Koha Ditore.

Spahiu reportedly said that citizens are responding much more now since disconnections from the power supply have started, but another problem is that the Serb minority in some villages collectively refuse to pay their debts. But, said Spahiu, Serb citizens in the city pay their debts just like their fellow citizens. But Spahiu said that if Serb population in these villages continues to refuse to pay for the electricity that they have consumed, they would be collectively disconnected. "There are no politics in this stance" Spahiu was quoted as saying in Koha Ditore.

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Rexhepi: Loans or donations (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore carries a commentary by economic analyst Ibrahim Rexhepi who tackles the source of financial and commercial funds in Kosovo and asserts that Kosovo still cannot carry the burden of loans and that best combination would be little loans little donations.

There are evaluations that will all the big donations Kosovo has not marked a high level of standard or economic development. Donors are blamed and the ones that implemented…that they did not consider the locals or their ideas. For the ones htat believe in this idea the best solution is to use sources of commercial financing. And the culmination of this marvel would be if we could use any of the loans by the World Bank or the IMF. The reasoning lies on the fact that loans would be used very carefully, and the efficiency of the investment would be higher. However an important element is forgotten: what are the burdens that Kosovo can face with this economic potential that currently possesses. Without even calculating the obligations until 1990 which still remain pensile.

World Bank and IMF only have reports on the governmental level, which it has to guarantee for return of loans. However the limited budget and the little chances for it to grow seems that it is very difficult to find a way to cover this extra burden. One thing should not be forgotten, if a big loan is taken it has to be returned with interest rate. Thus a big piece of the cake could choke Kosovo economy, which still is in the first phase of identifying itself.

Donors have promised close to 500 million euros for Kosovo for the next three years. Kosovars say that this would not cower all of its needs. Therefore in beginning of November in Brussels a balance will be placed for all of these issues. Even though there aren't any promises for the above-mentioned sum, there is commitment that donors will continue, especially with programs previously engaged. For this reason the stance that they should be present in Kosovo is very important. On the contrary it would be tragic if they said: "There you are, 500 million euros, do not knock on our doors any more". This when the real problems would start for ensuring the financial sources. Even though the Kosovars are demanding everyday more and more for loans for their project, we still need here a rational approach. Let us say that producers receive loans and they have the optional of returning this loan, but the question is who is going to finance education, health and other non-producing activities. If they receive loans, the government more precisely the budget will not be capable of returning them. This is because the budget is very 'thin' and that neither of these services generates income or profit. No other alternative remains are finance from donors. Only they can help the raising of services as education and health.

There are many criteria for loans in the economy that must be looked into. The first is the level of the burden. If it is zero, as it is now in Kosovo then we have to believe that it can mange in the future. Then we have to know how to mange with these funds and what would their effect be. The interest rate and rate that the loans have to be returned, then we can precisely account the sum of the money that Kosovo economy can handle.

However if everything is evaluated according to the conditions that are offered by commercial banks in Kosovo, then businessmen in Kosovo should run like hell away from these loans. It is certain that World Bank and IMF are engaged that their funds are used in Kosovo, and then this would impose new rules to commercial banks. On the contrary loans on these conditions is unacceptable. Does not bring anything good.

How things currently stand, there is no effect to stop all donations.

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Belgrade Update

CCK requests urgent release of Serb detainees (Beta)

The Head of the CCK's judiciary department Vladimir Bozovic addressed a request to the international public prosecutor in Kosovo, Michael Hartmann, for an urgent release of three Serbs who are being held in detention. "We have asked the international judge to urgently release from detention the remaining three Serbs, including the mayor of the Orahovac municipality, Andjelko Kolasinac, who has been in detention for over four years, Veselin Besovic from Pec, who has been almost three years in detention without any realistic evidence, and Slavoljub Jovic, called "Bagi," Bozovic told Beta. In the course of Tuesday's talks, CCK representatives lodged an official complaint to the international prosecutor concerning the prosecutor's behavior in the proceedings against Jovic, who, according to Bozovic, had been "detained without any grounds." "We have personally asked him and the entire UNMIK judiciary to work towards releasing the remaining three detained Serbs," he said.

A group of Albanians beat up Ranko Pajevic (Tanjug)

A group of unknown Albanians has beaten Ranko Pajevic from the village of Grace, Tanjug reports. In the hamlet of Tomic, in the village of Grace, central Kosovo, Pajevic was working on his land when a group of Albanians attacked him, inflicting serious wounds. Following this, the Albanians seized his tractor and escaped the scene. Pajevic reported the case to the UNMIK police station in Priluzje. This is not the only case of assault by Albanian extremists on Serbs from this village. Serb inhabitants from Grace have, on several occasions, reported to the international police in Kosovo and Metohija cases like violent seizure of land by Albanian neighbors, cattle theft, burning of crops and similar incidents. Some 250 Serbs live in Grace.