10 August 2002 Saturday Edition

· Milan Ivanovic has escaped to Serbia (Koha Ditore)
· Serbs protest in northern Mitrovica, Steiner cancels visit (Zëri)
· New arrests expected in northern Mitrovica (Kosova Sot)
· 'Most' withdraws from participation in October elections in Kosovo (Zëri)
· Shala: Bad news from the north (Zëri)
· Dërvishi: Why is Covic angry with UNMIK? (Bota Sot)
· Former Albanian PM Majko writes to SRSG Steiner (Koha Ditore)(Zeri carried this letter yesterday)
· Steiner, a man of hope and disappointment for Kosovars (Kosova Sot)
· O'Brien: Legalization of Mitrovica University that recognizes K-institutions (dailies)
· Stoiber and Steiner talk on the phone after failing to meet (Zëri)
· Surroi: Make it an issue that requires arbitration (Koha Ditore)
· Lute: Klokot act makes us wonder whether we are in 1999 or 2002 (dailies)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Milan Ivanovic has escaped to Serbia (Koha Ditore)

Quoting well-informed sources in northern Mitrovica, Koha Ditore reports that Milan Ivanovic escaped to Serbia on Thursday. According to the same sources, Ivanovic, who has been charged with attempted murder, crossed the boundary into Serbia through some alternative route escorted by the bridge watchers. UNMIK Police in Mitrovica had no information on the whereabouts of Ivanovic. "We don't have any information on his whereabouts and whether or not he has fled Kosovo," said UNMIK Police regional commander in Mitrovica, John Neill.

Koha Ditore also pointed that there were contradictory statements about the protests held by the Serbs in North Mitrovica Friday. While a KFOR press officer told the daily paper that only 300 people protested in northern Mitrovica, Serbian media reports said that the number of protesters was 2,000 to 3,000. Koha Ditore's sources claim that the protests were organized by leaders of the Serb National Council for northern Kosovo, which is led by Ivanovic.

Marko Jaksic, chairman of the Serb Democratic Party of Kosovo, told protesters that the goal of the international community was to take control of the hospital, which is considered a parallel institution. Jaksic, one of the organizers of the protest, said that the attempt to arrest Milan Ivanovic was aimed to intimidate Serbs in northern Kosovo.

Jaksic also accused UNMIK chief Michael Steiner of working openly for the independence of Kosovo and helping to form greater Albania.

Serbs protest in northern Mitrovica, Steiner cancels visit (Zëri)

In a report on the current situation in Mitrovica, Zëri says that no one can confirm whether or not UNMIK Police and KFOR have given up on arresting Milan Ivanovic, who is accused of attempted murder during the violent demonstrations in northern Mitrovica on 8 April 2002.

Zëri also reports that UNMIK chief Michael Steiner has cancelled his previously announced visit to Mitrovica. Zëri claims that the goal of Steiner's visit was to convince Mitrovica Serbs not to object to Ivanovic's arrest.

In its report on the issue, Bota Sot runs a headline Iber Bridge becomes impassable even for Michael Steiner! In its subtitle the daily paper asks Whether or not the Serb protests were the reason why Steiner cancelled his visit to Mitrovica.

Bota Sot also reports that UNMIK spokeswoman Susan Manuel said that Steiner's visit to Mitrovica was cancelled due to an important meeting in Prishtina. "However, other sources claim the visit was cancelled due to security reasons," added Bota Sot.

New arrests expected in northern Mitrovica (Kosova Sot)

Quoting unconfirmed sources, Kosova Sot reports that soon an arrest warrant might be issued against Vladimir Rakic, the political representative of the bridge watchers.

'Most' withdraws from participation in October elections in Kosovo (Zëri)

Based on information broadcast by Tanjug news agency, Zëri reports that the Mitrovica-based civic initiative Most [Bridge], has withdrawn from participation in the local elections in Kosovo due to be held on 26 October.

Serb sources told Zëri that the conditions laid down by this political party for participating in the elections were the decentralization of Kosovo, forming a local autonomous Serb police force and now to protest the attempted arrest of Milan Ivanovic.

Zëri also reported that Most had been certified for the upcoming local elections, despite objections by Albanians that it was a para-military formation.

Shala: Bad news from the north (Zëri)

Zëri carries an editorial by Blerim Shala, regarding the recent events surrounding the attempted arrest of Milan Ivanovic. According to Shala, the message coming from northern Mitrovica is that KFOR, UNMIK and Kosovar authorities do not belong there. "Given the current flow of events, UNMIK and KFOR will have to act in Mitrovica and the north. There can be no turning back and no compromise. Those guilty of crime, anywhere in Kosovo, must be held responsible. The law should be equal for all and everywhere in Kosovo or it won't matter at all," Shala wrote.

Dërvishi: Why is Covic angry with UNMIK? (Bota Sot)

Bota Sot carries a commentary by Teki Dërvishi, entitled Why is Covic angry with UNMIK? "Covic shouldn't be angry with UNMIK and freeze Serb-UNMIK relations only because of an unsuccessful 'effort' to arrest Ivanovic. Covic has no reason whatsoever to be angry with UNMIK because UNMIK sent the arrest warrant to Ivanovic on 31 July 2002, and only on 8 August did UNMIK Police raid his house during which Ivanovic's mother was scared to death! Eight days after the arrest warrant, and until the day of the 'attempted arrest', Ivanovic had plenty of time to hide his old Serb mother and not leave her in the hands of an army of internationals! Therefore, it is Ivanovic's fault and Nebojsa shouldn't 'freeze' relations with UNMIK!" wrote Dervishi.

Former Albanian PM Majko writes to SRSG Steiner (Koha Ditore) )(Zeri carried this letter yesterday)

Koha Ditore reports that on the day he resigned from the post of Prime Minister of Albania, Pandeli Majko, wrote a letter to Kosovo chief administrator Michael Steiner emphasizing his gratitude for mutual cooperation. "Mr. Steiner, I am using the opportunity to once again salute UNMIK under your competent administration, KFOR, OSCE and all other international organizations in Kosovo, for their engagement and great work that they have done and are doing on rebuilding, developing and strengthening the legal democratic institutions, in order to offer Kosovo undeniable prestige and reputation. Let me salute you personally, for your maximum commitment in the development of Kosovo and assure you that cooperation between Albania and Kosovo will be consolidated in the interest of peace, security, cooperation and integration, as our only common alternative, of our region and our European family," wrote Majko.

Steiner, a man of hope and disappointment for Kosovars (Kosova Sot)

Kosova Sot talked to Ramadan Avdiu, advisor to PM Bajram Rexhepi, and Adem Demaçi about their opinion of the achievement of SRSG Michael Steiner in Kosovo.

Avdiu said upon his arrival in Kosovo, Steiner made numerous changes. "The institutions of Kosovo were established, and Steiner played a very important role in this issue and was seriously engaged…He is also known for his engagement in developing Kosovo's economy and moving it towards privatization; in his speeches to international organisations he has been constantly engaged in trying to continue the existing get donations and attract more donations from EU and the US," he said.

Avdiu however added that there have been certain delays such as the Mitrovica problem and Serb enclaves. "There have been no positive signs in reuniting the town of Mitrovica," said Avdiu, and pointed to the failure to arrest Milan Ivanovic.

"Nonetheless, we can say that he has been successful in his work," concluded Avdiu.

Demaçi, on the other hand, said that Steiner's current policy in Kosovo is not his deed. "All that has happened until now in Kosovo are efforts to implement Resolution 1244, which Steiner said is his Bible. This means that Steiner is the faithful employee of the UN Security Council and Resolution 1244, which in its first article says that Kosovo is under Serbian sovereignty," said Demaçi. "Therefore, this means that Kosovars should not get angry with Steiner, but consider him an employee who is here to implement what is required of him."

Adding to the issue, Demaçi said, "He has done nothing to reintegrate the northern part of Mitrovica, he has done nothing to dissolve the Serbian security forces which have taken up 20 percent of the territory, and he has done nothing to dissolve parallel structures and enclaves, and is instead constantly making concessions."

In closing, Demaçi said that one day either Steiner or his successor will tell the Albanians that the competencies held by the chief administrators would be transferred to Serbia or to a Serbian-Montenegrin body "and you Albanians and other citizens of Kosovo should stay as you have done until now."

O'Brien: Legalization of Mitrovica University that recognizes K-institutions (all dailies)

All dailies report that Jim O'Brien, head of the three-member panel on higher education law, said Friday he had decided to propose to the Kosovo Assembly Presidency the inclusion of an article in the higher education law that would legalize all higher education institutions that were authorized by UNMIK in 2001/02.

Koha Ditore says that O'Brien made this decision after a marathon meeting with the two other members of the panel, Education Minister Rexhep Osmani and Gojko Savic, member of Kosovo Assembly Presidency. O'Brien later told the media that the meeting was productive, and that both Osmani and Savic asked for all institutions to operate within a united system of higher education.

On the other hand, members of the Kosovo Assembly say that they welcome recommendations from independent panels but that the Assembly would have the final say.

Stoiber and Steiner talk on the phone after failing to meet (Zëri)

Quoting information from a press release issued by UNMIK, Zëri reports that the Prime Minister of the German state of Bavaria, Edmund Stoiber had called SRSG Steiner on the phone after the cancellation of their meeting due to an engine problem with Stoiber's helicopter.

Stoiber called Steiner on the phone and excused himself that he couldn't come due to technical problems in the helicopter. Steiner conveyed the regret expressed by Dr. Stoiber to President Ibrahim Rugova, who was also scheduled to meet Dr. Stoiber.

In their telephone conversation, Steiner outlined the developments and the considerable progress achieved in Kosovo in recent months. Stoiber expressed his full support for UNMIK and its activities. "I am sorry that the meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Edmund Stoiber could not take place. We did discuss the developments in Kosovo. Unfortunately the meeting was derailed by technical problems, but it is important that the Prime Minister fully supports our efforts in Kosovo," said Steiner.

Surroi: Make it an issue that requires arbitration (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore carries a commentary by its publisher Veton Surroi who criticizes Kosovar leaders for lacking in sense. Surroi says that at a time when Kosovars should take more decisions, they are dealing with the decisions that have already been made. "After the first months of the administration of Kosovars, it is clear that there is a need for far more numerous political contacts between the Kosovar political leadership and the head of UNMIK. And this cannot be a one-way road, in which Kosovars go and ask for the endorsement of the head of UNMIK. This is more about joint planning of tactical steps and strategies to build a Kosovar legal system. I know that someone might say that we lack Kosovar political leadership that could do this. However, they are UNMIK's partner. We should work with what we have," said Surroi.

Lute: Klokot act makes us wonder whether we are in 1999 or 2002 (dailies)

All dailies carry reports from the press briefing that General Douglas Lute, commander of MNB (East) gave. Commenting on the incident in Klokot when two US KFOR soldiers were wounded and several houses were damaged, Lute said, "the explosions in Klokot make us wonder whether we are in 1999 or 2002". Lute also said that the responsibility for the Klokot incident falls more on Kosovar citizens and leaders than on the internationals.

Asked about the Kosovo-Macedonian border dispute, Lute said that the issue was a fait accompli and that in the future any decision related to the border should be political rather than military.

Zëri also quoted Lute as saying that by August, 100 US KFOR troops would be deployed in the town of Mitrovica.

RTK News Headlines

Mass Serb demonstrations in northern Kosovo

Thousands of Serbs are protesting in Mitrovica over the attempt to arrest the leader of the Serbian National Council of Kosovo, Milan Ivanovic. Doctors and health staff of the medical center in Northern Mitrovica have organized a "protest walk" against the attempted arrest of Milan Ivanovic. The UN administration has reiterated that prominent Kosovo Serb political leader Milan Ivanovic was personally informed of the warrant issued for his arrest on charges of attempted murder. The situation in Mitrovica a day after his attempted arrest, is quiet but very tense. UNMIK police and KFOR continued with rigorous control of all vehicles at all access points to the town. Ivanovic, the president of the Serbian National Council of Northern Kosovo, remains in hiding.

KPS members start patrolling along administrative boundary Kosovo Serbia

From 15 September, 2002, KPS and UNMIK Police officers will start patrolling along the administrative boundary with Losovo Serbia. This was confirmed by COMKFOR Marcel Valentan after the meeting with UNMIK Police and customs officials. UNMIK Police also confirmed that KPS had already begun patrolling along the administrative boundary with Serbia. During the first phase, members of KFOR and UNMIK police will accompany them.

KFOR arrests

KFOR has arrested 19 persons as part of an operation to prevent extremist activity along the border with Macedonia, MNB(East) announced. None of them was connected with the explosions in Klokot that took place on July 31, it was said. Even though the identity of those arrested has not been published, one of them is Shefqet Hamdiu, 19, from village Zherga/Gnjilan. Further investigation is ongoing.

Protests for release of detained KPC members continues

The board of Free Women Initiative for the fourth time organized protests in front of the district jail in Pristina demanding the immediate release of the detained KPC members. Women placed flowers in front of the gate of the jail and later they peacefully marched to the Natiobnal Theatre. It was anounced that the protests will be countinue.

Kosovo Should Have Unified Education System, Says James O'Brian

The three-member Panel chaired by American diplomat James O'Brian decided at a meeting to start an immediate intensive dialogue for finding a modified law on higher education from that approved by Kosovo's Parliament. The other two members of the Panel were Serb MP Gojko Savic and Kosovo Education, Science and Technology Minister Rexhep Osmani.

Kiosks without authorization are being removed in Pristina

In Pristina municipality inspectorate has continued its action to remove kiosks that have no licenses. In September, there will be open bidding where owners of kiosks may compete for the licenses. Meanwhile many owners of the kiosks are complaining about the unequal treatment. Of the nearly 300 kiosks which are illegally functioning in Pristina, 100 have been removed.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

· Milan Ivanovic escapes to Serbia (1,2)
· MNBE Lute: Klokot act makes us wonder whether we're in 1999 or 2002 (1,2)
· Surroi: Make it an issue that requires arbitration (1,3)
· Bugajski: EU politics in Montenegro can cause new Balkans conflict (10)
· They stole in Germany in order to start a business in Kosovo (1,5)
· King Leka: I support the idea of greater Albania, but I don't sponsor it (2)
· Unknown attackers kill a young man in Tetovo (2)
· O'Brien: Law should change in favor of a unique education system (3)
· Accusations are harsh and humiliating (4)
· Majko believed in Steiner (4)
· 4 prison guards in Tirana under arrest (4)
· Serb Church in Kosovo expects public apology from the police (4)
· Car traders in Albania threatened by smuggling (5)
· Kosovars have 363 million euros deposited, internationals have 17 million (6)
· Games of chance to bring 2 million euros to Banking and Payment Authority (6)
· Banks in Albania lose US$ 135 million (6)
· Implementation of funds for facilitating earthquake damage begins (7)
· Villagers in a mountain near Prizren don't turn to Obiliq for power (7)

Zëri

· O'Brien: Legalization of Mitrovica U that would recognize K-institutions (1,3)
· Shala: Bad news from the north (1)
· Serbs protest in northern Mitrovica, Steiner cancels visit (1,2)
· German expert hasn't arrived, only Steiner knows his name (1,2)
· Leka Zogu refutes accusations of Macedonian press (1,3)
· Samet Aliti murdered in Tetovo (1,5)
· Mothers: We will not stop until our sons are free (1,4)
· General Lute: By the end of August, 100 US KFOR troops in Mitrovica (1,3)
· Harsh power cuts: four off, two on (2)
· 'Most' withdraws from participation in local elections (2)
· Stoiber and Steiner talk on the phone (3)
· UNMIK admits MDRI report is correct (4)
· Pre-election silence begins in Presevo Valley (4)
· Riinvest to be included in team for Kosovo spatial plan (4)
· British soldiers bring order to Batllava Park (4)
· Leka Zogu: I still haven't visited Kosovo and Macedonia (5)
· Efforts to create tension in relations between Albania and Macedonia (5)
· Blocking of Skopje-Tetovo highway postponed (5)
· Danger from Ilirida Army is Macedonian slander for political marketing (5)
· Only 50 of 3,462 illegal constructions have been demolished (6)
· Action to remove illegal kiosks continues (6)
· Djordjevic trial: Zarifja: They killed my four sons and left 11 orphans (7)
· German KFOR Commander meets Rugova (8)

Bota Sot

· Ibër Bridge becomes impassable even for Michael Steiner! (1,3)
· Internationals are serious: All criminals should be in jail (1,6)
· Mitrovica University should be under umbrella of Education Ministry (1,2)
· Fall of professor Fatos Klosi, a dear friend to Xhavit Haliti (1,7)
· Why Minister Ethem Çeku supports Kosova Control company? (1,9)
· Dërvishi: Why is Covic angry with UNMIK? (3)
· Who kills Kosovo's sons, kills its freedom (4)
· Stoiber's helicopter had technical problems (4)
· Action to demolish illegal constructions in Pristina continues (5)
· Stavileci: An essay on power (6)
· Diaspora welcomes Sunday's elections in eastern Kosovo (7)
· Reactions to statement of FYROM Interior Ministry (8)

Kosova Sot

· Behold losses of Kosovo Budget (1,7)
· Steiner, a man of hope and disappointment for Kosovars (1,3)
· UNMIK: Ivanovic knew about the accusations (1)
· New procedures to register games of chance (1,9)
· Are we realistic in unfolding our national history? (1,4)
· Education law again at the Kosovo Assembly (1,4)
· Attempt to arrest Milan Ivanovic causes Serb protests (2)
· Trajkovic objects to UNMIK efforts to arrest Ivanovic! (2)
· Ivanovic case results in postponement of signing of a protocol! (2)
· The accused on the certification list! (2)
· German General justifies failed meeting between Rugova and Stoiber (4)
· Protests of mothers don't stop (4)
· Stoiber's helicopter had technical problems (4)
· Macedonia is trying to create tension with Albania (4)
· Bugajski: Five reasons for an independent Kosovo (5)
· Riinvest to be included in team for Kosovo spatial plan (6)
· Skopje is intimidating the population (10)
· [Albania] Who will replace Klosi (10)

Epoka e Re

· Abeja [late KLA commander] has a son in Netherlands? (1,9)
· Ibrahim Shala: This is where internationals made a mistake (1,4)
· Ex-UCPMB Commander: We fought for something else (1)
· Flora Brovina joins protesters for first time (1,2)
· Panel decision to legalize Mitrovica University (1,2)
· Local elections are closer, municipal officials remove kiosks (3)
· Weapons were found with those arrested, says KFOR (3)
· Serbian Govt calls upon IDPs to register for local elections in Kosovo (4)
· Riinvest to be included in team for Kosovo spatial plan (4)
· Gërmenji: Statement by Macedonian officials is not true (5)
· Serb Orthodox Church accuses UNMIK of arresting a nun in Gracanica (5)
· Zogu: National unification yes, but through peaceful means (5)
· [Macedonia] Buckovski: The obvious lies of the police (6)
· A dramatic speech by Fatmir Limaj (7)
· General Lute: Responsibility falls on Kosovars, less on internationals (8)
· Serbs protest in northern Mitrovica (11)

24 Orë

· When liberators are held in prisons it means killing freedom (1)
· Kosumi: New political opinion will triumph in Kosovo (1,4)
· Bugajski: Five reasons for an independent Kosovo (1,3)
· Stoiber's helicopter had technical problems (2)
· Dawson: This winter Kosovo has no hope for power supply (2)
· Macedonia is trying to create tensions with Albania (2)
· Leka Zogu: Statement by Macedonian officials is not true (2)
· Ajvazi: Steiner, political stagnation in Blackbird Field, Serbs… (3)
· Serbs protest in Mitrovica, Steiner cancels visit (10)

Belgrade Media Highlights

B92/Fonet: UNMIK says Ivanovic was told of charges
The UN administration has reiterated that prominent Kosovo Serb political leader Milan Ivanovic was personally informed of the warrant issued for his arrest on charges of attempted murder. Ivanovic yesterday denied he had been informed of the indictment on July 30. Simon Haselock, the director of UNMIK's information office, insisted the authorities would not give in to Serb protests in Kosovska Mitrovica. He insisted the judicial proceedings against the Mitrovica physician would be transparent. Ivanovic, the Chairman of SNC for northern Kosovo, remains in hiding.

Glas/Beta: Steiner against new borders
In an interview to TV Kosovo, SRSG Michael Steiner said he supported functional institutions that would be capable of governing the province before talks on the final status of Kosovo begin. He said he had a strategic plan for resolving the situation in Kosovska Mitrovica and expressed the hope that both parts of the town would unite and that there would be a single legal system functioning in Kosovo.

Politika/Tanjug: Steiner cancels visit to Mitrovica
Although it was announced earlier on Friday that SRSG Michael Steiner will visit northern Kosovska Mitrovica, and walk in its streets, and then sit down at a local cafe, UNMIK Spokesperson in Pristina Susan Manuel said that the visit had been cancelled. Manuel did not give the reasons why Steiner's visit was cancelled, after members of UN police and KFOR previously attempted to arrest a prominent Serb resident of Mitrovica, Dr Milan Ivanovic, which led to protests by several thousand people. In Mitrovica as well as its access roads new, reinforced control points have been set up.

Nacional: Steiner says Ivanovic will be caught
"We have waited for a long time but now we have evidence against Milan Ivanovic. This is the opinion of the investigative judge. If he shows up anywhere, Ivanovic will be arrested," said SRSG Michael Steiner. "Ivanovic can go to Serbia but this is not the most interesting alternative. We offer Ivanovic a fair process and treatment. I think he can also stay in northern Mitrovica in detention. If he is sure of his innocence or if there is no evidence of his guilt, he will be released."

Glas:Covic:Unnecessary provocation
Head of the CCK Nebojsa Covic said that the attempted arrest of SNC for northern Kosovo Chairman Milan Ivanovic was a completely unnecessary provocation. "We had nothing to do with that nor did we any information about it. All our activities will be put on hold until we get a clarification about all this," Covic told RTS. He added that he expected this clarification to come from SRSG Michael Steiner and stressed that he had already received a promise that everything would be clarified. Covic confirmed that the signing of the protocol on the license plates would be postponed "until further notice, i.e. until we see what is really going on."

Politika/Tanjug: Serbs protest in Mitrovica
Several thousand Serbs protested in central Kosovska Mitrovica on Friday against the attempted arrest of Milan Ivanovic. On behalf of the Doctors' Association, Dr Milena Cvetkovic said that the Kosovska Mitrovica hospital's association had sent a protest letter to top UN officials, including UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, as well as numerous institutions in Belgrade and Pristina. Among other things, they called for dropping all charges against Dr Ivanovic, since this was a political game.

Politika: Ivanovic: Court is biased, I will not respond
Milan Ivanovic, whom the UNMIK police unsuccessfully tried to arrest on the night between Aug 7-8, told Tanjug on Friday that he did not intend to surrender voluntarily. "I was never in possession of firearms nor have I ever done anything illegal, but I do not intend to surrender because I do not trust the UNMIK judiciary," Ivanovic said. He explained that he was interested in a "fair and honest trial" and said he would respond to a summons only with guarantees from Belgrade.

Danas: Regarding nationalized land in Decani
After nine consecutive sessions, a local court in Kosovo has re-nationalized two plots of land previously belonging to a Serbian Orthodox monastery. In 1997, the Serbian government returned the 23 hectares of land to the Visoki Decani monastery, ruling that the plots had been illegally nationalized along with 700 hectares under the former socialist Yugoslavia. The local court, now presided over by judge Haki Balaj, ruled on Friday that the land should again come under state control. Father Teodosije, the head of the monastery, said he would demand from the UN administration in Kosovo to protect this last Serb enclave in the Decani municipality.

Politika: Protests over Prioress' detention
The information service of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) said on Friday, in reaction to the detention of the Mother Superior of Gracanica convent, that prioress Efrosinia was arrested on the evening of Aug 7, and questioned by a German police inspector until close to midnight, under suspicion that cannabis was being grown in the convent compound. After she was harassed and humiliated at the police station, the Mother Superior was compelled to issue a public denial of these absurd charges, in an attempt to preserve her honour before the whole world, the honour of the sisters over which she watches, and the honour of the Serbian church and the people who follow it, the statement said.

Blic/Beta/Tanjug: UNMIK confirmed mental patients abused
UNMIK Spokeswoman Susan Manuel has acknowledged the accuracy of the reports by the US NGO, Mental Disability Rights International, in which UNMIK is accused of not preventing the physical and sexual abuse of mental patients as well as keeping them in filthy and humiliating conditions. Manuel told BBC Radio that the problem was that most of the patients were not Kosovo Albanians, and could not be released or treated outside the existing institutions, for they would find themselves in a hostile environment and could be in grave danger. Describing the conditions in which several hundred mentally ill patients were at present residing in Stimlje, most of them Serbs, the executive manager of Mental Disability Rights International, Eric Rosenthal, said that the stench was horrid, that everything was covered with flies and that patients were lying on the floors. Also, inadequately trained staff administers to patients high dosage medicine and as a consequence, some of them make suicide attempts, Rosenthal said.

Vecernje Novosti: Serbian government calls on IDPs to register
The Serbian government urged all IDPs to respond by August 17 to the call for additional registration of voters, organized by the Serbian Commission for Refugees in cooperation with the OSCE. Only registered voters have the right to take part in the municipal elections in Kosovo scheduled for October 26, as well as in all future elections in the province. Registration itself does not mean an obligation to vote, the government said.

Glas/Beta: Armed extremists arrested
Members of the international force in Kosovo on Thursday arrested 19 people in the search for armed extremists, KFOR announced. The operation was reportedly carried out with the aim of destroying extremists along the border with Macedonia. This part of Kosovo is populated exclusively by Albanians.

Meetings & Activities

The Press Section of UNMIK Office in Belgrade attended the weekly DS press conference given by the party's Vice President Boris Tadic. He pointed out that the attempted arrest of Milan Ivanovic was just another drop of fuel added to the fire, which made the difficult Kosovo situation even worse. He expressed his conviction that Milan Ivanovic had committed no crime and hoped that everything was one big misunderstanding. "The current situation could be overcome if both the international community and the local Serbs show an increased level of tolerance and mutual understanding," said Tadic.