29 December 2002

CONTENTS

· Covic and Ivanovic ask internationals to 'discipline' PM Rexhepi
· Serb-Roma coalition 'Movement for Kosovo and Metohija' is formed
· Healthcare Minister Numan Balic gives interview for Koha Ditore
· Trajkovski: Border issue with Kosovo to be solved through US mediation
· Former Macedonian PM announces a radicalization of the situation

Kosovo Media Highlights

Covic and Ivanovic ask internationals to 'discipline' PM Rexhepi (Koha Ditore)

Citing information broadcast by Belgrade-based Beta news agency, Koha Ditore reports that senior Belgrade officials and leaders of Kosovo Serbs have reacted against the statement of Kosovo Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi who said that he expects that Kosovo would become independent in the next year.

Serbian Envoy for Kosovo Nebojsa Covic and Oliver Ivanovic, member of Kosovo Assembly Presidency, said that such statements don't contribute to the stabilization of the situation 'in that part of Serbia and Yugoslavia.'

Covic and Ivanovic also reportedly said: 'Now is the time for an action by the international community, UNMIK, who must undertake preventive measures.'

Serb-Roma coalition 'Movement for Kosovo and Metohija' is formed (Koha)

Koha Ditore reports that the representatives of 20 political parties, civic initiatives and associations of Serbs and Roma from central Kosovo have signed on Saturday in Gracanica a coalition agreement, with the aim of remaining in Kosovo and enabling the return of IDPs to Kosovo.

The initiator of this new political entity in Kosovo is the Serb leader Momcilo Trajkovic. According to Trajkovic, the main objectives of the entity are the solution of problems through compromises, 'but not compromises that lead toward an independent Kosovo.'

UNMIK declares grey and black areas in northern Kosovo (Koha Ditore/B92)

Citing information broadcast by Belgrade-based Radio B92, Koha Ditore reports that UNMIK has informed the services of civil missions in Kosovo that it has made a decision to declare southern Mitrovica a grey area, and northern Mitrovica, including Zvecan and Leposavic, a black area.

Milan Ivanovic, chairman of the Serb National Council for northern Kosovo, said that the decision of UNMIIK is a discrimination of Serbs in those areas. Ivanovic also said that there was no reason whatsoever to make such a decision and that it was directly linked to the demands of Albanians for independence.

Healthcare Minister Balic gives interview for Koha Ditore
Koha Ditore carries an interview with Numan Balic, Minister of Healthcare at the Kosovo Government. Balic said in the beginning of the interview that all rumors claiming that healthcare is the most corrupt institution in Kosovo, are problems inherited from the ex-Department of Healthcare, and by the two co-heads of this department, Hannu Vuori and Pleurat Sejdiu.

'Kosovo constantly faced political and social transition, starting from the Serb administration, the interim government, but I think that the largest number of problems were created during the time of the Department of Healthcare,' said Balic.

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Trajkovski comments on Kosovo status and the marking of the border (Koha)

During an interview for the Macedonian state television, Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski was quoted as saying, 'It is true that I have mentioned the need of the practical implementation of the marking of the entire borderline, including the part with Kosovo, because I think it is a very important issue for Macedonia'.

Commenting on Kosovo, Trajkovski said that the final status is important for the entire region. 'We must develop friendly relations between the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and Kosovo,' added Trajkovski.

Former Macedonian PM announces a radicalization of the situation (Koha)

Koha Ditore carries an interview that former Macedonian Prime Minister Lubce Georgievski gave to the Macedonian weekly newspaper Fokus. 'The actions of the Social Democratic League of Macedonia (LSDM) lead to the radicalization of the situation,' he was quoted as saying. Georgievski also didn't exclude a possible civil war, 'which is a harsh word, but I don't think it is going nice to live in Macedonia'.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page
· A medium salary to celebrate New Year's Eve
· Even Minister Balic is dissatisfied with healthcare
· Serb-Roma coalition 'Movement for Kosovo and Metohija' is formed
· Trajkovski: Border issue with Kosovo to be through with US mediation

Other headlines
· UNMIK declares grey and black areas in northern Kosovo (2)
· Covic and Ivanovic want internationals to 'discipline' PM Rexhepi (3)
· Georgievski announces radicalization of the situation in Macedonia (4)
· Protesters accuse UNMIK of violating KLA and KPC values (8)
· Shaban Dragaj released from military prison in Belgrade (8)

Bota Sot

Front page
· Transfer of competencies from KFOR to local authorities shouldn't be perceived as KFOR withdrawal from Kosovo
· Del Ponte forces Belgrade to handover files of crimes committed against Albanians
· Will Kosovo Police have its secret service?
· Why even after four years the murder of Enver Maloku is not enlightened?
· Three victims are from Malisheva municipality

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Other headlines
· Northern Mitrovica marked as a 'black area' (2)
· PSHDK Youth Forum is formed (2)
· Passing tests in accordance with European laws and regulation on traffic (3)
· Two persons suspected of murder arrested in Gjilan (4)
· A powerful explosion in Tetovo (4)
· Mothers of kidnapped will protest on New Year's Eve (4)
· Do not lose hope for a better future for Kosovo (5)
· Rugova: We want the direct recognition of Kosovo's independence (6)