DPI - Local Media Monitoring

Media Analysis 14 October 2003

This is how Holkeri imagined the Vienna meeting and negotiations (Zëri)
Patten: Dialogue has nothing to do with Kosovo's final status (Zëri)
Rugova and Daci take responsibility for Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Shala: Old wisdoms and new mistakes (Zëri)
Bajrami: The poor international lessons (Koha Ditore)
Ahmeti: No turning back from implementation of Ohrid agreement (Zëri)
Government is going to ask for Assembly consent even for other stages of talks with Belgrade (Zëri)
Editorial: Talks towards failure (Kosova Sot)
Minister Goran Bogdanovic on privatisation (Koha Ditore)

Belgrade Media Update

Belgrade-Pristina talks begin (Beta)
Kosovo Serbs reject Pristina delegation (B92)
Former foes set their stalls (B92/Beta)

This is how Holkeri imagined the Vienna meeting and negotiations (Zëri)
Zëri claims to have a copy of the 'confidential' scenario prepared by Kosovo chief administrator Harri Holkeri on the flow of direct talks between Prishtina and Belgrade.

Zëri claims that this is in fact the draft that SRSG Holkeri had presented to political and party leaders in Kosovo at their latest joint meeting on October 8th. Citing reliable sources Zëri claims that the draft didn't undergo any changes except for the composition of the Kosovar delegation.

Apart from the first meeting, in Holkeri's draft it was written that direct dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade will be held under supervision of the SRSG in full accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1244. The guarantees of this dialogue are George Robertson, Javier Solana, Hap De Scheffer and Chris Patten.

Dialogue will deal with practical issues of mutual interest. Basic initiatives for discussion between the working groups are: cooperation in the field of electricity, cooperation on missing persons, return of refugees and cooperation on communication and transport. Four working groups will discuss these four topics that present agenda of the dialogue.

The paper further reported that the dialogue will comprise of plenary sessions and working groups. Plenary sessions will be chaired by the SRSG or representatives that are appointed by him, while each working group will have a chairperson appointed by the SRSG after consultations with entities and guarantors.

The plenary sessions will determine the subjects to be discussed by the working groups, while the working groups will from time to time address the plenary sessions and seek guidelines.

The paper reportedly said that a plenary session may be convened by the SRSG as per requirements after consultations with entities and guarantors. A plenary session will be convened six months after the first meeting between Prishtina and Belgrade in order to discuss the progress achieved, while the working groups will be convened at least once per month.

Zëri analyzes three reasons that might cause failure of the dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade.

First, the dialogue hasn't got time limits and doesn't lay down measures/mechanism for determining success on the four main subjects contained in the initial agenda. With the fact that after six months UNMIK proposes to have the second plenary session (with presence of the highest officials from Prishtina and Belgrade) means that agenda on talks might be changed.

Second, talks fully depend on the goodwill of both sides that must reach an agreement on every problematic issue. In this sense, even new agenda, or proposals for new subjects for the dialogue should get support of both sides in order to become part of the agenda.

Third, among the guarantors there aren't the Contact Group and US that were the prime elements of the negotiation process during the war in Kosovo. The US and other Contact Group members could offer their support for talks, if this is a demand by both entities, however the Contact Group members are not an unavoidable part of this process. Even now we can imagine what would be achieved if US and other western countries do not apply pressure on both sides to reach a certain agreement.

With these proposals for talks it would be very difficult e.g. for Belgrade to recognize number plates, IDs, and Kosovo's travel documents. We aren't talking about other delicate issues that are related to the missing persons. What would we achieve with these talks that are beginning today in Vienna?

Most probably, dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade will not go beyond symbolic happenings, which will produce short-term results. This is an episode that needs to be gone through necessarily in order to realize the impossibility of resolving the Kosovo issue without getting the US and the Contact Group to chair the process.

Patten: Dialogue has nothing to do with Kosovo's final status (Zëri)
Zëri carried an interview with EU High Commissioner Chris Patten who commented on the meeting in Vienna and talks between Prishtina and Belgrade representatives. 'It would be wrong to expect the resolution of Kosovo's final status. This issue is simply not in the current agenda. Don't listen to anyone telling you that these talks are a secret way to pave the future path for Kosovo in one way or another: these are only technical issues that have nothing to do with Kosovo's final status,' Patten was quoted as saying.

Why is it so important for the European Union for dialogue on practical issues between authorities from Kosovo and Serbia to start now?
The best reason for Prishtina and Belgrade to start dialogue on issues of mutual interest and without any further delays is that these talks would help improve the lives of people in Serbia and Kosovo. The EU favours this because we believe that neighbours regardless of their history need to work in preserving good relations and solve their differences through talks. We do this within the EU, and we highly recommend it to our friends. Certainly the technical answer to your question 'why now' is that the EU Summit on Western Balkans in Thessaloniki, which was held in June this year, decided that talks should start as soon as possible. This is also happening because dialogue is a high priority for Mr. Holkeri, the new SRSG who was appointed by mid-August.

People in Kosovo believe that the dialogue has been imposed, it hasn't been prepared well, and that it is not going to have chances for success and that sooner or later it is going to fail, and that in comparison to other shortcuts, many issues of the agenda haven't been solved despite the tremendous efforts of the former SRSGs? What guarantees does the EU have for successful results of dialogue?
Let us be clear before we continue, this dialogue is not being imposed by Europe. The decision to enter into dialogue was taken by Prishtina and Belgrade - and in general it is in their interest to guarantee success. The 14th October meeting is going to start the process, but the major things are going to take place in the Working Groups of experts, and each group will focus on a special issue, such as energy and transport. These working groups are going to be assisted by assistants and experts, and in the meantime the delegations are going to have plenty of time for preparations. Certainly we are going to work on more difficult issues. But the fact that Prishtina and Belgrade are going to sit around the same table to discuss practical issues to improve the daily lives for their citizens is a real step forward. I don't know if you can guarantee that dialogue is going to be successful when you first sit and talk to a new partner. The key is for everyone that comes to the table to have goodwill. The EU and the rest of the international community are going to support talks, and provide much more than just moral support. If there are concrete ways for us to help and make these talks successful, we are going to do that.

The Kosovo Government has several times stated that this is not an equal position for the start of dialogue with the Government of Serbia and Montenegro, the latter having free hand in the decision-making process. Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi has recently said that the Kosovo Government lacks sufficient competencies to enter into dialogue, because the decision-making authority is far beyond its reach. Can the position of unequal parties present a serious obstacle to honest dialogue and especially for successful dialogue?
The provisional institutions of Kosovo are not going to be alone in talks. The Kosovar delegation will include representatives from UNMIK and the PISGs and you can rest assured that UNMIK will surely support and assist the PISGs when the need arises. It is important not to forget that these are technical talks that can be held by technical experts, and not politicians.

Kosovars believe that the role of the SRSG as a mediator in dialogue is not needed, because at the same time Mr. Holkeri is the highest authority in Kosovo, with full authorities in decision-making in all areas. What were the main criteria of the EU and the Contact Group to give this role to the SRSG?
Mr. Holkeri is indeed the highest authority in Kosovo, but he also represents the United Nations. Therefore, he has the role as UN Special Representative to promote the process of dialogue.

Do you have any expectations about the time when dialogue on practical issues could end? Or is it possible that these results could affect the time for talks on Kosovo's final status?
There is no special framework or a certain timeframe for dialogue. What stands is that dialogue must start and both parties must hold constructive discussions, with the aim of reaching a common agreement for the good of their citizens. Let me repeat: there is no connection between technical dialogue and the final status of Kosovo.

Rugova and Daci take responsibility for Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that while on the one hand PDK leader Hashim Thaçi has refused the invitation of the Quint representatives to go to Vienna, on the other hand Ibrahim Rugova and Nexhat Daci said that they would make a dignified representation of Kosovo and added that the biggest political party was taking responsibility of leadership.

Koha Ditore quotes President Rugova as saying that he was going to Vienna so that Kosovo was not accused by the international community for refusing to talk to its neighbours.

He added that majority of the people favoured his traveling to Vienna and also said that the Kosovo state and its institutions are functioning. 'Decision to go to Vienna is taken in accordance with the Constitutional Framework competencies in order to represent all citizens and also on the basis of the international community's demand that Kosovo must participate in the talks for practical issues in Vienna,' Rugova said.

The Kosovo assembly speaker Nexhat Daci tried to convince reporters that adequate preparations had been made by the Kosovo delegation before the meeting in Vienna.

'I am convinced that Kosovo will be represented with dignity as it is deserving and I have no fear and hesitation that we will not be represented properly. I am saying always that Kosovo's citizens have no reason to be concerned about our representation in Europe and America,' Daci was quoted as saying.

The paper reported that in the delegation from Kosovo inter-ministerial coordinator Milorad Todorovic and Minister of Health Resmije Mumxhiu were not included. Todorovic was quoted as saying that his absence would reduce the talks in Vienna to merely a dialogue between Albanians and Serbs.

'AAK considers that UNMIK's improvisation on dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and improvisation from the locals about participation in these talks have created a grave political situation,' said a press release issued by the AAK, Koha Ditore reported.

Shala: Old wisdoms and new mistakes (Zëri)
In a front-page editorial in Zëri, Blerim Shala wrote, 'The current regime in Kosovo has failed to create a decision-making mechanism toward UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri's offer for the start of talks with representatives of Serbia and Montenegro'.

There is a saying that after battle everyone becomes a General. Since we hope that we are through with wars once and for all, it is better to recall our saying: When the carriage is broken, paths can be found.

Referring to old sayings is usually done at times when there is a lack of new wisdom, or when we cannot adapt to new circumstances.

We all know what we are talking about. The current regime in Kosovo has failed to create a decision-making mechanism toward UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri's offer for the start of talks with representatives of Serbia and Montenegro. There can surely be plenty of sustainable criticism about the way UNMIK has dealt with this issue, but we fear that this isn't going to mitigate the burden of non-functioning of local institutions. They came out unorganized, confused, irresponsible and weak. Surely all that can be done in such cases is say a 'Yes' or a 'No' to Holkeri's proposal.

In fact, this is not the first time that the work of local authorities is reduced to the point of having to accept or refuse an offer or proposal from UNMIK or someone else.

When former SRSG Michael Steiner presented the concept 'Standards before Status', our politicians instead of preparing their package of standards and before addressing the issue of who is competent to fulfill those standards, began the game of refusing and accepting this concept. The way things stand right now, not even old wisdom would come handy because the leading politicians in Kosovo cannot even agree that the carriage is broken and that new paths must be sought.

Bajrami: The poor international lessons (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore runs an editorial by Agron Bajrami who notes that many things were said about the meeting in Vienna in the last couple of days in Prishtina, Belgrade and in international centers. 'I don't believe that there is anything left unsaid. Furthermore, some things were said, which I believe would be better not said. Mainly in Belgrade, but in Prishtina, too. And I believe that what helps the least in learning about functioning democracy in a society are the threats of grave consequences - some people almost mentioned the word sanctions - for not participating in the Vienna meeting'

If Kosovo were at war with Serbia, and if the meeting in Vienna were the turning point in stopping the war, then I believe the grave threats by the internationals would make sense. Citing 'the will of the international community' (if there is such a thing), as undisputed, threats like the one from the head of the German Office in Pristina, Peter Rondorf, or the ones from the EU officials in Brussels, implied the indirect message that wishes of Brussels are non-negotiable, even when they are in opposition to local will or a healthy logic.

And this case should serve as a lesson for us Kosovars as to the approach of a part of EU toward smaller players in Europe, and the impact this could have on leaders of Kosovo institutions.

Such a behavior, from those that Kosovo keeps as models in building its new democracy, has many long-term consequences, worse than can be seen today. We can only imagine situations in which a decision by the local authorities, no matter how acceptable, is followed by threats by the same institutions that that decision should by all means be executed, and as such is indisputable. If this approach is acceptable and tolerable for a German representative, like diplomat Rondorf, why isn't it acceptable, for example, for a mayor, or a parliamentary speaker, or head of a government in Kosovo?

Dialogue in Vienna, whatever results and pictures to come, still serves as a case from which we can learn a lot. And one of the important lessons is that we should not imitate everything that comes from those we use as models of democracy. If we are to imitate something, for example, we can take the statements of the head of the US office Marcie Ries, or head of the British Office Mark Dickinson, whose message, although in line with the position of Brussels and Mr Rondorf, does not contain the useless threat unacceptable for democratic societies.

At the end of the day, I do not think such a threat would have changed the mind of the Swedish about not joining the Euro zone.

Ahmeti: No turning back from implementation of Ohrid agreement (Zëri)

Zëri reports about visits of Ali Ahmeti, head of BDI (Democratic Union for Integration)in various municipalities in Macedonia. 'Any digression from the course of the framework-agreement will be bad for all' he said while asking students, professors, parents and officials of the University of Tetovo not to take hasty steps to prevent it from final official recognition.

In order to have a direct meeting with the people and members of his party, Ali Ahmeti head of BDI, together with some associates, visited Gostivari Sunday. He informed them that BDI is working for the integration of Albanians in the society, and for the integration of Macedonia in NATO and the EU.

A good part of his speech was about the Ohrid agreement and processes deriving from it. 'No turning back from it' he said. 'Any digression from its course will be bad for all'. As an unfinished job regarding the agreement he mentioned decentralization of power and adoption of laws to regulate that. Talking about the employment project in the state administration, Ahmeti said that it is an EU project and that EU experts are going to select candidates, and that priority is going to be given to fighters of former NLA, war invalids capable of doing administrative jobs and women.

In one of his meetings, he asked professors, parents and officials of the University of Tetovo not to take hasty steps to prevent it from final recognition. He also promised help for small and medium enterprises, facilitation for getting loans and creation of job opportunities.

Answering a question by a citizen concerning the action to hand over weapons, Gëzim Ozdreni, party secretary, asked citizens to hand over arms, since as he said, they do not serve security, but are used to kill each other. They also took the opportunity to ask for more cooperation from the public in apprehending masked people, thieves and criminals.

Government is going to ask for Assembly consent even for other stages of talks with Belgrade (Zëri)

Zëri carries an article on how the Government is to involve in other stages of the talks with Belgrade. 'These talks are important, but I am not happy with the process and planning' the PM is quoted to have said, adding 'after the return of Kosovo delegation from Vienna, the Government will take the leading role, but after the Assembly has taken the decision'.

Incomplete representation of Kosovo in the Vienna meeting has raised many reactions from political parties, which in fact failed to harmonize their stances before technical talks with Belgrade. On the other hand, neither UNMIK nor the local government have given explanations as to how the Government of Kosovo could involve in the next stages of the talks after Vienna. Local officials think that conditions are not yet ripe, and unless we have the Assembly consent, according to these governmental sources, no one has the mandate to start these contacts with Belgrade.

In the meantime, another government official has said that the executive will in time review the possibility of its experts taking part in working groups. 'My priority is to lead the country, not to lead negotiations' the PM is quoted as saying.

In fact, after the PM's refusal to take part in Vienna, chief of UNMIK, Harri Holkeri has expressed hope for the inclusion of local institutions in implementing solutions that will be achieved by the working groups, for issues that are really technical, writes Zëri.
On the effects of Kosovo's representation in Vienna, without harmonized stances, the three major parties have reacted in the following manners:

LDK considers it is important for the highest institutions to take part in political processes and that it is in the interest of Kosovo and its future. PDK blames Daci for all confusions about Vienna and says he does not have the mandate to represent Kosovo in the talks. AAK calls the talks improvisations that aggravate the situation. Officials from these parties stated a few days ago that if Pristina was partially represented in Vienna, that could lead to eruption of internal crisis in Government.

Editorial: Talks towards failure (Kosova Sot)
Kosovo Sot in a front-page editorial commented on the dialogue and why the dialogue may fail.

There exist two theses: One is talking about the correctness of the decision for representing Kosovo and 'to justify ourselves' before the international community. Supporters of this idea are President Rugova and Assembly Speaker Daci, who couldn't succeed in organizing a Kosovar delegation. The second thesis has already failed because it required postponement of the dialogue. All those people that felt unprepared to sit and talk with Serbs without having a strategy and internal strategy supported the latter. The first option took place because of pressure from the international community and its also proves that Kosovo is not led by its leaders.

What is going to happen after the first meeting in Vienna? It is difficult to believe that dialogue can be successful without the presence of the [Kosovo] government. The only way to continue these talks is the downfall of Rexhepi's office and the continuing of the mission by the LDK. But there are numerous obstacles in this. The major obstacle is called the Constitutional Framework.

Minister Goran Bogdanovic on privatisation (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reported on an interview that the Belgrade media conducted with the Kosovo Minister of Agriculture Goran Bogdanovic on privatisation process.

In an interview given to the daily paper Glas Javnosti the Minister of Agriculture Goran Bogdanovic said that the KTA has sold 22 companies, and not only two, as the Coordination Center for Kosovo economic department announced this week. He said that Albanians who bought these companies had already paid for them, so it is difficult to expect that their sale will be revoked.

As reasons for the decision by the EU and UNMIK to temporarily abolish the privatisation of socially owned and public companies in Kosovo and Metohija, Bogdanovic states the stipulations from UNSCR 1244, according to which UNMIK has only the right to administer, but not to dispose with the property in this region of Serbia.

'The privatization concept implemented by UNMIK has not respected the economic principles that property that is being sold also has a passive ownership. Trustees, usually companies and enterprises from Serbia, have not been present, so only a separated part of the company, without its debts, is being sold according to this model', Bogdanovic was quoted as saying.

Belgrade Media Update

Belgrade-Pristina talks begin (Beta)
Talks began this morning between Belgrade and Pristina in Vienna, the first official meeting of representatives of the two sides since the war in Kosovo ended.
Having cancelled plans to depart last night, the Belgrade delegation left for Austria early this morning, in time for the meeting to get underway at 9.15 in the Austrian Government's headquarters in the Hofburg Palace. It was touch-and-go last night on whether the delegation would leave at all, after the head of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo dropped two Kosovo Government ministers, including the only Serb, from the Pristina delegation. After a flurry of phone calls, Belgrade confirmed it would attend, but with a reduced line-up comprising only Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic and the head of Belgrade's Coordination Centre for Kosovo, Nebojsa Covic. Serbia-Montenegro President Svetozar Marovic and Minorities Minister Rasim Ljajic will not attend. UN governor Harri Holkeri had earlier dropped Kosovo Returns Coordinator Milorad Todorovic and Health Minister Resmija Mumdziu from the Pristina delegation, after the province's Prime Minister, Bajram Rexhepi, refused to attend. Instead, Pristina is represented by President Ibrahim Rugova and Parliament Speaker Nexhat Daci.
Today's preliminary meeting is expected to last three hours, and will be held in the presence of a number of top international officials, including the EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana and NATO Secretary-General George Robertson.
Four issues are on the agenda: traffic, energy, the fate of the missing and the return of displaced people. Opening the meeting, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel said he hoped the dialogue would help ease tensions in the region. He urged participants to follow the example of President Marovic and his Croatian counterpart Stjepan Mesic, who recently exchanged apologies for the sufferings of their peoples during the war in Croatia.

Kosovo Serbs reject Pristina delegation (B92)
Serb leaders in Kosovo have issued a statement distancing themselves from the Pristina delegation attending talks with Belgrade today. "This is a mono-ethnic delegation comprising only Kosovo Albanians, and as such it cannot represent other national communities in Kosovo, and especially not the Kosovo Serbs", said the statement from the Serb National Council of Kosovo. Kosovo Returns Coordinator Milorad Todorovic, a representative of the Serb population, was dropped from the delegation yesterday after Kosovo Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi refused to attend the talks in Vienna. The UN chief in Kosovo, Harri Holkeri, had reportedly said it would be inappropriate for any member of the government to attend without the prime minister.

Former foes set their stalls (B92/Beta)
Belgrade and Pristina have clashed over the future of Kosovo at the start of talks between the former warring sides in Vienna. "My country Kosovo" wants to become a part of the European Union and NATO, Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova said in his opening address. "This means a democratic, peaceful and independent Kosovo". But Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic made it clear that Belgrade recognized Kosovo only as "one of its parts". "There can be no dialogue if it is not clear to everyone that we are not talking as representatives of two states," he said. The international community has limited the scope of these talks to technical matters: energy, transport, the fate of the missing and the return of the displaced. The most contentious issue - the future status of the province - will not be on the agenda. Both delegations have been reduced to two members each, after the Kosovo prime minister refused to attend. The Pristina delegation had been expected to include one Serb representative, the government's Returns Coordinator Milorad Todorovic. But the head of the UN mission in Kosovo reportedly said it would be inappropriate for any member of the government to attend without the prime minister. Covic today criticized Todorovic's absence. "How do the gentlemen who rule Kosovo today expect to create a multiethnic Kosovo if they cannot, do not, want to appear in public with a multiethnic line-up?"
Kosovo's Albanian leaders in turn accused Belgrade of supporting parallel institutions in the province that were undermining the UN mission and the Kosovo government. Rugova said however that in launching a dialogue the Kosovo authorities want to "launch the process of positive neighborly relations with Serbs such as it has already with its other neighbors". He expressed hope that Serbia would apologize for the "massacres committed during the war". A number of top international officials are also in attendance, including EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and NATO Secretary-General George Robertson. In his opening remarks Solana noted the difficulties in getting both sides to the table: "It was not easy for the two sides to come together. Particularly in Pristina, the last few days have been turbulent. Clearly there are still great hesitations to engage in talks with the former enemy, and misguided notions that Pristina could somehow continue to isolate itself from any contacts with Belgrade". He also emphasized the importance of Kosovo and its future stability: "Kosovo is at the heart of the Balkans, not only geographically, but also in the political and security sense". "The course of events in Kosovo can have strong consequences for the neighboring states. The launching of the dialogue is an important progress on the path to the Balkan region's greater stability."

· Main Stories 14 October 2003

· This is how Holkeri imagined the Vienna meeting and negotiations (Zëri)
· Rugova and Daci take responsibility for Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
· Rugova and Daci will not sign any document (Koha Ditore)
· Patten: Dialogue has nothing to do with Kosovo's final status (Zëri)
· Editorial: Numerous problems and one dialogue (Zëri)
· PDK leader Thaçi refuses Quint's offer to travel to Vienna (Zëri)
· Daci doesn't have the mandate to represent the assembly (Zëri)
· AAK: Improvisations regarding talks led to difficult political situation (Zëri)
· Shala: Old wisdom and new mistakes (Zëri)
· Bajrami: The poor international lessons (Koha Ditore)
· Editorial: Talks towards failure (Kosova Sot)
· Morina: Rexhepi's 'personal decision' or his political conflict with Thaçi

Kosovo Media Highlights

Koha Ditore quotes President Rugova as saying that he was going to Vienna so that Kosovo was not accused by the international community for refusing to talk to its neighbors.

Rugova and Daci will not sign any document (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore quotes two UNMIK officials, who preferred to remain anonymous as saying that UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri, President Ibrahim Rugova and Assembly Speaker Nexhat Daci were going to represent Kosovo in the Vienna meeting.

The same officials said that the Albanian and Serb leaders would have thirty minutes each to voice their opinions and positions, and that there are not going to be any documents to sign.

Patten: Dialogue has nothing to do with Kosovo's final status (Zëri)
In an interview for Zëri, EU High Commissioner Chris Patten was quoted as saying, 'It would be wrong to expect the resolution of Kosovo's final status. This issue is simply not in the current agenda. Don't listen to anyone telling you that these talks are a secret way to pave the future path for Kosovo in one way or another: these are only technical issues that have nothing to do with Kosovo's final status'. [full translation in Media Analysis]

Editorial: Numerous problems and one dialogue (Zëri)
'The biggest loser is the idea of talks between Prishtina and Belgrade. Everyone says that the first meeting in Vienna is a meeting of political symbolic. After this meeting, when the main chapter of practical talks will be opened, UNMIK and westerners are going to realize that there is no one to represent the Kosovar side, because based on the message of Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi, the Government of Kosovo doesn't plan to enter these talks,' says an opinion piece by the editorial office. [full translation in Media Analysis]

PDK leader Thaçi refuses Quint's offer to travel to Vienna (Zëri)
Zëri claims that before the departure of the Kosovar delegation to Vienna, the representatives of the Quint countries have continued their efforts to compose the delegation from a wider political spectrum. Zëri claims that the Quint representatives met PDK leader Hashim Thaçi, in an attempt to convince him to join the Kosovar delegation. However, the meeting was unsuccessful because the PDK leader refused to go to Vienna.

PDK assembly group: Daci doesn't have mandate to represent assembly (Zëri)
Zëri reports that the parliamentary group of the Kosovo Democratic Party (PDK) held an extraordinary meeting yesterday. The parliamentary group issued a press release saying that Kosovo Assembly speaker Nexhat Daci doesn't have the mandate to represent Kosovo in Vienna.

AAK: Improvisations regarding talks have led to a difficult political situation (Zëri)
Zëri reports that the chairmanship of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) yesterday discussed the latest developments in Kosovo and assessed that the current political situation is grave.

A press release issued by the AAK chairmanship noted that UNMIK's improvisations on talks between Kosovo and Serbia and improvisations by local representatives have created a grave political process in Kosovo.

Shala: Old wisdoms and new mistakes (Zëri)
In a front-page editorial in Zëri, Blerim Shala writes, 'The current regime in Kosovo has failed to create a decision-making mechanism toward UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri's offer for the start of talks with representatives of Serbia and Montenegro'.

'When former SRSG Michael Steiner presented the concept 'Standards before Status', our politicians instead of preparing their package of standards and before addressing the issue of who is competent to fulfill those standards, began the game of refusing and accepting this concept. The way things stand right now, not even old wisdom would come to hand because the leading politicians in Kosovo cannot even agree that the carriage is broken and that new paths must be sought'. [full translation in Media Analysis]

Bajrami: The poor international lessons (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore runs an editorial by Agron Bajrami who notes that many things were said about the meeting in Vienna in the last couple of days in Prishtina, Belgrade and in international centers. 'I don't believe that there is anything that was left unsaid. Furthermore, some things were said, which I believe would be better if left unsaid. Mainly in Belgrade, but even in Prishtina. And I believe that what helps the least in learning about functioning democracy in a society were the threats of grave consequences - some people almost mentioned the word sanctions - for not participating in the Vienna meeting'. [full translation in Media Analysis]

Editorial: Talks towards failure (Kosova Sot)
'What is going to happen after the first meeting in Vienna? It is difficult to believe that dialogue can be successful without the presence of the [Kosovo] government. The only way to continue these talks is the downfall of Rexhepi's office and the continuing of the mission by the LDK. But there are numerous obstacles to do this. The major obstacle is called the Constitutional Framework,' notes a front-page editorial in Kosova Sot.

Morina: Rexhepi's 'personal decision' or his political conflict with Thaçi (Bota)
Bota Sot carries an opinion piece by columnist Bajrush Morina who claims that the fact that Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi is not going to Vienna was not a result of a lack of preparations in his government and institutions, but rather a result of an internal conflict between Rexhepi and PDK leader Hashim Thaçi.

Kosovo Press Headlines
Koha Ditore
Front page
· Rugova and Daci take responsibility of Kosovo
· Dialogue will start: Belgrade's delegation travels today
· Results in Albania: Everybody wins the elections
· Students in disputable premises, legalization is questioned
· Mitrovica students demand return to their building

Other headlines
· Solana travels to Vienna (2)
· Rugova and Daci will not sign any document (3)
· Beqiri talks about new projects (4)
· Sale of enterprises is difficult to cancel (5)
· Taxes weren't sent to the budget (5)
· Mucibaba and Stanicic make easy trade between millions of residents (5)
· Prosecutor has all documents on disappeared diesel (7)
· Gjakova: Municipality should be more effective (7)
· Serbs do not believe in international and local administration (7)
· Center will be returned to citizens (8)
· Thomson: project for repairing local administration is bringing results (9)
· Increase of demands for house and refurbishment (9)
· Bajrami: The poor international lessons (10)

Zëri
Front page
· This is how Holkeri planned Vienna meeting and further negotiations between Prishtina and Belgrade
· Belgrade delegation doesn't go to Vienna?
· Shala: Old wisdom and new mistakes
· Lots of problems and one dialogue
· Patten: Dialogue in Vienna has no relation with final status
· Opposition accepts results, dispute between Durres and Tirana [elections in Albania]
· Albright: We agreed to transfer Kosovo into an international protectorate

Other headlines
· Government to demand approval of assembly on further dialogue (2)
· Participation in Vienna is important for the political processes (2)
· PDK: Daci has no mandate to represent assembly (2)
· AAK: Improvisation regarding dialogue created grave situation in Kosovo (2)
· Rugova: We're going to Vienna so Kosovo is not accused for lack of cooperation (3)
· Todorovic: Holkeri pulled me out of delegation (3)
· Thaçi rejected demand of Quint to travel to Vienna (3)
· LPK supports prime minister and invites to protest (4)
· EU humbled because of Rexhepi's non participation (5)
· EU ministers don't think that Vienna meeting should approve conclusions (5)
· Jashari: Every inclusion of politics will damage our project (6)
· Kosovo's independence will calm Albanians in Macedonia (8)
· Bad decision by the Tetovo University (8)
· Ahmeti: There is no return from Ohrid agreement (9)
· Students: UNMIK uses justice (9)

Bota Sot
Front page
· Kosovo will be represented with dignity in Vienna
· Personal decision or conflict with Thaçi
· We will increase importance of capital
· All preparation for talks are made
· The will of the people of Kosovo for self-determination should be respected in Vienna
· Berisha: PD has won majority of municipalities [Albania]
· Kosovo's map is in option for the logo

Other headlines
· Unity of opinions and harmonization of acts (2)
· Participation in Vienna is important for the political processes (2)
· Rugova represents Kosovo in Vienna talks (3)
· Serbian delegation will participate in Vienna (3)
· Kammerhoff: We are here to make peace, stability and progress (3)
· Lord Robertson participates in Vienna meeting (4)
· Prime minister changes decision without night (5)
· Protest of students in Mitrovica (5)
· It is important for Rugova and Daci to participate (5)
· Political games of left political wing (6)
· Media cheater or hide of the truth (7)
· Students center has 2100 students (9)
· Ahmeti: Senate decision risks legalization of Tetovo University (10)

Kosova Sot
Front page
· Serbians angry with Holkeri, put Vienna meeting in question
· Editorial: Talks toward failure
· PDK call Parliamentary Speaker Daci totalitarian and arbitrary
· Dialogue in question; EU concerned
· 14 of October marked with protests
· Rondorf: Fate of Kosovo will not be solved without talking to Belgrade
· Cohen: Europeans try to delay the independence of Kosovo

Other headlines
· Rugova and Daci talk with Serbs (2)
· Pavle blesses Serbs (2)
· Robertson to take part in Vienna (2)
· Dialogue starts waywardly (3)
· H. Maliqi: Kosovo needs opposition (3)
· Pristina will resemble European capitals (6)
· The idea of the project finalized (6)
· Solution after renovation of two facilities (6)
· KFOR is here to provide security for the people of Kosovo (6)
· Who is keeping privatization in Kosovo hostage? (7)
· Ministers, spend the surplus money, do not allow it to be 'burned' again (7)
· Municipalities eliminated from the process of business registration (8)
· Why was 'Silosi' in Xerxa locked? (8)
· Prizren: 76 % of the municipal budget allocated (8)
· Role of private sector in developing process emphasized (8)
· Vienna dialogue and Resolution 1244 (9)
· Independence or unsolved status? (9)
· Serbia knows about thousands of missing (9)

Epoka e Re
Front page
· First game: Minister of Minorities leads Serbia
· Protests in Pristina today
· "Die Presse" Path toward independence becomes more difficult
· Thaçi again refuses categorically not to go to Vienna
· Nephews go to Vienna to meet with Uncle's children
· Even Natasha did not show up

Other headlines
· How will talks be, how will the meeting last (2)
· Archpriest of Serbia blesses Serb delegation (2)
· Holkeri: Rugova and Daci to have supper together (2)
· Ah, Natasha…! (2)
· Rasim Lajic at the forefront of Serb delegation (3)
· Daci can speak only in his name, say PDK and AAK (4)
· Government in big trouble, say analysts (5)
· Anti-institutionalization is de-factorization (5)
· A new contingent of death returns from Serbia to Kosovo (6)
· Brovina: Missing are not a technical problem, it has to do with genocide (7)
· KMLDNJ: Nothing about the missing in these talks (7)
· Berisha does not recognize the victory of Rama in Tirana (8)
· Kosovars helped the poor as much as they could (9)
· The blind are a normal part of society (9)

Belgrade Media Highlights

· Belgrade nevertheless to send delegation to Vienna (RTS/B92/Tanjug)
· Talks between Belgrade and Pristina commence in Vienna (Glas)
· George Robertson to attend beginning of dialogue in Vienna (Politika/Tanjug)
· To Vienna with blessings (Blic)
· Covic's statement (Danas)
· UNMIK police arrests failed assassin on Covic (Vecernje Novosti)
· Who sells Serb companies in Kosovo and Metohija (Danas)

Belgrade nevertheless to send delegation to Vienna (RTS/B92/Tanjug)
Although the participation of the Serbian state delegation at Tuesday's commencement of talks between Pristina and Belgrade has been a question mark following UNMIK, Head Harri Holkeri's decision not to have a Serb representative in the Pristina delegation, RTS reported in the late evening news that government representatives in Belgrade will nevertheless participate in the talks in the Vienna capital. Although at one point Tanjug even reported that Belgrade would not send its delegation to Vienna citing an unnamed source in the cabinet of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic, the contrary was decided at the end. This decision was followed by intense talks by the top leadership of SaM with representatives of the international community, first of all with the High Representative of the EU Javier Solana. B92 learns that Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic and the Head of the CCK Nebojsa Covic will travel to Vienna. It clearly stems from the letter addressed to the public by SaM President Svetozar Marovic that he will not take part in Tuesday's talks, and that member of the SaM ministerial council Rasim Ljajic will represent the state union: "I am very satisfied that the dialogue will commence and that I, from my side, have contributed for Serbian government representatives to be in Vienna. At one point, this was an open question over the fact that there had been a change in the meantime in the delegation of Kosovo representatives, which could have led to confusion and create suspicion in our joint efforts that the future of this region lies in multi-ethnicity, tolerance and European values. I think it is enough for the state union to be represented by the member of the ministerial council Rasim Ljajic for the beginning of talks. I am ready to personally contribute at any moment to the success and total progress in resolving the issues that will lead the entire region towards democracy and Europization." RTS quotes the written statement by President Marovic.

Talks between Belgrade and Pristina commence in Vienna (Glas)
The minister coordinator in charge of IDPs in the Kosovo government Milorad Todorovic and health minister Resmija Mumjiu will not be in the Pristina delegation. This was confirmed in UNMIK, with the elaboration that there is no sense in anyone from the Kosovo government to travel for talks with Belgrade if the premier had given up from this. On that occasion, Holkeri stated that, since it turned out to be impossible for Kosovo government leaders to be included in the delegation, Kosovo would be represented by President Rugova who is the symbol of unity of multi-ethnic Kosovo. Todorovic and Mumjiu, we unofficially learned, would join the talks later on when real technical talks commence, i.e. when returns, that is, health are discussed. Todorovic confirmed that he would not travel to Vienna, as he was informed about this by UNMIK Head Harri Holkeri. "Our exclusion from the delegation means it will not be multi-ethnic as initially planned by Holkeri, so the meeting in Vienna will be the beginning of Serbian-Albanian talks," warns Todorovic.

George Robertson to attend beginning of dialogue in Vienna (Politika/Tanjug)
NATO Secretary General George Robertson will depart for Vienna for the beginning of the dialogue between the authorities from Belgrade and Kosovo interim institutions, it was officially confirmed at NATO headquarters in Brussels. The presence of NATO leaders at the beginning of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina confirms the importance NATO attaches to this event.

To Vienna with blessings (Blic)
The delegations of Belgrade and Pristina, along with the participation of international community's representatives, will commence in Vienna on Tuesday the dialogue on daily issues of importance for the life of citizens in Kosovo and Metohija. The Serbian government delegation has received the blessing of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle before the beginning of talks in Vienna. "I am sure that our representatives, inspired with the blessing by the Serbian Orthodox Church and the entire Orthodox world, will have enough wisdom, faith and responsibility to fight for justice in Vienna. If Serbia is a temple, then Kosovo is the altar," said Serbian Justice Minister Vladan Batic at the Theological Faculty. Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic has stressed that he will repeat in Vienna that the Serbian authorities "are absolutely unsatisfied with what the international community had fulfilled from the obligations it undertook, first of all regarding the issues of returns and safety."

Covic's statement (Danas)
Nebojsa Covic has stressed that it is important at the beginning of the dialogue in Vienna for the two delegations to agree on the manner of the work of the delegations. Asked whether it was important for Belgrade as to who will sit on the other side of the table in the Hofburg Palace, Covic responded that " it was important who was in the Albanian delegation, but that constant measuring of levels has brought many problems in this region." "We have tried, perhaps for the first time, to come out of that and said we were here sincerely, and that we are completely devoted for talks. We want to conduct that dialogue with Albanian community representatives, we want to see how the international factor is fulfilling its obligations, we won't allow anyone to change USCR 1244 under pressure or extortion in the sense of the delegation's departure," said Covic. Reacting to Rexhepi's refusal to participate, UNMIK spokesperson Izabela Karlowicz has stressed that the dialogue will be led by Ibrahim Rugova. "Rugova is a symbol of the unity of multi-ethnic Kosovo," said Karlowicz. "We hope that, when real technical talks commence in working groups, Kosovo institutions will fully contribute to and help in resolving the issues to be discussed, and which are in direct interest of all Kosovo citizens," she said.

UNMIK police arrests failed assassin on Covic (Vecernje Novosti)
UNMIK police has arrested the main organizer of several failed assassination attempts on Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic, who is to head the "Belgrade delegation" at the negotiations in Vienna. As Novosti unofficially learns, arrested was Adnan Kelmendi, a UN official in our southern province, whose brothers are playing the main role in Ramush Haradinaj's personal security. Kelmendi was detained three-four days ago, but UNMIK police still holds this a secret - possibly over the Vienna negotiations. They are also hiding the fact that he has already confessed everything at the first hearings, and that two of his assistants are on the run. During the search of Kelmendi's apartment, found were several plans for assassinations on Covic, detailed maps and "sketches" of actions that were planned following June. Everything testifies that Kelmendi and his group had information ahead of time on all directions of Covic's movements in that period.

Who sells Serb companies in Kosovo and Metohija (Danas)
Member of the Kosovo Trust Agency and minister in the Kosovo government Goran Bogdanovic has told Danas that the privatization process had been proclaimed illegitimate because the principle of denationalization was not respected, and that companies, which were privatized according to past laws, were also sold. "The method applied by the Kosovo Trust Agency is unacceptable because only healthy companies, like "Trepca-clothing" and hotels and restaurants, are being sold, while production plants remain because nobody is interested in them. The CCK has done a lot towards stopping privatization. We have published in the Serbian media ads calling former employees of these companies to register that they once used to work in these companies, so we can ensure them at least the right to stocks," says Bogdanovic, and adds it was difficult to fight for this right because the international community considers everything that had been happening until 1999, and even hiring employees, was based on discrimination.