Media Analysis 22 October 2003

SRSG Harri Holkeri to visit Belgrade today (Zëri)
Shala: The importance of words (Zëri)
Editorial: Standards in 2004, status in 2005 (Zëri)
Jakup Krasniqi: Kosovo has lost a lot in Vienna (Epoka e Re)
Surroi: Carla and the world (Koha Ditore)

Belgrade Media Update

Holkeri sets priorities (Beta)

SRSG Harri Holkeri to visit Belgrade today (Zëri)
Citing information broadcast by Belgrade media, Zëri reported that during a meeting with Serb representatives in Prishtina yesterday, SRSG Harri Holkeri said that during his visit to Belgrade today he was going to talk about technical issues for continuing dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade and that he was not going to yield to Albanian pressure of first resolving Kosovo's final status and then achieving standards.

According to the members of the Serb delegation who met with Holkeri, the UNMIK chief refuted claims that Kosovar provisional institutions were going to get new ministries. Holkeri also reportedly said that for the time being Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi is the only one who opposes dialogue with Belgrade and the appointment of working groups.

'If I wanted to give more competencies to the Government of Kosovo, I would have notified the representatives of the Serb community in Kosovo,' Holkeri was quoted as saying in Serbian media.

Shala: The importance of words (Zëri)
In a front-page editorial for Zëri, Blerim Shala claimed that the relations between UNMIK and local authorities are becoming like the Kosovar winter.

This time we are not going to talk about the Kosovo Power Corporation. In fact, there is nothing to talk about that. The KEK phenomenon has reached the level of X-files for quite sometime now. And this is the reason why only FBI agents can do some good in this case.

We emphasized the level of relations between UNMIK and the local authorities. While so far both sides had shown maturity in their public statements, there have been hostile comments in the last couple of days from both sides. First of all, in an interview for the British media, Prime Minister Rexhepi accused UNMIK of corruption and tolerating prostitution. While UNMIK spokeswoman said the accusations would be seriously taken into account, the spokesperson for UNMIK Police fired back at the Kosovar Prime Minister by making him a clown of coffee bars and a producer of rumors (gossip).

Certainly such a behavior by the spokesperson of UNMIK Police can hardly avoid classifications that are regarded as scandalous. Even if the Prime Minister has said some things which are unacceptable according to UNMIK's point of view, it is intolerable for a representative of the international police to settle the score with the leading Kosovar politician in such a way.

The behavior of the spokesperson of UNMIK Police can only aggravate relations between UNMIK and the Kosovo Government. This is not the way to build partnership between internationals and locals.

Editorial: Standards in 2004, status in 2005 (Zëri)
Zëri carried an editorial, saying:

The preparations for the start of talks between representatives from Kosovo and Serbia and Montenegro among other things has also highlighted the fact that Kosovo's final status could be addressed in 2005. It seems that there is an unannounced agreement between all relevant entities that Kosovo's final status should be resolved in 2005. It is genuinely known that the three-year Agreement of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro end in 2005, and then in 2004 there are going to be elections in Prishtina, Belgrade and presidential elections in the US. Therefore, it is not difficult to conclude that the international administration (UNMIK) has exhausted its possibilities but at the same time there is no great willingness to equip Kosovar authorities with elements of sovereignty before the resolution of the final status because these areas are still in the reserved competencies of the Special Representative of the Secretary General. After all, the process of including Western Balkans in integration processes of the European Union is being held hostage by Kosovo's unresolved status and the undefined fate of the joint state of Serbia and Montenegro.

The impression that the time for resolving Kosovo's final status is getting closer is also accompanied by the reconfirmation of the concept 'Standards before Status', which was announced in spring 2002 by former UNMIK chief Michael Steiner. Therefore, if Kosovo's final status is expected to be addressed in 2005 and if the West still believes in standards before status, then it could be concluded that the standards proposed by Steiner would be finalized by the end of 2004 or until the end of the mandate of the Kosovo Assembly.

The way things stand right now, Kosovars should fulfill standards, despite the fact that there is no criteria to implement them, and there is also no timeframe when this should happen. Without details and a time-frame for fulfilling the standards, without appointing those who should fulfill each standard, 'standards before status' are becoming inefficient political statements. On the other hand, if the details of the standards are given and if Kosovars fulfill most of these standards, then it will be really impossible not to respect the political will of Kosovo citizens.

If 2005 is going to be the crucial year for Kosovo then the deadline for preparing a joint package between UNMIK and local authorities for fulfilling standards is expiring. Kosovar institutions should know what is their obligation, in this respect, it should be done latest by early winter. Otherwise, 2004 is going to be spent uselessly, similar to the stagnation that has been so obvious in the last couple of months.

Jakup Krasniqi: Kosovo has lost a lot in Vienna (Epoka e Re)

Epoka e Re runs an interview with Public Services Minister Jakup Krasniqi who said that the government did not participate in the meeting in Vienna and therefore it cannot take responsibility to continue those meetings.

'I think that before continuing with these talks, the Government of Kosovo should get more competencies and responsibilities for issues to be discussed with the Serbian side, and then the Kosovar delegation will be sovereign because so far it has lacked such sovereignty,' Krasniqi added.

The biggest loss, the paper quotes Krasniqi, is that the elected institutions of Kosovo failed to achieve unity or a common platform for talks with the Serbian side. 'Another loss' Krasniqi said, 'is that Rugova and Daci have privatized institutions that they lead and that they represented Kosovo in Vienna only as citizens and not as representatives of Kosovo institutions.'

Mr Krasniqi how do you assess the Vienna meeting?

'In fact, the Vienna meeting has failed since the Albanian side went there unprepared and uncoordinated, though the main part of the delegation should have been from the Government that did not take part. Therefore, from this point of view, the main responsibility lies with the Government of Kosovo and it's non- participation there means the meeting was a fiasco.'

How do you see the continuation of talks with the Serbian side in the future?

I think that before continuing the talks, the Kosovo Government should get more competencies and responsibilities in areas that will be discussed with the Serbian side.

Recently there have been voices from analysts and some politicians saying publicly that it is high time UNMIK left Kosovo. Do you personally share this opinion?

I am not a big supporter of that idea but I think time has come for the international administration to transfer their competencies to the Kosovo institutions and to take the role of monitoring the development processes. I think that the Kosovo institutions and civil societies should ask for it too.

Surroi: Carla and the world (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore carries an editorial by its publisher Veton Surroi who writes, 'Carla del Ponte will visit the region this week, Serbia and Kosovo. I presume that whatever she is going to tell the authorities is not going to be pleasant. I have known her for a long time and I know that she has only one-way of communication: direct communication. For Kosovars, whatever she says must be respected. The path that she followed from the very beginning was that of principles. And the principles are that war crimes are condemnable, both for individuals and for the society, regardless of who committed them'.

1.
There are two ways contemporary Serbia is treated. One is by the entire western world, and the other is by Carla del Ponte, the chief Prosecutor of The Hague.
The first tries to treat Serbia as a country of Central or Eastern Europe that has come out of communism, and that needs support to build up a democratic country. All the world offices and a small part of international businesses comprise this approach, and they like to say that the tragedy in former Yugoslavia ended with the ongoing trial of Milosevic in Hague. The core message of this approach is that everything should be forgotten as soon as possible, and that the attention should focus on the future.

The second approach says that not everything should be forgotten, on the contrary it should be remembered and pass through a trial process to find out who behaved how in certain moments. The second approach says that Serbia cannot automatically pass from fascism to democracy, since to do that it takes a court seal that would prove that the society has really taken that path.
These two currents are fighting a quiet battle in the West and in Serbia. In the West it is taking place right at the core of liberal democracy notion, according to which power is allocated. One thing will mean an administration, which is in power, and the other will say an independent judiciary that does not owe anything to that administration. So, the big and strong governments can say everyday that Serbia is a democratic country, but an independent judiciary, symbolized by Carla del Ponte means something else. The day before yesterday, by raising charges against four Serb military and police generals, she demonstrated that even after Milosevic, the same people responsible for killing Bosniaks, Croats and Albanians, are still in responsible positions in the Serbian administration.
In Serbia the main battle, without many soldiers at the other side, relates to whether this state can be considered democratic without confronting its past. For a good part of the governing coalition, Serbia should be treated as democratic, since it sent Milosevic to The Hague. For the other part, which is very small in Serbia, this state cannot be considered democratic until it confronts its past, a genocidal past against other nations.

2.
The core of the battle is a definition of the thin line of responsibilities. The German society after the Second World War defined the line between collective and individual guilt as fragile. And it was clear for them that crimes against other nations in WW II were part of the collective guilt of the German people, since they vastly supported Hitler's model of governance, and did not have strength or will to confront the wars against other nations. The blame for these crimes was concrete, be it for a soldier that committed killings or a superior that gave the order.
The same principle should be applied in Serbia, too. It is the same society that supported or did not oppose the expansionist moves of Serbia toward Kosovo and other places for over a decade. It was the same society that elected Milosevic, or that voted for an opposition working for 'Greater Serbia' in elections of the nineties. Of course, the order to kill was given by individuals, but it was the citizens of Serbia who in big numbers provided political support for such things. And, here we have the conflict between (western) offices and Del Ponte. Diplomats might want to forget this part of collective remembrance and focus on 'practical' issues, while Carla del Ponte is trying to show indirectly that societies should build their democracies through condemning their crimes.

3.
Carla del Ponte will be in the region for a week, in Serbia and Kosovo. I think that whatever she has to say, will not be pleasant. I know her for a long time, and I know that she has only one-way of communication: direct communication. For Kosovars, whatever she says must be respected. The path that she followed from the very beginning was that of principles. And the principles are that war crimes are condemnable, both for individuals and for societies, regardless of who committed them. And the sooner they are condemned by a society, the better for it.

I regret her not coming here three weeks ago, when there was a debate in Kosovo on how to have a dialogue with Serbia. While the politics of the day insisted on 'a dialogue on practical issues' the elementary contradiction could have come to surface; pushing a society, like the one of Kosovo, which has not yet cured the wounds of the war, to have a dialogue with a society responsible for that war, and which still keeps the same executors responsible for Kosovo's wounds in key security positions.

None of the serious operators will allow to expire the license (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore ran report on a background briefing with American expert on communication Olivier Dziggel on strength and weaknesses of the law on communication.

Higher prices, limited and poor services, PTK is offering to its consumers in Kosovo. PTK doesn't generate as much revenue as it could.

The American communication expert Oliver Dziggel who works as an adviser at the Ministry of Communication and Transport explained the weaknesses of communication. The international dialing code is the main obstacle and should be the first priority of the Ministry of Transport and Communication to resolve, he said.

He added that there is no single operator in the world who could abandon its most valuable property, license for work. 'It is strange, VALA 900 license has expired and according to the law its operating here illegal. VALA 900 should apply to get the license again,' Dziggel was quoted as saying.

He stressed that VALA 900 services are very expensive and limited in quality compared to neighboring countries. The other operator, Mobtel which offers partial services in Prishtina and in other places operates with UNMIK permission, doesn't have the license and doesn't pay taxes, said Dziggel.

Mobtel's consumer base has increased because of its lower prices compared to VALA 900, the paper reported.

Dziggel assessed that PTK should be under the control of the Ministry of Transport and Communication. 'This will enable the development and reform of the PTK in order to fully prepare it for the next stage of commercialization and full competition in the field of communication,' he said.

Belgrade Media Update

Holkeri sets priorities (Beta)
Kosovo governor Harri Holkeri said today that his three priorities for the province are establishment of the rule of law and a multiethnic society and economic development. Speaking to The Voice of America, Holkeri said that he was continuing the work begun by his predecessor, Michael Steiner. He expressed concern that the international community would forget about Kosovo under the weight of global crises. Holkeri also said that the Kosovo institutions were not yet ready for the authority of the international protectorate to be devolved to them, adding that this was a political issue to be dealt with by the UN Security Council.

Main Stories 22 October
· Holkeri: UNMIK and I cannot solve problems between political parties
· MacShane tells PM Rexhepi to form working groups (Koha Ditore)
· Assembly presidency says changes needed in Kosovar laws (Koha Ditore)
· SRSG Harri Holkeri meets Ombudsperson Marek Nowizki (Koha Ditore)
· Jakup Krasniqi: Kosovo has lost a lot in Vienna (Epoka e Re)
· Surroi: Carla and the world (Koha Ditore)
· Speculations for new indictments precede Del Ponte's visit (Koha Ditore)
· Chappell says Rexhepi's statements were 'coffee gossip' (Zëri)
· Shala: The importance of words (Zëri)
· Editorial: Standards in 2004, status in 2005 (Zëri)
· Azemi: Fake Serbia and the real Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
· Holkeri and Krasniqi inaugurate Institute for Public Administration (Zëri)
· Albanians working for German Office in Prishtina - traffickers (Epoka e Re)
· Rondorf: They are not our workers (Koha Ditore)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Holkeri: UNMIK and I cannot solve problems between political parties (Zëri)
In a front-page interview for Zëri, SRSG Harri Holkeri was quoted as saying, 'I have told the Kosovo Assembly that we are here to become partners. We want to be partners. We would like to assist the political institutions of Kosovo to solve their problems, so that we can move forward. But there is something that we cannot solve. We cannot solve problems between Kosovar political parties. The parties must and can solve those problems by themselves'.

MacShane tells PM Rexhepi to form working groups (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi, who is visiting London, has met with British Secretary for Europe Dennis MacShane.

'I had a constructive meeting with the prime minister. I was encouraged by his commitment for a democratic and multiethnic Kosovo. I voiced my dissatisfaction about his absence in the meeting in Vienna last week, because his absence prevented the participation of a multiethnic delegation from Kosovo. I also asked the prime minister to move forward with working groups, because they are vital for the success of dialogue,' said MacShane. [extensive coverage in Media Analysis]

Assembly presidency says changes needed in Kosovar laws (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that the presidency of the Kosovo Assembly met yesterday and discussed the need to initiate changes in the Constitutional Framework of Kosovo.

Fatmir Sejdiu, member of the assembly presidency, said that changes were needed in the legal framework, 'because in due time every document has to be enriched with new formulations and concrete provisions'.

Koha Ditore reports that members of the assembly presidency said that the assembly should spearhead the process of constitutional changes.

SRSG Harri Holkeri meets Ombudsperson Marek Nowizki (Koha Ditore)
'In Kosovo there are still serious violations of human rights, therefore it is very necessary to have better cooperation between the Ombudsperson Institution and UNMIK,' said Ombudsperson Marek Antoni Nowizki after meeting SRSG Harri Holkeri yesterday.

'We talked about organization and better cooperation because I was not so pleased with my experience with other chief administrators of Kosovo,' Nowizki added.

Jakup Krasniqi: Kosovo has lost a lot in Vienna (Epoka e Re)
Epoka e Re runs an interview with Public Services Minister Jakup Krasniqi who said that the government did not participate in the meeting in Vienna and therefore it cannot take over responsibility to continue those meetings.

'I think that before continuing with these talks, the Government of Kosovo should get more competencies and responsibilities for issues discussed with the Serbian side, and then the Kosovar delegation will be sovereign, because so far it has lacked such sovereignty,' Krasniqi added.

Surroi: Carla and the world (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore carries an editorial by publisher Veton Surroi who writes, 'Carla del Ponte will visit the region this week, Serbia and Kosovo. I presume that whatever she is going to tell the authorities is not going to be pleasant. I have known her for a long time and I know that she has only a one way of communication: direct communication. For Kosovars, whatever she says must be respected. The path that she followed from the very beginning was that of principles. And the principles are that war crimes are condemnable, both for individuals and for the society, regardless of who committed them'. [full translation in Media Analysis]

Speculations for new indictments precede Del Ponte's visit (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that officials of The Hague tribunal have refused to comment on speculations that ICTY Chief Prosecutor would bring at least one indictment against former KLA members during her visit to Prishtina on Thursday.

Koha Ditore also claims that after The Hague tribunal unsealed the indictment against four Serb general for war crimes committed in Kosovo, there are speculations that there are going to be new indictments against Kosovar Albanians.

Chappell says Rexhepi's statements were 'coffee gossip' (Zëri)
Zëri reports that the international civil administration and UNMIK Police yesterday reacted to a recent statement made by Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi who said that there is corruption in UNMIK and that the international administration was tolerating prostitution.

UNMIK Police officials said that Rexhepi's statement were 'coffee gossip and unfounded accusations'.

Shala: The importance of words (Zëri)
In a front-page editorial for Zëri, Blerim Shala claims that the relations between UNMIK and local authorities are getting closer and closer to the Kosovar winter climate.

'Even though the Prime Minister has said some things which are unacceptable according to UNMIK's point of view, it is intolerable for a representative of the international police to settle the score with the leading Kosovar politician in such a way. The behavior of the spokesperson of UNMIK Police can only aggravate relations between UNMIK and the Kosovo Government. This is not the way to build partnership between internationals and locals,' Shala added.

Editorial: Standards in 2004, status in 2005 (Zëri)
'Even Kosovo's final status is expected to be addressed in 2005 and if the West still believes in standards before status, then it could be concluded that the standards proposed by Steiner would be finalized by the end of 2004, or until the end of the mandate of the Kosovo Assembly,' writes an opinion piece by Zëri's editorial office.

Azemi: Fake Serbia and the real Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore runs an opinion piece by Emin Azemi, publisher of the Albanian daily newspaper Fakti published in Macedonia. 'Kosovo must talk to Serbia about independence, as long as Serbia will understand the seriousness and commitment of the international community to launch the process of institutional denazification. Without such seriousness and commitment, Kosovo is still going to have an inferior position vis-à-vis Serbia, and talks will be a farce rather than a way to find concrete solutions,' Azem added.

Holkeri and Krasniqi inaugurate Institute for Public Administration (Zëri)
Zëri reports that SRSG Harri Holkeri and Public Services Minister Jakup Krasniqi have inaugurated the Institute for Public Administration, which will operate under the auspices of the Ministry of Public Services. The overall objective of the institute is to support the Kosovo Government and ensure important and high-quality training services in order to raise the capacity of public officials.

Albanians working for German Office in Prishtina - traffickers (Epoka e Re)
Citing information broadcast by Albanian media, Epoka e Re reports that three Kosovar Albanians working for the German Liaison Office in Prishtina were involved in human trafficking.

Rondorf: They are not our workers (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that the German Office in Prishtina has refuted the information published in Albanian newspapers that three of its staff members were involved in human trafficking.

'These persons, who are mentioned as authors of human trafficking, are not staff members of our office,' said Peter Rondorf, head of the German Office in Prishtina.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page
· MacShane demands from Rexhepi to establish working groups
· Sellers of generators profit from KEK darkness
· Surroi: Carla and the world
· Speculations about new indictments before Del Ponte's visit
· Tetovo University legalized at the beginning of November [Macedonia]

Other headlines
· Rugova: Sanctification of Mother Teresa is historical event (2)
· UNMIK: No information before 15 November (Dubrava Commission) (2)
· Initiative for changing the Constitutional Framework (3)
· Nowicki: UNMIK to hear our comments (3)
· The change of the President's competencies is required [Macedonia] (4)
· Elections the only solution for the crisis [Presevo Valley] (4)
· Provisional government is being discussed amongst socialists [Albania] (4)
· Kosovo cadastral agency with digital software (5)
· Institute for public administration is established (5)
· Albanian doctors and challenges in Iraq (5)
· TV union organizes protest (5)
· Chappell: Bar rumors are presented as facts (6)
· Assistance for Kosovo (6)
· Kosovar and Serb reporters exchange opinions in Prishtina (6)
· Rondorf: These aren't our workers (7)
· KPS policemen, new bridge watchers (7)
· Shehu: UNMIK doesn't care for the fate of missing persons (8)
· Vignjevic: Why I did vote for Fatmir Limaj? (8)
· Serbian enclaves do not pay electricity, streets with lights (9)
· Road between Gjilan and Kumanovo is major project (9)
· Azemi: Fake Serbia and real Kosovo (11)

Economy Section
· Rexhepi: How poor will we be next year
· What is happening with money of the taxpayers in Kosovo
· Every year it is getting worse

Zëri

Front page
· Holkeri: Me and UNMIK cannot solve problems amongst Kosovo's political parties
· Standards in 2004, status in 2005
· Shala: Importance of words
· Assembly expects UNMIK's approval to initiate change of C. Framework
· MacShane encourage Rexhepi to democratize Kosovo and criticize him for absence in Vienna
· Chappell call as 'bar rumors prime minister's statements'

Other headlines
· I removed Todorovic against my will (2)
· KFOR: Serbian forces will not have access to Kosovo (4)
· UNMIK and OSCE says that in Kosovo were in conflict and not in war (4)
· UNMIK: Mistakes in data the reason to review records (4)
· Solana to visit Prishtina (4)
· Fieschi to report before OSCE permanent Council in Vienna (4)
· Trajkovic demands dismissal of Rugova (4)
· It was required money on behalf of AKSH (4)
· Pfeiffer: there is no divisions at the KTA (4)
· Media representatives meets in Prishtina (5)
· Rugova returns from Vatican (5)
· Ombudsperson meets with SRSG (5)
· Will privatization process be unblocked today? (5)
· Belgrade says no to generals arrest (6)
· Three protected witnesses do not accuse Musliu (6)
· Poverty, reason for trafficking people (6)
· Holkeri and Krasniqi inaugurate Institute for public administration (7)
· Pal denies Serbian media about death of Velikinac (8)
· German government is interest in process of return (8)
· Missing persons relatives dissatisfied with government and assembly committee (9)

Bota Sot

Front page
· Sanctification of Mother Teresa is a historical event
· Del Ponte keeps confidential indictments against Albanians
· KEK get money from Kosovo budget, cannot import electricity
· Good cooperation with SRSG
· Deputies will adopt three more laws
· When I die, my camera will be in the museum of free Kosovo!

Other headlines
· Solana undertake itinerary between Prishtina and Belgrade after itinerary between Belgrade and Podgorica (2)
· Lectures against drugs (2)
· Police is able to investigate crimes (3)
· Buçpapaj: Izetbegovic or philosopher that become politician (4)
· The Hague demands assistance from Interpol (4)
· Buçpapaj: Goddess of justice at XXI century (5)
· Meeting with Foreign Secretary Straw is cancelled (5)
· Moments from sanctification of Mother Teresa (6)
· Five person are prohibited to visit Kosovo (6)
· MacShane meets with Rexhepi (7)
· Former commander, usurper of public property (7)
· Integration of communities is useful for our society (7)
· Baze: Government crisis and the president [Albania] (8)
· Project worth 2 million euro, donation from the Italian government (9)
· The Hague raise indictments against Boskovski [Macedonia] (10)

Kosova Sot

Front page
· 'Siemens' and 'Vodafone' eager to come
· Editorial: Why the famous framework should change
· Parliament prepares breaking the framework
· British Minister criticizes PM Rexhepi
· A hot day in KTA
· Talks can be successful after elections
· Kelmendi: The fate of students in Osmani's hands
· Kosovo the most pollute country in the Europe
· EU: Macedonia to return € 800.000 it stole in the name of Kosovo

Other headlines
· Government with its school (2)
· Kosovar projects present in Paris (2)
· UNMIK does not support amending the Constitution Framework (3)
· Thaçi: Kosovo has a constitution (3)
· UNMIK does not agree with PM's assessments (4)
· Ready to act in 5 minutes (4)
· UNMIK does not make a difference between 'conflict' and 'war' (4)
· Human rights a common topic (4)
· Election system: Proportional or combined (6)
· Why there is a lack of lawyers in Kosovo (6)
· Children sell in the streets, a worrying phenomenon (8)
· "Trepça" has a detailed report and has won € 7 million (8)
· Mitrovica a market of narcotics (11)

Epoka e Re

Front page
· Albanians in the German Office- traffickers
· Krasniqi: Kosovo has lost a lot with Vienna
· Has Daci buried democracy in the Assembly?
· MacShane 'reproaches' Rexhepi about Vienna
· 'Stop Eqrem Kryeziu and LDK, they are violating war values'

Other headlines
· Nowicki: The Biggest problem in Kosovo, protection of human rights (2)
· Hague: List of witnesses to be announced (2)
· UNMIK calls Rexhepi statements a coffee gossip (2)
· Danish Prime Minister to visit Kosovo (3)
· A Serb found killed, police does not know the reasons (3)
· Limaj's fund continues to be supported (3)
· Trial against Shefket Musliu in deep crisis (3)
· Thaçi: Belgrade authorities met two Kosovars in Vienna (5)
· Diplomas of 'Faik Konica' issued so far are valid (6)
· Institutions not interested in a 'different' university, but students are (6)
· Mihajlovic: Nobody will extradite Lukic and Lazarevic (6)

Belgrade Media Highlights

· Military judiciary gives documents to civilian judiciary (Balkan/Beta)
· KFOR: SaM forces cannot go to Kosovo (Blic)
· Covic with Kosovo Serb representatives (Danas)
· Azem Vlasi: Kosovo independence is quite certain and quite close (Vecernje Novosti/Tanjug)
· KP to request Rugova's dismissal (Glas/Tanjug)
· Working groups not yet formed (Glas)

Military judiciary gives documents to civilian judiciary (Balkan/Beta)
The supreme military prosecutor Nikola Petkovic has stated that there are no more documents for war crimes before military courts, and that they have been given to civilian courts. "There have been around 30 procedures that had been given to the civilian judiciary over the past several years, and at issue were mostly documents where reserve military officers and soldiers who served in the army were mentioned," Petkovic said.

KFOR: SaM forces cannot go to Kosovo (Blic)
KFOR has announced that SaM military and police forces have no access to Kosovo. KFOR spokesman Chris Thompson has stated, reacting to the writing of the Podgorica dailies, that, with the decision on using joint forces of the army and police, the SaM Supreme Defense Council predicted the possibility of their usage in Kosovo as well, that KFOR is exclusively in charge of security in Kosovo according to UNSCR 1244 and the Military-Technical Agreement from Kumanovo. Along with that, he stressed, NATO constantly reiterates that the return of SaM security forces is not an option, and that the writing of the Podgorica dailies, despite the fact that I believe that they are untrue, do not represent a threat to peace in Kosovo.

Covic with Kosovo Serb representatives (Danas)
Security, return of Serbs and other non-Albanians to Kosovo and Metohija, health and welfare issues, privatization…have been the topics of talks Nebojsa Covic had with the representatives of business institutions in Kosovo and Metohija, KP and local self-rule in Kosovo and Metohija. The statement from the meeting says that the CCK has ended its part of the job concerning the payment of compensations to persons employed in state and public companies, ministries and other republican services - but that this job has not yet been completed because forms and other documents are late from the ground. According to the statement, Covic has informed the participants of the gathering about the details of just commenced talks between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as about the stands the Serbian government will take in this process.

Azem Vlasi: Kosovo independence is quite certain and quite close (Vecernje Novosti/Tanjug)
The former Yugoslav Communist Party high official from Kosovo Azem Vlasi said in Novi Sad today that Kosovo's independence is quite certain and quite close. He attended a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of forming the Main National Liberation Board of Vojvodina (1943). He told journalists that the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia was the optimal framework for Kosovo: "Serbia lacks this capacity and Kosovo now lives its own life," assessed Vlasi.

KP to request Rugova's dismissal (Glas/Tanjug)
KP should launch an initiative at the province's assembly on the dismissal of Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova, because of the stands he had expressed during the Vienna talks that were held between Belgrade and Pristina representatives on October 14, KP AM Rada Trajkovic said.

Working groups not yet formed (Glas)
Talks in Vienna between representatives of the Belgrade authorities and Kosovo Albanians, held at the insistence of the international community, have been more formal. The holding of the meeting that has not been supported by the Albanian public in Kosovo, first of all the leaders of the major political parties, is the only thing that had been of some use to the international community, thus showing the results of its almost five-year protectorate. A week has passed since the talks at which the proposal by UNMIK Head Harri Holkeri for members of the working groups, made up of experts, who would discuss the main topics, i.e. technical issues, to meet in six to eight weeks at the latest, was accepted. At issue is the resolution of the problems of the missing and kidnapped, returns, energy and traffic. However, the working groups, Glas has been confirmed by Belgrade and Pristina, have not yet been formed. The only thing that is certain at this moment is that Vladimir Bozovic, the head of CCK's judiciary and human rights department, will head the Belgrade working group for shedding light on the fate of the missing and kidnapped, at the request of the relatives of the missing and kidnapped.