Media Analysis 23 October 2003

• Holkeri: Too early to transfer competencies to Kosovar institutions (Epoka e Re)
  
• UNMIK: Changes in Constitutional Framework could ruin balance (Zëri)
  
• Surroi: The hit of the day - the Constitution (Koha Ditore)
  
• Solana: Sleep in peace because Kosovo is not going back to the past (Zëri)
  
• Shala: The dangerous neutrality (Zëri)
  
• Editorial: The unbearable easiness of tolerating absurdity (Koha Ditore)
  
• Process of privatization to resume in seven days (all dailies)
  
• Serbian journalists meet with political leaders in Kosovo (Zëri)

Belgrade Update

• Holkeri pulls rank on Interpol (B92/Beta)
  
• Çeku set free one hour after midnight (Tanjug)

Holkeri: Too early to transfer competencies to Kosovar institutions (Epoka e Re)
Epoka e Re carried an interview that Voice of America conducted with SRSG Harri Holkeri.

SRSG Harri Holkeri said that his three main priorities are: rule of law, multiethnic society and economic development. Holkeri who is due to submit a report to the UNSC later this moth is carrying on the work of his predecessor Steiner, the paper further reported.

Holkeri said that being preoccupied with other crisis, the international community could forget about Kosovo.

He said that UNMIK hadn't fulfill its mission in Kosovo yet and also added that efforts have been made to do it as soon as possible.

Regarding the transfer of competencies from UNMIK to the Kosovar institutions, Holkeri said he didn't believe that Kosovar institutions were capable of taking over more competencies, 'but this is clearly a political issue and in the hands of the United Nations Security Council'.

Holkeri concluded that the transfer of competencies could only happen when progress is achieved in Kosovo.

UNMIK: Changes in Constitutional Framework could ruin balance (Zëri)
Zëri quotes UNMIK officials as saying that changes in the Constitutional Framework could be a sensitive issue.

'This framework,' said UNMIK spokeswoman Izabella Karlowicz, 'was compiled and adopted after intensive and joint work between UNMIK, the local political leaders and the Security Council, and it has established a certain balance among political forces therefore changes in the framework could imply ruining this balance.'
The changes in the Constitutional Framework are very sensitive issue, said UNMIK representatives yesterday relating to the initiative of Kosovo Assembly to start making changes in this legal document.

'The changes can only happen with the consent of UNMIK and the Security Council,' said Karlowicz. 'The Special Representative himself or with two thirds Assembly voting for it can make amendments in the Constitutional Framework.'

Nevertheless, the Assembly Presidency has agreed to the proposal of the Government and the parliamentary commission to form a working group of experts to review the in Constitutional Framework in order to amend it.' According to government officials these amendments are necessary for taking on the competences from the international to local authorities.

Surroi: The hit of the day - the Constitution (Koha Ditore)
'Kosovars are getting ready for yet another political confrontation with UNMIK, now with the request to make changes in the Constitutional Framework. Can there be another solution?' asks publisher Veton Surroi in an opinion piece in Koha Ditore.

1.
The next political test in Kosovo is the initiative by the Assembly Presidency to amend the Constitutional Framework, according to which the country is led.

Even if there were completely normal circumstances, and if we were a state with a long tradition, constitutional changes would increase political heat and would raise questions in the public mind about stances on choosing this or that type of constitution.

For Kosovo, such an initiative is very significant, because of the basic fact that it is not like any other country. Also because of its sensitive background on this issue (when constitutional changes were always caused political confrontation, even on the street) and looking at the future; since constitutional changes have not only to do with the present, but with the future of the country, too.

2.
However, I can even now bet the Constitutional Framework is not going to change, i.e. the initiative of the Assembly Presidency will remain somewhere in the middle of the road, until we have a new political initiative in place, or until there is a new hit in the political life.

It does not take scientific analysis to prove this thing. Two years ago the Constitutional Framework was promoted and Kosovars who took part in drafting it assured us through TV and papers that with this document Kosovo was becoming a state. And some of us those who criticized the work of the Commission, showing how it was paradoxically reducing the rights of Kosovars, were verbally attacked by the Commission members.

Now, in two and a half year's time, it is the same parties and the same people who drafted the document, who want to change it, and who are using the same arguments that we, a few critics, used then. The chief argument is that the Framework is two narrow a shirt for the body called Kosovo.

UNMIK's arguments, too, are going to be more or less similar in the debate that is going to start now. Kosovo does not need to make constitutional changes, since it hasn't yet reached its rights according to this Framework (in terms of ministries and the general work of Kosovo Assembly). In the background there will also be the hidden arguments of UNMIK. The first argument is that the UNMIK officials know the chances of the approval of Kosovo laws by the Legal Office of UN in New York.

And the main person there in charge of looking at hundreds of legal papers a day, even if he had time, has so far not shown any special interest to help Kosovo. On the contrary he has shown a special zeal to reverse any initiative for more rights in Kosovo, like it was the case with the current regulation on privatization.

The other argument, equally valid, is that any constitutional change needs to have the approval of the Serb factor in Kosovo and Belgrade and this has happened only once and has no chance of being repeated as long as there is such a political constellation in Kosovo.

3.
Most probably any chances for amending the Constitutional Framework will be blocked at the very beginning by UNMIK, and based on that there will be a new cycle of political confrontation between UNMIK and the Kosovar political parties, at a time when UNMIK, to put mildly, is not highly praised by Kosovars. The continuous slide started by Haekkerup and continued with Steiner, has made the new chief administrator Holkeri collide with political parties at the beginning and not at the end of his mandate.

After a bad start of the dialogue in Vienna, there are big chances for UNMIK and Kosovars to find another topic to kill time over the next few months. Stands for or against constitutional changes, how much more or less rights Kosovars should have-these things will represent the fodder in forthcoming political bargaining.

4.
It seems to me that this waste of time should and can be avoided. In fact, the Kosovo Assembly should establish its Constitutional Commission, with or without UNMIK's consent, but not with the duty to patch the Framework with the hope it will pass in New York, but to project the Constitution of Kosovo, as a modern European state.
With this, the Assembly, whose tenure lasts till the autumn of next year, would have time to at least reach three basic objectives. First, the Constitution would not become hostage to political bargaining and to the current unfavorable political atmosphere, but will be a document for the near future to define Kosovo's status, preparations for which will start next year.

Secondly, the drafters would not waste their breath on a document that anyway is to expire very soon, but they would focus on a long term document.

Thirdly, as part of the process to define independence, Kosovars could show better legislative creativity to concretize in articles and paragraphs what they foresee as an independent Kosovo. In this respect, minority rights should be included as an important part of the Kosovo's fundamental law.

Solana: Sleep in peace because Kosovo is not going back to the past (Zëri)
Zëri carried an interview with European Union High Representative Javier Solana.

Why is it so important for the European Union that the dialogue on practical issues between Kosovar and Serbian authorities starts now?
I would like to say that for the European Union this dialogue is obligatory. It is an essential part of European standards, in fact the history of European integration. There can be no process towards the European Union without the dialogue. The dialogue is also one of the basic elements of 'standards before status'. Therefore, progress in Kosovo depends on the commitment to the dialogue. Direct talks on practical issues such as energy, transport, returns and missing persons are also aimed at improving the daily lives of citizens. The dialogue is a necessary element of regional cooperation and development in the Balkans.

People in Kosovo believe that an imposed and not-well prepared The dialogue isn't going to be successful and that sooner or later it will fail. What guarantees does the European Union have for its success?
The talks are not related to Kosovo's final status. The time to address the final status has not come yet. The dialogue will imply practical issues of mutual interest. Therefore, we expect both sides to seriously commit to the dialogue and we believe that they are soon going to appoint technical working groups. We stand willing to assist and facilitate this process and we believe that with the assistance and the involvement of the US we are soon going to have further progress in this very important initiative.

Many people still find the role of the EU unclear. Can you tell us the difference between the term 'role as facilitator' that is being used by the EU and the 'main stimulator', because many people believe that the second term is a better description for the EU?
The initiative for the direct dialogue was launched by former SRSG Michael Steiner and was endorsed by the international community, which is united on this issue. This idea was in focus especially during the EU Summit in Thessaloniki, which was a demonstration of European values and standards for the dialogue. In the last couple of years, the EU has offered considerable assistance to Kosovo: the biggest contribution for activities led by KFOR and OSCE in establishing institutions, as well as major financial contribution in humanitarian assistance and reconstruction. The EU is firmly involved in all efforts to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1244. We believe that Kosovo is an integral part of the European future of the Balkans and we also believe that the time has come to include Kosovo in the direct dialogue with Belgrade, as a demonstration of their commitment to European values, the principles of the dialogue and mutual understanding. Our main goal is to help in the consolidation of democratic structures, to contribute to advancing education and healthcare as well as to promoting economic development. We believe that the dialogue is another area where we can help with our expertise in promoting these common goals.

Do you have any predictions on when the dialogue on practical issues will end? Or is it possible that the results of the dialogue could affect the time for talks on Kosovo's final status?
Kosovo is at the heart of Western Balkans, both geographically and politically. The developments in Kosovo can have an important impact on neighboring countries, and the region in general. Therefore, let me repeat that the dialogue is one of the basic elements of 'standards before status'. Therefore, progress in Kosovo depends on the commitment to the dialogue. Whatever the final status, you can sleep in peace because Kosovo is not going to return to the past. However, the future talks on Kosovo's final status should not distract us from the main goal in Kosovo and that is the creation of a democratic society, in which all communities learn to live with each other in peace and security.

Shala: The dangerous neutrality (Zëri)
In a front-page editorial in Zëri, Blerim Shala claimed that Kosovo's neutrality, which derives from its unresolved final status, is becoming ever so dangerous.

There are several examples that prove this conclusion: starting from problems with UNMIK travel documents, the issue of privatization, which was blocked due to the continuing validity of discriminatory Serbian laws and then the incidents with PDK leader Hashim Thaçi and now with KPC Commander General Agim Çeku. In the absence of an international definition of the war in Kosovo in 1998 and 1999, the following paradox can take place: in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, the country which was a member of NATO when the latter launched the air campaign against Serbia in order to rescue Kosovar Albanians, Hashim Thaçi was detained on an arrest warrant issued by Milosevic's regime which went to war with 19 NATO countries (including Hungary). While now there is an even bigger paradox with General Çeku because the warrant for his arrest was issued after Milosevic's downfall.

The past is very much present and especially in airports in Budapest and Ljubljana. We say this to those international politicians who are trying to convince us that things have changed in Belgrade.

Editorial: The unbearable easiness of tolerating absurdity (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore ran an editorial which said:

Danica Marinkovic, the judge from the 'Prishtina Court', which was transferred to Nis, asked for the arrest of General Agim Çeku.

This court shouldn't exist, because Kosovo is under the administration of the United Nations. This court, together with its prosecutors and judges there were a creation of Milosevic's regime and it should have ceased to exist the day NATO troops and the UN administrators entered Kosovo, and especially when the West realized that Serbia had been 'democratized' and 'distanced' from its past.

If Serbia wants to show its honesty in talks that are aimed at advancing peace and stability in the region, it should distance itself from everything that it created in the 90's. Among other things, it should also put an end to 'courts' from Kosovo that still operate in Serbia, and handover cadastral documents and archeological objects that belong to Kosovo. Only then would Kosovo and the region see in Serbia a partner in peace and stability.

The international community should stop tolerating parallel structures and bring an end to the two-faced game of tolerating Serbia's interference in Kosovo. Even international organizations in Kosovo have admitted that there are parallel structures in Kosovo and that they are hindering progress towards a normal life. While tolerating such absurdities, the international community is going to lose the trust of the people of Kosovo.

The local leaders in Kosovo are even more guilty. Regardless of their competencies, they should demand an end to this absurdity and games with 'courts' and our identification documents. They should work to improve the lives of Kosovar citizens and for their interests. The Kosovo Assembly has a committee on foreign relations. We have 120 assembly members, a president, a prime minister and an assembly speaker.

If so far they haven't found a reason to raise their voice against all the absurdities that are happening in and around Kosovo, the arrest of one of the highest-ranking officials of Kosovo by Milosevic's 'remains' should raise their awareness and make them 'get down to work'.

It should also make the citizens ask more from their leaders.

Process of privatization to resume in seven days (all dailies)
All dailies reported that after a tense meeting that lasted for more than three hours, the board of the Kosovo Trust Agency (KTA) on Wednesday night decided to resume the process of privatization that was stopped three weeks ago by UNMIK Pillar IV.

The KTA Board in its longest meeting since its establishment and after the sharp discussions decided to re-start within a week the third round of privatization.

'It was a long but useful meeting. The KTA decided to carry on the privatization process. The third round will start within a week,' said the KTA Board chief Nikolaus Lambsdorff. He added that all rules and regulations should be reviewed in order to continue with the third, fourth and other rounds of the privatization process. 'I am convinced that there will be more rounds of privatization,' he said.

The Minister of Trade and Industry Ali Jakupi said that the meeting was very long and although there were various legal interpretations regarding the immunity of the personnel, the board took positive decisions.

SRSG's representative and some other people who did not participate in the past were present in the meeting, Koha Ditore reported. The paper's sources stressed that Lambsdorff apologized to members for not consulting them when he decided to cease the privatization process and also promised to them that such decision would never be taken again.

Kosovars who boycotted the last two board meetings demanded unconditional resumption of the privatization process and also demanded a deadline in order to start it. This was set as a week, the paper further reported.

Sources told the paper said that the KTA board had set a deadline within which the issue of the KTA Board members' immunity should be clarified.

UNMIK Pillar IV head Lambsdorff said that the immunity issue is important for the members of the Board as well as for the KTA workers.

'We are protected from cases in Kosovo but not international cases and we demanded to have protection,' he said.

On the other hand, the UN legal office had advised UNMIK to carry on the privatization process because the current legal framework matches all conditions for the KTA to operate properly.

Lambsdorff further said that the KTA Board had approved a proposal for appointing Marie Fucci as the KTA general manger. All the KTA Board members didn't support this decision. She was appointed without votes of the Albanian representatives.

The newspaper's sources quoted Marie Fucci as saying that she 'will comply with all KTA Board decisions'.

Serbian journalists meet with political leaders in Kosovo (Zëri)
'I am one of the first KLA fighters; I am one of the commanders. On 24 March 1998 my family was surrounded, and it was a similar scenario with Jasharaj, with the only difference that we left the house,' said AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj to Serb journalists adding that 'since that day he had lead the war. It was a just war, we fought for freedom and justice.'

In a meeting called 'constructive' by Haradinaj, that lasted around one hour, a group of Serb journalists currently staying in Pristina, as part of an exchange program for journalists from Pristina and Belgrade, they wanted to know about many things, and especially about UÇK and Carla del Ponte. He made it clear to them that he had fought for freedom and that he was not taking revenge and 'if there is occupation, I will again do the same,' he said. He also informed them about the progress in Kosovo, especially in minority rights. 'With the help of the international community and understanding of the Kosovo people, we expect concrete results in this respect', adding that the security situation was improving every day. 'We were shocked by the killing of the children', he said in answer to a question about the shooting of children in Gorazhdec.

'Our war was a just, and we do not fear Carla del Ponte but we welcome the truth,' he said in response to a question on del Ponte's visit to Kosovo.
The Serbian journalists also met Thaçi, the head of PDK, and in that meeting the Serbian journalists were mainly interested in his stance on the talks with Belgrade, the final status of Kosovo, the issue of returns and reintegration of Serbs in Kosovo.

Belgrade Update

Holkeri pulls rank on Interpol (B92/Beta)
UN diplomat Harri Holkeri has interceded with Slovenian police to secure the release of a former Kosovo Liberation Army commander arrested yesterday.
Agim Çeku now commands the Kosovo Protection Corps, the civil defence organization seen by many as little more than a renamed Kosovo Liberation Army.
He was arrested on an Interpol warrant issued this year on suspicion of genocide.
In a conversation with the Slovenian interior minister, Holkeri, who heads the UN mission in Kosovo, claimed that his mission has sole jurisdiction over such cases and that the warrant issued by the Serbian authorities is invalid. Thousands of Kosovo Albanians gathered in central Pristina last night to greet the news of Çeku's release. He told TV Kosovo that the release demonstrated that Serbia-Montenegro no longer had jurisdiction over the citizens of Kosovo. "The Kosovo institutions and the United Nations mission are responsible for us now and thanks to them I have been released and will return to Pristina at 3.00 p.m.," he added.

Çeku set free one hour after midnight (Tanjug)
Kosovo protection Corps (KPC) commander and war-time leader of the ethnic Albanian paramilitary organization (NLA) Agim Çeku was set free in Ljubljana late on Wednesday, one day after he had been arrested by the Slovenian police at the Ljubljana airport, on the basis of a warrant issued in 1998, which Serbia had submitted to Interpol. 'General Çeku was set free at about 1.15 a.m. (Thursday). We spoke to him by phone and he feels well,' KPC spokesman Muharrem Mahmutaj said in Pristina.

· Main Stories 23 October KPC
· Commander Agim Çeku detained by Slovenian police (all dailies)
· Holkeri: Çeku should be immediately released (Koha Ditore)
· Slovenian police release General Çeku from custody (Koha Ditore)
· KPC General Staff issues communiqué for Çeku's detention (Koha Ditore)
· Protest in Pristina after KPC Commander Çeku's detention (Epoka e Re)
· Shala: The dangerous neutrality (Zëri)
· Holkeri: Too early to transfer competencies to Kosovar institutions (Epoka)
· Solana: Sleep in peace because Kosovo is not going back to the past (Zëri)
· UNMIK: Changes in Constitutional Framework could ruin balance (Zëri)
· Surroi: The hit of the day - the Constitution (Koha Ditore)
· Process of privatization to resume in seven days (all dailies)
· Krga: We are not returning to Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
· PM's Office: The police spokesperson shouldn't comment PM's statements
· Limaj's attorney complains against UNMIK's behavior (Koha Ditore)
· Administrator Piazza stops funds allocated for Fatmir Limaj (Koha Ditore)

Kosovo Media Highlights

KPC Commander Agim Çeku detained by Slovenian police (all dailies)
All dailies report that General Agim Çeku, commander of the Kosovo Protection Corps was detained by Slovenian police on Wednesday in Ljubljana Airport based on an international arrest warrant issued by Belgrade authorities.

'Yes I have been detained. I am being kept in police facilities, and waiting for a decision by the Slovenian authorities. The excuse that was given to me was that I am being wanted by the Serbian Government,' said General Çeku.

Holkeri: Çeku should be immediately released (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore quotes SRSG Harri Holkeri as saying that Serbia has no jurisdiction on the material for which Agim Çeku was accused therefore he should be immediately released.

During a telephone conversation with the Slovenian Foreign Minister, SRSG Holkeri also said that according to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 the issues for which General Çeku is accused were under the jurisdiction of the SRSG and that the arrest warrant issued by Serbian authorities was invalid.

Slovenian police release General Çeku from detention (Koha Ditore)
In the section of breaking news, Koha Ditore claims that KPC Commander General Agim Çeku was released from detention at 0100 hrs on Thursday.

KPC General Staff issues communiqué for Çeku's detention (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore carries a communiqué that was issued by the General Staff of the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC) after General Agim Çeku was detained by Slovenian police in Ljubljana Airport.

'The KPC General Staff harshly condemns this act of provocation and asks the Special Representative of the Secretary General and other international and local entities to apply pressure on Slovenian authorities to release the KPC commander,' it was said in the communiqué.

Protest in Pristina after KPC Commander Çeku's detention (Epoka e Re)
Epoka e Re reports that several thousands of citizens from Pristina and other parts of Kosovo were gathered in front of the National Theatre in Pristina to ask for the immediate release of KPC Commander Agim Çeku.

Epoka e Re claims that the protesters voiced their outrage toward the Serbian and the Slovenian state. The protesters reportedly poured Slovenian milk and beer and burned Slovenian flags.

Shala: The dangerous neutrality (Zëri)
In a front-page editorial for Zëri, Blerim Shala claims that Kosovo's neutrality, which derives from its unresolved final status, is becoming ever so dangerous.

'The past is very much present and especially in airports in Budapest and Ljubljana. We say this to those international politicians who are trying to convince us that things have changed in Belgrade,' Shala added. [full translation in Media Analysis]

Holkeri: Too early to transfer competencies to Kosovar institutions (Epoka e Re)
Epoka e Re carries an interview that Kosovo chief administrator Harri Holkeri gave to the Voice of America.

Holkeri said that being preoccupied with other hearths of crisis the international community could forget about Kosovo.

Commenting on the transfer of competencies from UNMIK to Kosovar institutions, Holkeri said he didn't believe that Kosovar institutions were capable to take over more competencies, 'but this is clearly a political issue and in the hands of the United Nations Security Council'.

Solana: Sleep in peace because Kosovo is not going back to the past (Zëri)
Zëri carries an interview with European Union High Representative Javier Solana.

'Whatever will be the final status, you can sleep in peace because Kosovo is not going to return to the past. However, the future talks on Kosovo's final status should not remove us from the main goal in Kosovo and that is the creation of a democratic society, where all communities will learn to live with each other in peace and security,' Solana was quoted as saying. [full translation of the interview in Media Analysis]

UNMIK: Changes in Constitutional Framework could ruin balance (Zëri)
Zëri quotes UNMIK officials as saying that eventual changes in the Constitutional Framework could be a sensitive issue.

'This framework,' said UNMIK spokeswoman Izabella Karlowicz, 'was compiled and adopted after an intensive and joint work between UNMIK, the local political leaders and the Security Council, and it has established a certain balance among political forces therefore changes in the framework could imply ruining the balance.'

Surroi: The hit of the day - the Constitution (Koha Ditore)
'Kosovars are getting ready for yet another political confrontation with UNMIK, now with the request to make changes in the Constitutional Framework. Can there be another solution?' asks publisher Veton Surroi in an opinion piece in Koha Ditore. [full translation in afternoon Media Analysis]

Process of privatization to resume in seven days (all dailies)
All dailies report that after a tense meeting that lasted for more than three hours, the board of the Kosovo Trust Agency (KTA) on Wednesday night made the decision to resume the process of privatization that was stopped three weeks ago by UNMIK Pillar IV. [extensive coverage in afternoon Media Analysis]

Krga: We are not returning to Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro, Branko Krga has told COMKFOR General Holger Kammerhoff that for the time being his army wasn't planning to return to Kosovo.

'My army,' added Krga, 'is going to respect Resolution 1244 and the Kumanovo Military-Technical Agreement.'

PM's Office: The police spokesperson shouldn't comment PM's statements
All dailies carried a reaction issued by the office of Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi regarding a recent statement made by UNMIK Police spokesperson Derek Chappell.

'The Office of the Prime Minister believes that the qualifications and assessments of the police spokesperson are unusual for the values of democratic systems. We regret to inform Mr. Derek Chappell that in all western democratic countries it is unthinkable for a police spokesperson to comment the statements of politicians, and let alone the statements of the prime minister,' it was said in the reaction.

Administrator Piazza stops funds allocated for Fatmir Limaj (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that Lipjan Municipal Administrator Cecilia Piazza has suspended a decision made by the municipal assembly to allocate 10.000 euros from the municipal budget for the Fatmir Limaj Fund.

Piazza said that budget funds could not be used for private funds, and added that the final decision on the matter would be made by chief administrator Harri Holkeri.

Kosovo Press Headlines
Koha Ditore
Front page
· Çeku was arrested by 'Pristina court'
· Privatization restarts, demands for additional guarantee remains active
· Surroi: Hit of the day: Constitution
· Limaj defense complains against UNMIK and Steiner
· Conflicts in combine wood in Ferizaj

Other headlines
· Serbia demands extradition of Çeku (2)
· Kozinc: There is no legal base for extradition to Serbia (2)
· Editorial: Toleration of absurdity (2)
· Krga: We will not return to Kosovo (3)
· Why did the Kosova e Re Company sack its workers? (4)
· KTA could face charges at international courts (5)
· Klein will be indicted for debts against workers and suppliers (5)
· Siami Hersek expects 15 Kosovar patients (6)
· Administrator Piazza stops funds allocated for Limaj fund (6)
· Heads of the private schools do not give up on getting licenses (7)
· Chappell: Most of the killings in Kosovo aren't ethnically motivated (7)
· Thaçi and Haradinaj welcome Serbian reporters (7)
· Binçe: Escort us otherwise we will leave from the village (8)
· UNMIK has achieved little results in cracking down trafficking (9)
· Zogiani: Criteria of Minister of education Osmani (10)
· Hysa: Father and son exercise democracy (11)

Zëri
Front page
· Slovenia arrests General Agim Çeku on demand of Serbia
· Solana: Sleep in peace, Kosovo will not return to the past
· Shala: Threat neutrality
· Privatization process to restart in seven days
· UNMIK: Change of the Constitutional Framework may change balance in Kosovo
· Belgium rejects to provide police escort for Del Ponte
· Minister Sadriu demands responsibility from KEK for 37 million euro

Other headlines
· Çeku's arrest is a provocative and grave act (2)
· Hamiti: Arrest of General Çeku is unacceptable act for Kosovo (2)
· Governments of the regions shouldn't infringe our dignity (2)
· LPK reacts against Çeku's arrest (2)
· Holkeri gets involved in efforts to release General Çeku (2)
· Krga: We did not speak about return of our army to Kosovo (2)
· Çeku's arrest warrant is from Kostunica not from Milosevic (3)
· EU put pressure to release Agim Çeku (3)
· Holkeri demands from Slovenia to release Agim Çeku (3)
· Government: We want to believe that Chappell's statements was only a mistake (4)
· Permanent secretaries to visit Vienna (4)
· Haradinaj: We fought for freedom, now we support justice (5)
· More competencies for locals in cracking down the crime (6)
· Rugova gives condolences to presidency of Bosnia (6)
· Holkeri congratulates Naim Ternava (6)
· Arsim Bajrami and Hajredin Kuqi visit Limaj (6)
· Reform affect Faculty of Medicine (7)
· Ministry of Healthcare provide cure for 15 patients in Turkey (7)
· Kosovo will have three hours power and three hours off (7)
· Macedonian media create another scandal with Albanians (8)
· Qehaja: Serbian and Montenegrian army is still an element for instability (8)
· Belgrade is still keeping bodies of our relatives (9)
· Parallel structures in healthcare are political problem (9)
· Shehu criticizes UNMIK Pillar IV (10)
· Chappell: Peja region is the most challenged area for police (10)

Bota Sot
Front page
· On INTERPOL order, Çeku is arrested in Slovenia
· Denmark prime minister to visit Kosovo today
· Privatization process restart, immunity remain unsolved
· Is electricity lacking because of the leaking in plant or because of the workers sabotage?
· Poison for Albanian children, tear gas at schools

Other headlines
· Corruption of internationals is not taboo issue (2)
· Arrest of Çeku is unacceptable for Kosovo institutions (2)
· SRSG write to Slovenian president (2)
· UNMIK is aware about Çeku's arrest and is reviewing the details (2)
· Rugova condolences Bosnia (3)
· Ministry of Education supports projects for advancing students life (3)
· Holkeri congratulates Ternava (3)
· 15 patients travel to Turkey (3)
· Buçpapaj: Serbian war machinery declares aggression against Kosovo (4)
· We gave money to KEK last moth (4)
· We are disappointed from recent decision to cease privatization process (5)
· Buçpapaj: Considering war generals as heroes, Serbia slides (5)
· Ajeti: Business which contains Albanian blood (6)
· Three major projects in this year (6)
· Proposals for new public names (6)
· Confiscation of ten thousands cigars (7)
· Conference on trafficking is over (7)
· No compromise with Tirana and Durres [Albania] (8)
· Lukaj: Betray of nation (9)
· 55 cases oh HIV/AIDS in Kosovo (9)
· Concordia will observe action of collecting weapons [Macedonia] (10)

Kosova Sot

Front page

· General Çeku arrested in Slovenia according to a Milosevic warrant
· Editorial: Arrest of Kosovo
· Dialogue to fail without the support of Parliament
· Budget surplus a challenge for Government and Presidency
· KEK to blame for energy chaos
· UNMIK does know now how to explain the theory of benchmarks
· UNMIK law favors trafficking

Other headlines

· Presidency: Belgrade warrants are unacceptable (2)
· TMK: A grave provocative act (2)
· AAK: Violation of our dignity (2)
· Batic asks for extradition of Çeku to Belgrade (2)
· Thaçi and Bosshart discuss Kosovo status (4)
· PDK deputies meet Limaj's lawyers (4)
· Halimi asks leaders to meet (4)
· Kosovo justice with Yugoslav laws (4)
· Continuation of dialogue on focus (4)
· Process of privatization unblocked (5)
· Government: Officer Chappell slipped (5)
· Exaggerations do not help (6)
· Nobody can change historical reality (6)
· Minister Krasniqi blames UNMIK about cadastres (7)

Epoka e Re
Front page
· Çeku an expensive 'cheque' for Slovenia! Stop it!
· Kosovars protest and feast for the General
· Just imagine, Batic asked for extradition of Çeku!

Other headlines

· Stop with humiliation (3)
· Day when Slovenia broke relations with Albanians because of Milosevic (3)
· SRSG or 2/3 of the Assembly can change the Framework (4)
· Arsim Bajrami and Hajredin Kuçi visited Limaj (4)
· UNMIK annuls decision to help Limaj's fund (4)
· A constructive dialogue in the interest of all (4)
· We want to believe that Chappell's statement is just a small mistake (4)
· Haradinaj: Kosovo Serbs should agree with the will of the majority (5)
· Students accuse some professors of selling exams (5)
· Mrs. Isabella, do not comment things you do not know (6)
· Holkeri: Early for transferring competences to Kosovo institutions (8)

Belgrade Media Highlights

· Holkeri visited wounded boy (RTS)
· Holkeri: Too early for powers to be transferred to the provisional institutions (RTS/VOA)
· Kakuk: UNMIK awaits documentation (Glas/Fonet)
· Chappell: Fewer murders in Kosovo (Glas/Fonet)
· Agim Cheku arrested (Glas)
· Batic expects Cheku's extradition (Politika/Tanjug)
· Hartman: Nothing to do with ICTY (Vecernje Novosti/Beta)
· Danica Marinkovic: Genocide (Vecernje Novosti/Beta)
· UN: Commission for investigating graves in Serbia necessary (Balkan)
· Serbian Orthodox Church requests usurped property in Kosovo (Blic)
· NATO parliamentary delegation meets SaM Foreign Ministry's representatives (Danas)
· Bordellos flooded Kosovo (Vecernje Novosti)

Holkeri visited wounded boy (RTS)
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic has talked in Belgrade with UNMIK Head Harri Holkeri on the results of the first meeting between Belgrade and Pristina in Vienna. During the meeting between Covic and Holkeri, they touched upon the perspective and modalities of the continuation of talks commenced on 14 October in the Austrian capital, it is said in CCK's statement. Following the meeting, Holkeri and Covic visited together the boy Bogdan Bukumiric at the Military-Medical Academy (VMA), who is still recovering from the wounds received during the attack in Gorazdevac. VMA doctors have informed UNMIK Head Harri Holkeri that the health condition of the boy is stable. Asked by the boy whether someone was arrested, Holkeri said: "We are doing everything we can, we are investing all efforts towards bringing to justice those who did this. Unfortunately, we still don't have enough data and evidence for them.

Holkeri: Too early for powers to be transferred to the provisional institutions (RTS/VOA)
UNMIK Head Harri Holkeri told the Voice of America (VOA) that the three main priorities in his work are the rule of law, the creation of a multiethnic society and the economic development of Kosovo. Commenting on the request for more competences to be transferred from UNMIK onto the Kosovo institutions, Holkeri said that he did not think that these institutions were not ready to take over the competences, but that this was a clearly political issue that falls under the jurisdiction of the UNSC. He added that the transfer of competences could only happen after a certain progress was made in Kosovo. He expressed his concern that the international community, which is now
focused on many other hotspots throughout the world, could forget about Kosovo. Holkeri is due to submit his report on the situation in Kosovo to the UNSC next week.

Kakuk: UNMIK awaits documentation (Glas/Fonet)
UNMIK regional spokesman Georgy Kakuk has stated that UNMIK administration, although it had requested this from those in charge in the Mitrovica hospital, has not yet received medical documentation in connection with the tragic death of Zivorad Velikinac from Urosevac.

Chappell: Fewer murders in Kosovo (Glas/Fonet)
UNMIK police spokesman Derek Chappell has stated in Mitrovica that the international police have so far resolved 70% of the murder cases. He stressed that the number of murders was drastically reduced, and stated that there were 245 murders in 2000, while only 69 last year.

Agim Cheku arrested (Glas)
KPC Commander Agim Cheku has been detained in Ljubljana, it was confirmed in Pristina and Ljubljana, KPC coordinator, General Andrew Cumming, has stated that the Slovenian authorities had detained Cheku at the Ljubljana airport. TV Kosova reports that Cheku has been detained at Interpol's request, but no other details have been stated.

Batic expects Cheku's extradition (Politika/Tanjug)
Commenting on the arrest of KPC Commander Agim Ceku in Ljubljana, Serbian Justice Minister Vladan Batic told Tanjug that he had addressed SaM Minister of Human and Minority Rights Rasim Ljajic with a request urgently to send to Slovenian judicial and police bodies a demand for Ceku's extradition in order to ensure that criminal proceedings against him be organized before the Serbian judicial organs. Batic said that Ceku was suspected of genocide of the Serb population in Kosovo and Metohija.

Hartman: Nothing to do with ICTY (Vecernje Novosti/Beta)
The ICTY Prosecution Office has no connection with the detention of KPC Commander Agim Ceku at the Ljubljana airport, ICTY spokeswoman Florance Hartman stated.

Danica Marinkovic: Genocide (Vecernje Novosti/Beta)
The investigative judge of the District Court in Pristina that has been displaced in Nis, Danica Marinkovic, has stated that she launched an investigation in 1999 against KPC commander Agim Cheku for genocide against Serbs, committed following KFOR 's arrival in Kosovo. She said that the investigation against former KLA commander, and presently PDK leader Hashim Thaci, has also been launched at the time for the same criminal act.

UN: Commission for investigating graves in Serbia necessary (Balkan)
The UNHC's office for human rights has called on the authorities in Serbia to found a special commission that would take over criminal investigations of mass graves in Serbia. "The High Commissioner's office for human rights is calling on the founding of a special investigative commission that would be composed from independent and objective experts and would perform a full investigation," said Laurie Weiseberg, the acting head of the UN HC office for human rights in SaM. She assessed at a press conference that progress in the investigation of these cases would contribute that the proceedings, according to the latest ICTY indictment against four army and police generals, be conducted before domestic courts.

Serbian Orthodox Church requests usurped property in Kosovo (Blic)
The Raska-Prizren Eparchy of the Serbian Orthodox Church requests the CCK to protect its legitimate interests in Kosovo and Metohija, and to be returned its usurped property. Visoki Decani and the Pec Patriarchy had especially large properties, and only Visoki Decani had in possession 800 hectares of land where the larger part of the Decani town was built. "It is good that illegal privatization has been stopped. We hope the international community will respect the principles of the inviolability of property and that the church will be returned its property," said father Sava Janjic of the Visoki Decani monastery.

NATO parliamentary delegation meets SaM Foreign Ministry's representatives (Danas)
During talks between the NATO parliamentary delegation and the representatives of the SaM Foreign Ministry that was held in the SaM Parliament, the main issues of NATO representatives referred to the extradition of General Mladic to the ICTY and the resolution of the Kosovo problem. NATO representatives have clearly expressed the stand, for which they said it was shared by most of the western countries, on how it is unrealistic to expect Kosovo to remain to be part of Serbia. They suggested a division on the northern part that would go to the Serb side, while they said the remaining part of Kosovo would be independent. The NATO parliamentary delegation has especially pointed to the economic problems that our country has, and suggested on this occasion that it would be better for Serbia to deal with the resolution of those problems, and not to insist on the momentary resolution of the Kosovo issue because it is difficult to expect the sides to the conflict in Kosovo to soon reconcile and that joint life would be possible. The aide to the foreign minister Vuk Zugic has stated that he nevertheless considers UNSCR 1244 a good way for resolving the Kosovo problem. "We think that it is too early to discuss the status," said Zugic.

Bordellos flooded Kosovo (Vecernje Novosti)
The representatives of many institutions from Europe and the world are categorical that the Balkans cannot be any longer the Mecca for those who are earning large sums of money by trading with women who sell love. It was concluded that Kosovo and Metohija must immediately be liberated from such women. There are almost 50 bordellos only in Pristina. There is not a single town in Kosovo and Metohija where there aren't around ten and more bordellos, it was concluded at the international gathering in Pristina that was organized by the OSCE. According to UNMIK police official data, more than 300 bordellos have been so far discovered in the province. Due to frequent visits to women who sell love, 10 international policemen, who have been expelled from the UN mission, were returned to their countries.