Media Analysis 8 September 2003

• Holkeri: Kosovo's status after fulfillment of standards for state of law (Zëri)
  
• Kosovar representatives say Holkeri cannot be mediator in talks (Zëri)
  
• Franko Egro: Holkeri's challenge (Epoka e Re)
  
• Editorial: The problems of dialogue and the problems of the mediator (Zëri)
  
• Shala: Dialogue between Kosovar politicians (Zëri)
  
• Editorial: Provocation of the situation (Kosova Sot)
  
• Demaçi: The sentencing of the Llapi Group (Kosova Sot)
  
• Jakup Krasniqi writes his opinion for Epoka e Re
  
• Classes in Kosovo schools to return to normal? (Zëri)
  
• VALA 900 operating without a license, code will soon be changed (Bota Sot)

Belgrade Media Update

• In Kosovo Pomoravlje Serbian children still not going to school (Tanjug)
  
• Holkeri has to be mediator in Belgrade-Pristina talks, Kosovo Serb politicians (Tanjug)
  
• Rexhepi denies Svilanovic's statement (Tanjug)
  
  

Kosovo Media Highlights
Belgrade Media Highlights

Holkeri: Kosovo's status after fulfillment of standards for state of law (Zëri)
Zëri reported that in an interview for the German weekly, Der Spiegel, SRSG Harri Holkeri promised he would leave no stone unturned to find those who carried out the recent attacks against Serbs in Kosovo, and he also announced 'intensive efforts' to improve the position of Serbs.

'We should improve coordination between those who are responsible and invite Kosovo's citizens to assist us in this sensitive issue,' Holkeri was quoted as saying. Collection of illegal weapons in Kosovo, according to the Finnish diplomat, will improve the security situation.

'The population should decide on whose side they are,' Holkeri said. Questioned about whether Serbs are secure in Kosovo, he said that according to his information, Serbs who have returned have not left Kosovo.

Answering the reporter's comments that analysts suppose that new attacks represent efforts by Albanian politicians to 'torpedo' talks with Belgrade, Holkeri said that 'dialogue will included discussion of practical issues important for both sides'.

'After consultations in Moscow, Geneva and Brussels, it will be decided when the dialogue will begin,' said the SRSG.

Asked if Albanians will implement their desire for independence during Holkeri's mandate, he said he did not know but he added that 'we should find solutions in order to establish standards of a state of law'.

'Only the UN can determine Kosovo's final status,' Holkeri concluded.

Kosovar representatives say Holkeri cannot be mediator in talks (Zëri)
Zëri reports Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi as saying that Harri Holkeri is head of the international mission in Kosovo and the position of mediator in technical talks between Prishtina and Belgrade doesn't belong to him.

'I think that the position of the mediator logically doesn't belong to Mr. Holkeri,' Prime Minister Rexhepi said. 'Holkeri claims to have the support of UN SG Kofi Annan and the Contact Group, but the latter have said that Holkeri will be one of the mediators. Logically this role cannot belong to Holkeri.'

Ramush Tahiri, advisor to Kosovo Assembly speaker Nexhat Daci, said that Holkeri was not the right man to mediate talks between Prishtina and Belgrade, and he added that a higher level of international mediation should be provided for the upcoming talks.

'The European Union, which will back Holkeri in these talks, and the others should know that no agreement or decision is applicable for Kosovo if it isn't previously adopted by legally-elected Kosovar institutions,' Tahiri was quoted as saying.

Zëri also reported that, according to leading Kosovar political parties, talks with Belgrade couldn't be successful without the mediation and leading role of the US.

The General Council of the Kosovo Democratic Party (PDK) said that the chief administrator of Kosovo, as SRSG, couldn't be mediator in talks between Kosovo and Serbia.

Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) said he appreciated Holkeri's commitment and the EU's efforts to facilitate talks, but added that the US should play the leading role in talks with Belgrade.

Haradinaj also said that technical talks with Belgrade are not the priority of Kosovar politics, but a request of the international community. He also added that Kosovo would not accept any talks with Belgrade related to the final status, 'because Kosovo's fate should be determined by the people of Kosovo and the elected institutions.'

Franko Egro: Holkeri's challenge (Epoka e Re)
In an opinion piece for Epoka e Re, Franko Egro, an Albanian political analyst, writes that while territorial division seems not to be an option for Kosovo, the final status remains a challenge, which is not easy considering the diametrically opposed stances of the two main protagonists.'

The fourth representative of the United Nations is already seated in his armchair in Kosovo. Harri Holkeri begins what has been labeled in political circles as a 'Mission Impossible'. The new SRSG will face numerous complexities and difficulties, therefore the delay and hesitation of the UN chief is quite understandable. And so is the fact that finding a candidate that is competent in management, diplomacy and politics in the highest level was not easy. This is the reason why UN Secretary General Kofi Annan refused the two candidates that were proposed by the European Union. Annan said that the candidates lacked the needed political experience and stature.

This is why Annan gave the reins of the administration in Kosovo to the Finn, Harri Holkeri. And while his predecessors, Bernard Kouchner and Hans Haekkerup, were only ministers in their countries and the German, Michael Steiner, was simply a diplomat advisor, Holkeri undoubtedly has the richest political CV. He is former prime minister, a former party leader and a former international negotiator.

Aware of the complexity of his dutues, the new SRSG had stated: 'This is going to be the most difficult challenge of my life and career.' And it has started. Consecutive murders and incidents were the events that marked the start of the new mission. But they certainly must not shift his attention from his absolute priority: the start of the Albanian-Serb dialogue, the first of its kind since the end of the armed conflict in 1999.

The situation that Holkeri inherited in Prishtina is completely different from that of his predecessors. Several elections have been held there and a local government, although problematic, does function in Kosovo. Furthermore, on the issue of protecting minority rights, the Serb community was given extra representation at the assembly, although in reality it makes up only five percent of the population.

In the central and southern part of the country, Serbs mainly live isolated in enclaves that are protected by international soldiers. It is not easy for them to travel freely to other parts of Kosovo.

The nearly 200,000 Serbs that fled Kosovo during the armed conflict and immediately after still have not returned. But the other extreme is part of the reality in Kosovo. The northern part of the country, regardless of the deployment of international forces, has little in common with Kosovo. It remains closely linked to Serbia in almost all elements of daily life.

Kosovar Albanians don't want to accept any other resolution of the final status other than independence, while Serbs hope for completely different outcome. This is a puzzle that incites fear, concern and ambiguity among all those that have to deal with it. But a certain fact is clear and initially encouraging. The status will not be discussed in the first round of talks. They will focus on economy, trade, transport, energy and so on, and thus serve as a 'prelude' to the second determining phase. But, regardless of this strategy, the final status cannot be postponed forever. Almost everyone shares this opinion.

The former UNMIK chief, the German Michael Steiner, said it best. In his last statements before leaving Prishtina, he said firmly and clearly: 'The idea that we can resolve the status over a long period, let's say 10 or even 17 years is meaningless. Talks on final status must start by late-2005. It is impossible and at the same time meaningless to postpone this phenomenon. Ambiguity produces only insecurity.'

In the meantime, Dragisa Krstovic, the head of the deputies in the Serb Coalition at the Kosovo Assembly, said that even though he would like Kosovo to remain part of Serbia, he would be satisfied with partition. But the block against him comes from almost the entire spectrum. Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi has totally ignored him by not even considering this as an option. Other Albanian politicians say that partition implies another war. Western leaders have also opposed this version.

Therefore, while territorial division seems not to be an option, the final status remains a challenge, which is not easy bearing in mind the diametrically opposite stances of the two main protagonists.

Editorial: The problems of dialogue and the problems of the mediator (Zëri)
Zëri carried an op-ed saying that according to various news agencies, the Contact Group, which met last week in Moscow, has agreed that new SRSG Harri Holkeri should be the leader of dialogue on practical issues between Kosovar and Serbian representatives. This time there were no detailed suggestions from the Contact Group, the international entity that was responsible for the resolution of the Kosovo crisis from March 1998 to June 1999.

Before this meeting, there was an impression that talks would be led by the US and the European Union and that the UNMIK chief would not have the primary role in this dialogue. While the Serbian Government took up this position as a response to former UNMIK chief Michael Steiner's efforts to be at the center of the talks and efforts to get as close to Brussels and Washington as possible, in the case of Kosovar officials, the support for the US-European mediation derived from past experience and the impression that any kind of dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade would fail if there were not previous guarantees by the US and the European Union.

But given the member countries of the Contact Group, then the message coming from Washington and Euro-Western capitols is that for the time being these states don't see it to be reasonable to have the main role in the eventual dialogue for practical issues, which as such are in the full competency of the SRSG. The UNMIK chief is not competent for major political issues in relations between Kosovo and Serbia, but almost all problems that have been mentioned as possible topics in the agenda of talks are related to his responsibilities, as specified in UNSC Resolution 1244.

According to western diplomatic sources, it can be concluded that both the US and the European Union support dialogue on technical issues and Holkeri's role in this, and at the same time they also think that the greater involvement of Washington and Brussels would be a double-egged sword. On the one hand, there could be an impression both in Prishtina and Belgrade that the talks are a prelude to negotiations on the final status, whereas, on the other hand, Americans and Europeans should try to avoid the eventual failure of dialogue, which is a realistic outcome considering the current circumstances in Kosovo and Serbia. For the time being, it seems that western countries in the Contact Group have chosen the safest version to see what Holkeri can really do in the next couple of weeks and what will be the reaction of Kosovar and Serbian officials toward Holkeri's proposals. If the new UNMIK chief embraces Steiner's approach then at the beginning the two parties would start talks on less sensitive issues, cooperation in the field of energy, the issue of documents, license plates, and then move on to more problematic issues, such as missing persons and IDP returns. It is supposed that Holkeri will have a clearer picture after he finishes his diplomatic tour of several western European capitols.

Otherwise, it is known that in Prishtina the statements of leading Kosovar officials have doubted the potential of the UNMIK chief to be a mediator. The most famous names of Kosovar institutions have emphasized that talks will surely fail if they are led by the UNMIK chief.

Shala: Dialogue between Kosovar politicians (Zëri)
Zëri ran a page-one editorial by Blerim Shala who claims that the absence of several Kosovo Government ministers from the negotiations training that was organized by the OSCE and the US Institute for Peace, and the contradictory statements by the prime minister and several ministers about the importance of this training only proves the seriousness of the problems that have swept the government and the assembly of Kosovo.

If there is no agreement at the Kosovo Government about this issue, then it will be difficult to expect a consensus on more delicate issues.

The topic of dialogue with Serbian representatives hasn't been removed from the daily agenda of Kosovar politicians for four months now. It is known that we are dealing with a delicate matter, which cannot be addressed properly if the Kosovar side doesn't have a common position among the three leading political parties that form the coalition government. This position cannot be achieved by 'firing' powerful statements at the public and by sending messages to all four corners of the world, but by holding intensive meetings far from the eyes of the public, by overcoming the obvious differences in the approach toward the process of talks, and, in the end, by making joint proposals for talks to the Kosovo Assembly, in order to gain the support of the assembly and to authorize the Kosovo Government for these talks. There is no other version except to move through these phases on the path toward reaching a common position. But based on what we have seen and heard in the last couple of days, it is difficult to imagine that our politicians will truly do what has to be done in the current circumstances. I guess they are waiting, as in 1998 and 1999, for US diplomats to arrive in Prishtina and open dialogue between Albanian politicians.

Editorial: Provocation of the situation (Kosova Sot)
Kosova Sot commented on recent armed incidents in Macedonia and concluded that stability in Macedonia is closely linked to stability in Kosovo and the whole region as well.

Harsh fighting between armed Albanians and Macedonian police forces blew up in Karadak near Skopje. According to independent sources, four Albanian were killed and five others are wounded in yesterday's combat. The same sources also confirmed that local residents have begun to flee towards Kosovo. By supporting the army, Macedonian police forces have begun 'intervention for neutralizing and arresting of armed groups' near Kumanovo, while Macedonian sources claimed that no member of the police or army has been killed. The situation in villages around Likovo, particularly in Vaksince and Llojan, is very grave. Local residents have complained for a long time that as a result of the concentration of Macedonian forces, the majority of civilians from village Vaksince have fled their houses toward Skopje and Kumanovo. Last week talks between Albanian officials and local residents did not produce any results because Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski did not agree to the residents' demands.

Could this fighting be avoided in Macedonia, is question that Macedonian officials should answers. Even without this combat, Macedonia itself has hot spots because of the non-implementation of the Ohrid Agreement. It is known that the Ohrid Agreement is based on four pillars: the use of the Albanian language, proper representation, decentralization and amnesty. There have been a few changes, and people are worried about the reformulation of the first three pillars; therefore, if this process continues, along with the process of decentralization, we can conclude that the Ohrid Agreement will be bypassed and changed significantly.

What will be the results of this provocation in Macedonia? Currently, it is difficult to say but it is known that security and stability in Macedonia are closely linked to security and stability in Kosovo and in the region as well.

Demaçi: The sentencing of the Llapi Group (Kosova Sot)
Kosova Sot carried a commentary by human rights activist Adem Demaçi on the trial of the Llapi Group and the arrival of new UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri.

Once again about the sentencing of the Llapi Group, which is a hot topic in the minds of Kosovars. The sentencing of Remi and his friends is a topic of discussion in coffee bars, main rooms, at weddings and along the roads throughout Kosovo.

This is about the harshest sentence. This is about the non-transparent manner of conducting trials. It is known that even the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms was not allowed to attend the trial. Much has been said about protected and invisible witnesses. There were also rumors about celebrations that were held in several main rooms in Llap after the sentencing of the Llapi Group. This means that some people were happy with this.

Much has been, and is being said, about these and other issues. I also wanted to say a couple of words on this matter. I don't find it essential whether they received harsh punishments or not. I don't find it essential how the defendants were represented. I also don't find it interesting that the transparency of the trial was a disaster. I find it completely unrighteous to declare innocent people guilty. Because Remi and his friends actively participated in the liberation fight of the people of Kosovo against the fascist invaders of Belgrade's regime and against its Albanian collaborators.

Therefore, there were two unforgivable and meaningless unjust acts: liberators were declared guilty, and those who collaborated with the invader were declared innocent. There is no way to defend or justify this and Kosovar citizens cannot swallow this.
Mr. Harri Holkeri
The majority of Kosovar citizens were happy when they found out that after Mr. Steiner's departure, Mr. Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General, had appointed Mr. Harri Holkeri as the all-powerful administrator of Kosovo.

However, being the typical son of a northern European country, once he came to Kosovo, Mr. Holkeri began generating coolness and then icy coldness. He didn't leave Kosovars in a self-satisfactory mood or facing a dilemma for a long time. He simply told three bitter truths to those who didn't know, or didn't want to know. He told Kosovars that he came here to implement UNSC Resolution 1244. He told them that he was not going to share his power with anyone. Therefore, one despot left and another came! He also said that neither Prishtina nor Belgrade could decide Kosovo's final status, but that it would be resolved by the Security Council. Three cold 'showers'! Albanians were frozen. Despite the heat in Kosovo, they keep asking themselves whether they are in Finland or in Iceland?! The wise Finn has no ears for Balkans humor, let alone Kosovar humor.

Make us happy, make us happy, Mr. Holkeri! Well, we have heard these things so many times from your predecessors.

Mr. Holkeri doesn't say much, but his words imply a great deal. However, Albanians aren't able to understand, let alone imply anything. It will never be late for Mr. Holkeri and it seems that he is telling Albanians: after it happens, then you will understand everything.

And we must speak honestly and say that so far the essential characteristics of Albanian politics are that we always come to our senses very late! Will it be different this time?

Jakup Krasniqi writes his opinion for Epoka e Re
'How are we behaving towards our heroes? If our heroes sacrificed everything for this little bit of freedom that we have now, how are we protecting them from the Serbian 'justice' that has stretched its hand from Prishtina all the way to The Hague?' asks Jakup Krasniqi, Minister of Public Services in the Kosovo Government, in an opinion piece for Epoka e Re.

A couple of days ago, I watched the Albanian movie, Two shots in Paris, dedicated to Avni Rrustemi's patriotic courage when he killed the traitor Esat Pasha Toptani on 13 June 1920 in Paris. Even though in our time, the acts of patriotism and treason seem to have been equalized, while watching the movie, I tried to draw parallels between Avni Rrustemi's trial in Paris and the trials of KLA generals in Kosovo and at The Hague.

Avni Rrustemi was 'guilty' of going to Paris to kill Esat Pasha Toptani who had tried to sell the little piece of Albania that managed to escape the wild chauvinist division. Avni was held in a prison in Paris because he violated the law in the French capital. He had killed a man. He had disturbed the Parisians with two gunshots. Two bullets were plunged deep into the body of the Pasha who was 'selling' Albania in bordellos in Paris. With his gunshots, Avni had 'alarmed' and offended the 'feelings' of madams in Paris, who danced around the Pasha to get their money by performing the oldest profession of humankind. According to French justice, Avni was guilty because he had killed a 'man'. The court panel rescued French justice from the pressure applied by Albanians from all sides, and Avni was declared not guilty. Albanians from the diaspora also helped in this process. Avni Rrustemi returned home as a great hero of Albania, thanks to the dignifying and committed position of all Albanians. Treason was killed in court. French justice was saved. The tradition of Albanians has continued to our days.

I started with the movie, Two shots in Paris, to find the point of convergence between the assassination carried out by Avni Rrustemi and the shots of KLA commanders who are now kept in the prisons of the 'liberated' Kosovo and in The Hague?! What was the fault of those were accused by The Hague tribunal, did they violate the public order in Scheveningen, Netherlands? Did they disturb Dutch citizens or madams in bordellos in The Hague with noisy revolvers? They did none of this. Albanians protected Avni Rrustemi from French justice. What role did Albanians play in the arrest and sentencing of the generals of war? Who are the Albanians that sent the KLA to The Hague? Who helped Albanians give false testimonies? What was the role of the 'new' Serb governmental officials, the Serbian 'justice' and the Serb secret police in these rigged trials against freedom and peace, against the independent and democratic state of Kosovo, and against its future? How much are Albanians protecting the liberation values? Should 125 years pass in order to assess national values?!

More than 90 years ago, the national obligation that came from all levels of the nation helped release Avni Rrustemi from prison in Paris. Albanians sent hundreds and tens of thousands of petitions to Paris. Almost 90 years later, KLA generals organized the Kosovo Liberation Army to force out the century-long slavery. With their liberation war, they won the support of the people of Kosovo and the support of the International Community and together liberated Kosovo. We all remember very clearly: the war in Kosovo was done neither with two gunshots nor with the shooting of Esat Pasha Toptani. Our liberation war had different dimensions. Vlora welcomed Avni like a hero. How are we behaving towards our heroes? If our heroes sacrificed everything for this little bit of freedom that we have now, how are we protecting them from the Serbian 'justice' that has stretched its hand from Prishtina all the way to The Hague? KLA commanders at The Hague!!! The indictments were raised in the headquarters of the 'independent' newspaper that prints in Albanian and carries Skënderbeu's portrait in red on the front page?! So far, no one has made a worse misuse of Skënderbeu's personality.

What is done by the Serbian Government, the Serb Ministry of Justice, Covic, Zivkovic, Batic, the Church and intellectuals in Belgrade is then faithfully carried out by UNMIK's 'Justice' and the political headquarters of the 'national' newspaper Bota Sot in Prishtina and in The Hague. Belgrade managed to exchange Milosevic with KLA generals, because 'democracy' had to prevail in Belgrade?! Which generals will be arrested in order to get Karadjic and Mladic?

Avni Rrustemi murdered treason and by doing so he victoriously entered the annals of our history. Our generals murdered the invading Serbia, broke the handcuffs of our slavery, brought us back our lost freedom, and also brought back our human and national honor and dignity, opened up the future for education and development, and a life of fearless movement, and we keep silent when Bota Sot tries them everyday in coordination with Belgrade government officials. And we are pretending as if nothing is happening. I fear that for insulting our most recent glory, we, as a nation, are going to pay a big price for this. We are doing this on a daily basis, in public and in silence. The world is noticing this and is treating us the way we deserve it. What we are not going to do now, there is no point in waiting for it to be done by people who make celebrations only after 125 years.

Classes in Kosovo schools to return to normal? (Zëri)
The papers reported today about the possibility of the school year beginning after a one-week strike by teachers.

Saturday and Sunday's meetings resulted in common pronouncements by Minister of Education Rexhep Osmani, SBASHK union leader Agim Hyseni and the advisor to Kosovo's Prime Minister, Rexhep Hoti, which acknowledged an important step towards end of the strike, Zëri reported. The Government has promised to review collective contracts and possibility to increase salaries in the first session of the Kosovo Assembly. On the other hand, the union, SBASHK, did not announce the end of the strike, because they demanded more time to consult with coordinators on the ground and with the schools' strike councils as well.

At around 23:00 last night, they went before reporters and acknowledged that after two days of negotiations between the government and the union, their position have been harmonized regarding the resolution of this matter.

Hoti said that a harmonization of the position has been reached which will open the way for the agreement. Minister Osmani said that the 'Ministry of Education and the Kosovo Government itself made extraordinary efforts toward improving the teachers' situation'.

'We have offered everything we could,' Osmani was quoted as saying, while he read the six points of 'achieved understanding'. Hyseni did not call for a halt to the strike, as was expected, but said that coordinators and union leaders at the municipal levels, after consulting with strike councils in the schools, will take the final decision. 'We are bringing together our positions after the involvement of PM adviser Rexhep Hoti, Minister Osmani…' Hyseni said. 'Our common aim is harmonize positions to improve position of teachers,' Hyseni concluded.

Talks between SBASHK and the PM's adviser started on Saturday and continued also on Sunday when Minister of Education Osmani joined in.

The paper also published government's offer for halting the strike.

· Ministry of Education agreed to begin the procedure for changing article 34 of the Education law, entitled 'Collective agreement regarding salaries and working conditions'. The government will pass this issue to Assembly.
· Government, like Education Ministry, is committed to changing the teachers' grave situation and in particular will consider the level of employment in accordance with regulations and budget capabilities.
· By increasing salaries for all civil servants, which is expected to happen next year, the government will give particular consideration to educational workers.
· Although salaries were increased by 20%, the Kosovo Government assesses that artificial increase in prices of vital items is harming serious efforts by the government to improve social circumstances in Kosovo. Therefore, the government will do everything within its competencies that this savage trend be brought under control, and will also require that UNMIK get involved in this issue.
· Ministry of Education, as it has so far, will offer full transparence about its management of financial assets.
· After approval of the changes to the article from the Education Law regarding collective contracts, the Ministry of Education, together with union, will undertake every measure to review budget capabilities regarding salaries and working conditions.

Zëri also reports that Prishtina Mayor Ismet Beqiri issued a press release appealing to all teachers in Prishtina municipality to start classes.

Following the same issue, Koha Ditore reported that strikers would decide today whether classes will start or not. 'In the early morning hours, we will make a decision,' Hyseni was quoted as saying, and he added that the offer from the government was 'serious'.

VALA 900 operating without a license, code will soon be changed (Bota Sot)
Bota Sot conducted an interview with Minister of Transport and Communication Zef Morina regarding what is going on between PTK and Ministry, Kosovo's code and VALA 900 license.

What is happening between Ministry of Communications and Transport and PTK?
Unfortunately, PTK is not under our control, although according to the Constitutional Framework, it is supposed to be under the umbrella of our Ministry, not to manage or administer it, but to control it, that is, to supervise its work. The prime obstacles are presented by the KTA. Despite the fact that the Constitutional Framework and UNMIK regulation 2001/19 is very clear that public property should be administered by UNMIK, there is a confusion between company and property. We have demanded that Steiner and [UNMIK] legal officers clarify the Constitutional Framework, but we did not get answer from them. I have raised same issue in the meeting of the Council for the Transferring of Competencies.

When did you raise this issue?
Four months ago.

Who is responsible for PTK's lack of transparence?
We will meet the new SRSG and I will persist in having this issue clarified. If we are unsuccessful we will require other ways, because we will not allow PTK to resemble a private company or company that is in another country and to not be accountable to the Government and the [Communications] Ministry.

Do you think PTK has corruption, disorder…?
Those are issues that we do not know, because authorities are responsible for it, but there is disorder.

Who do you blame for the disorder at PTK, children that sell cards in streets or PTK management?
Starting from the management and down to the cards in the street.

If PTK were part of the Ministry, would you allow such negative appearances?
We would immediately remove such disorders.

By which strategy?
If we have access in these issues, we will create regulations under which the PTK management is supposed to work. There is no order at all and everybody presents himself as landlord.

Have you started to compile such a regulation?
According to the law that was signed by Steiner, we have created a regulation and established the board that is supposed to supervise PTK. But the SRSG's legal advisers are trying to create confusion from that law.

Two KTA members are supposed to be on that board. Why they are ignoring this board?
They did not come. We expect that the new Pillar IV chief [Nikolaus] Lambsdorff will change things. We will have a meeting with him where we will discuss these issues and we will not allow things to flow as it were so far.

What is happening to PTK general Manger Leme Xhema. What is your opinion?
This issue belongs to the responsible authorities. We do not have a report on this issue.

Kosovo still has no phone code. You have worked very hard but it seems without results. When will have our country code?
It is true that results currently are lacking. But this is a procedure, a political act, for which we might talk hundred times to achieve a 'yes' or 'no'. We are working in this regard, and I hope that the company which comes will bring a code. So we will have code without expenditures.

What would such a company be?
We will see. We have offers from various companies. But company will come from an open tender. The first condition is that code should remain here and we shouldn't pay for it. VALA 900 brought a code but we paid for it.

Does this mean bankruptcy of VALA 900?
No. VALA is obligated to use that code.

What will happen if VALA 900 reaches an agreement again to use code of Monaco Telecom? PTK representatives have already made such request?
The extension of the contract may happen in a few ways. At the time when we have our code, they will automatically use it. It is a technical procedure for changing cards, numbers. A period of five to six months is required. VALA 900 will be the operator but it will use the state's code.

When will such an operator provide competition to VALA 900?
According to the law, competition should begin now. Therefore, the bid will be announced by end of this year. The tender will last one or two months and later a new operator will be chosen.

But VALA 900's licensed has expired?
Of course, VALA 900 is operating without license. We have demanded PTK officials to bring adequate documentation in order to extend the license. They brought all the documents to us on August 8. The main point is information about VALA 900's finances, in particular, and PTK's finances, in general. We are disappointed, because the information that they gave to us was incomplete and senseless. We gave them another deadline until August 28. The date has expired and we are still waiting; therefore, together with the EU Pillar IV, we will discuss further decisions.

Who signed such documents that you called 'incomplete'?
There was a signature of PTK's acting general manager, Eric McKinlay.

Under which conditions you would re-license VALA 900?
Conditions are same as if it were a new operator. For us everything is same. We want to know revenues based on which we will set taxes. How much taxes has VALA 900 paid to Kosovo? According to their reports, they have been always in deficit.

Does this mean that PTK did not pay money into the [Kosovo Consolidated] budget?
It has not. This is the reason why we wanted to see their revenues, expenditures and taxes, for the budget.

Kosovo is still the only place in Europe without a passenger railway…
Sincerely, UNMIK has done little or nothing for the railway.

Belgrade Media Update

In Kosovo Pomoravlje Serbian children still not going to school (Tanjug)
Kosovska Mitrovica region education chief Predrag Stojcetovic confirmed to Tanjug on Monday that Serbian children in Kosovo Pomoravlje, as well as in the province of Kosovska Kamenica, are still not going to school for security reasons.
"Following the tragic events in Cernica, the Serbian education authorities and parents have demanded safety for children on their way to and from schools, as well as the security of schools and of private houses where class is sometimes held.

Holkeri has to be mediator in Belgrade-Pristina talks, Kosovo Serb politicians (Tanjug)
UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri, in spite of the opposing of ethnic Albanians, has to be a mediator in Belgrade-Pristina talks, political representatives of Kosovo Serbs said on Monday. One of the province parliament vice-presidents, Gojko Savic, said that Holkeri had to be a mediator in the talks between Belgrade and Pristina, which, according to him, would not be opened shortly and would not last long.

Rexhepi denies Svilanovic's statement (Tanjug)
Kosovo Premier Bajram Rexhepi has rejected the statement of Serbia-Montenegro (SCG) Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic that Belgrade and Pristina agreed on the date of opening talks about the future of Kosovo. Rexhepi also denied the statements of SGG officials that the topics of talks, as regards specific and practical issues, had been agreed upon as well, Radio Free Europe reported.

Kosovo Media Highlights
· Harsh fighting in Breza, three Albanians killed, five wounded (all dailies)
· First refugees from Macedonia arrive in Viti/Vitina (Epoka e Re)
· Within this mandate, Kosovo Assembly to declare independence (?) (Zëri)
· Most inmates transferred from Dubrava to other prisons (Koha Ditore)
· UNMIK: Investigations of Dubrava incident to be concluded soon (Zëri)
· Holkeri: Kosovo's status after fulfillment of standards of state of law (Zëri)
· Kosovar reps: Holkeri cannot be mediator in talks (Zëri)
· Rexhepi: We haven't agreed on topics for talks with Serbian side (Zëri)
· Classes in Kosovo schools to return to normal? (Zëri)
· PM Bajram Rexhepi replies to miners on live TV show (Koha Ditore)
· KPS investigator ambushed and killed in Gjakova (Koha Ditore)
· Shala: Dialogue among Kosovar politicians (Zëri)
· Palokaj: Kosovar depression healed by anniversaries (Koha Ditore)
· Jakup Krasniqi writes opinion piece for Epoka e Re
· Covic: I don't know that talks with Kosovo will start this fall (Zëri)
· Putin mentions scandalous figures regarding refugees in Kosovo (Koha)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Harsh fighting in Breza, three Albanians killed, five wounded (all dailies)
All dailies report there was serious fighting between Macedonian army and police and armed Albanian groups in the Kumanova region on Sunday.

Citing its sources, Koha Ditore reports that Macedonian forces launched their attack early Sunday morning and caught the armed Albanians unprepared. The same sources told the paper that police killed three Albanian fighters and a civilian, and wounded five other civilians.

Koha Ditore quotes Avdyl Jakupi, aka Commander Çakalla, as saying, 'We are in the middle of fighting in Tanusha. Macedonian forces have launched a furious attack against Albanian villages along the border. They are bombing Breza, Tanusha and Malina with three military helicopters.'

Citing sources on the ground, Epoka e Re reports that three Albanian combatants and a civilian were killed and four other civilians were wounded during the Macedonian offensive which was launched Sunday morning. There is also information about several victims from the Macedonian forces. This information could not be officially confirmed. [further coverage in afternoon Media Analysis]

First refugees from Macedonia arrive in Viti/Vitina (Epoka e Re)
Epoka e Re reports that the first refugees from the fighting in Kumanova region, Macedonia, arrived in Viti/Vitina on Friday.

The heads of fleeing families were quoted as saying, 'The constant gunshots, the intimidation and the continuous provocations by the Macedonian army and police for the alleged search of armed groups have forced us to flee from the village of Gushinca, because we fear for the lives and well-being of our families.'

Within this mandate, Kosovo Assembly to declare independence (?) (Zëri)
Zëri claims that the main challenge of the Kosovo Assembly is how to declare the independence of Kosovo and how to assure the support of the international community ahead of this action.

The paper added that Assembly Speaker Nexhat Daci plans to continue his meetings with local leaders, which according to his advisor Ramush Tahiri, are aimed at finding a common strategy with the goal of implementing the will of the people through the assembly. 'However, the main challenge remains how to gain international support for this goal,' added Zëri.

Most of inmates transferred from Dubrava to other prisons (Koha Ditore)
Citing reliable sources, Koha Ditore reports that after the tragedy that occurred four days ago in Dubrava Prison, the rebel inmates are now being transferred to other prisons in Kosovo.

Sources from the prison told Koha Ditore that so far 60-70 inmates who participated in the rebellion have been transferred to other prisons.

UNMIK: Investigations on Dubrava incident to end soon (Zëri)
Zëri reports that UNMIK Pillar I claims that investigations surrounding the tragic incident in Dubrava Prison would be concluded soon, and that at the same time its officials believe that the requests of President Rugova and Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi to set up independent commissions regarding this case imply that they don't have faith in UNMIK's investigations.

'Since the incident, the block that caught on fire has been sealed by the police and there are ongoing investigations there. Investigators have interrogated several inmates,' said UNMIK Pillar I spokesperson Neeraj Singh.

Holkeri: Kosovo's status after fulfillment of standards of state of law (Zëri)
Zëri reports that during an interview for the German weekly newspaper Der Spiegel, SRSG Harri Holkeri promised he would leave no stone unturned to catch those who have carried out the recent attacks against Serbs, and he also announced 'intensive efforts' to improve the position of Serbs. [more in Media Analysis]

Kosovar representatives say Holkeri cannot be mediator in talks (Zëri)
Zëri reports Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi as saying that Harri Holkeri is head of the international mission in Kosovo and the position of mediator in technical talks between Prishtina and Belgrade doesn't belong to him.

'I think that the position of the mediator logically doesn't belong to Mr. Holkeri,' Rexhepi said. [more in Media Analysis]

Rexhepi: We haven't agreed on topics of talks with Serbian side (Zëri)
Zëri reports that PM Rexhepi commented yesterday on the statement of Foreign Minister of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro Goran Svilanovic, who claimed that he and Rexhepi had agreed on the topics of discussions during the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

'There is absolutely no truth to this,' said Rexhepi, adding that during the EU Summit in Thessaloniki, four topics were proposed for the dialogue between Kosovar and Serbian representatives, such as the issue of returns, missing persons, energy, transport and communications.

Bota Sot carries an opinion piece from its editorial office, asking: 'What will be the topics of talks with the former invaders of Kosovo?'

Classes in Kosovo schools to return to normal? (Zëri)
All dailies carry reports from the outcome of the meetings between the education union and the Ministry of Education, mediated by PM Rexhepi's advisor Rexhep Hoti.

According to Zëri, the two-day meeting resulted in an agreement in principle to return to classes as normal, which is expected to happen today, after the education union consults the strike councils in Kosovar schools.

Zëri also reports that Prishtina Mayor Ismet Beqiri has issued a press release appealing to all teachers in Prishtina municipality to start classes. [more in Media Analysis]

PM Bajram Rexhepi replies to miners in live TV show (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that on the sixth day of the strike of Stan Trg mineworkers, Prime Minister Rexhepi gave an interview to Mitrovica TV. He replied to the questions of the miners, who were most interested in the reasons of Rexhepi's failure to visit them.

'For six days, with the numerous commitment that I have, I could have used some time to come and salute the miners for whom I have the utmost respect, but I feel very bad to go before the miners as a prime minister and tell them: 'Men I am with you, but there is nothing I can do for you,' Rexhepi was quoted as saying.

KPS investigator ambushed and killed in Gjakova (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that unknown persons ambushed and killed Hajdar Ahmeti, investigator of Kosovo Police Service. 'Around midnight, unknown persons ambushed and killed KPS officer from Gjakova, Hajdar Ahmeti, while he was going back home,' said Joel Singleton, regional police spokespersons in Peja.

Shala: Dialogue between Kosovar politicians (Zëri)
Zëri runs a front-page editorial by Blerim Shala who claims that the absence of several ministers of the Kosovo Government in the negotiations training, organized by the OSCE and the US Institute for Peace, and the contradictory statements by the prime minister and several ministers about the importance of this training only proves the seriousness of problems that have swept the government and the assembly of Kosovo. [full translation in Media Analysis]

Palokaj: Kosovar depression healed with anniversaries (Koha Ditore)
In an opinion piece for Koha Ditore, correspondent in Brussels, Augustin Palokaj writes: 'The status of Kosovo, especially its future, will depend more on the current Kosovar pupils and students than on all current provisional Kosovar leaders, who in the time of problems in Kosovo are more involved in relations between the US and France than with the daily problems of citizens.'

Jakup Krasniqi writes opinion piece for Epoka e Re
'How are we behaving towards our heroes? If our heroes sacrificed everything for this little bit of freedom that we have now, how are we protecting them from the Serbian 'justice' that has stretched its hand from Prishtina all the way to The Hague?' asks Jakup Krasniqi in an opinion piece for Epoka e Re.

Covic: I don't know that talks with Kosovo will start this fall (Zëri)
'Talks will commence only when Harri Holkeri, after he returns from consultations with the Contact Group, responds to the following questions - where, when, how, and what should be discussed. Only then will we have the possibility of announcing the commencement of talks,' said the head of the Coordination Center for Kosovo, Nebojsa Covic.

Putin mentions scandalous figures regarding refugees in Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for consistency in efforts tp\o establish order and peace in the Balkans. Commenting on the situation in the Balkans, he said, 'Russia is bound to pay attention to problems that have not been resolved to date.'

'When some 40,000 Albanians left Kosovo, the international community called that a humanitarian catastrophe. And we did the right thing by paying attention to this issue. But now 200,000 Serbs haveleft their homes and cannot return and this is absolutely inadmissible,' Putin added.

Kosovo Press Headlines
Koha Ditore
Front page
· Heavy fighting in Breze, three Albanians killed/five wounded [fYROM]
· KPS policeman killed in Gjakovë
· Most prisoners from Dubrava transferred to other prisons
· Striking teachers will decide whether or not to begin new school year
· Whoever eats lots of bread is poor

Other headlines
· Prime Minister says they won't meet coals miners just for the sake of it (2)
· Institutions of private education still await licenses (3)
· Media kept in dark by K-institutions (4)
· Moisiu: Nano should react to ECC [Albania] (4)
· Tenant decides on the salaries (5)
· Police still have no clear picture of motives for shooting in Bingje (6)
· Confiscated cigarettes have Greek banderoles [Macedonia] (6)
· Prizren: August, month of accidents (6)
· Ismet Beqiri appeals for school to begin (7)
· Ferizaj: Strikers announce that strike will continue (7)
· Klinë: Nobody shows interest in us (7)
· Houuben: Situation is calm but not stable (8)
· Rahovec: Krusha residents unhappy with UNMIK and local institutions (8)
· Lipjan: Vignjevic: 'Nici misused financial assets' (8)
· Palokaj: Kosovar depression healed by anniversaries (10)
· Putin mentioned scandalous refugee numbers (11)

Zëri
Front page
· Fighting in Breze, Macedonia, several Albanians killed
· PDK and AAK Ministers do not participate in training
· Shala: Dialogue among Albanian politicians
· Problems of mediator and the dialogue
· Kosovo Assembly declares independence within its mandate (?)
· Gjakovë: KPS policeman is killed
· UNMIK: Investigations of Dubrava incident to be completed in ten days

Other headlines
· Beqiri: Start school for sake of stability in Prishtina and Kosovo (2)
· Classes will be normalized? (2)
· Government's offer for halting the strike (2)
· Kosovar leaders say Holkeri cannot be mediator in dialogue with Belgrade (3)
· Rexhepi: We did not agree with Serbs about topics for the dialogue (3)
· Holkeri: Kosovo's status will be decided when rule of law is established (3)
· Covic: I don't know if talks will begin this autumn (3)
· Shehu: Kosovo can expect good cooperation from Croatia (5)
· Majko: Resolution on Kosovo's status would stabilize the region (6)
· Balkan parliaments meet in Tirana (6)
· Four year of KPS (6)
· Skenderaj: Defendant is released (6)
· Citizens promise assistance but complain about bank procedures (7)
· Çela: Coal miners health is worsening every day (7)
· Kamenice: Inauguration of new schools which cost €235,000 (7)
· Serbs from Partesh throw stones at pedestrians (8)
· Kamenice: Privatization process passed first test (8)
· Reporters: Kosovo institutions are closed to media (9)
· Who are the fifty students admitted to Department of Political Sciences? (9)

Bota Sot
Front page
· Large military action in Breze, doubtful that only three were killed
· KPS policeman Hasan Ahmetaj is killed
· VALA 900 is operating without a license, soon the code will be changed
· When do Serbs want to alter Kosovo border?
· Symbolic festival in commemoration of September 11

Other headlines
· What are topics for dialogue between Kosovo and its former occupier? (2)
· KTA holds first talks with coal miners (2)
· Morina: Motives are unknown [in killing of policeman in Gjakova] (2)
· Creation of a venture for reconstruction of roads expected (2)
· Economy is increasing, social welfare is decreasing (3)
· Strike cannot resolve problems (4)
· Prizren: Burial of who of those who died in Dubrava incident (4)
· Kosovo Govt doesn't even have one percent competence over Trepça (5)
· Buçpapaj: Mr. Solana will not allow speculation with Serbian figures (5)
· Teachers killed SBASHK virus (8)
· PM Rexhepi participated in European Economic Forum (8)
· Cervenkovski aims to begin conflict in Haraçine [Macedonia] (10)

Kosova Sot
Front page
· Decision on strike will be taken today
· Every equality between US and Russia is worthless
· Demaçi: Cool analyses of hot topics
· KPS policeman is killed in Gjokovë
· Anniversary of day when foundations of Kosovo state were established
· Alarm: Kosovars at risk from imported materials
· Editorial: Provocation of the situation

Other headlines
· Information about killed but numbers not confirmed (2)
· Italian FM Frattini: K-Serbs, same rights as Albanians in Macedonia (2)
· Will Russia be mediator in Kosovo? (2)
· Rexhepi qualifies as 'unfounded' Svilanovic's statement (3)
· Svilanovic: Dialogue will begin this autumn (3)
· Covic: I don't know about dialogue in autumn (3)
· Putin, Belgrade's advocate (3)
· Rexhepi: Only guarantee of success is US participation (4)
· Holkeri and Patten will address Kosovo deputies (4)
· Solana meets with Holkeri (4)
· Our officials in training on negotiation techniques (4)
· PDK: Recent Serbian actions return situation to ground zero (4)
· Why Holkeri cannot be mediator (5)
· Holkeri's challenge (5)
· Ignorance of politics may return like a boomerang (6)
· Unions resign from radical demands (7)
· How many insurance companies fulfill obligations toward clients (8)
· PM Rexhepi addressed coal miners over TV Mitrovica (8)
· KPS celebrate fourth anniversary (9)
· Request for return 800 exhumes bodies from Serbia to Kosovo (9)
· Beqiri appeals for the school year to begin (9)
· Car market in Prishtina (10)
· AKSH doesn't want war (14)

Epoka e Re
Front page
· War on border, 800 prisoners on strike, coal miners are dying softly, KPS policeman is killed in Gjakovë, teachers don't give up…
· Krasniqi: Two shots and KLA generals
· Vuniçi: Political games
· Hroni: So that region should speak in Albanian language
· Egro: Holkeri's challenge

Other headlines
· KPS policeman Hajdar Ahmeti killed, Halil Çekaj killed in Irzniq (2)
· Heavy combats, few killed and wounded (2)
· First refugees from Macedonia arrive in Viti (2)
· Robaj: Whoever doesn't support Limaj fund is not Albanian (3)
· Haselock: Albanian politicians have no courage (4)
· Holkeri: Independence during my mandate? I don't know! (4)
· Coal miners are dying softly (5)
· Teachers face ministerial envoys (6)
· There is no agreement…[teachers] (7)
· Gjukanovic doesn't agree to testify against Milosevic (7)
· PM Rexhepi: We have not agreed on topics for the dialogue (7)
· PM Rexhepi: Civilians in Macedonia shouldn't suffer (7)
· Over 800 prisoners are on hunger strike (7)
· Dialogue between Prishtina and Brussels will begin in Brussels (8)
· Seminar divides the government (8)
· Anniversary of declaration of the Kosovo constitution (9)
· PDK: Recent Serbian action return situation to ground zero (9)

Belgrade Media Highlights

· EU ministers to discuss Kosovo at the end of month (Politika/Beta)
· Svilanovic expects negotiations in the fall (Glas/Fonet)
· Moscow ready to take part in resolving of Kosovo problem (Glas/Beta)
· Putin on the Balkans (Vecernje Novosti/Beta)
· Albanians want to negotiate without Holkeri (Politika/Beta)
· Only seven Serbs remain in southern Mitrovica (Blic/Fonet)
· Jusufspahic: Position of non-Albanians in Kosovo difficult (Balkan)

· Holkeri announced intensive efforts for stepping up position of Serbs (Blic)
· Holkeri on situation in Kosovo (Politika/Beta)
· Covic: No dialogue with Pristina this fall (Balkan/Beta)
· Covic on dialogue with Pristina (Glas/Tanjug)
· Milan Ivanovic on negotiations (Vecernje Novosti)
· Rugova hopes for speedy independence of Kosovo (Danas/Beta)
· Srdjan Sikimic on Serbian Constitution (Vecernje Novosti)
· Albanian killed in Kosovo (Glas/Beta)

EU ministers to discuss Kosovo at the end of month (Politika/Beta)
EU foreign ministers will discuss Kosovo and the Balkans in general by the end of this month, Italian Foreign Affairs Minister Franco Frattini said. The EU ministers will address what Frattini described as the difficult security situation in the province together with the problem of organized crime. Frattini was speaking after a meeting of the foreign ministers in the Italian city of Riva del Garda, in reply to a question as to whether Italy, as the current presiding over the EU, would do anything to address increasing crime, smuggling and drug-trafficking in Serbia's southern province. On Tuesday, EU High Representative Javier Solana and new UNMIK Head Harri Holkeri will have talks in Brussels on the preparations for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and on the safety situation in the province, especially due to the crimes committed lately against Kosovo Serbs.

Svilanovic expects negotiations in the fall (Glas/Fonet)
SaM Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic has expressed hope that talks between Belgrade and Pristina representatives will commence this fall, specifying that Brussels had been mentioned as the place of meeting. 'We are getting ready for the beginning of the dialogue. We hope it will be possible to sit at the table this fall, in the following month or so, said Svilanovic. He confirmed that the talks would begin with topics such as safety, power, traffic, and added that at issue were not talks that would last a month or so, but one, and perhaps, two years.

Moscow ready to take part in resolving of Kosovo problem (Glas/Beta)
Russia is ready to continue to 'actively participate in the joint efforts towards reaching a just and lasting solution of the Kosovo problem,' said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Razov during talks with UNMIK Head Harri Holkeri. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Aleksandar Jakovenko also confirmed this in an interview to Beta on the eve of the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov to Serbia and Montenegro, and said that the examining of issues regarding Kosovo's final status would be too early in the beginning phase. Russia favors the realization of the principle 'first standards then status' of Kosovo and considers that the soon commencement of talks between Pristina and Belgrade would contribute to the realization of this goal, said the Russian diplomat and added that Moscow was not leaving the Balkans.

Putin on the Balkans (Vecernje Novosti/Beta)
Russian President Vladimir Putin called on consistence in efforts invested in the establishment of stable order and peace in the Balkans. Russia is bound to pay attention to problems that have not been solved to date, Putin is quoted by the RIA News agency as saying. When some 40,000 Albanians left Kosovo the international community called that a humanitarian catastrophe. Now 200,000 Serbs left their homes and cannot return, which is absolutely inadmissible, Putin said.

Albanians want to negotiate without Holkeri (Politika/Beta)
Representatives of Kosovo institutions and analysts assessed that the announced dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina could prove unsuccessful if mediated by UNMIK Head Harri Holkeri, as his mandate is administration over Kosovo and defense of its interests.
It has been assessed that talks should be held through the EU at an equal institutional footing with Serbia and that the participation of the US in the dialogue would represent a guarantee of its success.

Only seven Serbs remain in southern Mitrovica (Blic/Fonet)
Following the departure of Italian karabiners, five members of Milorad Koljensic's family, placed in the premises of Srbolek near their checkpoint, moved out from southern Mitrovica. Apart from Koljensic, four members of Svetislav Nojic's family moved out from southern Mitrovica seven days ago. Father Sveta served at the St. Sava temple but he had to leave the house in the church's port after retirement. Following their departure, only seven Serbs remain to live in southern Mitrovica. Prior to KFOR's arrival, more than 4000 Serbs lived in southern Mitrovica.

Jusufspahic: Position of non-Albanians in Kosovo difficult (Balkan)
The Mufti of the Islamic Community of Serbia, Hamdija effendi Jusufspahic, has assessed that the position of Muslims in Serbia has 'stepped up' while the position of non-Albanians in Kosovo, including Muslims, is still bad. 'The nationalistic movement in Kosovo and Albania is like any other nationalistic movement and recognizes only itself. Proof for this are Romanis, Ashkalis, Turks, Boshniaks and Goranis who have been displaced from Kosovo,' said Jusufspahic. He added that, from the beginning of the war in Kosovo, he hasn't gone there, although 'he has friends and very decent people down there.' 'But it doesn't matter to blind nationalists who is who what color, if they are not the same nation. Since Islam, much has been forgotten in Kosovo during the communist rule. Their (Albanian) wish is to be linked with Albania from those times,' said Jusufspahic.

Holkeri announced intensive efforts for stepping up position of Serbs (Blic)
UNMIK Head Harri Holkeri has promised to 'look under every stone' towards finding the perpetrators of the latest attacks on Serbs and announced 'intensive efforts' for stepping up the position of Serbs.

Holkeri on situation in Kosovo (Politika/Beta)
'We must step up coordination among those responsible as well as to call on Kosovo citizens to help us in this fragile issue,' Harri Holkeri told Spiegel. Collecting illegal arms in Kosovo, according to the Finnish diplomat, will step up the safety situation. 'The population must decide on whose side it is,' stressed Holkeri. Asked whether Serbs in Kosovo were now safe, Holkeri responded 'he didn't have reports according to which Serbs who had returned left Kosovo again.' Responding to the remark by Spiegel journalists that many observers suppose that the latest wave of attacks are a reflection of Albanian politicians' attempt to 'torpedo' the announced talks with Belgrade, Holkeri said the 'dialogue about the practical issues was equally important for both sides.'

Covic: No dialogue with Pristina this fall (Balkan/Beta)
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic has denied the possibility of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina to commence this fall stressing that much has to be done before the collocutors sit at the table. Reacting to the statement made by SaM Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic that talks on Kosovo would commence this fall, Covic told Beta: 'Perhaps they are beginning, but I don't know that.' 'Talks will commence only when Harri Holkeri, after he returns from consultations with the Contact Group, responds to the following questions - where, when, how, and what to discuss. Only then will we have the possibility to announce the commencement of talks,' said the Head of the CCK.

Covic on dialogue with Pristina (Glas/Tanjug)
Belgrade has been available and ready for the dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija since October 5, 2000, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the CCK Nebojsa Covic said. Speaking about announcements for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Covic has told BBC that he also expects Pristina, or the Albanian national community, to be also ready. I expect Mr. Harri Holkeri to give certain principles and approaches related to the beginning of the dialogue, said Covic.

Milan Ivanovic on negotiations (Vecernje Novosti)
According to SNC leader for northern Kosovo Milan Ivanovic, Albanians will try to buy time with blackmailing. We have information that they will demand prior to the dialogue that Serbia take over the financing of the pension insurance, education fund and pay for some 150 thousand employees who are unemployed. There are allegedly 100 thousand retired people in the province. Not a small number of them 'worked out disability pensions through their doctors.' There are 39 thousand of them. But they still don't recognize Serbia as their state; they do not pay a single dinar for the pension and disability funds, said Ivanovic.

Rugova hopes for speedy independence of Kosovo (Danas/Beta)
Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova has voiced hope that Kosovo would 'soon become independent' with the constitution from 1990 when a group of Albanian delegates from the then provincial assembly proclaimed Kosovo a republic in Kacanik. Seventh September entered the newest Kosovo history because Albanian delegates of the then provincial assembly proclaimed the 'Kacanik constitution' and Kosovo a republic on that date 13 years ago, said Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova.

Srdjan Sikimic on Serbian Constitution (Vecernje Novosti)
Do the members of the Constitutional Commission also have in mind Kosovo and Vojvodina?
'In relation to authorizations, jurisdictions, institutions, there will be no difference between Vojvodina and Kosovo in the new Serbian Constitution, not even for the future autonomies that will eventually be created within Serbia. It is a fact that at this moment we have the international community present in Kosovo, and as long this is the case, the new constitution will not be possible to apply there before the peace mission ends,' Serbian MP and member of the commission of the new constitution Srdjan Sikimic told Novosti.

Albanian killed in Kosovo (Glas/Beta)
KPS member Ajdar Ahmeti has been murdered in the village of Ponosevac near Djakovica, UNMIK spokesman Andrea Angelli said. Ahmeti, 27, was killed in front of his house after he returned from work. He served with the KPS in Djakovica for two years. Ahmeti's murder is the second in Kosovo over the past 48 hours.