Media Analysis 9 September 2003

• Belgrade's statements on Kosovo are worthless (Bota Sot)
  
• Shala: Clarity surrounding confusion (Zëri)
  
• Teachers' strike will not end (Zëri)
  
• Editorial: Teachers' outrage (Kosova Sot)
  
• LPK: First independence, then unification, maybe with Solana's blessing (Koha)
  
• Bajrami: Facts are merciless, when we don't forget them (Koha Ditore)
  
• Syla: Kosovo's political rain (Koha Ditore)
  
• Guardia di Finanza investigations in PTK include several managers (dailies)

Main Stories 9 September 2003

• Kosovo Media Highlights
  
• Belgrade Media Highlights

Belgrade's statements on Kosovo are worthless (Bota Sot)
Bota Sot conducted an interview with SRSG Harri Holkeri in which the SRSG reportedly said that Belgrade's statements regarding the status of Kosovo are invalid.

Mr. SRSG, last week you participated in a Contact Group meeting in Moscow, can you tell us what you talked about there and what is the aim of your visit to Geneva and Brussels?
During the Contact Group meeting in Moscow, we had in focus the situation in Kosovo and regional perspectives as well. We talked about two primary issues: regional security and dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade, which is in accordance with the EU Thessaloniki summit that was held in the summer. Discussions that I had with diplomacy chiefs within the Contact Group countries were constructive. I am optimistic that such discussion will continue for the good of Kosovo and the entire region. The aim of this journey to Geneva and Brussels is about current situation in Kosovo and preparedness for dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade in the near future.

Mr. Holkeri, you have completed one month as head of the mission in Kosovo. Can you tell us what your priorities will be during coming days in Kosovo?
I have no intention to stay in Kosovo only ten days. Before coming to Kosovo, I was in Prishtina in mid-August and after numerous meetings and consultations that I had with regional representatives, my agenda now has a few priorities. First is rule of law, establishment of a multiethnic society, advancement of the economy and the fight against organized crime. Basically, these are some of the obligations that we will face, without which I cannot imagine a better future for Kosovo.

At the Thessaloniki summit it was concluded that dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade would begin soon. Kosovo representatives have demanded mediation from the EU and US. How much preparation have you made in this direction and is it true that you will mediate in these negotiations?
As I said before, dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade will be in response to the Thessaloniki summit. This dialogue is still in preparation. Now the question is raised: when, where and how? Dialogue will be focused on practical issues, which will be in the interest of both sides. I hope that the EU and the US are close to stances for beginning the dialogue. It is important to stress recognition of our modalities and their implementation as well. I believe that after one week, after a few meetings and consultations in Geneva and Brussels, it will be known when talks will begin. Therefore, I don't want to speculate about the fate of this dialogue.

How effective will this dialogue be when Kosovo still has some unresolved issues, e.g. the Mitrovica issue, missing persons issue, etc?
I am aware about all these problems and we are working intensively in this direction. Unfortunately, we have had a tense situation recently, including numerous incidents, but if we and Kosovo institutions stay with our arms crossed, we will miss the opportunity. This is not in favor of Kosovo and the region. Even though you think that I am saying same things, I should add that we should work for implementing the standards, and the functionality of the democratic society. Democracy doesn't mean just to organize free elections, but it has a significant meaning. What is important for a functional society is freedom of speech and a free press, freedom of movement and above all rule of law.

Since the International Independent Commission, headed by Charles Goldstone, submitted a report to UN SG Kofi Annan about Kosovo's independence, it is no longer a taboo issue either in Brussels or in Washington. What do you think about Kosovo's status and its perspective?
The United Nations mission has been in Kosovo for four years. Numerous actions and decisions have been taken and implemented successfully in the region. During the mandates of my predecessors, a clear position was presented to the Kosovo Representatives and to the region as well: to implement standards before addressing final status. We should find effective ways to get out of this situation, by installing the standards of an open society and rule of law. Then the UN, specifically the Security Council, could determine Kosovo's final status, regardless of a declaration from Belgrade or anybody else on Kosovo.

I am referring here to the Serbian Parliament's declaration on Kosovo's status, likewise the Albanian declaration on regional future. Currently, Kosovo is administered by UNSC Resolution 1244, while these [other] declarations are worthless and do not belong to reality. We should work more and get committed to the standards for advancing the democratic processes and not to focus on declarations but on a democratic, open and safe society for all its citizens. In Kosovo we will act according to regulations and the clear formula: Standards before status.

Shala: Clarity surrounding confusion (Zëri)
In an opinion piece for Zëri, editor Blerim Shala commented on the future of the dialogue between Kosovar and Serbian representatives.

The ordinary citizen of Kosovo can now conclude that he doesn't know what is happening with the current topic of dialogue. This mood probably fully reflects the position of our officials, who cannot claim that they know everything that lies ahead of them, and, what is more important, what are their objectives in the dialogue. This doesn't prevent some of them from making harsh statements in which they present the list of their nonnegotiable demands. The same politicians, who only a couple of months ago had no doubt about the importance of the role of the UNMIK chief in talks on technical issues, are now saying that the chief administrator of Kosovo cannot play this role.

The same people who until yesterday said that we have nothing to talk or negotiate about regarding the status of Kosovo, now claim that no agreement can be reached with Belgrade without the mediation of the US and the European Union. Does this mean that these politicians believe that the Americans and Europeans will mediate for issues such as Kosovar license plates, ID cards and travel documents and then pick up their bags and say that Kosovo is an independent country?

Every decision taken by Kosovar officials, when it comes to possible dialogue with Serbia, should be based on the agenda for the talks and their procedure. According to the agenda of the previous chief administrator and the Kosovo Government, talks were really focused on technical issues on which there can be no genuine negotiations. There can be no negotiations or compromises about the documents of Kosovars, license plates, information on the missing and the return of IDPs. And since the UNMIK chief has no competencies over major political issues related to Kosovo's status, he cannot, therefore, be a mediator.

KFOR/Police: We don't know anything about presence of Serbian forces
Dailies reported that security structures in Kosovo are said to have no knowledge about the presence of Serbian paramilitary forces.

Koha Ditore reported that international and local officials in Mitrovica said on Monday that they have no information about the activities of a Serb saboteur unit in Shala e Bajgorës region (Mitrovica Region).

KFOR officials and police in Mitrovica made these comments after an urgent communiqué was issued by the Information Service of the Albanian National Army (AKSH), claiming that a Serb saboteur unit has entered Kosovo and was deployed in Shala e Bajgorës.

Following the same issue, Zëri reported that the KPS spokesperson in Mitrovica, Besim Hoti, could not confirm several allegations that Serbian saboteur units were in Shala e Bajgorës. He said that regardless of the rumors, 'we consider all citizens complaints and we act according to them'.

'This is not first time that it was reported that Serbian paramilitary forces are operating in this region, but police so far have not identified the presence of such forces,' Hoti was quoted as saying.

Hoti's comments followed information issued by the AKSH Intelligence Service in which it was stated that according to the first information, this is a secret unit sent to Kosovo after the decision of the Belgrade Government to intensify its already-known positions for presenting Kosovo as an unsafe place for the local Serbs and as a 'terrorist nest'.

This unit is reportedly operating in smaller groups in civilian clothes, and some of them are wearing AKSH uniforms. It is possible that they could begin terrorist acts against Serbs or international structures in Kosovo, and then Belgrade spokespersons would blame this on Albanians and especially on the AKSH.

The paper further quoted the AKSH press release as saying that 'security structures in Kosovo will take the necessary measures to find, arrest and force out this saboteur unit, the Information Service of the AKSH voices its willingness to assist in this process and that we will find the way to communicate with the certain security structures in Kosovo and to brief them on our information'.

'We would also like to use this opportunity to reiterate that no uniformed member of the AKSH is operating in the territory of Kosovo, which is being controlled by local and international security forces,' paper reported AKSH press release as stating.

Teachers' strike will not end (Zëri)
Zëri reported on the education union's rejection of the government offer and request for the teachers' strike to end.

On Monday the education union rejected the offer made by the Kosovo government and decided to continue its strike. The strike councils and representatives at the municipal levels made the decision to continue their strike after discussing the government's offer.

'Our position is to continue the strike,' union leader Agim Hyseni was quoted as saying. He added that 61.7% support strike, 35.6% were against it, and 2.7% did not declare at all.

Hyseni said that the SBASHK position would be presented to the Ministry of Education, the Government of Kosovo, the International Union of Education in Brussels and the office of SRSG.

On the same issue, Zëri quoted Minister of Education Rexhep Osmani as saying that class were going to be 'normalized' throughout Kosovo. 'We did what we could. There are no more opportunities,' he said and added that the majority of schools in Kosovo had gone back to work.

'The situation is getting back to normal. SBASHK's claims that 62 % of schools aren't working are not true. The majority of schools are working or said they will start very soon,' Osmani concluded.

Editorial: Teachers' outrage (Kosova Sot)
Kosova Sot commented on the teachers' strike and gives reasons why teachers should call a halt to it.

The teachers' strike, which was expected to end yesterday, will continue. This is the position of the unions' that operate within SBASHK. The one-week strike that was organized as a protest over terrible living conditions should be understood as a final warning for all Kosovar mechanisms, which should undertake something to improve the position of teachers. Continuation of the strike for the second week could diminish its prime aim, because people may rightfully ask who is benefiting and who is losing in this case. Children and their teachers are losers, while their holy mission is to educate children. These teachers have proved themselves at grave times that Kosovo's people faced, in particularly during last decade of the last century when they faced Serbian occupation.

Teachers have reason to feel righteous anger from the indifferent position of the Minister of Education and also from methods that they used to diminish and halt the strike. However, this righteous anger shouldn't be transformed into outrage because it will produce a destructive situation. If the Minister of Education doesn't feel responsibility for teachers who are striking for one week, which was announced long time ago, then teachers should feel responsible for children and their future.

The Kosovo government acknowledged that currently there is no chance of increasing teachers' salaries, apart from the 20% that was done previously, because there is no budget. This increase means nothing regarding artificial increase of vital items.

Also, according to the agreement reached amongst SBASHK, the Kosovo government and the Ministry of Education for stopping the strike, the government is committed to working on improving the situation for the teachers, specifically to increase their salaries, which is expected to happen at the beginning of next year, while the Ministry of Education has promised to demonstrate transparence in its financial assets.

LPK: First independence, then unification, maybe with Solana's blessing (Koha)
Koha Ditore reports that as of Monday Kosovar citizens, including minorities, can sign a petition issued by the Popular Movement of Kosovo (LPK) which is a request to adopt the Union of Albania and Kosovo.

LPK secretary for public relations Demir Reshiti said that party activists were going to distribute petitions in public sites throughout Kosovo, calling for the Union of Albania and Kosovo. During a press briefing, Reshiti said that the petition campaign would prove how many Kosovars support the idea, and that everything would be implemented after the declaration of independence by the Kosovo Assembly.

Reshiti said that the LPK had sent three letters to EU High Representative Javier Solana. 'We told him that while he is exhausted with forming the Union of Serbia and Montenegro, he will have an easy time with the Union of Albania and Kosovo because this is a natural union,' he said.

Reshiti also claimed that LPK officials held meetings on this matter with political representatives in Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo and that the idea was acceptable to them but they reportedly said that the independence of Kosovo should be declared first.

'The Kosovo Assembly must declare the independence of Kosovo and then address the Serbian Parliament with the request to unite the two countries. Therefore, we must first become a country and then demand unification with Albania,' said Reshiti.

In closing, Reshiti claimed that the LPK has reliable information that the Turkish, Muslim and Goran communities were going to sign the petition.

Bajrami: Facts are merciless, when we don't forget them (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore ran an editorial by Agron Bajrami on the recent statement made by Russian President Vladimir Putin about the number of Albanian and Serb refugees during and after the conflict in Kosovo. 'I guess not even Vladimir Putin, current Russian President and former KGB spy, believes his own statements,' Bajrami said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently proved the fact that politics has little to do with truth telling. A Russian news agency quoted Yeltzin's successor as saying that during the conflict in 1999, 25-35-45,000 Albanian refugees fled Kosovo, and now there are 200,000 Serbs who have fled their homes…

The fact that Putin mentioned Kosovo is no surprise, bearing in mind Russia's reentry into the process for resolving Kosovo's final status. And it is pointless to refute the scandalous claims of the former KGB agent who was suddenly transformed into a 'democratic' leader, because both Putin and all the world know the number of Albanian refugees in 1999 and what happened.

However, in the context of talks between Kosovo and Serbia, where figures and the past will play their role, we must mention some facts about the number of Albanian refugees during the conflict and the number of Serb refugees after the war.

And in order to be extremely unbiased, in this column I won't use figures presented by Albanian sources, but only international sources, as well as some Serb statistics which have often been perceived as manipulating the damages to Albanians.

The facts, divested of politics, are, as follows:

In October 1998, the then-assistant to the US Secretary of State, Julia Taft, said that before the agreement between Holbrooke and Milosevic, Serbian forces had expelled 250,000 Kosovar Albanians from their homes.

In June 1999, UNHCR, which in February 1999 had assessed that in the event of a conflict between NATO and Yugoslavia, the number of Albanian refugees would not be above 100,000, reported that in the final days of the conflict, there were 836,000 refugees outside Kosovo and 590,000 internally displaced persons.

In chapter 14 of part three of the OSCE publication: Kosovo/Kosova: As seen, as told, it was said that during the conflict at least 90 percent of the Kosovar Albanian population had been displaced.

Human Rights Watch, in its report, Under orders: War Crimes in Kosovo, reported that up to 2,000 Albanians had been killed by Serbian forces before the NATO bombing.

In the same publication, HRW quotes two reports about the number of Albanians who were killed from March-June 1999. According to the first report, which is an epidemiological analysis of all deaths that occurred in Kosovo in 1998-1999 compiled by the US Center for Disease Control in June 2000, some 12,000 people were said to have died as a result of war-related trauma. The second report, which was published in October 2000 by the Central and Eastern European Legal Initiative (CEELI) of the American Association for Advancing Science (AAAS), said that nearly 10,500 Kosovar Albanians had been killed in the period between 20 March 1999 and 12 June 1999.

Regarding the number of Serb IDPs from Kosovo, which is blown out of proportion by Putin and many Serbian officials, according to the Yugoslav Federal Institute, the last census in Kosovo in 1991, which was boycotted by Kosovar Albanians, registered 194,190 Serbs, 20,356 Montenegrins, 66,189 Muslims, 45,745 Roma, 5,881 Egyptians, 10,446 Turks and 3,350 Croats.

Based on these figures, according to scientific methodology, it can be concluded that there couldn't have been more than 210,000 Serbs in Kosovo in 1999, and this means that if we take Putin's claims to be true, then there is not one Serb remaining in Kosovo today.

But, according to the UN, there are Serbs in Kosovo and they number some 100,000, whereas the same source claims that since 1999, 266 Serbs have been killed and 982 others went missing.

This is it about facts…And facts, as usual, are merciless. Certainly, if we don't forget them. And we Kosovars, instead of forgiving and not forgetting, we seem to be skilled at forgetting and not forgiving… But that is another story…

Syla: Kosovo's political rain (Koha Ditore)
'The latest session of the Kosovo Assembly once again proved the three political profiles of Kosovar Albanians. At a time when no one in Kosovo is satisfied with the current situation, the cold-blooded session of the assembly pretending that nothing is happening is truly concerning,' writes Ismail Syla in an opinion piece for Koha Ditore.
Assembly members
Even the last session of the Kosovo Assembly, the first one after summer vacations, immediately proved the composition of Albanian political forces that are members of the Kosovo Assembly. The different positions of the assembly groups were the best indicator that they are still the same old ones, that nothing has changed and that they are still holding onto their well-known positions. No kind of vacation has touched their nature.

The positions of the three Albanian assembly groups reminded me of a meeting with the former head of the OSCE mission in Kosovo, Daan Everts, who on the eve of parliamentary elections in 2001, presented one of his associates by calling him the brain of election organization, who had carefully studied the manner of representation and the procedural aspects of elections.

It didn't take long to witness the mathematical accuracy of representatives at the Kosovo Assembly. There were the Albanians, the caressed Serbs with double representation (10 plus 10). Such a mathematical accuracy was later tested to see if it could function at the Kosovo Assembly.

The Kosovo Assembly can very easily adopt a law for example on waste disposal, but whenever it has to move a sensitive issue forward, the assembly members have to face the mathematical accuracy of blocking proposals that are in favor of Kosovo. When Albanians want the highest legislative body in Kosovo to adopt issues of the utmost importance, there is always the possibility that the dissatisfied Serbs will leave the assembly room. And therefore, dim and block the assembly, forcing it to make biased actions.

With such a composition there are endless ways of blocking initiatives at the Kosovo Assembly. And certainly the mathematical accuracy of the OSCE and other international political organizations in Kosovo is in accord with the previous positions to create an assembly that cannot do anything in Kosovo's favor and which is not in accordance with their political strategy.

The latest session of the Kosovo Assembly once again proved the three political profiles of Kosovar Albanians. At a time when no one in Kosovo is satisfied with the current situation, the cold-blooded session of the assembly pretending that anything that is happening is truly concerning. The strike of teachers, the strike of miners, the grave social situation of the poor classes, the aggressiveness of Belgrade's politics, vis-à-vis Kosovo, together with the adoption of declarations with a dangerous background for the future of Kosovo, are a series of problems which one cannot easily avoid.

At the first assembly session after summer vacations, we saw that the daily agenda of the assembly had not changed. The LDK, the historical mother of the political status quo remains the daily agenda. The efforts of the PDK were useless and the session started with negative developments, and the initiative of the AAK to take on the highest historic position also proved to be useless. The LDK won, the raised hands of the PDK were left alone, and the AAK was not even given the opportunity!

Training
In a separate meeting with UNMIK, PDSRSG Charles Brayshaw mentioned, among other things, the necessity of political training for the Kosovar leadership so that they can be on top of their political tasks and commitment.

When Harri Holkeri, the new chief administrator came to Kosovo, there was a big explosion at the international administration building in Baghdad and several murders were committed in Kosovo. At the memorial service at UNMIK, Harri Holkeri expressed his pain over the killings in Baghdad, and then he talked about the urgent mission of his administration, which is obliged to teach Kosovar leaders how to live in tolerance.

His request didn't take long, and the training process started on Saturday and then continued on Sunday at the Police Academy in Vushtrri. This training certainly reminds us of the slogan distributed by international structures in Kosovo which try to orient public opinion, mainly through the representatives of Kosovar NGOs and self-proclaimed independent circles, according to which, the people of Kosovo are good but its leaders are bad.

Guardia di Finanza investigations in PTK include several managers (dailies)
Kosovo dailies reported today that the elite Italian unit for fighting economic crime, Guardia Di Finanza, has expanded its investigations of the PTK. The paper claims that investigators are examining issue of scratch cards, which have been absent from the Kosovo market for quite a while.

Citing reliable sources, Koha Ditore reports that at least another three senior officials of the Kosovo Post and Telecomm (PTK) are being investigated by the Guardia Di Finanza. The same sources told the paper that the investigations were aimed at a procurement officer and two senior managers.

Paper also claims that the fact that scratch cards were allowed for sale in the market without going through the regular procurement procedure was the main reason that led the Italian investigators to carry out additional investigations at PTK.

As a result of the first investigations, PTK general manager Leme Xhema was suspended. After the scandal with the €10 scratch cards, acting PTK general manager Eric McKinley demanded responsibility from individuals at a regular meeting of PTK board. Based on the transcript of this meeting, a copy of which Koha Ditore has obtained, procurement leaders and other managers have been playing table tennis with each other and no one will accept responsibility for the way the scratch cards were allowed out of the main store in Bresje.

UNMIK Pillar I spokesperson Neeraj Singh could confirm nothing regarding investigations that the Guardia Di Finanza is doing at PTK.

'I don't have access to the work of Guardia Di Finanza. Their work is confidential. Therefore, if I ask them, I cannot get any more response than their saying, "we can say nothing",' Singh was quoted as saying. The Italian investigators are responsible directly to UNMIK Pillar I chief Jean Christian Cady.

Sources inside PTK confirmed that the Italian investigators are in close contact with McKinley and without the presence of the local staff, but McKinley was very busy so he couldn't talk to us, the paper reported.

Telecom Director Bedri Rama stressed that Guardia Di Finanza officials had not contacted them.

Following the same issue, Zëri reported that UNMIK spokesperson Sunil Narula wasn't able to confirm whether or not investigations at PTK are being expanded. 'Until the investigations are over, Guardia Di Finanza will not give an official explanation,' Narula was quoted as saying.

Main Stories 9 September
· SRSG Harri Holkeri gives interview to Bota Sot
· UNMIK takes over leading role in talks between Kosovo and Serbia? (Zëri)
· EU Commissioner Chris Patten to visit Kosovo on Wednesday (Koha Ditore)
· Holkeri and Patten to address Kosovo Assembly on Thursday (Zëri)
· Holkeri should be the mediator in talks, say Kosovo Serbs (Zëri)
· Belgrade will support Holkeri's mission (Zëri)
· Rexhepi: Standards before status to become standards with status (Zëri)
· Zivkovic: We haven't set a date for the commencement of talks (Zëri)
· Education Union decides: Strike continues (Koha Ditore)
· Trepça miners' strike continues (all dailies)
· KFOR/Police: We don't know anything about presence of Serbian forces
· LPK: First independence, then unification, maybe with Solana's blessing
· Guardia di Finanza investigations at PTK include several managers (Koha)
· Shala: Clarity surrounding confusion (Zëri)
· Bajrami: Facts are merciless, when we don't forget them (Koha Ditore)
· Syla: Kosovo's political rain (Koha Ditore)
· Lindita talks: Police beat us, violence started with officer nr. 2272 (Epoka)

Kosovo Media Highlights

SRSG Harri Holkeri gives interview to Bota Sot
During an exclusive interview for Bota Sot, SRSG Harri Holkeri claimed that Belgrade's statements regarding the status of Kosovo were invalid.

'I haven't come to Kosovo for ten days, but I am going to stay here longer and my priority will be the implementation of law and a functioning rule of law, the fight against organized crime and the establishment of a society that is open towards the region and safe for all its citizens,' Holkeri was quoted as saying. [full translation in afternoon Media Analysis]

UNMIK takes over leading role in talks between Kosovo and Serbia? (Zëri)
'No decision has been taken on who shall lead the dialogue. But it should be known that the two parties which will hold the talks are Prishtina and Belgrade,' UNMIK spokeswoman Izabella Karlowicz told Zëri.

Zëri also reports that SRSG for Kosovo Harri Holkeri and EU High Representative Javier Solana will determine their own positions in the technical talks.

EU Commissioner Chris Patten to visit Kosovo on Wednesday (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that EU High Commissioner Chris Patten is to visit Kosovo on Wednesday. According to some sources, Patten is expected to meet SRSG Harri Holkeri and the representatives of Kosovar institutions.

Holkeri and Patten to address Kosovo Assembly on Thursday (Zëri)
Zëri reports that EU High Commissioner Chris Patten, who will be visiting Kosovo tomorrow, and SRSG Harri Holkeri will address the Kosovo Assembly on Thursday.

Zëri cites its sources as saying that the messages that the two international leaders will convey to the assembly members will be related to the latest developments in Kosovo and the issue of technical talks.

Holkeri should be the mediator in talks, say Kosovo Serbs (Zëri)
Zëri quotes Gojko Savic, member of the Kosovo Assembly chairmanship as saying that SRSG Holkeri should mediate in talks between Prishtina and Belgrade.

'Albanians claim that Holkeri has taken over too many competencies. They also didn't like his statement that he is going to work in accord with UNSC Resolution 1244,' Savic added.

Belgrade will support Holkeri's mission (Zëri)
Zëri quotes Goran Svilanovic, Foreign Minister of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro, as saying, 'As far as we are concerned, he is a welcome interlocutor and we are certainly going to support his mission and will continue to fully cooperate with him and we will take this cooperation further than his predecessors.'

Rexhepi: Standards before status to become standards with status (Zëri)
'We are willing to contribute to the stabilization of the region and to prepare to integrate in European mechanisms and institutions through our identity,' said Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi, who is attending the European Economic Forum in Brione, Croatia.

'In principle we support standards before status, but we are also in favor of setting a mechanism that would measure these standards. There is also a need here to change the formula of standards before status into a system of parallel developments - standards with status,' said Rexhepi.

Zivkovic: We haven't set a date for the commencement of talks (Zëri)
Zëri quotes Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic as saying that statements about the commencement of the talks on Kosovo made by the Foreign Minister Svilanovic and Serbian DPM Nebojsa Covic are not in opposition to each other.

'We do not have a definitive date for the commencement of the talks, but we are ready and their commencement depends on the representative of the international community, Harri Holkeri, who was appointed by the Contact Group to initiate these talks,' Zivkovic added.

Education Union decides: Strike continues (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that the strike councils and the representatives of the education from Kosovar municipalities have reached the decision to continue their strike.

'The position is to not end the strike,' said education union leader Agim Hyseni. Koha says that only one night ago, Hyseni had stated that the offer of the Kosovo Government to the teachers was serious.

Ministry of Education said it was surprised by the decision to continue the strike. 'We are surprised with the position of SBASHK,' Education Minister Rexhep Osmani told journalists. 'We expected that classes would return to normal today.'

Trepça miners strike continues (all dailies)
All dailies carry reports on the ongoing strike of miners of the Trepça mining complex.

Koha Ditore quotes Halil Çela, chairman of the strike council, as saying that officials of UNMIK Pillar IV refused to meet with the delegation of miners and shut the door in their faces. 'We went to UNMIK Pillar IV but we weren't even allowed to go inside, and this deserves public criticism and it is a shame. At least, they could have listened to our problems,' Çela added.

Epoka e Re also claims that UNMIK has refused to meet the delegation of miners. The paper reports that the miners have sent a letter to international and local institutions asking them to solve their problems.

Zëri reports that yesterday the strike of the miners entered the eighth day. Strike leader Halil Çela told the paper that there were no results from a meeting held yesterday with KTA officials. Çela also added that 'an American friend is involved to make the miners strike a high-level topic.'

KFOR/Police: We don't know anything about presence of Serbian forces
Koha Ditore reports that international and local officials in Mitrovica said on Monday that they have no information about the activity of a Serb saboteur unit in Shala e Bajgorës region.

KFOR officials and police in Mitrovica made these commentaries after an urgent communiqué was issued by the Information Service of the Albanian National Army (AKSH), claiming that a Serb saboteur unit has entered Kosovo and was deployed in Shala e Bajgorës. [more in Media Analysis]

LPK: First independence, then unification, maybe with Solana's blessing
Koha Ditore reports that as of Monday Kosovar citizens, including the minorities, can sign a petition issued by the Popular Movement of Kosovo (LPK) as a request to adopt the Union of Albania and Kosovo.

The paper claims that the LPK has also called EU High Representative Javier Solana to be the 'godfather' of this union and adopt it. [more in Media Analysis]

Guardia di Finanza investigations in PTK include several managers (Koha)
Citing reliable sources, Koha Ditore reports that at least another three senior officials of the Kosovo Post and Telecomm (PTK) are being investigated by the Italian elite unit for fighting economic crime, the Guardia di Finanza. The same sources told the paper that the investigations were aimed at a procurement officer and two senior managers.

Koha Ditore also claims that the fact that scratch cards were sent to the market without going through the regular procedure of procurement was the main reason that led the Italian investigators carry out additional investigations in the PTK.

Shala: Clarity surrounding confusion (Zëri)
'The same people who until yesterday said that we have nothing to talk or negotiate about the status of Kosovo, now claim that no agreement can be reached with Belgrade without the mediation of the US and the European Union. Does this mean that these politicians believe that the Americans and Europeans will mediate for Kosovar license plates, ID cards and travel documents and then pick up their bags and say that Kosovo is an independent country?' asks Blerim Shala in a front-page editorial in Zëri. [full translation in Media Analysis]

Bajrami: Facts are merciless, when we don't forget them (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore runs an editorial by Agron Bajrami who comments on the recent statement made by Russian President Vladimir Putin about the figure of Albanian and Serb refugees during and after the conflict in Kosovo.

'I guess that not even Vladimir Putin, current Russian President and former KGB spy, believes his own statements,' added Bajrami. [full translation in Media Analysis]

Syla: Kosovo's political rain (Koha Ditore)
'The latest session of the Kosovo Assembly was once again proved the three political profiles of Kosovar Albanians. At a time when no one in Kosovo is satisfied with the current situation, the cold-blooded session of the assembly pretending that nothing is happening is truly concerning,' writes Ismail Syla in an opinion piece for Koha Ditore.

Lindita talks: Police beat us, violence started with police officer nr. 2272
Epoka e Re reported on the violence that RTK reporter, Lindita Azizi, allegedly faced while she was on the job at Peja hospital on Friday, 5 August. She says that a police officer with badge number 2272, was screaming 'put down your camera, you're not allowed to record us'. 'After our cameraman, Gazmend, was talking on the phone, I told the policeman that our cameraman is not recording but is speaking on the phone. But the policeman came towards me and told me, 'Shut up!' and expressed insulting words and arrogance,' Azizi alleged for Epoka e Re. [further coverage in Media Analysis]

Kosovo Press Headlines
Koha Ditore
Front page
· BDI announces withdrawal from Government [Macedonia]
· Guardia Di Finanza investigations touch few managers
· SBASHK: Strike to continue
· Holkeri: 'The population should decide whose side they are on'
· Pillar IV close doors to coal miners

Other headlines
· International conference on Western Balkans (2)
· Patten to visit Kosovo, Wednesday; Thursday-Friday in Belgrade (2)
· William Walker prepares for a negotiation training in Prishtina (2)
· Majko: Tirana wishes to participate in Mission Concordia (3)
· LPK: First independence, then union (3)
· KFOR and Police: We don't know about presence of Serbian forces (4)
· Institutions in Albania blocked (4)
· Gjilan: Serbs don't want refrigerator factory to go to Albanians (5)
· Anamorava [Gjilan region] says 'yes' to KEK project (5)
· By 2020, Prishtina will become real metropolis (6)
· Final works in Kukes airport [Albania] (6)
· Gjakovë: 'Ahmeti served peace' (7)
· President Rugova and AAK condemn killing of KPS policeman (7)
· Union calls for strike, officials appeal to for school to begin (8)
· Istog: Inauguration of new water system which costs €277,964 (9)
· Osmani: Save your new school and its name (9)
· Bajrami: Facts are merciless, we will never forget (10)
· Syla: Political rain in Kosovo (10)
· Neudeck: Like this, Kosovo will never become a state (11)

Zëri
Front page
· UNMIK takes leadership in technical dialogue bet Prishtina and Belgrade
· If there are many civilian casualties, BDI will pull out [fROM]
· Shala: Clarity surrounding confusion
· [Teachers'] Strike will not end
· Col. Ahmeti: We will not leave a stone unturned in finding perpetrators
· Majko: Situation in Macedonia impacts entire region
· Guardia di Finanza expands its investigations at PTK
· Sinani's family wants to know reason for killing

Other headlines
· Robertson's successor could be Dutch Foreign Minister Shefer (2)
· Cervenkovski says to continue neutralization of armed groups (2)
· Macedonian police: Two members of armed group are killed (2)
· Rexhepi: Standards before status to become standards with status (3)
· Belgrade will support Holkeri's mission (3)
· K-Serbs: Holkeri should be mediator (3)
· Zivkovic: We have no date for beginning the dialogue (3)
· Mediation by Ombudsperson's Office returns Dubrava to normality (4)
· Serbian Ministry of Justice tries to convince del Ponte of KLA 'crimes' (4)
· When Kosovo Police has no security (5)
· Rugova condemns killing of KPS policeman (5)
· AAK leader gives condolences to KPS policeman's family (5)
· William Walker meets with Daci, Thaçi and Haradinaj (5)
· Minister of Education Osmani expects normalization of classes (6)
· Trepça coal miners requires work and bread (7)
· Who should pay pension contribution (7)
· Poçi: Corridor 8, Durres-Morine road are govt's priorities [Albania] (8)
· Security structure investigate possible Serb saboteur groups in Kosovo (9)
· Lipjan: Serbs keep road blocked, beat Albanian pedestrians (9)

Bota Sot
Front page
· Belgrade's statement on Kosovo are worthless
· US and EU should remain committed to Balkans
· Rexhep Osmani: Nobody has right to close schools, they should stay open
· Minister Ethem Çeku spends €1,836 in one month for his phone bill

Other headlines
· Concrete steps from Kosovo Assembly (2)
· Shehu: Killing of KPS policeman attack on Kosovo's institutions (2)
· Rugova harshly condemns killing of KPS policeman (2)
· Daci meets with Walker and Timothy Philips (2)
· Why isn't Bank of Dardania established (4)
· Walker: Best friends of US in the world are from Kosovo (5)
· Investigative body for Dubrava incident begins its work (5)
· Prisoners' demands are fulfilled (5)
· Chris Patten to visit Kosovo (5)
· Ajeti: War against terrorism unites Kosovo and America (6)
· Contemporary financial system is key to market economy (7)
· Serbs keep road blocked (7)
· Inauguration of new school (7)
· Parents demand for school to begin (8)
· To stay or to get out of Government? [Macedonia] (10)

Kosova Sot
Front page
· Demaçi: Cool analyses of hot topics
· Kosovo' future doesn't need parties' interests
· Cervenkovski to Ahmeti: No more police intervention
· Which country will host dialogue?
· Morina: PTK should turn over VALA 900financial reports
· Editorial: Teachers' outrage
· Women participate in criminal activities

Other headlines
· A Serbian saboteur unit entered Kosovo!? (2)
· Efforts to save government coalition [Macedonia] (2)
· Rexhepi: Kosovo government is committed to partnership with UNMIK (2)
· Svilanovic: Holkeri cannot be excluded from talks (2)
· Without US mediation, dialogue will not be successful (4)
· Hunger strike has halted? (4)
· Thaçi meets with Walker (4)
· Haradinaj meets with Walker (4)
· LPK insist on union between Kosovo and Albania (4)
· Moore: Kosovo has a positive atmosphere (5)
· Game with figures (6)
· Why Ministry of Education is delaying licenses for private schools (6)
· KTA will announce new tenders, if new owners don't pay what they owe (7)
· Guardia Di Finanza expands investigations at PTK (7)
· Situation of coal miners is worsening (8)
· Works on Durres-Morine road to begin this year (8)
· President Rugova condemns killing of KPS policeman (9)
· Haradinaj sends condolences to family of slain policeman (9)
· KPC begin Çyçavica 2003 exercise (9)
· Prizren: €40,000 for minority infrastructure (9)

Epoka e Re
Front page
· Lindita Azizi talks: Police beat us, violence began from officer #2272
· UNMIK doesn't want to talk to coal miners
· Teachers decide for themselves: 61.67% vote to continue strike
· Rahovec: AAK condemn in court arrest of its member
· Bush's speech say nothing about Europe, Balkan, Kosovo…only war in Asia

Other headlines
· Batic sends Del Ponte more documents about KLA (2)
· Colonel Ahmeti: We will not leave a stone unturned to find perpetrators (2)
· Prisoners halt hunger strike (3)
· Guardia Di Finanza expands investigations on PTK (3)
· Without US mediation dialogue will be unsuccessful (4)
· PM Rexhepi: EU/US to contribute to economic development of region (4)
· LPK collects signatures for union between Kosovo and Albania (4)
· Holkeri and Solana give 'last hand' to dialogue (5)
· Moore: Kosovo is managed as colonial enterprise (5)
· Equalization of salaries in public sector is a big mistake (7)
· Explosion in Tetovo [Macedonia] (7)
· Gjilan residents support project 'KEK, yes' (9)
· Ramabaja: UK double role (11)

Belgrade Media Highlights

· Harri Holkeri's interview to Blic (Blic)
· Zoran Zivkovic on commencement of talks on Kosovo (Politika/Tanjug)
· Goran Svilanovic on talks (Politika/Tanjug)
· Rexhepi rebuts Svilanovic (Balkan)
· Kosovo Serbs about Holkeri as negotiator (Glas/Tanjug)
· Patten in Pristina and Belgrade at the end of week (Danas/Tanjug)
· Return of Serbs very slow (Vecernje Novosti/Tanjug)
· School didn't start (Glas/Tanjug)

Harri Holkeri's interview to Blic (Blic)
My aim, like my predecessors', will be to advance the fulfillment of UNMIK's mandate under UNSC 1244. Many people refer to this document without having read it. If you do read it, you'll see that it contains a pretty full job description, said SRSG Harri Holkeri in an interview to Blic, responding to the question what will be the main aim of his activities as the Head of UNMIK till the end of his mandate.
The highlights relevant to this stage in the mission include:

Promoting establishment of substantial autonomy and self-government;
Civilian administrative functions; Organizing and overseeing development of provisional institutions for democratic and autonomous self-government; Transferring, as these institutions are established, its administrative responsibilities while supporting and overseeing the consolidation of Kosovo's local provisional institutions and other peace-building activities; facilitating a political process to determine Kosovo's future political status; supporting the reconstruction of key infrastructure and other economic reconstruction; maintaining civil law and order; protecting and promoting human rights; assuring the safe and unimpeded return of all refugees and displaced persons to their homes in Kosovo.

These elements are embodied in the eight benchmarks enumerated by Michael Steiner and embraced by the entire international community. UNMIK has made substantial progress towards all of them except, until now, direct dialogue with Belgrade. As you undoubtedly know, beginning direct talks on practical issues of mutual interest is a high priority for UNMIK and for many people on both sides of the Kosovo boundary.

There were a few attacks on Serbs in the period just before and upon your arrival in Priština. In your opinion, are the attacks connected with it and what will be your next move to prevent that kind of events?
I wouldn't want to speculate about particular incidents of violence that are currently under investigation. But it's true that incidents of violence have often increased sharply just before the arrival of leaders in Kosovo - not just myself, but the Secretary-General, Javier Solana and others in the past. So it seems likely that at least some of these attacks have been committed by people who want to send a signal that a multiethnic Kosovo will not be allowed to enjoy a peaceful life.

There are three things that must be done to prevent such violence. First, the entire international community involved in Kosovo must be consistent and adamant that we will not be intimidated or deterred from fulfilling our mandate under UNSC 1244. Second, the police - both UNMIK and the KPS supported by KFOR - must be given all the resources they need to fight serious crime. And most important of all, the people of Kosovo themselves and their leaders must embrace their own responsibilities in supporting the rights of members of minority communities and rejecting violence. This will require vision and political courage. I commend Prime Minister Rexhepi for the vision and courage he has demonstrated in visiting Bica after the recent shooting there and in condemning other violent attacks. I would be delighted to see more Kosovars turning some of their energy to publicly condemning and rejecting interethnic violence and expressing their condolences to their Serb neighbors.

How well are you acquainted with the problems of Kosovo?
That depends on whether you define "the problems of Kosovo" as being unique to Kosovo or as a set of various challenges that are also present in many other environments. I became familiar with Kosovo itself as President of the UN General Assembly in 2000-2001. Needless to say, I've learned much more about the specific issues and personalities there since being appointed SRSG. By the second definition, I have been dealing with many of the problems confronting Kosovo for many years and in a variety of roles and settings. I have dealt with difficult negotiations as Prime Minister of Finland when my country was about to accede to the EU, as a member of the International Body on Decommissioning in Northern Ireland and later as one of three independent Chairmen of The All Party Talks. This experience has also given me valuable background in security issues and interethnic relations. During my years in public service in Finland I've become well acquainted with issues concerning Finland's Swedish-speaking minority and Finland's two official state churches, the Lutheran and the Greek Orthodox. And I have many years experience in banking and various fields of business.

Do you and your team have any new solutions for improving the safety of Serbs and other minorities in Kosovo and do you have plans for returning the internally replaced persons to their homes?
I've explained above the three areas that are key to improving security in Kosovo. Again, political courage is as indepensible as effective policing. As for returning displaced people to their homes, UNMIK's Office of Communities and Returns has a detailed set of policies and plans. The foundational principles are that return is an individual right, not a political opportunity; returns work when people return to where they came from; for returns to be sustainable, the ground must be prepared in advance; and this includes access to schools, healthcare and work.

What issues have the priority in your mission and would you, during your mandate, initiate the dialogue on final Kosovo status?
My priorities include all the issues I mentioned. The issue on which we have yet to make a start is direct dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade on practical issues. The area in which we're least satisfied is the situation of minority communities. Both these are high priorities.

Some Kosovo media called you Harry Potter in Kosovo. According to that media, "you would need Potter's skills and magic for being well accepted among everybody. Do you feel like Harry?
No, I don't feel like Harry Potter. Harry is much younger and much more famous than I. But I have a lot more experience in the real world.

Serbian authorities haven't been satisfied with results of three your predecessors. How would that fact influence your future activities?
As I've said, there are areas where we in UNMIK are not at all satisfied with results so far either. In the circumstances, I would have been very surprised if Serbian authorities had been satisfied themselves. But their disappointment will not have any direct bearing on my future activities. I represent Secretary-General Kofi Annan. My marching orders are contained in 1244. In carrying out my mandate, I'll do my very best to constructively cooperate with relevant individuals and institutions in Belgrade. I sincerely believe that fulfillment of my mandate would be in the best interests of Kosovo Serbs and the Union of Serbia and Montenegro.

Have you ever been in Serbia and Montenegro?
I visited the former Yugoslavia for the first time in the 1970s, when I visited Belgrade. My first visit to Serbia since the dissolution of Yugoslavia was in mid-September.

Zoran Zivkovic on commencement of talks on Kosovo (Politika/Tanjug)
Serbian Premier Zoran Zivkovic said that statements about the commencement of the talks on Kosovo and Metohija, made by SaM Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic and the Head of the CCK Nebojsa Covic, are not opposing. "We do not have a definitively set date for the commencement of the talks, but we are ready and their commencement depends on the representative of the international community, Harri Holkeri, who was appointed by the Contact Group to initiate them," Zivkovic told the press after talks with businessmen at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce. "At issue are not opposing stands of Covic and Svilanovic but a different interpretation of a realistic situation that are both of them aware of," said Zivkovic.

Goran Svilanovic on talks (Politika/Tanjug)
SaM Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic said in Belgrade that "the United Nations cannot be excluded" from the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and that it is clear that UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri has been given the mandate to help initiate the dialogue. Asked by journalists to comment statements by certain Albanian leaders that Holkeri should not participate in this dialogue, Svilanovic said that this is not possible. "As far as we are concerned, Holkeri is a welcome collocutor," said Svilanovic recalling that the implementation of UNSCR 1244 is the obligation of the UNMIK head.

Rexhepi rebuts Svilanovic (Balkan)
Kosovo Premier Bajram Rexhepi has denied allegations by SaM Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic that Belgrade and Pristina had agreed on when talks on Kosovo's future are to commence. Radio Free Europe reports that Rexhepi also denied the statements by SaM officials that agreement was reached on the topics regarding concrete and practical issues. "It is absolutely not the truth. You know that four topics were proposed at the summit in Thessalonica: returns, the issue of missing persons, power and transport and telecommunications. We have agreed that these are the topics and there was no agreement on anything else with our side," said Rexhepi.

Kosovo Serbs about Holkeri as negotiator (Glas/Tanjug)
One of the vice-presidents of the Kosovo Assembly Gojko Savic has stated that Holkeri must be the mediator in talks between Belgrade and Pristina that will not commence soon and will not last long. "Albanians understand that Holkeri had received greater authorizations, although Albanians also didn't like his statements that he will work in accordance with UNSCR 1244, said Savic. KP AM Rada Trajkovic has stressed that Kosovo Serbs must be included in Belgrade's negotiating team because of the discrimination of Serbs in the provincial assembly and the opposing political goals of Kosovo Serbs and Albanians.

Patten in Pristina and Belgrade at the end of week (Danas/Tanjug)
The European Foreign Policy Commissioner will visit Pristina on Wednesday, after which he will travel to Belgrade where he will talk with top SaM officials on Thursday and Friday, whiles also envisaged are his talks with DSS leader Vojislav Kostunica and G17 Plus leader Miroljub Labus.

Return of Serbs very slow (Vecernje Novosti/Tanjug)
According to the latest report of UNHCR, 7,531 persons have returned to Kosovo and Metohija so far - 4,115 of whom are Serbs, 1,789 Ashkalies. 734 Roma, 358 Boshniaks, 109 Goranis and 426 ethnic Albanians. Among UNMIK's three priorities for this year is the return of IDPs, but only 644 Serbs have returned over the past eight months. This confirms the fact that expectations for 2003, which was pronounced the key year for the return of IDPs, have failed, Radio Deutsche Welle reports quoting a UNHCR report. According to the UNHCR, 238,000 persons, 180,000 of whom Serbs, have been expelled from the province, whereas according to the CCK, expellees number 300,000 and 250,000 of them are Serbs.

School didn't start (Glas/Tanjug)
Serb children in Kosovo Pomoravlje and in Kosovska Kamenica municipalities are not attending school as there are no safety conditions for that, the head of education for the Mitrovica region, Predrag Stojcetovic, said. He stressed that the villages of Cernica, Vrbovac and Klokot are most endangered.