Media Analysis 11 September 2003

• Shala: Tender for negotiations training (Zëri)
  
• Messages of Kosovar leaders on September 11 (all dailies)
  
• Editorial: Anniversary (Kosova Sot)
  
• KTA in 'hunt' to find KEK international manager (Koha Ditore)
  
• Over two years, Kosovo will pay €30,000,000 for code (Koha Ditore)
  
• Kelmendi: Çakalla's lectures (Koha Ditore)
  
• Solana calms Ali Ahmeti and avoids government crisis in Macedonia (Zëri)

Belgrade Media Update

• Patten in Belgrade this afternoon (B92)
  
• Patten for soonest possible Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Tanjug)
  
• Establishment of dialogue on Kosovo of crucial importance, Ivanov (Tanjug)
  
• Covic party to meet G17 Plus today (B92)
  
• Kosovo: Waiting for a dialogue (BetaWeek)

Shala: Tender for negotiations training (Zëri)
In an editorial for Zëri, Blerim Shala wrote that in preparations for talks with Serbia on technical issues, Kosovar officials are learning the techniques of dialogue from international trainers and that local officials are 'as always…unorganized and without a clear concept'.

It is difficult to know the names of all the people who have offered trainings for Kosovar politicians, and which politicians will be included in these trainings. But one thing is clear, as always, and that is that once again the local authorities are unorganized and without a clear concept on the matter.

Currently, neither the Government nor the Kosovo Assembly has a clear position on the dialogue that has been announced. Furthermore, the Assembly has not even discussed this issue. All officials are probably waiting to see what UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri and Chris Patten, EC Commissioner in charge of External Relations, will bring to Prishtina. Ever since his arrival in Prishtina, Holkeri has spent most of his time preparing for the dialogue, which surely is his biggest challenge. Regardless of his offer, our politicians were so powerfully against his mediation that it is not known what they would do if western capitals openly supported this role for the chief administrator of Kosovo.

In the meantime, there are more and more offers for trainings. Since we have been familiarized with the tenders of the Kosovo Trust Agency in the last few days, it wouldn't be a bad idea to announce a tender for training Kosovar negotiators. The best offer would be one that included that the outcome of negotiations would guarantee Kosovo's immediate independence and its quick integration into the European Union and NATO.

Messages of Kosovar leaders on September 11 (all dailies)
All dailies carried the messages of several Kosovar leaders on the anniversary of September 11.

President Ibrahim Rugova: Two years after the tragic event at the Twin Towers, the US has made huge progress in eliminating international terrorism that threatens the civilized world, peace and freedom of nations. Today, after two years, the US has come out even stronger, together with their friends and allies. In the name of the people of Kosovo, I express to you the friendship and support of my country.

Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi: Two years after the terrorist attacks on the US, we still remember the acts against the values of freedom, democracy, peace and security, and above all, acts against civilization and its values, not only in the US but throughout the world. As on 11 September 2001, Kosovo voices its solidarity with the US and the American people. We stand unshaken in our support for the commitment of the US in the fight against terrorism. The Prime Minister of Kosovo and all Kosovans today pray for the souls of the victims of terrorism in the US on 11 September 2001.

KPC Commander Agim Çeku: We, the Kosovo Protection Corps, the successors of the KLA, like no one else, know how to appreciate the support of the American state and people that they gave us in most difficult times. Therefore, we strongly feel the pain of the American people for the 11 September tragedy, and we are always ready to be beside them in any way possible.

PDK leader Hashim Thaçi: Kosovo and all its citizens were deeply shocked by 11 September 2001. Voicing our permanent solidarity with the American people, the citizens of Kosovo are defending the values of a democratic society, humanity and freedom.

AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj: The AAK, like all the people of Kosovo, stands beside the American people and remembers all those who lost their lives in the September 11 tragedy.

Clinton might address Assembly during visit to Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Former US President Bill Clinton might address the Kosovo Assembly during his visit here on September 19, reported Koha. The issue remains open, and Koha's sources added that he will meet Kosovar Albanian leaders in a joint meeting, and that he will also have a meeting with the representatives of Kosovo Serbs.

The former US President, who is coming to Kosovo to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Prishtina, will also give a speech to Kosovar students.

Editorial: Anniversary (Kosova Sot)
Kosova Sot commented on two anniversaries: September 11 and its own anniversary.

Two years ago the US was shocked by a huge tragedy. The attack wasn't directed only against the Twin Towers, against America, but against all humanity. International terrorism was threatening the civilized world, peace and freedom. After the tragedy in the US, Kosovo's people and leaders were with their ally in expressing pain and sincere condolences. Even today, after two years, all Kosovars are with Americans and have respect for the victims of September 11 tragedy.

Today, two years later, the place where the terrorist attacks took place is a large hole where pain and hope live together. At the time, the place is healing from the horror of September 11 and people of all over the world understand that terrorism must be fought at all costs. Millions of people who visit ground zero bring the message that it is necessary to fight terrorism. The place of the attacks became a memorial for the victims, because it represents an incurable injury. Great progress is being made in fighting terrorism, which is threatening the civilized world, freedom and peace.

September 11 is date of two anniversaries, the first one is very bitter, but the second one is very happy. Five years ago in Kosovo, the Kosova Sot newspaper began to be published. This paper began to be published at a time when Albanians were facing tough violence and it was very brave, because Serbia wanted to impose darkness over here. In these circumstances was born and developed Kosova Sot, which is respected and appreciated by lots of readers.

KTA in 'hunt' to find KEK international manager (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reported that a tender for international management for KEK has been announced and the first contact with foreign companies has also been established.

Kosovo Trust Agency has solicited in three different foreign papers interest in international management over the KEK. The KTA has expanded the 'hunt' for new management by establishing direct contact with the interested companies.

The Economist published a half page 'expression of interest' by KTA for international management over the KEK for at least a two-year term. KTA wants a team that is able to fulfill the country's demand for fulltime electric power. The team will be given the authority to lead all of KEK's units and also to train Kosovars to lead KEK. Payments will be specified in a contract and the local institutions would participate in the decision-making process.

KTA spokesperson Florin Pasniku said on Thursday that the KEK management tender was published in The Economist, The Financial Times and the energy specialist magazines, Power Engineering and Public Utilities. In addition to announcing the tender, 23 companies were sent offers to take over management of the KEK, he said.

The decision to seek international management over the KEK has been taken because of the successive failures in KEK's management structure since 1999.

Over two years, Kosovo will pay €30,000,000 for code (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reported that PTK and Monaco Telecom are discussing extension of the contract regarding mobile network code.

Officials from PTK and Monaco Telecom are negotiating a new agreement in Prishtina regarding code for the VALA 900 mobile network worth €30,000,000.

This agreement is still in review but it is predicted that use of Monaco Telecom '+377' code will cost 15-20% of overall VALA 900 revenues.

Negotiations began in August and are continuing now in Prishtina in highly confidential circumstances without presence of even PTK officials. Talks between PTK and Monaco Telecom have also been confirmed by the KTA.

'Talks were held on Tuesday, but I can say nothing, because all theofficials are very busy,' KTA spokesperson Florin Pasniku was quoted as saying. Eric McKinley, PTK acting general manager, represents PTK and KTA, while at same time he performs other duties. The only local participating is PTK legal manager Sabaudin Ramaxhiku.

Minister of Transport and Communications Zef Morina has said nothing against talks, but he assessed that no results can be achieved without the agreement of his ministry as well as the Kosovo government.

'The final version of an eventual agreement between PTK and Monaco Telecom should go first to the ministry and the government,' Morina was quoted as saying. He has always mentioned the need for an international tender regarding the issue of a code, while McKinley always questioned the minister's competencies for getting involved in this issue.

The first day that PTK and Monaco Telecom could negotiate or terminate a contract is 17 November 2003. Between February 2000 and February 2001, PTK has paid Monaco Telecom 33% of its overall revenues.

Currently, VALA 900 pays Monaco Telecom 27% of its overall revenues for use of the code, which is around five times more than in the first year of the contract. Negotiations between PTK and Monaco Telecom for extension of the contract began in August when a team comprised of McKinley and Sabahudin Ramaxhiku, legal manager in PTK, went to Monaco for few days.

Since VALA 900 began using Monaco Telecom's code, it has paid out more than €70,000,000.

Kelmendi: Çakalla's lectures (Koha Ditore)
'In the last episode of the Macedonian play, Çakalla, it seems that there are only two winners: Xhaferi and Georgievski, with their similar political ideas, both of whom claim that Macedonia cannot function as a multiethnic country?!' writes Adriatik Kelmendi in an opinion piece for Koha Ditore.

The latest events in Macedonia have finally proved something that has been claimed for the past 12 years, ever since the existence of this country: and that is that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is the most fragile country in Europe. The world was reminded of this conclusion by a person who chose a strange name for himself, Commander Çakalla (çakalla - a man who talks constantly) together with his group which has both a strange and dangerous name, 'The Death Unit'. This young man from the suburbs of Skopje, a former member of the National Liberation Army, who now speaks in the name of the organization (with one name and with many bosses), AKSH, has managed to call into question the entire security of a country of two million people by kidnapping and then releasing two Macedonian policemen.

Several moments were crystallized by the kidnapping, which could happen in any other country of the world and not present a danger even close to this one in Macedonia. One of these moments shows how easy it is in this former Yugoslav republic for a man to rebel and challenge the entire government.

The other moment shows the quite unpleasant situation when the government has both feet in one shoe [stuck in one place]. With a police and army that are not so popular among the other constituent population, the Albanians, these security bodies cannot act and arrest a group of armed men because this would mean fueling the fire of their dissatisfaction. And if they decide anyway to intervene with more radical actions against these groups, this would pose the risk of another escalating conflict with scenarios that have already been seen in the Balkans.

Furthermore, with their latest actions, the [Slav] Macedonian members of the government have proved that they don't trust their Albanian partners in the government and, by doing so, they create a lack of trust and contradictory positions in the highest executive of the country.

And if, in the end, the Macedonian side should decide to move on to a final confrontation with those it calls 'extremists' and 'terrorists', this would lead to international sanctions and it would turn Macedonia backwards from its path towards the European Union, which it has been on ever since it signed the Agreement for Stabilization and Association.

All these things show how hopeless the situation is in this country today. While Macedonian politicians continue to prolong the implementation of the Ohrid Agreement, which brought an end to the armed conflict in 2001, the thing that they are contributing the most is that their country is slipping out of their hands. Above everything else, the parties that won the last elections, LSDM and BDI, cannot find a solution that would not at the same time help their main political opponents, the leaders of the parties formerly in the government, Arbër Xhaferi and Lubce Georgievski. Although they are criticized by the internationals, the similar ideas of these two politicians, who both claim that Macedonia cannot function as a multiethnic country, have unfortunately won in the last episode of the Macedonian theatre.

Is this about farsightedness?

Solana calms Ali Ahmeti and avoids government crisis in Macedonia (Zëri)
Zëri claims that the recent shooting in Macedonia have only reminded the West that peace and interethnic reconciliation in this country are still sensitive issues.

For the time being, both of the organizations that stopped the conflict in Macedonia two years ago, the EU and NATO, believe that the Albanian National Army is not powerful enough to send the country into a new crisis.

Sources from the leadership of the Democratic Union for Integration (BDI), the party headed by Ali Ahmeti, the former leader of the now-disbanded National Liberation Army, told Zëri that according to their information the AKSH is led by people who are manipulated by element from both inside and outside of Macedonia, which don't want to see stability in fYROM and don't want the Ohrid Agreement to be implemented.

Zëri reported that the assessments of EU, NATO and BDI have not stopped EU High Representative Javier Solana from contacting BDI leader Ali Ahmeti and advising him not to take any steps that would create a crisis in the new coalition government in Macedonia. Ahmeti was reportedly very dissatisfied with the intervention of police in Albanian villages in fYROM. 'After the telephone conversation, the government crisis in Macedonia seems to have been prevented,' Zëri added.

Belgrade Media Update

Patten in Belgrade this afternoon (B92)
The European Union's foreign affairs commissioner, Chris Patten, is to arrive in Belgrade this afternoon for meetings with Federal President Svetozar Marovic and Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic. The main topic of Patten's discussions with local officials during his two-day visit is expected to be Serbia-Montenegro's bid for EU membership and work on the feasibility study which precedes the EU's stabilization and association process. The EU delegation and Belgrade authorities are also expected to pay particular attention to the situation in Kosovo in the context of the coming dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. The delegation will arrive from Pristina where Patten said last night that it was in the interests of everyone in Kosovo to expedite the approach to the EU and the values it supports. He also warned that Kosovo faces many challenges, one of which is the planned dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. Before leaving Belgrade today, the Foreign Affairs Commissioner is expected to meet UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri, President Ibrahim Rugova and Prime Minister Bajram Redzepi to discuss the EU's ongoing support for transition in the Western Balkans. He is also scheduled to address the Kosovo Assembly this morning and this has drawn mixed reactions from local leaders. Democratic Party of Kosovo president Hashim Thaqi says he is against it because it will force the postponement of a debate on the Serbian Government's Kosovo Declaration which his party has proposed. The caucus leader of the Serb Return Coalition, Dragisa Krstovic, told B92 that he expects Patten to make an important speech which could impact on the operation of the Assembly. Before leaving Kosovo this afternoon, Patten is expected to sign an agreement with Holkeri which will enable Kosovo to receive part of the 31 million euros in aid allocated by the EU for support of cooperation between the countries of south-eastern Europe.

Patten for soonest possible Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Tanjug)
The soonest possible opening of a dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is the aim of the European Union (EU), EU External Affairs Commissioner Chris Patten said in Pristina late on Wednesday. Following his meeting with UN Kosovo mission chief Harri Holkeri, Patten pointed out that the talks should be focused on technical issues which would be of mutual interest for the people of Kosovo and Serbia.

Establishment of dialogue on Kosovo of crucial importance, Ivanov (Tanjug)
Establishment of a Belgrade-Pristina dialogue to be focused on the issues of the return of refugees and security in Kosovo-Metohija, is of crucial importance, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said following his late Wednesday meeting with Serbian Deputy Premier Nebojsa Covic. Ivanov said the final status of Kosovo should be discussed after corresponding conditions were provided for, and he reiterated the fact that the final stand of Moscow was that UN Security Council Resolution 1244 was to be consistently and fully applied.

Covic party to meet G17 Plus today (B92)
G17 Plus will continue its inter-party dialogue on elections and coalitions today with a meeting with Nebojsa Covic's Democratic Alternative. Covic, who is a deputy prime minister of Serbia, said that the Democratic Alternative had accepted the invitation from G17 Plus because they had worked together in bringing down the previous regime and been partners in the new authorities. He emphasized, however, that the party did not support G17 Plus' call for early parliamentary elections because it did not believe there was anything to be gained by them. G17 Plus representatives and leader of the Initiative for a Normal Serbia met yesterday, agreeing that the only solution to the current political and economic crisis is to call parliamentary elections as soon as possible. The two parties also agreed that the Initiative's MPs would move to overturn the controversial appointment of the National Bank of Serbia governor at the next sitting of the Serbian Parliament.

Kosovo: Waiting for a dialogue (BetaWeek)
Pristina and Belgrade have never been closer to a dialogue, despite allegations coming from both camps that no agreement on negotiations has been made. EU High Representative Javier Solana and the new UNMIK chief, Harri Holkeri, have agreed at a meeting that the talks on practical matters must begin next fall, that is, as soon as possible. The standpoint of the international community and the Kosovo administrator is always crucial to political developments in Kosovo.

Ever since the initiative for talks was launched, the Solana-Holkeri unified view is the most serious signal that the negotiations might begin soon enough. Another proof that the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is a matter of utmost urgency is a political offensive by EU officials, who are scheduled to visit the two capitals and advise the local authorities that the EU is determined to have the talks held, and that no violence or sabotage will postpone them.

The European Union and the UNMIK chief maintain very intensive contacts, developing the main topics for discussion. What has to be defined is the time, place and subject(s) of the dialogue. Harri Holkeri said in Brussels on Sept. 9 that in a few weeks he would know when, where and how the dialogue should begin between the authorities in Belgrade and the provisional self-government in Kosovo, adding that he would definitely shoulder "his share of responsibility."

Dialogue
The Pristina-Belgrade talks were officially initiated at a EU summit in Greece, last June. A framework for talks was set to include the return of displaced persons, tracing down missing persons, transportation and energy issues. Officials of Belgrade and Pristina, by the nature of things familiar with the content of talks, say that no other topic has been agreed upon so far. Foreign Minister of Serbia and Montenegro Goran Svilanovic mentioned Brussels as a likely venue, adding that he would not mind Belgrade and Pristina taking turns as hosts.

Brussels sees the talks on practical issues as a bid to create in Kosovo elementary conditions for the proper operation of democratic institutions and safety of all inhabitants of the province, before a dialogue on its final status is opened. Having underlined the EU's full support to Holkeri and UNMIK, Solana reiterated that democratic and other standards must take root before Kosovo's final status is discussed.

The messages from Brussels will be conveyed directly to the Pristina and Belgrade officials. This is why EU senior official Chris Patten is scheduled to meet with UNMIK leaders and provisional self-government officials on Sept. 10 and Sept. 11. Patten will underline "the necessity of ending provocative talk about the final status of Kosovo." Instead, the efforts should be channeled to "the launching of a constructive dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina on issues of mutual concern."

Mediators
At a recent Contact Group meeting in Moscow, UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri was appointed a mediator for the Belgrade-Pristina talks, and members of the Contact Group and the EU the guarantors of the process. The Albanian side, however, does not like the prospect of having the U.S. involved only through the Contact Group, insisting on Washington's direct role in the negotiations. Kosovo Albanian politicians also think that Holkeri, being a Kosovo administrator, is not the best of mediators. They ask for direct mediation by Brussels or Washington.

The Kosovo Albanian demands are the result of the fear that without tangible support from the U.S. -- their most reliable partner ever --they could be outmaneuvered at the negotiating table. Pristina sees Washington's decision to take part in the negotiating process via the Contact Group as part of a broader strategy for diminishing the U.S. role in the Balkans. Kosovo Albanians fear that the United States might shift their focus closer to the Middle East. The Kosovo Albanian political structures have not built relations with the European Union as carefully and eagerly as with the United States - hence the fear that Europe might not understand their aspirations as fully as America did.

Bracing for the talks on practical matters, Belgrade and Pristina always bear in mind the ultimate goal -- Kosovo's final status. Pristina wants an independent Kosovo to be proclaimed as soon as possible, and that not a single step taken in the meantime should threaten this ideal. Belgrade is aware that it is not a decisive actor in solving the Kosovo problem, which is why it maintains a moderate position, willing to postpone or even forestall a plebiscite on the Kosovo status.

Violence
The preparations for the dialogue went hand in hand with an escalation of violence against non-Albanians in the province. International representatives were pretty explicit that the violence must be stopped. NATO Secretary General George Robertson said that the North Atlantic Alliance condemned and regretted "intolerable violence in Kosovo" and organized crime in the province. He offered full support to Holkeri in settling security matters in the province, demanding that the perpetrators of crimes be arrested and punished, and security and peace restored to Kosovo.

Encouraged by this determination to deal with crime and extremism, Holkeri announced new measures to protect the lives of Kosovo citizens, and stop "horrendous crimes committed since (I) came at the helm of UNMIK." The UNMIK chief said that the first operative action would remain secret for the time being, his opinion being that "not many extremists have been involved in the violence."

Holkeri seeks the support of local authorities in his bid to hinder the escalation of violence, interpreting the latest murders as a message to the international community that Kosovo cannot have a multiethnic society. The European Union fully agrees with Holkeri that local leaders should take a more active part in the process, along with their share of responsibility in the effort to make Kosovo a safer zone. Chris Patten will tell the Kosovo leaders that "the destructive whirlwind of violence must be stopped, and that Kosovo leaders must use all their influence to end it," sources in Brussels say.

Apart from getting ready for the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue and launching new initiatives for a better security situation in Kosovo, international institutions and UNMIK have warned the authorities in Belgrade and Pristina alike that their parliamentary declarations on the future of Kosovo are "of no relevance to the political status of Kosovo."

The Serbian Legislature has said in its Declaration on Kosovo and Metohija that it is an integral part of Serbia, indicating that a new Serbian constitution will also treat it as such. On the other hand, the Kosovo Assembly announced it would certainly respond to the Serbian document. One of the suggestions is that the Kosovo Assembly should proclaim Kosovo's independence.