Media Analysis 16 September 2003

• Shala: Loyalty toward Kosovar institutions (Zëri)
  
• NATO and EU reiterate support for standards before status and dialogue (Koha)
  
• Haradinaj: Kosovo statehood to be part of talks with Serbia (Zëri)
  
• Editorial: No dialogue with constitutional aggression (Kosova Sot)
  
• Demaçi: The fatal crossroads (Kosova Sot)
  
• Bajrami: The house needs some cleaning (Koha Ditore)
  
• KTA does not announce tender for electricity imports (Koha Ditore)

Belgrade Media Update

• President Rugova discusses southern Serbia (Beta)
  
• Covic to head Belgrade delegation in talks on Kosovo (Vecernje Novosti)
  
• Covic head of negotiating team with Pristina, daily (Tanjug)
  
• Thaçi party appeals to international community (Beta)
  
• 120 million dollars for needs of Coordination Center (Tanjug)

Shala: Loyalty toward Kosovar institutions (Zëri)
'One of the topics that has come up during the announcement of the start of dialogue between Kosovar and Serbian representatives is the role of Kosovo Serb politicians in this process, which is going to be quite difficult and complicated,' wrote Blerim Shala in an editorial for Zëri.

Many Kosovo Serbs politicians, and also those who are responsible for Serbs in the name of the Serbian Orthodox Church, have already clarified their position: Kosovo Serbs should be seated on the side of Serbian officials. For example, Bishop Artemije was very firm in his public statement: there are no Kosovo Serbs; there are only Serbs who live in Kosovo. Belgrade and not Prishtina is the capital of Kosovo Serbs.

There are cases when the last should be first, and there are moments when there is no room for compromise: Kosovo Serb politicians, who are rightfully part of our Kosovo institutions, must be members of the Kosovar delegation. Whatever the talks between Prishtina and Belgrade, they are not going to have the character of negotiations between two different nations, but between those who represent legitimate institutions who are responsible for Kosovo and Serbia or the Union of Serbia and Montenegro. In this sense, Kosovar politicians, regardless of their ethnic backgrounds, should protect the interests of their country. The loyalty toward institutions that will be represented in these talks is necessary.

If, despite everything else, the Serbian regime includes Kosovo Serb politicians in its delegation, then this will be the moment when the true nature of talks will be revealed, and such talks are undoubtedly unacceptable for Kosovar politicians.

NATO and EU reiterate support for standards before status and dialogue (Koha)
Koha Ditore reported that the EU Committee for Security and the NATO Council held discussions on the security situation in Kosovo yesterday.

EU highlighted that the Balkans is a priority, while Kosovo is a top priority in the Balkans. Although NATO and EU are aware of Kosovo's status, it was repeated in the meeting that the 'Kosovo issue should be resolved in accord with UNSC Resolution 1244'.

The paper says that EU High Representative Javier Solana referred to UNSC Resolution 1244 and said that the time for resolving Kosovo's final status has not arrived yet. 'I want to remind everyone that 'standards before status' remain in power as a formula that we are going to follow regarding Kosovo's final status, and once standards are fulfilled we can then talk about the status,' Solana said.

NATO Secretary General George Lord Robertson was quoted as saying, 'Even though the issue of final status is in the minds of Balkans politicians, it is still not on the agenda of the United Nations.'

'Commencement of dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade is of absolute importance,' Solana said. Speaking before reporters, together with Robertson, he said: 'We are close to determining an agenda on dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade and its beginning is very important.' He explained why dialogue had not started at the Thessaloniki summit. 'This wasn't possible because the then-SRSG was at the end of mission, while we now have his successor and such a process may continue,' he said.

Solana and Robertson condemned the violence in Kosovo and repeated the call for Kosovar leaders to get more responsibility in calming the situation. 'Criminals that do such acts are sabotaging Kosovo's future,' Robertson concluded.

EU and NATO support SRSG Harri Holkeri in his efforts to establish rule of law and to catch the perpetrators of those criminals' acts.

'Armed groups in Macedonia are criminals who hide behind ethnic solidarity. They should be isolated and marginalized in appropriate way, by not using violence and by implementing the Ohrid Agreement,' Robertson said, commenting on the situation in Macedonia. Solana called for increase of inter-ethnic understanding in Macedonia and he also expressed his support for the Ohrid Agreement.

Haradinaj: Kosovo statehood to be part of talks with Serbia (Zëri)
Zëri conducted an interview with AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj regarding dialogue with Belgrade and need to complete the government with new ministries.
What is your stance on the announced dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade? I think that contacts with our neighbors are one of the issues with which Kosovo, political parties - in this case the AAK, Kosovo institutions and myself are preoccupied. However, this is not the most important issue. I believe that the process of building capacities of Kosovo institutions is more important. This implies the completion of the Kosovo Government. In this case, the talks with Belgrade on concrete issues, as was said, would not be considered as something useless, if at the same time it acted in the direction of building Kosovo's political will with concrete steps, undertaken by us, by the Kosovo Assembly with actions coordinated with international community.
When the dialogue was discussed, it was said that the meetings would be held first at the PM level and would continue at other levels… If the SRSG in Kosovo, Mr. Holkeri, has its own plan on further advancement of the process in Kosovo and if the political parties act in compliance with our plan for building political will, then this issue could be treated in better and safer circumstances. If there is stagnation by Holkeri and by the others who required these talks, there will be no enthusiasm from our side and especially there will be no participation at the first level. Even if such circumstances are created, this will come after a decision-making process in the Kosovo institutions and after approval by the Kosovo Assembly.
Recently it was said that Holkeri will invite the main political leaders of Kosovo to a working dinner, just as Steiner did at the beginning of this year, where he will offer them to sign a statement or a proposal to take Prishtina's approval for the dialogue with Belgrade. Since you will also be invited, what do you think about that?
I think that it is good opportunity to discuss the issues with which Kosovo is preoccupied. I would not feel bad if one of these issues were technical talks, but if this is the only issue which dominates, I will disagree with Holkeri and the others on this approach. But if Holkeri presents us with a plan on the completion of the Kosovo government with the ministries that it currently lacks, on the successful transfer of competencies, for advancement of the constitutional basis and the willingness to help talks on technical issues, our understanding will follow him but not through a statement. The AAK and I do not consider it a necessity and useful in the decision-making process such ways through dinners. Kosovo itself has its own way of decision-making. I will not become part of makeshifts and statements at dinners.
And if what you have said is not met?
Then there is no sense in all of Kosovo's political elements, Kosovo's institutions and party leaders to waste time and to engage themselves in the issue, which doesn't represent apriority for us, but is one of the useful issues for the process-relations with neighbors and the establishment of contacts and exchanges as well.
It was announced that the Contact Group would meet in New York to discuss Kosovo again. Holkeri will try to get your approval regarding talks with Belgrade before this meeting. If he manages to do that, even through majority of votes in the Parliament or by convincing other political parties, what will you do, because you participate in the Government with two ministers?
My stance, like the AAK stance, could be formulated in this way: we are for talks with Serbia on technical and concrete issues, not as development alone, which for orientation has the political will of Kosovo people, which might happen through declaration of the independence or through a referendum and compilation of the Kosovo Constitution. Therefore, if the Assembly undertakes these major steps in accordance with a political consensus, then we will require the dialogue. We are for talks, even if the Assembly does not undertake these steps for implementing the political will of citizens, but in cooperation with international community to advance the Kosovo constitutional basis and complete the institutions with foreign, interior, justice and other needed ministries. Regarding the Ministry of Defense, we should prepare an offer for NATO to have a permanent mandate in Kosovo and also to have joint security policy of Kosovo and NATO.
Is there any consensus or do Kosovo political parties have unified position on this issue that you are talking about?
You know that Kosovo Government has handed over an offer to SRSG for a completion and advancement of Government. We think that this offer is not complete, because they demanded offices instead of the ministries. In one way, regardless of our reserves, this expresses unanimity and we are considering it as one of the necessary steps. The Kosovo Assembly obliged the Government to get prepared for its completion. All political parties expressed their willingness for taking over competencies, so we could say that there is unity.
It was said that Holkeri would be mediator; afterwards, he said that he would facilitate talks. Who should mediate in the talks between Prishtina and Belgrade?
There is difference between neighboring contacts and talks on every single issue. We are in favor of technical issues, if there is advancement in building Kosovo's institutions, completion of government with new ministries, while staff would participate in eventual talks on technical issues, which is, anyway, dealing with these issues. So there is no need of political participation. So there is no need for political mediation either. But in case of creation of such circumstances and preconditions, then we asked for the US Government's presence, but we are open also to the presence of other international factors, particularly from the EU. We think that is useful that the leading role in this mediation, although the dialogue scheme is not clear yet, should belong to US. We understand and appreciate all other factors, but as a relevant element, we consider only Washington and Brussels, while Washington should have the primary role.
Should there be mutual contacts between Kosovo and Serbia or Kosovo and Serbia & Montenegro?
It is my conviction to have separate talks with Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia and Albania. It is in our interest to treat Podgorica and Belgrade as separate partners.

Editorial: No dialogue with constitutional aggression (Kosova Sot)
Kosova Sot commented on the recent initiative for dialogue, addressing the issue of why dialogue could not take place without Belgrade's statements on Kosovo being declared null and void and also the responsibility of Albanian politicians vis a vis the electorate.

The history-making dialogue between Albanians and Serbs remains the prime issue not just in Kosovo, but also in international circles. If these talks were only related to technical issues, certainly things would flow quickly and the process would be developed normally. Even ordinary citizens understand that dialogue between Albanian and Serbs is the prologue to Kosovo's final status. In order to have clear picture of the outcome, Kosovo should participate in these developments without other political and diplomatic issues going on backstage. It is clear that dialogue will not take place if the international community does not act against Serbian constitutional aggression towards our country. This aggression at same time infringes on Resolution 1244 but it has not faced harsh reactions from the international community. If dialogue begins under these circumstances, with acts that annex Kosovo's territory in illegitimate ways, and which also ignore the will of Kosovo's people, the international community would then be implying that Kosovo is accepting of aggression, despite the [opposite] reality. The results of this awkward situation are hesitation and skepticism amongst Kosovar politicians. Nobody wants to take responsibility for something which in the worst case could be returned into an historic scandal. In all the chaos of statements, pressures, and hesitations, we have noticed unprofessional and unreal stances taken by well-known party leaders. For example, one deputy said that 'dialogue is nothing to do with political parties, but with institutions'. Such statements are dangerous and represent the apathy of some political elements. Dialogue between Albanians and Serbs is totally an issue of political parties, which made numerous promises in the last elections and which are expected to make same promises in the next elections as well. Everything in these talks is political and very important for our country. If this dialogue isn't a political responsibility, then the individuals who make politics had better resign from their profession.

Demaçi: The fatal crossroads (Kosova Sot)
Kosova Sot carried an opinion piece by human rights activist Adem Demaçi, who wrote:

Autumn is here. Rains are bringing water and mud to our lands. The weather has got cold. There is a big political slide. Kosovo and Kosovars are once again facing a fatal crossroads. In the last four to five years Kosovo has passed through several fatal crossroads and due the lack of the political knowledge and conscience of our ambitions leaders, Kosovo went in wrong directions. This was what happened with the Rambouillet (dis)Agreement, UNSC Resolution 1244, the Kumanovo Technical Agreement, the disarmament of the KLA, the Constitutional Framework, the Secret Agreement between Haekkerup and Covic, and with the human and professional quality of Kosovar institutions.

Because of wrong positioning and devaluing itself, Kosovar politics was not able protect Kosovo from the re-colonization of 20-30 percent of its territory from the state of Serbia (northern Kosovo and Mitrovica and the enclaves), or from giving away its territories to Macedonia (2,500 hectares in Tanusha). Because of constant wrong political positions, Kosovar politics wasn't able, and isn't able, to confront the unscrupulous attacks and interference by the Serbian regime in the territory of Kosovo (the right of Serbian parties to participate in Kosovo elections, the right of Kosovar citizens to elect the President of Serbia, the right of Serbs to be represented at the Kosovo Assembly with a number twice as high as the one that originally belonged to them (22 instead of 12 - Povratak), from the arrogant political actions of Povratak at the Kosovo Assembly. Because of its extreme weakness, Kosovar politics hasn't found the strength to refuse the unacceptable concept 'standards before status'… There are other things of this nature that have happened in Kosovo and in neighboring countries, but I won't take too long this time.

Dialogue as crossroads
Now another fatal crossroads is being prepared for Kosovo. Talks, or dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. In the beginning, to resolve technical issues and the daily needs of these two parties. This seems like something innocent with no evil to it. Something minor and completely unimportant. However, if it is only a minor and unimportant issue, how come there is all this anxiety and all the noise for these two parties to sit down at the same table? No, this is a big thing inserted into a small box. From the bitter experience that our exhausted leaders experienced so far, they were instinctively sensing that they were in for another unpleasant trap. At the beginning, they fought a little but they got tired very soon, because the orchestra of various pressures started functioning, sometimes with subtleness and at times with harshness. Actions come from Serbia, Europe, The Hague and the US. And they all address one single point: talks, dialogue. Standards before status. Dialogue, talks and negotiations are one of the eight standards. There is no other!

But next time we are going to review some of the characteristics of the parties that must enter technical dialogue and then [go] deeper and deeper.

Bajrami: The house needs some cleaning (Koha Ditore)
In an opinion piece for Koha Ditore, Editor Agron Bajrami writes that the security and protection of journalists has become a hot topic again in the past couple of days.

An incident that involved the police and journalists from a public broadcaster was followed by a roundtable organized on the topic of relations between journalists and Kosovar institutions. Meanwhile, an OSCE-sponsored conference on the protection of journalists is being held this week.

And apart from various assessments about the current situation and the incidents reported, there are also differing opinions on who is responsible and how the situation for journalists should be improved.

A lot of things are not okay in Kosovo. Or, said differently, very few things are okay in Kosovo.

And if everyone did their jobs, the situation would certainly not be like this. There would have been fewer problems and no incidents that lead to debates on the position of journalists and the protection of this profession which is highly important in building a democratic society. The journalists would certainly be safer and more protected than they are today.

And while I don't want to talk in this column about the deficiencies in the professions and other areas of our society, and I don't want to analyze separate incidents to bring out the guilty party, what I can, and will, say is that journalists are also partly responsible for the current situation.

Hardly a day goes by without reading in the newspapers, or seeing on TV, or hearing on the radio a report that cannot be qualified as professional journalism.

There are many of those who call themselves journalists, editors and genuine media leaders, and who are considered to be such, but in fact none of them does the work of a journalist, editor or media leader.

There are many who consciously hide behind journalism with the real aim of serving a political, economic or other interest.

There are those who in the search for sensationalism go beyond the boundaries of good manners and create tensions even in places where tensions logically should not exist.

And this is all made possible because in Kosovo there is no code of journalistic ethics accepted by the majority as a basis for the work of journalists and the media.

UNMIK regulations that apply in this area are a weak and inefficient substitute for bringing order to journalism. Apart from being compiled as a response to daily needs, they also ensure the bad precedent of legally enabling the flagrant intervention of governing authorities in freedom of speech. Although we are against such interventions, the lack of a document by and for journalists is an excuse for the existence of such restrictive regulations.

Therefore, if journalists are not capable of cleaning their own house, there will always be someone who will clean it for them, and while doing so, they won't be very careful if, along with the garbage, they also take away good things from the house.

And there are good things in the house called Kosovar journalism. And not a few. The only thing is - and true journalists know this - good news hardly ever ends up on front pages of newspapers. Our house needs cleaning - this is our responsibility.

The broom for journalism is called the Code of Ethics. It is high time we had one…

KTA does not announce tender for electricity imports (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore claims that the Kosovo Government has allocated €20 million to the Kosovo Power Corporation (KEK) for electricity imports, but that despite difficulties in electricity supply, the funds were still have not 'come to light'.

KEK spokeswoman Betty Dawson reportedly said that the funds have been allocated from the Kosovo Budget and that now everything depends on the Kosovo Trust Agency. 'The funds were at last allocated last week. Now the KTA must announce the tender for electricity imports,' Dawson added.

The KEK assessed that money has been allocated with delays. With such delays and without a tender, KEK is forbidden to buy electricity now when domestic production is not enough and we are facing reductions of three hours on and three off.

'Currently, KEK has no money to buy electricity. We depend on agreements to borrow electricity, but is very difficult because the entire region is in an energy crisis,' Dawson said.

Although KEK does not know when the KTA might open a tender, Dawson hopes that it will happen very soon.

The KTA press office was questioned when imports of energy will happen but they did not response to Koha Ditore within a day. Allocations of the funds were agreed in the last meeting of EFC, three weeks earlier.

The paper reported that entire region is facing crisis in supplying with electricity. The KEK does not have the technical ability to buy electricity from European countries, while the lack of electricity in the region makes it expensive.

Dawson says that without a tender, 'we aren't able to know the amount of electricity that KEK could import with €20,000,000'. 'I am sure that the price would be a little more expensive than last year,' she said. Last year, KEK had imported electricity from Bulgaria. In the past four years, KEK has regularly imported electricity from other countries while the funds were provided by the EU.

Belgrade Media Update

President Rugova discusses southern Serbia (Beta)
Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova held talks yesterday with representatives of the ethnic Albanian population in southern Serbia. Participants in the meeting discussed the situation in the Presevo valley. Rugova said it was "important that Albanians in southern Serbia consolidating the local authorities and enjoy all the rights of European standards".

Covic to head Belgrade delegation in talks on Kosovo (Vecernje Novosti)
Deputy Serbian Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic will lead the Belgrade delegation in upcoming talks with Pristina, Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti reports. According to a well-informed source, certain European Union officials, "particularly foreign policy and security chief Javier Solana," were unhappy with the appointment, but agreed nonetheless. Covic heads Belgrade's Coordination Centre for Kosovo and has been at the centre of Serbia's policy on its UN-governed province since the overthrow of the Milosevic regime. Novosti reports that Serbia-Montenegro Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic, or one of his close associates, will also join the talks, which are expected to take place in Brussels. Discussions will centre on practical matters concerning Belgrade and Pristina, but not on the eventual status of the province.

Covic head of negotiating team with Pristina, daily (Tanjug)
The Serbian government on Monday nominated its Vice President and head of the Kosovo-Metohija coordination centre, Nebojsa Covic, as head of the team which is to negotiate with a delegation of Kosovo Albanians, the Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti said in its Tuesday issue. The delegation, Covic will be at the head of, is yet to be set up, but it will certainly include Serbia-Montenegro Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic or one of his closest associates.

Thaçi party appeals to international community (Beta)
The party led by former Kosovo Albania guerilla leader Hashim Thaçi has called on the United Nations and European Union to reject the preamble of the Serbia-Montenegro constitution that refers to the UN-governed province. The Democratic Party of Kosovo also demanded they reject Serbia's recently adopted Kosovo Declaration, which asserts Serbian sovereignty over Kosovo. The party, the main opposition force in the province, said that the United States and the EU should chair upcoming talks between Belgrade and Pristina. It urged the Kosovo Parliament to create a constitutional basis on which to resolve the final status of the province, based on the political will of the Kosovo people.

120 million dollars for needs of Coordination Center (Tanjug)
The Council of Ministers of Serbia and Montenegro has approved 120 million dollars for the needs of the Coordination Center for Kosovo and Metohija. A total of 370 million dollars is planned from the budget of Serbia and Montenegro for the needs of the Coordination Center for Kosovo and Metohija in 2003.

Main Stories 16 September
· NATO and EU reiterate support for standards before status and dialogue
· Will relations be aggravated between Govt and UNMIK? (Zëri)
· Assembly to give green light to Govt on Thursday for technical talks (Zëri)
· Haradinaj: Talks with Serbia are part of process toward State of Kosovo
· K-leaders don't know if they will sign a declaration on talks (Koha)
· Diplomatic Offices to assist in dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade (Koha)
· PDK: Before talks, Serbian statement on Kosovo must be declared null/void
· Shala: Loyalty to Kosovar institutions (Zëri)
· Civiletti: Decentralization project to be announced in November (Zëri)
· Contract for Kosovo air carrier to be signed today (Zëri)
· KTA doesn't announce tender to buy electricity imports (Koha Ditore)
· Prishtina municipal officials: Illegal objects won't be legalized (Koha Ditore)
· Bajrami: House needs some cleaning (Koha Ditore)
· Ahmeti in diplomatic offensive to hasten implementation of Ohrid Agreement

Kosovo Media Highlights

NATO and EU reiterate support for standards before status and dialogue (Koha)
Koha Ditore reports that the EU Committee for Security and the NATO Council held discussions on the security situation in Kosovo yesterday.

Koha says that EU High Representative Javier Solana referred to UNSC Resolution 1244 and said that the time for resolving Kosovo's final status hasn't arrived yet. 'I want to remind everyone that 'standards before status' remain in power as a formula that we are going to follow regarding Kosovo's final status, and once standards are fulfilled we can then talk about the status,' he said.

NATO Secretary General George Lord Robertson was quoted as saying, 'Even though the issue of final status is in the minds of Balkans politicians, it is still not on the agenda of the United Nations.' [extensive coverage in Media Analysis]

Will relations be aggravated between Govt and UNMIK? (Zëri)
Zëri reports that the final public statement from SRSG Harri Holkeri last Friday leaves no room for doubt that he believes that dialogue between Kosovar and Serbian representatives could start in October.

Zëri reports sources close to the international administration as saying that Holkeri believes that if talks don't start soon they are going to become hostage to the parliamentary elections that will be held next year in Serbia and in Kosovo. [more in Media Analysis]

On Thursday, Assembly to give green light to Govt for technical talks (Zëri)
Zëri reports that on Thursday the Kosovo Assembly is expected to debate whether or not it will give the green light to the Kosovo Government for technical talks with Belgrade.

Ramush Tahiri, advisor to Assembly Speaker Nexhat Daci, told the paper that 'there is no reason why the assembly should not give the government the responsibility for talks… and there is no reason to have a platform'.

However, Ramadan Avdiu, advisor to Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi, was quoted as saying, 'It is necessary to have a platform for talks that would go through the assembly and the assembly must declare whether there should be talks with Serbia.'

Haradinaj: Talks with Serbia are part of process toward state of Kosovo (Zëri)
In an interview for Zëri, chairman of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj was quoted as saying, 'We are for talks with Serbia on technical and concrete issues, as part of a development that is oriented toward the building of the political will of the people of Kosovo, which can take place by declaring independence or a referendum and the forming of the Constitution of Kosovo.' [full translation of the interview in Media Analysis]

K-leaders don't know whether they will sign a declaration (Koha)
Koha Ditore reports that Kosovar leaders still haven't been offered a letter of approval by the Kosovo chief administrator Harri Holkeri before embarking on talks with Serbian representatives. The paper writes that the leaders of the main political parties in Kosovo say they haven't received any letter or document from SRSG Holkeri.

Diplomatic Offices to assist in dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade (Koha)
Koha Ditore reports that the new head of the French Office in Prishtina, Gerard Sallier, has voiced support for dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade, and he added that the diplomatic offices in Prishtina would assist UNMIK in preparing for upcoming talks.

'The diplomatic offices of five western countries, including France, will offer their support and assistance in the process of dialogue on technical issues,' Sallier said.

PDK: Before talks, Serbian statement on Kosovo to be declared null and void
Zëri reports that the Leadership Council of the Kosovo Democratic Party (PDK) has discussed the upcoming dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade.

The PDK has asked the Kosovo Assembly and other institutions to address the UN Security Council and relevant institutions of the European Union with a single request: to declare null and void the Preamble to the Constitution of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro, the Constitutional Declaration of the Serbian Parliament and the Declaration for Kosovo, adopted by SaM.

Shala: Loyalty toward Kosovar institutions (Zëri)
'One of the topics that has come up during the announcement of the start of dialogue between Kosovar and Serbian representatives is the role of Kosovo Serb politicians in this process, which is going to be quite difficult and complicated,' writes Blerim Shala in an editorial for Zëri. 'Many Kosovo Serbs politicians, and also those who are responsible for Serbs in the name of the Serbian Orthodox Church, have already clarified their position: Kosovo Serbs should be seated on the side of Serbian officials.' [full translation in Media Analysis]

Civiletti: Decentralization project to be announced in November (Zëri)
Zëri quotes senior officials of the Council of Europe mission on decentralization as saying that the decentralization project for Kosovo will be announced this November in the form of recommendations for UNMIK and Kosovar institutions.

'We believe that reforms will touch the immediate needs and long-term interests of Kosovars. This will improve the quality and efficiency of public services, as well as local democratic representation,' said Carlo Civiletti, head of the CoE decentralization mission.

Contract for Kosovo airline to be signed today (Zëri)
Zëri reports that the Office of Minister for Transport and Communications Zef Morina has informed that the Ministry and UNMIK Pillar IV are to sign the contract to establish a Kosovo airline today.

According to the paper, the contract will be signed by Minister Morina and UNMIK Pillar IV chief, DSRSG Nikolaus Lambsdorff and representatives of Hamburg International.

KTA does not announce tender for electricity imports (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore claims that the Kosovo Government has allocated €20 million euros to the Kosovo Power Corporation (KEK) for electricity imports, but that despite difficulties in electricity supply, the funds were still have not 'come to light'.

KEK spokeswoman Betty Dawson reportedly said that the funds have been allocated from the Kosovo Budget and that now everything depends on the Kosovo Trust Agency. 'The funds were at last allocated last week. Now the KTA must announce the tender for electricity imports,' Dawson added.

Prishtina municipal officials: Illegal objects won't be legalized (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore quotes Prishtina municipal officials as saying that even after the endorsement of the Law on Buildings, illegal buildings in Prishtina would not be legalized.

Koha Ditore also says that according to official information, there are 3,041 illegal buildings in Prishtina municipality, 127 of which are on socially owned properties.

Lulzim Nixha, director of the Directorate for Spatial Planning and Urban Development in Prishtina municipality reportedly said that the solution of this problem 'is a very sensitive issue'.

Bajrami: The house needs some cleaning (Koha Ditore)
In an opinion piece for Koha Ditore, Editor Agron Bajrami writes that the security and protection of journalists has again become a hot topic in the last couple of days.

'If journalists are not capable of cleaning their own house, there will always be someone who will clean it for them, and while doing so, they won't be very careful if, along with the garbage, they also take away the good things from the house,' Bajrami added. [full translation in Media Analysis]

Ahmeti in diplomatic offensive to fasten implementation of Ohrid Agreement
Koha Ditore quotes reliable sources as saying that the leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (BDI) and former leader of the National Liberation Army (NLA), Ali Ahmeti, has launched a diplomatic offensive in Macedonia, with the aim of reactivating the representatives of the international community to accelerate the implementation of the Ohrid Agreement.

In upcoming meetings with international diplomats in Macedonia, Ahmeti will reportedly ask for a more active commitment of relevant factors vis-à-vis essential reforms in the Macedonian Ministry of Interior Affairs and the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, and for respect of the Amnesty Law with the aim of avoiding a crisis that could destabilize the future of the country.

Under the front-page headline, New war to divide Macedonia, Epoka e Re announces an interview with Commander Enver Hoxha, which is to be published tomorrow.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore
Front page
· NATO and EU repeat support for 'Standards before status' and dialogue
· Minister of Education is sad about PM's intervention
· €20 mill from Govt, no tender from KTA for electricity imports
· Ahmeti on 'diplomatic offensive' to implement Ohrid Agreement
· Prishtina Municipality: Illegal buildings won't be legalized

Other headlines
· Kosovar leaders don't know if they will sign a statement (2)
· Former policemen announce strike (2)
· Diplomatic offices will support dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade (2)
· Halimi asks for books from Kosovo for children in Presevo valley (2)
· Naim's statue is damaged [Macedonia] (3)
· A Code of Conduct for all media (4)
· OSCE issues internal report on 'Violence in Kosovo' (4)
· Pension fund collected €23,000,000 (5)
· Mosiu: Implement law and don't become victim of politics [Albania] (6)
· Air Vardar airplane lands in Skopje (6)
· Ferizaj: One killed and two wounded in shooting(7)
· Rahovec: €400,000 allocated for capital projects (8)
· Classes started in all Kosovo schools (8)
· Cadastral services in Viti endorse property documents (8)
· Col. Barbero replaces Col. Aragos [Spanish KFOR] (8)
· Thanks to international donations, Prizren has new school (9)
· Bajrami: House needs to be cleaned [security/protection of journalists] (10)
· IWPR: Ex-Yugoslavs control smuggling in Europe (10)
· Passive citizenship (11)
· Don't kill my security, hand in weapons to KPS (11)

Zëri
Front page
· Will there be new aggravation bet Kosovo Government and UNMIK?
· Haradinaj: Kosovo statehood to be part of talks with Serbia
· Shala: Loyalty towards Kosovo's institutions
· Assembly on Thursday gives green light to talks with Belgrade
· Robertson/Solana: We are determined to defeat extremism and criminals
· Osmani feels overcome by Prime Minister and SBASHK
· Civilietti: Decentralization project will be announced in November
· Tetovo University is legalized [Macedonia]

Other headlines
· PDK: Serbian declaration to be dismissed before dialogue (2)
· Kosovo Serbs should be part of Kosovar delegation (2)
· Solana think dialogue should start as soon as possible (3)
· Contract will be signed today [airline] (4)
· Former policemen threaten with hunger strike (4)
· Teachers feel manipulated, children are very happy (4)
· Albanians from Presevo Valley demand to be include in dialogue (5)
· The best summer season in Ulqin (5)
· Rugova visits Swedish Liaison Office (5)
· Thaçi is optimistic about Assembly's unique position (5)
· Situation is calm now, Albanian schools start [Macedonia] (6)
· Airline company Air Vardar lands in Skopje (6)
· Authorities are optimistic, opposition is dissatisfied [fYROM] (6)
· KPS officers in training to investigate organized crime (7)
· Pensions assets are increased by less than 3% (7)
· Gjorgjevic: Testimonial on Kosovo (8)
· Ivanovic against privatization of refrigeration factory (9)
· Viti: In addition to rehabilitation center, 80 houses belong to municipality (9)
· Lipjan: New developments in PDK branch (9)
· Police assess: No need to escort [Serb] children (9)
· Court releases suspicious individual (9)
· Col. Barbero: We want a democratic and European Kosovo (10)

Bota Sot
Front page
· Education Minister Osmani: Strike was political game, ends with theater
· Ahmet Krasniqi and Tahir Zemaj had broad military knowledge
· All NATO countries support Holkeri
· Government adopts law for legalization of university [fYROM]
· Kosovo will have three phone codes
· Loser of political strike and SBASHKU
· Bigman: Without Ohrid Agreement, no entrance into NATO
· We need your support to achieve our freedom [Presevo Valley municipality]
· One killed and two wounded [Ferizaj]
· Protest of former policemen

Other headlines
· We welcome German position at UNSC (2)
· Rugova meets Presevo Valley leaders (3)
· Jones: Presence in Europe in accord with American military strategy (4)
· Institutions do not support KPST [pensions] (4)
· After one year, KPST collected €23,000,000 (4)
· EU should halt [Slav] Macedonian racism against Albanians (5)
· Inauguration of school in Prizren (6)
· Discriminated against for 50 years, we believe we will achieve our goals (7)
· Signature on contract for air carrier (8)
· First Albanian airplane lands in Skopje (8)
· Euro police to replace Euro forces [Macedonia] (10)

Kosova Sot
Front page
· President does not submit report to Assembly
· PDK requires rejection of Serbian declaration
· Fatal crossroads
· Rehabilitation of power plants brings chaos
· Presevo Valley leaders demand to be part of dialogue
· Dialogue remains utopia without political consensus
· Solana: Violence and troubles impede dialogue
· Editorial: No dialogue with constitutional aggression

Other headlines
· Dialogue in hands of nobody (3)
· Sallier: France supports Kosovo entrance in EU (4)
· To achieve consensus amongst Albanians (5)
· Serbian minority in fever over dialogue (5)
· Classes normalized in Kosovo (6)
· Strikes were politically motivated (6)
· Police: No need to escort [Serb] children (6)
· Current budget does not allow increases (7)
· All employees obliged to pay 5% from salary (8)
· Around 80 buildings are on public property (8)
· Development of vineyards in Kosovo (8)
· Bread price remains unchanged (9)
· Why is there silence over tragic incident in Dubrava prison? (9)

Epoka e Re
Front page
· Robertson: Extremists sabotage Kosovo's future
· Solana: Basis of talks between Kosovo and Serbia is Resolution 1244
· New war will separate Macedonia
· Government: Hague decision proves political implications in Limaj case
· Rubin: Before world public court
· Egro: Integration problems in Western Balkans
· Ex -Yugoslavs control smuggling
· Preparation to remove Serbian government

Other headlines
· Kosovo Assembly should decide on dialogue (2)
· PDK: Belgrade's constitutions to be declared worthless (3)
· Government waiting for 'visa' to talk to Belgrade (3)
· LPK supports Limaj fund (4)
· Halimi: Presevo Valley Albanians in Serb delegation (4)
· Orthodox Church lays foundation, nobody knows about it (4)
· Isufi: To always care for people with disabilities (4)
· Italian carabinieri search Afrim Zeqiri's house (5)
· Suspicious individual is released [KPS killing in Peja] (5)
· Number of killings have declined, police continue investigations (5)
· Osmani: Ministry overruled by Prime Minister is a political issue (6)
· Union: Strike hasn't ended, it is only suspended (6)
· Kryeziu: LDK ethics has nothing to do with statues (7)
· AKSH separates from FBKSH (7)
· Serbian Deputies admit they implement Belgrade's messages (8)
· Tetovo University is legalized [Macedonia] (8)
Belgrade Media Highlights

· Covic to conduct negotiations (Blic)
· NATO and EU request urgent dialogue on Kosovo (Balkan)
· Kosovo Serb leaders do not want to be part of Pristina team in future negotiations (Vecernje Novosti)
· Del Ponte announces indictments against KLA leaders (Glas)
· Rexhepi: No dialogue soon (Danas/Beta)
· School begins in Gnjilane (Danas/Srna)

Covic to conduct negotiations (Blic)
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic has been elected the head of the negotiating team that should take part in the negotiations with the representatives of Kosovo provisional institutions, Blic learns. At the Serbian government staff meeting, one of the members of this body claims, was unilaterally elected to head the team for preparing negotiations, but also for the chairman of the delegation of the Serbian authorities that will take part in negotiations. Covic had earlier announced that negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina on the issues of mutual interest should commence in the second half of October or at the beginning of November.

NATO and EU request urgent dialogue on Kosovo (Balkan)
NATO Secretary General George Robertson and EU High Representative have announced that the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue should commence as soon as possible. Following the meeting in Brussels, they have stated that NATO and the EU support the efforts by UNMIK Head Harri Holkeri to suppress violence in Kosovo, for which is of key importance "to commence the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue." "The agenda for that dialogue will be very quickly established. Kosovo's future can be discussed only when standards are fulfilled, exclusively on the basis of UNSCR 1244," stated Solana and Robertson.

Kosovo Serb leaders do not want to be part of Pristina team in future negotiations (Vecernje Novosti)
It is not acceptable, at least for the time being, for Kosovo Serb representatives to be part of the Pristina team in Belgrade-Pristina talks, Raska-Prizren bishop Artemije told the Zvecan Most television. "My opinion is that we should not be part of that team," said bishop Artemije, who considers that Kosovo Serbs cannot be "at the other end of the table," because Serbia is not negotiating with Kosovo as someone else's territory, since "Kosovo is not a state, and our problems are resolved by the republic of Serbia." KP AM Rada Trajkovic said that in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Serbs must not and cannot be part of the Pristina delegation. The co-Minister in the Kosovo government Milorad Todorovic has mentioned that he doesn't know whose idea is for Serbs to be in the Pristina team, but that he had heard this for the first time last Thursday at the meeting with UNMIK Head Harri Holkeri.

Del Ponte announces indictments against KLA leaders (Glas)
The Chief Prosecutor of the ICTY Carla del Ponte has announced that she should bring charges by the end of the year against KLA leaders. Del Ponte didn't state their names, nor does anyone in the ICTY wish to say what leaders are at issue. Serbian Justice Minister Vladan Batic and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic have expressed satisfaction over this announcement. Batic recalls that the Justice Ministry has been trying for two and a half years now to prove that KLA leaders are the biggest war criminals in Europe since WWII. There is evidence that charge Tachi with the murder of 661 Serbs, Montenegrins, but also other non-Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija, with aggravated assault of 518 Serbs and Montenegrins, with the abduction of 584 people and intentional expulsion of 250,000 Serbs and Montenegrins, as well as 80,000 other non-Albanians from Kosovo and Metohija following June, 1999.

Rexhepi: No dialogue soon (Danas/Beta)
Kosovo Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi has said that he does not believe talks between Belgrade and Pristina would begin soon. Rexhepi told Pristina daily Zeri that the talks required major preparation and he was not optimistic this could be done quickly. "The dialogue is one of the criteria set by the international community in Kosovo, but I don't believe it will happen in the near future," said Rexhepi, adding that protocols must be defined so that Pristina knows where the talks will be held and who will mediate them. Regardless of any Contact Group decision, the talks could not begin until the Kosovo Assembly agreed with them, said Rexhepi, adding that the issue would not be debated until a consensus had been reached.

School begins in Gnjilane (Danas/Srna)
Classes in Serbian have commenced in the Serb enclaves in the Kosovo Pomoravlje district, except the village of Cernica, near Gnjilane, where full safety of Serb pupils has not yet been established. Advisor for Returns Milorad Todorovic has stated that UNMIK, KFOR and KPS had been given a 15 day deadline to establish full safety of Serb children and pupils in the village of Cernica, where teacher Miomir Savic has been recently killed in a bomb attack. School commenced in the municipalities of Gnjilane, Kosovska Kamenica and Vitina.