Media Analysis 26 September 2003

• Kosovar leaders still without 'Yes' on dialogue (Koha Ditore)
  
• Rosin: US supports talks between Prishtina and Belgrade (Zëri/Kosova Sot)
  
• Thaçi: Kosovo will become an independent country (Epoka e Re)
  
• Shala: A declaration and numerous problems (Zëri)
  
• Ahmet Shala, new manager of the Kosovo Trust Agency? (Zëri)
  
• Ibrahim Rexhepi: Our Hungarian bread (Koha Ditore)
  
• Two purchasers do not pay, KTA negotiates with second in list (Koha Ditore)
  
• Brouhns: Those who promote disintegrating ideas are enemies of Albanians

Belgrade Media Update

• Marovic, Annan agree on Resolution 1244 problems (Beta)
  
• Pristina has no platform for dialogue with Belgrade - Trajkovic (Tanjug)
  
• Kosovo / Dialog to Begin in Vienna (BetaWeek)

Kosovar leaders still without 'Yes' on dialogue (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reported about yesterday meeting that SRSG Harri Holkeri had with Kosovar leaders on the issue of upcoming talks between Prishtina and Belgrade.

Koha Ditore reports that the position of Kosovar politicians on the issue of dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade hasn't been clarified even after the meeting with SRSG Harri Holkeri. The latter gathered all leaders at UNMIK HQ to explain the decisions of the Contact Group.

The paper added by saying that President Ibrahim Rugova, Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi and AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj maintained their positions by not showing indications that the institutions are going to say yes to dialogue. Rugova said that dialogue was not a priority issue; Rexhepi reiterated that the government needs the assembly to adopt the idea of going to dialogue, whereas Haradinaj said that dialogue between Kosovar institutions and UNMIK should precede dialogue with Belgrade. The leaders were reportedly told that dialogue could start between 10th and 20th October in Vienna at the highest political level.

'Do not make big issues because there aren't such,' Rugova was quoted as saying and added that 'consultations would continue'. 'We confirmed that we need to build an internal consensus first through the assembly. Therefore, the government wants the assembly to take on a political position.'

'We should reach an agreement. This should be done by Kosovar institutions first and then by others,' he said. 'We do not want to prejudge processes but we are skeptic whether these talks could be successful. However, we expect that the assembly will say its opinion, build a political consensus and then move,' Rexhepi concluded.

Koha Ditore claimed that the AAK leader was radical in his positions. 'This is improvisation that we have seen before when Steiner was here. Make a plan, publish it and continue with the same objectives,' Haradinaj was quoted as saying.

Haradinaj added that it was a 'mistake to ask the institutions to make such actions while on the other hand there are hesitations to assist institutions in the process of capacity-building. Haradinaj also said that dialogue between local institutions and UNMIK should come before the dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade.

In closing the paper noted that SRSG Harri Holkeri voiced his wish to have the highest level of representation in the first meeting in Vienna.

Rosin: US supports talks between Prishtina and Belgrade (Zëri/Kosova Sot)
Zëri and Kosova Sot carried an interview that US Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Larry Rosin gave to the Voice of America, in which he commented on the upcoming talks between Prishtina and Belgrade. Rosin said that the US would be present at the technical talks and would provide assistance so that the direct talks had a successful outcome.

Mr. Rosin, what are the main conclusions of the Contact Group meeting in New York?
The main conclusions in the declaration of the Contact Group and the main topic of the meeting was the work of Kosovo chief administrator Harri Holkeri for the start of direct dialogue between Belgrade and Prishtina on practical issues. And it was said in the statement that the aim is to start talks by mid-October, which we fully support and we will make efforts for these talks to be successful.

What will be the role of the US in these talks? Is there going to be a US representative in the talks?
We are not imagining a scene in which at the table of talks there is going to be an American representative or a representative from another country of the Contact Group. I imagine that at the opening ceremony there will be high-ranking American and Contact Group representatives. But after that, talks will be held between Prishtina and Belgrade on technical issues and it would be good if the structure of the meeting focuses on talks between these two parties. I would imagine that the US is going to be present in order to help the direct talks turn out successfully.

Therefore, based on what you said, will Kosovo's delegation be represented by local politicians or by UNMIK?
As far as I know, according to the plan of chief administrator Holkeri, the Kosovar delegation will mainly include the provisional institutions, local leaders, and after the opening ceremony, the talks will be led by experts. UNMIK will also participate in Kosovo's delegation, and this is for practical reasons because some of the issues that are going to be discussed could be within the competencies of the provisional institutions, but some could be within the competencies of the international administration. Therefore, it is necessary to have a joint presence.

The Contact Group had not met for several years, whereas now it has met twice within a very short period of time. What is the meaning of its reactivation?
I think that this is not very true. When I was Ambassador to Croatia I attended the meetings of the Contact Group several times in Europe and in other countries. The meeting, or maybe it is better to say the meetings, of this high-ranking group were held because of ongoing important processes and the beginning of direct dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade is without a doubt a major step. And the Contact Group wants to work together with administrator Holkeri in order to give its highest assistance for this process to be successful.

If talks in Vienna are going to be successful and will not be infinitively delayed, what do you think the next step will be?
Maybe your definition of the talks in Vienna is somewhat different from what the Kosovo chief administrator has in mind. What he has in mind, and what we have in mind, is that only the opening ceremony of talks with high-ranking representatives from both parties will be held in Vienna, and later talks won't be held there but in the region. And they can be talks among technical experts on various issues, such as electrical energy and communications and other sectors of this nature to improve the lives of Kosovar citizens. This process will continue as long as is needed by the parties to establish a good level of dialogue and to find practical solutions. Therefore, the Vienna meeting is a one-day event.

What is the US policy toward Kosovo? During the recent visit by General Richard Meyers, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, there were rumors that the US was reviewing their commitment to peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and Bosnia. In the Albanian press, there have been negative reactions to this. Could the US withdraw from the Balkans?
I haven't seen the comments in the Albanian press. But what I want to emphasize is that President Bush has made it clear, and the comments of General Meyers were in the context of the policy of the President, that the United States of America entered the region together with its allies and we are going to leave together with our allies. We want to accelerate the day when we are going to have the right conditions and when the departure of the international community from the region will serve to strengthen stability there. But some of the comments that you mentioned, although I haven't seen them, may be somewhat exaggerated and may have simplified Gen. Meyers' comments, or they could be related to speculations that could have been seen in the European and American press.

Thaçi: Kosovo will become an independent country (Epoka e Re)
Epoka e Re carried an interview that Hashim Thaçi, the leader of the Kosovo Democratic Party (PDK), gave to the Croatian-based newspaper, Globus.

What is your comment on the current developments in Macedonia?
We are against any use of violence in Macedonia and we are committed to a peaceful solution according to the Ohrid Agreement. This agreement is currently facing a deep crisis but I don't believe that local incidents will turn into serious conflicts.

In your statements, you said that you do not support the idea of Kosovo's unification with Albania, but the integration of the Albanian nation. Aren't the current developments in Macedonia going in the direction of your commitments?
I am against the change of borders. Kosovo will become an independent country with all the residents that live within the existing borders. Kosovo is not going to be the national country only of Albanians, but the state of all those living in Kosovo.

Is the Albanian National Army linked to the Kosovo Liberation Army?
The Kosovo Liberation Army was transformed in September 1999; therefore, it has no connections with the AKSH. The AKSH has no military troops in Kosovo, and the former KLA had no troops in Macedonia. Albanians in Macedonia are experiencing major problems; people are frustrated and dissatisfied with the current situation.

Can you compare the current situation in Macedonia and the connections between the KLA and AKSH with the connections between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, that is, the connections between the Croatian Army and the Croat Council of Defence during the 90's?
There can be no comparisons. I repeat, Kosovo cannot belong only to Albanians, but also to Serbs, Bosniaks and all other nationalities that live in our country.

I believe that as a politician you must hold positions that are acceptable for the international community, but what is your personal belief for the activity of the AKSH in Macedonia?
I speak what it is on my mind.

What is your comment on the media statements from Belgrade that The Hague has prepared an indictment against you?
Only the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs insists on this. They want to accuse by any and all means, because Kosovo is now free and the Serbian Army is no longer in Kosovo.

Why were you stopped in the Budapest Airport in early July based on an arrest warrant issued by Interpol?
The stopping in Budapest was a provocation by Belgrade, and Hungarian authorities unfortunately fell for it. Nonetheless, I thank the Hungarian authorities for their correct behavior. I especially want to thank the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

What is the formal-legal status of the sentence announced by the District Court in Prishtina on 1997, which sentenced you to 10 years in prison in absentia?
That was a political process and it is still in effect only in Belgrade.

Why, as the leader of the Kosovo Democratic Party, have you not taken over the prime minister's post in the current government?
It is extremely important for our political party that we won the post of prime minister in the elections. For me, it is a great honor and obligation to be the leader of the party, through which I am going to continue my political activity. On the other hand, I didn't want to accept a post, which in the political aspect would only have a symbolic role.

Are your relations with President Rugova somewhat better today?
Our relations are not tense because he is playing, and satisfied, in his symbolic function. Nonetheless, we represent two completely different concepts in the Kosovar political scene.

Three or four years ago, you had much harsher words about him…
At that time, he was saying harsher words about me than I was saying about him. I called on him not to negotiate with Milosevic against Kosovo's interest, and he was calling me a terrorist.

Do your friends still call you by the war name, Snake?
I am always called Hashim Thaçi.

On the one hand, the western media claim that you are an 'American' player, while on the other hand, The New York Times wrote that are you behind some violent acts, including the journalist Ali Ukaj. What is your comment on this?
US State Department's James Rubin said that was a put up article. Just for illustration's sake, Ali Ukaj was my best friend and we lived together during our studies in Prishtina and Tirana. By late July 1997, the Albanian Government arrested me in Tirana and sent me to jail because of my activity in the KLA. This happened at around five o'clock, and Ali Ukaj was killed on the same night. I was released from prison after 48 hours, and then I left Tirana, and until early 1998, I continued my studies in Vienna and Zurich.

What have you done as the leader of the KLA and the chairman of the second-biggest political party to stop the heroin trade in Kosovo?
Not all people in Kosovo are angels, and the same goes for Zagreb, New York and every country in the world. We are aware of the negative phenomena and we are trying to be uncompromised in the fight against organized crime. We have already achieved considerable results. Kosovo today is the country with the lowest level of organized crime in the region. However, we cannot say that there is no organized crime in Kosovo. For example, the PTK and KEK are classic examples of organized economic crime, and all citizens of Kosovo are its victims.

What is your position vis-à-vis the international community?
I am grateful to the international community for everything that it has done and is still doing for Kosovo. They have helped us to create a free Kosovo, and today we are building democratic rule. Together we are going to build democracy in the region. Therefore, I think that the international community has helped Kosovo more than it has helped any other European country. Certainly some would like this to go at a faster and easier pace, but in the end Kosovo is closer to European integration with each passing day. There is noticeable progress in the process of privatization, the problem of refugees, the security of citizens, in education, healthcare, culture… However, Kosovo is currently facing a major social crisis.

Will Kosovo become a state first or a member of the European Union?
I think these processes will grow in parallel, but it is certain that Kosovo is going to be part of a united Europe as one of the European countries.

Shala: A declaration and numerous problems (Zëri)
In a front-page editorial for Zëri, Blerim Shala claimed that confusion is the common name for the actions and statements of international and local officials in Kosovo lately.

Both the media and public opinion in Kosovo lately have to ask themselves what is really happening in Kosovo. The joint feature of the actions and statements of international and local officials is confusion. Our politicians are truly lost when it comes to dialogue with Serbian representatives. If you ask one of them what is their position on the talks, and what is going to happen from now on, they will surely have no answer.

In the international administration, one gets the impression that Kosovo has no other problem except dialogue. Or, someone makes an enigmatic statement around here and then we must all deal with it, just like the 99 wise men that had to deal with the act of the man who threw a stone in the well. This time along, for two days now, we have been trying to get the message behind the statement of the director of the OSCE's Department of Democratization, Friedhelm Frischenschlager, who is somewhere outside Kosovo. According to him, violence could break out at any point in Kosovo, and he also claims that extremist forces want the international community to leave Kosovo, and so on. With his position, Frischenschlager is not responsible for security in Kosovo. UNMIK Police and KFOR commanders have raised no recent alarms about the situation in Kosovo. But if there were truly such dangers, it would be wise if the international administration went out in public and told us, the Kosovar citizens, and also the members of the government about what is expected to happen. Otherwise, it is time for even internationals to be held responsible for their statements.

Ahmet Shala, new manager of the Kosovo Trust Agency? (Zëri)
Zëri reports that Prishtina-based KosovaLive news agency has quoted sources in UNMIK as saying that Ahmet Shala is expected to be appointed manager of the Kosovo Trust Agency.

Shala is expected to have the support of the US Office, the Office of the Prime Minister, KTA officials and at least the partial support of the European Union told KosovaLive unnamed UN sources in Prishtina.

Shala's appointment as head of the KTA will happen in the beginning of next month and international will have a strong card in their hands regarding the transfer of competencies, as had been promised by UNMIK.

The source added that there was full consensus for the new KTA manager. In an interview to KosovaLive news agency on Thursday, Ahmet Shala said that his appointment would not imply the Kosovarization of the Kosovo Trust Agency, 'because this is about an executive and not a decision-making post'.

Koha added that Shala teaches at the Economic Faculty at the University of Prishtina and one of the key individuals in the privatization process. He also participated in the compilation of the operational policies of the Kosovo Trust Agency.

Ibrahim Rexhepi: Our Hungarian bread (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore carried an opinion piece by Ibrahim Rexhepi who discusses possibilities of importing wheat from abroad in Kosovo.

A well know businessman in Prishtina never made business with wheat. 'It was last will from my dead not to win moneys of someone else,' he said while was explaining why he never offered wheat.

Although this is story from times when Albanians were fighting for survival, even ten years later bread is becoming topic of polemics, accuses, business…

Is bread cheaper or expensive? It should cost 25,30,35 or 40 cents? Who should decide about this - bakeries, businessmen's, consumers or Kosovo government? These dilemmas are present since few months, but it gain importance when bakeries decided to increase bread's price - 40 cents. Now prime minister is threatening with soft words 'do not force government to take other measures'.

Bread is a very sensitive issue in Kosovo. It means survival. If this is the case why Kosovars do not seed wheat? Last year were seed less then 70 thousands hectare, which is 30-40 thousands less then usual. Even if harvest were record, with this figures Kosovo could not meet its needs. Because of the drought, this year's harvests are equal with harvest of the first year after the war. Now rightfully we can ask, from where Kosovo will get wheat and with what price?

Drought was problem in all Europe. Even before harvests it was known that results would not be same as before. It is known that states through subventions to the farmers save stability in the market, but not in the stock market. Wheat price is in increase and this forces Kosovar bakeries to find solution through dear prices. In fact they have no other resources to compensate their losses. Liberation from custom services duties is not either a solution. For example they could produce special breads, but they are also aware that Kosovars consumes standards breads, from which they keep businesses. It is enough to say that one Kosovar eat one bread at least during the day and it understandable how much rich is his table.

Businessmen's know only one way, to import wheat from Serbia. However this country is paying prices of drought, therefore it has no wheat for import in Kosovo. But Serbia now is playing another game. Even if it has wheat it would not exported in Kosovo. It is better to sell flavor in Kosovo. Serbia is having problems with monopolist behaviors of those people that bought wheat surplus. They do not sell this item until reach maximal price. Kosovars now started to search through Hungarian market. Either there wheat is not contracted with the price of the stock market. Real price is much higher.

In the end it is reasonable the government unhappiness, but not its threaten. It should get nervous because of impossibility to react as real government in this situation. In fact with its competencies [Kosovo government] it can do nothing. It has initiated decision to remove custom duties from the wheat, and it has accord of the 'second government'- EFC, but it is not operative. How EFC works it might pass a year, until wheat comes in Kosovo.

However, Kosovo government and even more EFC mustn't forget that bread is prime food item in the Kosovar table. They should find solution how to assist agriculture. Even more business with wheat and flavor should have other treatment. If they couldn't subvention wheat, they it must be free from other taxes as it is VAT, or to decrease such taxes in order that food items becomes cheaper.

This is not easy job. Such approach is not acceptable by the masterminds of the economic systems in Kosovo - World Bank, but population social situation imposes such solution.

Two purchasers do not pay, KTA negotiates with second in list (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore claims that the second round of privatization is already bringing the first problems.

The paper claims that the cartoonist and designer from Peja/Pec, Nexhat Krasniqi also known as NEKRA has withdrawn from buying the Rugova Hotel in Peja/Pec for €2,200,000. Furthermore, he paid €2,800,000 for the Plastic Factory in Prishtina.

KTA said on Thursday that it has started negotiations with the second offer, because the first one has withdrawn. The second highest offer was figure P126, which offered €1,500,000, while officials of Hotel Rugova claimed that the KTA would make big mistake if it decides to give the company to the second bidder.

According to KTA operational policies when the wining bidder does not pay the money, the board of KTA decides to re-tender the enterprise or gives it to the second highest offer. KTA should decide not only for the Rugova hotel but also for other enterprises of the second round where the winning bidders haven't the money yet. The money hasn't been paid for Farmakos Company and Silcapor, and in the meantime the KTA has entered negations with the second highest offer.

Brouhns: Those who promote disintegrating ideas are enemies of Albanians
Koha Ditore ran an interview with the Alexis Brouhns, the special envoy for the European Union to Macedonia.

Mr. Brouhns, certain armed groups have emerged in northern Macedonia. They are asking for full amnesty and they won't hand themselves over to the police. Is there any danger that this country is going to enter the cycle of war as in 2001?
No. I don't think that there is such danger. The present situation is completely different from what we had in 2001. Now we have a framework agreement which is being implemented, and which determines the creation of a multiethnic country. This agreement was signed by the most relevant political parties of the country and excludes any use of violence. The international community strongly supports the framework agreement and will not accept any changes, even if there are efforts to do that through the use of violence. The recent tensions in Macedonia are mainly caused by criminal elements. There are some armed groups that have challenged the police through their criminal behavior. It should be made clear that the actions of these armed groups are very damaging for the Albanian population, because Albanian residents are victims of these armed groups, in areas where they exist and operate. Amnesty is a problem and it has created confusion. The amnesty law is valid for all cases, with the exception of war crimes for which international courts are competent. It should be understood that no one is in prison for issues that are related to the amnesty. The people who have talked about amnesty in the last couple of weeks, I think are not well aware of this issue.

After a meeting with BDI leader Ali Ahmeti, you also met with the Macedonian Public Prosecutor Aleksandar Prcevski. What did you discuss? Did you point out any case when the Amnesty Law was not respected for former NLA combatants?
Yes, because the amnesty is part of the Ohrid Agreement and it is guaranteed by the international community. The international community, including the European Union is trying to handle some amnesty cases that haven't been finalized. Some of the cases only involve procedural cases, whereas, for other cases we must see if they must be transferred to The Hague or not. I repeat this is a number of limited cases of persons who haven't been involved in the amnesty, but none of them is in jail.

What must the government do in order to stabilize the situation? How should the Macedonian police and army react in order to solve security problems in the country?
By definition, the solution of the problem with armed groups is not the duty of the army. In a European country, the army cannot be used to fight criminals. We need a strategy that must be compiled by the police. In specific cases it can call on the army as backup, but the entire action must be led by the Ministry of Interior Affairs. I am neither a policeman nor a police expert, but I think that the action should be launched after certain results and consensus among partners in the coalition government. The two government partners, LSDM and BDI need to analyze the situation and to take over responsibility to stabilize the situation. Therefore, there should be a police action that would result in more security, not less. The EU is reviewing a decision which envisages the deployment of a police mission in Macedonia and this is expected to happen by the end of the year. The aim of this mission is to assist the Ministry of Interior Affairs and regional police stations in the fight against organized crime. Thus, we are going to have a group of Euro-policemen in the ministry and in stations, which will advise the local police in their operations. This is one of the aims of this mission, and there are certainly other objectives. We, as the European Union are interested in this issue because we believe that security is crucial for the future of this country. The fight against crime is not an ethnic issue, because criminals are not for the good of the population, neither the Albanian nor Macedonian. I say this because crime and armed groups hinder economic reforms, investments and the development of the country. After all, if you want to join or accelerate the process of integration into the EU you must fight these negative phenomena. I cannot believe that there are Albanians or Albanian families that prefer violence to accelerate the process of the implementation of the Ohrid Agreement or integration into the EU.

After the action in Breza, Ali Ahmeti's BDI was outraged because it hadn't been informed and consulted by the partner in the coalition government. Ahmeti now wants responsibility from the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Interior Affairs. What is your assessment about his position?
In the Breza's case there was misunderstanding between the partners in the coalition government. This action also had a positive side because it proved that every future country must be launched with consensus and according to rules previously designated among coalition partners.

After the BDI was ignored in the decision-making process in the action in Breza, and also the one in Sopot, do you think that this coalition is going to function normally given the fact there is now a lack of trust and transparency in the coalition government?
For the time being, there is no other option to form a government except for the BDI-LSDM coalition. This was a historic coalition and a very courageous one, and it was also an example for the Balkans and the entire region. Now the two partners are working to implement the Ohrid Agreement and to get the country closer to the NATO and EU.

The Albanian opposition, the Albanian Democratic Party led by Arbën Xhaferi has issued statements saying that Macedonia cannot exist as a country and that its partition is inevitable. What is your comment on this?
The idea for the division of Macedonia is unacceptable. Such a project cannot be implemented either today or in the future, because it is an idea completely excluded by the international community. If the US, EU and NATO are the guarantors of the Ohrid Agreement, this means that they support the creation of a multiethnic Macedonia with the current borders, and where the use of violence is not going to be allowed. I don't know what can change the opinion of the international community. It doesn't accept the use of force to change the borders and it favors the functioning of multiethnic countries, because these are conditions for integration in EU and NATO. It should be clear that we are in the process of integration, not disintegration. Those who launch ideas for disintegration are the biggest enemies of the Albanian people, because these ideas can only bring poverty, a worse situation, and turn people back from the path toward the European Union.

The mandate of the European military mission Concordia in Macedonia ends on December 15, and it is going to be replaced by a police mission. The defense ministers of Germany and Austria have declared that Macedonia is not willing to guarantee its stability without a foreign military presence. What is the European position on this issue?
The position of the European Union is that in principle Concordia ends on December 15, only if the meantime there is no other important element that would change this position. Now we can assess that Macedonia can overcome this and guarantee stability without the military international presence. The current problems in the area of security are internal problems, and we have reached an agreement with the Macedonian Government to fix these problems and to increase the stability of this country in order to fulfill EU standards.

The Macedonian Parliament will soon adopt the Agreement with the US for the non-extradition of US citizens to the International Criminal Court, and this is in opposition with the position of the EU. Are there going to be repercussions for Macedonia is this going to hinder the integration of this country into the EU?
This is related to international law and all EU members have agreed with the status of the ICC and have supported the existence of this institution. As a response to the American request, EU members last year voiced their unanimous support for the ICC. But they haven't excluded the possibility that some European countries will sign the agreement for the non-extradition of US citizens to the ICC. Macedonia is one of the countries that have signed the act for the establishment of the ICC and the agreement that Macedonia has signed with the US is in opposition with European guidelines. But, Macedonia is not a EU member; therefore, there is no system of sanctioning it. Nonetheless, every new country that joins the EU must adopt the entire legislations and agreements with the EU.

You want to say that if Macedonia and other countries before integrating into the EU must repeal the non-extradition agreement with the US?
If Macedonia joins the EU, it should declare null and void this agreement with the US, because it would in contravention with our position on this issue.

Is this agreement going to have a negative impact in Macedonia's path toward the European Union?
Not officially.

When can Macedonia and Kosovo be expected to join the European Union?
The Thessaloniki Summit has conveyed a very clear message. It was organized for the Balkans and every country from the region was represented at the summit. We presented a clear position that the European Union cannot be complete without the integration of Balkan countries. Therefore, the political goal and objective is very clear, funds have been raised, but this must all go through the political stabilization of countries. Any tensions or destabilization could delay the achievement of this objective and it could undermine the aims to integrate into the European Union. If the ideas of the 19th century will be thrown away and people are going to change their opinions, the integration of the region in Europe is going to happen much faster. It is difficult to determine a clear period when this is going to happen. The region is not going to be integrated in one block. The regional approach is to offer a perspective, but the decision to integrate a country will be done individually, based on the progress achieved by the respective country. The efforts of every country are going to determine the time and the manner of integration. Therefore, this is an individual process but it implies that everything must remain stable. This means that it is in the interest of every country to make their contribution for the stability of the region.

Belgrade Media Update

Marovic, Annan agree on Resolution 1244 problems (Beta)
Federal President Svetozar Marovic said today that he and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had agreed that there were still problems in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1244 in Kosovo. However, said Marovic, Annan had expressed satisfaction that direct talks between Belgrade and Pristina had been announced for next month, adding that UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri would visit Belgrade soon to discuss preparations for the dialogue. Marovic told media in New York that he had told the UN Secretary General that Belgrade was prepared to take part in peacekeeping missions as part of the movement to preserve global peace. While in New York, Marovic and his delegation have also discussed Serbia-Montenegro's bid for EU membership with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.

Pristina has no platform for dialogue with Belgrade - Trajkovic (Tanjug)
Serbian Parliament Committee for Kosovo-Metohija President Momcilo Trajkovic said in Zvecan on Thursday that he supports the announced dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, but that he believes that the talks had not been prepared.
He assessed that the Pristina team has no platform for the forthcoming talks, and that Serbs in this team, if represented, would be a "disturbing factor".

Kosovo / Dialog to Begin in Vienna (BetaWeek)
In mid October, the Austrian capital will host the first meeting between top officials from Belgrade and Pristina. They will be getting together for negotiations on Kosovo mediated by officials from the EU, NATO, Contact Group and other international organizations. The dialog was first announced at a recent EU summit in Thessaloniki in June, which was also attended by representatives from Belgrade and Pristina.

The Greek summit set up a framework for the talks -- freedom of movement, return of the displaced, energy and transportation. The proceeding points were accepted by Belgrade and Pristina alike, but shortly afterward the two sides began to putting more stress on their respective priorities, repeatedly postponing the talks. In a bid to put an end to this, the international community decided to step in and the Contact Group practically set a date and venue at its latest session earlier this week in New York.

Prior to this, Kosovo Albanian political representatives had made it clear on several occasions that a dialog with Belgrade was not their priority. They said they would rather address economic problems and growing unemployment. This argument was entirely in line with their general stance that Kosovo should function as an independent state. Belgrade, on the other hand, insisted on improving the security situation for non-Albanians in the province, clarifying the fate of missing and abducted persons, and punishing those responsible for terrorist acts that have killed many Serbs since the arrival of international peacekeepers.

Kosovo's Status
The Albanian side's initial refusal to talk was merely an extension of its general stance: that it had nothing to negotiate with Serbia. However, this was motivated by their fear that the negotiating process might jeopardize their bid for independence. For this same reason, Pristina protested a decision to make UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri a mediator. Instead, the Kosovo Albanians wanted the direct involvement of the U.S., which they hope will help them out on the road to independence.

It is certain that the final status of Kosovo will not be discussed at this stage. This suits Belgrade just fine. Unlike Pristina, Belgrade fears that talks on the final status might cost Serbia the opportunity to have a say in political developments in the province. Hence Belgrade's welcoming of statements coming from world leaders that Kosovo's independence could not be discussed. The Serbian authorities are aware that there is no chance of bringing Kosovo back under their administration, which is why they would like to maintain this vague situation as long as possible.

At the end of the day, Albanian politicians yielded to international pressure and did what they were told to do. The Albanian-language media in Pristina had warned earlier that it would be a big mistake to ignore the concerted effort of Europe and the international community, because senior officials of the Kosovo provisional institutions might be blamed if the dialog failed. Moreover, the burden of failure, if it ended up being shouldered by the Albanian side, could be a powerful argument in the hands of advocates of dividing Kosovo.

Hashim Thaçi, president of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, the second largest Kosovo Albanian party, said after the talks were scheduled that the international effort in favor of dialog was very serious. He feels that the Albanians should focus on 'the content of the questions on the agenda, which are very important for bridging the status quo in the relationship and future of these two countries -- Kosovo and Serbia.' Thaçi says Pristina and Belgrade 'do not have any unresolved technical issues, but political ones.'

Reacting to the international community's choice of time and place, Thaçi reaffirmed the Kosovo Albanian political position that talks with Belgrade are no priority. He is hoping that the international community, contrary to what Serbian politicians expect, 'will recognize the democratic reality, which, embodied in the aspiration towards independence, is being built in Kosovo with each passing day.'

Belgrade
The initial reactions make it clear that the negotiating teams of Kosovo and Serbia-Montenegro will include people from the very top. The UNMIK chief had said before he left for New York that his intention was to leave the Serbian and Kosovo premiers, Zoran Zivkovic and Bajram Rexhepi, to officially announce the start of the talks. Serbia- Montenegro's Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic said that after the opening meeting, the talks would be continued by working groups.

'We expect the Kosovo delegation to include Serb representatives who are ministers in the Kosovo government, and we are also counting on UNMIK's expert assistance. We have a platform for the talks. Our team will be headed by Nebojsa Covic, president of the Coordinating Center for Kosovo. We are getting ready for the negotiations and want them to begin and focus on issues that are likely to be discussed further. Holkeri will probably define the basics through additional consultations,' said Svilanovic.

In the Albanians' reluctance Belgrade sees a chance to impose its ideas and priorities. Reports say the Serbian authorities have launched a moderate international offensive. 'The dialog has not left any room for talks on the final status, which should be forgotten for the time being. I expect top officials to be present at the opening session, because I see different fears on both sides,' said Covic.

Late last month the Serbian Legislature adopted a declaration on Kosovo treating it as Serbian territory. However, the same document specifies that the final status of the province, when its turn comes, will be discussed in cooperation with international organizations. The declaration will be Belgrade's platform for the talks with Pristina.