CONTENTS:

A BIRTH OF A NATION
KPS MEMBER WOUNDED
EU MONITORS: TO EARLY FOR EVALUATIONS

A BIRTH OF A NATION

James Pettifer a Balkan analyst comments on page two of Koha Ditore current developments in Kosovo.

After the big success of the local elections in Kosovo, the only option remaining to the international community is acknowledging these elections as the first step towards independence wrote James Pettifer, analyzing the local elections and the possible effects and results of these elections might have on Kosovo's future. "It is very hard to imagine that 95% of Kosovo's population which wants to abandon Yugoslavia can be forced to remain with it," said Pettifer adding that a political impulse is being formed that can be hardly controlled by UNMIK.

He considers that the success behind local elections has laid foundations for general elections next year where all Kosovar political parties will enter the race to show their contribution in developing Kosovo.

The results of local elections are seen as victory of "the moderate" Rugova against the former warrior KLA "extremist" Thaçi, do not form a basis for the future,  realizing that the year 2000 is not 1995 or 1991 said Pettifer.  In his article, Pettifer explains LDK's victory as result of long diplomatic and negotiating history, something that pushed the electorate to give the majority of their vote to the experience and intelligence of Dr. Rugova. This part of the electorate saw Thaçi as young and with very much inheritance from KLA that would give Kosovo a good image to the world. In the post conflict period, Thaçi and his party have been accused of most of the violent acts and dissension in Kosovo.

However, Rugova's image is unsatisfactory in the aspect of inner party changes since the war. At the moment it is very hard to imagine what kind of compromise Rugova will find regarding Kosovo's independence. The old circles, on which LDK could count during the last ten years, have almost disappeared. They have been killed like Fehmi Agani, or have political difficulties like Bujar Bukoshi or have left politics. LDK has a lack off qualified persons in most of the posts. Members of this party are mostly uneducated folk.
Nationalist extremist tradition behind "Ballit Kombëtar" for a federal Albania is very well represented with in LDK and this is very illustrated by writings in Bota Sot which backs up Rugova.

According to Pettifer Thaçi produced good results and will challenge Rugova in the next elections if he does not prove that he can be a good local administrator. "Almost one third of the votes is not a bad result for a party that did not exist only a year ago, when the opponents have good coverage and have backing up of the international community.

According to Pettifer, Thaçi and Haradinaj had most of the votes from the young and very well educated part of the electorate and Rugova had the votes of the elderly and less educated part of the electorate. He observes that PDK as a party is open to all, while LDK is a product of the former nomenclature and it cannot become free from the tradition as long as Dr. Ibrahim Rugova leads it.  

In his article, Pettifer says that the elections procedure organized by the international community shrewdly supported Rugova, even though OSCE stated that elections are clean and transparent. International and national monitors for the elections were appointed according to their political beliefs rather than their professionalism. "This will not make Rugova the favorite in the future, because the other new parties will gain the necessary experience in both organizing and dealing with elections procedure," said Pettifer.

Pettifer also has remarks in the voting procedure and elections system. "In essence this system was composed to create weak coalitions between Kosovar political parties which could be easily manipulated by UNMIK, Rugova's victory has retreated this tendency".

Pettifer consider that most of the municipalities will not see any great changes politically or economically. Rugova will remain and work isolated, because most of the resources of the black market will be controlled by Thaçi or his supporters. PDK and AAK chairmen have the greatest influences with the KPS and KPC which has mostly former KLA members.

According to Pettifer PDK has support form Albania's Socialist Party and Albanian political parties in Macedonian. While Rugova has support of Salih Berisha and his Democratic party in Albania.

KPS MEMBER WOUNDED

All the daily papers carried on page one the report on the wounding of KPS member at noon in front of the Grand Hotel in Pristina.

In an armed attacked in front of Grand Hotel in Pristina KPS member Ajvaz Berisha (39) was wounded. He was former KLA member know as the "Tiger" he was shot at several times fortunately only one bullet hit in the right part of his abdomen. According to UNMIK police the attack lasted about five minutes and there was an exchange of fire from both sides. At the moment of the attack Berisha was not on duty. Three suspects were arrested about an hour after the attack and are being questioned by UNMIK police.

UNMIK police did not comment the motives of this attack. "Investigations is continuing and we will not give all details," said UNMIK spokesperson Kaportsev.       

EU MONITORS: TOO EARLY FOR EVALUATIONS

Koha Ditore carried on page three a report on EU Monitoring Mission in Presevo valley.

Franck Placon Chief EU Monitor for southern Serbia said, "it is too early to give out any evaluations for the Presevo valley," and added "that until now he has only seen what local authorities allowed them too".

"We saw only what local authorities wanted us to see. We saw the village Luçan, up to the police checkpoint. The situation is calm, however we have to collect additional information. Only then we can give our full evaluation of the situation," Placon told the Centre for Peace and Tolerance in Vranje.

Albanian and Serb sources have confirmed that last few days have been calm and there were no conflicts in southern Serbia. The violence in the Presevo valley broke out last week after UÇPMB killed four Serb police officers.

Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica verified two days ago the sending of the EU Monitoring Mission in southern Serbia. The EU requested the sending of the mission, which was mediated by the French diplomats in Belgrade.

"EU biggest worry is Presevo valley," ended Placon chief of the EU Monitoring Mission, whose visit last two days southern Serbia.