CONTENTS
KOSOVO CITIZENS RAISE THEIR VOICE FOR HOSTAGES KEPT IN
SERBIA
KOUCHNER DEMANDS WEST OFFICIALS TO TALK TO FRY
GOVERNMENT
KNUT VOLLEBAEK - NEW UNMIK CHIEF?
RUGOVA REQUESTS
RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE
UNMIK PRE-ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN KEK
LEADERSHIP
KOSOVO CITIZENS RAISE THEIR VOICE FOR HOSTAGES KEPT IN SERBIA
Henrik Amneus, the Special Envoy for Persons Deprived of their Liberty during the conflict in Kosovo, and two other officials traveled for Serbia on Wednesday to get information on the situation of Albanian prisoners in Serbian prisons. Meanwhile, in the center of Pristina, thousands of citizens gathered once again to raise their voice and demand the release of Albanians, reported Koha Ditore on page one.
After returning from Belgrade, Ambassador Amneus said he had visited 163 Albanians who were transferred from the prison in Sremska Mitrovica to Belgrade, and that they were in a good condition.
On the other hand, Natasa Kandic the chairwoman of the Fund of Human Right, visited Albanians in Nis Prison Wednesday afternoon. Through a phone call, Kandic said that the prisoners are in a fine condition and that she had visited each and everyone of them. She also reportedly visited 144 Albanians from Gjakova currently in Nis prison.
According to Kandic, the part of the prison in which Albanians are located is well-guarded by Serb prisoners themselves. Although they support the rebellion, Albanians have not joined in. Nevertheless, Kandic confirmed that in the beginning of the rebellion the Albanian prisoners were attacked by Serb prisoners, and although they are no longer subjects of attack they still feel insecure.
The Fund of Human Right also said that the Albanian prisoners from Sremska Mitrovica who were later sent to Belgrade are now being transferred to prisons throughout Serbia. According to announcements, the Albanians kept in Serbian prisons were supposed to be visited by Flora Brovina, an Albanian doctor recently released from prison, and an Albanian mother.
Brovina said, "let Bernard Kouchner find the courage and accompany an Albanian mother from Gjakova in visiting her sons. She will be convinced only when she sees with her own eyes that they are alright".
Salihe Ahmeti, a member of the group for missing and prisoners, told the paper: "we lost our patience… statements on paper have no value when concrete steps are nowhere to be seen".
KOUCHNER DEMANDS WEST OFFICIALS TO TALK TO FRY GOVERNMENT
Referring to a press release issued by UNMIK, Koha Ditore on page two reported that the UN Administrator in Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner told the members of the Kosovo Transitional Council (KTC) that he and others in UNMIK are in touch with FRY authorities and other countries to ensure the well-being of Kosovar Albanian prisoners in Serbian prisons.
According to the paper, Kouchner informed the KTC that the Special Envoy for Persons Deprived of Liberty during the conflict in Kosovo, Henrik Amneus, met with Vojislav Kostunica yesterday and discussed the issue of the safety of prisoners and their release. Amneus also met with the Serbian Justice Minister.
Kouchner also announced the formation of a working group with Maria Elena Andreotti, Shukrie Rexha from the Association of Political Prisoners, and Randjel Nojkic from the Serb National Council. According to the press release, this group will act as the focal point for all information related to the developments in Serbian prisons.
KTC members were informed of the meetings Kouchner had with representatives of western countries including Germany, France, the U.S. and Italy, in which he urged them to speak to the FRY government to ensure the safety of all Kosovar Albanian prisoners.
The Albanian members of the council expressed deep concern about the safety of prisoners and they urged Kouchner to do something for their safety. On the other hand, Randjel Nojkic, who was in touch with Serbian authorities, informed the members on the situation of Kosovar Albanian prisoners and also provided some relevant telephone numbers for information on the prisoners.
KNUT VOLLEBAEK - NEW UNMIK CHIEF?
Referring to information broadcast on Wednesday by "Glas Javnosti", Koha Ditore on page four reported that the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan will most probably appoint the Norwegian diplomat Knut Vollebaek to the post of the Chief of the UN Civil Mission in Kosovo.
According to the Serb paper, Vollebaek would arrive in Pristina on 25 December, when the change of UNMIK leadership is planned to take place. Initially, the British diplomat Paddy Ashdown was supposed to be appointed as UNMIK Chief but he later turned down the possibility due to "an indictment raised against him by a London court for war incitement".
RUGOVA REQUESTS RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE
The moderate Albanian leader, Ibrahim Rugova, urged western governments to support the independence of Kosovo, claiming that such an act would calm tensions in the region, reported Koha Ditore on page four referring to an interview Rugova gave to the Associated Press.
Rugova, whose party beat the leaders of the former Kosovo Liberation Army in recently-held Kosovo local elections, was quoted as saying, "today, I once again urge the U.S. and the EU to recognize the independence of Kosovo. And then we would be recognized by our neighbors. It would be a democratic gesture if Belgrade recognizes the independence of Kosovo".
Commenting on the ousting of Milosevic and the victory of democratic forces in Serbia, Rugova said that Albanians welcomed with reserve the change of power in Yugoslavia. "We have welcomed changes in Belgrade, but we have reserve, which is normal," said Rugova adding that Kostunica's cabinet shares the same stance when it comes to Kosovo as the last regime.
The report also carried an inbox regarding the opposition of Kostunica's party on Kosovo's eventual independence. Referring to information broadcast by the Belgrade-based Beta news agency, the paper said that on Wednesday the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) assessed as unacceptable the request for the independence of Kosovo.
According to a press release issued by the DSS, Rugova's urging the U.S. and EU to recognize Kosovo's independence is practically a request to violate international laws and forget about UN Security Council Resolution 1244. "It is like he does not notice the changes in international relationships after the arrival of the democratic and internationally-recognized regime, whose vital interests will be recognized and respected," concluded the press release.
UNMIK PRE-ANNOUNCES CHANGE IN KEK LEADERSHIP
UNMIK's Department of Public Services will announce an open competition for the post of the chairman of the Kosovo Power Corporation (KEK), said Wednesday the spokesman for UNMIK Pillar IV, Reinhold Brenner, reported Koha Ditore on page eleven.
Brenner's statement followed after sources within UNMIK unofficially claimed that KEK Chairman Fatos Aliu would be dismissed from duty tomorrow or the day after.
Brenner said that the method for appointing the new chairman was a part of talks between the Department for Public Service and the Kosovo Power Corporation. KEK officials, on the other hand, denied commenting on UNMIK's decision, concluded the paper.