CONTENTS

· BERISHA'S VISIT TO KOSOVO CANCELLED
· CROWD GATHERED TO WELCOME BERISHA IN MORINA
· BUKOSHI: KOUCHNER TO TIE HIS SHOES AND LEAVE THIS JOB
· COUNCIL OF VISIT MEETS IN PRISHTINA, WITH PROTESTS ONGOING
· BERISHA: DECISION INFLUENCED BY UNMIK TRAFFICKING SEGMENTS
· REACTIONS IN BRUSSELS ON CANCELLATION OF BERISHA'S VISIT
· SHALA: UNMIK'S JUSTIFICATION INSINCERE
· BOTA SOT: UNMIK CONSIDERS ALBANIANS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS
· DIENSTBIER GIVES NEW "EXPLANATIONS"
· TALBOT MEETS BISHOP ARTEMIJE
· UNMIK POLICE ARRESTS DEALERS OF YUGOSLAV PASSPORTS
· DAXNER TO APPOINT AN ADMINISTRATOR TO STUDENTS UNION

BERISHA'S VISIT TO KOSOVO CANCELLED

The cancellation of Sali Berisha's visit to Kosovo by SRSG Bernard Kouchner was the main focus of today's papers. Coverage included reports from the border of Morina where Berisha was stopped, reports of the protests held in Prishtina, Prizren and Gjakova against UNMIK's decision, reports on the joint UNMIK/KFOR press briefing where the cancellation was officially announced, reports from the press briefing Berisha had upon his return to Tirana as well as reports on the reactions by NATO and EU officials in Brussels. All papers except for Koha Ditore and Dita carried commentaries by their senior editors on the issue. Bota Sot's coverage was the widest giving 13 items on Berisha's visit, including three commentaries and two photo-reports, from Morina and Prishtina. Berisha's visit didn't make the front page in Rilindja.

The main headlines of the papers were: Koha Ditore - "Berisha case - what is the truth of a private journey", Zëri - "Berisha increases tensions in Kosovo", Kosova Sot - "Berisha: With my heart I am in Kosovo", Bota Sot "Thousands of Kosovo citizens protested against the denial of entry to Kosovo of Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha" and Dita "Regret over UNMIK's decision".

CROWD GATHERED TO WELCOME BERISHA IN MORINA

Koha Ditore on page one reported that the chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, Sali Berisha planned to cross the border at 0730 hours, but his hosts and associates who had started gathering on the Kosovo side of the border since 0630 hours were surprised by UNMIK border authorities. "We received an order in writing from Kouchner not to allow the entry of Berisha," Mike Deegan, deputy commander of the border post, told the first journalist who had shown up to welcome the former Albanian President.

The paper reported that once he was told about this, Eqrem Kryeziu, deputy chairman of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), said that "KFOR and UNMIK are here to control people, goods and ideas from freely circulating. I don't believe they will stop Berisha".

According to the report, the crowd which was growing bigger and bigger and thus was blocking the movement of vehicles, asked the UNMIK Police commander there to explain to the people about the cancellation. "Mr. Berisha will not cross the border, O.K.," the U.S. police officer was quoted as saying. The paper added that all of a sudden a dozen Italian Carabinieri's started lining the border, using barb wire to temporarily block the border.

Even the chief of Sali Berisha's protocol, Maxhun Peka, was surprised with the development, continued the paper. In an informal chat with journalists, Peka termed Kouchner's decision meaningless. He added that in 1986, when Albania was a isolated and Berisha was the Albanian Ambassador to France, he had enabled Bernard Kouchner and his wife to go to the southern Albanian coastal town Saranda in a boat, on a week's visit, and now wondered how could Kouchner take such a decision.

Peka, who was waiting for the arrival of Bujar Bukoshi and Mark Krasniqi, afterwards confirmed that Berisha would not cross the border and that Bukoshi and Krasniqi had stopped in Prizren.

Around 0900 hours the crowd started moving towards Prizren. Before leaving the border, Kryeziu said that "We are surprised. To us the motives are completely unknown. The justification that Berisha's visit to Kosovo would destabilize the situation is a complete lie. Kosovars were interested in welcoming Berisha. He is highly respected".

The paper added that those who crossed the border to go to Kukës to see Berisha were told by the latter that he, accompanied by Pjetër Arbnori, stayed at the OSCE Headquarters in town, where he reportedly met foreign officials. 

BUKOSHI: KOUCHNER TO TIE HIS SHOES AND LEAVE THIS JOB

The joy of a few hundred sympathizers of Sali Berisha, who had started gathering since early morning in the Albanian League in Prizren, where Berisha was expected to stop on his arrival in Prizren, diminished fast, reported Zëri on page two. Even before the crowd gathered in full, their joy turned to deep anger, later expressed through an hour's protests against Kouchner and others who prevented Berisha from entering Kosovo.

According to the paper, the strong protest in Prizren streets was preceded by the speech of Mark Krasniqi, chairman of the Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo (PSHDK) and chairman of the Council of Visit, who briefed the crowd on the ban imposed on the democratic leader. "I had a telephone conversation with Berisha and I have to tell you a bitter news that the international authorities led by Bernard Kouchner have banned Sali Berisha from visiting Kosovo," said Krasniqi, adding that, "Berisha is neither a criminal nor a smuggler, he is a politician from Albania which Albanians didn't have in centuries".

"Even those Albanians who today are happy that Berisha is not coming, even Mr. Kouchner, must know that communism in Kosovo doesn't have a chance any more," Krasniqi said. The paper noted that at this point a man asked loudly: "Is Kouchner a socialist or a democrat?" and answered himself: "If he is a socialist, we don't want him".

According to the paper, Bujar Bukoshi, former Prime Minister of the Government of Kosovo in exile, was even harsher on Kouchner. "Kouchner's decision is scandalous and politically irresponsible," said Bukoshi, adding that "with types like Kouchner, Kosovo cannot be democratized and stabilized. I think that he must tie his shoes and leave this job since he does not the required standard for the mission ".

The paper said that all this time the crowd was chanting slogans in favour of Rugova and Berisha, besides shouting "Down with communism" and "Down with Nano". It was noted that the crowd comprised of people from Prizren and the neighboring town of Suhareka and village Zhur as well as of people from Albania.

Berisha's hosts protested for one hour in front of UNMIK's Headquarters in Prizren, continued the paper. The crowd reached the headquarters led by Krasniqi, Bukoshi, Spartak Ngjela, official of the Democratic Party of Albania, as well as LDK and PSHDK officials, while it was noted that representatives of other parties were absent.

Before entering the Headquarters, Krasniqi told journalists that he would complain about the injustice of closing down the border for Berisha, saying that they would make a demarche not only to Kouchner, but also to the United Nations in order to expose those who took this decision. Krasniqi accused those "who whisper in Kouchner's ear", alluding to IAC members, of preventing Berisha's visit.

While Krasniqi and Bukoshi were in the UN Headquarters to meet the UN Regional Administrator Lennard Mylback, the protest of the people reportedly intensified with the crowd getting out of control. They shouted rude words against Kouchner as well as communists and traitors.  

Fadil Kryeziu, a LDK official in Prizren, termed the decision to prevent Berisha from entering Kosovo as a direct attack on the international efforts for establishment of a genuine democracy in Kosovo. "The Albania-Kosovo border is crossed every day by criminals, former security agents, people of Albanian SHIK (Albanian Secret Service), who walk freely in Prizren and Kosovo, while the torch of democracy is not allowed to do this and for me this raises suspicions about Kouchner himself and the democracy he seeks," said Kryeziu.

After the meeting at the UN Regional Headquarters, Krasniqi told the crowd that UNMIK officials supported their demand and would present them to Kouchner, adding that the Council of Visit would request a meeting with Kouchner tomorrow in order to seek more explanations.

The paper also carried some statements of those participating in the protest, like 'UNMIK ignored the Albanian people by stopping Berisha's visit' and "with this act, Kouchner has hurt the feelings and values of not only Berisha himself but also of the LDK and all of Kosovo".

The crowd reportedly dispersed only after UNMIK Police and LDK activities were engaged to disperse them. 

COUNCIL OF VISIT MEETS IN PRISHTINA, WITH PROTESTS ONGOING

Bujar Bukoshi, former Prime Minister of the Government of Kosovo in exile, led Mark Krasniqi and representatives of other parties towards Grand Hotel, where 300-400 protesters, among them people never seen in Prishtina before, were going, noted Koha Ditore in a report on the protest in Prishtina, which followed the decision to prevent Sali Berisha's visit to Kosovo. "Let the people gather. Let 200,000 people gather in the street. Let all of them gather in front of Kouchner's office," Bukoshi said.

Even though Bukoshi had announced his participation in the meeting of the Council of Visit in the Grand Hotel, he didn't attend it and was waiting outside for its decision. Bukoshi reportedly wanted the various political parties to officially invite Sali Berisha to Kosovo, but he didn't want to include the LDK in all this mess.

According to the paper, after noticing the developments and the orientation of the LDK chairmanship to avoid being involved in the event, representatives of other parties stepped out of the meeting and thus it ended. While leaving the meeting Naim Maloku, chairman of the Kosovo Liberal Center Party, denied that there was a decision to invite Sali Berisha. Maloku said that the meeting was an attempt by the LDK to use the political parties for Berisha. "This was done by the LDK. They took the people to the streets but they didn't attend the meeting. And now, as it can be clearly seen, the whole thing is an attempt to import Albania's environment in Kosovo. UNMIK is not to blame," Maloku added.

Later various representatives of political parties, Luljeta Pula (PSDK), Gjergj Dedaj (PLK), Bujar Bukoshi and others headed for the Grand Hotel. Once they arrived there, Mark Krasniqi addressed the crowd saying that, "the Council of Visit condemns the ban on Sali Berisha's visit to Kosovo. Sali Berisha is not a tourist. He is the former President of the Republic of Albania". Krasniqi went on to call Berisha the best friend of Kosovar Albanians, noted the paper.

Trying to calm the crowd which was making all kinds of requests to him, Krasniqi said that the reason why Berisha's was prevented from coming is because Kouchner received a signal that there might be an attack against Sali Berisha. "I talked to Sali Berisha on the phone and told him he was being prevented due to security reasons, whereas he told me 'I don't need security. The Albanian people protect me," said Krasniqi. In addition, Krasniqi said that in the hearts and minds of the Albanian people of Kosovo, Sali Berisha has more authority now than he has ever had to this day.

The paper said that there might be some truth in Krasniqi's statement because the cancellation could have the opposite effect.    

BERISHA: DECISION INFLUENCED BY UNMIK TRAFFICKING SEGMENTS

Zëri on page three carried a report on the press briefing of Sali Berisha, on his return to Tirana.

Asked whether he had received permission from UNMIK for the proposed visit, Berisha said that he received Kouchner's message on 13 June at about 2100 hours, saying that until it was made public by the media he knew nothing about it. Berisha stressed that a night before, deputy chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania met with UNMIK representative in Tirana, who informed them they could cross the border without any problems. "From my side, in order to avoid any kind of protocol issues I declared my visit to be a private one, although I had a lot of invitations," added Berisha.

Berisha reportedly said that he didn't contact any of the political personalities in Kosovo, noting that he didn't need to disturb anybody. He however said that one hour before leaving he was told that the visit was banned for the sake of his personal security, to which he responded that he didn't care about it since as a politician danger was part of the profession. "Why should I request UNMIK and KFOR for guarantees? This was my response, but the letter of Kouchner doesn't have anything to do with my personal security, but with motives which correspond to that of Tirana authorities," said Berisha.

Commenting on the cancellation, Berisha said that he considered this a violation of basic UN documents and the EU Chart of Human Rights. "I know Mr. Bernard Kouchner and undoubtedly I have had and have my assessment of important things he has done in his life (also for important things he did in Kosovo, I am not denying it), but I think that by taking such unlawful and arbitrary decisions, peace and stability cannot be built in Kosovo… It is absurd to freeze the relations between the Albanians. They can't be frozen. Although for 50 years they were chained by the dictatorship, Albanians proved last year they are one nation, they opened their doors, their hearts, melted into one, as it were," said Berisha.

Asked on what did Kouchner base his decision, Berisha said that undoubtedly there are segments in UNMIK that incite primitive nationalisms, adding that this was deplorable. "In the same way as there are other segments in the same administration who are involved in trafficking with Tirana officials. Trafficking in its entirety follows official lines. I cannot explain the identity through the statements made by the Tirana government three days ago with the ones of some UNMIK segments. The Democratic Party, which has the protection of national interest as its primary interest, has repeatedly and with facts denounced the arms trafficking to Kosovo, carried out by government officials. I am convinced that the Kouchner made the decision for canceling my visit to Kosovo, under the influence of these segments who are part of the reality and you can't do a thing," said Berisha, adding that Kouchner made a wrong decision, because he violated citizens' freedom of movement.

Asked whether Daan Everts might have influenced Kouchner, Berisha noted that he had expressed his assessment of Everts at all major international offices, terming him  indisputable trouble maker. "I don't know what is his influence in this case, but I have made clear to the most important offices in the West, the collective antipathy to him… I know that he spoke to the press in favor of the Tirana government, but this has no importance for me," said Berisha.

In conclusion, Berisha said that he will go to Kosovo and it is going to be the most beautiful visit of his life, adding that Kosovo will have its president and prime minister then. "The Democratic Party would be in power and we will go to decide on important issues," said Berisha.

REACTIONS IN BRUSSELS ON CANCELLATION OF BERISHA'S VISIT

Based on the initial reactions of diplomats in NATO and EU, there is an impression that Kouchner's decision to prevent the visit of Sali Berisha, isn't only Kouchner's position but is supported by western diplomatic circles, reported Koha Ditore from Brussels on page two. However, the paper pointed out that such a decision certainly doesn't contribute to stabilization of Kosovo, keeping in mind that politicians and diplomats from all over the world have hitherto visited Kosovo. It was added that regardless of the fact that people have different opinions on Sali Berisha, Albanians can't understand the decision. If westerners think Berisha's visit would cause tensions, then it can also be said that Albanians will not accept kindly take to the cancellation of his visit, it was noted.

NATO officials told the paper that since the situation in Kosovo is very fragile and it is not the time to put fuel in the fire, the decision of UN Chief Administrator in Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner, must be supported.

On the other hand, officials of the European Union, who were reportedly aware of Berisha's plans to visit Kosovo for a long time, shared that same as NATO officials. Asked about it, the office of the senior EU official, Javier Solana said that during his visit to Prishtina, Solana requested Albanian leaders to make responsible decisions regarding Berisha's proposed visit, while not going in detail on what kind of decision Solana wanted them to make. Another source from the European Union told the paper that some western officials during their stay in Prishtina had even suggested to Kosovar leaders not to meet with Berisha or to hold public meetings.

Responding to a remark by the paper that in a normal country the visit of any politician should be allowed, NATO and EU diplomats said that "it would be like that when Kosovo becomes a normal country, which unfortunately for the time being is not". Reacting to another remark that even the Russian Minister of Defense was allowed to visit Kosovo, despite the fact that he decorated indicted war criminals and made statements against NATO and the Albanians, the NATO diplomat said that such a comparison is incorrect because Russia has its soldiers in Kosovo and their minister cannot be prevented from visiting his soldiers.

It was added that officials from both NATO and EU said that Sali Berisha can incite tensions with his speeches. "He has shown this in the past, therefore such a visit to Kosovo with pre-election motives is not welcome… Berisha should concentrate on bringing together political parties in Albania for the local elections which are to be held this year… the West suggests to all political parties in Albania, be it the opposition or those in power, not to use Kosovo for their political goals," they added.

Furthermore, the paper's sources noted that in Kouchner's decision the message is being conveyed that in Kosovo only a peaceful pre-election campaign will be allowed and there won't be any meetings which would incite hatred or where political opponents would be accused of being enemies and traitors. The vocabulary used in the pre-election campaigns in Albania will not be allowed here.

Both NATO and EU officials stressed that every person can pay a private visit to Kosovo, but without any trying to gather crowds and inciting tensions in a place where tensions are already very high.

On the other hand, Kosova Sot in its report from Brussels on page two, said that Doris Pack, chairman of the Commission of the European Parliament for relations with southeastern Europe, said she didn't agree with Bernard Kouchner's decision to stop Sali Berisha's visit to Kosovo.

Even though according to the report, she was careful in her official statements, Pack said "the situation and the motives of the administrator of Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner, have to be analyzed". She added that there must be no difference between political parties, in this case Albanian socialists and democrats who visit Kosovo. Recalling that leaders of socialist parties of Albania visited Kosovo, Pack noted: "I don't agree that political leaders of Albania use their visits to Kosovo for their party's propaganda… Albanian leaders must leave Kosovo alone; they must spend their energy in overcoming difficulties in their own country and not visit Kosovo with the intention of manipulating  the situation and for their own electoral purposes".

SHALA: UNMIK'S JUSTIFICATION INSINCERE

Zëri on page one carried a commentary by Blerim Shala, paper's publisher, on the cancellation of Berisha's visit. According to Shala, UNMIK's justification that Berisha was prevented from entering Kosovo doesn't seem to be sincere, noting that even as it is Kosovo offers more security to Berisha than Albania. "In fact, UNMIK is concerned over the transformation of the Kosovar political scene into one similar to Albania, where political hatred prevails and extremities make it impossible to have political compromise," said Shala.

Shala said that a lesson was learnt in the nineties which had to be learned by Albanians in Kosovo and Albania - that it is an unforgivable mistake to think that Kosovo can choose the leaders of Albania and vice versa, and that in both cases the voter is the one who passes the supreme judgment. "If we learn this lesson properly, we will establish a very good political relationship between Kosovo and Albania," concluded Shala.

BOTA SOT: UNMIK CONSIDERS ALBANIANS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS

Bota Sot on page three carried a column by Elida Buçpapaj, in which she commented on the UNMIK decision to cancel the visit of Sali Berisha to Kosovo. Quoting what Berisha said before leaving Tirana that his visit to Kosovo is a lifetime dream and the fact that Berisha was bringing with him the little Azem Hajdari, the son of the Albanian opposition leader, Azem Hajdari, who was killed by his opponents and who once said that his dream was to enter and kiss the soil of Kosovo, Buçpapaj wrote:

"But UNMIK didn't want to know about Albanians' dreams because it continues to consider Albanians as second-class citizens, who are destined to be sacrificed by barbarians of all colors.

In order to make the cancellation spectacular and brutal, to satisfy all the primitive hunger of the prostitution, drugs and criminal mafia, UNMIK turned back the leader of the opposition, Sali Berisha, along with the one and a half-year-old Azem Hajdari Junior, when they were ready to put their foot on the beautiful soil of martyred Kosovo. 

When I told Berisha that the anti-Albanian government of Tirana is manipulating his visit through false propaganda in the extreme left wing media, according to which 'Berisha's visit will destabilize Kosovo', he answered that 'it is better to ignore the paranoia of Tirana political mafia, since I am going to Kosovo to express my gratitude to the international community, the Albanians and to celebrate the first anniversary of Kosovo's freedom and I have confidence that Kosovo and Kosovo Albanians love me as I love them!'

'I have a dream!' poetically exclaimed the leader-politician Martin Luther King! But, time was needed for America to fully understand this burning desire and then to put him in the Pantheon of American National Martyrs.

But in the meantime, after many experiences and experiments, the question arises naturally: Why and until when should Christ continue to be crucified and sacrificed because of the Satans and Cains?!"

DIENSTBIER GIVES NEW "EXPLANATIONS"

Jiri Dienstbier, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the FRY, refuted the statements of Czech President, Vaclav Havel, and UNMIK Chief, Bernard Kouchner, that he does not know what is happening in Kosovo and that he is not doing his job professionally, reported Zëri on page eight, quoting from his interview to the Czech daily Pravo.

Dienstbier pointed out that he visits the region more than his mandate obliges him to. "I always have more than 40 people in Belgrade, Prishtina, Podgorica, Zagreb and Sarajevo who observe the situation continuously, being in contact through telephone and electronic mail", said Dienstbier, reiterating that as an independent rapporteur, of course unpaid, on human rights, he definitely would have a different viewpoint from that of the administrator.

"I do not contest the results they have achieved", Dienstbier said, giving as an example the Istog Regional Administrator, Martin Dvorak, who had managed to keep pupils going to school, saying this was excellent. However, he reportedly said that he also must look at thousands of children expelled from Kosovo, while the UN, NATO and the EU, were not incapable of preventing such a thing. "So this is my viewpoint which differs from others", said Dienstbier. 

TALBOT MEETS BISHOP ARTEMIJE

Zëri on page eight reported on the meeting in Washington between Strobe Talbot, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, and Bishop Artemije, leader of the Serb National Council in Gracanica. After the meeting, Bishop Artemije told journalists that discussions related to concrete topics like how to offer greater security to the Serb community in Kosovo, on what needs to be done for the return of Serbs, and how to start press and electronic media for Kosovo Serbs. "The discussions were also held about the willingness of the American administration to support all these projects. The only thing that we couldn't determine was the time frame for implementing it, but we noticed that there is a willingness to start with pragmatic actions, so that the whole thing doesn't remain only in words," Artemije noted.

Bishop Artemije also said that Christopher Hill, advisor to the U.S. President Bill Clinton, whom Artemije met the day before, was very well informed on everything that the representatives of Kosovo Serbs spoke about in New York and Washington. "In an indirect way this made us aware of the fact that President Clinton is informed of all this," he added. According to Artemije, the discussions were also held on the return of Serb representatives to JIAS, voters' registration and the coming local elections in Kosovo.

The paper recalled that the SNC delegation met with Madeleine Albright, the U.S. Secretary of State, Monday, while earlier they had participated in the meeting of the UN Security Council. 

UNMIK POLICE ARRESTS DEALERS OF YUGOSLAV PASSPORTS

Referring to witnesses, Koha Ditore on page seven reported that the international police arrested at least five young Albanians Wednesday in Prishtina while selling "Yugoslav" (quotes provided by the paper) passports. 

According to the paper, a witness told the police that he saw about a hundred "Yugoslav" passports being thrown out of a building near the point IV of registration in Prishtina. Then he saw a group of Albanians who had been waiting for these passports taking them and waiting for their "customers" in café "Rauchebeer".

The paper noted that shortly thereafter, the police with the cooperation of witnesses, arrested five to seven persons. Their identity was not made public.

Quoting witnesses, the paper said this group of people was familiar to them since they used to go and wait for the passports in the café every Wednesday. "We knew that they were in business with the Serb office of issuing passports," they said.

According to the paper, these men in cooperation with the Serbs in the passport office, were making a lot of money from people interested in travel documents and the arrest of this group on Wednesday maybe marks the first step for the international police to stop this phenomenon.

DAXNER TO APPOINT AN ADMINISTRATOR TO STUDENTS UNION

Zëri on page four reported that Michael Daxner, international administrator of the Prishtina University, has announced that he intends to appoint an international administrator to the Independent Students Union of Prishtina University (UPSUP), if the students fail to reach an acceptable solution. He said that if by 20 June they do not reach any agreement, the OSCE and the University would not recognize the five candidates for Union's chairman.

The paper said that "rivals" for the post of chairman met to discuss this issue and to decide the further course of action. It was reported that even Ilir Syla, who was elected UPSUP President in the incomplete elections held a month ago, admitted that the elections were irregular and had left both the OSCE and the University dissatisfied with the outcome. He said that the "elections should be held again" and "let the one with more votes win, let the best win". But he did not agree to leave the current post, saying that he didn't want to let down the voters.