CONTENTS
· UNMIK'S ‘INTERNAL’ DOCUMENT ON KPC MADE PUBLIC
· HARADINAJ
REQUESTS RELEASE FROM SERVICE IN KPC
· RAMBOUILLET TRIO DOMINATES
CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION
· ONLY TWO TRIALS SO FAR AT PRISHTINA
DISTRICT COURT
· SELIMI'S BODYGUARDS STILL IN CUSTODY
UNMIK'S ‘INTERNAL’ DOCUMENT ON KPC MADE PUBLIC
Zëri on pages four and five carried the full text of the document compiled by the Human Rights Unit of the Special Representative of Secretary-General to Kosovo on the Kosovo Protection Corps, which was leaked and appeared last week in the Observer and the Washington Post. The document presents an analysis made by the Human Rights Unit on illegal activities in which the KPC members have been involved all around Kosovo.
The document on the KPC was accompanied with an article on the issue. It was
said that this document was the object of many manipulations, adding that the
question who and how it leaked to the public opinion is not known, noting,
however, the ones who leaked the document should know this best. The paper also
said that in order to avoid the rumors which are already widespread regarding
what this document really contains, the editorial office managed to provide it
and decided to publish it in full, of course with an unofficial
translation.
The paper also said they requested an additional
explanation on the document by the UNMIK Administration, but that nobody was
prepared to talk. However, it was added that it was learned that this document
is one of those regular documents, which the administration compiles exclusively
for internal use. And as such it can contain unverified data, continued the
paper, because the persons whose names are not mentioned and who are allegedly
KPC members involved in criminal activities, in the majority of cases are only
KPC candidates, who at the moment of applying to the KPC were issued IOM cards
and some others even uniforms, which they continued to wear. Adding that this
doesn't mean that in the KPC there were no individuals with irresponsible
behavior, the paper added that to incriminate all of KPC together with its two
heads, as a local paper did, it is really irresponsible.
Referring to the document, the paper said that it went so far even accusing General Agim Çeku of surpassing and misusing the authorization in the case of Mitrovica, when he was invited by Administrator Kouchner and KFOR officials to help calm down the situation.
According to the paper, explanations and answers were requested even by the senior KPC officials, but they refrained from comment, waiting for the presentation of facts, if any, by Kouchner and Reinhardt themselves, who have reportedly taken as obligation to hold a press briefing regarding this issue today. After the briefing, General Çeku would come out in public with a statement on the document.
However, it was reported that immediately after the articles, General Agim Çeku requested and held a meeting with COMKFOR Reinhardt and later another one where Kouchner was also present. In these meetings, explanations and facts were requested for accusations presented in the document promising that the KPC would undertake necessary measures, as it has done in the past. The officials at the KPC told the paper that the institution cannot be identified with the irresponsible individuals, who are to be prosecuted, no matter who they are.
HARADINAJ REQUESTS HIS RELEASE FROM SERVICE IN KPC
Zëri on page two reported on a letter sent by Ramush Haradinaj, the KPC Deputy Commander, to General Agim Çeku, the KPC Commander, in which he requested his release from service in the Kosovo Protection Corps, starting 10 April 2000.
The reason and motive for his departure from the Corps, Haradinaj gave in a separate letter to General Çeku, parts of which were carried by the paper. "After a period of time at the service of the nation and fatherland, by passing through difficult moments and with sacrifices beyond humanity, I have realized that our future depends on the vision and strategy to be applied for realization of this future," wrote Haradinaj. "Therefore I have decided to leave the KPC to give my contribution for realization of our future, which I envisage through a mechanism which would represent an alliance of all Kosovars".
In the letter, Haradinaj expressed his conviction for the success to unite Albanian potential and therefore optimism for the realization of the future. "If our potential cooperates sincerely with the international factor, Kosovo would have a promising future," said Haradinaj, adding that even after his departure from the Kosovo Protection Corps, he would continue to serve the country with all of his being.
RAMBOUILLET TRIO DOMINATES CENTRAL ELECTIONS COMMISSION
Zëri on page three carried a report on the establishment of the Central Election Commission, expected to be announced today in the meeting of the Interim Administrative Council. The Central Elections Commission would be comprised of nine Kosovars and three international members. The OSCE would play the main role. Referring to the first reports on the CEC, the paper indicated that only the parties included in the IAC would participate in the commission while the others would not have this privilege.
Even though the names of the members will be published today at the IAC meeting, the paper noted that some of them had already been appointed – the PPDK representative would be Hashim Thaçi’s political advisor, Bilall Sherifi; the LDK representative would be the chairman of the LDK branch III in Prishtina, Arsim Janova; whereas the LBD representative would be Xhelil Pajaziti. According to unofficial sources, the paper noted that Adem Demaçi would represent the independents, Ibish Qakolli, would represent the Turks, and Ramadan Asllani, the Bosnians in Kosovo. The name of the Serb representative has not been made known.
Regarding the CEC, Jakup Krasniqi, PPDK secretary-general, was reported to have said that international mechanisms might have rushed a little bit because it was not fair to the other political parties that would not participate at the commission and since the elections were on the local level, he thought that some of these parties would have their influence on some Kosovo municipalities. He also mentioned the independent representatives that, as he said, could not be always “fully” independent, and it could be possible for any of the political parties to strengthen their participation with their independent candidate. He added that he hopes the commission would implement its task according to the law, since there are internationals, too.
The paper said that Bajram Kosumi, the PPK chairman, also expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the commission, saying that the concept of independent representatives in Kosovo was very flexible. He also noticed that the announcement for non-participation in the commission of the other political parties that were not included in IAC as a bad sign. Kosumi was reported to have said despite the fact that the first elections would not be perfect, efforts should be made to make them as democratic as possible. Knowing that not all groups that call themselves political parties can be included in the elections’ commission, Kosumi proposed the parties who have their candidates in more than 20 Kosovo electoral zones to have their representatives there, because according to him, those parties were serious and had power. “This way none of the parties is discriminated against, but will share responsibility equally,” Kosumi added, aiming to convince OSCE and political parties that this formula did not intend to be unfair or give privilege to any political party in Kosovo.
ONLY TWO TRIALS SO FAR AT PRISHTINA DISTRICT COURT
Two trials took place since Monday in Prishtina District Court, since its establishing under the UNMIK umbrella, whereas two judges resigned from their duties, reported Koha Ditore on page four, adding that the third trial was taking place Monday under strong security measures of the international police. The District Court officials told the paper that three more trials were expected to take place during March. “Six cases will be held during this month – there will be more during the following month”, said Ramadan Veliqi, President of Prishtina District Court.
As reported, international officials were not satisfied with the number of the trials held until now. Referring to unidentified sources, close to the events, the paper said that many of the appointed judges at the Prishtina District Court were experts for civil affairs and did not have any experience in the penal sector, which leads to the lack of self-confidence to take decisions. According to the paper, Veliqi said that two of the four appointed judges for penal issues resigned since they had experience in civil issues and were not willing to deal with penal ones, adding that six additional judges were expected to be appointed for civil issues by the commission for appointing judges and prosecutors.
Referring to the reports of District Attorneys’ Office in Prishtina, the paper indicated that 104 cases were prepared since July until the beginning of this year with indictments, out of 464 cases reported during this period. Pjetër Rrapi, the manager of this office, said that there would be no problem in the work of prosecutors after completing the infrastructure. on the other hand, referring to sources inside the court building, the paper said that judges and prosecutors were often facing threats and pressure from several individuals and were also not satisfied with their incomes. Veliqi and Rrapi, without mentioning names, indicated that judicial workers were not as stimulated as needed for their job. “Nobody will remain in the court if the incomes will not increase, because as a lawyer you can earn in a day as much as you earn in a month as a judge," said Veliqi.
The paper ended saying that Kosovar justice is not advancing in its mission, in confrontation with financial problems, threats and lack of professionalism, putting as a parameter for its assessment the number of trials compared to the number of crimes reported.
SELIMI'S BODYGUARDS STILL IN CUSTODY
Two bodyguards of Sylejman Selimi, the former KLA Commander and current KPC Commander, arrested last Wednesday have still not been released, furthermore, their lawyer Haxhi Millaku says that the public prosecutor has not been informed on the issue, reported Koha Ditore on page two. According to the paper, Arsim Ramadani and Rafet Mehmeti, were arrested Wednesday on "Mother Teresa" Square on 15 March at around 13.00 hours, and Monday afternoon their lawyer claimed that they have still not been released. Referring to an UNMIK Police press release, issued during last week, the paper reported that the members of the Kosovo Protection Corps were arrested after they had insulted and threatened a member of the Kosovo Police Service.
Millaku told the paper that the investigating unit of UNMIK Police has not shown the case documents neither to him nor to the prosecutor's office. On the other hand, the press office of UNMIK Police couldn’t give any details on the aforementioned case, added the paper. Millaku claims that according to the law on penal procedure, within 72 hours the investigating unit is obliged to inform the prosecutor's office on the decision of detention or release of the suspect. "I am suspicious that the motive of arrest not only of these two bodyguards, but of any former KLA combatants, and now KPC members, is to create dossiers on freedom fighters, so that they pass through the investigation unit," said the lawyer, adding that such a thing has political consequences in damaging the image of the fighters. "This is not the first case," concluded the lawyer of the arrested of bodyguards.
* * * * *