UNMIK ON AIR

17 April, 2003

MORATORIUM

(Luan Qorraj)

Hashim Thaci: Kosovo is going through an important process of democratization and it will create an independent reality. We will also create good neighboring relations with everyone, including Serbia, Montenegro Albania and Macedonia. My opinion is that during this phase, when we have misunderstandings considering the political status, Kosovo and Serbia should reach an agreement, through international mediation, on a moratorium on status for a limited time.

PDK leader Hashim Thaci’s statement on freezing the issue of final status has triggered a spate of reaction in Kosovo.

Hello and Welcome to UNMIK on Air with Sputnik Kilambi and Martin Redi.

The issue of Kosovo’s final status has been the central plank of most political discourse, in Belgrade and in Prishtina for well over a decade now. Both sides seem to have set their positions in stone up to now - Kosovar Albanians unprepared to accept anything less than full independence, while Belgrade, ready to accept anything except independence – and neither side willing to budge.

Just last week, UNMIK chief, Michael Steiner started the process of transferring powers to Kosovar institutions, a step criticized by Belgrade as bringing Kosovo closer to independence. Whatever the deadline set, it is becoming evident that one day in the not too distant future, Belgrade and Prishtina will have to discus the final status of Kosovo. Prishtina obviously would like that to happen as soon as possible, while Belgrade is no hurry for such talks.

And amid this backdrop, Hashim Thaci’s proposals for a moratorium on final status came as something of a mini bombshell, not least because few expected such a stance from the PDK leader. Thaci’s call for a temporary freeze on the status issue has been welcomed by the international community – both the EU and the US office back the idea. UNMIK chief Michael Steiner also expressed his support saying that a moratorium will ensure that Kosovo has time to deal with the real issues

Michael Steiner: moratorium as proposed by Mr. Thaci would allow us to concentrate for the moment on the issues, which are of concern to the people.

Not surprisingly perhaps, Thaci has found few takers in Kosovo itself – the bulk of the political mainstream has opposed the idea saying it contradicts the “common goal” of reaching independence as soon as possible. Even the office of LDK leader and Kosovar president Ibrahim Rugova has issued a statement saying it cannot accept such a concept. Muhamed Hamiti the presidential spokesman:

Muhamed Hamiti: The Kosovar president considers the moratorium ideas as unacceptable and politically irresponsible. Kosovo is in the process of building its institutions and it insists on formal recognition of Kosovar independence in close cooperation with USA and EU. The recognition of independence would speed up democratic and economic development of Kosovo and would calm this part of Europe and the world.

Kosovo’s third largest political party, AAK, which generally opposes LDK policies, has sided with the ruling party on the moratorium issue. Ernest Luma is the AAK spokesman:

Ernest Luma: The alliance is for and embraces anything that dynamises the political process towards independence ideas and proposals which are in accordance with the status quo and the modalities of prolonging the status quo are not embraced or supported by the alliance.

These latest developments in Kosovo have obviously triggered much comment and interest across the region. A decision on the moratorium issue is being seen by many analysts as a test of maturity of Kosovo’s politicians – postponing final status talks will enable politicians to get on with the task of dealing with what Steiner and others call the real concerns of the people.

For Denion Ndrenika the head of political and international relations at the “Republika” daily in Tirana, both sides are right- it is true that a moratorium may slow down the final status issue but it also means that after the time period elapses Belgrade will face a done deal:

Denion Ndrenika: It is true that the moratorium will, in a way, postpone this solution for a certain period of time but after that period the negotiations on the final status could start immediately or, even go back to the Rambouillet agreement or to what is indirectly said in SC resolution 12/44. We could have the expression of people’s will. It means that at this moment, it appears that, let’s call them the opposing side, has the advantage for now because of the time they will gain. But at the same time we could use this time to consolidate our stands.

Belgrade apparently shares that view but for different reasons – although there has been no official statement so far, the overall feeling is that a set time limit would be a welcome break for Belgrade –but what would it mean in the long run? Belgrade based political analyst Stojan Cerovic.

Stojan Cerovic: For Serbia it will be good, at least initially. It’ll be good for internal political stability because we don’t open that sensitive issue now and postpone it … So, it looks like a chance for a little rest for Serbia, for authority to consolidate, the state to get a bit stronger and not to deal with that issue. However, it is true that in the long term, a moratorium does not remove the issue of status, on the contrary, it only freezes it and Kosovo is in fact sliding towards independence.

The irony is that Kosovar politicians don’t seem to see that – that a moratorium on the issue now will only strengthen their hand later. And as Tirana journalist Denion Ndrenika points out, in the final analysis they are the ones who will answer to the Kosovar people for the actions they have, or haven’t taken.

Stojan Cerovic: The moratorium, whether it is acceptable or not remains an issue to be solved mostly by the political class of Kosovo since it is ultimately their responsibility, a responsibility they have taken in the past.

And that comment from Denion Ndrenika closes this edition of UNMIK ON AIR. Thank you for tuning in