“Albanian Expectations
for 2005”
By Gëzim
Kasapolli
Hello and welcome. From the studios of UN Radio in Kosovo…
For Kosovans, 2005 is seen as the decisive year for Kosovo’s
future. Kosovo Albanians are starting to get inpatient in their quest to
finally get what they have always wanted – independence; while the
international community is very strict in wanting to see progress in standard
implementation if the status talks are to begin in mid-2005.
In his New Year’s speech SRSG Soren Jessen Petersen
reiterated once again that Kosovans must work harder to achieve these standards
in order to pave the way for solving major issues.
Jessen-Petersen
“We expect that together
we will make rapid progress because the time is short. Our joint priorities are
clear: rule of law, protection of minorities, freedom of movement, return of
the displaced persons and decentralization. These are the areas where Kosovo
must demonstrate clear progress so that in 2005 we can begin to address the
important issue of status.”
But, what do ordinary citizens of Pristina expect in 2005?
UN Radio in Kosovo interviewed a few citizens to find out more about their
expectations and hopes for 2005.
Murati
“In 2005 I expect the
talks for the final status of Kosovo to start, which are predicted to conclude
in the beginning of 2006 and of course a prosperity in the field of economy.”
Bekim
Murati, an economist from Pristina. He says – all of Kosovo’s political players
were given a warning after the March riots to change the course of societal
discontent!
Murati
“The problem is that these issues must be fulfilled
since it’s the last moment for the solution of the final status if we do not
want to face unpleasant situation, and of course economic development, creation
of jobs and privatization of enterprises.”
A 23-year-old student of Philosophy at Pristina University, Arsim
Arifi has a more radical approach. Although he cites standards as a priority,
he adds that if the solution of the final status does not comply with the will
of the majority population in Kosovo, the March uprising might be repeated.
Arifi
“I expect a positive
evaluation of standards. I expect the return of Serbs who want to return to
Kosovo and I expect that the status of Kosovo to be resolved in September with
independence…I think that if these things don’t happen then we will have
another war.”
In light of recent troubles in Serbia’s Presevo Valley and
with a tentative peace holding in Macedonia, armed conflict with ethnic
Albanians could destabilize the region. Mehmet Shehu, professor at Cambridge
School for foreign languages, predicts that in 2005 the United States and key
European countries will emerge as the real decision-makers determining the
future of Kosovo.
Shehu
“I think that work is being done and the new
government is working very actively, some of the standards have already been
fulfilled but I don’t think that it’s going to depend on these standards
because this is going to be a game played between Europe and USA who will
determine the solution. And, it’s going to be a matter of a moment when they
are going to declare the independence which I think should and will happen this
year.”
Certainly, this year is sure to see many changes within Kosovo’s
political landscape. Whether those changes will be positive or negative will
depend largely on the political will of the international community to
determine Status - considered the biggest obstacle for Kosovo’s future. Local
responsibility lies with the new Kosovo Government to implement the Standards.
That is all for this edition of UN Radio in Kosovo. Stay
tuned…