UNMIK ON AIR

March 31^st 2004

Interview with PDK Leader Hashim Thaqi

(Gezim Kasapolli)

Slug: In the aftermath of recent violence, UNMIK on Air spoke with PDK leader, Hashim Thaqi, about the roots of conflict and future possibilities in Kosovo.

Hello and welcome, this is UNMIK on Air.

In the aftermath of recent violence, UNMIK on Air spoke with PDK leader, Hashim Thaqi, about the roots of conflict and future possibilities in Kosovo.

UoA: Why do you think the violence erupted Wednesday March 17th and why do you think there were widespread spontaneous protests?

THAQI: I think that many distortions occurred in political and social developments in Kosova during the last four years. There was also an overall institutional and civilian progress in the country, however we must understand that these protests were mainly a support for protests against violence in Mitrovica and not intentionally organized especially on the 17^th, while the 18^th of March was a different story. I personally find the protests against violence reasonable, but for me and the PDK it is an unacceptable use of force: burning houses, expelling people from their houses who are citizens of Kosovo as well as the burning of religious sites. However, I am optimist that our political and institutional agenda and the agenda of international investments will not change for Kosovo.

UoA: Do you think that the position of the Kosovar leadership and that of UNMIK has weakened towards the general population and the international community?

THAQI: The position of Kosovo in general is weakened. Also the position of local institutions has weakened. However, these institutions together with UNMIK will bear the responsibility for resolving this crisis and I think that it is very important for some substantial positive changes to occur in relations between UNMIK and local institutions in order to get out of this status quo and to organize elections in 2004 and then to build institutions as soon as possible in order to initiate the ultimate solution of Kosovo’s political status.

UoA: Some high officials in Belgrade recently mentioned the idea of cantonization of Kosovo.; While just recently this idea has now focused on decentralization as a primary idea? Do you think that in the Serbian authority there is a difference between these two terms?

THAQI: I think that Kostunica and everybody in Belgrade understand that Kosovo cannot be divided, there will be no cantonization, there will be no legalizing of Serb enclaves, it will not be permitted the further existence of parallel structures and in the same time we have agreed with decentralization, citizen based and not politically or ethnically based. I believe that the only solution for Kosovo is the use of civic authority in all of its territory without creating unnecessary situations and circumstances for citizens and at the same time creating an environment where all the citizens of Kosovo could move freely in the entire region of Kosovo. I also think that it is reasonable and necessary to work more with Kosovo institutions and allow them to have more access in reserved rights of UNMIK because UNMIK can not achieve economic development, security, political progress nor look after the welfare of citizens without direct access to democratically elected institutions.

UoA: What is your vision for the future? Will there be any division, such as in Mitrovica?

THAQI: There will be no division of Kosovo. Kosovo will be an independent, sovereign, undivided state.

UoA: Would you agree with a collective return of Serbs in Kosovo, if they want to return?

THAQI: The return should be gradually while supporting individual return and not the return motivated politically in order for every citizen of Kosovo to go back to their homes, properties and to build the future of Kosovo.

UoA: Recently your position towards UNMIK has changed and there is an improvement of relations and understanding for solution in this period of crisis. What do you think should be the mission of UNMIK in the future?

THAQI: I am not one of those who deny the work of UNMIK. I appreciate all those positive engagements that UNMIK has undertaken and no one can deny that. But I think that things have to change, not because of the latest developments but completely as a result of a normal process of passing responsibility to locals and the people and the country. I believe that in the future and especially after the 2004 elections UNMIK should take the role of an adviser and not the role of governing the country since we have a government elected by the free vote of citizens.

UoA: The plan for implementation of Standards will be presented this week. In light of recent unrest do you think the implementation plan is realistic? If not- what do you think should be modified or taken into consideration?

THAQI: UNMIK together with the local institutions is working on the process of implementing the Standards. I mentioned before that there were some distortions in this process, however I believe that this is a positive step and especially now after the visit of Mr. Grossman things will go in the right direction. There can be a change in the international agenda towards Kosovo. 2005 will be the year of resolving the final status and I believe that the Standards will be achieved to a satisfactory level in order to open and accelerate the resolution of status. We will deal with these Standards even after the resolution of the status and we will engage in integration of Kosovo in north-Atlantic structures. On the other hand we should be aware of the fact that many countries in the region have not implemented Standards, which Kosovo has worked towards. What needs to be changed now are some formulations in that plan. Especially related to the issue of Dialogue with Belgrade, the process of returns because we have to adjust our goals based on actual circumstances and the reality in Kosovo.

UoA: Kosovo is in a very difficult economic situation. Do you think that this situation will improve shortly or is Kosovo facing a long road through which countries in transition from a communist-socialist economy to a market economy are facing?

THAQI: There has been some progress in Kosovo’s economy and especially in the small and medium economy. There are many small businesses and a considerable number of young people who are employed. However, we continue to be the poorest country in Europe with the largest number of unemployed. This especially has an impact on young people of Kosovo who have started to immigrate again. I am optimistic that with the resolution of political status in Kosovo, that the prospects for economic development will open there will be more positive opportunities for economic development, creation of jobs that will lead to an improvement in security and prompt internationals to invest more in Kosovo.

That was Hashim Thaqi, leader of PDK, speaking with UNMIK on Air in Pristina, Kosovo.

That is all for this edition of UNMIK on AIR, thank you for listening and stay tuned for more.