ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE asiNEWSLETTER Mid-2005: Time for Review asi UN Secretary-General appointed ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE NEWSLETTER Norwegian Ambassador Kai Eide AUGUST 2005, NO 18 as his “Special Envoy for the Comprehensive Review of ”

Madeleine Albright addressed Assembly of Kosovo osce MISSION IN KOSOVO ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE 2 NEWSLETTERasi Editorial 2. Editorial / Debating for democracy Franklin De Vrieze 3. Madeleine Albright addressed Assembly of Kosovo 4. hosts the South- East Europe parliamentary roundtable Peter Van Houtte and Franklin De Vrieze 6. Recent developments in Kosovo’s institutions 8. On the Brink of History Debating for democracy Scott Bates 9. Kosovo discussed by NATO Parliamentary Assembly uring recent months the Assembly of Kosovo was criti- Doina Ghimici Dcized, from within and by some in the international com- munity, for its schedule of meetings. However, during last two 12. Mid-2005: Time for Review months, the Assembly took up the challenge and conducted Andriani Mortoglou more debates on key questions in Kosovo society. Special sessions took place, with debates on the Standards process, 14. Controversial Kosovo-Serb minister local governance reform, the economy, security and missing Zoran Culafi c persons. The debates were well facilitated and open to every- one who wanted to speak. Many of our Kosovo friends are 15. Interview with Štrpce/Shtërpcë Municipal pleased to note that the Assembly is becoming the place of President S. Jakovljević “A role model municipality public debate. that is left aside bythe central institutions” 16. In pace with standards Now is the time for further fi ne-tuning, to be er prepare Isuf Demaj the substance of debates and to ensure that each debate gets proper follow-up for its conclusions or recommendations. In 17. Support to the Assembly of Kosovo addition, Commi ees can prepare reports on specifi c topics with policy recommendations adopted by the plenary ses- 19. A Census for Kosovo sion. Commi ees can prepare public hearings on the imple- Katja Salsbäck mentation of legislation leading to specifi c analysis and suggestions on which the Ministries need to respond. Min- isters who don’t show up at Commi ee or plenary session could get a warning from the Assembly. That is how it goes in any parliamentary democracy.

ASSEMBLYasi SUPPORT INITIATIVE This ASI Newsle er includes information on recent devel- NEWSLETTER opments in Kosovo and Kosovo’s democratic institutions Editorial board: as well as on specifi c support activities to the Assembly. We Sven Lindholm, Ramush Tahiri, Franklin De Vrieze, Blerim Vela, also mention the South-East European parliamentary round- Labinot Hoxha, Edmond Efendija, Krenar Loshi table held in Kosovo for the fi rst time in early June. It was of OSCE Mission Headquarters, 10000 Pristina historic signifi cance, also relevant to the Standards process. Tel. (+381-38) 500 162 Fax: (+381-38) 500 188 While the Standards comprehensive assessment is on the contact: [email protected] http://www.osce.org/kosovo way and Mr. Kai Eide tours Kosovo, expectations are rising at the moment to the possible formula of the start of future Thhee viewsviews expressedexpressed byby thethe contributorscontributors toto thisthis NewsletterNewsletter areare theirtheir ownown andand dodo notnot nnecessarilyecessarily status talks. In this ASI Newsle er we include overview on rrepresentepresent thethe viewsviews ofof thethe Assembly,Assembly, OSCEOSCE MissionMission inin KosovoKosovo oror thethe ASIASI partnerpartner organisations.organisations. the recent developments. We hope you fi nd it useful. Feed- back is always welcomed. Pictures in this Newsletter: Gazeta Express pg. 1, 3 (Ferdi Limani) / pg. 7, 14, 16, 17, 20 (Atdhe Mulla) / OSCE pg. 4, 5, 8, 10, 15, 18 / UNMIK pg. 6 / NATO pg. 9 / Franklin De Vrieze, ASI co-ordinator. Public Information Offi ce of the OPM pg. 12. ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE asiNEWSLETTER 3 Madeleine Albright addressed Assembly of Kosovo

Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright addressed the Assembly of Kosovo in a special plenary session on 5 July in her capacity as chairperson of the National Democratic Institute for International Aff airs (NDI). During her visit to Kosovo, from 4 to 7 July, Mrs. Albright conducted meetings with institutional leaders, opposition representatives, civil society and female parliamentarians. Following are extracts from her speech to the Assembly.

uring these past six years, arguing passionately about the Dyou have shown the world specifi c actions and policies that the people of Kosovo are your government should take builders; not only world-famous and ultimately compromise. builders of houses and public Because when you act, you will structures, but builders of new act not simply for yourself and and democratic institutions. You the interests of your own party; have formed political parties you will act for all those you and held elections. You have represent and for the interests developed independent media of all Kosovo. The members of and established a judicial system. this Assembly have been given You worked constructively with a great trust. the international community. The responsibilities of those And you have moved closer in the governing coalition to the long-awaited day when are many. But those who are Kosovo’s fi nal status will be in the opposition also have a determined. responsibility. As a member The credit for those of the Democratic Party in the accomplishments belongs to United States, believe me, I all the people of Kosovo, to know what it is like to be in the Albanians, Serbs, Roma, Ashkali, opposition. I hate to lose, but Gorani, Egyptian, Turk, Bosniak of endeavor they might choose demands it. The people of I have also learned that times and other, who have helped to – to become businesspeople or Kosovo deserve no less. change and so do the minds build a be er society. You have doctors, journalists or computer Your third challenge is the of voters. New leaders come many reasons for pride. And programmers, even future most basic. And that is to build forward. And some of those those accomplishments make presidents and prime ministers a united society in which people now in opposition will one day your friends proud; I should of Kosovo? from every ethnic group can fi nd themselves leading the know because I am one, and Kosovo faces a second participate and contribute. When government. That is why those in always will be. You also know challenge and that is to build a I was here six years ago, I said opposition have a responsibility I am frank. As a friend I have a society governed by the rule of that there were some people who not simply to criticize, but also responsibility to tell you what I law. It’s no secret that corruption wanted Kosovo to fail. These to put forward their own ideas. think about the tasks that remain and crime are problems here, as were cynics who predicted that And it is why both the majority uncompleted and to caution you they are in many other parts of the majority in Kosovo would and the opposition have an about the challenges ahead. the world. It is tempting to deny make it impossible for others to interest in honouring the rights You face, fi rst of all, the it because no society wants a live normal lives. They were sure of the other. challenge of creating a healthy reputation for corruption. But that the new Kosovo would be In the months immediately economy that generates good the problem cannot be addressed an intolerant and violent place ahead, the international jobs and gives people confi dence unless it is openly recognized and that minorities would be community will be looking that they will be able to build a and confronted. And it cannot be discriminated against and made closely at your progress in future for themselves here in solved unless police and judicial to feel unwelcome. I predicted forging a government that their ancestral home. Kosovo has authorities are independent and then that you would prove those serves the people, at the the youngest population and also non-partisan; above suspicion; critics wrong. depth of your commitment to the highest unemployment rate and commi ed to investigating The work of this Central democracy, and at your success in Europe. I wonder especially crimes thoroughly regardless Assembly will play a vital role in creating a Kosovo that is about the young women. Will of the rank or position of those in that eff ort and in shaping open and safe for all. These are they be given an equal chance to accused; regardless of whether Kosovo’s future. And those high standards and the scrutiny excel in the classroom, to succeed they come from the government of you who are members you face will be intrusive and in the workplace, and to pursue or the opposition. The rule of will be in the starring roles, critical. Your future is up to their dreams in whatever fi eld law comes when the public debating, discussing, even you, as it should be. ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE 4 NEWSLETTERasi

Pristina hosts the South- East Europe parliamentary roundtable

“Can we reach a consensus on the fact that the Minister of Finance should resign, aV er he decided on his own initiative to change the budget, without informing his colleagues in the government an the parliament? And we, MP’s of the ruling parties, how are we going to defend our Minister? Will the government call for early elections?” Excerpt of intense and sometimes emotional discussions and negotiations between MP’s from South-East Europe, Pristina, 9-11 June 2005.

Peter Van Houtte and Franklin De Vrieze, OSCE Mission in Kosovo

hen the President of the in Kosovo. It was also the fi rst nary sessions where Ministers Until now this was not always WAssembly of Kosovo time ever that representatives of explain their policies, answer the case. With support of the gave his welcoming remarks at all national and regional Assem- questions and report on how Stability Pact for South-East the Victory Hotel in Pristina on blies a ended a joint event. laws and parliamentary recom- Europe the foundations for a June 10, 2005, the sense of his- The main topic of the round- mendations are being imple- new approach have been laid: toric signifi cance could not be table was the relationship mented. regional parliamentary events missed. In front of Prof. Nexhat between parliaments and gov- Through co-organizing this including representatives of Daci were si ing members from ernments and the organization roundtable together with the all elected assemblies in the 12 parliaments from South-East of an eff ective parliamentary OSCE, the Assembly of Kosovo region. Europe. It was the fi rst time ever oversight on the government. has made it known to neigh- During the roundtable, formal that delegations from all over In Kosovo, but also in most of bouring parliaments that the and informal instruments were the region gathered in Pristina the other parliaments in the Assembly is a partner, that the discussed as well as the diff er- to discuss common problems, to region, this means that there Members of the Assembly are ent roles of both opposition and meet their Kosovo counterparts is need for more parliamen- fellow-MP’s and – as neigh- majority in relation to executive and to familiarize themselves tary debates on key societal bours - should be included in oversight. The parliamentar- with the ongoing developments questions, more frequent ple- regional parliamentary events. ians agreed that eff ective control ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE asiNEWSLETTER 5 over the government is particular is another key task of the parlia- both on a multilateral and bilat- an eff ective regional network. To important for critical sectors like ment. In the Assembly of Kosovo eral level. It was agreed that the this aim, the OSCE will develop budget and security. At a time a mid-year fi nancial spending OSCE Mission in Kosovo and an online regional parliamen- when preparations for the crea- debate is still to be organized. the Stability Pact for South-East tary database, including specifi c tion of a new Ministry of Police In order to strengthen the role Europe will facilitate regional information on the parliaments are underway, the early develop- of the parliaments all over the technical working groups on in the region, the diff erent serv- ment of an eff ective parliamen- region, it appeared that there commi ee level. The OSCE will ices, commi ees and MP’s. tary oversight is a basic condition is a need for specifi c interactive focus on the organization of an The Representatives agreed to for the creation of a police at the training programmes, and for an eff ective oversight on budget and organise a follow-up conference service of all citizens. Eff ective enhanced networking and coop- the security sector and support in 2006, hosted by one of partici- control over the budget spending eration within the whole region, to the further development of pating Parliaments. ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE 6 NEWSLETTERasi Recent developments in Kosovo’s institutions

Start of the Kosovo Forum he inaugural meeting of the Kosovo Forum, the consultative Tbody composed of the leaders of the main Kosovo Albanian political parties, took place on 7 June. In a endance were the SRSG, President Rugova, Prime Minister Kosumi, ORA leader Veton Surroi, Hajredin Kuci of the PDK and Kole Berisha of the LDK. Following the meeting, the SRSG told the press that the participants had agreed that the Forum will not seek to replace the PISG, but rather to build a common approach from Kosovo Albanian leaders to the Comprehensive Review of Standards and the Status Process. On 30 June the second meeting of the Kosovo Forum was held. The Forum agreed to establish a Secretariat that would look closely at preparation for the status process. The Forum also expressed its support, both at the technical and politi- cal level, for continued dialogue with Belgrade.

Assembly debates Reform of Local Government Head of OSCE discusses functioning of n 19 May the Assembly of Kosovo deliberated on the Working Assembly with Assembly President OProgramme on the Reform of Local Government, adopted by the Government on 24 February. Prime Minister n 30 May Ambassador Werner Wnendt, Head of the OSCE Mis- stated that decentralisation, which envisions the implementation of Osion in Kosovo, met Kosovo Assembly President . pilot projects, brings solutions to minority communities and helps Among other issues, Ambassador Wnendt and President Daci dis- to integrate these communities by dismantling parallel structures. cussed the functioning of the Assembly and the recent adoption of The PM also declared that the Government’s programme would a new set of Rules of Procedure. Ambassador Wnendt reconfi rmed serve as a basis for discussions during Status negotiations. PDK OSCE’s commitment to providing advisory and capacity building leader opposed the Government’s plan and argued support to the Assembly, and to facilitating co-operation with par- that implementation of pilot projects was not in the spirit of the liaments in the region and other parts of Europe. President Daci Framework Document, adopted by the previous government. He thanked Ambassador Wnendt for OSCE’s past support, and for the expressed his concern that it would lead to a territorial division of off er of further assistance in the future. Referring to the Mission’s Kosovo. ORA leader Veton Surroi considered that it was necessary Assembly monitoring role, President Daci said he will not accept to fi rst establish a new constitutional and legislative framework being reprimanded, but open, positive recommendations and sug- before implementing pilot projects. He also criticised the decentrali- gestions are welcome. sation plan for failing to take account of the budgetary implications of the establishment of Pilot Municipal Units. The Government pledged that the Assembly would be regularly informed on prog- Assembly debates Standards implementation ress, both in plenary meetings and through an ad-hoc Commission t the 23 June plenary session, PM Bajram Kosumi made a pre- on Local Government reform to be established. Asentation on the implementation of Standards, which was dis- cussed several hours. Assembly members expressed their support for the Standards process, but ruling coalition members’ evalua- Start of comprehensive review of Standards tion of the progress made in standards implementation was con- n 27 May, the UN Secretary General’s report to the UN Secu- siderably higher than that of opposition members, who repeatedly Ority Council gave the green light for the comprehensive review referred to corruption in the Government and procedural viola- of Standards to start. On 4 June, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan tions in the Assembly. At the continuation of the plenary session appointed Norwegian diplomat Kai Eide as Special Envoy to carry on 24 June, the Assembly approved at second reading the DraV out the Comprehensive Standards Review. On 13 June Eide arrived Law on Technical Requirements for Products and the DraV Law in Kosovo. Mr. Eide stated upon his arrival that his work would on Agricultural Lands. The Assembly approved at fi rst reading focus not only on assessing Standards implementation, but would seven additional laws, including the DraV Law on Language Use, also focus on the political aspects of the situation in Kosovo. The during which discussion a number of Assembly Members objected review is to be conducted independently of UNMIK. Mr. Eide is to the provisions granting Serbian a higher status than that of other expected to submit the fi nal report during September 2005. minority community languages in Kosovo. ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE asiNEWSLETTER 7

EU as well. The visit was organized by the OSCE in co-operation Assembly President calls for promulgation with the European Commission and UNMIK-Pillar IV. of laws not to be delayed The week before, on 20 June 2005, a multi-party delegation of the n July 5th, Assembly President Nexhat Daci called on SRSG Assembly of Kosovo, under leadership of Assembly president Daci, OSoren Jessen-Petersen not to delay the promulgation of laws visited the European Parliament. The Assembly delegation was passed by the Assembly. President Daci made these comments aV er invited by Ms. Doris Pack, head of the SEE delegation in the Euro- his meeting with Jessen-Petersen. Their discussion centered on the pean Parliament. It was the third year in a row that the Assembly of dynamics and timeliness of UNMIK’s approval of laws passed by Kosovo was invited to Brussels for consultations and to strengthen the Assembly. Both Daci and Jessen-Petersen said that be er coor- inter-parliamentary relations. dination between the Parliament and the UNMIK Legal Offi ce is in the interest of both sides. Laws that are passed by the Parliament cannot be implemented without the endorsement of the UNMIK Law on Independent Media Commission Legal Offi ce. Some laws are delayed because they do not fully comply with the Constitutional Framework, or because they touch promulgated upon some of UN’s “reserved powers,” or because some appeals by n 11 July 2005, UN Special Representative, Søren Jessen- Kosovo-Serb Assembly Members are still pending. OPetersen, signed the law on the Independent Media Commis- sion [IMC]. On this occasion, Ambassador Werner Wnendt, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, stated that “the establishment of Assembly continues regular public hearings the Independent Media Commission as the regulatory body for electronic media is an essential step on the path to free, indepen- s part of the legislative process, Assembly Commi ees are dent and professional electronic media.” The SRSG signed the law requesting expert opinion and feed-back of constituencies A which was passed earlier this year by the Assembly of Kosovo, with through organizing public hearings on regular basis. During the last a number of revisions in line with best European practices. One two months the following public hearings were organized. important revision will ensure that the independence and authority Public Hearing on the Law on Agriculture Land was held on 9 of the IMC are distinct from the regulatory authority of the Tele- May 2005. Public Hearing on the DraV Law on Adult Education communications Regulatory Authority. Other changes are meant to and Training was held on 11 May. Public Hearing on the DraV Law enhance the clarity of Law and the functions of the IMC. The Tem- Administrative Procedure was held on 13 May. Public Hearing on porary Media Commissioner will now enter a transition phase as the DraV Law on Procedures for Granting Concessions was held on it is replaced by the IMC. The IMC will retain all responsibilities 13 May 2005. Public Hearing on the DraV Law on Religious Free- for the licensing and regulation of broadcast media in Kosovo. “The dom and Legal Status of Religious Communities was held on 15 future of the IMC in fulfi lling its responsibilities as an independent June. Public Hearing on the DraV Law on Central Heating was held institution has been secured,” said Ambassador Wnendt. “The han- on 27 June. dover of media regulation to a local institution by the end of this year can now start.” The Media Appeals Board will continue to hear appeal cases fi led by the print media until there is a mechanism of self-regulation such as the Press Council.

Future Directions of Local Governance Reform in Kosovo in light of the Balkan experience he experience of the Balkan countries in implementing local self- Tgovernment reform and encouraging sharing of lessons learnt were in the limelight of the international conference “Local Gover- Government delegation visits Vienna and Brussels nance Reform in Kosovo – Experience from South Eastern Europe”, rom 26 to 30 June 2005 a delegation of the Provisional Institu- held in Pristina on June 6-7, 2005. The conference was organized by Ftions of Self- visited Vienna and Brussels. the OSCE Mission, the Ministry of Local Government Administra- During various meetings, ministers discussed priority standards, tion, the Association of Municipalities of Kosovo, and the United decentralization, minority rights and returns, dialogue with Bel- Nations Development Program (UNDP). The event was divided grade, functioning democratic institutions, the security situation into three panels: 1) Democratic institutions and procedures; 2) and fi nal status. In Vienna, the PISG delegation met representatives Multi-ethnic communities in local government; and 3) Local eco- of the current and incoming Chairmanships of the OSCE, the EU nomic development. In their presentations, international guests Troika, the US and Russian delegations to the OSCE. In Brussels, elaborated on the processes of local self-government reform, the the delegation met the Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn and issues of property transfer to the municipalities, introduction of a the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security regional tier of government in their respective countries. During the Policy, Javier Solana. The visit additionally enabled the PISG offi - conference local experiences of good practices from several munici- cials to exchange views on the tasks ahead in light of the confi rmed palities of Kosovo were presented too. A conference report will be European perspective for Kosovo, be it at a sensitive time within the available shortly. ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE 8 NEWSLETTERasi On the Brink of History

Scott Bates, National Democratic Institute

precipitated the violence that so from the looks of things, this is many Balkan “experts” had pre- happening. dicted, but instead stirred peace- ful civil protest. Most important After conversations with of all, the government contin- many friends from all politi- ued to function. This result is a cal parties and persuasions, it testament to the wisdom of the became clear to me that while Kosovar people and the strength the international commu- of the political institutions. Both nity worked on developing a developments are prerequisites common position on Kosovo’s for moving forward to fi nal future, the people of Kosovo status negotiations and lasting have been slowly and methodi- stability. While Kosovo must still cally preparing for the day that meet the test of the “standards” is about to arrive. that have been placed before it, perhaps the most important test For Kosovars, it may seem like was passed already in the spring the road to fi nal status has taken of 2005. forever. I am sure I would feel There is a saying that you can’t the same way if my future had Tgo home again. Coming back to I met with many bright young been put on hold. But from my the Kosovo Central Assembly Kosovars who are working in the perspective, which is like look- for the fi rst time in three years, Offi ce of the Prime Minister, the ing at two snapshots in time, I found that this saying is not government, the Assembly and 2002 and 2005, I see great cause true. It was good to be back with NGO’s like NDI. They are already for optimism. so many old friends once again. assuming leadership roles and When the Kosovo Central the future of Kosovo indeed Yes there are always challenges Assembly was founded in late looks bright if these commi ed and daily events lend an air of 2001, I had the great honor and public servants stay in the pro- crisis to the political situation. But privilege to be in a position to cess. Their confi dence has grown at the end of the day, the funda- serve the new Members and tremendously in the years since mentals of Kosovo’s democratic the institution of the Assembly my arrival and this is, I believe, a institutions are sound. The gov- as the Country Director for the very positive development. ernment functions, the Central National Democratic Institute in Assembly moves forward and in Pristina. Our mission was clear, I noticed a greatly diminished a peace that was unimaginable to ensure that we did everything international presence since just six short years ago. in our power to strengthen the my departure in 2002, and this Assembly, provide support at too is, I believe, a positive long This year has the potential the request of Members of the term development. A partner- to deliver peace, stability and Assembly, and all political par- ship between Kosovars and prosperity for all the people ties as well. internationals is necessary of Kosovo, to break with the to ensure a smooth path to a recent tragic history of the Bal- To be able to return last month multi-ethnic democracy within kans. I hope with all my heart at the invitation of NDI’s Coun- Europe continues to be built. It that my old friends at every try Director Tom Bridle was a is also important however that level of politics and government chance of a lifetime. I returned Kosovo change from an inter- in Kosovo decide that this year to a Kosovo that I believe is on national dependency to a self they will choose to overcome the brink of history. sustaining member of the Euro- the political ba les of the day. I Atlantic community. I have hope they decide to be heroes, I noticed that the departure always believed that success for to make history. of Kosovo’s Prime Minister internationals means working , had not yourself out of a job and judging The future is Kosovo’s to win. ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE asiNEWSLETTER 9 Kosovo discussed by NATO Parliamentary Assembly

From 16-18 June 2005, the 60th Rose-Roth Seminar of NATO Parliamentary Assembly took place in Sveti Stefan, Montenegro. For the fi rst time such a seminar was organized in cooperation with the Parliament of the Republic of Montenegro.

Doina Ghimici, OSCE Mission in Kosovo

Serbia and Montenegro: leader. They both spoke in the Dusan Janjic, from the Forum Serbs in a Kosovo that is to “Reconciling integration and panel on inter-ethnic relations for Ethnic Relations, gave his a ain a new status. Within each fragmentation” was the topic together with Milorad Todoro- rather independent views that of the two sides a certain degree which members, associate mem- vic, Member of the Assembly were presented mainly from a of dissimilarity in perception bers and observers to NATO PA of and Montenegro and legal perspective. and interpretation do exists gathered to discuss with gov- former Member of the Assem- The seminar off ered diff erent but expectations are quite simi- ernmental and non-governmen- bly of Kosovo and Nenad actors an excellent opportunity lar. However, between the two tal experts and representatives Djurdjevic of Princeton Project to detail their stances and to iden- sides, the diff erence in under- of the international community. on Ethnic Relations. About the tify both reconcilable and non- standing regarding the status Quite a large number of speakers current and future role of the reconcilable elements of their quo and the way forward is vast. from the region, and representa- international community in positions vis-à-vis the future At the seminar for the fi rst time tives of the main international Kosovo, NATO parliamentar- of Kosovo and the modality of offi cial Belgrade provided a few organizations, gave their offi - ians were briefed by Francesco defi ning Kosovo’s future status. details on their already famous cial or independent views on Bastagli, DSRSG/Head of Pillar Unfortunately, the agreement but still enigmatic proposal for the current situation in Serbia II, Fernando Gentilini, Personal among the Kosovo Albanian “more than autonomy less than and Montenegro, the future of Representative of the EU High and Serbian sides was basically independence.” Without off er- the Union, the prospective of Representative for CFSP and limited to the acceptance of ing a clear alternative to Kosovo Euro-Atlanti c integration and Zsolt Rabai of NATO HQ. The the international community’s Albanian demand for indepen- the state of the security/defence offi cial position of Belgrade decision that 2005 is the year of dence, Serbs were speaking sector reform. The entire debate regarding Kosovo’s future/fi nal progress assessment and prog- about their readiness to engage of the last day was devoted to status was presented by Damjan ress towards solution, and that constructively in status talks Kosovo. Miskovic, foreign policy advi- substantial decentralisation, in whenever the talks may begin, In the morning session moder- sor to President Tadic and Alek- both political and administra- and to accept an atypical solu- ated by Petre Roman, represen- sandar Simic, legal advisor to tive terms, was the only way to tion, although their preference tative of the Club de Madrid and Prime Minister Kostunica, while secure a safe place for Kosovo would go towards “an extended former Prime Minister of Roma- autonomy with reliable interna- nia, two diff erent panels dis- tional guarantees.” cussed inter-ethnic relations in It was obvious that from the Kosovo and the role of the inter- international community a real- national community, respec- istic solution should evolve. At tively. The aV ernoon session a time when Europe was in the was entitled Kosovo: towards middle of a constitutional crisis, the fi nal status and was mod- though eager to give reassur- erated by William Montgom- ance on its commitment towards ery, former US Ambassador to Western Balkans, NATO parlia- Serbia and Montenegro. Follow- mentarians were wondering ing a practice established more whether the international com- than one year ago, OSCE Mis- munity will be able to redefi ne sion in Kosovo assisted NATO its engagement in Kosovo and to PA Secretariat in the prepara- guarantee a solution that would tion of the sessions on Kosovo reconcile the unstoppable pro- and facilitated the invitation cess towards independence with and participation of two Assem- previous international commit- bly Members, Veton Surroi and ments, off er highest assurance Enver Hoxhaj, who both spoke to Kosovo Serbs, make pos- in the last panel. The Kosovo sible the redressing of Kosovo’s government was represented by abysmal economic and social LuV i Haziri, Minister of Local situation and ensure Kosovo Self-Government, and the civil political leadership becomes society by , KAN more mature and responsible. ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE THE PRESIDENT OF KOSOVO 10 NEWSLETTERasi

President:

Minister Minister Minister Minister Minister Minister of Local of Finance and of Education, Science of Youth, Culture of Transport and of Public Government: Economy: and Technology: and Sports: Communications: Services:

Lutfi Haki Agim Astrit Qemajl Melihate HAZIRI SHATRI VELIU HARAÇIA AHMETI TËRMKOL

Deputy Minister Deputy Minister Deputy Minister of Deputy Minister Deputy Minister Deputy Minist of Local of Finance and Education, Science and of Youth, Culture and of Transport and of Public Servic Government: Economy: Technology: Sports: Communication:

Aziz Muharrem Fevzi Angjelina Hafi z Mark Ze LILA IBRAHIMI BERISHA KRASNIQI KRASNIQI KOMANI

Democratic League of Kosovo – LDK

Alliance for the Future of Kosovo – AAK

Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo – PSHDK

Democratic Party of Kosovo – PDK

Citizens List – ORA

Serbian Democratic Party of Kosovo and Metohija (SDS-KiM)

Minority Parties Fatmir Naim Xhavit SEJDIU MALOKU HALITI THE GOVERNMENT OF KOSOVO ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE asiNEWSLETTER

Prime Minister: Bajram KOSUMI Deputy Prime Minister:

Minister Minister Minister Minister Minister Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Trade and of Energy and of Labour and of Environment and of Forestry and Rural of Returns and Industry: Mining: Social Welfare: Spatial Planning: Health: Development: Communities:

e Bujar Et’hem Ibrahim Ardian Sadik Slaviša LLI DUGOLLI ÇEKU SELMANAJ GJINI IDRIZ PETKOVIĆ ter Deputy Minister Deputy Minister Deputy Minister Deputy Minister of Deputy Minister Deputy Minister of Deputy Minister ces: of Trade and of Energy and of Labour and Social Environment and Spatial of Agriculture, Forestry and of Returns and Industry: Mining: Welfare: Planning: Health: Rural Development: Communities:

ef Kadri Agron Lulzim Merxhan Astrit Tomë Ibush I KRYEZIU DIDA LECI AVDYLI AJETI HAJDARAJ BAJRAMI THE ASSEMBLY PRESIDENCY

President of Assembly: Nexhat DACI

KEY PERSONALITIES IN THE PROVISIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF SELF-GOVERNMENT Ramë Gazmend Džezair BUJA MUHAXHERI MURAT ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE 12 NEWSLETTERasi Mid-2005: Time for Review Andriani Mortoglou, OSCE Mission in Kosovo

he time for the mid-year status process.” the International Community is the beginning of status talks, Treview has arrived. Back in Despite its close link to the keen to convey to the PISG and although the outcome is not pre- November 2003, the announce- Standards process, the Review the people of Kosovo is that the determined. Such optimism has ment by Marc Grossman, the US will not be confi ned by the scope outcome of the comprehensive two origins: fi rst, recent eff orts in Under-Secretary of State for Polit- of the Standards for Kosovo and review is by no means a fore- Standards implementation have ical Aff airs at the time, that prog- will certainly go beyond a mere gone conclusion. Eide has been managed to impress the Inter- ress in the Standards for Kosovo re-assessment of the Standards authorized to conduct an objec- national Community. The Secu- would be assessed in mid-2005 and their priorities. Instead tive assessment, independently rity Council meeting on Kosovo with a view to launching status of focusing on the “technical” of UNMIK and based on his own of 27 May signaled a broad talks should this review be posi- aspects of the Standards, the fi ndings, and not to be guided in acknowledgement that progress tive, initiated a process that was Review will aim at analyzing his assessment by a pre-deter- has been made on the Standards meant to reach its peak this the overall political situation in mined outcome. That is why he - notwithstanding the nuances summer. As foreseen, on 4 June Kosovo, while also looking at will travel with his team around in the positions expressed by the 2005 the UN Secretary-General trends and future prospects for Kosovo talking to a broad and Security Council members about appointed Norwegian Ambas- continued and sustainable prog- diverse pool of people represent- how much success in Standards sador Kai Eide as his “Special ress in implementing Standards. ing diff erent interests, in order implementation is enough - and Envoy for the Comprehensive It is expected that key issues to gain a comprehensive under- unanimously accepted the ini- Review of Kosovo”. Eide and his examined will include the demo- standing of the complex realities tiation of the Comprehensive support team have already paid cratic performance of both central in Kosovo. The Envoy is also Review. And secondly, there their fi rst visit to Pristina and and local authorities, whether expected to visit the region and seems to be a policy shiV in Belgrade, and are now amidst people from all communities are the Contact Group capitals. He some capitals - notably in the their second visit. safe to move around, whether will then report to the UN Secre- US, as expressed by current According to the terms of displaced persons can return to tary General - possibly sometime Under-Secretary of State for reference of the Envoy, the their homes, whether property in September - his fi ndings and Political Aff airs Nicholas Burns Comprehensive Review is “in rights are enforced, and whether recommendations on the way in his statement to the Congress furtherance of the UN’s respon- reform of local government is ahead, notably whether status on 18 May - towards “Standards sibility in Kosovo according to moving forward. Already during talks should begin and if so, what and Status,”1 thereby lowering Resolution 1244, which includes his fi rst visit to Kosovo, Eide are the modalities that should be expectations of achievements facilitating a political process encouraged the PISG to swiV ly followed in the process. necessary to precede the initia- designed to determine Kosovo’s make tangible progress in local tion of status talks. future status. The Review will government reform, signaling Standards for before, In his speech to the Security provide a basis for the Secretary- the centrality the decentraliza- during and aV er status Council on 27 May, the SRSG General’s political judgment on tion process is likely to be given The leadership of the PISG Søren Jessen-Petersen argued whether the situation is condu- in his review. has reasons to be optimistic that that it was not only in the inter- cive to the initiation of the future One important message that the Review will recommend est of Pristina to se le the issue of Kosovo’s status, but also of Belgrade and the entire region, as it would contribute to its sta- bility. He also proposed that with status resolution “and therefore an end to the uncertainty, we will see much more signifi cant results on issues such as returns, freedom of movement, and the economy. Status resolution will also have clear regional benefi ts, including for regional dialogue and trade... Leaving it pending will delay regional integration and adversely aff ect the inter- ests of all…” However, this message cannot ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE asiNEWSLETTER 13

be read as encouraging PISG complacency to wait before making further progress in the areas targeted by the Standards. Status cannot be seen a panacea to the problems facing Kosovo. Instead, progress on the Stan- dards remains central in moving forward the political processes in Kosovo, not because they have been an integral part of the policy “Standards before Status”, but because of their substantive role in encouraging multi-ethnic- ity, dialogue, democratic values, without which no status se le- ment could be easily be reached or take root in Kosovo. As prog- ress on the Standards during and aV er talks will provide the foun- dations for the sustainability of a political se lement, neither the Review nor the start of status talks -whenever it takes place - would mean the end of Stan- dards implementation. So, Standards implemen- tation should continue. This was argued by Prime Minister Kosumi in his speech opening the Kosovo Assembly debate of 23 June on the Standards, link- ing it to Kosovo’s prospects for European integration. And the Kosovo Assembly responded by acknowledging the progress made so far, but also asking the Government for more Standards, more eff orts and more progress. Of course, the role of the Kosovo Assembly is not only to “scruti- nize” Government achievements, but also to assist, support, guide and implement the Standards itself. In that sense, the Assem- bly carries its own responsibility in ensuring that the Standards remain as a top priority on Koso- vo’s agenda.

1It is worth noting that Kai Eide himself had recommended this shiV of policy in his 2004 report that followed the March violence. ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE 14 NEWSLETTERasi Controversial Kosovo-Serb minister Following the interview with Oliver Ivanovic in the seventeenth edition of ASI Newle er, the current edition includes a portrait of Slavisa Peetkovic, Minister for Communities and Returns. Zoran Culafi c, a freelance journalist from Belgrade

lavisa Petkovic was confi rmed some analysts and international Sas Minister for Communities political circles as a possible break- and Returns in the cabinet of then ing point that could support some Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj signals of a new Belgrade policy on 26 January 2005. Since then, Serb voiced explicitly recently by Dusan politicians, both in Kosovo and Batakovic, a Kosovo issues advisor Belgrade, continue to refuse recog- to President of Serbia Boris Tadic. nizing him as a relevant political Batakovic strongly advocated fi gure. Moreover, Petkovic is prac- an end of political boyco that tically ignored by almost all senior was in place since the March 2004 Serb offi cials. They emphasize violence in Kosovo, and such pos- that he garnered only 269 votes in sible emergence of a new Belgrade the 2004 Election, to only become policy was recognized offi cially in aV erwards an exclusive represen- Batakovic’s public statement tative of Serbs in Kosovo. In fact, Belgrade daily ‘Kurir’ claims to Belgrade who lives here; therefore “In Kosovo, barring lesser excep- Petkovic is perceived by these cir- posses some evidence that Pet- we must take responsibility for tions, pro-active, strategically well cles as a fi gure without any politi- kovic was a prominent member our own future. We people from thought-up and fi ne-tuned Serb cal signifi cance who serves only his of notorious Serbian Secret Police Kosovo and Metohij a should no policy has not been put in place or self-interests, and as a make-up for Special Operations Unit (JSO) that longer allow Belgrade to tailor our pursued for the last 15 years. Now and the inter- was disbanded only aV er the assas- destiny by its policy. We should the moment is ripe to put in place national community as proof that sination on then Prime Minister of no longer allow Belgrade parties a dynamic policy by dint of new, Kosovo is a multiethnic society. So Serbia, Zoran Djindjic, while sev- to order us to choose their party realistic and tenable initiatives,” far, there is no indication that any eral senior commanders stand trial cadres as our representatives in Batakovic said. senior Belgrade politicians con- today in Belgrade court charged Kosovo and Metohij a.” This was Although Belgrade will probably tacted Petkovic, or would do so with a number of murders and one of the fi rst statements of Min- never acknowledge publicly the in near future, in order to facilitate serious crimes. Petkovic himself ister Petkovic who argues that he positive role of Minister Petkovic, and accelerate the return process confi rmed publicly a month aV er can manage to resolve the Kosovo his emergence on the political of internally displaced people, his appointment on UNMIK On- Serb issue with Kosovo Albanian scene could be regarded as a posi- the issue that Belgrade claims is Air that he “fought in three wars leaders and does not need any tive move, also seen in connection of utmost importance for the Serb as a police offi cer” during the 90’s, involvement of Belgrade. with the evident change of the community in Kosovo. but did not elaborate further. While it is too early to elaborate Serbian political language dealing On June 25, 2005 Petkovic However, his fi rst public state- if Petkovic will succeed in making with Kosovo issue. founded the Serbian Democratic ments (prior to the October 2004 any signifi cant diff erence in While this positive momentum Party of Kosovo and Metohij a election) were highly praised both Kosovo’s highly polarized politi- should be praised and strongly (SDS-KiM), as a political succes- by international community and cal landscape, it is obvious that supported, there are still many sor of his Civic Initiative Serbia Kosovo Albanians as a new and he could act as an ignition point unanswered questions as to that brought him to his present encouraging language that was for speeding up of another par- whether the Kosovo Serb political position. rarely heard in the past from the liamentary Serb political group, community will fi nd a common Born in Urosevac/Ferizaj in 1966, Serbian side. Considering that fact headed by Oliver Ivanovic, to join platform to benefi t from this Petkovic graduated from second- as a good ground for initiation of Kosovo’s institutions without any momentum rather then deepen- ary school and had no political a new approach toward Kosovo, further delay. Petkovic publicly ing its own political crisis which is experience prior to the October a number of senior international threatened that he would a empt threatening to severely marginal- 2004. Hashim Thaci’s Democratic offi cials strongly emphasized that to take the eight seats reserved for ize them in the most decisive year Party of Kosovo voted in the Belgrade should not ignore but Ivanovic’s Serb List for Kosovo for Kosovo in modern times. How- Assembly of Kosovo against his rather talk to the only Serb in the and Metohij a if Ivanovic contin- ever, the key international actors appointment, accusing him pub- Kosovo Government about the ued to refuse to actively take up should adopt more sensitive and licly that he participated in a Ser- return of the Serbs and other polit- his mandates in Assembly. constructive approach in order to bian paramilitary unit during the ical issues. At the same time, and more facilitate more fruitful Serb-Alba- 1998-99 confl ict in Kosovo. The “It’s us and not somebody from importantly, Petkovic is viewed by nian relations. ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE asiNEWSLETTER 15 Interview with Štrpce/Shtërpcë Municipal President Stanko Jakovljević “A role model municipality that is left aside by the central institutions”

r. President, can you tell us some- With Kacanik Municipality We can also be perceived as been employed in surround- Mthing about co-operation and there are not many contacts. an example in regards to free- ing municipalities before the interaction between Štrpce/Shtërpcë Munic- The only institution of this dom of movement. The ski war. Now, all these citizens ipality and the Kosovo Government? municipality whose representa- season this winter proved what are unemployed and leV with- Unfortunately, there is not tive I have offi cially met was the I am saying now, as no single out any comprehensive and much positive to say regarding Police Station Commander. He incident occurred, although institutionalized social assist- interaction. Why? First of all, assured me that in the territory frequency of tourists, Kosovo ance. Nobody takes care about Strpce offi cials, and especially covered by the Kacanik KPS the Albanians, was high. them. Neither social programs the Strpce Municipal President, security for Kosovo Serbs pass- implemented in the privatized are not being invited to Prish- ing through on their way to If we talk about the needs of companies, nor KTA or Inter- tinë/Priština for any kind of Skopje is guaranteed. I believe Štrpce/Shtërpcë Municipality, national Community secured consultations and discussions. that will be reality. what would you mention as its social assistance for those We are leV aside. I have to criti- As far as and priorities? people. The Republic of Serbia cize that. Being a model multi- Prizren Municipalities are con- I would say a few words is the only side that allocates ethnic municipality, we should cerned, we have no contacts related to economy here. Strpce some small amounts for them. have the opportunity to give with them so far. It is notewor- is a signifi cant municipality Their survival in this territory our feedback and contributions thy that Strpce has accommo- for yet another feature: a huge is questioned and it is just a to developments. Another issue dated a large number of Kosovo number of its inhabitants had ma er of time and opportunity is the disrespect for the use of Serb IDPs from Prizren, but when will these inhabitants offi cial languages by the Kosovo there was no signifi cant sign by leave Strpce for Central Serbia. Government. Namely, whatever this Municipality to cooperate documentation we receive from with Strpce in regards to return We want to revive all the com- the Central Government, it is of Kosovo Serbs. It remains to panies in Strpce that are now in being supplied in Albanian lan- be seen when discussion, espe- the grey zone without any pro- guage only. We are determined cially with Prizren Municipal- duction for years. to supply our civil servants and ity will start. municipal councilors with all How would you describe your the documentation in both Ser- What would you emphasize as the co-operation so far with the OSCE bian and Albanian languages. best practices in Štrpce/Shtërpcë Offi ce in Štrpce/Shtërpcë and Having the documents from Municipality that can be shared the overall OSCE Mission and PISG in Albanian only signifi - with other municipalities? Kosovo? cantly increases the workload Strpce is a municipality with I have very good cooperation of our interpreters and slows genuine multi-ethnic institu- with OSCE as organization, down the overall performance. tions, where the Kosovo Albanian and of course I am in clos- minority is able to exercise all the est contact with the Offi ce in What are the current relations of rights: there is representation of Štrpce/Shtërpcë. I consult the Štrpce/Shtërpcë Municipality with Kosovo Albanians in local self- OSCE colleagues whenever I the neighboring municipalities? government, Kosovo Police Serv- have a concern related to the Strpce Municipality borders ice, Municipal Court, etc. They self-governance. I am especially upon four other municipalities: have been integrated into the soci- thankful to OSCE Offi ce Štrpce/ Urosevac (Ferizaj), Kacanik, ety, and this should represent the Shtërpcë for all the eff orts they Suva Reka and Prizren. With example of good practice. I would put in helping us set up all the Urosevac (Ferizaj) and its recommend all other municipali- standing commi ees. They are Municipal President, there are ties Kosovo wide to do the same also assisting us in forming the certain a empts to establish as Strpce did. I am assured that, village network and inclusion co-operation, especially over as far as the minority – majority of rural structures for the sake return issues, as we have high coexistence is concerned, Kosovo of improvement of communica- number of IDPs from Urosevac Serbs in other municipalities tion with citizens. (Ferizaj), which are accommo- would not ask for more than we dated in Strpce since 1999. achieved in our territory. Interview by: Milosava Banašević ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE 16 NEWSLETTERasi In pace with standards Isuf Demaj, Secretary to the Assembly of Kosovo

he administration of the The total number of TAssembly of Kosovo, employed staff in the throughout the last years, administration of the has achieved considerable Assembly is 139, out of progress. This was mainly due which 60 have fourth level to the uncompromised internal education, 6 have third engagements and activities on level education and 73 raising and consolidating the have secondary education. capacities of the Assembly. To The ethnic structure is as date, through the ‘Project for follows: 119 Kosovo Alba- Support of the Assembly’ of nians, 10 Kosovo Serbs, 7 European Agency for Recon- Kosovo Turks and 3 from struction, the Assembly has other communities. As been supported in its process for the gender structure, of building its capacities. This 79 staff are male and 60 support, above all, was evi- female. dent in the enlargement of the organizational structure of the Assembly by rationalizing com- petencies and responsibilities in system for storing and electronic cedural advices off ered by staff Of the yearly budget, 42% was the Assembly, its administration archiving of data for administra- and the professional expertise spent through July 2005. For the and its presidency. tion of Assembly and plenary. for deputies and commi ees. next year, it is foreseen that the Nonetheless, signifi cant budget for Assembly of Kosovo improvements were made as a Institutional development Challenges and priorities will increase 40 percent in com- result of the support on unifi ed In the prism of enhancement The continued challenge that parison with 2005, aggregating a implementation of the rules of of the section for legal and pro- the Assembly administration sum of around 10 million euro. procedure and further enhance- cedural support for Assembly faces is the creation of correct An important challenge for ment of the rules on staff . In commi ees, legal and proce- basic principles of work. These administration of the Assembly addition, training of administra- dural support is one of the main principles include the principle is the maintenance of its build- tive staff has led to an increase of activities that the administra- of respecting legality, the princi- ing, for which it oV en meets the number of services that the tion of Assembly off ers to com- ple of impartiality during work, with considerable diffi culties. administration off ers to plenary mi ees, the presidency, plenary the principle of fair presentation This was mainly due to the fact sessions and commi ee meet- sessions and parliamentary in civil servants – especially in that the building is overloaded ings, with special emphasis on groups. During the last man- monitoring and implementa- as within its walls are situated processing and harmonizing the date, the capacities of the staff tion of procedures that aim at the staff of the President of legislation with proper criteria. to support commi ees were enforcement of non-discrimina- Kosovo, staff of Prime Minister Just recently, we are experienc- under the required level by tory policies in regard to person- and Ministry of Transport and ing a support on further devel- the deputies and commi ees. nel – and the principle of pro- Post-telecommunications. opment of relations with other For this reason, the Assembly fessionalism during the work of In the spirit of professionalism Provisional Institutions of Self- in co-operation with partners administration of the Assembly. and co-operation with presi- Government (PISG) and meas- of Assembly Support Initiative Meeting the abovementioned dency of Assembly, parliamen- ures for augmenting the interac- – ASI, have carried out concrete principles at the same time tary groups and Ministry Public tion between the Assembly and actions for raising the profes- makes possible the a ainment Services, the administration has civil society. sional capacities of the employ- of set priorities for an effi cient accomplished desirable results. In the scope of the project ‘Sup- ees that support the work of all and transparent administration. The intent for the future is that port to Parliamentary Electronic bodies of Assembly. An additional challenge is the administration off ers a cata- Archive in Kosovo’ (SPEAK), the Raising the skills of staff the budget of the Assembly logue of services that would Assembly administration has through workshops organized of Kosovo, which for 2005 is be of appropriate quality and benefi ted in storing the offi cial by partners, ASI and the ‘Project around 7 million euros, a sum quantity. These are the stand- data and offi cial gaze e. The for Support of the Assembly’, that is distributed to deputies, ards that the administration of project has accomplished its has had a positive impact on the Assembly administration the Assembly is working on and goals through the creation of the the quality of judicial and pro- and the Assembly president. aiming to fulfi l. ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE asiNEWSLETTER 17 Support to the Assembly of Kosovo

Enhancing quality and multi-lingual SPEAK to hand-over to the consistency of draft legislation Assembly in August 2005 his Project has over the last two months continued to give legal he Project ‘Support for Parliamentary Electronic Archive in Tand linguistic support to Commi ees, enhance the institutional TKosovo’ (SPEAK) is in the stage of hand-over, foreseen for capacities and maintain the website of Assembly of Kosovo. The August 2005. An electronic system for document management Legal Standardization/Revision Unit continued to support six (SEMD) will be handed over to the Assembly together with Commi ees. The Unit supported the Commi ee on Health, Work the permanent license, technical support until October 2006, and Social Welfare for the fi nalization of the amendments on the professional soV ware for scanning and optical recognition (OCR draV law on Health Insurance. In the scope of the institutional and ICR) of symbols and appropriate technical equipment. The capacity building, a report was prepared on the advantages and project was realized with the fi nancial support of European compliance with international and European standards of the Agency for Reconstruction (EAR) and Norwegian Government Rules of Procedure. Furthermore, upon the request from Assembly; and support from the United Nations Development Program the legal expert has prepared a new draV law on Conditions of (UNDP) and the Inter-parliamentary Union. Also, an Information Employment for the Personnel of the Assembly of Kosovo and Center for Parliamentary Governance was established by the draV regulation on the organisation and functioning of the Assembly of Kosovo and National and University Library of Assembly. In addition, the website of Assembly of Kosovo has Kosovo that would enhance interaction between citizens and been maintained and updated regularly. These activities included Assembly Members. In this center, every citizen interested about changing format of certain sections of the website, rearrangement parliamentary governance can fi nd needed information for of Homepage layout and translation of content. The Project is parliamentary life in Kosovo, as well as information regarding being fi nanced by the OSCE and implemented by the Institut other parliaments. During all this period the Center promoted International de Paris La Defense. deliberations on prevailing topics from parliamentary life, with satisfactory participation of Members of the Assembly, as well as of citizens. (Information by Ali Caka, UNDP/IPU) Assembly starts using electronic voting system uring the session of 24 June 2005, the Assembly of Kosovo Education Committee of the Assembly Dfi nally started using the electronic voting system. A large series of amendments to the draV laws under discussion were voted supported in drafting education strategy electronically without any problem. AV er a check of the system two n the second week of June 2005, Mr. Reij o Aholainen, education weeks earlier, it appeared that the system was fully functional and Iexpert from Finland, started to support the Commi ee on the technical staff was suffi ciently trained and highly motivated to Education, Science, Technology, Youth, Culture and Sports of start using the system. The caucus leaders were informed about the the Assembly of Kosovo. The education expert has been hired status of the system. AV er a meeting with OSCE Head of Mission, by OSCE upon the request of the Commi ee. He will assist in the President of the Assembly decided to start using the system draV ing an education strategy and a working plan to strengthen immediately. A representative of the OSCE joined the technical the role of the parliamentary Commi ee in the area of education. staff during the preparations of the votes and during the session, During the upcoming four months the Commi ee will be given in order to monitor the use of the system. A detailed report with expert advice on several education related draV laws, overseeing recommendations on the further fi ne-tuning of the system will be implementation of promulgated education legislation and published shortly. developing a multi-year education strategy. The Project will be concluded by a conference towards the end of September 2005 where the Commi ee on Education, Science, Technology, Youth, Culture and Sports will present its multi-year strategy and working plan.

Capacity building retreat for interns of the parliamentary groups n June 1-2, the OSCE organized a retreat for the interns of Othe LDK, PDK, AAK, ORA and 6+ parliamentary groups, in the framework of the Internship Programme in the Assembly ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE 18 NEWSLETTERasi of Kosovo. The aim of the retreat was to prepare the interns for PISG and the preparations for the dialogue process. The problem meeting the organizational and administrative responsibilities of the relatively weak political engagement of minorities within delegated to them by heads of the Parliamentary Groups and the parliamentary procedures was also discussed. equip interns with practical writing, research and organization skills that will help them throughout the course of their internship. The fi rst day of the retreat was focused in raising the common OSCE prepares support to the Committee on the understanding of the interns on the role of the parliamentary Rights and Interests of Communities groups in the light of the approval of the new rules of procedure of Assembly of Kosovo and the legislative process. The second n early July OSCE held a meeting with the chairperson and day introduced templates of writing skills, offi ce management Ithe deputy chairpersons of the Commi ee on the Rights and research skills that interns can use during their work. Based and Interests of Communities of the Assembly of Kosovo. The on the needs and requirements of the parliamentary groups, purpose of the meeting was to identify problems in the work of OSCE might organize supplementary assistance to interns. the Commi ee and ways in which the Mission can support it in fulfi lling its responsibility to oversee the executive and legislative processes as they relate to the rights and interests of communities. Reprint of Glossary of Parliamentary The chairperson and deputy chairpersons reported that, due to strong internal divisions among members, a lack of legal capacities and Legal Terms and the failure of the PISG to respond to their initiatives, the he OSCE Mission in Kosovo has made a reprint of the earlier Commi ee has not yet been able to credibly represent the interests Tpublished Glossary of Parliamentary and Legal Terms. The of communities. OSCE is looking into possible mechanisms that fi rst 1,000 copies of the three lingual glossaries were distributed would support the commi ee’s legislative capacities and its role throughout legal offi ces and translation cells of the PISG. Due to in executive oversight. the huge interest of local institutions and experts, OSCE made an additional 500 copies of the Glossary. Institutions and experts that would like to get a copy of the Glossary can contact OSCE Mission in Kosovo, via

Publication of Rules of Procedures of Assembly of Kosovo he OSCE Mission in Kosovo in co-operation with the TFriedrich-Ebert-StiV ung has completed a publication in four languages English/Albanian/Serbian/Turkish on Rules of Procedure of Assembly of Kosovo. The content of the publication includes the new Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of Kosovo, relevant extracts from the Government Rules of Procedure and Constitutional Framework to Assembly of Kosovo.

Assembly Support Initiative (ASI) planning for 2005/2006 he main organizations participating in the Assembly Support TInitiative (ASI) met for a two-day retreat, on 28-29 May, to discuss prevailing problems in the functioning of the Assembly, the progress and current obstacles in project implementation, as well as to establish priorities and review perspectives for a stronger cooperation within the ASI framework. Representatives from OSCE, NDI, UNDP/IPU, the EAR-Consortium and the US Offi ce a ended the retreat. More specifi cally, ASI organizations have discussed the upcoming support to the Assembly Secretariat, conduct of the plenary sessions, Assembly Presidency, parliamentary groups and Parliamentary Commi ees. Forthcoming major policy issues were considered in so far as they relate to the Assembly such as the expected transfer of more competencies, the decentralization process, strengthening internal accountability mechanisms of the ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE asiNEWSLETTER 19 A Census for Kosovo

The purpose of a census is to collect and process demographic, social and economic data in order to take a “snapshot” of all people residing in a territory at a specifi c point in time. Katja Salsbäck, OSCE Mission in Kosovo

he PISG, supported by gives the Central Commission of TUNMIK, has begun prepa- the Census the task of overseeing rations for a population and and coordinating the planned housing census that aims to census. The Kosovo Assembly gather data on the size, structure on 23 March 2005 endorsed the and geographic distribution of Commission and gave the Min- Kosovo’s population. As there is ister of Public Services, Melihate no accurate up-to-date data on Termkolli, the chairmanship. A the population, the Kosovo insti- main function of the Commis- tutions have oV en had to rely sion is to supervise the work of on guesswork in formulating the Statistical Offi ce of Kosovo, policy. By updating 25 year-old which is an Executive Agency of information, the Kosovo census the Ministry of Public Services will rectify this situation and and tasked with executing the provide a basis for sound poli- census operation. The Statistical cies covering a range of issues, Offi ce is currently preparing the including poverty reduction, census, and will also be respon- economic growth, improved sible for counting, analysis, and be internationally recognised. The census will cost several health, and education. dissemination of results. In the case of Kosovo, it is likely million euros. Most of the fund- The census is planned for April Counting all people and dwell- that special counts of individuals ing is expected to come from 2006, but, due to the extensive ings in a territory, and residents who are abroad involuntarily or donors, but the Kosovo Con- preparations required, the fi nal temporarily absent, is a phe- voluntarily will be organised in solidated Budget will also pro- decision on the timing of the nomenal logistical undertaking close connection with the census vide a significant contribution. census has not yet been made. that requires advanced technical operation. A donor conference to raise the Although important details of capacity. In Kosovo, the govern- The issue of inclusion is related funds is expected. The census the politically sensitive opera- ment and UNMIK also have to to the defi nition and aim of a budget will cover the entire tion have yet to be determined, grapple with complex political census. A population census is exercise from creating reli- it is clear that the PISG, as well issues, such as which groups to neither a civil registration, nor is able maps, training staff, and as NGOs and the international include among those who have it usually related to citizenship. mobilizing the public, to the community, desperately needs been away from Kosovo for a Rather, it is the process of collect- counting operation and subse- reliable data on Kosovo’s popu- long period of time, for example ing and processing demographic, quent data analysis and pub- lation. The UN recommends that IDPs in Serbia and Montene- social and economic data for lication. Thousands of people censuses be organised every ten gro, refugees, and the Diaspora. development planning; it can be in Kosovo will be employed as years; in Kosovo the last com- Kosovo’s Census Regulation No seen as taking a snapshot of all part of the exercise, especially prehensive census took place in 2004/53 states that the defi ni- people residing in a territory at a to do the counting of the entire 1981 – which is 25 years before tion of “resident population” specifi c point in time. population. the one planned next year. The for census purposes should be The Census Law imposes an It is yet too early to say Statistical Offi ce of then Socialist decided in coordination with obligation on people in Kosovo whether outstanding practi- Federal Republic of the SRSG. According to interna- to respond to the census ques- cal and political issues will be organised a census in 1991, but tional standards a census does tions, which may cover topics resolved in time for the Kosovo the results are incomplete since not generally include individu- such as age, residence, educa- census to take place as planned most Kosovo Albanians did not als who have been absent from tion, occupation, language, in April 2006, or whether the take part. a territory for more than 12 and ethnicity – the last ques- count will have to be postponed. The Law on the Housing and months. Exceptions can be made tion being voluntary. The Law Regardless, it is clear that a suc- Population Census in Kosovo, and special arrangements and guarantees the complete protec- cessful census in Kosovo would adopted by the Assembly on 11 counts can be organized, but if tion of personal information of contribute greatly to more well- July 2003, and promulgated by the census signifi cantly deviates respondents, and data can only founded policies by the local the SRSG on 13 December 2004, from standards results may not be used for statistical purposes. authorities. ASSEMBLY SUPPORT INITIATIVE NEWSLETTERasi

ASSEMBLYasi SUPPORT INITIATIVE NEWSLETTER

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Calendar of events November 3-6 / Dubrovnik/Croatia / Date / Place / Organizer / Title / Participants / Issues Friedrich Ebert Foundation / Parliamentary Conference: The European Economic and Social Model. The September 11-13 (tbc) / contribution of parliaments for social justice and economic development / Cetinje/Montenegro / MPs involved in EU economic and social aff airs / Parliament of Montenegro & Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro / - European Economic and Social Model - Economic and employment policy 7th Cetinje Parliamentary Forum - Meeting of the Commi ees on Finance - Social and fi scal policy - Policies for a social Europe / and Budgeting / Heads and members of the Commi ees on Finance and Budgeting / November 7-10 (tbc) / - Budgeting process in the Parliament - Supreme Audit procedures and reports in the Belgrade/Serbia / parliament -Parliamentary budgeting / Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe/Commi ee on Culture, Science and Education / September 18-23 / Workshop focussed on the Education and Citizenship 2005 – campaign / Vienna/Austria / Involvement of parliaments in the activities to: International Monetary Fund & Joint Vienna Institute / - Strengthen democratic societies by fostering and perpetuating a vibrant democratic Macroeconomic Policy Seminar for Parliamentarians from Bosnia and culture - Create a sense of belonging and commitment to democratic society -Raise Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro / awareness of shared fundamental values / Parliamentarians involved in fi nancial and economic issues / - Role and functions of the IMF - Country Financial Programmes - Recent Economic November 15/16 / Developments and Outlook for the Balkan Region - Fiscal Transparency and Tax Prague/Czech Republic / Reform - Financial System and Banking Reform - Monetary and Exchange rate Stability Pact on SEE / Policy - Governance-Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Money Laundering Meeting of the Regional Table and Working Table Meetings / - Promoting Investment and the Importance of Structural Reforms / Parliamentarians from SEE /

October 6-8 / November 27-29 (tbc) / Milocer/Montenegro / Cetinje/Montenegro / OSCE Parliamentary Assembly / Parliament of Montenegro & Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro / Annual Meeting / 8th Cetinje Parliamentary Forum - Meeting of the Commi ees on Legislation / Delegations of the SEE Parliaments to the PA of the OSCE / Heads and Members of the Commi ees on Legislation / - Legislative procedure - Rules of procedure / October 17/18 (tbc) / Skopje/Macedonia / December 8-9 / Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe/Commi ee on Migration, Thessaloniki/Greece / Refugees and Population / King Baudouin Foundation & European Commission / Workshop on Migration and Refugees / Seminar for Parliamentarians from SEE on traffi cking in human beings, MPs from SEE and PACE (including from Southern Caucasus) involved in illegal migration, labour migration, asylum and ma ers related to visa issues / issues of asylum and migration 3 MPs from each parliament involved in this issue / - Displaced and missing persons, refugees / - Latest acquis and development, EU’s measures in the area of asylum and migration /