Opinion: Scrapping Article 38 Won’t Help Kosovo Media’s Cause

June 22 - July 5, 2012 Issue No. 91 www.prishtinainsight.com Price € 1 Best-Selling NEWS Kosovo History Two-thirds of Upsets Albanians Kosovo Water Lost and Serbs

A Kosovo Albanian Professor has succeeded in annoying both historians in Serbia and also those from > page 2 his home country. NEWS Jusuf Buxhovi’s trilogy on Serbia Still Bent on Kosovo’s history, published in February, claims among ‘Abusing’ Kosovo other things that Issue Albanians, not Greeks, > page 3 founded the city of Troy. NEWS See Page 5 Kosovo Task Force Probes Mystery of Kosovo Pollution Costing the Earth Asanaj's Death Pollution of Kosovo’s air, land and water is costing the country’s economy up to 330 million euro a year, sending > page 4 thousands to an early grave and could even spark conflict with its neighbour Serbia, two new reports by the FEATURE World Bank have warned. Round-up: Justice Danube, could lead to conflict which receives untreated waste- Poisoned Wells By Lawrence Marzouk, Bujar Aruqaj between the troubled neighbours. water from the divided town of in Kosovo “This is a significant trans- Mitrovica, before the river enters The World Bank believes that > page 12 and 13 rishtina’s air is four times boundary concern,” the report Serbia, and later the Danube. groundwater, used by up to a third more polluted with the most warns. “There is no treatment of the of the population for drinking INSIDE PRISHTINA Pdangerous, PM2.5 particles wastewater collected, which water in Kosovo, is also polluted Prishtina’s than international safe levels, Water Conflict includes both domestic and indus- and a health risk, particularly to according to new data released by trial wastewaters,” the report children. Blazing Heat the World Bank. The World Bank’s Water reads. “The pollution of groundwater This – alongside land polluted Security for Central Kosovo “Prishtina city is discharging is growing due to new building by heavy metals, slurry filled report, released earlier this its wastewater in the Sitnica River and the absence of pollution pre- rivers, illegal land-filling and month, reveals concerns of poten- which is flowing back into the vention mechanisms. deforestation – cost Kosovo tial conflict between Kosovo and Ibër. Mitrovica wastewater is “Groundwater resources are between 123 to 323 million euro in Serbia over river pollution. directly discharged into the Ibër therefore increasingly contami- 2010, or between 2.9 to 7.7 per cent Currently there is no sewage River. nated. If nothing is done this > page 18 of GDP. The figure includes lost treatment facility in Kosovo, mean- “This presents potentially a trend will reduce the water avail- time due to illness, costs to the ing that wastewater from threat for human health locally, able for human consumption health sector and cost of land Prishtina’s growing population and may become a source of con- especially in rural areas in the rehabilitation, among others. flows straight into the river Sitnica, flict with the downstream riparian future.” The World Bank is also warning which runs under the city. (Serbia).” Tests in 2009 on wells and local that the current practice of wash- Unregulated industrial waste from “All the necessary steps to ease springs found that 90 per cent of Kosovo’s only English-language ing all of Prishtina’s sewage into the country’s aging power plants, tension for this transboundary samples were contaminated with newspaper is available: the Sitnica River, which then runs Kosovo A and B, and small factories matter should be taken by nitrates and fecal matter. through the capital into the Ibar/ also flow into the river, untreated. Kosovar Authorities,” the report Delivered to Ibër, then into Serbia and later the The Sitnica then enters the Iber, concludes. continues page 2 Your Door

Macedonia Closes Another Turkish PM’s Son-in-Law From Newsstands Critical Media Outlet Clinches KEK Sale across Kosovo

The revocation of the licence comes just The Turkish corporations, Limak and Sent To as the TV recently started to air news bul- Calik, are poised to jointly take over Your Inbox letins and live political panels and to hire Kosovo’s electricity distribution network some of the journalists who previously after outbidding opposition from Egypt’s worked in A1. Elsewedy Electricity. From But the council's explanation for its Limak, which already runs Prishtina our partners action is that “the TV failed to meet the International Airport... neighbourhod licence criteria”... page 8 business page 7 see page 16 for more info

is supported by: 2 June 22 - July 5, 2012 news Kosovo Pollution Costing the Earth from page 1 ed that the high levels of popula- Ghana with 49.8 and tion are responsible for 850 deaths Antanananrivo of Madagascar Of those who are not connected and up to 11,000 medical emergen- with 59. to piped water, 90 per cent are sup- cies a year. All Prishtina measurements plied by water from shallow wells Levels of PM2.5, tiny particles were taken at the the Rilindja and boreholes, which are highly which are damaging to the health, building in the heart of the capital. vulnerable to pollution. were measured at 40 micrograms Levels of PM2.5 reached 106.62 In the plain of the Ibër and per cubic meter on average micrograms per cubic meter in Sitnica, which covers most of the between 2010 and 2011 – four times January 2011 - more than ten times areas around Prishtina, Mitrovica the World Heath Organisation rec- the WHO limit. and Drenas, ground water is “often ommended limit. Levels of the less harmful, large contaminated”, leading to children At 40 micrograms per cubic particles, PM10, averaged at just Sitnica river, which runs through Prishtina and into the Ibar. suffering water-related diseases. meter, Pristina is significantly under 80 micrograms per cubic The report calls on the Kosovo worse than most cities in the meter for the same period four WB has decided to help the govern- Costing the Earth government to draw up a “strategic Europe and the Western world. times the WHO limit. However, this ment by building a new power plant sector masterplan” for the water Sydney, in 2009 recorded levels of was lower than many other that would pollute the environment Pollution is costing Kosovo up to supply and seek donor funding to 7 micrograms per cubic meter, European capitals, including less - and that’s their biggest argu- 330 million euro a year, mostly as roll out piped water to all the popu- according to UN data. Sarajevo which registered 117 ment in their support for Kosova e a result of air pollution, and lead lation and build wastewater treat- Germany’s industrial city micrograms per cubic meter in Re project,” Shahini said, referring in the soil. to the World Bank backed scheme to ment facilities. Stuttgart , birthplace of cars and 2008. “Kosovo faces serious social engines, was just 15.5 in 2008. build a new 600 MW power plant on The World Bank believes that and economic impacts from poor- According to World Health the outskirts of Prishtina. Air Pollution higher pollution levels during win- ly managed polluting activities Organizations data, the average ter are largely due to increased use “This sort of argument is mistak- and could make huge gains from According to the World Bank value of PM 2.5 in London is 13.5, of inefficient home heating, pow- en because its starts from the prem- remedial actions to protect and report, Kosovo Country or about three times lower than in ered by lignite and wood. ise that Kosovo should necessarily restore the quality of the environ- Environmental Analysis, Prishtina Prishtina. The biggest overall polluters are fulfill its energetic needs by extract- ment.” is three times more polluted than Even the Polish industrial city of the country’s two coal plants, ing and burning the low quality Added to air and lead, inade- London in terms of toxic small par- Krakow, home to Philip Morris, Kosovo A and B in Obilic, on the coal its has.” quate waste collection and dispos- ticles in the air, called PM2.5. Feneral Electric, Motorola and outskirts of the city. Shahini said that instead, the al is estimated to cost up to 31 mil- Some 31 percent of all patients in IBM, registered 36.2 in 2008. According to the report, about first step should be to curtail elec- the Kosovo health system have res- Prishtina’s pollution levels were, 835 premature deaths per year are tricity losses of 40 per cent from lion euro a year, as a result of the piratory problems and it is estimat- however, surpassed by Accra in caused by air pollution in the coun- theft, technical problems and cost of illegal dumpsites and on try. unpaid bills. property prices. In addition, there are approxi- After that, she said, renewable The total health costs related to Lead Poisoning mately 310 cases of chronic bron- energy should be properly explored. inadequate water supply, sanita- chitis and 11,600 emergency visits. “These in addition to the invest- tion and hygiene as well as heavy igh levels of lead across childhood, Besa Shahini, coordinator at the ments to improve Kosovo B power metal water pollution of surface the country, caused by while children in Zvecan and Kosovo Civil Society Consortium plants and the closure of Kosovo A, waters are equivalent to up to 20 Hindustry and mining, Mitrovica lose 8 to 10 IQ points, for Sustainable Development should lead to a Kosovo with much million euro a year, largely due to mean that children have high lev- because of lead poisoning. (CESID), told Prishtina Inisight better air and fewer environmental deaths from diarrhea. els of lead in their blood. Each IQ point loss reduces a that the World Bank analysis on the problems”, Shahini said. “If WB The costs of forest degradation Based on a report from 2004, 95 person’s expected lifetime state of environment in the coun- wants to stay loyal to its principles is estimated to amount to up to percent of under-five children in income, meaning that in the try clearly shows that the air pollu- for environmental health protec- 20million euro. An Kosovo – outside of Zvecan and future this poisioning could tion is the biggest challenge. tion, it should help Kosovo to devel- action plan is called for to to Mitrovica – will have lost 1.5 to 4 account to a loss of between 1.0 to protect forestry against illegal IQ points during their early 2.2 percent in GDP. “And the biggest air polluter is op an energy strategy which not KEK,” she added. “As a solution, based simply on coal”. logging.rcent in GDP. Two-thirds of Kosovo Water Lost Almost two-thirds of Kosovo’s drinking water supplies are being lost through leaks and illegal connections, according to an audit of the country’s water companies. General called on senior manage- “Hidromorava” and “Drini i ment to “further intensify” their Bardhe” none of the selected direc- work in addressing the huge loses. tors has met the criteria for being By Lawrence Marzouk, “In general, the accountability an expert or having adequate Petrit Collaku mechanism did not function prop- knowledge on accounting. erly. The Government should “While in the company n audit of Kosovo’s water encourage its implementation.” “Hidrodrini” the director selected companies has revealed The water is being lost due to the by the board also had an employ- ment contract in this company Athat 60 per cent of the “weak and outdated network” and in the position “Head of the water scarce natural resource is being commercial reasons – including supply sector”. lost. illegal connections and failure to The worst offending firms, all of “In four companies, the composi- read water metres. which are publicly owned, were tion of audit committees did not “The officials of the water com- RWC Hidrodrini – which covers meet the required criteria," it con- panies could not provide us an Peja, Deçan, Istog, Klina and tinues. Junik and RWC Radoniqi – which exact breakdown on the technical “In Hidrodrini and Hidroregjioni Members of the Vetevendosje movement protested outside of Prishtina municipality covers the Gjakova area – where 70 and commercial losses,” the report Jugor Companies, audit commit- last week because of water shortages. per cent of water disappeared adds. tees had only two members. While decrease this by two to three per ing areas. The audit also raises concerns without trace. in the Hidromorava and Drini i cent. “I believe that in 2015, Prishtina, about the government’s selection “More than half of the water Bardhe Companies audit commit- “This will happen because of Fushe Kosove, Obiliq and Podujeve that they produce and distribute is of board members for the publicly tee members were not experts or our teams that are on the ground will have 24 hour water,” he said. not invoiced at all,” the report, owned companies. did not posses adequate knowledge since August 2011, finding illegal Agron Tigani, head of Regional published earlier this month, Many board members, it claims, in accounting.” reads. “The reasons for this stem are poorly qualified for the job. In Gjelosh Vata, head of Regional consumers.” Water Company Hidrodrini, said from technical problems in the dis- three companies, the board select- Water Company Prishtina, where Vata said that plans to build a that his firm had compiled a plan tribution network up to illegal con- ed members did not meet the crite- half of the water is lost, admitted water processing site at a cost of 32 for 7 million euro of investment nection to the customers network.” ria required, the report reads. “In there were problems. million euro will fix the water that will significantly improve the The Office of the Auditor the boards of companies “This year we are trying hard to issue for the capital and surround- network.

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Editor’s Word It’s All Greek to Me

By Lawrence Marzouk

write to you sitting from the terrace of my white- washed Greek villa overlooking the Aegean. ISurrounded by pine forest, home to cicada song and palm-sized butterflies, and dotted with tasteful replica Ottoman houses, this slice of Sithonia, near Thessaloniki, comes close to seaside perfection – if you discount the mosquitoes. But why I am telling you this beyond the primal need to gloat? Three years ago I penned a column urging peo- ple to “stay the weekend in Kosovo”. This was an attempt to convince the many internationals who jump into their smug mission jeeps each weekend and drive to Thessaloniki to rethink their travel arrangements. Jadranka Jelincic, head of Serbia's Open Society Fund. And, earlier this week, as I passed Thessaloniki for the first time, I was reminded of this earnest attempt to change people’s holiday plans. Three years on, and with three children, I now Serbia Still Bent on understand why so many forgo the raw, mountainous beauty of Kosovo and northern Albania, or the sublime Albanian Riviera stretching from Vlora to Saranda. Many visitors and expats fail to discover swathes of ‘Abusing’ Kosovo Issue Kosovo and Albania because of the absence of reliable Serbian politicians have long misused the Kosovo dispute in foreign and domestic policy - and a information and because when they visit hotels or tourism facilities, standards are often below expecta- change of course by the next government looks unlikely, Jadranka Jelincic, Belgrade head of the Fund tions. for an Open Society, says. Of course for the hardier traveller this situation presents wonderful opportunities for solitary visits “His election doesn’t mean that gling, which, as we all remember, was and bargain prices, something I revelled in during my Kosovo will be debated at the General the case in the 1990s, when inadequate carefree, childless days. Not everyone is looking for Assembly, nor that he can put Kosovo control of borders between former functioning bidets and flat screen TVs on their hols By Marija Ristic on the agenda… and this is just one Yugoslav countries created a so-called and my most memorable trip was to the sublime, more example of the misuse of the ‘black hole’ in Europe in which smug- unspoilt village of Thethi, in the Accursed Mountains, Kosovo issue here,” Jelincic explains. gling and organized crime boomed.” which is as beautiful as it is remote. Jelincic says the citizens of Serbia She says the failure to implement the ust a day after Serbia’s new also need to know what the price of his reached agreements in the talks is hit- Overall, however, Kosovo and Albania’s economy is President, Tomislav Nikolic, visit- position may be. ting Serbia as well as Kosovo, especially suffering because many people who want to visit, and Jed Brussels and promised to bring “If what the Lithuanians are saying are not looking for five-star treatment, are put off affecting the south Serbia region, which back the “truth about Kosovo” to is true – that he was elected as a result because they cannot organise or research their travel Serbian citizens, the head of Serbia’s is predominantly ethnic Albanian. The of Russia’s rivalry with America, and in advance. Open Society Fund, Jadranka Jelincic, logjam is also especially worrying when that it is bound up with the current sit- There are resources out there – the Kosovo Bradt says this is one more sign that a deeply it comes to mutual recognition of uni- uation in the Middle East, [where the guide is an excellent reference point for the country; misjudged policy is set to continue. versity diplomas recognition, she adds. US and Russia are at loggerheads over we, at Prishtina Insight, also keep readers up to date “Our politicians like to use tough “Young people from this area [south Syria] the question is whether Serbia words to score cheap political points - Serbia] usually attend Prishtina with the latest leisure and travel offerings, and there needs to position itself between in the but most people do not care so much University, because it is near and they are a few websites providing some advice to visitors, middle of the two great powers’ dispute. about Kosovo as the politicians can study on their own language… but but which are usually pretty poorly maintained and believe,” she says. “Because of that dispute, it is unclear when they come back to their homes in lack credibility. “For the public in Serbia, this matter whether Serbia can further any of her south Serbia they find they cannot work Overall, however, there is a gaping information gap interests in that post,” she adds. is closed. This doesn’t mean that we in public institutions since Serbia does which means that potential customers, including me, Meanwhile, the relationship between should recognize Kosovo as a state, but not recognizing their educational quali- are unable to consume a wonderful product – tourism Belgrade and Prishtina remains bur- people have accepted reality and they fications. in Kosovo and Albania. dened by the lack of implementation of know things cannot go back to what “They then have to work in private Governments are woefully incompetent at providing agreements reached in the EU-mediated they were in 1998 [when Serbia still gov- sector, which accentuates the social this kind of information, usually reverting to websites dialogue, with both sides accusing each erned Kosovo].” division, with Albanians working most- of meaningless hyperbole and airbrushed photos. other of breaching the agreed deals. It would be better to shift attitudes ly in the private and Serbs in the public It is, largely, up to the private sector, through holiday So far, the two sides have in theory towards the EU and adopt more prag- sector. People live parallel lives thanks rental agents and individual hotels, to close the gap, reached deals on freedom of movement, matic policies, she adds. to the state,” Jelincic says. although perhaps a canny NGO or tourism board could mutual recognition of university diplo- For now, EU accession remains only The same thing happened in the do the job. I urge them to do so. mas and Kosovo’s representation at the second foreign policy goal of Serbia, beginning of the 1990s in Kosovo, when I would love to take my family for a weekend in the she fears. regional meetings [which Serbia con- tests on the grounds that it is not an [former Serbian leader Slobodan] cool of Prevalla or Rugova, or enjoy the forests and According to Foreign Minister Vuk Milosevic kicked most Albanians out of water of Batllava, but it is extremely difficult, without Jeremic, last week elected president of independent state]. Another controversy is now brewing the public sector, leaving those institu- a great deal of work or a stroke of luck, to find a house the UN General Assembly, his main tions to Serbs, she recalls. to rent. task is still to continue the battle to pre- between Kosovo and Serbia over license “The experience of the 1990s shows The same goes for southern Albania, which has been vent international recognition of plates. that parallel societies lead to separation my destination for holidays in the past four years. Kosovo’s independence, proclaimed in As of June 15, the EU mission to and a high degree of tension between Despite the uncontrolled building boom in the area, I 2008. Kosovo, EULEX, is expected to ban all ethnic groups, ultimately fuelling inde- would like to return again this year with my brood. Jelincic believes this goal is foolish movement of vehicles with Serbian pendence movements,” warns Jelincic. It would cost very little to set up a database of rented for two reasons. First, countries that license plates over the frontier cross- Jelincic says the initial aim of the have not recognized Kosovo, such as ings in northern Kosovo. properties in the destinations I have mentioned, or for agreements was to restore the rule of Iran, Spain, or China, did so because of However, Borislav Stefanovic, some private operators to make a reasonable amount of law in the area and help combat corrup- their own interests, so as not to encour- Belgrade’s chief negotiator in the talks, information available online. And the rewards could be tion and organized crime, which is cur- age separatists in their own countries - said last week that according to the free- huge if foreign families started to visit. rently seriously affecting the region. not because they are friends of Serbia, dom of movement agreement, Serbs in Unfortunately, until then, I will have to try to find as Jeremic maintains. northern Kosovo do not need to use “Leaders of states should not forget places through unofficial channels – word of mouth Second, Jeremic is wrong to present Kosovo plates. that they are not there just to achieve and friends of friends – or just spend my money in his election for the UN post as a matter Jelincic says EULEX’s position is log- some nation-building interests,” she Greece, Croatia or Montenegro for example, much as I that can significantly change the situa- ical. “Nowhere in the world is it normal maintains. “Their first goal should be a would prefer to dip into Albania’s Ionian Sea or stay tion in, or with, Kosovo. that you have two or more vehicles decent life for all of their citizens,” she the weekend in Kosovo. plates. It creates room for car smug- concludes. 4 June 22 - July 5, 2012 news

Kosovo Ex-Spy Chief Says Agency Never Killed Trade Rows Undermine Dream Anyone

estifying at the trial sparked by of Kosovo-Albania Unity Nazim Bllaca, a self-proclaimed Tformer SHIK assassin, Kadri Tarrif disputes between the two Albanian countries are hampering the goal of creating a single market - with a Veseli said Bllaca never worked for row over cement being the latest example. the agency, which didn't carry out assassinations in any case. The former director of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, SHIK, Kadri Veseli, told the court that Nazim By Besar Likmeta Bllaca a self-confessed former SHIK Business news in brief Business news assassin, was never an agent for the service and that none of his agents ver since NATO helped had ever been instructed to kill any- mainly Albanian Kosovo one. break away from Serbia E Veseli was summoned by more than a decade ago, talk of Prishtina’s District Court to testify creating a single market with and explain the role of the agency, neighbouring Albania has been a which Bllaca claims killed ruling routine part of the political dis- course. party rivals and Serbian spies after But despite many promises the 1999 war. made at the highest echelons of But Veseli said the SHIK never power in both countries, trade authorised any of the acts that Bllaca exchanges remain low and dis- said he committed. “Bllaca was never putes over tariffs have increased. an agent of SHIK, and I don’t believe A recent decision by Kosovo's Kosovo Minister of Trade, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, has caused controversy with her tariffs on Albanian imports. he carried out any services for SHIK,” Minister of Trade, Mimoza Veseli said. ing that the trade in Albanian some controls on the market,” protested against Albanian tar- Kusari-Lila, to impose a 35 per Kosovo was shaken by the revela- cement with Kosovo involved she told an Albanian TV sta- iffs on the import of potatoes cent tariff on cement imports, tions of Bllaca in 2009 who admitted nearly 200 local companies and tion. from Kosovo, asking Tirana to which mostly hurts an Albanian having murdered an Albanian who many jobs. Kusari-Lila’s decision has lower them. company based in the town of had collaborated with the Serbian However, Kusari-Lila also been criticized by the EU “Just as we had swift reac- Fushe Kruja, has reignited the authorities back in 1999. A former remains unrepentant about Civilian Office in Kosovo, tion in the case of the tariff on debate. fighter in the Kosovo Liberation her decision, accusing Albania which has said that the tariff potatoes, we ask that trade bar- According to the Tirana Army, KLA, Fahredin Gashi, was of damaging the local cement breaches the regional trade riers between our two coun- Chamber of Commerce, Kosovo later sentenced to 18 years following producer in Kosovo, agreement, known as CEFTA. tries be removed once and for imported 175,000 tones of cement Bllaca’s testimony. SharrCem, by flooding the This is not the first time all,” Jaka said. from Albania in 2011, with a value In a second trial, known as “Bllaca market. Albania and Kosovo have quar- “Politicians should find com- of €12 million, accounting for a 2”, six suspects, Sadik Abazi, Shaban “Our goal is not to block relled over tariffs. A few mon ground in order to create significant share of the trade Syla, Bekim Syla, Driton Hajdari, [Albanian cement,] but to put months ago, Kosovo farmers a single market,” he added. exchange between the two coun- Fahredin Uka and Fahredin Gashi, tries. are charged based on Bllaca’s testimo- Trade exchange between Kosovo ny with killing Salih Gashi, and with and Albania currently amounts to Kosovo Task Force Probes two counts of attempted murder. 65 million euro per year. At a press conference held on Serbia to Move Kosovo Thursday, the head of Tirana’s Mystery of Asanaj's Death Talks up a Notch Chamber of Commerce asked Albania's government to inter- A mixed team of Kosovo and European prosecutors are to investigate the death As EU-led Belgrade-Prishtina talks vene. of Dino Asanaj, director of the Kosovo Privatization Agency - who it now appears await the formation of a new Serbian “Such a penalizing tax will have government before they can restart, a social impact,” the chamber’s may have killed himself. Serbia has announced it intends to head, Nikolin Jaka, said, underlin- Thursday after stab wounds move the dialogue onto a higher level. received hours earlier in his Borislav Stefanovic, Serbia's outgo- private office. Doctors said that By Fatmir Aliu ing negotiator in the talks with he was stabbed twice with a Kosovo, said that the next round of knife, causing huge loss of dialogue with Prishtina will be con- blood. ducted by Serbia's President himself, www.prishtinainsight.com special task force has Ejupi, who owns also the or by the next Prime Minister. been set up to solve the Publisher: daily newspaper Zeri, has The announced upgrade follows the Ariddle of the mysterious already been interviewed by visit of Serbia's new President, BIRN death of Kosovo’s Privatization investigators. The business- Agency director, Dino Asanaj, Tomislav Nikolic, to Brussels last Balkan Investigative Reporting Network man took part in the privatiza- who died in hospital on week, when he said that the Prime tion of the Grand Hotel in Mensa e Studenteve, first floor Thursday after stab wounds in Dino Asanaj Minister, once a new government is Prishtina, and recently formed, will conduct the talks. 10000, Prishtina his office - but who it now The 55-year-old was born in denounced Asanaj, saying he Serbia and Kosovo started EU- Kosovo appears may have committed Peja and worked for two suicide. asked him for a 4 million euro mediated talks in Brussels in March decades in the United States. Phone: +381 (0) 38 24 33 58 Kosovo Prosecutor Blerim cut for the deal, which he did- 2011, three years after Kosovo He built a small housing devel- Fax: +381 (0) 38 22 44 98 Isufaj said on Friday that a n’t accept. declared independence, which Serbia Konjufca, also a business- opment in the capital, the [email protected] mixed team of EULEX and refuses to recognise. Prishtina International Kosovo prosecutors are investi- man who privatized a chicken Village, otherwise known as Editor-in-Chief: gating the death and they were farm in Lipjan, has also been the “American Village”. Blair: I Know Nothing of now investigating two possible interviewed, as were the driver Lawrence Marzouk All 110 homes in the village tracks - murder and suicide. of the victim and some of his KLA Organ Claims [email protected] have been sold to high-ranking “We have no suspects up till other employees. Editorial Team: officials, businessmen, famous One of the most vocal supporters of now,” he said. Ejupi, who is currently out artists and others. This project NATO intervention in Kosovo in 1999, Ana Petruseva, Gordana Igric, The mystery deepened after of the country, said he felt cost 25 million. Britain's Tony Blair says he heard Jeta Xharra, Marcus Tanner, the newspaper Koha Ditore, sorry for the death but was During and after the 1999 nothing about organ harvesting by quoting its sources, said the sticking to his earlier accusa- Petrit Collaku, Shengjyl Osmani, war Asanaj served as the repre- KLA rebels during the conflict with autopsy report had suggested tions. Artan Mustafa, Florina Hajdini, Bujar sentative of the Kosovo govern- Serbia. that the victim killed himself. “With regards to my previ- Arucaj and Donjeta Demolli. ment in the United States. Former British Prime Minister At the crime scene, police ous statements about the He was also member of the Tony Blair said that during his time found a letter, supposedly writ- deceased Dino Asanaj, related Marketing, Sales & Distribution: Board of the Trustees of the in office he heard nothing about ten by the victim, which said: to the Grand Hotel… I stick to National Albanian Council, organ harvesting allegations in rela- [email protected] “Remzi Ejupi, Zeri newspaper what I have said,” Ejupi said in NAAC, from 1993 to 2002, in tion to the Kosovo Liberation Army, and Abdurrahman Konjufca a statement for the media. Design & Layout: “Rrjeti” Washington DC. KLA, during the Kosovo war. destroyed my life and family. I Asanaj led the Privatization Arben Grajqevci More recently he served as “I never heard of organ harvesting took the law in my hands by Agency for three years and had Y an advisor to the Prime and cannot comment on it,” Blair said acting so.” announced his retirement for M Minister of Kosovo on expatri- in Prishtina this week, when asked Printing: Lindi Printing Center Hasanaj succumbed to his this year and return to private C ate affairs throughout the about the Council of Europe report in Copyright © BIRN injuries in hospital on business. K world in 2007-2008. 2010. news June 22 - July 5, 2012 5 Best-Selling Kosovo History Upsets Albanians and Serbs A controversial new history of Kosovo by Jusuf Buxhovi has annoyed the official guardians of history in both Serbia and Kosovo – but its author is unrepentant. looked the Serbs are not true. set. Those who look at my book will see Therefore, it is no surprise that that Slavs in general, and Serbs in even after the international inter- By Arber Selmani particular, are not exempt from my vention of NATO in 1999, when account, after they first arrived in Kosovars experienced genocide the 12th century. What is shown, under [former Serbian leader however, is their true, objective Slobodan] Milosevic, this “sci- Kosovo Albanian Professor role. ence” retains the same language has succeeded in annoying This is documented by many and continues to publish books Aboth historians in Serbia Serbian authors who do not agree that prompt hatred of Kosovars and also those from his home with the hegemonic conceptions of and Albanians. country. Serbian academics, who, from Jusuf Buxhovi’s trilogy on [Vaso] Cubrilovic up to [Dobrica] Q: What is the book about, why Kosovo’s history, published in Cosic, were pursuing anti- did you decide to publish it, and February, claims among other also of Christians, is seen in a dif- Albanology and the History Albanian, anti-Croatian and anti- what are the reasons why you decid- things that Albanians, not Greeks, ferent way, where the Serbs are not Department in University of Bosnian programmes. ed to look at this? founded the city of Troy. always so “brave” and anti- Pristina - are unfortunately not I quote Milan Budmir, Jericek He also insists that Kosovo was Ottoman, but were vassals and keen on a scientific focus. With and many Serbian and foreign A: The History of Kosovo is in the spiritual and cultural centre of more cooperative with the their “work”, they exclude them- authors who take objective atti- three volumes: “Antiquity and Albania for millennia, and dis- Ottomans. selves from science. tudes towards the Albanian and Middle Ages”, “Ottoman Empire” misses Serbia’s claims that it was So, these and other issues, which Our academics and scientists Serbian sides, outside the trap of and “From London Conference to the heart of the Serbian medieval are looked at differently from cur- deal with pedagogical issues with myths, where Kosovo is seen as the international protectorate”, and empire as a “myth”. rent stereotypes, build the frame of lectures at private faculties and “Cradle of Serbia” and the “Centre includes the spiritual history of Serbian officials have said that my “Kosovo”, which appears as a most of them are well paid con- of the Serbian Church”. Albanians from antiquity to our the “book is without any scientific critical history not only in relation sultants of the government and To affirm that Albanians have time. This spiritual history also bases”. But some of his peers in to the Greater-Serbian history, but some have even become political played part in Christianity is not a includes Slavs and Greeks, but sees Kosovo have made similar com- in a large measure also with the party militants. revisionist historical thesis but a their arrival in accordance with ments, and he was dropped from ideologies in Tirana and Prishtina. They feel comfortable leaving reality that the entire scientific new realities. the programme to mark 100 years the major scientific issues to ideal- world accepts. So far, many of these studies of Albania independence in May Q: How is your book doing in ists, whose work is not good to any- observed Albanians without scien- by Minister of Education Rame terms of sales? one. Q: What about the reaction of tific objectivity. Buja. Slavenko Terzic, scientific advisor This happened because the In spite, or perhaps because, of A: The book is doing so well that Q: What do you think of the deci- to the Institute of History in the Serbian state, Montenegro and the controversy, Buxhovi’s book is we can now say it deserves the epi- sion of the Minister of Education, Academy of Sciences and Arts of Greece, after they obtained nation- selling fast, with 12,000 copies Serbia? al independence in the 19th centu- thet of “a must-have family book”. Rame Buaj, to exclude you from already purchased, and plans to ry, tried to erase the ethnic area of The interest in this book is talking at an event marking the publish an English version of the A: The prejudiced reactions of Albania, so that Albanians could- extraordinary, unprecedented so centenary of Albanian independ- book in the autumn. Terzic and others, without even n’t find a place on the Balkan state far in all Albanian areas, which is ence? seeing and reading the book, shows map. proven by the book’s three reprints Q: Serbian officials say your that they cannot take the scientific In the first part, antiquity, I tried in three months, with 12,000 copies A: With this arbitrary action, book is without any scientific basis truth, especially when that truth to connect the Illyrian thesis sold. unprecedented in our country so as it overlooks the Serbs and comes from Albanian researchers. [claimed as ancestors of the Now we have a fourth print run. far, Buja has sent three messages describes Kosovo as a spiritual cen- If they had a little scientific Albanians] with the Pelasgic one It should be said that the book has to the international community ter and state of Albania. How do sense they would have the patience [claimed as ancestors of the not only sold well in Kosovo, but and to Belgrade and Turkey. you respond? to go through my book and con- Greeks], while in the “Middle also recently in Macedonia, To the first, he wanted to say front themselves with the scientif- Ages” I see the Arbërit [the descen- Albania and Montenegro. that the current political class will A: The Serbian reaction to my ic arguments, not deal in low polit- dants of Pelasgian-Illyrians] in the Especially in Macedonia the book remain inside the Ahtisaari pack- book was to be expected, given the ical smears. Byzantine context. is flying off the shelves. age, where Kosovo is treated as a well known hegemonic politics of The political reactions from the This is the point of my disagree- multi-cultural society. Serbia that has damaged their Institute of History of the ments with Serbian historians who Q: What has been the reaction of To Belgrade, it says that we will nation and others during the last Academy of Sciences and Arts of insist on seeing the Albanians as the Academy of Sciences and Arts of respect agreements about handing few decades. This [history] has Kosovo? over the Christian heritage of now been unmasked as false pre- Serbia show that there was no sci- “settlers” from Asia. Also, to these Kosovo to the Serbian Orthodox cisely based on scientific argu- entific approach, just a political historians, my assessment of the A: The Academy of Sciences and Church. And to Turkey, it says we ments, which are not unknown one. An academy that has put sci- time close to Ottoman conquests in Arts of Kosovo and other scientif- accept the interventions from even to Serbian historians. ence at the service of hegemonic the Balkans is unacceptable. In ic institutions in Kosovo - the Accusations that I have over- politics has shown that it still this context, the process of Ankara on revising the history of remains in this hegemonic mind- Islamisation of the Albanians, but Institute of History, Institute of Ottoman Empire. EBU Backs Kosovo Media on Contested Criminal Code The European Broadcasting Union have sided with Kosovo journalists in their dispute with the authorities over a new criminal code that they say undermines freedom of the media. Kosovo parliament should strengthen media that protection of sources constitutes a A number of international protection even further by adopting the basic condition for reporting in a free media rights organizations includ- Council of Europe standards and media. ing “Reporteurs sans Frontieres” and By Fatmir Aliu Recommendations, and European countries' "This is an opportunity for the the regional South-Eastern best practices." International NGO Freedom Kosovo parliament to demonstrate its Europe Media Organization, House made similar calls a few day later. commitment to an open SEEMO, have supported the Kosovo reporters have complained espe- society, which is an Kosovo media over he European Broadcasting Union, cially bitterly about Article 38 of the new indispensable require- Article 38 and hav e EBU, has urged Kosovo to make ment for the progress expressed worries about the criminal code, which penalizes journalists Tchanges to its new criminal code that and development of criminal code in general. for libel and obliges them to reveal their allegely undermine media freedom and every individual," The European Broadcasting have a chilling effect on freedom of expres- sources. Many of them joined a public Deltenre told Union, founded in 1950, is sion. protest in April, after the new code was BIRN on the largest association of EBU’s Director General, Ingrid Deltenre, adopted by parliament. Wednesday. national broadcasters urged Kosovo to develop a legal framework Journalists fear that this new provision Kosovo’s parliamen- in the world and exists based more clearly on the European will be misused for corrupt purposes by tary legislative commit- to promote the values and dis- Convention on Human Rights. politicians to silence the media. tee will be voting this tinctiveness of public service Y Quoting Article 10 of the Convention, she The EBU Director General wrote that the week on the possible removal of Article 38 media in Europe and around the world. M told BIRN that "rather than [just] remove promise of confidentiality is vital for inves- from the criminal code. C Article 38 from the criminal code, the tigative reporting and media freedom, and K 6 June 22 - July 5, 2012 analysis South Serbia Left Reeling from Election- Time Arrests Cynical-looking arrests of ethnic Albanians in the election campaign, on the basis of an erroneous interpretation of the amnesty law, has further undermined stability in the tense border region. “But the Amnesty Law quali- fies… all the crimes committed in South Serbia from January 1999 By Marija Ristic until May 2001 as terrorist and criminal acts, not as war crimes,” the source added. he fall-out continues in Accordingly, all those who Serbia’s troubled South handed in their weapons in 2001, TSerbia region following the including the five arrested men, dramatic arrests of five Albanians were entitled to an amnesty from during the Serbian election cam- the state, preventing their prose- paign and their equally sudden cution. release once the election was over. Legal experts describe the case Judicial experts and human as a mockery of the judicial sys- rights workers say police and pros- tem, as do several civil society ecutors misinterpreted the law, activists. blatantly violated human rights Nikola Lazic, a Belgrade-based and set back the peace-building lawyer, says the prosecution argu- process in the ethnically divided ment was unprofessional, as the region. authorities should have checked South Serbia was the scene of all the data before making arrests. an armed conflict in 2001, pitting a “Claiming that… the crimes local ethnic Albanian guerilla should be prosecuted as war force, the Liberation Army of crimes just because you believe it Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, so… is simply arrogance, impu- against the Serbian authorities. dence and incompetence,” Lazic The Serbian authorities said. The arrests of five Albanians during the Serbian election is viewed as politically motivated. released five ethnic Albanians “If the Prosecution believes from south Serbia on May 30. this is a reasonable explanation, Serbia’s Chief War Crimes tiny of this state and this region,” threat. They were arrested beginning and that they can order arrests on Prosecutor, Vladimir Vukcevic, Halimi maintained. Sima Gazikalovic, president of of May, days before the election, the basis of their interpretations, explained that the men were sus- Belgzim Kamberi agrees that the Coordination Body for South on the orders of Ivica Dacic, the not on the law, they are simply pected of war crimes but gave no the arrests show that Serbia’s jus- Serbia, a government body tasked Interior Minister and leader of mocking the legal system,” he further information. tice system is still under the with liaising with the region, the Serbian Socialist Party, once added. Prishtina Insight has since influence of politics and that says the arrests have damaged led by the intolerant semi-dictator Natasa Kandic, head of the found out that the Interior South Serbia is liable to be used trust, which was fragile even Slobodan Milosevic. Humanitarian Law Centre, in Ministry provided the informa- as a playground for Serbian before these events. Critics say plugging into the Belgrade, says the whole case was tion on which basis the politicians. He refused to comment directly Serbian nationalist voting base shrouded in mystery from the Prosecutor’s Office issued the “Most things happening here on the action of the Serbian during the election campaign was start, describing the behavior of arrest warrants. are under the influence of poli- police and prosecution because of the driving force behind the move. the both the Prosecution and the The men were questioned by an tics. We saw this as an action run “the serious nature of the crime”. Elhami Salihi, Mustafa Limani, Interior Ministry as scandalous. investigative judge in Belgrade, by Dacic, and what we fear the The editor of a local Spektri TV Sherif Abdiri, Nedir Sefedini and “We haven’t seen any docu- who prolonged their custody on most is that it is a continuation of station, Baki Rexepi, also says the Sevdai Emurlahi were arrested ments related to this case. It is the basis of the war-crimes alle- Milosevic’s old policy,” Kamberi arrests and releases have badly for alleged war crimes committed clear that the prosecution was gation, notwithstanding the Law notes. affected the troubled region. in the 2001 conflict. used for political purposes in the on Amnesty. The Milosevic regime conduct- “Serbia showed us it is still a They spent 25 days in custody midst of the election campaign - When they were later released, ed a policy of repression against police state,” he said. before being released days after not the first time,” Kandic told the men were not informed about ethnic minorities, Albanians “We had this kind of situation the May 6 elections in Serbia Prishtina Insight. whether the charges had been especially, culminating in Kosovo with Milosevic, and now we have ended. The case was handed in an dropped or whether an investiga- in the late 1990s. it with Dacic, who was his right- Serbia’s Office for the unusual manner as the arrested tion was still ongoing, Belgzim According to recent research hand man during the 1990s,” Prosecution for War Crimes has men and their legal teams were Kamberi, head of the Committee by the Belgrade Center for Rexepi told Prishtina Insight. not gone public on the case, but a given no information, prompting for Human Rights in Presevo, Security Policy, the biggest chal- “Those people [the five men] source from office admitted mis- further speculation that political noted. lenge for this region is local peo- were available to justice for takes were clearly made, since the reasons lay behind it. In spite of requests from ple’s lack of trust in Serbian years. They were living here, so authorities had evidently misun- The five men, including an Prishtina Insight to see them, no institutions. we should question why these derstood the Law on Amnesty of OSCE translator, who was not documents have been made pub- Although no armed conflict is arrests occurred in the election 2002. only amnestied but previously lic, clarifying the charges. now ongoing, a sharp ethnic divi- campaign,” he added. “We wrongly interpreted the vetted by the OSCE and the State sion in local society remains “Our biggest concern is now Law, since we believed the conflict Security, were picked up in the Election gimmick that present. who is next? It can be me, it can be in South Serbia was armed, so that Presevo area on May 4 during the threatens peace: This is particularly evident in one of my colleagues, it can be any crimes committed then were election silence, and taken to the education system, with anyone,” Rexhepi concluded. Belgrade. Albanian and Serbian children war crimes,” this source said. In the South Serbia region, attending different schools. which is predominantly populat- The number of Albanians Secret arrest ed by ethnic Albanians, the move working in state institutions also History of the South Serbia Conflict : has been seen as a politically warrants: remains insignificant. Most of driven gimmick, which has the he conflict between Serbs and Albanians in south Serbia start- them also view the Kosovo capi- IRN has twice asked the potential to undermine the frag- ed in 2000 and lasted until 2001. . tal, Prishtina as their de-facto Ministry of Interior for a ile peace achieved after the 2000- TIn the late-1990s a guerilla force, the Liberation Army of capital, not Belgrade. Bcomplete list of those 2001 conflict. charged with war crimes and Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac, was formed whose goal was join- The Albanian population feels Riza Halimi, an ethnic actions against the constitu- ing South Serbia to Kosovo. that talk of multiculturalism is Albanian member of the Serbian tion. The Ministry responded The unit was disarmed in 2001 following an internationally bro- just on paper, while Serbian insti- parliament from the region, says that no such document exists. kered peace deal, after which the Yugoslav Army re-entered the demil- tutions fail to get serious on inte- the arrests showed “a continua- The Ministry did not answer itarized area near the border with Kosovo with the approval of NATO. gration. tion of state terror” against the the question about where peo- After the conflict ended in South Serbia, the authorities signed the Serbia formed a multi-ethnic ethnic Albanian community in ple can find out whether they Amnesty Law, which freed all armed men who had participated in the police in order to address the Serbia. are on the arrest list or not. conflict from threat of prosecution. issues of mistrust, but the force The law applies to all those accused of terrorism or joint criminal “All this happened just two Our request is currently Y is deemed to have failed in its pri- enterprises in the municipalities of Presevo, Bujanovac and days before the election. The before the Office of the M mary purpose of easing distrust. Medvedja in relation to acts carried out between January 1999 and intention was to score political Commissioner for Information C The presence of Serbian secu- May 2001. points by playing with the des- of Public Importance. K rity services is still perceived as a business June 22 - July 5, 2012 7 Turkish PM’s Son-in-Law Clinches KEK Sale A Turkish firm run by Recep Erdogan’s son-in-law looks set to secure the purchase of Kosovo’s energy distribu- tion network.

By Parim Olluri

he Turkish corporations, Limak and Calik, are poised Tto jointly take over Kosovo’s electricity distribution network after outbidding opposition from Egypt’s Elsewedy Electricity. Limak, which already runs Prishtina International Airport, and Calik, which is linked to the Erdogan family, offered 26.3 mil- lion euro for the sale of the public asset compared to Elsewedy’s offer of 22.8 million euro. Calik Holding is owned by Ahmet Calik, described as a “friend” of Erdogan in leaked US diplomatic cables. It is run by Erdogan’s son-in-law, Berat Albayrak. Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci, has met his Turkish counterpart at least five times in Kosovo and Turkey since March 2010. Kosovo’s Economic Development Minister Besim Beqaj said that the only criterion in this bid had been the financial offer, adding that the process had been fair and transparent. Beqaj described the process as successful, especially taking into Turkish PM Recep Erdogan with his Kosovo counterpart Hashim Thaci consideration the global econom- ic crisis and the recession in the The Kosovo Civil Society tion network. euro and has assured an average according to the latest estimates. Eurozone countries. Consortium for Sustainable “Compared with the sales val- of 30 million euro per year in As part of the deal, the new He said that the errors made in Development, KOSID, criticised ues of similar assets in the investment in the network,” it company will be required to the privatisation of other elec- the sale price for KEK, describ- region, the sales value of the added. attempt to collect these unpaid tricity networks in the region ing a price tag of 26 million euro assets is an economic crime,” it “Albania has sold a 76 per cent bills, providing 80 per cent of the would be avoided. as “ridiculous." said. stake for 125 million euro” income to the Kosovo govern- Limak already has a foothold KOSID said the government “Macedonia has sold a 90 per Some 400 million euro is cur- ment. in Kosovo as it runs the coun- had already invested 180 million cent stake [in its power distribu- rently owed to KEK in unpaid The deal now requires official try’s only international airport. euro in the electricity distribu- tion network] for 225 million private and commercial bills, government approval, which is PTK Board Award Themselves Bonuses PTK board members picked up bonuses worth more than half of their actual salary despite failing to reach their yearly targets, Prishtina Insight has discovered. Public Enterprises, which operates under the Ministry for Economic Development, entitled “Evaluating the Efficiency of the By Parim Olluri work of the Board of Directors of Public Central Enterprises for 2010”, the PTK board is described as and reached an he Ministry of Economic Development “incomplete fulfilment of duties to share- may have concluded that Post holders”. TTelecommunications of Kosovo, PTK, PTK spokesman Mehduh Abazi said: failed to meet its targets as a public enter- prise in 2011, but this did not stop its board “PTK as well as the Board of Directors do taking home bonuses in excess of 10,000 not believe the assessment that is has failed, euro each. given that PTK is the most successful com- The decision to award bonuses was taken pany in the Republic of Kosovo in the cate- by members of PTK’s auditing committee - gory of public enterprises.” Nuhi Ahmeti, its head, Qamil Buzhala, and Compensations for members of the board Gani Sylaj – who also sit on the board. of directors has been, according to the In 2011, the head of the PTK Board, Rexhe spokesman, decided in accordance with the Gjonbalaj, received an annual salary of 17,558 Law on Public Enterprises and Board euro while he received a further 11,128 euro as Compensation Policy, approved by the audit a bonus. Ahmeti, who sits on the board and committee. auditing committee, received 17,900 euro as a The Ministry of Economic Development salary and 10,900 euro as a bonus. declined to comment on bonuses received by Y In 2010, PTK paid 200,000 euro in total for board members of the PTK, despite the find- M the six board members. But in the November ings that during 2010 they did not fulfil their C 2010 report by the Unit for Monitoring duties. PTK's board members have been rewarded handsomely while the firm has failed to meet its targets. K 8 June 22 - July 5, 2012 neighbourhood business Macedonia Closes Another Critical Media Outlet Macedonia's Broadcasting Council on Wednesday removed the broadcasting licence of A2 TV, the sister channel of A1, which was forced to close last year. the deal was seen by many as a deliberate attempt to distract attention from the shut- down. This “coincidence” says the workers By Sinisa Jakov Marusic union, “will not diminish the weight of the move that again leaves many of our col- leagues facing unemployment, nor it will he revocation of the licence comes remove suspicions of a selective use of law just as the TV recently started to air and a crackdown against critically oriented Tnews bulletins and live political pan- els and to hire some of the journalists who journalism”. previously worked in A1. A2 was the last remaining chunk of the But the council's explanation for its Macedonian media empire of media mogul action is that “the TV failed to meet the Velija Ramkovski. licence criteria”, meaning, to include more Unlike, A1, A2 up until recently did not news and educational content in its pro- air news bulletins. The bulk of its pro- grammes to match 5 per cent of its air time. grammes, aired through cable and satellite, The Worker’s Union of Journalists, consisted of soap operas, films and talk- SSNM, described this explanation as shows. “absurd” at a time when the rules of the A1, once the country’s most prominent A1 and A2's owner Velija Ramkovski has been sentenced to 13 years in prison. council are being disobeyed “on a daily pro-opposition outlet, was declared bank- basis” by other broadcasters. rupt last July when the courts found it owed Gruevski who has, however, denied allega- The reduction in the number of opposi- Saying they were “appalled” by the move, 9.5 million euro to the tax office in unpaid tions of involvement. tion voices in Macedonia’s media has they said it comes “just as the TV station taxes. Earlier that same month, three daily After spending a year in detention, in sparked concern over media freedom in the started to consolidate itself”. newspapers also owned by Ramkovski; March Ramkovski was sentenced to 13 years country. The move also comes as the government Vreme, Shpic and Koha e Re, were also in jail on four charges of tax evasion, crimi- The European Commission, the OSCE, of Nikola Gruevski and the journalist’s closed because of unpaid taxes. nal association, money laundering and mis- the Freedom House and the Vienna-based association, ZNM, announced a deal on The crackdown was widely blamed on the use of office. He continues claiming he was South East Europe Media Organisation all decriminalization of libel. The timing of cente-right government of Prime Minister being framed by the government. expressed concern over the development. Cuts spell End to Serbian Public Sector’s ‘Golden Age’ Good times are over for Serbia’s previously cosseted and well-protected public sector workforce, as further austerity measures appear inevitable for whichever government is formed. cent of the GDP, respectively, by employees should carry the bigger should be reduced to 54 per cent “Freezing their income will the end of this year. burden. for average worker and 45 per cent reduce demand for products and With an IMF deal currently on This is because their jobs were for those on minimum wages,” services from the private sector, By Stevan Veljovic hold, the rising debt levels send a more stable in the past during the Altiparmakov says. while the VAT increase will mean clear signal to investors and crisis and their wages and pen- “These two concrete measures more enterprises having liquidi- lenders that Serbia may not be sions have remained higher com- will have a positive effect on the ty problems,” he warns. able to guarantee regular repay- pared to the private sector. domestic economy in a time of “However, it is too early to pre- ith a monthly salary ment of the interest on its loans However, experts expect public austerity,” Altiparmakov predicts. dict the precise spillover effect, around 46,000 dinars (400 for much longer. spending cuts to hurt employees in He adds that the proposed meas- and whether 50,000 or 100,000 jobs Weuro), just above the This is a major worry for the the private sector too, as demand will be lost in the private sector,” ures would also protect the living national average, Slavica, a social next government, which will need drops, which is why they say the standard of most vulnerable citi- Zdravkovic says. worker from Belgrade, has enough to borrow more than 2.5 billion government must think not just He argues that the next govern- money to pay the rent and keep up zens, with minimum pensions and euro by the end of 2012 to cover the about savings, but about how to ment needs a mix of both austeri- with basic monthly needs. social protection benefits being fiscal deficit and repay the princi- stimulate the private sector. ty measures and stimulus for the She considers herself lucky to excluded from a freeze. pal on previous loans. private sector. have a job and a regular salary, Hasan Hanic, Dean of the To avoid a default scenario, the “The previous government though with food prices soaring Living on credit: Belgrade Banking Academy, says Council recommended a package increased the public debt by 5.6 and the dinar losing value against it is not fair that all citizens should of fiscal consolidation measures, According to the Council, the billion dinars [€48.7 million] for the euro, her standard of living is have to share the cost of irrespon- based mostly on cutting public Government has two choices to fill the duration of IMF arrangement still dropping every month. sible state borrowing by previous spending, including pensions, civil the budget this year, both coming and the result is three years of “At this point, I wouldn’t even governments, arguing that a rise servants’ salaries, subsidies, at the expense of the standard of economic stagnation following consider raising a loan on my own in VAT would especially hurt the spending by government agencies living. the 2009 recession,” he says. apartment and this year it’ll be an poor and workers on below-aver- and public procurements. It can raise VAT from 18 to 22 per “We have to look for solutions achievement if I can take even a age salaries. The Council also urges the gov- cent while freezing pensions and outside the framework presented modest one-week holiday,” she “On the other hand, it is justi- ernment to increase revenue in salaries in the public sector in 2012 by the Fiscal Council, as this says. fied that public sector employees the short term by raising VAT and 2013, or it can raise VAT to 20 institution is formed as an IMF From the purely economic per- should bear a larger part of the along with some excises. per cent, in which case salaries replacement and has a similar spective, she belongs to the better burden,” he said. If implemented, such austerity and pensions must be cut by 5 or 6 way of thinking,” he adds. off part of Serbia’s population, as “In the past course, their jobs measures will temporarily slow per cent in the same period. How the measures will eventu- her job is safe and her monthly were better protected and, para- down the economy and the stan- Nikola Altiparmakov, member ally look like does not depend income exceeds the average earn- doxically, they had much higher dard of living will worsen for most of the Fiscal Council, says Serbia solely on the opinion of economic ings in the private sector. salaries than workers in the pri- people. has lived on credit for years, experts, but on the willingness of But with Serbia’s national debt vate sector,” Hanic says. But the Council maintains that spending 10 to 15 per cent more the ruling parties to pay the polit- level raising quickly, the “golden there is no other way to reverse a each year than it earns, which is ical price for unpopular deci- age” for once cosseted civil ser- Mix of austerity and stimu- trend that is propelling Serbia not sustainable. sions. vants is coming to an end. deeper into a debt crisis, attended He says the Council recom- lus needed: At this point, Zdravkovic and According to the Fiscal Council, by rising inflation and unemploy- mends the government to use cuts Hanic can only predict that actu- an independent body charged with ment. in spending to increase public Miroslav Zdravkovic, an econo- al austerity package will be dif- assessing fiscal policy and publi- Recognising that some austerity investment in infrastructure and mist, recalls that two-thirds of ferent from the one presented by cising and encourage responsibili- Y measures are needed to rectify to reduce contributions to wages, people receiving pensions or the Fiscal Council, as its final ty in fiscal policy implementation, M irresponsible government spend- starting from 2013. salaries, or 2.3 million out of 3.4 look will be shaped by the out- the fiscal deficit and public debt C ing in the past, economists also say “From a present rate of 64 per million euro, receive them from come of talks between the next could reach 6 per cent and 55 per K it is only fair that public sector cent of net salary, contributions the state budget. government and the IMF. neighbourhood news June 22 - July 5, 2012 9 Greek Crisis Pushes Albanian Returnees into Cannabis Cultivation As economic turmoil in Greece leaves many poor Albanians in the country jobless, some of those returning home are being drawn into the cannabis trade centred on a notorious village. Although Albania’s economy has been Greece’s, five manufacturing plants have shut ings. badly hit by the Greek crisis, some sectors defy down over the past year, sending nearly 400 Viewing themselves as gentleman farmers the downturn. workers home,” he recalled. and enriched from their illegal trade, few The cannabis plantations growing in a near- “This was due to a lack of orders from Lazos wish to work, making them increasing- by village are flourishing, for example, and Greece and the inability of Greek contractors ly dependent on outsiders to farm their fields. By Besar Likmeta their owners seem determined to resist both to pay their invoices,” Devolli added. On the same day that Albert and Sokol the crisis and the actions of the local police. “The domino effect of this slump in manu- spoke to Prishtina Insight, a half-dozen white Labour intensive work, growing cannabis is facturing and exports has also been felt by vans from Lazarat came and collected workers lbanians who made a living through drawing dozens of former migrants into the other sectors like construction and the service from the labour market. working as migrants in Greece are drugs business, prompting local authorities to industry, which also have seen demand by con- Both Albert and Sokol denied having ever having to return home. Hard data are A take action. sumers fall,” he continued. worked in the cannabis fields, but local offi- hard to come by, but anecdotal evidence sug- Ever since the financial crisis began in 2008 Meanwhile, set on the edge of a mountain cials, who preferred to remain anonymous gests that the crisis in Greece has left large Albania has feared a mass influx of returning, number of Albanian migrants unemployed, side, just outside Gjirokastra, the village of told Prishtina Insight that most of the and illegal migrants who travel on yearly unemployed migrants. Lazarat is known as Albania’s drug capital, migrants picked up in the vans ended up tend- basis to Greece in search of seasonal work As yet, while many have come back, the remains famous for its cannabis and lawless- ing the plants. are hit hardest. country has not been inundated with ness. The police, who dare not enter the village for “It’s very bad out there,” said 40-year-old returnees. Stationed at a roadblock on the only road fear of an armed confrontation with the vil- Albert Kupe, who just returned from a two- For many, the dire situation in Greece, leading into the village, police have not lagers, usually spend the better part of each month stay in Greece. “Most [Albanian where an estimated 650,000 Albanian migrants entered Lazarat since 2007, when a Special summer stopping water trucks headed to live, is still preferable to life back at home. migrants] are barely making ends meet, but Forces unit killed a 27-year-old man from the Lazarat, seizing any cannabis shipments they Meanwhile, those coming back have few it’s hard for them to come back because they village wanted for a kidnapping. see coming out. chances of finding a regular job in the unde- have their kids in school or sometimes mort- In response, the villagers attacked and In a change of tactics they are now detain- veloped local economy. burned the police station in nearby ing migrant labourers too. gages to pay,” he added. A report released recently by European Gjirokastra. The Special Forces returned from In the last week police from Gjirokastra Kupe, who is from the village of Lavdar in Bank for Reconstruction and Development Tirana to restore order in the village but no detained nearly 150 workers headed to the region of Korca, in past years has made the report predicts that the eurozone crisis will police officer has entered since then. Lazarat, as the planting season for the narcot- illegal journey across the border a dozen buffet all the Balkan economies, slowing Three years earlier, “Lazos,” as the villagers ic reached its peak. times. But, during his last trip, work was hard growth in 2012. are often called, shot at an Italian helicopter as On Sunday the head of Albania’s police, to come by, he said. The bank notes that although Albania’s it flew over their cannabis fields. Hysni Burgaj, said that with the help of Italian Sokol Kreli, a 35-year-old who had spent economy continued to grow faster than other While Gjirokastra’s lawful economy is in a helicopters the fields in Lazarat will be moni- years working as a labourer in Greek olive countries in the region in 2011, it experienced slump due to the crisis in Greece, the Lazos’ tored from the air. plantations agrees. “I spent a month going a slowdown in the second half of 2011 and illegal trade in cannabis is flourishing. If necessary the police would move against from village to village, knocking door to door early 2012, largely due to the weak perform- In the last six months alone, police in them, he insisted. Whether the police really in search of work but could not find a day’s ance of its key EU neighbours, Greece and Gjirokastra have sequestered 2.4 tonnes of intend go further than detaining poor work,” he said, standing in the labour market Italy. cannabis grown in the village, while they have migrants and stopping water tanks, only time outside the city of Gjirokastra, on the highway Mustafa Devolli, head of the Chamber of seized at least five times more at border cross- will tell. that links Albania with Greece. Commerce in Gjirokastra, said the city’s econ- Albert, Sokol and other former workers in omy was suffering on account of the close Greece gather every morning in the market in trade and investment ties with Greece. marketing Gjirokastra in search of work. “Because our economy is intertwined with Greece 'FYROM-izes' Macedonia's Car Plates had a right to do this under the 1995 UN interim agreement that regulates relations between the two states. By Elvira Jukic They say this will affect only vehicles with the new plates containing the letters MK. Macedonia introduced new number plates in February, saying they were needed to reek border services have started cov- meet EU standards. Unlike the old ones, the ering the letters "MK" on Macedonian new plates feature MK in small letters in the Gcar number plates with a sticker of corner. their own, marking a new low in Greek- Macedonia's Interior Ministry said it was Macedonian relations. surprised by the move and was still consid- By Sinisa Jakov Marusic ering its reaction. Greek border guards have begun covering Relations between Macedonia and Greece the letters "MK" on Macedonian car plates have been strained for two decades by the with a sticker, in Greek and English, read- row over Macedonia's name. Greece insists ing: “Recognized by Greece as FYROM” that use of the term "Macedonia" implies a [Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia]. territorial claim to its own northern The Greek liaison office in Skopje con- province of the same name. firmed the new practice, saying the country Citing the unresolved issue, Greece has been blocking Macedonia’s progress towards both EU and NATO membership. UN-brokered talks to overcome the dispute have so far failed to yield a solution. The Greek move could potentially have a major impact on tourism, as Greece is a top summer destinations for many Macedonians - and many drivers may object to having their cars tampered with in this way. In the summer of 2011 there were some 400,000 entries of Macedonian citizens to Greece, records show. The UN recognised Macedonia under the provisonal term of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, or FYROM, in 1993 - but most Macedonians strongly resent use of the term. 10 June 22 - July 5, 2012 neighbourhood Albania Mayor Vows to Revive the Former Pearl of the Riviera - Saranda Despite a wildcat construction boom that is choking the town with its own phenomenal growth, Mayor Stefan Cipa says the battle to preserve Saranda is not lost.

By Besar Likmeta

nce known as the pearl of the Albanian Riviera, OSaranda is built like an amphitheatre around a bay over- looking the Ionian Sea and the Greek Island of Corfu. Only a decade ago the town was a collection of small villas and a few hotels, divided by broad stair- ways that descended into its mar- itime walkway, surrounded with palm trees and bougainvillea. Ten years on, following a feral construction boom, the town is now a city, dotted with high-rise concrete apartment blocks that seem to battle each other for space. The landscape has changed so dramatically over the past decade that its territory has increased with 54,000 square metres, as a result of illegal landfills of its coastline by developers. “Illegal construction and the city’s over-development is our main problem,” Stefan Cipa, Saranda, formerly an orderly seaside town, has been swamped by illegal construction in the past ten years. Saranda’s mayor told Prishtina Insight in an interview on the eve government and the courts. also as an institution,” he said. sites that draws visitors to World Bank financing, it has yet to of the tourist season. “Unfortunately we have lost “Saranda has inherited many Saranda is the ancient city of be connected to the sewage net- “We have tried to put a stop to every case that the municipality problems but it still has many Butrint, located only 20 kilometers work. illegal builds in the city, but we has brought in court against devel- assets that will help us return it to away near the Greek border. According the municipality the cannot say that we have complete- opers,” Cipa laments. its former glory,” Cipa added. A UNESCO World Heritage site, plant remains idle as its waits for ly eliminated them,” Cipa admit- A historic port town, Saranda is Despite the damage that has Butrint hosts some of the most €800,000 investment for a new col- ted, while out to monitor renova- dotted with nearly 120 archeologi- already been done, the mayor says spectacular Roman archeological lector pipe by the central govern- tion works in the city’s only public cal monuments, which, apart from the city has a lot to offer and an ruins in the Mediterranean. ment. fountain. its natural surrounding, are prime effort to increased park areas and Many visitors arrive in Saranda Cipa reject the idea that the According to a survey conduct- tourism assets. green spaces will be the focus of on cruise ships or by ferry from damage done by developers to ed by the municipality last year, However, Cipa complains that his administration. the nearby Greek island of Corfu. Saranda is irreversible. visitors and local tourist operators previous city administrations According to the mayor, the Drawing on the potential to Although the city still faces singled out erratic urban sprawl have not guarded such monuments effort to curb developers does not receive ever-larger ships that navi- many problems, the mayor says and construction as the main as they should, issuing construc- aim to alienate the construction gate the Mediterranean, the World that visitors will see a changed drawback to tourism. tion permits for new apartments business community, but rather to Bank has financed the construc- image this tourist’s season, but The mayor says that over past in archeological sites illegally. challenge them. tion of new cruise line terminal. they need the support of the gov- year the municipality has not Although the mayor admits that “Our initiative to cut down on However, the project that should ernment to go further. issued any new building permits facing up to developers and their concrete and grow flowers and have been finished in 2009, due to “Saranda has lost a battle [with and had tried to control many of lobby is not easy, he believes that plant trees has been welcomed by bureaucratic delays, will only be developers], which has left its the former permits that were by setting an example as an insti- the community,” Cipa said. completed by the end of this year. damage. But I profoundly believe issued and are not in accordance tution, and by striving towards a “Some of those who have inter- Another major concern for the we will go back to our best tradi- with the legal framework. more sustainable development ests linked to these illegal con- municipality remains waste treat- tion and join the elite of the However, his efforts to rein plan, the business community will structions might be unhappy, but ment and disposal. Albanian tourism sector,” he con- unscrupulous developers have not eventually come round. many more support us in our Although a waste water treat- cluded. always been successful, due to a “This is a challenge that I have efforts,” he added. ment facility with a cost of €5.2 lack of support from the central taken on not only personally but One of the key tourist attraction million was constructed with Ahmeti Urges Macedonia 'Name' Solution in 2013 Head of Macedonia’s main ethnic Albanian party, the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI, says a solution to the “name” dispute between Macedonia and Greece may be nearer in 2013, when both countries have elections out of the way.

political situation in both coun- blame the logjam partially on the Democrats have accused him of tries would be clearer. political and economic turmoil in delaying a solution to the problem. In addition, the head of DUI, the Greece. Relations between Macedonia By Sinisa Jakov biggest ethnic Albanian Party in At a recent celebration marking and Greece have been strained for Marusic Macedonia, said that by that time its 10th anniversary, the DUI dis- two decades by the row over the United States, which is seen as pelled reports that it might leave Macedonia's name. a key factor in the process, would the coalition government led by Citing the unresolved issue, n an interview for Kanal 5 TV, have finished with its presidential Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski Greece has blocked Macedonia’s Ali Ahmeti said that after the elections and would have more over the unresolved name dis- progress towards both EU and Igeneral elections in Greece and time to focus on the issue. pute. NATO membership. Y local polls in Macedonia, due in Ahmeti’s remarks come at a Gruevski, leader of the centre- Greece insists that use of the early 2013, some “key precondi- M time when UN-led talks between right VMRO DPMNE party, is seen term “Macedonia” implies a terri- tions” for reaching a solution C Macedonia and Greece have been as a hard liner on the name issue, torial claim to its own northern might be met, meaning that the K stalled for over a year. Observers and the main opposition Social province of the same name. Ahmeti wants to solve the "name" issue. neighbourhood June 22 - July 5, 2012 11

Election Wrong Calls Highlight Serbian Media Bias Following Boris Tadic’s defeat in the presidential election, the links between his party and the media have come under closer scrutiny. and former New York mayor Njuz.net, ran a mock version of a Rudolph Giuliani, who visited Blic cover, suggesting the paper Belgrade ahead of the elections on would soon change its editorial By Bojana Barlovac the invitation of Aleksandar line now a new man was in power. Vucic, mayoral candidate of the “Blic Staff Among First to Progressive Party. Congratulate Nikolic”, and The visit infuriated the city’s Aleksandar Vucic [of the Tomislav Nikolic has lost all ruling Democrats and Blic joined Progressives] for Mayor of chance of ever coming to in the speculation about how Belgrade”, ran the ironic head- “power,” Nebojsa Spajic, NIN’s much the Progressives had paid lines. editor-in-chief, intoned in the edi- for him to come and stay. An advertised series of features torial. Other recent headlines on the is named “Why the Serbian Embarrassingly for NIN, three same newspaper’s covers include: Progressive Party is a Great days later Nikolic beat the outgo- “Everybody Waits for Tadic to Say Party“. ing president and leader of the Yes,” “Tadic: I will be PM,” and Other, more serious, monitoring Democratic Party, Boris Tadic in “Nikolic Diploma Worth 200,000 of the election campaign has also the presidential runoff, despite euro” - the latter a reference to highlighted the cosy relationship media predictions of a Tadic shoo- ongoing rows about whether between Tadic’s Democrats and in. Nikolic really obtained the college the media. NIN is only one of many degree that he claims he did. “A majority of the media report- Serbian media outlets who got Blic’s cover pages have become ed in favour of Tadic, except for their presidential predictions woe- synonymous among media-watch- the daily Pravda, which favoured fully wrong - partly as a result of ers for sycophantic praise of those Tomislav Nikolic,” said Ivan their too-cosy relationship with in power. Godarsky of the Slovak organiza- Tadic’s Democrats. Pinterest, a pinboard-style tion MEMO 98, which monitored According to a report by social photo sharing website, has the press during the campaign. Serbia’s Anti-corruption council, a gallery of all the Blic front pages Godarsky singled out Blic for Serbia's NIN magazine had predicted that Nikolic would lose his presidential bid, three issued last September, the since March 3. what he regarded as a particular- days before he did the opposite. Democratic Party effectively con- The highpoint was the issue of ly marked bias towards Tadic. trols most of the media scene in of œufs à la neige (floating in the end. May 21, the day after the elections, He also criticised Serbian jour- Serbia through its patronage of islands), which apparently Jaksic said the Democrats had when Blic ran a headline reading nalists in general for reproducing advertising. delighted him, as he said he had- not learned the appropriate les- “Bachelor President” on its cover politicians’ statements without The daily newspaper Blic has n’t had them in 30 years. sons from the regime of following Nikolic’s victory. asking them difficult questions. been singled out as the biggest “I told my mom not to make Slobodan Milosevic. The issue of the university The same survey revealed that cheer-leader for the Democrats in them so I don’t gain weight,” The claim triggered a war of qualifications of the Progressive Tadic’s participation in a popu- its recent reporting. Tadic purred. words in the newspaper’s com- Party leader had by now come lar TV show, “Informative Every front page of the newspa- One reporter who has high- ment pages between Jaksic and under the spotlight as the election Evening with Ivan Ivanovic,” per since March has either lighted the extent of the Nebojsa Krstic, Tadic’s media campaign drew to a close. shown on the national broad- praised the work of the Democrats Democratic Party’s links to the advisor. According to the Progressives, caster Prva, violated a general or demonized and made fun of the media during the election cam- Krstic, who was attacked in Nikolic graduated from a private binding instruction of the opposition, more nationalistic, paign is Bosko Jaksic, foreign Jaksic’s column, replied on May faculty in Novi Sad, which is Serbian broadcasting agency, Progressives. editor of Serbia’s oldest daily 29, effectively suggesting that owned by a party official, banning candidates from appear- On April 25, under the headline newspaper, Politika. Jaksic had a drink problem. Only Jorgovanka Tabakovic. ing on talk shows during the “German companies will open On May 27, Jaksic wrote a col- someone who had drunk “a After the Democrats investigat- campaign. new factories in Serbia”, Blic’s umn saying that excessive con- morning whiskey with three ice ed the matter, they found that The broadcasting agency has front cover featured a special trol of the media always cubes” could have made such Nikolic had indeed obtained an yet to react to this. report from the German car show rebounds on those exercising it claims, he maintained. MA from Novi Sad but found no Nikolic also took part in the written by none other than Tadic evidence of his having taken a same show after the Democrats’ himself. Bachelor of Arts degree - raising leader, and so also violated the On the right side of the front questions about how he could same rule. page was an advert urging people The story of Blic have completed an MA course However, Tadic was also invit- to vote for Tadic in the May 6 pres- with only a high-school degree. ed onto another Prva show, a day- The middle-market tabloid, founded in 1996, found its foothold in idential election in order to secure The day after Nikolic won the time entertainment programme the market in the later 1990s with its fair coverage of events and of the a “safe future” for Serbia. presidential runoff, Serbia’s ver- called “Women”, on which his protests against Slobodan Milosevic’s regime, which his tame media Tucked at the bottom of the sion of the satirical Onion, hosts smooched him with offers ignored. It is now owned by Axel Springer AG of Germany. page was a piece by the 9/11 hero 12 June 22 - July 5, 2012 feature Round-up: Justice in Kosovo

As of September 2010, BIRN and Internews Kosova have been publishing the monthly newsletter Justice in Kosovo, providing information and out- comes of its courts’ monitoring project. This information is collected by BIRN monitors in Kosovo courts and is focused on the general functioning of the justice system and judicial reforms.

court judgment, and Kolic’s sion. However, the court decided defence have indicated their intent that Gashi was still able to follow By BIRN to appeal the verdict. the trial. The court said that it was During the said hearings, Bllaca beyond reasonable doubt that requested from the panel written Kolic had committed these confirmations that there would be War Crime Sentence in offences. The court decision was no reduction of EULEX police Lipjan Prison Case based on the testimony of the security provided. Hearings will main witness and damaged party, continue in June. Jakup Rexhepi, who had testified In May, after thorough delibera- of Zoran Kolic’s actions in an tions, a Panel of EULEX and local Changes to Trial Panel in extraordinary hearing. Kolic was judges sentenced Zoran Kolic to 14 Medicus Case also positively identified by two years imprisonment and a 500 other witnesses. euro fine. During May, hearings on the case Kolic was indicted by the known to the public as the Medicus Special Kosovo Prosecutor’s Office Nazim Bllaca Defends Case continued at District Court in Judge of so-called Dr Vulture appeared at the Medicus case in May for two counts of war crimes Allegations Prishtina. announced the presence of January 1, 2009. against civilian population, com- During the month, the trial panel Somnez’s attorney in the court- At this time, local companies mitted on May 24, 1999 at Lipjan In May, Nazim Bllaca, the cooper- was changed, with Judge Hamdi room, the presiding judge expelled ‘Gekos’, ‘Buqaj’, ‘Tabakos’ and Prison, as well as one count of ating witness in the case regarding Ibrahimi taking over from Judge him from the trial, justifying his ‘Kosova Tobacco’ had already paid unauthorized ownership, control, the murder of Ibush Kllokoqi and Vahid Halili. This replacement decision with the fact that he could for tobacco import imports, but had possession or use of weapons. attempted murder of Adem Salihaj came as a result of Judge obtain information to be used in imported larger quantities of tobac- Kosovo Police arrested Zoran and Ismet Arifi, was escorted Ibrahimi’s appointment as the Somnez’s trial. co in comparison to the previous Kolic after Jakup Rexhepi, one of under strict security measures in President of the District Court in Thus, the presiding judge violat- year. the victims of the said case, order to provide his testimony in Prishtina, and having taken over ed the principle of publicly held The excise tax sector of the showed interest in obtaining more the abovementioned case. the new post, he relinquished his hearings. He also acted in violation Kosovo Customs decided to prohibit information on the suspect. At the The accused party in this case place as a trial panel judge. of Article 328, paragraph 1 of the the imports of tobacco during time of the arrest, he was a staff include: Fahredin Gashi, already Defendants in this case are Lutfi Criminal Procedure Code of December 2008, acknowledging that member of Post and sentenced to 18 years in prison as a Dervishi, a physician and professor Kosovo. greater tobacco imports at lower Telecommunications of Kosovo, consequence of Bllaca I case, of urology; Arban Dervishi, gradu- The purpose of Somnez’s attor- taxes could be expected. PTK. He has been in pre-trial Shpresim Uka, Sadik Abazi, Driton ated economist; Driton Jilta, a ney presence was to inform the After being informed on the detention since April of this year. Hajdari, Bekim Syla and Shaban physician and former medical staff court that Somnez stands ready to excise tax sector’s decision, the Zoran Kolic is accused of having Syla. of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo (of cooperate with court, under cer- abovementioned companies taken active part in the battery In three consecutive hearings, Kosovo-Turk ethnicity); Ilir Recaj, tain specific conditions, attorney appealed and the review sector took and inhumane treatment of Gani the cooperating witness Bllaca physician and former Permanent Shufta said to trial panel. a decision, the publication of which Morina at the Lipjan prison gate, responded to questions posed by Secretary of the Ministry of Health During this hearing, the case was not allowed by Director on May 24, 1999, as part of the cor- the defence counsel. (under the leadership of Minister prosecutor informed the trial panel Huruglica, claiming that he needed don made of police and Lipjan Bllaca continued to elaborate on Alush Gashi); Sokol Hajdini, Islam that Moshe Harel, believed to be the to consult Minister Shala. After prison staff to beat Albanian pris- the crimes that he had committed Bytyqi and Sylejman Dula, all organiser of the organ trafficking meeting former-Minister Shala, oners that were being transported with the accused in this case. He three anaesthesiologists. ring, and had been arrested in Director Huruglica withdrew power there from the Dubrava prison. was once again asked from the In the hearing, the presiding Israel. Israeli authorities, it was from the review sector and delegat- On May 24, 1999, Gani Morina defence counsel to confirm if he judge asked the parties if they announced, had arranged for the ed it to the Director of Legal Office, was battered by the cordon of committed the said crimes and, if wished for the trial to recommence interrogation of witnesses and Lulëzim Rafuna, who decided to policemen and Lipjan prison staff so, who had ordered the commis- or to continue with the trial and damaged parties through video- allow the import of tobacco. positioned at the Lipjan prison sion of such crimes. hearings, and conclude in the min- links. Their interrogations will be These activities were thought to gates. As one of the members com- The cooperating witness utes of the proceedings that parties carried out in June. have damaged the state budget by a prising the said cordon, Kolic took explained that regarding the mur- had agreed to read through all min- The trial panel heard only one minimum of 5000 euro, and resulted active part in beating Gani Morina der of Salih Gashi he had taken utes of the trial to date, in accor- expert, whom informed the panel in the enrichment of importing with his fists and legs, while the orders from defendant Fahredin dance with Article 345 of the on the report issued by Stojan companies. In December 2008, they latter passed away the next day Gashi, and that after the commis- CPCK. Stojev, regarding the findings at had allowed for the import of a larg- from the consequences of the sion of all criminal offences both The prosecutor and defence Medicus Clinic. The trial will con- er quantity of tobacco at lower injuries sustained. he and defendant Gashi planned to counsel consented to the continua- tinue in June. taxes, thus allowing local compa- On the same date, on May 24, return to their businesses and tion of proceedings and trial, and nies ‘Gekos’, ‘Buqaj’, ‘Tabakos’ and 1999, Zoran Kolic also took part in make a fortune. recommended to consider all min- ‘Kosova Tobacco’ to exceed the limit battery and inhumane treatment Bllaca responded to questions by utes of the hearings to date as read. Customs Directors determined by the excise tax sector of Jakup Rexhepi, who was simi- other defence lawyers, although he However, they demanded the newly Acquitted of Charges of the Kosovo Customs Service. larly beaten by the cordon posi- often found himself in anuneasy appointed judge read all minutes. The defendants denied the tioned at the gates of the Lipjan position when the latter confronted In May, for the first time, the Naim Huruglica and Lulëzim charges during the confirmation Prison by Zoran Kolic and other him over the statements given to attorney of one of the main defen- Rafuna were initially invited to the hearing, claiming the opposite of all unidentified persons, using their the police and prosecutor’s office. dant, Dr. Yosuf Somnez, appeared District Court in Prishtina in counts. The defence counsel claimed fists, legs and plastic batons. During the hearings held in May, in court. However, the presence of September 2011 in an indictment- in its arguments that Huruglica and Kolic was also accused of the the health of defendant Fahredin Somnez’s attorney in the court- confirmation hearing. The Special Rafuna did not misuse their official possession of a firearm of Zastava Gashi seriously deteriorated, as the room was not welcomed by the pre- Kosovo Prosecutor’s Office, respec- posts and authorizations, or misuse TT make, two bullet magazines latter, according to medical reports, siding judge. tively the Special EULEX prosecu- authorizations in economy, arguing and 37 bullets, an accusation the was suffering from acute depres- After attorney Ismet Shufta tor Joachim Stollberg, had pressed that import companies had pur- latter has admitted to . charges against the two defendants chased and paid for the import rolls As to the first count of the on June 8, 2011. The prosecution had earlier, which was a prerequisite for indictment, the murder of victim accused them of misuse of official allowing their imports. Gani Morina, the court found duties and authorizations, a crimi- In relation to the withdrawal and Kolic guilty and sentenced him to nal offence punishable by up to transfer of competencies by ten years imprisonment. In rela- eight years imprisonment, and the Director Huruglica, the defence tion to the second count of the criminal offence of misuse of eco- team stated that the law granted indictment, bodily injuries and nomic authorizations, punishable such competencies to the director battery of victim Jakup Rexhepi, by one to eight years imprisonment, and that this type of decision is not the court found Kolic guilty and all co-commissioned. uncommon in the Customs hierar- sentenced him to six years impris- On November 10 2008 a law chy, as the Director of Legal Office onment. The court also found him increasing taxes in Kosovo was is above all other offices. guilty of the third count of the adopted. Among the taxes to be The defence team wanted to know indictment and fined him 500 euro. increased was the tobacco import what evidence the prosecution Subsequently, the court issued a tax, which stipulated that instead of would present in relation to the joint sentence to Kolic of 14 years 17 euro per kilogram, from the entry alleged material gains of the defen- imprisonment and a 500 euro fine. into force of the said law all tobacco dants from this activity. The prose- Parties in proceedings have the importers would pay 21 euro. The cution failed to produce such evi- right to appeal, according to the Trails linked to Nazim Bllaca's testimony are ongoing. law was to enter into force on feature June 22 - July 5, 2012 13

Report Corruption dence to the court. the case-file to his The indictment confirmation flat in Prishtina, to judge, assessing that there is insuffi- facilitate his involve- cient evidence to substantiate the ment in this abuse. His indictment in a trial, decided to duty was to assess the health reject the indictment in the absence situation of Fatmir Gashi. of evidence. In collaboration with Kolë Puka, The prosecution expressed its Dr. Bedri Bakalli issued a profes- intent to appeal such a decision and sional opinion in violation of the up pending the appeal of the special law, based on a false medical to prosecutor, the indictment was par- report. The professional opinion of eight tially confirmed by a panel of Dr. Bedri Bakalli was the key evi- years of judges of the District Court of dence for the judge to uphold his imprison- Prishtina, to include only the count judicial decision. The two had pre- ment, Fraud of the indictment pertaining to the viously agreed this in advance. provided in misuse of official post and authori- The trial started in the Article 261 para- zations. Municipal Court in Klina, but the graph 1 in conjunction As a result, Huruglica and Judge Puka of Klina has been jailed for four years. damaged party, Fatmir Gashi, was with paragraph 2, punish- Rafuna were the subjects of a trial not aware that a court session was sions taken. duties for three years. The public able with a fine of 15 000 led by a panel of EULEX and local being held, or that he had an The trial panel, after deliberating prosecutor changed the charge euro, or with imprisonment judges. The trial panel comprised authorized representative – an on the subject matter, issued a judg- from organised crime to fraud. from six months up to five years, presiding judge Viktor Hugo Pardal, attorney. ment to find both defendants not Bedri Bakalli was sentenced to Issuing Unlawful Judicial and members Tonka Berishaj and Litigating parties had agreed on guilty, in absence of relevant evi- six months of imprisonment, two Decisions provided in Article 346 Tore Thommason. the amount of compensation. dence. years suspended sentence, and pro- punishable from six months up to Although both defendants were Judge Puka had instructed the par- The reasoning of the court was hibition to exercise his profession five years of imprisonment, Tax subject to criminal proceedings, ties to reach a court settlement. that the trial panel was not present- for three years. The prosecutor Evasion provided in Article 249 Kosovo Customs failed to respect Parties were; lawyer Lon Palushaj ed with sufficient evidence to find changed the criminal charge from punishable with up to five years of the Law on Civil Service, Article 69 on one side, and Isa Salihi, repre- that the decision to allow tobacco “organized crime” to “fraud”. imprisonment. which envisages preventive suspen- sentative of the Guarantee Fund of imports, which was harmful to the The last defendant, Isa Salihi, Lon Palushaj, Lawyer from sion for all civil servants. According Kosova, on the other. country’s budget, yielded in any was acquitted of the charges due to Klina, is accused of being implicat- to this Article, civil servants are The final decision was a court gains to the defendants. lack of evidence. ed in the criminal offences suspended with pay (50 percent of settlement between the parties; The court informed the parties of A traffic accident which “Issuing Unlawful Judicial the current salary) in the event that however, without the knowledge of their right to appeal. The prosecutor occurred on the road Klinë – Istog, Decisions”, provided in Article 346 they are subject to a criminal proce- the damaged party. The decision informed the trial panel on its in Village Radilloc in 2006, prompt- punishable from six months up to dure alleging criminal offences in obliged the Guarantee Fund of intent to file an appeal against the ed the judges, lawyers and doctors five years of imprisonment; the exercise of one’s functions. Both Kosova to compensate damages to issued judgment. to start a plot to the detriment of “Fraud” provided in Article 261, defendants were unhindered in per- Fatmir Gashi in the amount of the insurance company Guarantee paragraph 1, in conjunction with forming their posts in Kosovo 16,000 euro, and an additional 800 Fund of Kosova, obliging them to paragraph 2 punishable with a fine Customs. Five Years Jail for Former euro for procedural expenses. pay disproportionate amounts for of 15,000 euro, or with imprison- In the first hearing held as part of Judge Puka This decision damaged the the damage caused in the accident. ment from six months up to five the main trial, defendants pleaded insurance company, the Guarantee However, their actions eventually years; “Tax Evasion”, provided in not guilty, whereas the defence team A trial panel comprised of Fund of Kosova, ordering them to uncovered. Article 249 punishable with up to deemed this trail was a political EULEX and local judges, in the make the payments. Fatmir Gashi was a party to the five years of imprisonment, and trial. District Court in Peja, handed Meanwhile, a trial against Kolë accident which involved a car and “Money Laundering”, provided in The prosecution proposed to the down a four-year jail sentence to Puka and Lon Palushaj, and Zef a tractor. Only material damages UNMIK Regulation 2004/02. court to hear evidence from ten wit- the former Municipal Court Judge Merleku started in the District had been caused. At the time, The trial will continue in the nesses, who would prove to the in Klina, Kolë Puka, on charges of Court in Prishtina for various Fatmir Gashi declared that he District Court in Prishtina in court what happened at the end of Abusing Official Position or criminal offences. received 3000 euro compensation, June, with questioning of witness- 2008. It also proposed vast material Authority. Lawyer Lon Palushaj According to the indictment of not knowing that someone else was es – injured parties. evidence. Among the witnesses was sentence to three years of the Special Prosecution, Kolë making profits of thousands of were also experts, who had evaluat- imprisonment, and Doctor Bedri Puka, former Judge in the euros using his name. He hadn’t ed the work and damage incurred Bakalli with six, both charged with Municipal Court in Klina, is filed a lawsuit against anyone. marketing by Kosovo Customs and Budget. fraud, whereas the other group accused of organized crime, as per According to the description in Other witnesses also included staff member, Isa Salihi, was acquitted Article 274, par. 1 and 3, punishable the indictment, from September 12, at Kosovo Customs, who explained on grounds of lack of evidence. with a fine of 500,000 euro and up 2007 until April 8, 2008, Kolë Puka, their competencies and relation to Kolë Puka was sentenced to five to 20 years of imprisonment, for Judge of the Municipal Court in the defendants at the time. All wit- years of incarceration and an the criminal offence Abuse of Klinë, collaborated with Isa Salihi, nesses from Customs said that alternative measure, prohibition of Official Position or Authorization, representative of the insurance import rolls were purchased by the exercising official duties for three provided in Article 339, par. 1 and 3, company Guarantee Fund of abovementioned local companies in years, for the criminal offence punishable with up to eight years Kosova, to abuse their official posi- advance and that they were pur- Abusing Official Position or of imprisonment, Issuing tions. On the other hand, Lon chased prior to the entry of the law Authority. Unlawful Judicial Decisions, pro- Palushaj, lawyer, and Bedri into force. He was acquitted from the two vided in Article 346, punishable Bakalli, as expert doctor, The defence team continued to other counts of the indictment; with 6 months to 5 years of impris- Orthopaedic –Traumatologist, as a argue the innocence of defendants Organised Crime, and Issuing onment, Fraud, as per Article 261, member of the criminal group, throughout the trial, explaining in Unlawful Judicial Decisions. par. 1, in conjunction with par. 2, forged medical reports, on behalf detail their actions and attempted to Lon Palushaj was sentenced to punishable with a fine of 15,000 of the damaged party, Fatmir demonstrate that they had made no three years of imprisonment and euro or imprisonment of six Gashi, as allegedly he suffered material gains from any of the deci- prohibition to exercise official months to five years, Falsifying severe bodily injuries in the traffic Documents, as per Article 332, par. accident. 1 and 3, punishable with a fine or Kolë Puka was appointed as imprisonment of up to 3 years; Tax Judge to resolve the civil matter in Evasion, provided in Article 249, the lawsuit for compensation for punishable with up to five years of damages, and attorney Lon imprisonment, and Money Palushaj was appointed as defence Laundering, provided in UNMIK lawyer, without the knowledge of Regulation 2004/02. the damaged party Fatmir Gashi. Zef Marleku, lawyer from Klina, An amount of 50,000 Euros was is accused of committing criminal requested as part of the lawsuit. In offences of Organised Crime, pro- a prior agreement with Kolë Puka, vided in Article 274, paragraphs 1 Isa Salihi, as representative of the and 3, punishable with a fine of company, didn’t represent the com- 500,000 euro and imprisonment of pany with diligence and profes- up to 20 years, criminal offence sionalism, becoming part of the Y Abuse of Official Position or crime. Authorization, provided in Article M Head of customs Huruglica has been cleared of all wrongdoing in the cigarette case Then, Puka appointed Dr. Bedri 339, par. 1 and 3, punishable with C against him. Bakalli as medical expert and sent K 14 June 22 - July 5, 2012 culture Kosovo War Film Lands Producers in Dock It was planned as the first Hollywood feature on the Kosovo conflict, but ‘Guests at the Sofra’ has landed its producer – and two former ministers of culture – in court.

of Guests at the Sofra, to talk about the project. In 2007, a contract was signed By Donjeta Demolli with the then Ministry of Culture, but the money failed to flow and troubles began. he film had the support of The PM intervenes: Kosovo’s major political Tplayers, including the for- In 2007, Agim Ceku, the then mer Prime Minister Agim Ceku. Prime Minister, met Morina, who The co-producer of the Oscar- told that various persons in the nominated film Hotel Rwanda was Ministry of Culture were asking on board to take up the same role, for money in order for the money, as were several well known inter- agreed in the contract, to be dis- national and local actors. bursed. Some 120,000 euro had already Haraqija had authorized his been transferred to the account of subordinates to sign a contract on producer Armond Morina to begin work on the first feature film look- January 30, 2007, under which the ing at the war in Kosovo. film, projected to cost 5 million But five years on, the script euro, was to receive 350,000 euro remains on paper, and Morina, from the ministry. who is famous in Kosovo for his But the financial transfer had role in a popular soap, faces been delayed and Morina told charges for fraud. Ceku this was because of “unpro- Two former Ministers of fessional” behaviour by civil ser- Culture, Astrit Haraqija and vants at the Ministry. Valton Beqiri, are accused of abus- Ceku's current communica- Members of the Guest at the Sofra team meet the then Minister of Culture Astrit Haraqija. ing their official positions by sign- tions adviser, Blerim Limani, at the Ministry for the Kosovo ing illegal contracts related to the progress report on the project, contract, had no written authori- that we had been legally obliged film and awarding funds for the Security Force, said that with which he was obliged to, the zation from minister Haraqija. to fulfil,” Beqiri added, referring film without an open competition. this information, Ceku “talked indictment says. Troni had only verbal authoriza- to other projects that the min- Last month a Prishtina with Culture Minister Haraqija, The Prishtina Commercial tion, according to the indictment. istry had promised to fund but Commercial Court ordered and the latter assured Ceku that Court consulted a cinematogra- The contract was also signed had yet to. Morina to repay the Ministry of the allegations were not true”. phy expert, Agim Sopi and a without an open competition and Beqiri added that he believed Culture 120,000 euro. After this discussion, Ceku says, he heard nothing more of financial expert, Saban Bahtiri, against public procurement laws, he had achieved a good deal for An interesting story: Morina’s project. before concluding in April that it is alleged. Kosovo – some 7 per cent of the Some 100,000 euro was eventu- the terms of the 2007 contract had Haraqija’s contract, signed by profits of the film passing to the not been met. both parties, was also not official- South African filmmaker ally transferred to Morina's Cinematography Centre of The judgment said Morina had ly recorded in the ministry Cheryl Johnson stumbled across Films account by the Ministry in Kosovo. spent more than 95 per cent of the archive, according to the indict- a story in the early 2000s about a 2008 when Valton Beqiri took He added that he was proud of 100,000 euro allocated for the first ment. young Kosovar, now a restaurant over as Culture Minister. his achievements as minister and phase and had still not found any It is as a result of these alleged owner in Pristina, his love for The money was given for the was convinced that his colleagues transgressions that Haraqija has food and his relationship with his “first phase” of the project fol- other donors. from the legal office had made no been charged with abuse of offi- father as war broke in Kosovo. lowing the signature of an annex Morina argued that the legal mistakes in the advice provided cial position or authority. The On her return home she turned to Haraqija’s contract. deadline for the start of the to him, confirming that he should indictment is expected to go soon the story into a script and began The annex, which Prishtina movie does not apply when exter- sign the annex. before a confirmation hearing. working with Morina on trans- Insight has obtained, was signed nal producers are part of the Beqiri was unable to explain Haraqija has refused to speak forming it into a feature film. by two parties, Beqiri from the project. He may now appeal to the why the money was transferred with Balkan Insight. Delphine Depardieu, Gerard Ministry of Culture and Morina Supreme Court. He declined to to Morina Film when the contract discuss the case with this news- The planned foreign producer Depardieu's niece, agreed to act in from Morina Films. stipulated that a special account paper. of the film, Johnson, told Balkan the movie as well as well-known In case of failure of the project, should be opened in the name of Insight that Haraqija had backed Albanian actors Luan Jaha and Morina Films was to return the According to Kosovo’s Law on the project without even reading Guests at the Sofra, however. Luisa Xhuvani. 100,000 euro to the Ministry with- Cinematography, 2004, the dead- the script. All withdrawals from this Izidor Codron, South African in six months of the termination line for starting to shoot a film “The script was ready from the account also ought to have co-executive producer of Hotel of the project. following the signature of a con- beginning, but Haraqija never required two signatures, that of Rwanda, the award-winning film Four years since the signing of tract is six months. asked for it, only Valton [Beqiri] the producer and the representa- that shaped the world’s view of this annex, more than five years But Fatos Berisha, director of asked for the script,” she tives of the Ministry of Culture. the African genocide, was also on from the basic contract, the the Kosovo Cinematography recalled. “Valton read the script Johnson said she remains puz- signed up. project has not yet been complet- Centre, says the law does not, for first before deciding to proceed zled why this did not happen. “I In 2005 Minister Haraqija invit- ed. The film did not find other example, specify how much time with the project,” Johnson added. told Armond to do this, and if he ed the producers of the movie, financial backers. should be given to a producer to had listened to me he would not which now had the working title Morina also submitted no raise funds. “Many people here don’t Beqiri says contract be in such trouble,” said Johnson. realise that film production takes was legal: “The money was transferred to a lot of time because the main Morina Films, but it was speci- fied what this money should be part of the film is not the shoot- Beqiri says he remains con- used for,” Beqiri said. ing or editing but preparation,” vinced that he has done no wrong. Morina – as well as the other Berisha explained. While the prosecution accuses co-accused – is expected to appear “Fundraising can take years him of signing the new contract because film is expensive.” even though the original was ille- before a judge of the District gal, he answers that the contract Court in Pristina for a decision to Gaps in the contract: was not unlawful “because it was made on whether a full trial will signed by an authorised official be held against them. All have The annex contract drafted by of the Ministry with the authori- denied wrongdoing. Beqiri obliged Morina to return sation of the Minister and had The indictment also alleges the money to the ministry in the the stamp of the ministry”. that another director of a differ- event of failure. Beqiri believes he was obliged ent film, Nehat Fejza, failed to But the original contract, of to sign the annex contract in produce his proposed film “Power January 2007, signed by the order to honour the financial Cuts”, after receiving 180,000 Ministry of Culture represented promises of his predecessor. euro in public funds. Y by Alberta Troni, and Morina, “The contract was transferred The owner of Concordia M did not mention this. to us as the ministry’s debt, and Pictures has since announced C Izidor Codron, South Africa co-executive producer of Hotel Rwanda, with other members The director of culture at the there was also 800,000 euro debt to that the film will soon be pre- K of the Guest at the Sofra team. ministry, Troni, who signed the various other cultural projects miered. culture June 22 - July 5, 2012 15 Skopje 2014 Forges Ahead Despite Macedonian Crisis At a time of budget cuts and financial belt-tightening, the government remains cagey about where the money for Skopje’s grand makeover is coming from. tributed through three institu- tions, the Ministry of Culture, the Government Service for By Sinisa Jakov Commissioning and General Marusic Affairs and the Skopje municipal- ity of Centar, on whose territory the revamp is taking place. acedonia’s plans to shave The city of Skopje has also 5 per cent of the state received comparatively smaller Mbudget for 2012 will not funds as part of the project. stop work on the grand revamp of Ivana Bilbilovska, spokesper- the capital, known as “Skopje son for the Finance Ministry, told 2014”, the authorities have made Prishtina Insight that “all pay- clear. ments for Skopje 2014 are met Finance Minister Zoran properly and on time in accor- Stavreski recently explained that dance with deals made with the construction will not be affected contractors”. by the budget cut of 120 million But the ministry did not euro, although the “dynamics” of explain how it is managing to pro- construction might be “readjust- vide the money at a time of crisis ed”. and declined to divulge whether But the Finance Ministry has some of it came from recent not revealed further details about loans. the financing of the project, or Amid falling exports and indus- about how it is raising funds for it trial output, caused largely by the at a time of dire crisis across European crisis, and with fore- Europe that is hitting the domes- casted economic growth of only 1 tic economy as well. per cent for 2012, the country in Economists doubt that tax only one year took out or agreed money alone is enough to keep the to take out almost 700 million project up and running, and some euro in fresh loans from foreign believe the government is spend- banks and financial institutions. ing recently borrowed funds from This May the World Bank foreign banks and financial insti- Money for Skopje 2014's sometimes bizarre projects keeps pouring in, despite the government's financial woes. offered Macedonia $100 million tutions to pay for the city revamp. [some 75 million euro] to pursue country will have to raise taxes or sculpture decoration and other. the world financial crisis took “No matter how the financing economic reforms and address make more cuts in public spend- These then lifted the sum to 30 over, cutting demand for our work [of the project] is done, in the long health, education and social wel- ing. million. abroad,” he said. run the burden will fall on tax fare issues. “Methods are available [to “These additional contracts “We have unpaid bills from the payers,” Abdulmenaf Bexheti, Earlier that month the country repay the money] but they might that are repeated with almost state that come to millions [of economics professor at the South also took a loan of 250 million be painful for tax payers,” he pre- every building - plus the fact that euro]”, he added, expressing con- Eastern Europe University in euro from Deutsche Bank to fill dicted. the government talks only of ‘cap- fidence, however, that the money Tetovo, says. the budget gap. Drawing inspiration from the ital investments’, without saying will come in at some point. He told Prishtina Insight that in In November 2011, Macedonia architectural styles of Classical how much of that goes on ‘Skopje “In this time of crisis it is bet- the short term the government borrowed 130 million euro from Antiquity, the Skopje 2014 project 2014’ - makes it difficult to track ter to expect payment later than can finance the project by raising Deutsche Bank and Citibank with envisages the construction of the funds,” Bexheti says. never,” the same source contin- new loans or even by selling state a guarantee from the World Bank. some 20 buildings, including, Some experts say the govern- ued. bonds. Last March, Macedonia drew museums, theatres, concert halls, ment has one other methodto There appears to be no doubt “But after two or three years 220 million euro from its IMF pre- hotels and administrative offices. keep the construction going amid that companies stand to make tax payers will have to repay the cautionary credit line. Over 40 bronze and marble stat- financial problems. healthy profits from Skopje 2014. debt, and since Skopje 2014 is “The latest loans reflect the gov- ues are also being erected to In July 2010 parliament adopted Unlike many segments of the already a few years in the making, ernment’s logic that it needs to adorn the surroundings, includ- changes to the Public economy, statistics suggest that the bills will soon start to arrive,” spend much more to increase ing a triumphal arch and an Procurements Law, allowing state big construction companies work- he said. GDP growth in a time of crisis,” obelisk. institutions to postpone payment ing on the project, including Money for the project, which economics professor at Skopje While the government defends to companies for commissioned Granit, Beton Skopje and Beton the centre-right government of University, Vanco Uzunov says. the project as a necessary work. Stip, made significant profits last Nikola Gruevski launched in 2010, Like Bexheti, Uzunov suspects makeover for the shabby-looking The provision reads that in case year. is supposed to come directly from that some of this borrowed city, opposition parties have criti- of budget cuts, “budget benefici- In the first quarter of 2011 the state budget from the sum money is destined for Skopje 2014 cized its cost. aries can make changes to the Beton Skopje increased its profits envisaged for capital investments and that the hard part will come They say that at a time of eco- dynamics of realization and pay- by 250 per cent, compared with that this year amounts to some after a few years when the debts nomic uncertainty, building ment of commissioned work same period in 2010, while Beton 350 million euro. will have to be repaid and the sculptures and mock-Classical stemming from one-year con- Stip recorded an outstanding This money is then mainly dis- facades cannot be seen as a worth- tracts by signing annex treaties jump of 1,700 per cent on 2010. while capital investment. that can prolong the deadlines for “However, this is not a real indi- Faced with a lack of official one or more years”. cator of how much the companies data on the cost of the project, The change stipulates that the in fact cashed in, because that fig- they have calculated that the firms in question as well as the ure includes every invoice for revamp may cost up to 500 million government have to give consent payment, whether it has been euro. for such annexes. received or not,” Bexheti warns. Available but incomplete data “One imagines that most firms Meanwhile, the exact size of the from the Bureau for Public would accept delayed payment sums that the state owes to com- Procurement show that the four from the state in a situation panies in general has been a mat- buildings managed by the where they have no alternative ter of heated discussion over the Ministry of Culture alone have so and face shrinking demand from past few years. far cost some 55 million euro. the private sector,” Bexheti The opposition Social The most expensive has been explains. Democrats maintain that the gov- the National Theatre. The initial One senior manager in a large ernment owes big sums to compa- contract from 2009 with Beton construction company engaged in nies, damaging their liquidity. Stip for the building was for only the project told Prishtina Insight Some companies have been saying 4.5 million euro. that firms are grateful for com- the same but only off the record. But in the past few years the missions connected to Skopje The government on the other Y ministry signed seven additional 2014. hand remains cagey about fig- M contracts with firms for illumina- “It is good that the state has ures, but it insists it has things C The artists behind the giant sculpture of Philip makes the final touches. tion, carpentry, stage equipment, jumped in with projects just as under control. K 16 June 22 - July 5, 2012 Prishtina Insight

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A taste of Napoli in Prishtina. Hotel Prishtina Prishtina Insight has After ten years of Hotel Prishtina’s teamed up with these making pizza in 43 charming guest excellent venues to Napoli, and only rooms and suites are with love to blame, reminiscent of a offer a limited num- Fatmir the chef small hotel in the returned to European tradition. ber of complimentary Prishtina. His piz- You'll immediately copies of Kosovo’s zas, made in a feel at home in our woodburn stove, living room, sipping a only English-lan- are definitely gen- glass of wine in our guage newspaper. uine napolitanas. fine restaurant sur- For those who con- rounded by a gallery Grab a copy of the sider pizza to be of paintings by local publication and settle boring, Fatmir has artists. several pastas on The hotel offers free, down with a drink or offer, also a true joy for the taste buds. Napoli has an excellent selec- fast wifi internet, com- a meal to read it. tion of red and white wines or, for the more ambitious, one of the plimentary breakfast, region's best quince raki. Napoli makes for delicious lunch, dinner or conference room, even after-theatre time out in the centre of Prishtina. swimming pool, sauna and laundry service. Pizzeria Napoli Hotel Prishtina, off Luan Haradinaj, opposite Newborn St. Vaso Pasha nr. 20 044/409-402402 +381 38 / 22 32 84

Hotel AFA Te Komiteti Located in a quiet neighbourhood just Te Komiteti’s large trees and a beauti- outside the city centre, Hotel Afa can fully garden, which surround the small guarantee guests a peaceful night while outdoor terrace, give you an impression being within walking distance of all the of an exclusive place for ordinary peo- action. The venue has won a host of ple. And this is exactly what it is. From awards for its excellent service to cus- brunch to lunch-time snacks and special tomers and offers a good range of facili- evening meals, this restaurant offers ties, from an exclusive restaurant and dishes comprising quality, varied ingredi- VIP bar to pretty, tranquil gardens. ents, combined to perfection. Alongside Rooms start at 45 euro for a single, and one of Prishtina’s best ‘modern luxury rooms and apartments are avail- European’ style menus, you’ll also find a able. The hotel’s rooms are well appoint- good selection of wine, and great san- ed and comfortable. gria and cocktails . 15, Rr Ali Kelmendi, Te Komiteti Sunny Hill, Prishtina Qamil Hoxha Street +381 38/225 226 Prishtina www. hotelafa. com +381 38 24 96 63

Restorant Brasserie Lura Paddy O’Brien’s Papillon Bistro Bar At 450-metres squared Restaurant Lura is as spacious as The staff at Newly reopened bar in Prishtina, you get in Prishtina. It’s also surrounded by the towering Paddy O’Brien’s Papillon, offers more than 60 types of wines trees of Germia and offers a pleasant garden where, in the have a saying: “It’s from France, Italy, Spain, and Kosovo with summer, this eatery prepares food al fresco. It’s large meet- easy to walk in, but ideal prices and delicious dishes. ing room is also ideal for that private lunch or dinner. very hard to leave.” They serve pasta, sandwiches, salads and The combined style of classical and modern interior And with its different appetizers. leaves you with an impression of refined taste. warm atmosphere, You can also try different types of local or The newly opened restaurant is already famous for its fantastic range of international beers. Mediterranean specialties, exquisite seafood and fine drinks and excel- The bar, with it’s stunning, new design, is selections of Italian, French and local wines. But that’s not lent food, it is easy located in the centre of Prishtina, near all, for music lovers, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to see why. ProCredit Bank headquarter, RTK radio night dinners are accompanied by jazz, whereas on There have been centre, and the Mother Teresa cathedral. Saturdays local patriots can enjoy live traditional many attempts to Albanian music. establish a proper Papillon Lura Restaurant Irish pub in Mother Teresa Str. Nr. 51 A Str. Nazmi Gaffuri • 10 000 Prishtina • +381 (0)38 763 763 ; Prishtina, but this [email protected] +386 (0)49 763 763 • www.lurarestaurant.com is the only one to 044 103 310 [email protected] hit the spot. From classic coffees to cocktails, via, of course, Guinness, you really wont find it difficult to select the perfect drink. A mouth-watering menu of Irish specialties is also on offer, spanning from all-day breakfasts to Irish stews at night. Options include shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, fish ‘n chips, and whopping great burgers. Thursday is pub quiz night, but there is always something going on at the pub, whether it is sport screenings or just a good shindig. Paddy O’Brien’s Y Tringe Smajli Street, by the Illyria Hotel M Prishtina: 045-420900 C K By Yllka Hoxha June 22 - July 5, 2012 17 in Prishtina Timeout Contact Prishtina Insight if you would like your event to feature or to advertise your venue. Email [email protected]

area of Stacion, resulting thus in a Stacion - Center for ‘trio’: the film, the audio recording and the live performance. Borel then plays Contemporary Art live with the film Long Sorrow in the Men in Black 3 inner space of Stacion, a ‘duet’, before Every day at 8 pm and 10 pm finally performing a solo after the film Prishtina ends. 3-2-1 punctuates the fixed cycle of This comedy is about agents the show with an improvised element, J and K who go back in time. J Tuesday, June 26, 2012 integrating the strands of film and had seen many strange things, Anri Sala performance that run through Sala’s but nothing irritates him more 3-2-1...Long Sorrow work. than his partner. But, when The performance 3-2-1 was first cre- K’s life and the planet are in Opening at 8 pm. ated for Anri Sala’s solo show at the danger, J must go back in With the 3-2-1 performance featur- Serpentine Gallery in London in 2011. time, and put everything back ing free jazz musician Pierre Borel, in its own place. responding on saxophone to the The exhibition of Anri Sala at Directed by Barry recording of Jemeel Moondoc. Stacion - Center for Contemporary Art Sonnenfeld. Prishtina is supported by: Ambassade Wednesday, June 27, 2012 de France au Kosovo, Ministry of Artist talk with Anri Sala at Culture, Youth and Sports of the Prometheus 20:00hrs. Republic of Kosovo, Ministry of every day at 20 pm and 22 pm. Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Anri Sala was born in 1974 in Kosovo, Directorate for Culture, Youth Tirana. He is a contemporary artist and Sports of the Municipality of Prometheus is a 2012 science whose primary medium is video. He Long Sorrow, 2005, filmed on the fiction film directed by Ridley Prishtina, Hotel Nartel, Arda Rei, Ujë studied art at the Albanian Academy eponymous public housing estate in Scott and written by Jon Rugove, Technomarket, Europlakat, of Arts from 1992 to 1996, video at the Berlin, is an enigmatic record of a per- Spaihts and Damon Lindelof. KTV, Klan Kosova, X-print, 3V studio Ecole Nationale des Arts Décoratifs of formance orchestrated by the artist. The film stars Noomi and DZG. Paris and film direction in Le Sala invited noted free jazz musician Rapace,Michael Fassbender, Jemeel Moondoc to perform while sus- Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, Logan Fresnoy-Studio National des Arts pended outside the window of an For more: 038-222-576; E-mail: Marshall-Green and Charlize Contemporains, Tourcoing. He lives empty apartment on the eighteenth [email protected] www.stacion.org Theron. Set in the late 21st cen- and works in Berlin. To name a few of floor. Through details and close ups of tury, the story centres on the his works: Dammi i Colori (2005), the musician’s eyes and facial expres- crew of the spaceship Long Sorrow (2005), Intervista (1999), Prishtina Diary Prometheus as they follow a Nocturnes – 1999, 1395 Days Without sions we get a first-hand experience of star map discovered among the Red (2011). Sala has been part of the the adrenaline rush running through Prishtina Diary remnants of several ancient most important international events, his body. It’s this rush that dictate his Friday, June 22, 2012 Earth civilizations. Led to a such as the European Biennial, musical performance, while its sound Duplex, distant world and an advanced civilization, the crew Manifesta – 2000, Venice Biennial – conveys the bodily experience of the seeks the origins of humanity, but instead discovers 2003, Istanbul Biennial - 2003, Tirana architectonic space and its dimen- Elvana Gajta a threat that could cause the extinction of the human Biennial – 2003 – 2009, Sidney sions. Suspending him in space and race. Biennial – 2006, Documenta 2012. He’s denying him the possibility to express himself through words or human Soon, ABC Cinema will start screening the newest ICE- also received many international voice, opens up for a phenomenologi- AGE Movie, the “Ice Age 4 -Continental Drift”. awards among which, Prix Gilles cal relation between the body and the Manny, Diego, and Sid embark upon another adventure Dussein – 2000, Best Young Artist, after their continent is set adrift. Using an iceberg as a Venice Biennial – 2003, Absolut space, a relation in which the analytic ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as Award – 2011. capacity of human intelect is entirely they explore a new world. Anri Sala’s works reflect a very spe- reduced, while the brains has become From July, the cinema will also screen the brand new cial perspective on how we see the merely a mechanism that responds to Spider Man movie, “The Amazing Spiderman”. world, a view that mixes reflections the spatial stimuli percieved through Like most teenagers his age, Peter [played by Andrew on history, memory and instanta- every extremity of the musician’s Garfield] is trying to figure out who he is and how to be neous ephemeral consciousness, with body. the person he is today. In his journey to put the pieces of an unparalleled dedication and atten- For the show at Stacion, Sala stages his past together he uncovers a secret that his father tion to the present. He has a unique the performance 3-2-1, 2011, in which [Campbell Scott] held… a secret that will ultimately talent for sharp and accurate realisa- French saxophonist Pierre Borel shape his destiny as Spider-Man. This is the first in a tions, as well as a special ability to responds live to Long Sorrow. 3-2-1 series of movies that tells a different side of the Peter create installations and spatial pro- begins with Borel accompanying an Parker story. posals which include sounds, images, audio recording of Moondoc’s improv- For any further questions or reservations call at 038 243 sculptures, films or live performanc- isation with his own earlier perform- 238 or visit them at www.kinoabc.com es. ance on film, playing in the garden

Oda Theatre National Theatre Dodona Theatre Tuesday, June 12, 2012 Every Tuesday at 8 pm “Nora” by Henrik Ibsen, directed by Jeton Budima. Tre Gjermanët e Trashë II The play will be staged on Wednesday, June 13, and Thursday, (Three Fat Germans II) June 14, 2012. Friday, June 15, 2012 Every Thursday 7.30pm Thanks to this play you will understand Ballet “Love that kills” [Dashuria që vret], by Ilir Kerni. Çifti i Hapur is being staged “What did Brigel say when he asked for a Saturday, June 16, 2012 with the text of Italian authors drink?”; “Why Hans didn’t let him drink A German Musical Play. Dario Fo and Franca Rame, Mojito?”; “How did Gani experience his 21st Saturday, June 16, 2012 directed by Kushtrim Koliqi snow?”; “Is Vukashin really Ukshin?”; “Does Picasso’s women by Brian McAvera, dramatised by Getoarbë A man proposes to his wife of KFOR-ja still work for KFOR or she just H. Mulliqi, directed by Arbresha Grabovci – Nixha & Hazir Sh. eliminating the concept of mar- loves him?” Haziri (Theatre’s small scene). Picasso’s Women is a thought- tial loyalty and creating an Author: Lirak Celaj; Producer: Florent Mehmeti; Roles: Naser provoking piece of theatre, which, in its entirety, is a series of “open relationship” in their Rafuna, Adrian Morina, Kushtrim Sheremeti, Lirak Celaj, Fisnik eight monologues telling the stories of Pablo Picasso’s eight lives. The woman rejects this Ademi, Ard Islami, Arta Selimi, Florent Mehmeti. wives and lovers from their point of view. and after several attempts of Monday, June 18, 2012 suicide, she decides to accept If It Was a Play - Every Thursday 8pm A Turkish play. her husband’s offer because in Based on the drama by Almir Imshireviq. Director: Agon Myftari. Tuesday, June 19, 2012 fact it’s the only way to remain On bus number 4, during wartime in Prishtina, a 26 years old, “Lisistrata” by Aristofane, directed by Elmaze Nura. married. The man is happy. He, wearing jeans, is near Hotel Union, when a sniper bullet breaks the Thursday, June 21, 2012 no longer needs to hide his girl- glass and shoots the youngster in the neck. A lady wearing white, “Diploma Ball” by Johann Strauss, choreography Ilir Kerni. friends and is released from who was next to him starts to scream. When she sees the blood in her feelings of guilt. Cast: Edona shirt she faints. Starring: Rebeka Qena, Adrian Morina, Armend All plays are in Albanian language, and tickets cost 3 euro; for Reshitaj and Besart Sllamniku. Ismajli, Besnik Krapi. students and pensioners tickets are only 1 euro. Y For more details email; teatri- For any further questions or reservations call them at 044 430 M For more information call +381 (0)38 246 555 or write [email protected]; 693 visit them at www.teatrikombetar.eu C [email protected]. [email protected] K 18 June 22 - July 5, 2012 inside prishtina Keeping the Faith Ecosovo Kosovo’s Arbana Xharra Couchsurfing king rayer time on Friday after- David Cozart is an American teacher at a private school in noon. Hundreds of men and Pboys gather at the Grand Prishtina. He’s also a couchsurfing king, having hosted Mosque in the old quarter of 200 people in the last 6 months from all over the world. Prishtina, Kosovo’s capital. A few who can’t get into the packed and bring the traveler home to a building start praying on the safe bed. street outside. It’s madness, and it’s marvel- lous hospitality, in the extreme A young man, aged around 30, By Elizabeth Gowing advises me against getting too Albanian version, where your close to the mosque. “Wait home, as the Kanun of Lekë across the street,” he says. Dukagjini says, ‘belongs to God ou’re travelling somewhere “Today only men come to pray.” and the guest’. new this summer, right? He shows me to a spot a few It’s clear from the comments on YYou’re wondering about the steps away from the front of the the couchsurfing website that accommodation you can find – mosque. cheap, environmentally-friendly, David is an inspiration to the peo- The imam, Shefqet Krasniqi, not too touristy? ple who stay with him. He’s a gen- starts his sermon. His voice Couchsurfing is your solution. tle, thoughtful man and his guests reaches the street through loud- Better than cheap, it’s free, and it talk about leaving his home as speakers. He urges the congrega- saves you not just money, but all better people. tion to steer clear of alcohol and the wasted resources of hotel While they’re staying, David drugs, and warns them against rooms with their teeny plastic- shares his knowledge of television shows and websites packaged toiletries, their televi- Prishtina, and he encourages that denigrate Islam. sions for every guest, the towels guests to take part in volunteer- The enemies of Islam are hard relaundered every day. Moreover, ing activities – the ‘Let’s Do It at work in Kosovo,” he says, couchsurfing is the way to get Kosova’ clean-up campaign, or adding that the supporters of under the skin of a city, to under- events for World Environment the faith are outnumbered by its stand it from a local’s point of Day (or, yes, helping with sorting foes. “Amorality is steadily view, and maybe have a chance to clothes and teaching kids at The increasing… you can see this contribute something while Ideas Partnership’s activities in everywhere.” you’re there. the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian The imam tells his followers to Visit www.couchsurfing.org neighbourhood of Fushë Kosovë). restrict their children’s partici- (‘the world’s largest travel com- David is typically modest about pation in school excursions and munity’) for the full definition, his generosity in sharing his prom nights. “We have to oppose but in essence it’s a way of travel- home with others, “everyone that everything that is against ling that enables you to be put in has surfed at my place has Allah,” he says. touch with contacts who can host enriched my days and given me Berat and his cousin Shabi, you (on a couch or with a spare reason to smile,” he says. “I never both 22-years-old and from bed, or with space to put up a tent, turn on my TV because talking to Prishtina, regard Imam The imam of Prishtina's main mosque exhorts people not to allow their children to proms. or without offering accommoda- real people about their real lives Krasniqi as a godsend. “He tion at all, but meeting you for a is much more interesting.” explains the benefits of Islam mosque, said the crowd at the faith. drink to give you advice about David’s record of visitor num- simply and directly,” says Berat. Friday prayers was not typical of places to see) for your stay in a bers is unrivalled, but if he is the He adds that he has been praying Kosovo. “It’s true 90% of Arbana Xharra is journalist foreign city. king of couchsurfers, he is not regularly since his early teens. Kosovans are Muslims,” he said, from Kosovo and participant in alone in the couchsurfing court. Ymer Mehmeti, an elderly “but only a few of them go to the 2012 Balkan Fellowship for David Cozart is an American There are 140 couchsurfers reg- man who was finishing his mosque.” Instead, he suggested, Journalistic Excellence pro- teacher at a private school in istered as hosts in Prishtina, prayers, said he was glad to see I should visit the crowded bars gramme. Her fellowship story Prishtina. He’s also a couchsurf- Most, of course, are Kosovars, more youngsters at the mosque. and cafes in downtown Prishtina looks at changing attitudes ing king. He’s hosted 200 people in though there is a handful of “The youth need to be educated to see how most of the youth pre- towards Islam in Kosovo. Follow the last 6 months. They’ve been expats like David. They’ve all by people who interpret the ferred to spend their Fridays. this fellow and her reporting from all over the globe – a little signed up to the couchsurfing Koran correctly,” he said. Over the coming months, I project on United Nations of travellers from code which includes the basic Alban Lleshi, a man his thir- shall look at how people in http://fellowship.birn.eu.com/ across Europe and the English- ties who was passing by the Kosovo are finding new ways to en/profiles/fellows-arbana-xhar- speaking world, but also Japan, principles about tolerance, the define themselves – and their ra Korea, China, Taiwan, Israel, community’s self-moderation, Russia, Brazil and Somalia. that the service is free (no asking “I just wish I’d got to meet the for money or labour in exchange Photo News: guy from Iran they turned back at for your couch) and has the aim of the airport,” David says. “He had friendship (one rule is ‘don’t go one digit wrong in my phone looking for a date… we will con- Prishtina’s number and the people in sider this harassment’). But Kosovan immigration didn’t there’s always room for one more believe that he had a host here, – Why not join them? Blazing Heat and he wasn’t able to contact me. And even if you don’t want to A Golf car burst into “They tried the same thing offer accommodation to others in with an Egyptian couchsurfer but Prishtina, you can always use the flames at crossroads in luckily he had my number saved service as a guest on your travels central Prishtina on and so was able to contact me to this summer. There is no require- come and vouch for him at the air- ment for direct reciprocity so you Wednesday, causing port.” can couchsurf with someone else widespread traffic prob- It’s a nice story, and you think before hosting travellers at your lems. David must be a nice guy. And home. But, as David says, “what’s then you think what that story stopping you? These are life- Firefighters and police really means. David has spent a affirming relationships you’re were quick to the scene day teaching. He’s got back to his making.” flat, to find a number of couch- Elizabeth Gowing is a founder of the blaze, which draw surfers hanging out there (he tells of The Ideas Partnership, a large crowds of onlook- me that last week he had 12 people Kosovan NGO working on educa- staying). He sits down to dinner, tional, cultural and environmen- ers and halted traffic. starts to settle into his evening – tal projects. She is also the author No one was injured in the and then a stranger from Egypt of the recently-published, Travels Y calls from the airport, and so in Blood and Honey; becoming a M fire and the cause David gets in a car and drives the beekeeper in Kosovo. She can be C remains unknown. 30 minutes to Sllatina to negotiate reached on theideaspartner- K with the immigration authorities [email protected] inside prishtina June 22 - July 5, 2012 19 In Papirun’s Luis Rosario, sandwiches, the seeds an intern at Innovation Lab of culinary revolution What surprised you attending the music festi- most about Prishtina? val in Peja this weekend. I How many people know would like to visit a a different language mosque before I leave, I By Gravlax (English, Spanish). One have never been inside of night a taxi driver spoke to one. I also plan on going to me in perfect Spanish and Beerfest. made me believe he was rishtina’s dining scene is a tragical- from Chiapas, Mexico. He What is the most ly flawed hero. Whenever I take vis- Pitors out for a meal here, they’re wasn't, but we had a great annoying thing about conversation. Also, I didn't Prishtina? almost always blown away by the abun- of: the Eyes through Prishtina dance of delicious food at fire-sale prices, believe there was a statue The parking. Sidewalks at least by Western European and of Bill Clinton here until I are for people, not cars. American standards, at places like saw it for myself. Kosovar food? Tiffany, Renaissance, Pjata and the other If you were mayor of Doners are my favorite, but go-to joints. They’re consistently very What's/was your Prishtina for the day I think they are Turkish. good but also consistently the same. I favorite hangout? what would you change? Bureks are great too. All the wouldn’t be surprised if Tiffany’s Creme de le Creme and The sidewalks. food here is better and fresh- unwritten menu hasn’t changed one bit Prishtina Rock Cafe, but er than most of the food in since the restaurant's inception. Not that anywhere on Nana Teresa How many macchiatos the US (something Kosovo anyone is complaining. But for those of is great too. do/did you drink a day? should be proud of !). us who call Prishtina home, eating out special touch, with that little bit of tangi- Before I came to Kosovo: can get boring. Contemporary dining ness that plays of the chicken. The rest is What landmark do you trends seem to elude this city. Do/did you do any- none. Now, everyday: At simple. A little bit of lettuce, a couple use to tell taxi drivers The opening of Tingell-Tangell’s vege- thing cultural? least 2 tomato slices, pickles and mayonnaise where you live/lived? tarian kitchen in 2011 offered a respite I visited Prizren, that’s hinted with mustard. The only Sunny Hill from the doldrums of boring food. It was- problem is that it’s difficult to decide Gjakova, and plan on What's the tastiest n’t the simple novelty of having a vege- between the Chicken Crunch and the tarian restaurant here. Each dish carried roast beef (2.80 euro). The name doesn’t an imprint of inspiration and creativity. do it justice. The beef, which appears to Photo News: The falafel had subtle, brilliant touches be brisket, melts in your mouth as it like the inclusion of greens in the chick- intertwines with grilled onions. The pea mixture. The kitchen didn’t just give experience is pure bliss, and it’s almost a the city great falafel; it was contributed shame to devour a sandwich with such to the worldwide falafel discourse. But for luxuriously tender beef. Cleaning Up the time being it’s just a delicious memo- These two sandwiches are the best and ry. The Tingell kitchen is closed, and we most important things you can be eating Parliament must wait for its promised reincarnation in Prishtina right now. Aside from being as a standalone restaurant in the centre. delicious, they’re unique in the city and Windows cleaners were In the meantime, a small sandwich shop stand out as being part of an internation- snapped abseiling down is carrying the torch of culinary innova- al trend of casual gourmet dining. Even Kosovo Parliament’s facade tion. Parisians are lining up at food trucks last week. Papirun just has seating at two perpen- serving haute burgers and tacos. The It may not have been dicular counters in what’s basically a attraction to food trucks and holes in the quite the clean-up of par- hole-in-the-wall just off Mother Teresa wall is that they strip away the pretence liament most people had Boulevard, near the Grand Hotel. The and price and focus on the food. The best hoped for, but the glass- menu has 13 options: 6 pizzas and seven sweetbreads I’ve ever tasted came from a fronted building is now sandwiches. The most expensive item, cart in a corporate parking lot near San nonetheless sparkling in the sausage and vegetable pizza , costs 4 Francisco. the summer sun. euro. The sandwiches are the stars, My only hope is that Papirun will con- though. Every component is handled tinue to innovate and not succumb to a if with care. The bread alone is good it “ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude. And enough to make just about any sandwich if the eatery stays in business and the into a glorious feast. It’s freshly baked reincarnation of Tingell’s kitchen opens, and seasoned with rosemary. they could be the cornerstones of a culi- Each sandwich is great, but true rise to nary revolution. the level of truly exceptional, the Chicken Crunch and the roast beef. The Chicken Crunch (2.40 euro) owes its Papirun , just off the alleyway next to name to the fact that it’s a fried-chicken sandwich. A seasoned corn-flake batter the old UNMIK building. coats a chicken breast. When fried, the 045.26.23.23 result leaves a perfectly crispy cocoon for 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. the juicy chicken. The corn flakes add a Monday through Saturday

Papirun means without fork in Albanian. It is also the best place for sandwiches in town. 20 June 22 - July 5, 2012 opinion

Comment Split Pride Doesn’t Prove Croatia Has Embraced Diversity

While the government has shown its determination to uphold the rights of sexual minorities, it’s questionable what would have happened to the march had the police not been there in such force. a physical showdown, including attacks on changing people’s views. rockers. marchers with Molotov cocktails - clearly In an intolerant and closed society, things Zagreb took serious heed of warnings aiming for a reprise of the bloody scenes cannot change overnight, they say, but that from Brussels, where Split Gay Pride was By Drago Hedl seen at the last Gay Pride - the city’s contro- is no reason to give up the fight for the closely monitored, that, as a future member versial mayor, Zeljko Kerum, called on rights of minorities, including sexual ones, of the EU, Croatia must deliver on minority locals to boycott the parade. in general. rights, including towards people of a differ- He said that Split, as a mainly Catholic The war that Croatia went through in ent sexual orientation. That is why the he Croatian authorities did all they city, did not want such a rally and that the early 1990s generated a powerful intolerance police took such pains to secure the rally in could to make sure Gay Pride in Split participants in the parade were not wel- towards the Serbian minority in Croatia. Split. Tdidn’t send out the same kinds of come. The intolerance was not directed only But the police alone cannot change public images of bloody violence that marred last Some right-wing MPs in parliament also against the Serbian minority in Croatia but opinion and nudge it in the direction of a year’s parade in the city. voiced vehement opposition to Gay Pride, against Serbs in general. Twenty years on, tolerance that can truly embrace differences About 900 members of the special police with one MP, Zoran Vinkovic, calling homo- Croatia is somewhat more tolerant towards and not treat minorities as foreign tissue were on hand to secure the safety of about sexuality a “disease” and “a perversion”, Serbs, but the nationalistic intolerance of that needs to be removed. To that end, 500 marchers, forming an unbreakable cor- saying: “This is, above all, a Catholic nor- the 1990s has fed intolerance towards other Croatia has still a lot to do. ridor on the Riva, the city’s maritime walk- mal country, not a country of faggots and minority groups as well, from gays to punk- way. same-sex communities.” To get the message across, some five min- The Catholic Church was more sophisti- isters in the new centre-left government, cated in its advice, on the one hand calling marketing including Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic - for tolerance while at the same time advis- best known as an energetic advocate of ing believers not to head for the Riva that Croatia’s European Union membership - day, but to head for the Marijan picnic resort came to support the gathering in person. or some other part of town instead. In statements issued before the rally on A public survey conducted in 48 countries June 9, Split Gay Pride was also supported by the International Social Survey Program by Croatian President Ivo Josipovic and showed that two-thirds of Croats - 65.8 per Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic. cent – disapprove of gay relationships and Both urged locals to show their tolerance that Croatia ranks in 11th position in terms and respect for differences and the right of of intolerance towards the LBGT popula- minorities to hold public gatherings. tion. The country, which is due to become a That is why the question remains about full-fledged member of the EU this time next whether Split Gay Pride met all the goals set Park School Pristina year, has thus formally demonstrated that, Finally spring is upon us! It is the time and kindergarten in an attractive setting by the organisers, that is, whether, after it, in Croatia today, gays can advocate for their to make decisions about where your child just outside downtown Pristina. We have Croatian society has become more tolerant rights in public places unhindered. will go to preschool in the fall. The fami- had a wonderful spring term and look for- towards people of a different sexual orienta- But the question remains about what lies and staff of Park School Pristina want ward to sharing our experience with other tion, or whether its resistance towards them would have happened in Split, the second to share one of the schooling options in families. The school is for children age 2-6, remains at the same level, or has become largest city in Croatia, had those 900 police- Pristina with you. before they begin formal schooling (in even stiffer. men not been there to form a steel cordon. We are located in a green, quiet, safe and some countries, that is 5 years old, in oth- The opponents of the Gay Pride, citing the In the run-up to Split Gay Pride, militant easily accessible neighborhood, halfway ers, 7 years old). exceptionally strong police presence, are groups supported by local authorities and between Pristina’s two largest parks, Tauk The school day runs 8am – 3pm with flex- trying to prove the latter, claiming that most by the statements of some politicians, Bahqe and Germia. The school’s immedi- ible drop-off and pickup. We also offer a citizens of Split boycotted Gay Pride. vowed to stop the gathering. ate surroundings include plenty of trees, summer camp during the month of July. Those who support gay rights meanwhile While the most radical groups threatened open grassy areas and fresh air. Our stu- Park School Tiddlers playgroup is a maintain that such events are gradually dents enjoy the outdoors every day of the meeting place for parents or care-givers school year, whether it’s to play, picnic, or and their children, aged 0 to 3. It’s a place explore. where children can play and explore Park School was founded by a group of together, and develop new friendships. The parents in late 2011 who sought for their group meets twice a week, on Tuesdays and children an English-language preschool Thursdays from 08:30 – 11:00.

For more information please contact:

Y M Phone: +381 (38) 755 601 • [email protected] C http://www.park-school.com/ K Heavy police presence at the pride rally in Split, Croatia. opinion June 22 - July 5, 2012 21 Outside In Prishtina - A City still under Occupation

By Kreshnik Hoxha

rishtina, a city densely populated by locals, wannabe-locals and internationals, recently marked its thirteenth anniversary of Pliberation from Serbian forces. But has that occupation not just been replaced by another, albeit less murderous, version? Many remember the date of liberation, June 11, 1999, as the moment when urban and cultural life of the majority Albanian pop- ulation returned to the city. This came after nearly a decade of segre- gation and discrimination from public institutions within the city. This was a date which launched the clash of urban and rural values. This is also the date when Prishtina started to lose its Serbian popu- lation, who nowadays resides mainly in the outskirts of the capital. Prishtina, a city which has served as the crossroads for many con- Journalists need protection from revealing their sources. quering civilisations, has always struggled to preserve its identity and roots, dating back to ancient times. The struggle, of course, was and is directly linked to the community spirit within the city. There have been two factors in particular which have had a major impact on Scrapping Article 38 the extinction of many landmarks. The first destructive factor relates to the Yugoslav regime of 1940s and 1950s, when most of the Ottoman heritage of the city was forsak- en for concrete. This attempt to modernise led to the loss of most of Won’t Help Kosovo the Old Carshia (bazaar). In addition, the mosques and churches located in today's Mother Theresa square were also sacrificed for the sake of implanting the socialist spirit among the citizens of the cap- ital of the then-province. Media’s Cause With the change of regime in 1999, Prishtina regained the spirit of Days before parliament is due to revise two controversial articles in the new law code, the a city. The capital opened itself to cultural life, albeit a modest one, argument about whether one of the articles should be amended - or abolished – goes on. and it very soon became a vibrant place, with a bustling nightlife and one of the best macchiatos in the world. But, this change also brought about the second destructive factor in the city. houses and journalists criminally they will force journalists to Eager to leave behind every trace of the Yugoslav era, Prishtina responsible for “criminal offences reveal their sources even when the laid waste to its former identity. Many landmarks in the city have committed through the media” - existence of an imminent threat to without specifying what a crimi- someone’s life or physical integri- been subjected to a new generation of capitalist "modernisation", By Flutura Kusari nal offence committed through the ty is not justified. complete with shiny glass windows stubbornly hiding the concrete of media might consist of. However, if this article is the Yugoslav era. Newly constructed "skyscrapers" started to pop Article 38, on the other hand, removed rather than modified, everywhere like mushrooms and successfully contributed to the he debate among journalists obliges journalists to disclose all journalists could still be sum- urban genocide that had started since 1940s. remains heated and ongoing their sources to the court, “if the moned by Kosovo’s courts like There are two buildings with unresolved statuses that have, and Tin Kosovo about what should information is necessary to pre- every other citizen - and informa- will, play a key role in the battle to preserve the city. be done with two controversial vent an attack that constitutes an tion would be required from them, amendments to the Kosovo The first is the unfinished Orthodox Church, next to the National imminent threat to life or physical as no law will prohibit the court Criminal Code. integrity”. from doing so. Library of Kosovo. Construction started in 1995 and is deemed by The debate took off in earnest In the meantime, many interna- Furthermore, journalists, like many as illegal purely because it was erected on the university prop- on April 20, when parliament tional media organisations such as all other citizens, could be impris- erty under the orders of the leadership in Belgrade. The church was adopted the new Criminal Code the European Broadcasting Union, oned or fined by law if they refuse meant to be the biggest in Kosovo. For the Albanian citizens of with two articles – one making EBU, and Freedom House, have to give testimony regarding their Prishtina, it became a glaring symbol of Serb occupation and oppres- journalists liable for criminal reacted in support, asking sources when summoned to do so. offences not specified in the crimi- sion. Post-war attempts to destroy it have, thankfully, been unsuccess- Kosovo’s parliament to take a fresh In the current criminal code, nal code (article 37), and another ful. Once protected by KFOR peacekeepers, it remains unfinished look at the Criminal Code. journalists are exempted from an obliging journalists to reveal their today, awaiting a decision on its fate. Now, only days before this revi- obligation to testify when it comes sources in court if the informa- One of the ideas put forward has been to turn it into an art gallery sion is to take place, debate contin- to the disclosure of their sources. tion is deemed necessary to pre- ues about what should happen I would argue that, with a slight while preserving all of its architectural elements. Considering its vent threats to people’s life or with these two articles. modification, article 38 could serve illegal construction and what it symbolises for Albanians, this would physical integrity (article 38). Part of the journalistic commu- to protect journalists from the be a rational approach to its fate. Following adoption of the code, nity, led by Association of legal obligation to disclose their However, this proposal could still prove rather unacceptable for the there was an outcry from the Professional Journalists of sources if demanded by a court. media community, which included Albanian population in Prishtina, many of whom naively argue that Kosovo, AGPK, wants both of the But if article 38 is completely a media boycott of Kosovo’s state anything pre-1999 should have no place in the capital. An example of offending articles removed com- removed, journalists will no institutions for a day on World this is the Hotel Union, opposite the Kosovo Government. Built in pletely. longer be exempted from a duty to Press Freedom Day. 1920 with a stunning Austro-Hungarian look, the hotel is one of the But, both the EBU and Freedom testify. After this, on May 8, Atifete House advise that while Article 37 Either way, sources must be pro- few buildings of this architecture in the city. Jahjaga, the President of Kosovo, needs to be completely removed, tected - either via the criminal In 2008, the local authorities of the city decided that it held no real used her discretion to return the Article 38 need only be modified, code or through a special law on value and should be demolished to open the way for a new boulevard. law to parliament for reconsidera- not removed entirely. the protection of sources, which A petition was signed to preserve the building, but soon after it "acci- tion by not signing it. The AGPK’s argument, mean- must enter into force at the same dentally" caught fire. This was a triumph for the ignorant locals, who She reminded parliament that while, is that, knowing the inexpe- time as the new criminal code. the articles in question appeared were determined to ruin what was very dear to the others. rience of Kosovo’s courts and the not in line with the European stan- Prishtina marked its anniversary of liberation last week by cele- amount of political pressure that Flutura Kusari is a post-gradu- dards to which Kosovo, under its brating the fact that life had returned to the city. But, today it seems Kosovo courts are routinely ate of commercial law focusing in constitution, adheres. to suffer from provincialism, ignorantce and aselfish mentality. exposed to, judges will use article media law at Queen Mary The problem with Article 37 is 38 in whatever form it is approved University of London and works Today, the Orthodox Church may no longer symbolise occupation. its vagueness. This is because it to interpret as they wish; thus as a legal advisor in BIRN Kosovo. But the ruins of Hotel Union are a striking example of a new occupi- makes editors-in-chief, publishing er who has settled in the city.

If you would like your NGO to appear in our Making a Difference feature, please email [email protected] 22 June 22 - July 5, 2012 Community Focus Using Social Media to Track Kosovo’s Potholes and Dirty Loos Kosovo Innovation Lab, a project sponsored by UNICEF, has selected six web-based proj- ects designed by youth groups to tackle problems ranging from potholes to dirty toilets. 48 hours and 50 participants Another Innovation Lab is attended the camp, who were sepa- planned for September 2012. rated in six groups in order to Bujar Hajra’s group come up By Bujar Aruqaj, work on a concrete project. with a very creative project called Shengjyl Osmani “It is demanding, because it is 48 “Bllup”. hours of hard work, and the “I like our project especially groups were often working late in because it is a very innovative Dirty toilets plotted on a map. he winner of the first prize the night in order to come up with project which has never been done for the latest edition of the something concrete in the end,” before by anyone and I think it Kosovo, or kosovoinnovation- might hear of the youngest coun- TInnovation Camp, held late continued Lepage. She added that addresses a very important issue,” camp.wordpress.com/ try in Europe and would like to last month, was the project 120 applications had been made, said Hajra. plan a trip in Kosovo. But, finding “Harrnoje” - which means from which 40 were selected to “Bllup” is a youth-led communi- The winners were: proper information and planning “repair” or “tailor” in Albanian. compete for the first, second, and ty initiative to report dirty toilets your trip would be far easier with Harrnoje is an open-source plat- third place award. “It is incredible in public spaces, such as high 1. Harrnoje is an open-source “In Kosovo” – which aims to build form for reporting infrastructure that we had a majority of girls who schools, cafe bars, pubs restau- platform for reporting infrastruc- problems in Kosovo, such as dan- applied for the camp, and we con- rants and bus stations. through- ture problems in Kosovo, such as: gerous potholes, lack of traffic tinue encouraging young motivat- out Kosovo. Their goal is to build a dangerous potholes in streets, lack lights, illegal buildings in urban ed girls to apply again,” added community of “bllupers” who will of traffic lights and/or signals, areas, lack of lighting in public Lepage. address the problem of dirty toi- illegal buildings in urban areas, spaces and more. The goal of the Ron Salaj, social media consult- lets through direct social action, lack of lighting in public spaces project is to highlight and visual- ant, told Prishtina Insight that the lobbying and awareness–raising etc. The goal of the project is to ize these problems, and hold to Innovation Camp was not just public. The “Bllup” team won the highlight and visualize those prob- account those responsible at about technology, but about how to 3rd prize in the Kosovo Innovation lems, and call-to-action the respon- municipal and central-level insti- use technology for social benefits, camp. sible municipal and central-level tutions. and to reach all parts of Kosovo. Valentina Sadiku, who was also institutions. Harrnoje, and all other projects Dan McQuillan, the Social a member of the Bllup team, said: 2. “Shkopuno.com” – aims to involved, work on an open source Innovation Camp co-founder, was “We were going around to school connect professionals and hobby- internet platform. also present with Luciano toilets, bus stations, public toilets ists with service seekers through “It is one of the conditions that Calestini, UNICEF Kosovo: and toilets of different bars and an online freelancing platform. the project has to use at least some Bernard Nikaj, Ministry of Trade took pictures in order to upload Through this platform, the team sort of technology, even if it is a and Industry: Dr Alex Betts, them than via our app to our web- aims to introduce hourly-pay, part- simple mobile app,” Chelsey One of the disgusting loos highlighted. University of Oxford: Artan Lahaj, site.” time and freelancing possibilities Lepage, youth advocacy platform IPKO Foundation: and Arber The project also allows users to to the Kosovo job market. Their consultant, said. Arifaj, Kujtesa. rate the toilets and publishing pic- goal is to increase employment an online travel community and The innovation camp lasted for tures of them. The team hope to opportunities for young people in organise tourist`s travel in create a competitive atmosphere Kosovo, and further expand the job Kosovo. In this portal you can find so standards improve. market. everything from airport pick-ups, “It was a lot of fun, even though 3. “Bllup” –Bllup” is a youth-led to travel buddies, explore local we were working very hard. We community initiative to report communities and learn more meet a lot of new people and creat- dirty toilets in public spaces, such about Kosovo`s touristic places, ed new friendship, which for me is as: high schools, cafe tradition and culture. very important,” said Sadiku. bars/pubs/restaurants, bus sta- 6. “Datamiks” – finding reliable Innovation Lab wants these tions etc. throughout Kosovo. and current data in Kosovo is a camps to be held at least twice a 4. “Dost Host” – aims to serve as a general problem. “Datamiks” aims year, with the groups meeting at unique portal for students seeking to develop and design a cen- least once every month. rental flats during their university tralised, user-friendly online plat- Other than “Harrnoje” and studies, as well as for landlords who form to make the process of find- “Bllup”, four other ideas that want to rent their flats and houses ing micro and macro economic were proposed from this camp and to students. Their goal is to save the data much easier. Going beyond that will be implemented with the time for students and create a trust- just finding the data, they are supervision and help of the ed social platform linking students designing various data visualiza- Innovation Camp. from throughout Kosovo with tion tools to allow people to gain a For more, follow their facebook potential householders. better understanding of different Holes in Prishtina's roads will soon be reported via a website. page: UNICEF Innovations Lab 5. “In Kosova” – a lot of tourists data. BIRN Launches Latest Investigative Journalism Manual BIRN has launched the fourth edition of its ground-breaking “Follow the Paper Trail” manual at a series of workshop with journalists. and an appraisal of the latest how to investigate corruption trends in journalism. online. Additions for this edition Trainer Lawrence Marzouk include information on how to said: “We’ve received excellent By BIRN obtain and use land registry docu- feedback from reporters in ments, use the latest functions on Kosovo on our earlier manuals Google – from maps to searching and the training, and know that he fourth edition of “Follow with images – and much more. the guide is helping to shape the Paper Trail”, a guide to The manual was researched investigative journalism in the Tinvestigative journalism and published as part of BIRN’s country. training in Kosovo, has been pub- cooperation with Free Press “I am pleased that the latest lished. Unlimited. instalment is even better, with The manual includes new infor- To accompany the release of some really great tools which any mation on how to use the coun- the fourth edition, a two-day journalists – whether they are Y try’s access-to-documents law, a workshop was held with mid- trainees or old hands – can use.” M guide to collecting documents career and trainee journalists, To download a copy of the man- C from international institutions including practical sessions on ual visit www.birn.eu.com/kosovo. K BIRN's Lawrence Marzouk trained 15 reporters in the art of investigative training. June 22 - July 5, 2012 23 Classified Contact Prishtina Insight if you would like to advertise Email [email protected]

Embassies and Liaison Offices in Prishtina

American Address: "Nazim Hikmet" no. 30 Arbëria/Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 549 516 Austrian Address: "Ahmet Krasniqi" no. 22 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 249 284 Belgian Address: "Taslixhe" I, 23 A 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 734 734 British Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 6 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 254 700 Bulgarian Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 12 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 038 245 540 Dutch Address:" Xhemal Berisha" no. 12 Velania, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 224 61 Finnish Str. Perandori Justinian No. 19 Pejton 10 000 Prishtina Phone: +386 43 737 000 French Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 67 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 22 45 88 00 Greek Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 68 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 243 013 German Adress: "Azem Jashanica" no. 17 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 254 500 Italian Address: "Azem Jashanica" no.5 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 244 925 Japanese Address: "Rexhep Malaj" no. 43 10000 Prishtina Alcoholics Anonymous Personal Trainer Phone: +381 (0) 38 249 995 (English speaking) will meet every Luxemburg Classified Ads Thursday at 20.00hrs. Address: "Metush Krasniqi" no. 14 Mentor Azemi - 044 811 921 Do you have a flat to rent? Position to fill? Students to find for a language NGO LABYRINTH Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina course? Why not speak directly to Kosovo’s international community Personal attention and Phone: +381 (0) 38 226 787 Str. Gazmend Zajmi (former Dubrovnik through Prishtina Insight’ classified ads. training schedule Malaysian street) no:42, Almost every international organisation, embassy, NGO and many oth- Time and place of your Address: "Bedri Shala" no. 48 (along the street where Iliria College ers subscribe to Kosovo’s only English language newspaper, which is also choice 10000 Prishtina is.Opposite to Innovations Lab 3 per week = 150 month Phone: +381 (0) 38 243 467 on sale at newsstands in seven cities and received in electronic format by (UNICEF) Office) scores of paying clients across the world. 5 per week = 200 month Norwegian Contact : Erik - tel nr. : 044937397 (Other schedules possible) Address: "Sejdi Kryeziu" no. 6 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 232 111 00 Saudia Arabian Easy Medium Hard Address: Dardania SU 7, building 2, #1 y| y |y | 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 549 203 59 45 2 53 1 8 Slovenian Address: "Anton Ceta" no. 6 1578 65 3 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 244 886 923819 7924 Swedish Str. Perandori Justinian No. 19 98 6 146538 7Pejton 10 000 Prishtina 615 389 53 5 Phone: +381 38 24 57 95 Swiss 271 9387 648Address: "Adrian Krasniqi" no. 11 10000 Prishtina 4283 974986 Phone: +381 (0) 38 248 088 89 39 649Turkish Y Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 59 M Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina C 64 468 9574Phone: +381 (0) 38 226 044 K 24 June 22 - July 5, 2012 advert

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