Opinion: How to Solve the Balkan Asylum Crisis

Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 Issue No. 98 www.prishtinainsight.com Price € 1 NEWS Talks With Trigger Violence in Prishtina > page 3 NEWS Ferizaj Ex-Mayor Delays Jail, Citing Illness > page 4 NEWS Indictment: Officials Used Returnee Cash for Own Homes > page 6 INVESTIGATION

(Photo/Maria Cartas) (Photo/Maria Cheap, and Far from Free: The Migrants Oil Company Inks Building Britain > page 12-13 CULTURE $800m deal on Africa Refinery D.J.s Lament Months after license was restored, Peja firm says unnamed American banks are backing proposed facility in Sao Tome. State of Electronic

But it’s unclear how the compa- Bank is auctioning off Ferizaj- “As far the American banks that Music Scene By Parim Olluri ny plans to pay for it. Sao Tome based Kulla Oil Recycling, which have trusted and trust us are con- and Principe’s oil authority hasn’t was used as collateral for a loan to cerned, this is also a trade secret responded to a request for infor- Kulla Exim owner Adem and is of no interest to you,” he Peja oil company that once had its refinery license sus- mation about the deal. Kulla Rrustemaj. The bank is seeking at added. Apended in Kosovo is plan- Exim’s operations manager, least 280,000 euro of a loan that ning to build an oil refinery in the Burim Kuqi, confirmed the exis- Rrustemaj apparently never paid Refinery for recognition: African island state of Sao Tome tence of the agreement and said back. > page 14 and Principe, according to a mem- finance will come from American Kuqi said Kulla Exim had had a Sao Tome and Principe official- orandum of understanding signed banks, but wouldn’t say which misunderstanding with TEB Bank ly recognised Kosovo in March. in October 2011. ones. but wouldn’t go into details or Telanon.info, a media outlet in The agreement between Kulla “We recommend you not to get comment on how that might poten- Sao Tome, reported that the recog- Exim and the oil-rich country involved in such details since con- tially affect the financing of the nition was part of the deal a stated worth of 800 million US fidentiality is protected by law and refinery. between Kulla Exim and Sao Tome Kosovo’s only English-language dollars, (more than 600 million by asking such questions you are “The relationship between Kulla for the construction of the refin- newspaper is available: euro), and reportedly is connected violating it,” Kuqi told Prishtina Exim and TEB bank is not of ery. to Sao Tome’s recognition of Insight. interest to anyone as it’s a trade Delivered to Kosovo. Meanwhile, Kosovo-based TEB secret,” he said. continues page 2 Your Door

Invisible Workers Clark Stumps for From Newsstands Deprive Kosovo of Education Fund as He across Kosovo Millions in Taxes Eyes Kosovo Coal Sent To Some 30,000 employed people do not Retired four-star U.S. Army Gen. Wesley Your Inbox appear to have registered in Kosovo’s tax Clark visited a hero's welcome in Prishtina and pension systems, potentially depriving on Oct. 18. Clark was the guest of honour at From institutions of some 20 million euro a year, a gala to raise money for an education foundation. Clark is also looking to do proj- our partners Prishtina Insight can reveal. ect with Kosovo's coal. business page 7 news page 5 see page 16 for more info

is supported by: 2 Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 news Kosovo Oil Company Inks $800m deal on Africa Refinery

from page 1 ing market-ready diesel as crude oil, which is taxed at a lower rate. Behxhet Pacolli, a deputy prime The report, which examined minister and construction mag- company reports from 2007 nate, visited the African island in through July 2010 and was November 2011 to lobby govern- obtained by Prishtina Insight, ment officials to recognise Kosovo. also found “deficiencies and Pacolli’s spokesman, Jetlir defects” in Kulla Exim’s refinery Zyberaj, wouldn’t respond when procedures. There were also dis- asked if the deputy prime minis- crepancies between the refinery's ter was aware of the refinery deal. inflows and outflows. Kulla Exim representatives said The report further criticized the refinery project was a private the customs authorities for inade- initiative and was not linked to quate evaluation of the technical Pacolli’s diplomatic activity. profess of oil refinement. Meanwhile, the company has In May, the suspension of the had major problems with its refin- company license was lifted, allow- ery inside Kosovo. ing the refinery to reopen. Customs spokesman Adriatik Sao Tome and Principe is rich in oil. License suspended: Stavileci said the suspension ended because his agency was fol- No sanctions were levied Customs officials said the case But a ministry spokeswoman, In March 2011, Kulla Exim’s lowing a new set of guidelines for against Kulla Exim, although the was referred to Kosovo’s Oil Arta Istrefi, said the Oil refinery license was suspended overseeing activity in the oil sec- Law on Oil Trade adopted in 2005 License Office, which is part of Licensing Office hadn’t received after a customs audit that month tor, which allow the refinery to states that licenses are to be the Ministry of Trade and any details about possible legal found numerous problems, includ- operate under appropriate super- revoked in cases of fraudulent Industry, to determine if the violations on the part of Kulla ing that the company was import- vision. activity. refinery should stay open. Exim.

Kosovo's Hashim Thaci and Serbia's Ivica Dacic met in Brussels. Dacic and Thaci Meet in Brussels, Make History Serbian Prime Minister, Ivica Dacic, sat down at the same table with his Kosovo counterpart, Hashim Thaci, in Belgium last Friday – in spite of the fact that Serbia has an arrest warrant out for the Kosovo leader. ing the topic of the meeting was soon,” the statement added. claimed in 2008, and has since In Serbia, the Kosovo leader the continuation of EU-mediated Dacic told the Serbian media boycotted any events where was sentenced to ten years in Serbia-Kosovo talks, which started after the meeting that Serbia had Kosovo officials represented prison for terrorism. By Bojana Barlovac in March 2011. not changed its position on never themselves under the name of In July, Thaci and Boris Tadic, “We agreed to continue the dia- recognising Kosovo’s independ- “Kosovo”. the former Serbian President, logue on normalisation of rela- ence. Paradoxically, the first top shook hands at a Croatian sum- he historic meeting took tions between the two sides and But, he added: “I think it’s Serbian official to meet Thaci mit in Dubrovnik. place in Brussels last Friday both are committed to working time for a historic agreement, was the former right-hand man At the time, Dacic was critical Twith the EU foreign policy together,” the statement reads. and we are ready for final status of the late Serbian strongman of the move, noting that Thaci chief, Catherine Ashton. Before According to the statement, talks.” Slobodan Milosevic, who fought was suspected in Serbia of links the joint meeting, the two Balkan the joint meeting took place in a The joint meeting came as sur- a war with NATO to keep the to organ trafficking. “Boris officials met Ashton separately. good and constructive atmos- prise, as Serbia bitterly opposes mainly Albanian then province Tadic’s move is an absolute enig- Ashton issued a statement say- phere. “We will meet again Kosovo’s independence, pro- of Kosovo inside Serbia. ma to me,” Dacic said back then.

Y M C +381 38 602042, +377 44 243367, +386 49 243367 K news Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 3 Serbia Talks Trigger Editor’s Word Censorship Reveals Violence in Kosovo Capital Greater Menace Clashes erupted in Prishtina following the historic meeting between Kosovo and Serbia leaders, which some in Kosovo see as a sell-out. By Faik Ispahiu

By Fatmir Aliu he decision of Kosovo’s public broadcaster, RTK, not to air the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network inter- Tview with reputed gangster Enver Sekiraqa because of rishtina’s main Mother Teresa Vetevendosje leaders and supporters clashed with in Prishtina. For more photos, possible legal ramifications was a thoughtless leap in censor- square was the scene of major see Life in Focus on Page 22. ship. It showed that many in Kosovo journalism live in a bub- Pclashes on Monday when oppo- ble at a time when media around the world are dealing with sition supporters clashed with spe- and the people of Kosovo, says the Western powers clearly expect far more sensitive and controversial topics such as Wikileaks, cial police in a showdown highlight- Serbia still owes us a lot,” he added. Kosovo and Serbia to eventually sign a Britain’s phone-hacking scandal and the trial of mass-killer ing tensions over the government’s Last Wednesday, 66 activists from the peace treaty, although Belgrade Anders Breivik. declared wish to further reconcilia- same movement were arrested after remains unenthusiastic about the The interview with Sekiraqa, Kosovo’s most wanted fugitive tion with Serbia. attempting a similar scenario to process. until he surrendered to EULEX police Sept. 28, instead appeared After Vetevendosje (Self- Monday’s. “The first Thaci-Dacic meeting has Determination) Movement activists in excerpts on Gazeta Jeta ne Kosove, Prishtina Insight’s Dozens of protesters crossed the happened. Other meetings will be easi- Albanian-language web counterpart. tried to block the Prime Minister, security fences and entered into the er to set and will be more acceptable. Hashim Thaci, from entering his office, It explores Sekiraqa’s alleged involvement in the killing of courtyard of the government HQ There are no more barriers stopping Kosovo police Officer Triumf Riza in 2007; his claims of activities they were surrounded by hundreds of before being detained by security per- sporadic meetings between Prishtina police, firing dozens of rounds of tear as a vote collector for the Democratic League of Kosovo, LDK; and sonnel. and Belgrade,” Rashiti told Prishtina most controversially, his detention in a makeshift Kosovo gas. Last Thursday, the Kosovo parlia- Insight. Some 63 persons were detained in the Liberation Army jail in Llap in 1999. Sekiraqa also discusses the ment adopted a resolution calling for Other experts say neither party alleged protest, while over 30 civilians and reconciliation and normalized rela- appears truly ready for high-level talks, police were injured. A German nation- execution of some inmates under the orders of officers who are tions with Serbia as part of a set of pre- or for normalizing relations. now members of the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, al was left in a coma at the central hos- conditions that the EU has given both They say the historic meeting pital in Prishtina. about which he claims to have informed the United Nations parties as part of their integration between the two Prime Ministers took Mission in Kosovo. Albin Kurti, leader of the movement, agenda. place only under extreme pressure said that the demonstration meant to It isn’t light viewing by any means, but it is also in the public Thaci urged Belgrade to show more from Brussels, not because either Thaci interest to show purported links between politics and the crimi- express opposition to the talks that maturity towards Kosovo, having been or Dacic wanted to meet each other. Prime Minister Thaci conducted with nal underworld though an interview with one of Kosovo’s most told by Brussels to respect Kosovo’s ter- Ardian Arifaj, chair of the Kosovo feared and notorious people. The dilemma here in Kosovo was his Serbian counterpart, Ivica Dacic, ritorial integrity. think tank, the Foreign Policy Club, last Friday. whether the media should give prime-time space to a person The Prime Minister said that EU says experience shows that Serbia has accused of serious crimes and whether that could interfere in He said that more was to come. “This High Representative Ashton had made never been honest in talks with Kosovo, is just the beginning. This is the first of future trials. it clear to Belgrade that it will have to and has only accepted EU facilitation to It’s not unusual for a broadcaster to be concerned about inter- many battles that we will fight against give up dreams of partition. look good in the eyes of Brussels. the political dialogue with Serbia,” views potentially jeopardizing a fair trial or implicating others “With the mediation of Lady Ashton He says that Belgrade has its eyes on Kurti said. who might sue, among other issues. But in the Sekiraqa case, and the support of the US, we met the structural funds that the EU sets The movement was ready to continue interviews were published in the Kosovo daily newspaper Koha Serbia’s Prime Minister, Ivica Dacic, aside for candidate states, which could protests “against autonomy for the Ditore and on Gazeta Jeta ne Kosove without any legal concerns and talked about normalizing rela- help save it from feared bankruptcy in [mainly Serbian] north, against the par- raised by any prosecutors. So the issue about airing it became an tions... and about the abolition of [the the current economic crisis. tition of [the town of] Mitrovica, ethical one: whether airing it would amount to glorifying crime Serb-run] parallel structures [in the Prishtina, he says, that still lacks key against Serbia and against all those at the expense of victims’ families. north of Kosovo],” Thaci said. information about how it might benefit who are bargaining with Serbia,” he The dilemma isn’t unique to Western media. But in many Northern Kosovo, which borders from entering into an unconditional told fellow protesters. important stories editors have chosen on the side of the larger Serbia, is almost entirely comprised of process, besides hoping that the inter- Serbia and Kosovo started EU-medi- public interest. Serbs and does not recognise Kosovo's national community will assess its ated talks in Brussels in March 2011, The dilemma didn’t stop the BBC from recently airing a report independence or the ethnic Albanian- cooperation positively. three years after Kosovo declared inde- from Paul Mason about Greece’s emerging extremist right-wing led government in Prishtina. “International pressure brought pendence, which Serbia has refused to political party, Golden Dawn. He interviewed one leader who Roads in the Serb-run north have together Prime Ministers Thaci and recognise. boasted about committing violent acts against immigrants, been blocked for a year by locals Dacic and made the EU, and Kosovo and So far, the two sides have reached including Albanians. protesting over the presence of Kosovo Serbia too, look pretty in the eyes of the deals on freedom of movement, mutual The U.S.’s ABC news broadcast John Miller’s interview with government police and customs on the international media,” he said. Osama bin Laden in 1998, in which the al-Qaeda leader gives his recognition of university diplomas and contested border with Serbia. “All this is because the international representation of Kosovo at regional arguments for jihad against the U.S. The interview was rebroad- Northern Serbs have erected dozens community has no idea what else to do, cast countless times in the U.S. after 9/11. It begs the question: if meetings. of barricades, blocking roads in reac- so it’s hard to believe that there will be But last Friday, Brussels moved the the American public can stomach seeing an interview with man tion to a government police operation any big development as a follow-up to behind the worst terrorist attacks in U.S. history, why can’t talks up a notch, by bringing both aimed at seizing border crossings in the the meeting,” Arifaj said. Serbia’s and Kosovo’s Prime Ministers Kosovars be allowed to hear from Sekiraqa, who’s alleged crimes north. Looking ahead, the former EU envoy aren’t remotely comparable. to the same meeting. Prishtina has meanwhile accused in the Kosovo-Serbia status talks dur- Dacic and Thaci for the first time sat Last year, Swedish TV aired an interview with Julian Assange Serbia of orchestrating attacks on ing 2007, Stefan Lehne, says substantial in Sweden even as he was wanted by police and prosecutors on down in the same room with the EU for- NATO peacekeepers in the north and of autonomy must granted to the north of eign policy chief, Catherine Ashton. rape charges. Even Kosovo’s public broadcaster, RTK, applied a preventing locals from integrating into Kosovo, to set equilibrium in Kosovo- similar editorial judgement when it allowed the Balkan Paradoxically, the first top Serbian Kosovo. Serbia relations. official to meet Thaci was the former Investigative Reporting Network to broadcast an interview in While Vetevendosje was in the “Through the process of normaliz- November with Nazim Bllaca, a confessed killer who’s also a wit- right-hand man of Serbia’s late strong- streets, two other opposition parties, ing Kosovo-Serbia relations, the West ness in a landmark trial related to several politically motivated man Slobodan Milosevic, who fought a the Democratic League of Kosovo, wishes to reach a solution for the post-war killings. RTK decided to air the program despite com- war with NATO and Kosovo Albanian LDK, and the Alliance for the Future of north,” Rashiti said. plaints from critics, who said Bllaca’s claims weren’t verifiable guerrillas to keep the then province of Kosovo, AAK, met Thaci to hear about “The ICG has recommended autono- and that broadcasting the interview could glorify a killer. Kosovo inside Serbia. his meeting with Dacic. my for the north, in return for Serbia’s But those who thought the Bllaca interview was just a media “Prime Minister Thaci is forgiving The government claims that both the recognition of Kosovo statehood,” he spectacle were proven wrong. Almost a year later, Fahredin Gashi the crimes that Serbia committed in LDK and AAK gave the green light for noted. and Hysri Rama were convicted and jailed on the basis of Bllaca’s Kosovo by shaking hands with Ivica continued talks with Belgrade. It says So far, the government in Prishtina testimony. Five others are still on trial in cases where Bllaca is a Dacic,” Kurti said. that a “broad political consensus” has refused to talk to Belgrade about witness. “The conflict with Serbia isn’t over exists about the need for dialogue. the north, and has objected to calls to Those of us in working in the media should be responsible and yet. Only Thaci in person has ended the Naim Rashiti, analyst for offer the region a higher degree of weigh the value of presenting the stories of controversial people conflict with Serbia, while to the the International Crisis Group, ICG, autonomy. to the public. But we also don’t have the right to suppress infor- mation vital to the public interest and falsely claim we’re doing so out of ethical standards. When we do this, we risk losing the trust The Fortnight in Numbers of the public, who will suspect that the media is colluding to pro- euro will be paid to Kosovo million euro thousand euro is tect powerful people rather than doing its real job: exposing the farmers per hectare of plant- return on invest- the fine to Kosovo’s powerful and holding them accountable. 125ed land of wheat by Kosovo’s 40ment by Kosovo’s 250Post and Telecomm, Faik Ispahiu is executive producer of “Justice in Kosovo.” government. Minister of agriculture, Pension Trust is marked dur- PTK by the Telecommunications The investigative current affairs show is broadcast every Blerand Stavileci said the subsidy is for 2013. ing the last nine months. Regulatory Authority. Sunday at 9 p.m. on RTK. 4 Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 news Kosovo Ex-Mayor Delays Jail, Citing Illness Bajrush Xhemajli has delayed serving his 2010 sentence three times – most recently after an unofficial medical report, issued by a friend, diagnosed a lung complaint.

every three months. legal proceedings have not so far Gazmend Zhuri, a specialist not been interrupted or postponed for By Jeton Musliu connected to the case, told health reasons. Prishtina Insight that a pul- Bashkim Hyseni, president of monary embolism is when a block- the Municipal Court in Ferizaj, erizaj’s former mayor has age cuts off blood from a lung. said the decision to postpone yet to begin his two-and-a- “It’s like a heart attack but in Xhemajli’s sentence also took into Fhalf year jail sentence for a this case it’s an attack in the lungs. account other, more official, med- causing a deadly car crash, It can cause death in minutes and ical reports. thanks, at least in part, to a med- the risk of death reaches up to 70 “Other documents have the logo, ical report issued by a doctor per cent,” Zhuri said. the stamp and other elements,” friend in Tirana. He said that cases of partial Hyseni told Prishtina Insight. Bajrush Xhemajli, from the rul- blockages could be dealt with by ing Democratic Party of Kosovo, treatments lasting three to four Last throw of the dice: PDK, was found guilty in weeks while patients with a reoc- November 2010 of causing a car curring problem needed ongoing Xhemajli, meanwhile, is taking accident in Prishtina in 2009 that treatment. his case to the last court of appeal, left the driver of another vehicle The unofficial medical report the Constitutional Court. dead. attached to the appeal, dated His right to do so is based on His prison sentence would have September 13, was issued by Ilir article 113.7 of the constitution, begun in December 2010 had he Peposhi, a doctor at Shefqet which says individuals “are not appealed. Ndroqi University Hospital in authorized to appeal a case of vio- Kosovo’s Supreme Court upheld Tirana. lations by public authorities of the verdict in March. But Xhemajli Dr Peposhi told Prishtina their individual rights and free- has remained free since then Insight that the medical report doms.” Former Ferizaj Mayor Bajrush Xhemajli, right, with Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. because the Municipal Court of had no official marker or stamp Xhemajli earlier appealed the Ferizaj has postponed the start of because “it’s a medical report, not original 2010 District Court ruling, adequate trial. Insight. his sentence on three occasions on a hospital discharge report”. arguing that the court could not The defence says the original “Two-and-a-half years in prison the former mayor’s request. Peposhi said he did not conduct prove the cause of the accident, court unfairly rejected evidence aren’t much for him, so we are sur- His sentence was again set to Xhemajli’s last examination per- and that additional expertise was that the crash was caused by other prised that he isn’t serving even begin on October 17 but the sonally. “I didn’t perform the last needed to determine it. factors and should have allowed the years he was been sentenced Constitutional Court has now check-up on Xhemajli because I But the Supreme Court rejected for a technical examination of to,” he added. agreed to hear an appeal and has was on holiday, it was my col- Xhemajli’s defence, which suggest- Xhemajli’s car. Meanwhile, another former suspended his sentence until league,” he explained. ed also that the condition of his mayor, of Kacanik, is set to begin a December 31. Peposhi told Prishtina Insight car should have been examined. Victim’s father shocked: jail sentence on Monday for illegal Xhemajli’s last appeal to the he and the former mayor were Both courts deemed it irrele- possession of weapons. Ferizaj court to suspend his sen- friends. “Xhemajli is a friend of vant, as the accident was caused In the 2009 crash, Xhemajli Xhabir Zharku whose sentence tence, made on September 17, mine. He is, of course, regular by Xhemajli speeding on the struck two cars, killing the driver was confirmed by the Supreme which Prishtina Insight has with check-ups. He is an educated wrong side of the road in Veternik of one, Labinot Rrustemi, 21. Two Court on July 9, had managed to obtained, declared that he “has a man,” Peposhi said. while leaving Prishtina in 2009. passengers were seriously injured. evade prison as a result of a series serious health condition.” Prishtina Insight tried to con- The Supreme Court ruling also Hamdi Rrustemi, Labinot’s of bureaucratic delays, one of A two-paragraph medical report tact Xhemajli and his legal team noted that Xhemajli never suggest- father, said he was frustrated that which was attributed to a court attached to the appeal stated that about his medical condition, but ed that his car had mechanical Xhemajli had still not gone to worker being on holiday. Xhemajli had a “diagnosis of a neither responded by time of pub- problems. prison. Hamdi Ibrahimi, president of pulmonary embolism and that his lication. The appeal filed by Xhemajli’s “They say that Xhemajli is sick the District Court of Prishtina, condition has remained constant”. It is also unclear for how long legal team before the but we never heard he was sick which presided over both cases, The same report said Xhemajli Xhemajli has claimed a pul- Constitutional Court maintains when he was a mayor - and now he said: “The sentences cannot be required medical examinations monary embolism. Xhemajli’s that he did not receive a fair or is,” Rrustemi told Prishtina postponed infinitely.”

www.prishtinainsight.com Nikolic Urged to Join Kosovo at

Publisher: BIRN Regional Summit Balkan Investigative Reporting Network The Kosovo and Montenegrin Presidents have urged Serbia's President to attend a planned regional summit in Mensa e Studenteve, first floor Montenegro. 10000, Prishtina Becic, Montenegrin President Kosovo Filip Vujanovic noted that the Phone: +381 (0) 38 24 33 58 presidents of both Kosovo and Serbia would be invited to the Fax: +381 (0) 38 22 44 98 By Danilo Lucic gathering of the head of states and expressed hopes that both Editor-in-Chief: will attend. Artan Mustafa Vujanovic welcomed the fact rber Vlahiu, spokesperson [email protected] that Serbia's new government had for Kosovo President pledged to acknowledge the last Editorial Team: AAtifete Jahjaga, said that government's previous agree- Jeta Xharra, Marcus Tanner, she would like to meet Serbian ments with Kosovo. Nate Tabak, Petrit Collaku, Gresa President Tomislav Nikolic at the summit of regional heads of states EU-mediated Belgrade- Musliu, Parim Olluri, Jeton Musliu and due to be held by the end of the Prishtina talks started in March Donjeta Demolli. year. 2011. So far, the two sides have "We hope that President Nikolic reached deals on the freedom of movement, regional representa- Marketing, Sales & Distribution: will have courage to do what his predecessors didn’t - take steps tion and university diplomas but [email protected] toward establishing good and not all of the agreements have peaceful relations with the state been implemented. Design & Layout: “Rrjeti” of Kosovo," Vlahiu told the Meanwhile, Nikolic’s cabinet Arben Grajqevci Kosovo daily newspaper, Koha told the Novi Sad newspaper Y Ditore. Dnevnik that he will decide on M Printing: Lindi Printing Center On Monday, speaking at a South whether to attend the regional C summit once he receives an offi- Copyright © BIRN East Media Forum in the town of K cial invitation. Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic. news Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 5 Clinton, Ashton Push Kosovo-Serbia Border Deal American and EU diplomacy chiefs will urge Serbia and Kosovo to implement their border agreement by the end of the year when they tour the Balkans, starting October 29. an agreement on management of Kosovo's controversial northern border crossings with Serbia in By Fatmir Aliu Brussels on December 2, 2011. However, the negotiators have disputed the meaning of the EU- mediated agreement with both S Secretary of State, Hillary sides claiming victory. Clinton and the EU High URepresentative for Foreign While Kosovo says the agree- Policy and Security, Catherine ment reached in Brussels means Ashton, are to tell Belgrade and that Belgrade effectively recog- Prishtina to accelerate work on nised Kosovo's independence, implementing agreements Serbia says it means no such reached in EU-led talks, especially thing, since it does not recognise on border crossings. the Kosovo border as a state bor- The US State Department der. announced Clinton's visit to the EU-mediated talks started in Balkans from October 29 to 2 March last year aimed at normal- November 2 on Wednesday. She ising relations between Kosovo and Ashton will also visit Bosnia, and Serbia, both of which share a Albania and Croatia as well as desire to join the EU one day. Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic.US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Serbia and Kosovo. In Sarajevo, meanwhile, Catherine Ashton, want Belgrade and Prishtina to implements deals faster. “The EU wishes to see that the Clinton and Ashton "will under- tional community's commitment parties get things moving on the line the urgent need for party to the Dayton Peace Accords," the issue of the IBM [Integrated leaders to serve the interests of State Department statement said. Border Management] by the end the people of Bosnia and Clinton last visited the Balkans Serbia to Pay of the year,” a diplomat told Herzegovina and accomplish nec- in 2010, when she also urged BIRN. essary reforms, and will stress progress on the region's most Prishtina and Belgrade reached the immutability of the interna- unsettled ethnic puzzle, Kosovo. Reparations to Wesley Clark Stumps for Ex-Kosovo Mayor A Serbian court has granted approximately 3,300 euro in reparation to the former mayor of the Kosovo municipality Education Program as He of Suha Reka for suffering caused by Serbian police during conflict in Kosovo. Eyes Kosovo Coal prison which was bombed by NATO in 1999. for a nation, whether it’s Kosovo or through a process called According to Kolgeci, after the the United States,” Clark told the Underground Coal Gasification By Marija Ristic bombardment, the police gathered crowd, which included Kosovo and Gas to Liquid. all the survived prisoners, includ- By Prishtina Insight President Atifete Jahjaga and “Certainly it appears, based on ing Kolgeci, and started shooting other dignitaries at the Emerald the publicly available information, at them from automatic arms. Hotel. that Kosovo would be an ideal loca- he First Basic Court in He survived the shooting, and Clark is a hero to most tion for this type of a project, and Belgrade has ruled on shortly after was transferred to etired four-star U.S. Army Albanians in Kosovo for leading if we’re able to do this here, we’d TFriday that Serbia is respon- another prison in the Kosovo Gen. Wesley Clark visited NATO’s campaign against Serbia able to bring hundreds of millions sible for the torture of Mustafa municipality of Lipljan. RPrishtina on Oct. 18. He was in 1999. There’s a driving school in — even a billion — dollars or more Kolgeci, an ethnic Albanian from The Humanitarian Law Centre, the guest of honour at a gala held Fushe Kosove and several streets of foreign direct investment,” the Kosovo municipality of Suha by the Kosovo American HLC, who filed a complaint on named after him. Clark said in a news conference Reka, committed by Serbian Education Fund. The event was Kolgeci’s behalf, says that the Clark also chairs a Canadian earlier in the day. police, which held him in custody organised to raise money for the reparation amount is inadequate energy company, Envidity, which So far, what Envidity is seeking from September 1998 until fund, which provides fellowships in the light of the torture he sur- is seeking a license to explore to do isn’t permissible under January 2000. for Kosovars to attend graduate vived. Kosovo’s coal deposits. Envidity Kosovo law. But members of par- The Trial Chamber has conclud- school in the United States. ed that during the 16 months cus- The HLC notes that courts in “There’s nothing more impor- wants to use untapped reserves of liament are working on legislation Serbia apply reparation laws dif- lignite to create synthetic fuel that would change this. tody the police tortured Kolgeci tant than investing in education physically and mentally on a daily ferently when it comes to the vic- basis and ordered the Serbian tims of the Serbian police and authorities to pay out 380,000 army during the conflicts in the dinars [about 3,300 euro] as a com- 1990s. pensation for the pain he suffered. In regular reparation proce- Kolgeci was arrested in dures, the amounts given for suf- September 1998 in his hometown fering and torture by the police are under a suspicion of illegal arms much higher. In the cases where possession, and soon after was lawyers, judges or army officers charged with terrorism. were illegally detained after 2000, In January 2000, a local court in the reparation given varies from the Serbian town of Pozarevac 5,000 euro to 50,000 euro. dropped the charges against him. They cite the example of the for- During the 16 months imprison- mer head of army security servic- ment, Kolgeci changed four pris- es, Aca Tomic, who received 6 mil- ons, in which he was held without lion Dinars [54,000 euro] for being basic supplies – without beds and held illegally in Serbian police almost without food and water, custody during 2003. which left permanent damages to Kolgeci’s legal representatives Y Kolgeci’s health. announced that they will appeal the verdict, as they are not satis- M Wesley Clark made a brief visit to Kosovo on Oct. 18 to raise money for the Kosovo American Education Fund. Clark also chairs a One of the prisons where he was fied with the amount of repara- C Canadian energy company that’s seeking to utilize Kosovo’s coal deposits. held was the infamous Dubrava tion. K 6 Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 news Indictment: Kosovo Serb Officials Used Returnee Cash for Own Homes As trial starts of former Communities and Returns leaders accused of falsifying construction contracts, the absence of prosecution witnesses threat- ens to sink the case. none of the prosecution witnesses, who are in , have come to Kosovo to testify. By Florent Spahia Benefiting family and friends: hen Kosovo’s Auditor General examined the The indictment says that the con- Wbooks of the Ministry for tractors told police that ministry Communities and Returns in 2006, personnel told them to undertake they found 1.1 million euro left in different jobs from the work speci- its budget. fied in their contracts. On learning of the surplus, a top This included renovating the flat official in the UN mission in of Vujovic, former head of procure- Kosovo, UNMIK, requested that the ment at the ministry, as well as the funds be transferred to the Kosovo flat of his parents, the house of the Protection Corps, a civilian emer- father of former Communities and gency services and disaster relief Return Minister Petkovic, as well as organisation made up of ex-mem- building a house for one of bers of the Kosovo Liberation Petkovic’s friends, a former UNMIK Army, KLA. employee, Marina Dimitrijevic. But the Ministry then reported Another house was built for a that the money had gone, claiming ministry employee, Miroslav it had been spent on building hous- Trajkovic. The Tropicana restau- es for ethnic minorities, mostly rant in Laplje Selo was also fixed up. Serbs, returning to Kosovo. None of the people whose homes When police then raided the min- or apartments were renovated or istry and its treasury, they seized built are being accused of any documents and contracts that crimes, aside from the former offi- indicted that that much of the cials whom prosecutors indicted: A Ministry for Communities and Returns project under way in Prizren. money might in fact have been mis- Petkovic, Vujovic and Grbic, the for- spent on renovating, or building, mer permanent secretary and min- 10,000 euro do not have to be issued He told police that they were the submit the contracts and receipts homes for officials, not returnees. ister of the Ministry for through an open tender. responsibility of Vujovic, the pro- as if the work had been done, and The case has since identified Communities and Returns. All receipts and contracts linked curement chief, and the compa- that once he had been paid by the dozens of fraudulent transactions They have also charged seven to the case concerned sums of nies. Kosovo treasury, he was to give spread among seven construction construction company owners around 10,000 euro or less. The indictment says Vujovic, 6,000 euro back to Prebeza. companies, worth 433,110 in total. Muhamet Sadiku, Ruzhdi Prebreza, Investigators determined which then head of procurement for the According to the indictment, Investigators discovered that in Ismet Hasani, Rifat and Fidan contracts and receipts were fraud- Ministry, signed contracts for the Prebreza said he followed these numerous contracts, the specified Sadiku, Shemsi Haliti and Gani ulent by interviewing more than 20 construction or renovation of instructions. projects weren’t completed as docu- Zeneli, and the owner of a wood-pro- people, mostly municipal officials returnee homes without specifying The greatest beneficiary, accord- mented. cessing firm, Driton Hamiti. in ethnic minority communities. their names or addresses. The ing to the indictment, was the The case eventually ensnared two Petkovic and Grbic are accused of These then reported that the rel- idea, prosecutors say, was to legit- Riar-Alfisi company, which per- former high-level Kosovo Serb offi- abusing their official posts, wrong- evant projects never took place. In imize the money being spent on formed 15 of the projects for just cials, Slavisa Petkovic and Nemanja ful appropriation during office, some cases they said they had sent fraudulent renovations. over 145,000 euro in 2006. Vujovic. racketeering, and of falsifying offi- requests to the Ministry of The indictment also says that The indictment alleges that min- Along with nine others, they have cial and nonofficial documents. Communities and Returns to con- Vujovic told police that the false ister Petkovic knew about many of been charged with involvement in a Vujovic, apart from being struct and renovate houses with- contracts were drawn up under the projects, starting with that of wide-ranging scheme. accused of all the criminal acts, is out getting a response, according pressure from Grbic, the min- his own house and those of Prosecutors allege that they used also accused of accepting a bribe to the indictment. istry’s permanent secretary at the Vujovic, and Marina Dimitrijevic, phony contracts to mask renova- from construction company owner The construction company own- time. the former UNMIK employee. tions done to their homes, or those Prebreza. ers told police and prosecutors that For his part, Grbic told investi- The indictment says that the for- of their friends and family, all with they were simply paid for work gators that the ministry’s procure- mer permanent secretary and for- ministry money. Passing the buck: done, and the contracts were the ment office did all the contracts mer minister Grbic were aware of All have pleaded not guilty. ministry’s responsibility. and a special commission evaluat- the projects. He had the task of Since after the trial began in The indictment says the defen- According to police interviews ed them. signing payments and overseeing October in the District Court of dants together took advantage of contained in the indictment, Prebeza, one of the construction whether the procedures appeared Prishtina, the presiding judge has the Law on Procurement, which Petkovic said he wasn’t involved in company owners, told investiga- to follow the law, according to the threatened to throw it out, because says that contracts worth less than the projects and the contracts. tors that Vujovic instructed him to indictment. Fourth Terror Suspect Arrested in Kosovo EULEX says Kosovar man accused of attacking a police border checkpoint in Serbia may be part of terrorist organisation.

Konculj, on the Kosovo- Three Kosovo Albanians Serbia border. suspected of being part of The suspect is also an alleged terrorist organi- By Fatmir Aliu charged with possessing ille- zation called the “Movement gal weapons. for Freedom”, which claimed “Yesterday afternoon in a the responsibility for the ccording to a press joint operation, EULEX October 7 attack in Konculj, release issued on police and Kosovo police were arrested on Tuesday. AThursday by the EU’s arrested another person sus- A EULEX pre-trial judge at rule of law mission to Kosovo, pected of being a member of the District Court in EULEX, a Kosovo Albanian has a terrorist organisation, has ordered one month been arrested on Wednesday which claimed responsibili- detention on remand for all on suspicion that he is a ty for three attacks on four men. member of a terrorist organ- Y Serbian police in Dobrosin, The case is being prosecut- ization which took responsi- M near Gate 5 Dheu i bility for the attack on a ed by a EULEX Prosecutor C police checkpoint in Bardhë/Bela Zemlja,” says from the Kosovo Special K EULEX. Prosecution Office. business Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 7 Invisible Workers Deprive Kosovo of Millions in Taxes Data show 30,000 fewer people paying taxes and into pen- sions than census indicated are in work. If true, some 12 per cent of the workforces are working informally, depriving the state of crucial taxes.

tively earn. But, using as a benchmark the By Jeton Musliu average annual salary of 4,416 euro as determined by the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, their total earnings would approach about ome 30,000 employed people 130 million euro. do not appear to have regis- If taxed, this figure would yield Stered in Kosovo’s tax and pen- 6 million euro to the state budget sion systems, potentially depriv- and 14 million for the pension sys- ing institutions of some 20 million euro a year, Prishtina Insight can tem. reveal. The figure arises as a discrepan- Labour inspectors cy between the 2011 census and the checking: latest report from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, published in By law, all employers are obliged September. to draw up contracts with their The census found that of the employees. The Labour 508,100 people eligible to work, Inspectorate, which works under Analysis of government data shows that Kosovo likely has thousands of informally employed workers. 280,454 citizens identified them- the Ministry of Labour and Social selves as employed. Welfare, is tasked with enforcing Ibrahimi said he believes his is also aware of adiscrepancy. “We tial, Hazbije Qeriqi, spokeswoman All of those should thus be reg- the labour law and verifying agency’s data are a more accurate are aware that there are employees for the Office of Population istered the tax and pension sys- whether people are working legally. reflection of the workforce than who are not registered, but in all Registration, said. tems, regardless of income, but Chief labour inspector Basri those of the census. these cases, [the Tax the Kosovo Pension fund lists only Qeriqi would not comment on Ibrahimi says Kosovo’s 50 inspec- Administration] takes measures 251,510 people, while the tax discrepancies between census data tors have looked into 53,000 Tax officials on the case: for their registration and applies administration has 250,305. and those of the Tax employed people. “Around 3,000 sanctions,” the agency said, in If these data are correct, anoth- Administration and pension sys- were working without documents. The Kosovo Pension fund is response to Prishtina Insight’s er 29,000 to 30,000 people, 12 per tem. This is not a very high figure,” he aware of a 11.5 per cent discrepan- questions. cent of the workforce, are thus But she pointed out that census said. cy between the census data and its It is unclear, though, how the working informally. Based on the sample, it would own number of payees, pension Tax Administration would do this. data is self-reported. “In the cen- Officials of the Pension Fund, suggest about 5.5 per cent of spokesman Jeton Demi said. The Kosovo Statistics Agency is sus, data were received from citi- the Tax Administration, and the Kosovo’s workforce is employed But it is impossible to know prohibited from helping agencies zens of Kosovo themselves. So, Ministry of Labour and Social illegally, versus the 12 per cent much uncollected money that rep- such as the Tax Administration to this is a declaration from the citi- Welfare said they couldn’t specu- from Prishtina Insight’s analysis resents, he added. identify violators of the law zens of Kosovo” Qeriqi told late how much these people collec- of government data. The Kosovo Tax Administration because census data is confiden- Prishtina Insight.

Y M C A 58-year-old man, not pictured, is selling about 1 tonne of coal on a Prishtina street for 50 euro as part of Kosovo’s informal economy. K 8 Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 neighbourhood business Albania, Greece and Italy Reach Pipeline Agreement The three Mediterranean countries signed a memorandum of understanding in New York last Thursday, granting politi- cal support to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, TAP, project.

will transport gas from the Caspian region via Greece and Albania and across the to Southern Italy and further By Besar Likmeta into Western . The project is aimed at enhanc- ing security of supply as well as oncluded on the margins of diversification of gas supplies for the United Nations General the European markets. TAP will CAssembly meeting in New open a new so-called Southern Gas York the memorandum signed by Corridor to Europe and establish Italy, Albania and Greece provides a new market outlet for natural TAP with the necessary political gas from the Caspian Sea and support to continue its commer- beyond. cial activities in Italy. The project is designed to “This is another great step for- expand transportation capacity ward for the project and is testa- from 10 to 20 bcm per year. TAP ment to TAP’s commercial and also envisages physical reverse technical strengths and the signif- flow of up to 80 per cent and the icant benefits that it will bring to The TAP pipeline project seeks to double natural gas transportation capacity. option to develop natural gas stor- these countries,” said in a state- age facilities in Albania to further ment Kjetil Tungland, TAP’s Statoil (42.5%) and E.ON Ruhrgas memorandum, by underlining the "This is another important step ensure security of supply. Managing Director. of Germany (15%). importance of the pipeline to give towards our aim to get gas direct- TAP’s shareholders are EGL of The Trans Adriatic Pipeline is a EU Energy Commissioner Europe an access to alternative ly from the Caspian Region." Switzerland (42.5%), Norway’s natural gas pipeline project that Günther Oettinger welcomed the energy reserves. Oettinger said. Harsh Times Await Serbia’s Embattled Workforce Life may be tough for Serbia’s growing army of unemployed - but conditions are worrying bad even for those who are in work, unions say.

exists to replace any workers who rebel. represented by paid lawyer, all of which “The biggest violations take place in pri- makes justice highly expensive for the aver- vate SMEs employing less than 50 workers, age worker. By Stevan Veljovic where unions are barely present,“ Ljubisav No political will: Orbovic, leader of the SSSS, said. For many of those concerned with workers' “In future, we will have to find a model rights, the biggest frustration is that even either to include them in our membership or small changes in legislation are hard to push or the 751.458 people registered as to protect them other ways, for example by through, owing to the lack of political will. unemployed in Serbia, having a job authorising the union's legal experts to “The Labour Inspectorate suggested years seems like an elusive goal, but things F appeal on behalf of workers who are afraid often look little brighter even for those in ago that the deadline of eight days to contract to complain in person,“ Orbovic added. work. a worker makes it very easy for employer to Sasa Jankovic, the Ombudsman, says the Serbian trade unions and six NGOs deceive inspectors,” Radovan Ristanovic, for- root problem is that the state either tolerates recently used the occasion of World Day for mer director of the Labour Inspectorate, said. or ignores systematic violations of workers’ Decent Work on October 7, to point out grim “It seems like a minor problem, but a lot of rights, contributing to the widespread per- facts concerning the state of the labour mar- employers use it to avoid penalties,” he ception of such behaviour as normal. ket and widespread violations of workers’ added. “What worries me most is that the state is rights. Expected developments in the labour mar- looking at workers as the weakest link who The worst listed violations include more ket leave no room for optimism. Economists must bear the consequences if the employer than 60,000 employees working without predict a further rise in unemployment, with fails to comply with the law or if the state salary, between 300,000 and a million work- Fiat production developing slower than institution does not do its job,” Jankovic ing without contracts and paid contribu- expected and dozens of state industrial said. tions, widespread use of probation work as enterprises facing uncertainty or closure. Government representatives maintain a tool to get free labour, as well as poor pro- Ljubisav Orbovic, leader of Serbia’s biggest union. “Those with a job but no regular salary or that they are aware of malpractices going on tection for pregnant employees. paid contributions are worst off, followed by Serbia’s unemployment rate is among the in the world of work, promising better Meanwhile, the Confederation of those on minimum wages for whom the boss highest in the region, at 25.5 per cent in April enforcement of regulations. Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia, SSSS, is the law,” said Ljubodrag Savic, an 2012, with more than 264,000 layoffs in the “We must insist that enterprises comply the biggest union in the country, used the Economics professor. past four years, according to the Statistical with the law when it comes to payment of same occasion to present its own research. “On the other hand, the public sector still Office. salaries and pension and health contribu- This showed that one in four workers operates in a kind of Socialist manner, with The Vienna Institute for International tions,” Radmila Bukumiric Katic, assistant examined said they had been subjected to less pressure, less work hours and relatively mistreatment at work over the last six Economic Studies predicted in July that to the Minister of Labour, Employment and Serbian unemployment will reach 27 per cent Social Policy, said, adding that banking mon- high salaries, because no government wants months. to deprive itself of their votes, which keep it According to this research, 60.8 per cent of by year’s end, leaving behind only Bosnia itoring of payments had improved levels of in power,” Savic explained. the respondents claiming experience of mis- and Herzegovina and Macedonia. control. “With no European laws, unions dealing treatment didn’t seek help, either because Hence, pressure on the workforce is likely “But we still have other problems in cases with themselves and inspectors unable to they were afraid of the consequences or to continue and increase if the unemploy- of employers forcing workers to give up sev- penalise violators, there is little room for opti- because they were not aware of the mecha- ment rate rises, as economists predict. erance pay because they are cash-short, or mism in the short term,” he said. nisms protecting their rights. However, experts say the overall crisis and cases of young people being pressured into However, both Ristanovic and Savic are The International Trade Union poor behaviour on the part of employers are signing blank resignations,” she added. confident that even in the present circum- Confederation, the main international trade only one reason for widespread violations of The NGO representatives, however, argue union organisation, launched World Day for workers’ rights. that the essence of the problem is often not stances, the state could do more to protect the Decent Work in 2008 as a day to mobilise The say that the government is to blame the behaviour of employers, especially SMEs rights of workers. unions to stand up for decent work condi- for tolerating abuses and for failing to pro- struggling with many duties imposed by the “We can’t be complacent and wait to for tions. mote legal mechanisms that could help work- state, but a legal system that lacks mecha- unemployment to reduce to the level of some But with gloomy predictions for the labour ers feel more protected on their job. nisms to enforce the law. EU countries to make things right, Y market in Serbia, there is little hope that Turning blind eye to violations: For example, an employee trying to defend Ristanovic said. M appeals for decent work alone can bring Unions say that many employers' harsh its rights in court has to be prepared for a dis- “We can achieve something even in the C about significant changes. attitudes towards their staff reflects the fact pute lasting four years on average, costing present with better laws, more coordination K that a growing reserve army of unemployed several thousand euro, and which can only be and well-planned measures,” he added. neighbourhood news Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 9 UEFA Charges Serbia and England After Racism Claims Football body looking into racism claims and improper conduct of players during and after the Serbia-England match and will discuss the matter at a meeting in late November. Henderson says players were “I strongly oppose any form of racially abused and attacked by violence and discrimination, espe- missile-throwing Serbian fans cially at sporting events,” Maric By Danilo Lucic after qualifying for Euro 2013. said in a statement. She added that Fans ran on to the pitch and scuf- she expected an adequate reaction fles broke out after England won 1- from all relevant bodies and would 0 in Krusevac on October 16th. call a session of the National ollowing reports of England defender Danny Rose Council for the Fight Against England won the match against Serbia in Krusevac. ‘deplorable’ scenes of racism was sent off for kicking the ball Violence and Misbehaviour at Fand a fight after the match away in response to what he said Sports Events. between England and Serbia in 2013, he added. Clarke Carlisle, chairman of was monkey chanting and physi- The FSS, meanwhile, issued a Krusevac, UEFA has opened disci- The English FA said in a state- England’s Professional cal provocation from Serbian fans. statement denying any racist out- plinary proceedings against the ment it “condemns both the scenes Footballers’ Association, echoed “There was a lot of racist abuse bursts at the match. Football Association of Serbia, the of racism and the confrontation at the call for a long term ban for the out there from the stands and a lot “The Serbian Football FSS, and England’s Football the final whistle during which Serbs after what he described as going on after the game,” Association rejects and denies any Association, the FA. time our players and staff were “deplorable” scenes. Henderson said. form of racism at the stadium in “Regarding alleged racist chant- under extreme provocation”. Carlisle said only a lengthy ban “There were also stones, coins Krusevac, before and during the ing, UEFA will instigate proceed- It added: “The FA has reported a would force Serbia to address the and seats getting thrown at us,” he match,” the statement reads. ings against the FSS over the mis- number of incidents of racism to issue. “What’s material is that the conduct of their supporters dur- added. “What happened wasn’t “Linking the incident - a fight UEFA following the fixture. These governing bodies lay down ing and at the end of the match. nice and is not called for in foot- between members of the two were seemingly aimed at a number extremely harsh sanctions so that Proceedings will also be instigated ball.” teams - with racism has absolutely of England black players by the they deter countries and people against the FSS for the improper Serbia has given a confused no basis and [we] consider it crowd. The matter is now with from acting in this way,” he said. conduct of the Serbia players at response to British charges of entirely malicious,” the statement UEFA.” “I believe Serbia should be the end of the match. racism at an England-Serbia foot- added. “UEFA will also commence pro- ball match in Krusevac with the The Association apologised only Prime Minister David Cameron banned because it’s a repeat ceedings against the FA for the sports minister promising an for the unsportsmanlike behav- last week said he was “appalled” offence,” he added. “Banning them improper conduct of the England investigation and the local football iour of some members of the by reports of Serbian fan racism for a start, from any tournament, players at the end of the match,” association flatly denying the Serbia team, promising to punish in Krusevac while many called for would be progress but I think if explains a UEFA statement. charges. all responsible for the incident. Serbia to face tough penalties. it’s significant – if it’s a couple of Both cases will be discussed at Alisa Maric, Serbia’s Minister However, Serbian national team Former England player Paul tournaments – then that would the next hearing of the UEFA for Sport and Youth, condemned coach Aleksandar Janković told Ince has called for Serbia to be cause that nation to address the Control and Disciplinary Body on the fans’ behaviour at Krusevac, the UK media that there was no banned from tournament football issue that has deprived them of November 22nd. where black players were whistled need for apology as it takes two for and urged UEFA chief Michel international competition.” England U21 captain Jordan at, subjected to monkey chants and a fight; England should be cele- Platini and FIFA president Sepp In 2007 the Serbian Football had objects hurled at them. brating that it qualified for Euro Blatter to act. Federation was fined £16,000 at the Macedonia's Boskoski Charged Albania Ex-Political Prisoners Quit Hunger Strike With Assisting Murder Six former political prisoners on Monday ended a month- Prosecutors have charged former Interior Minister Ljube Boskoski with assisting in the long hunger strike, which aimed to pressure the govern- killing in 2001 of two people, naming three Serbian citizens as direct perpetrators. ment to speed up reparations for their suffering under the Communists. hunger strike in the Paris Commune neighbourhood of By Sase Dimovski Tirana on September 22, trying to By Besar Likmeta force the centre-right government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha to he indictment, filed before put a 2007 law on reparation into the Criminal Court in action. We are tired because of the TSkopje, included 15 people The law granted former political psychological terror we were who helped in the planning, execu- prisoners 2000 leke (€14) for every subjected too,” Afrim tion and cover-up of the double “ day they spent in prison during the Biturku, one of the strikers, said, murder of Marjan Tushevski and Communist regime. ending the strike. “But we have Kiril Janev, which took place in vowed that the struggle for our The law said that the repara- 2001 at a restaurant in Skopje. cause will not end with this tions would be paid out in eight The prosecution said that the strike,” he added. tranches with one instalment paid direct perpetrators were three The Communist Party ruled per year. However, in the past five Serbian citizens, named as Predrag Albania with an iron fist for nearly years only one segment has been Chubrilo-Peki, Milan Ilic and half a century, imprisoning tens of paid out. Milorad Kovachevic- Mishko, who thousands of people under Berisha refused to consider the are expected to be tried in absentia Former Macedonia Interior Minister Ljube Boskoski. appalling conditions in a network strikers' requests, saying the because they are not in Macedonia. of prisons and concentration protest was manipulated by the Two of the three accused Serbs murder, and when he entered the car Vladimir Rakocevic said. camps. opposition and noting that his gov- are also sought by the he told the driver that they had Besides Boskoski and the three Nearly 20 ex-prisoners went on ernment has already paid out International Criminal Tribunal "received the green light from Serbian citizens, the other defen- some compensation. for the Former Yugoslavia, ICTY, Boskoski to liquidate Tushevski, dants are current and former mem- for crimes committed in Bosnia with whom they had a misunder- bers of the police who, according to and Herzegovina. standing". the prosecutor, covered up the mur- Former police minister Boskoski The defence argues that the driver der and helped the Serb nationals is accused of assisting in the is not a credible witness. leave Macedonia. killings because he allegedly knew “This statement in no way can be The court is expected to appoint Tushevski would be killed but did checked because Orce Korunovski is a judge for the case and reveal a nothing to stop it. dead and Ljube Boskoski claims that date for the trial. Boskoski is The prosecutor used a statement Korunovski was never in his house. already serving a seven-year of a protected witness, the driver of "Hence, the protected witness can- prison sentence for illegally Orce Korunovski, later killed in not be a person who heard some- financing his election campaign. Bulgaria. thing; he must have seen or been The defendants face prison He claimed that Korunovski had part of a group. This court must dis- terms of 10 years to life if found been in Boskoski’s house before the qualify the witness,” lawyer guilty of the 2001 murders. 10 Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 neighbourhood Endless Reconstruction Keeps Despite artists’ appeals, Serbia’s Museum of Contemporary Art, shut for five years, looks likely stay a construction site for years. One deadline after another: By Jelena Jovanovic July 2012 marked exactly five years since the closure of the hen an exhibition was Museum of Contemporary Art. mounted on “What hap- The most significant cultural Wpened to the Museum of institution presenting contempo- Contemporary Art” in the muse- rary art in Serbia, it was shut for um’s old, closed building in Novi the purposes of reconstruction, Beograd from June 23 to adaptation and expansion. September 30, the aim was to Over those five years, audiences speed up reconstruction of the have had no opportunity to see the building that halted two years ago museum’s permanent collection or because of lack of funding. its occasional exhibitions of sig- Although the artists behind the nificant local and international show succeeded in expressing the modern artists. art world’s dissatisfaction with the The envisaged one-year dead- five-year wait, it is unclear what line for the work, from 2008 to 2009, else they achieved. passed a long time ago. The second The Culture Ministry, tasked announced deadline, at the end of with stumping up the remaining 6 2010, has also since been moved million euro for the reconstruction because of financial problems. work, still doesn’t have the money. Only the first stage of the recon- The ministry recently pledged to struction project is now complete - transfer a mere 160,000 euro to about 30 per cent of the task. start the most immediate construc- This includes stopping penetra- tion, so that the building can be tion of moisture into the museum brought to its purpose and open courtyard, works on the roof and within a year. the depots and repairs to the work- The Belgrade museum closed in 2007. But the rest of the reconstruc- shops for conservation. tion will have to be finished later However, following the first to decay,” muses Dejan Sretenovic, Those works will probably have tion of the Museum of on, it said. phase of reconstruction and the curator of the MSU. to be done in stages, as the min- Contemporary Art a priority. Artists and audiences, fed up stagnation of the process, the inte- According to Sretenovic, the sec- istry lacks the money to finish all Miroslav Tasic, state secretary with waiting for the museum to rior of the building is in as poor a ond phase of the project will be the work at once. in the Ministry, also made opti- reopen, have only one wish: a condition as ever. more extensive. mistic estimates that the museum large, functional exhibition space The walls inside are covered “This will include replacing A priority, in theory: could open in a year. to present modern artists and the with mould and the flooring also hardware, cleaning the façade, But, as Tasic explained to museum’s rich collection of art- has mould, with patches visible, reconstructing the entrance The Minister of Culture, Prishtina Insight, the ministry works from different epochs. After the result of leaks from the roof. porch, interior landscaping and Bratislav Petkovic, who took office cannot finance the whole recon- years of waiting, the art scene “The building is like an aban- installation of technical equip- following the May general elec- struction. feels it has suffered enough. doned construction site… exposed ment,” he explained. tion, recently declared reconstruc- He said that although the muse- marketing Business News in Brief Serbia to Replace Bulgaria Wants Russia 'Open' to Talks Old JAT With New Albania’s on Bulgaria Belene Airline Bitumen Lawsuit elgrade is considering letting the heav- ulgarian Prime Minister Boyko ussia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom ily indebted company go bankrupt and Borisov expressed on Monday is "open" to talks and an out-of-court settle- Bforming a new debt-free airline, possi- Bkeen interests to import a much as Rment with Bulgaria over its one billion bly in tandem with the UAE. possible of Albania’s bitumen reserves. euro international arbitration suit. Mladjan Dinkic, Serbia’s Minister of “There are many roads in Bulgaria, Rosatom filed the suit after Bulgaria, in March Finance and Economy, announced that the which have been built many years ago 2012, abandoned plans to build a second nuclear LED PANELS government has refused JAT Airways’ request [with Albanian bitumen] and are good power plant in the town of Belene, which Rosatom to grant the company a 35 million guarantee many years after,” Borisov said during a had been contracted to construct. to maintain its liquidity and is thinking of press conference with his Albanian coun- "Rosatom is open to talks with Bulgaria on the for RENT forming a new debt-free national carrier. terpart in Tirana. debt for the terminated construction... As long as He said that JAT as a business appeared “We are ready to take all the quantities there is good will on the Bulgarian side, we can Organising a concert? Holding unsustainable and that the company should go of bitumen at disposal in your country,” reach an agreement," the spokesperson of the an event? Need a high-tech bankrupt. he added Russian state corporation, Sergey Novikov, told background for a conference? “Instead of giving guarantees of new loans According to the 2011 US Geological Bulgarian National Television in an interview BIRN is offering 13 LED flexible for old JAT, we’ll make new JAT,” Dinkic said Survey Mineral Yearbook Albania pro- aired on Monday. adding that the government believes it would duced 92,000 metric cub of bitumen last "The trial has not been held yet which is why all panels, size 2m x 1m, 192 x 96 be better not to subsidise a company that is los- year. working groups have a chance to negotiate an pixels, for rent for such occa- ing so much money, but set up a new company. Albania’s main quality bitumen agreement before that happens. These are process- sions. In that case, Serbia will activate a 15-year- reserves are extracted in the mine of es that are not contradictory. We are open for talks Including box controller, can be old contract with Airbus for the delivery of Selenica, in Southern Albania, but also – just as long as the Bulgarian side is prepared for used outdoors, moving images. new aircraft that have never been delivered. produced through the refining its oil that," Novikov said. The contract will be used as a down payment sands. Bulgaria's government is currently tangled up Minimum viewing distance: 8 for the leasing of new aircraft for the new com- Borisov held a state visit in Tirana on in a billion euro dispute with Russia over the ter- meters. pany’s fleet. Monday, and Albanian Prime Minister mination of the Belene project. For more information The state will also give a 140-million guar- Sali Berisha asked for Bulgaria’s support In July this year, Rosatom took Bulgaria's call +381 38 22 44 98 antee to the new company, which would enable for Albania’s EU candidate status bid. Bulgaria's National Electricity Co, NEK, to an arbi- it to lease 12 new aircraft. tration court seeking 58 million euro over delayed Dinkic said that government’s partner payments for its work on two nuclear reactors. might be Etihad Airways from the United The next day the Bulgarian company said it was Y Arab Emirates, which might give the 140 mil- prepared to strike back with a 61 million euro M lion guarantee instead of the Serbian govern- countersuit against the Russian firm over delayed C ment and, in return, become a co-owner of payments for purchases of old equipment for the K JAT. plant, worth about 300 million euro. neighbourhood Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 11 Art Museum on Hold um is a priority, together with the National Museum, other impor- Non-exhibition in non- tant projects need to be finished museum: soon, or their realisation needs to start soon. The exhibition on the recon- These include the Historical struction of the Museum was the Museum of Serbia, the Vuk and first event to take place in the Dositej Museum and the Museum building since it closed in 2007. of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Dejan Sretenovic says artists It would be “more realistic” to chose to designate it a “non exhi- finish the most immediate works, bition” because no conditions open the museum and then con- exist to prepare and present a tinue with the reconstruction, he proper exhibition, as it is cur- explained. rently a “non-museum”. “The question is whether it is “We decided that what was necessary to allocate all 600 mil- appropriate was to make a non- lion at once and then open a exhibition,” he recalled. museum, or whether it’s possible “We wanted to conceptualize to finance part of this vast sum, the existing situation in situ and to open the museum and after- produce some sort of incident, to Construction was supposed to end in 2009. wake up the Museum from its wards to finish the work,” Tasic hibernation,” Sretenovic added. of the Museum will be faster.” “Many diverse and active areas sible situation that the museum added. Darinka Pop Mitic, one of the But her colleague, Misa in the field of visual art have has been in for five years”. He detailed fire-protection sys- younger artists who took part, Mladenovic, another artist who been active during the long peri- The eyes of artists and audi- tems and electrical installations, said that it was an attempt by presented at the exhibition, said od of the Museum’s reconstruc- ences are now on the ministry, he as well as replacing large glass artists to make use of the ruined that he doubted the exhibition tion,” he noted. areas as immediate priorities in adds. whole. would have much impact beyond “On the other hand, we have “We are satisfied with the echo order to open the museum. “The Museum of a narrow circle of artists. been denied the large exhibition that the non-exhibition had in The glass surfaces on the Contemporary Art’s absence “I think the Museum of projects that the museum occa- public and in media,” he recalls. facade are old and non-function- over the years of reconstruction Modern Art is not a priority for sionally mounted, as well as “The government is now on the al, as the building was built in has greatly affected the cultural the Ministry of Culture, and that insight into the important collec- move. Judging by the first state- 1964. scene,” she recalled. the Ministry would rather invest tion of 20th century works in the Modern, multi-layered glass is “This exhibition is the result money in something else,” he museum,” he continued. ments of the new Minister…. But needed to provide basic museum of a five-year gap in the presen- said, pessimistically. Sretenovic says the “non-exhibi- we will see.” conditions and protection from tation of contemporary art in Mladenovic says that the tion” reflected a need to seek pub- This article is funded under UV rays and maintain an appro- Serbia,” she added. absence of the Museum had had lic support and put some kind of the BICCED project, supported priate temperature inside the “I hope that after this exhibi- an influence on the local art pressure on the authorities to by the Swiss Cultural building. tion, the reconstruction process scene, but not that much. address what he calls “the impos- Programme. Bosnian Serb Party Forces Out Bosniak Ministers After Struggle Social Democrats finally get their way and expel ministers from the Bosniak Party of Democratic Action, SDA, from the state government. They claim the current Croatian member, Zeljko Komsic, was elected mainly by Bosniak, not Croat, votes. By Elvira M. Jukic “Croats have to be equal in this country,” Covic said. “The first step is to allow them to elect their wo SDA ministers and a member of the presidency. But deputy minister were all this is not over yet, we will see Tremoved from Bosnia's what happens tomorrow.” Council of Ministers on October 22 after the largest Croatian party Another parliamentary ses- declined to vote against the pro- sion is scheduled for Tuesday, posal. when two top SDP officials could Sulejman Tihic, leader of the also lose their jobs. SDA, voiced his disappointment The big Serbian parties have with the vote. been trying since August to dis- He said that the Serbian miss the SDP leader, Bosnia's Alliance of Independent Social Foreign Minister, Zlatko Democrats, SNSD, and the Lagumdzija. Croatian Democratic Union of Ostensibly, this is because he Bosnia, HDZ BiH, both promised instructed Bosnia’s representa- to support his party. “Milorad tive to vote in support of a UN Dodik's SNSD kept its promise, but resolution on Syria without mak- unfortunately the HDZ did not,” ing due consultation. Tihic said. The Serbian parties have also SNSD and the Serbian Democratic Bosnia's Constitutional Court in the government of the larger of The Social Democratic Party, demanded the removal of the Party, SDS, and two Croatian August dismissed that argument, the two entities, the Federation of SDP, the other Bosniak party in SDP deputy speaker of parlia- Parties, the HDZ BiH and its sister giving the ruling parties the green Bosnia and Herzegovina. the state government, has sought ment, Denis Becirovic. party, HDZ 1990. However, the SDA light to proceed with the dis- The HDZ's demand to join the the dismissal of the SDA ministers His offence was sending an and SDP fell out over the budget. missal. Federation entity government ever since their coalition broke up unauthorised protest to Serbia, The first attempt to dismiss the The campaign for the local looks unlikely to succeed, as the in May. for having called the Bosnian two SDA ministers was blocked elections, which took place on SDA and its coalition partner The government was formed on when the SDA invoked Bosniak October 7, further delayed the dominate the presidency, which Serb entity, the Republika February 10, more than 16 months “vital national interests” – a con- process, however. can block changes to the the enti- Srpska, a state. after the general elections in stitutional instrument – arguing Dragan Covic, the leader of ty government. “Tomorrow is just too far away October 2010. that if SDA ministers were axed, HDZ, said the SDA had failed to The HDZ also wants to change at this point,” said Stasa Kosarac The coalition was made up of Bosniaks would be under-repre- meet the HDZ's demands, which the way Bosnia's State of the SNSD. “We will see what two Bosniak parties, the SDA and sented in government. centre on the HDZ's wish to join Presidency members are elected. happens then with the dis- SDP, two Serbian parties, the missals.” 12 Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 investigation Cheap, and Far from Free: The Migrants Building Britain Job restrictions have left Romanian and Bulgarian construction workers underpaid and vulnerable to exploitation, a BIRN investigation reveals.

By Sorana Stanescu, Bucharest and London 2004, Poles like him had little diffi- culty acquiring an NI number. But by the time Neven migrated five he men gather in the shadow years later, Romanians and of the Wickes hardware Bulgarians were finding it harder Tstore, looking out for the odd to register. jobs that keep them in the UK and A2 nationals are automatically for the police that periodically allocated NI numbers only if they moves them along. have travelled to Britain on a type As day labourers on the margins of work permit that is issued with of Britain’s sprawling construc- direct offers of employment. tion sector, they provide a ready However, these migrants are in a supply of cheap manpower, useful minority. Most Romanians and yet often unwelcome. Bulgarians travel to the UK with- Their presence provokes fre- out work permits or any firm quent complaints from the resi- promise of employment. dents of Seven Sisters, a north Eager to start earning, they London neighbourhood where the gravitate towards the construction cafés offer a greasy “builder’s and hospitality sectors, where breakfast” for less than five they can eventually skirt the need pounds. for a work permit by registering as With no offices or agencies sup- self-employed. porting them, the day labourers Migrants who fail to prove they crowd the pavement and advertise are self-employed, and therefore their trade through their attire – fail to get an NI number, often end grubby tracksuits spattered with up on the margins of these sectors, paint and plaster. getting paid cash-in-hand for casu- When potential clients pull up, al jobs that require minimal paper- they haggle over rates and hitch work. rides. When the police show up, The UK government wants construction to lift the country out of recession. Credit Lawria flickr Bulgarian and Romanian they run. embassy officials in London told Across the road on a sunny July EU. recession by undercutting pay and bers are bound by law to ensure BIRN that their citizens were find- morning, Jarek collects his gro- Despite Jarek’s suspicions, the conditions for other, relatively working conditions are safe and ing it harder to get an NI number, ceries and stops for a chat with men’s presence in Britain, or well-established, workers. fair. When the rules are broken, in some cases logging five unsuc- some friends. indeed outside Wickes, is not in A Balkan Investigative they say, the migrants are often cessful attempts. Many of the day “Illegal people,” is how he itself illegal. Reporting Network (BIRN) investi- complicit. labourers outside the Wickes at describes the 30 or so men waiting All that separates him from the gation shows that A2 workers are Some migrants interviewed by Seven Sisters fit this category. outside Wickes. Like them, Jarek newcomers is a web of restric- generally prepared to work for BIRN seemed to confirm this, say- “No money, no job in Bulgaria,” is an immigrant. Unlike them, he tions, designed to deny A2 lower wages and in worse condi- ing they worked in the grey econo- said a 45-year-old migrant who did comes from Poland and does not migrants the many advantages tions than others in the construc- my to avoid taxes. But as many are not give his name. He said he had panic when he sees the police. that helped Jarek and his compa- tion industry. Many interviewees underpaid, the incentive for doing twice applied for an NI number, He too is a builder, but he does triots establish themselves in the spoke on condition of anonymity so is also greater. and had been refused both times. not do business on the pavement UK. because they did not wish to If caught working illegally, the He had not found work for two outside Wickes. Instead, he travels Free to stay but not free to work, attract the attention of the author- migrants face a fine of up to £1,000 months and was living off his sav- on a moped fitted with a toolbox, the Romanians and Bulgarians ful- ities. pounds (about €1,300) and a possi- ings. dispensing glossy flyers advertis- fil a narrow function – meeting Unions and safety officials agree ble prison term. ‘Smaller sites, bigger risks’ ing “cheap and reliable contractor Britain’s need for underpaid and that the A2 workers’ immigration However, the day labourers in Undocumented workers are services” in ungrammatical unprotected labour. status has driven them into the front of Wickes are in little danger more likely to be seriously injured English. Nervous and suspicious highly casual end of the building of being busted, as they can on the job, according to trade Jarek is one of around a million The construction sector trade, where procedures are more always claim that they intend to unions and safety experts. workers who moved to the UK as a accounts for more than 10 per cent likely to be ignored and injuries declare any earnings. A young Romanian man, whose result of the EU’s expansion into of Britain’s GDP. It is the centre- and grievances are less likely to be Their nervousness around the name has been withheld on the Eastern Europe in 2004. The scale piece of the government’s plan to reported. police stems less from a genuine advice of his lawyer, told BIRN he of the migration, most of it from revive the struggling economy, and The UK government justifies its fear of prosecution than from a had been electrocuted while oper- Poland, prompted a backlash the recipient of regular subsidies restrictions, arguing that they general suspicion of the state. ating a jackhammer at a site in against the British politicians who and stimuli. have protected the British work- Facing severe restrictions in the London. “I don’t remember had failed to anticipate it. Critics say the government’s force by preventing another surge job market, they have been fun- much,” he said. “There was The day labourers are mostly restrictions on A2 workers have of immigration of the scale that nelled towards a zone where there smoke. My arm was burned.” Romanians and Bulgarians, and benefitted the construction sector brought Jarek to the country. is no clear distinction between the The man had been working in relative newcomers to the UK. by boosting the ranks of poorly Casual labourers can pick up lawful and unlawful, or between Britain without an NI number and They arrived after 2007, when paid and loosely regulated labour- work outside the Wickes super- the exploitative and the cost-effec- had learned about the job from a Romania and Bulgaria – the so- ers. They accuse Britain of trying store in north London. tive. friend. He says he was not asked to called A2 countries – joined the to build its way out of a double-dip Statistics from the Department “The police have asked me for provide any documents or sign of Work and Pensions show that ID… Sometimes they say you can any contracts before starting around 210,000 Romanians and stay, sometimes they make you work, and was paid cash-in-hand. Bulgarians have received a leave,’’ says a middle-aged day Although he received some basic NATIONAL INSURANCE NUMBERS National Insurance (NI) number labourer from Bulgaria who gave safety instructions, he says he had since their countries joined the EU his name as Neven. “I stay,’’ he National Insurance (NI) number keeps a record of each indi- five years ago. This figure offers a adds. “What are the police going to trouble following them because of vidual’s tax and insurance contributions. British citizens auto- very rough indication of how do to me?’’ his poor English. Amatically receive an NI number when they turn 16. Polish many migrants from these coun- Numbers game Construction unions estimate migrants often had to provide little more than an original ID and tries may be working in Britain, Upon arrival in the UK, all for- that some 80 per cent of workplace proof of a UK address to qualify for one. without taking into account those eigners in search of work are accidents go unreported. The Romanians and Bulgarians who need to register as self-employed to working illegally and those who expected to apply for an NI num- Health and Safety Executive get the number must provide contracts, invoices, job offers and refer- have since returned home. ber. (HSE), the UK watchdog that mon- ences from clients. They have a three-month grace period upon By comparison, some 640,000 The number is a prerequisite for itors safety in the workplace, does arrival in which to amass this proof. Poles have received NI numbers anyone seeking legitimate long- not keep any data recording the Many complain that this creates a Catch-22 situation. They cannot over the last five years, from the term employment. It is effectively nationality of injured workers. get the proof for an NI number until they are established as self- total of more than a million over the code upon which the state However, it acknowledges that employed – but they cannot establish themselves as self-employed the last decade. builds each individual’s record of migrant workers are more exposed without the number. Large construction guilds, taxes, pensions and benefits. to accidents and less likely to meanwhile, insist that their mem- When Jarek came to Britain in report them, even though they investigation Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 13 cannot be deported or penalised for doing so. Richard Boland, the HSE’s head of operations for construction in southern England, says “the vul- nerability that comes with having restrictions on when and where you can work” can drive builders Report Corruption to sites where the safety rules are not enforced. HSE’s inspectors are now shift- ing their focus away from the large firms towards smaller sites because the latter, he says, are more likely to ignore standards and to employ relatively inexperi- enced migrant workers. ‘Silent accidents’ Romanian and Bulgarian work- ers who manage to acquire an NI number still face curbs that did not trouble an earlier generation of immigrants from the EU. Most jobs in construction are arranged through specialist employment agencies, which are typically small companies with a record for hiring from within a Casual labourers can pick up work outside the Wickes superstore in north London particular immigrant community. These agencies act as subcon- to be reported under UK law. If an this category deserved no more nationality. However, unions say tecting British jobs was mislead- tractors for bigger firms, deliver- employer is found to be at fault, sympathy than their employers for that British and Polish workers ing: the curbs had undermined ing casual labour to large sites at lawyers say a worker can expect to undermining their “legitimate can expect to be paid £9-10 per established labour while benefit- short notice and handling much of receive between £6,000 and £36,000, competitors”. hour for jobs that will be offered to ting businesses by giving them a the associated paperwork. depending on the severity of the “Both parties gain from effec- A2 workers for £5-6 per hour. more pliant workforce. According to lawyers and labour injury. tively breaking the law and, as experts, the A2 workers hired by Small construction firms are such, those A2s who collude in A2 WORKERS’ STORIES: WITH THE NI NUMBER such agencies are less likely to usually keen to avoid having false self-employment cannot be complain of dangerous conditions claims brought against them, as portrayed as innocent victims,” One time an agency charged 30 per cent tax, instead of 20 per and low wages. Many fear being these can hamper their ability to says Peter O’ Connell, a policy cent. A lady told me over the phone they would charge 30 per cent, blacklisted in an economy where secure fresh contracts. manager with the Federation of “plus the agency’s fee, plus the payroll company’s fee. That's how their options for employment are ‘Informal economy’ Master Builders. it goes: the two go hand-in-hand, each of them gets a share of my already circumscribed. As well as discouraging com- Stephen Ratcliffe, director of money.” (Florin, Romania, window fixer) Remus Robu, a paralegal with plaints over conditions, employ- the UK Contractors Groups, a “I got my NI number the fourth time I applied and I had to pay a con- UK law firm Levenes, often han- ment agencies often pay A2 guild representing the country’s sultant £200 to help me sort out the invoices and contracts I needed to dles claims arising from accidents migrants a lower wage than other top construction firms, said crimi- show as proof of self-employment.” (Costel, Romania) involving A2 workers. workers. nal proceedings should be used “I’m very happy with how the HSE handled my case. They got to the “Unfortunately, there are people Many agencies deduct a form of against the “informal economy” site within ten minutes and all companies responsible for my accident who do lose their job when they commission from workers’ pay where companies flout tax, were prosecuted.” (Marcel, Romania) file for compensation,” he said. packets. In some cases, a payroll employment and safety laws. The Romanian owner of a small company – often linked to the Both O’Connell and Ratcliffe As they do not face any working “The more you focus on immi- building company, speaking on agency – will charge an additional stressed that the members of their restrictions, Polish and British gration control, the more you condition of anonymity, con- “admin” fee for processing organisations abide fully by the workers are in a better position to introduce transitional arrange- firmed the existence of an infor- salaries. law. negotiate their rates or simply ments – the more you create a mal blacklist for workers who The A2 migrants have no safe- The UK’s main trade body for take better jobs in other sectors. labour force that is actually more were regarded as troublesome. guards against these cuts to their employment agencies, the Romanians and Bulgarians are desirable for employers,” she said. But, he said, this was no different earnings. As self-employed work- Recruitment and Employment more likely to go with what they EU members cannot prevent the to the system of references shared ers, they are not eligible for the Confederation, declined to com- are offered, as they have fewer citizens of other member states by employers in other industries. UK’s minimum wage, currently ment despite several requests from options on the job market. from travelling to their countries “Would you hire back somebody set at just over six pounds an hour. BIRN. ‘Good for business’ for work. They can only impose who had filed a claim against Moreover, although technically Given the ways in which work- According to its critics, the cur- “transitional controls” of the kind you?’’ he said. expected to pay their own taxes, ing through employment agencies rent policy on A2 workers has cre- currently in place in the UK The owner also told BIRN that self-employed labourers are auto- can eat into their earnings, many ated a system that deprives the against Romanians and he had persuaded a worker against matically taxed at source at a rate A2 workers decide to opt out of the state of tax revenues, undercuts Bulgarians. reporting an accident that had led of 20 per cent, under a government system. British labour and leaves foreign- The UK is just one of several EU to a broken leg. He said he had scheme that applies to the con- The day labourers outside the ers open to exploitation. states that have imposed restric- paid the injured man a full wage struction sector alone. Wickes superstore in Seven Sisters Labour MP Jim Sheridan has tions on A2 workers. Similar throughout his time in recovery, The construction workers’ include some who have an NI num- argued for tighter regulation of restrictions exist in Austria, and guaranteed him further union, UCATT, has called for the ber but choose not to use it. the employment agencies in the Germany, Belgium, France and the employment when he was fit scheme to be scrapped, saying it A Romanian man, who refused construction sector, along the lines Netherlands. again. facilitates a form of bogus self- to give his name, says he has been of the licensing of agricultural By law, the curbs must be lifted “He agreed not to pursue a claim employment. Britain’s opposition in the UK for six years and regu- gangmasters. by January 2014. However, a state- against me because I have a good Labour party also recently said it larly pays his taxes and contribu- Others call for reducing self- ment issued by the UK Border relationship with my workers,” would review the scheme. tions to the state. employment in the sector by mak- Agency last year confirmed it the owner said. However, an official from the But he supplements his official ing construction firms hire more would apply similar “transitional According to the HSE, any acci- UK’s largest construction trade income by working cash-in-hand. workers directly. However, this restrictions” on all new EU mem- dent that leads to a broken leg has association said the workers in “People hire me to paint their would also shift the burden for NI ber states to ensure that “migra- house. If they ask for an invoice, I contributions – nearly 14 per cent tion benefits the UK and does not can issue one. Otherwise, I don’t.” of the wage bill – on to the employ- adversely impact our labour mar- A2 WORKERS’ STORIES: WITHOUT NI NUMBER “I’m done working with the ers. ket’’. agencies,” he adds. “They take too UCATT convenor Dave Allen The UK’s Border Agency, the I tell my clients from the beginning I don’t take cheques and I much of your money.” admits this is unlikely to happen, immigration minister, and the don’t give invoices. Take it or leave it. I can earn up to £3,000 a Most of the men outside Wickes as it would leave the big firms with Department for Work and “month.” (“Ion”, Romania) smaller budgets. “The government Pensions all declined to be inter- said they expected to earn around “I share a room with my mother for £100 a week. I come to look for £50 (€60) a day. By comparison, a knows that if everybody was viewed for this article. work at Wickes because I have to pay the rent. If I don’t pay every self-employed Romanian, recruit- directly employed, the economy week, they will simply kick me out.” (Ergean, Romania) ed legally through an employment might suffer,” he says. Sorana Stanescu is a Bucharest- “I don’t have any documents and I’ve never worked with a company. agency for marshalling traffic at a Bridget Anderson, deputy direc- based journalist. This article was Instead of finding work through an agency that will charge £40 per building site, can expect to earn tor and senior research fellow at edited by Neil Arun. It was pro- week, I’d rather wait outside Wickes and hope to get £80 on a good £80 (€100) per day. In other words, Oxford University’s migration duced as part of the Balkan day.” (“Paul”, Romania) he will be paid only £30 (€40) more think-tank COMPAS, says the gov- Fellowship for Journalistic “I don’t know why I came to the UK in the first place. I’ve been than the day labourers, out of ernment should, at the very least, Excellence, an initiative of the rejected for an NI number once and have just applied for the second which he must fund further tax enforce the minimum wage regu- Robert Bosch Stiftung and ERSTE Y time. If they say no, I’ll try one last time and then go back home.” and NI contributions. lations on all workers, British and Foundation, in cooperation with M (Mihaela, Romanian cleaner) Recruitment agencies say they foreign, self-employed or not. the Balkan Investigative Reporting C pay the same wage, regardless of She says the rhetoric about pro- Network. K 14 Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 guide

D.J.s Lament Shrinking Electronic Music Scene in Kosovo

Electronic music is giving space to mixed menu in Kosovo, a sign of less money flowing around the country but also perhaps of a new more diversity-hungry period.

was at its most pure and people Irmin van der Meijden, a D.J core of people that are genuinely and places where a good atmos- created traditions, not trends. from Amsterdam who now lives following new trends in electronic phere is created. Also, some of us, “At that time, maybe in the 90s, and makes music in Prishtina, music,” Van der Meijden said. the new talents on the scene, have By Arber Selmani people were crazy about electronic says that electronic music in Low pay also means some D.J.s some space to promote ourselves,” music. Today, people do not follow Kosovo rose in popularity at the are staying away, Van der Meijden Cetta said. the tradition, but rather trends. It turn of the millennium, but is now explained. Flekitza Fleki, a well-known D.J. seems there is a period when we struggling. “Club owners have the very in the capital, says that if there is hey remember it as Te get hot about something, and just “I don't think its dead; but I strange habit of often not telling no enthusiasm for this kind of Majmunat, though it later as quickly it turns cold,” says think it is definitely struggling. As you how much they will pay you up music in Kosovo, D.J.s have other Tbecame Underclub and then Ramabaja, a D.J. since 1999. The people tell me, its peak was front. They make it dependent on options. ended up as a carpet shop. It was main problem, he said, is the lack reached during the liberation how many guests will come, which “Many of our D.J.s are known in the place where electronic music of clubs where D.J.s play only elec- years in 2001 and 2002 when the sit- is also seen as the responsibility of the region more than here. By per- was heard every single day of the tronic music. uation in Prishtina was quite the D.J., somehow. That's not fair. I forming in various European year. “Some years ago there were unique. There was a lot of money, want to get paid because of the cities they are promoting Kosovo`s Along with Spray Club and places where only electronic first of all, and of course a reason music I play, not because of the culture better than anyone else,” Megaherc, Te Majmunat was once music was released and played, to party. I went to Spray a lot in number of friends I have on says Fleki. a club where electronic music did- and people knew where to go,” he 2006, a time when many famous Facebook.” Gentian Rizaj, the manager at n’t mix with other genres, where says. D.J.s were still invited there. A few club owners do agree on Spray Club, says that electronic names like Toton, Likatek and “Today, many bars and clubs “Now it is different, of course. pay before a show, Van der Meijden music remains popular in Kosovo, Dardan Ramabaja first brought don’t have stability and put all You do notice that it's hard for club acknowledged. “Some are differ- in part thanks to clubs like Spray. the electronic spirit to the capital. kinds of music in their pro- managers to attract a crowd, ent; they don't pay much but at If you mention the word “club” According to Ramabaja, when grams,” says Ramabaja, lamenting unless D.J.s have a name, and least its clear from the beginning. in Kosovo, you think Spray, he those clubs were at the height of the fall of the electronic music those performers are expensive, of All in all, when it comes to money said. their popularity, electronic music scene in recent years. course. There is only a very small the scene sucks. What can you do.” “Spray Club is one of the places Many feel the electronic music that is well known all over the scene in Kosovo is still shrinking. world for its electronic music. It “It hurts, but it’s true. The elec- still has the perfect schedule of tronic music scene in Kosovo is this music,” says Rizaj. very small, or rather non-existent. Unfortunately, he added, commer- Even people who once wanted this cial music now dominates the kind of music are stuck in the music market. musical trends of 2002,” says D.J. “There are some clubs, like Vegim, considered one of the best Spray, which are not giving up. electronic music performers in The quality is very poor, and I'm Kosovo, with his roots in the 1990s also sorry to say that people now music scene. have different preferences,” Rizaj According to Vegim, Kosovars said. can only catch “proper” electronic These days “Spray” is closed music in their capital city once and has been converted into some- every few months. thing else, a place called “Mjalte” “We have more space than in (honey), but Gentian Rizaj, the 2000-2002, but less electronic manager, said that he has plans to music. We have a poor scene,” open a new club. “It will not be in Vegim lamented. the same place and it will have Meanwhile Fatos Cetta, who is another name”, Rizaj adds. new to the electronic music scene Y in Kosovo, says the music contin- This article is funded under the M ues to thrive in the country. BICCED project, supported by the C “There is a taste for good music Swiss Cultural Programme. K international Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 15 Obama and Romney's Plans for Campaign Finance Reform Seem Murky or Unattainable With campaign finances limits rendered nearly meaningless, election spending is on pace to set records. Where does each presidential candidate stand on how to regulate money in politics?

correctly decided. That followed comments Romney made By Justin Elliott to RealClearPolitics in December in the midst of a Republican primary dominat- ed by single-candidate super PACs. He said he supported a system that would resident Obama talks about changes allow unlimited individual donations to but hasn’t instituted many. He favours Plegislation that would require disclo- candidates. The limit on individual dona- sure of donors to dark money nonprofits. tions directly to candidates is $2,500 per The president has also floated a election, one of the few regulations left Constitutional amendment to address intact after Citizens United. Citizens United — an idea that’s currently “[W]hat we have right now is unlimited politically impossible. Yet advocates point political contributions, but they’re not out Obama hasn’t even instituted campaign controlled by the campaigns,” Romney finance measures that he could do on his said. “They’re controlled by unaffiliated own using executive power. or uncoordinated entities, which, in my Mitt Romney has mostly stayed mum. His opinion, are the worst of both worlds. It campaign doesn’t have an official position means that large contributions have a big paper on campaign finance and wouldn’t impact, and it means that the campaign answer questions. When asked, Romney has can’t control them, so if we’re going to said he favours removal of contribution lim- have big contributors, wouldn’t it be nice its to candidates, as a way to bring money to have the campaigns responsible for from outside groups back into campaigns. Mitt Romney and U.S. President Obama are running in the most expensive election in American History. He has also said he favours donor disclosure what those contributors say?” In an interview with the Portsmouth but hasn’t signalled support of specific leg- ment process falls short, it can shine a nating highly qualified individuals to islation. Herald editorial board last year, Romney spotlight of the super-PAC phenomenon lead the FEC” — but nominations have also endorsed the idea of donor disclo- and help apply pressure for change.” not materialized. sure. Here are the details: He did not give specifics on what such Obama campaign spokesman Adam “I wish we could find a way to get an amendment would say. Fetcher said he could not comment on President Obama money out of politics. I haven't found out Meanwhile, campaign finance regula- whether Obama would take any actions Obama supports the DISCLOSE Act, a bill a way to do that,” he told the New tion advocates in Washington have been without Congress — such as executive that would require disclosure of donors Hampshire newspaper. “I think the best disappointed by Obama’s first term. orders or FEC recess appointments — in to politically active nonprofits, which way, by the way, is to let people make “There are lot tangible things that he a second term. are currently funded with anonymous whatever contributions they want and could have done that he did not do,” says Pro-regulation groups are also unhap- money. In July, the bill failed to get 60 Lisa Gilbert, director of Congress have it instantly reported and know what votes in the Senate after Republicans py with Obama’s reversal on super Watch at Public Citizen. conflicts exist so we know where the opposed it. An earlier version passed PACs, which the president’s campaign had Gilbert and other advocates pointed to money is coming from.” the House in 2010 when Democrats were criticized but later embraced. an executive order drafted by the White There is one area where Romney has in the majority. House and floated in the media in 2011 floated tighter restrictions: money from In its statement on the disclosure bill, Mitt Romney that would have required government teachers unions. the administration criticized the Asked for details about Romney’s posi- contractors to reveal political spending, At an NBC forum in September on edu- Supreme Court's 2010 decision in tion on campaign finance, spokeswoman which would shed light on otherwise cation, Romney criticized the unions’ Citizens United as “bringing about an Andrea Saul responded with a link to a unreported corporate contributions. donations to candidates who later negoti- era where corporations and other page on Romney’s website on “cutting A year later, the Hill reported that the ate contracts with teachers. wealthy interests can exert vastly dis- the red tape” of regulation. administration had “all but abandoned” "I think we [have] got to get the money proportionate influence, including The page doesn’t mention campaign the idea. It’s never been implemented. through anonymous donations.” finance. Instead, it promises Romney out of the teachers unions going into Regulation advocates also complain In August, during a Q&A session on will roll back regulations generally. campaigns,” he said. “It's the wrong way that the administration has not offered the website Reddit, Obama said the The campaign did not respond to ques- for us to go. We've got to separate that." nominations for the five of six FEC com- country should eventually consider a tions about Romney’s stance on the DIS- Vice presidential candidate Rep. Paul missioners whose terms have expired. Constitutional amendment. CLOSE Act and other specifics. Ryan has opposed the DISCLOSE Act, The agency, which has three slots for “Over the longer term, I think we During the Republican primary in calling it “unconstitutional” in a 2010 members of each party, is paralyzed by need to seriously consider mobilizing a February, Romney was endorsed by statement. partisan deadlock on many issues. constitutional amendment process to James Bopp, the arch-foe of campaign The administration said in June in overturn Citizens United (assuming the This story is published courtesy of The response to a petition that “the Obama finance regulation. At the time, the Supreme Court doesn't revisit it),” the Administration is committed to nomi- Romney campaign told the Boston Globe ProPublica www.propublica.org. Under president wrote. “Even if the amend- that Romney believes Citizens United was Creative Commons licence. marketing

Y M C K 16 Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 Guide

Here is Prishtina Insight’s guide to the best places in town to eat, drink, shop and be merry. We’ll keep this section updated with the newest and coolest places

Hard Rockers Club Fastfood: opening in Kosovo. Road Ilaz Kodra, contact: vraja_fatos@ hot- mail.com. It's one of the few places in Prishtina where you can catch regular live Bel Ami Restaurants: Stylishly designed and smoke-free, Le Siam acts and the only place which caters for Rr Luan Haradinaj, Tel: +377 (0)44 133 848, has become a real hit for the international those who like their rock served up heavy, or +386 49 133 848. The ideal town-centre stop community of Kosovo. If you are acquaint- hard. On a quiet night, it's quite a comfort- for a quick lunch or takeaway snack, Bel Liburnia 1 and 2 ed with Thai food, you're not in for any sur- able venue to grab a beer, even if you are not Ami unceremoniously serves some of the Rr Meto Bajraktar, tel. +381 (0)38 222 719. prises here, with the typical assortment of being entertained by hirsute musicians . best chicken doner in Prishtina in a surpris- There are actually two Liburnias opposite curries, salads and deep fried treats, deliv- ingly un-greasy, smoke-free environment. each other, both very similar in style and ered to decent standards. At 7 or 8 euro for a The Cuban Ask for a “komplet” to get the classic doner food. Housed in a fine Ottoman abode and main course, it's relatively pricey compared Road Luan Haradinaj Tel: +377(0) 45 620 620. packed with salad and sauces and wrapped surrounded by pleasant walled gardens, to its neighbours. Open Monday-Thursday This is a decent addition to the city's drink- in tin foil. Monday-Friday 9 am - 7.30 pm; Liburnia oozes atmosphere, whether in win- 11:00-14:00 and 17:45-22:30; Friday-Sunday ing scene, even if the place can be full of Saturday 9 am - 8 pm. ter or summer. The food is a roll call of 11:00-23:00. spivs and tarts who aren't going to a fancy- decent traditional Albanian food, including dress party. The Cuban-themed décor is the usual stews (tave) and grilled meat. It’s Clubs: Renaissance II decadent Havana, the food is average, and not the best place in town to sample local Rr. George Bush (behind the Pro Credit Bank not very Caribbean, but the cocktails are delicacies, but a good choice given the set- P1 HQ), tel. +377 (0)44 118 796. Renaissance good. 8 am - 1 am. ting. Open 8 am - 11 pm Fehmi Agani, +377 (0)44 608 669. If you’re offers arguably the best overall dining expe- looking for cool, then P1 is probably not rience in Prishtina. It's quite an experience Xhoni’s Bar Country House the spot for you. The decor is pretty unin- just to find the place. Tucked away along a Rexhep Mala, , tel. +377 (0)44 750 720. Off road to from Pristina, right spiring, the music is bog standard and the tiny alleyway, you enter the homely, stone Xhoni’s is, without doubt, a Prishtina insti- after the Muciqi Mercedes-Benz garage, tel. atmosphere reminiscent of a cattle mar- building through heavy wooden doors. It's tution. It’s small, friendly and smoky, plays +377 (0)44 656 054. This rustic restaurant is ket. But if your thing is scantily clad 15 euro per head, and for that you will be excellent soul, disco and classic rock music a 15-minute drive outside Pristina (on a young women or packs of amorous boys, kept fed, watered and supplied with booze from vinyl and is open until the last man or good day) and provides glorious views than it’s an excellent choice. And, in the for at least a three course meal, including a woman staggers out. Arrive by 11pm at the across rolling, verdant hills and is especial- venue’s defence, it does have a pleasant wonderful meze starter and a delicious weekend to secure a corner, or even better a ly pleasant place in the summer to watch outdoor area for summer dancing. main course cooked on embers. Open 11 am seat, if you intend to make a night of it. Next the sunset. The overall food quality is - 11 pm. to A&A restaurant and has round windows. Working hours Wednesday, Friday, decent, with special marks for the fresh Opens: 8pm-to late. Shut on Sundays. Saturday from 9 pm to 3 am. bread, straight from the wood stove, and speca me maze (peppers in cream). 10 am - 11 pm. Bars:

Princesha Gresa Crème de la Crème 23 Rr. Fehmi Agani, tel. +381 (0) 38 24 58 41. If Rr Robert Doll, tel. +377(0)44259912. Crème you have a horse-size hole in your stomach is probably the best all-round bar in the city. to fill, this is the place to come. The meal It's run for the amusement of the young, starts with some free bread and dips and is arty owners and not for profit, which followed by gargantuan portions of salad, explains the more-than-generous pricing meat, fish, or anything else on this varied arrangements, especially for the perfectly menu. The food is sometimes great, some- executed cocktails. Its five tiny floors heave times average but always served in massive on Fridays and Sundays with Pristina's cool portions. Open 10 am - 11 pm. to the variety of beats. Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8pm to 3am. Hemingway Rr Ilaz Kodra, tel. +386 (0)49 145 637. Yes, you Filikaqa can get fresh sea fish in landlocked Kosovo. Rr Mujo Ulqinaku BL 4/1, Pejton, website Hemingway is tucked away in an unappeal- www.filikaqa.com; 038 244 288. Whistle, as it ing end of the city but worth a trip if you translates from Albanian, offers a dizzying are craving food of the piscine variety. It's a array of televisions on which to watch your pretty basic sort of set-up and relatively sport of choice and eat the best burgers in expensive for the setting, but undoubtedly town. Select a booth, ask the amiable staff to one of the best places in town for fish. Open tune into your match and grab a 'double 9 am - 11 pm decker' or 'triple burger', which look like American fast-food classics but taste better. Le Siam Thai Friday night Karaoke is a must-see, must- Rr Fehmi Agani, tel. +377 (0)45 243 588. sing event.

Hot Food: NOMNOM, Rr Rexhep Luci, Prishtina. A superb edition to Prishtina’s dining scene. Its London chef serves up food fit for a high-end eatery in the Big Smoke. The excel- lent variety of ingredients on offer is particularly pleasing, as is the extensive wine list. The outdoor area is also great for people watching while you sup a cocktail or two.

PAPIRUN(LEFT). Tel. 045 26 23 23. Papirun has seating at two perpendicular coun- ters in what’s basically a hole-in-the-wall just off Mother Teresa Boulevard, near the Grand Hotel. The menu has 13 options: 6 pizzas and seven sandwiches. The sandwich- es are the stars, though. Every component is handled with care. The bread alone is good enough to make just about any sandwich into a glorious feast. It’s freshly baked and seasoned with rosemary.

Hot Shop: SACRO(ABOVE), Rruga Garibaldi, Behind Metro Caffe, Prishtina, tel. +377 44 234 Y 499, www.sacrobio.com Where in Pristina can you buy dried Kamenica mushrooms? M Lentils to help with a vegetarian/ vegan diet? Marshmallow root? Sacro, the newly- C opened shop in central Prishtina, is an education and a delight. K Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 17 Guide Contact Prishtina Insight if you would like your event to feature or to advertise your venue. Email [email protected]

Where to pick up Prishtina Insight?

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 with rooms and suites are only love to blame, reminiscent of a offer a limited num- Fatmir, the head small hotel in the chef, 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- Fatmir also has sev- rounded by a gallery Grab a copy of the eral delicious pas- of paintings by local publication and settle tas on offer, a true artists. joy for the taste The hotel offers free, down with a drink or buds. Napoli has an excellent selection of red and white wines or, for fast wifi internet, com- a meal to read it. the more ambitious, one of the region's best quince raki. Napoli plimentary breakfast, makes for delicious lunch, dinner or even after-theatre time out in the conference room, 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

Paddy O’Brien’s Papillon Bistro Bar

The staff at This newly reopened bar in Prishtina, If you live in Kosovo and would like to Paddy O’Brien’s Papillon, offers more than 60 types of wines receive the hardcopy of the newspaper have a saying: “It’s from France, Italy, Spain, and Kosovo with easy to walk in, but great prices and delicious dishes. delivered to your door, you can also sub- very hard to leave.” They serve pasta, sandwiches, salads and And with its different appetizers. scribe for 13 editions, the equivalent of warm atmosphere, You can also try different types of local or six months, for 13 euro, including deliv- fantastic range of international beers. drinks and excel- The bar, with it’s stunning new design, is ery, or for 26 euro for the whole year. lent food, it is easy located in the centre of Prishtina, near Please note, deliveries outside of to see why. ProCredit Bank headquarter, RTK radio There have been centre, and the Mother Teresa cathedral. Prishtina may be refused due to trans- many attempts to port costs. establish a proper Papillon Irish pub in Mother Teresa Str. Nr. 51 A You can pay through an international Prishtina, but this [email protected] bank transfer or in cash at a Kosovo is the only one to 044 103 310 hit the spot. branch of Raiffeisen bank. From classic coffees to cocktails, via, of course, Guinness, you really wont find it difficult to select the perfect drink. If you are interested in subscribing please A mouth-watering menu of Irish specialties is also on offer, spanning from all-day breakfasts to Irish stews at night. email us at [email protected] Options include shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, fish ‘n with the subject "subscription", listing chips, and whopping great burgers. Thursday is pub quiz night, but there is always something what type of subscription you require. We going on at the pub, whether it is sport screenings or just a good will then provide you with an invoice and shindig. Paddy O’Brien’s bank details. Tringe Smajli Street, by the Illyria Hotel Y Prishtina: 045-420900 M C K 18 Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 timeout

Prishtina’s Sickest and Scariest Halloween 1 and 3pm, during weekend 9pm – 5am, 31 October 2012

“ICE AGE CONTINENTAL DRIFT” 3D Venue: Youth and Sports Center This event will be the biggest and the One of filmdom’s most beloved trios – Ice Age’s most different and unique as never before. Manny, Diego, and Sid – embark upon their great- The Halloween night will not be focused est adventure after cataclysm sets an entire conti- only on music performances but also on nent adrift. Separated from the rest of the herd, dancing, acrobatics, special choreogra- they use an iceberg as a makeshift ship, ëhich phy, visual effects as well as other special launches them on an epic seafaring quest. Manny effects. and the gang are challenged like never before to The program will have musical perform- become heroes and do the impossible, as they ances with DJ and there will be many encounter exotic sea creatures, explore a brave other special items prepared specially for new world, and battle ruthless pirates. And Scrat’s this night. More than 300 people will be reunion ëith his cursed nut catapults him to places engaged specially for this project, which no prehistoric squirrel has gone before. will make possible to create a perfect Starring: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis atmosphere that people haven’t seen before in the capital city. Leary, Alan Tudyk, Wanda Sykes, Jeremy Renner, The project involves young creative and Jennifer Lopez, Queen Latifah, etj. volunteer people who want to do good Directed by: Steve Martino, Carlos Saldanha and creative job during this project. For further information visit the website www.halloween-projectX.com or write in their e-mail info@halloween-projec- 5 and 9pm, tx.com “TITANIC” DANCE Classes - New Season 2012-2013 Food and Drink Fest After winning a trip on the RMS Titanic during 5pm Tuesday, 23 October 2012, 29 – 31 October a dockside card game, American Jack Dawson spots the society girl Rose DeWitt Bukater who is Location: Grand Hotel Prishtina This event will be placed at on her way to Philadelphia to marry her rich snob DANCE Classes - New Season 2012-2013 Youth and Sports Centre - fiance Cal Hockley. Rose feels helplessly trapped Evolution Dance on 23 October 2012 starts with new Prishtina by her situation and makes her way to the aft deck season of Dance Classes. Learn 15 different kind of 10am – 11pm and thinks of suicide until she is rescued by Jack. DANCE 29 October - Teuta Kurti Cal is therefore obliged to invite Jack to dine at 30 October – The their first-class table where he suffers through Time: Every Tuesday and Thursday Freelancers & Offchestra the slights of his snobbish hosts. In return, he Children: 5:30 - 6:30 pm 31 October – Latino Band spirits Rose off to third class for an evening of Adults: 8:30 - 10:00 pm dancing, giving her the time of her life. Deciding Location: Grand Hotel Prishtina to forsake her intended future all together, Rose asks Jack, who has made his living making Prishtina Diary sketches on the streets of Paris, to draw her in the nude wearing the invaluable blue diamond Cal has given her. Cal finds out and Filikaqa Bar has Jack locked away. Soon afterwards, the ship hits an iceberg and Rose must WE COME IN PEACE Tour Continues 9pm Friday, 26 October find Jack while both must run from Cal even as the ship sinks deeper into the 8pm Tuesday, 16 October 2012 LATINO BAND & freezing water. friends LIVE At Station Centre for Contemporary art EX Spray Club In 2011 Laibach was invited to do the soundtrack for Iron 11pm Friday 26 October Sky – a dark science fiction comedy and one of the most BAJRAM PARTY anticipated European films of 2012. Directed by Timo 3 DJ * 2 ROOMS Vuorensola, the film was launched in April with great Room 1 - house music success at the Berlinale festival and is currently being DJ MIM 5 and 7 pm Thursday, October 25 shown in cinemas worldwide. Meanwhile Laibach’s Room 2 - hip hop, RNB soundtrack for Iron Sky was released by Mute on April DJ JUNGLE & DJ GAM- “TAKEN 2” 30th. BLE The first part of the We Come in Peace tour, supporting Hamam Jazz Bar the launch of the Iron Sky film and the album release, Bryan Mills is the retired CIA agent with a “par- Friday, 26 October 2012 started in April 2012 with 19 European dates. The high- ticular set of skills” who stopped at nothing to CROSSROAD BLUES light of the tour was the show in Tate Modern’s Turbine save his daughter Kim from kidnappers. When BAND Hall in London, on April 14th. This historic concert was the father of one of the villains Bryan killed Saturday, recorded and released by Mute and Abbey Road’s Live swears revenge, and takes Bryan and his wife 27 October 2012 Here Nowas a double CD Limited Edition, titled hostage in Istanbul, Bryan enlists Kim to help Monumental Retro-Avant-Garde. ZIG ZAG ORCHESTRA them escape. Bryan then employs his unique tac- The second part of the tour, with 14 additional concerts, tics to get his family to safety and systematically starts onSeptember 7th. Besides selected material from take out the kidnappers, one by one. Om Quartet promotes the film, Laibach will perform a set of songs spanning the second album “Reload” from the early 1980s till today, including classics like 8pm Monday, 28 October “Geburt einer Nation”, “Leben Heisst Leben”, “Across at “Oda Theatre” the Universe”, as well as some preview songs from After Om Quartet per- For any further questions or reservations call at 038 243 238 or visit them at Laibach’s two forthcoming albums. formance there will be a www.kinoabc.com The Mute compilation An Introduction To … Laibach / Jam Session in Reproduction Prohibited is out on September 3rd. “Filikaqa bar” Prishtina Jazz Festival 2012 Teatri Oda cy of the European council. Friday 9pm, 2 November 2012 Kasu is a collective of musicians and KEVIN BRADY TRIO musical ideas that blend and merge to cre- Bill Carrothers, Dave Redman, Kevin ate a very unique sound. The original com- Brady positions from all the band members are not Saturday 9pm, 3 November 2012 an end in themselves but the starting point ELIF ÇAGLAR QUINTET for music to happen. Sunday 8pm, November 4 Monday 9pm, 5 November 2012 KASU Kaja Draksler and Susana Santos Silva MAX KOCHETOV QUARTET met within the European Movement Jazz Tuesday 9pm, 6 November 2012 KEKKO FORNARELLI feat Y Orchestra, a project that started in the spring of 2007 with the idea of being the cul- E.VLOEIMANS M tural ambassador of Germany, Portugal and Sunday 9pm, 11 November 2012 C Slovenia during the time of their presiden- HUMAN TOUCH K inside prishtina Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 19

Luca Uberti Research Fellow in the Economics Unit at American University in Kosovo Yoga Instructor Unites of: the Eyes through Prishtina 1.What surprised you most about Prishtina? I’d been to Pristina once before I moved to Kosovo Bodies and Minds a year ago, so nothing came as a huge surprise real- Rina Rezniqi 1.5-hour sessions offer an escape from the hectic life of Prishina ly. Although I must say that I’d always perceived Pristina as little more than a sleepy township, and I and soul to come together with God. Prishtina living and the endless coffees. was positively surprised to see how urban it actual- For Rezniqi, yoga is a way of life. She The sessions usually last 1.5 hours, ly is. Mind you, it still retains the ease and wakes up at 6 every morning and and those interested are advised to ambiance of a small town, but it certainly also By Njomza Salihi spends an hour-and-a-half practicing wear light clothes and no socks, to avoid boasts the lively vibe of a capital city. Perfect com- her passion.“If I do not do yoga in the slipping. bination. In fact, I was also struck by the sheer morning, I feel something is wrong “Luckily, nobody has gotten hurt yet quality of the former Yugoslav housing stock. throughout the day,” she says. during our sessions,” she says. Many buildings from the 1970s and 1980s are really he started yoga three years ago, Rezniqi says yoga wasn’t practiced “However, I hurt myself some time ago, full of character: the tiling, the parquetry, the old only to satisfy her curiosity, just widely in Kosovo until recently. She and it cost me six months of pain”. doors, the wrought iron of the banisters in the Slike she had done with karate, bas- sees clients at her house and their own Rezniqi’s family also gets pulled into ketball, piano, ballet and a children’s stairwells…very charming indeed. homes. “Usually, they’re young or mid- to her passion for yoga. “My parents choir. But something about yoga was dle-aged women. “Kosovar men… think are now much more careful in making different. 2. What's your favourite hangout? that if they do yoga, they are not man the right decisions regarding their Rina Rezniqi, 21, a student at the I have many favourite hangouts, I must say. And I enough,” she says. health,” she says. One of her brothers American University in Kosovo, says enjoy diversity in this respect, so I really can’t pin Rezniqi says that doing yoga and also likes yoga. she wouldn’t have dabbled in those one down in particular. But for the sake of naming physical exercise is not the same. Rina is contemplating of pursuing other pursuits had she found yoga earli- a few, I like the restaurant in the , as “Initially you cannot tell the differ- her passion for yoga abroad. “I want to er. well as this seedy basement eatery next to Dit’ e ence,” she says. “However, for physical be as close as possible to courses, semi- Rezniqi started doing yoga with the Nat’, which serves amazing Gullash and rustic cab- exercise, people need only strength; for nars, and everything else organised for instructor Alketa Xhafa-Mripa to bage. Truly traditional food. There are many yoga, deep breath, concentration of yoga around the world,” she says. whom she is grateful to today. Now, the restaurants and bars that I like. And as for the mind and body control is needed”. In the meantime, you can find her on 21-year-old is herself an instructor. nightlife, good Lord, don’t even get me started.. At the end of the day, Rezniqi’s yoga Facbeook: Yoga, she says, allow the body, mind, room offers an escape from normal www.facebook.com/rina.rezniqi. 3. Do you do anything cultural? Most naturally. The Kosovo Philarmonic runs an interesting season. I sometimes go to the theatre, and I have been an avid punter at most film festivals over the past year or so, DokuFest, the Prishtina Demystifying City Bus Lines Film Festival, the 9/11 Short Film Festival. I also organize my own semi-public screenings at home(I have the infrastructure): to give you an example, we recently organized a monographic retrospective of Ousmane Sembene, the father of Senegalese cine- By Douglas E Morris ma. I resent the lack of good art exhibitions, to be honest. And Pristina should really have a National Gallery with a permanent collection.

hen I first arrived in Prishtina, I was warned that 4. What is the most annoying thing about the bus system was completely chaotic, totally inde- Prishtina? Wcipherable, and was advised not to use it. As it turns Aw, there is hardly anything that “annoys” me out, that advice is only partially correct. about the city as such, or its culture. But if I have to It definitely is chaotic. There’s no doubt about that. Many find something that irks me is the way some people bus stops are not marked, though is pretty clear by the people are so eager to switch to English as soon as they congregating at certain spots along the roadside that they detect a foreign accent in your Albanian. It strikes are waiting for something, most likely a bus. It’s either that as a form of finely internalized neo-colonialism. It or Prishtina has loads of flash mobs. And even if certain sense of the bus routes so that you can get where you want to would never happen in other countries. locations are obviously bus stops, as evidenced by a shelter go quickly and easily. from the elements, people congregating, and a place for a This incredibly useful service was the brainstorm of a 5. If you were mayor of Prishtina for the day vehicle to pull into, there is generally no actual metal sign dedicated team of individuals who received a ridiculously what would you change? indicating the place is a bus stop, and most assuredly no small amount of funding from the UNICEF Innovations , Well, there would a few things to say in matters metal sign listing the buses that pass that way, or the sched- 500 euro, to complete the project. Which they did by using a political. But a good start would be to disincentivize ule they keep. Garmin GPS tracking device, riding each bus to map its the use of cars by levying a municipal tax on vehi- Despite these roadblocks, the public buses here are defi- route and locate each bus stop. They then transferred this cles ownership, or on petrol. But then again, I am nitely well worth using, especially when you access a website data to a computer, mapped each route, all of which appear not sure if the municipality would have the legal that helps take the mystery out of the situation — The on the first page of the website they also created specifically power to do so. If not, then perhaps the law on Prishtina Buses Project website, prishtinabuses.info/en. for this project. Be aware that the detailed route map takes decentralization should be looked into another Created so riders can decipher the bus system, though “sys- some time to be displayed the first time you visit, so have time… tem” might be somewhat of a misnomer, this website takes patience. the mystery of riding the bus in Prishtina. Not only is this website an incredibly useful tool, it is a 6. How many macchiatos do/did you drink a Most buses here come in all shapes, sizes, colors and pedi- great example of being able to have a dramatically impact day? grees. And though there does appear to be some sort of agree- with only the grain of an idea and a small amount of money. Macchiatos, not so many. Ristrettos, many. ment between the six bus companies operating the 16 differ- Something many of the government agencies and NGOs in ent bus routes not to encroach on each other’s routes, there this city could learn from. 7. What's the tastiest Kosovar food? does not seem to be one municipal agency set up specifically As with most websites, there are a few glitches, such as Kosovars make ristrettos very well. to coordinate, manage, and operate buses here in Prishtina. since the project began and the routes were mapped, some of 8. What landmark do you use to tell taxi driv- But do not let that dissuade you from using the buses. They them have changed (specifically 7A and 10). Even so, overall ers where you live/lived? get you where you want to go, as long as you know where it is the project still serves its purpose; and if you want to start I say, “te Hoteli i Pacollit”, or “te Piceria Libero”, they are taking you. Which is where the Prishtina Buses getting around Prishtina without taxis, take the time to unless the taxi driver knows me, in which case Project comes in. It clearly and concisely allows you to make check out the website. Happy trails. obviously he knows where to go. 20 Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 opinion The 4 Rs Contemporary Illiterates II: Higher Education try’s budget to the education sector? Did extent to which Kosovo’s education sys- By Elizabeth Gowing Kosovo get flooded with Ph.D. graduates tem has deteriorated. The University of now that we have to discourage doctoral Prishtina, which used to be the mecha- By Kreshnik Hoxha studies? nism for national emancipation in 1970s, In its mid-term spending framework, today serves as the tool for producing he three ‘R’s for managing waste are usually the has allocated graduates, whose prime skill is that of given as ‘reduce’, ‘reuse’ and ‘recycle’. To only 6 percent of its budget to the educa- parrots: regurgitation. Critical thinking, Tthis motto I’d like to add another R, for Euro-Atlantic integration” has tion and culture sector. It should be noted applied learning and the challenging of become the answer for solving all of Repair. It’s stupid to throw something away and that this sector includes the Ministry of ideas presented in books are simply “Kosovo’s problems, from corruption Education, Science and Technology, the dimensions that Kosovo’s school neither buy a replacement when a bit of repair could save and organised crime, all the way to the all the costs in energy (not to mention your euros) Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, aspire nor apply. arthritis of the Kosovar pensioners. The of replacement. the University of Prishtina, Kosovo’s The schools, which were epicentres of political leadership in Kosovo loves using Academy of Arts and Sciences and finally, national awakening in 1970s, 1980s and In Kosovo the costs for repair make it a viable this phrase in association with concepts Kosovo’s Council for Cultural Heritage. even 1990s, today have become a trading option for clothes, shoes, computers and more. such as progress, economic growth, You’re also supporting Kosovo’s economy rather emancipation and job opportunities. All The estimates for 2013 and 2014 also show centre for exams. There are even those than the economy of China or wherever your of this, of course, has a particular focus that this sector will be allocated roughly who claim that failing an exam many replacement pair of boots or MacBook would oth- on the youth potential, considering that the same amount. times proves the high standards of exam- erwise be coming from. Kosovo has the highest percentage of This data is sufficient to argue that the ination in Kosovo. Such explanation just There’s something very healing about taking youth in Europe. government focuses its investment where consolidates the idea that there's contem- your old shoes to be cradled in the hands of a But, youth potential in a country mate- the benefits can be reaped quickly, rather porary illiteracy in Kosovo. And it is con- kepucetar or cobbler; it’s almost like having a rialises into something beneficial and than in the education sector where the temporary because the education in benefits emerge decades later. This data Kosovo has limited itself to reading and pedicure. Boots and shoes can be repaired in a useful only when this part of the society suggests that over the next two years, the writing, but not reasoning. number of places in town – the more central, but receives a high quality education. Only University of Prishtina will receive 1.5 Only last week, the media reported on more expensive, shop on UCK street, near the for- via this mechanism can a country put its percent from the total budget of Kosovo. the arrest of University of Prishtina on mer OSCE building, or the small business up a youth potential to good use for its nation- These scarce funds will be aimed at suspicion of accepting bribes. This scan- staircase (look for the sign painted on the wall) off al needs and subsequently improve the enhancing the quality of teaching as well dal comes from the institution that should Agim Ramadani, or the kiosk by the AAK head- standard of living in the long term. as consolidating the curriculum, which be the sole promoter of morals in the The plethora of reactions, defensive quarters on the main road down to the Baci hotel just demonstrates severe short-sighted- country. The university, which employed attitudes and even insulting comments roundabout (just near ). Take your shoes ness and incompetence in policy making prestigious names like Dervish Rozhaja that surfaced as a response to the to one of these places, and for a few euros they’ll of the executive. and Gazmend Zajmi in the past, today “Contemporary Illiterates” column, pub- be as good as new, and you’ll have saved all the The image becomes even gloomier operates with academics that plagiarise lished a fortnight ago in Prishtina waste in producing and transporting an unneces- when we refer to Kosovo’s 2011 Census, books or even condition the passing of Insight, in a way confirmed that educa- sary new pair. which revealed that there are only 1,336 exams with sexual favours. Prishtina is even richer in rrobaqepes: tailor- tion in Kosovo has metamorphosed into a Ph.D. holders in Kosovo. This is an alarm- The institution, which helped in ing/seamstress shops for the repairs or improve- taboo. The fact that about 50 percent of ing figure and immediate action should be enhancing the position of Albanians in ments to clothes. The biggest concentration of Kosovo’s students failed the National taken to improve the situation. But, Yugoslavia, today serves as the glaring such businesses is on the road leading up to the Exam this year proves that the situation instead of providing incentives for doc- example of what we have allowed in Swiss Embassy, but there are also businesses on has become a major problem. However, toral studies, certain faculties within the Kosovo: provincialism, politicisation, Agim Ramadani Street, by the Ulpiana market, by instead of addressing the criticism seri- university choose to discourage the poten- nepotism, arrogance, ignorance, bribery the main market in the area by the mosques, in ously, the leadership opts for short-term tial candidates from such degree. It will and humiliation. Pejton, and most places you can fit a sewing solutions, which completely fail in sound bizarre but the reason behind this Owing to this education system, machine and an enterprising woman. Repair your addressing the root cause of chronic prob- is very simple and provincial: personal Kosovo’s public university continues to rips, buttons, and burst seams or see to your nips lems in Kosovo’s education system. jealousy and fear that the more qualified produce the sort of graduates that will and tucks, for a fraction of the price of buying a A few questions automatically emerge: person will take the jobs from the current burden us for the decades to come: the new piece of clothing. When did Kosovo’s youth become so skill- staff. contemporary illiterates, who by the way Even more costly to replace than clothes or ful that the Government of Kosovo deems A quick look at the history of the uni- are the ones that Kosovo counts on when it fit to allocate only a sliver of the coun- shoes is your computer hardware. As a Mac user, versity would be sufficient to reveal the talking about Euro-Atlantic integration. I’ve been saved hundreds of euros, and the heartache when I thought I’d lost data, by the nice people at the new Molla (you can guess what the Albanian word means) shop next to Kujtesa and the Hotel Prishtina. Repairing other things around the home your- self is a satisfying way to save money and be earth- friendly. For your raw materials, go to the wonder- ful shops on the far side of the main market which sell small bits of iron and steel in the forms of washers, nails, brackets, hooks and shapes I don’t know the name of. You can count them out, or buy them like old-fashioned sweets by weight, and then they’ll be packaged up for you in cones of (recy- cled) newspaper, just like the hot chestnuts they sell on Mother Teresa Boulevard. If you have an issue needing repair there will (as long as you have access to Albanian) usually be someone in the market area of Prishtina who can help you solve it – with wood, iron, zinc or thread – rather than you buying something new. And when it finally does come to buying a replacement when things get beyond repair, then you might also want to think about buying some- thing that will last longer, and/or that will be easy to find repair parts for, rather than those 5 euro shoes with cardboard ‘built in obsolescence’ soles. It’s better for your feet and your (carbon) foot- print.

Elizabeth Gowing is a founder of The Ideas Partnership, a Kosovan NGO working on educa- tional, cultural and environmental projects. She is also the author of the recently-published, Travels Y in Blood and Honey; becoming a beekeeper in M Kosovo and The Little Book of Honey C (www.TheLittleBookofHoney.co.uk). She can be K reached on [email protected] opinion Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 21 How to Solve the Balkan Asylum Crisis The EU does not need to make a strategic mistake by restoring the visa requirement for citizens of the Western Balkans. Sweden and Belgium, with Court ruled that the benefits for all Luxembourg becoming a fourth asylum seekers in Germany must target in 2011 - almost immediately be increased. By Gerald Knaus and there were warnings that unless Usually, asylum seekers in Alexandra Stiglmayer Balkan leaders “solved” the asy- Germany are accommodated in col- lum problem, the EU might reverse lective centres and receive food and its decision to allow Balkan citi- clothes in kind. In the past a family ix EU countries - Germany, zens visa-free travel. of four also received a stipend of Belgium, France, Since then the situation has dete- 120 euro a month. European Commission has put the tion process - which includes a Luxembourg, The S The July ruling increased that blame on the governments of the focus on human rights - to be riorated. The case of Germany Netherlands and Sweden - are illustrates the dynamic. In 2010, cit- stipend to at least 420 euro a month. Western Balkans. declared “safe countries of origin” pushing for a reversal of the most If the family has to purchase its On 15 October, the commission’s at the EU level. significant decision made in the izens of Serbia and Macedonia food and clothing itself, it will now spokesman for home affairs, Under EU asylum legislation, past decade to further the made 10,300 asylum requests in Germany. In 2011 the number was receive more than 1,100 euro a Michele Cercone, explained again claims from citizens originating in European integration of the that visa liberalisation for the safe countries of origin can be pri- Western Balkans. The issue is now 8,500. However, in September 2012 month. This is many times the Western Balkans “comes with huge oritised and dealt with under an on the agenda of the EU's justice the number of Serbian and average monthly income in Serbia responsibilities. It is more than accelerated procedure, as is the and home affairs council opening Macedonian citizens submitting and Macedonia. time now for these countries, their case in Austria today. on October 25. asylum requests reached 4,000 in In Germany, the basic asylum authorities and their citizens, to In 1997, EU member states nego- Such a decision would be a major one month. procedure for Balkan nationals prove they can handle this huge tiated a protocol to the Amsterdam blow to the EU’s credibility in This was a record and the reac- takes at least two-and-a-half responsibility". Treaty under which they agreed to Southeast Europe. It would also be tion in Germany was predictable. months. Then a rejected asylum But what can Serbia, Macedonia treat each other as safe countries of deeply unfair to the citizens in the Bild, Germany's largest tabloid, seeker appeals, which means he or or Albania do to “act responsibly”? origin. countries concerned. picked up the issue. The German she can stay on for an average of The commission demands that The asylum procedures direc- Reintroducing visa require- Interior Minister, Hans-Peter another five months. Balkan governments run “informa- tive, which was adopted in late ments for citizens of Serbia, Friedrich, declared: “The massive To understand what Germany tion awareness campaigns,” carry 2005, mentioned Romania and Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro inflow of Serbian and Macedonian would actually need to do to reduce out “exit controls” and “investiga- Bulgaria - not yet EU members at or Bosnia would also signal that nationals must be stopped without the number of Balkan asylum tion of facilitators." the time - as safe countries of ori- other countries with roadmaps or delay.” Friedrich told Bild Zeitung applications, just look at its neigh- Information campaigns? The gin. The same directive also visa liberalisation talks - from that “We have to send a clear signal bours. potential asylum seekers know that allowed member states to compose Kosovo to Turkey to Moldova - to the relevant countries: people Last year Austria, which is clos- their chances to receive interna- their own lists of safe countries. stand no real chance of success. who are really persecuted will be er to the Balkans and also has large tional protection are minimal, but As long as the Commission con- How did the EU get to this point? accepted, economic refugees communities of Balkan people, had they also know what the different tinues to advocate pointless meas- What would be the implications of won't.” only 380 asylum requests from asylum systems offer. Which infor- ures, and member states refuse to such a step for the EU and the In the first six months of this Balkan nationals. Austria had put mation would prevent them from address the underlying issue, region? And how can the EU solve year, the recognition rate of claims all Western Balkan states on a list using the generous ones? which is generous asylum systems its own legitimate concerns with- in Germany was close to zero. Of of “countries of safe origin.” Today Facilitators largely do not exist that can be abused, this problem out reintroducing visas? some 5,000 asylum claims exam- it decides on asylum claims of since there is not much money to cannot be solved. Nor would a sus- To answer these questions, one ined in this period, only 11 persons Balkan citizens in a week. be made with cheap bus tickets to pension of visa-free travel work must first understand the nature of received humanitarian protection Germany could also look to the Berlin or Luxembourg. unless it is permanent. The only the acute crisis that is pushing (which is not political asylum and Netherlands, which has reformed some EU interior ministers to advo- its asylum system and now resolves The suggestion of “exit controls” viable and effective solution would is granted due to serious medical cate such measures. most claims, including those from is also insidious. As almost all the be for EU member states to reform problems). Yet the number of appli- After the EU lifted the Schengen Balkan citizens, within eight work- asylum seekers are Roma, it is hard their own systems. cations continues to rise. visa requirement for Macedonia, ing days after a preparation period to avoid ethnic profiling and open EU interior ministers need to Serbia and Montenegro in Why so many of a few days. discrimination if this were system- admit, and the European December 2009, thousands of If a rejected asylum seeker atically implemented. In fact one of Commission needs to remind them, Serbians and Macedonians trav- applications? appeals a negative decision, the the conditions for lifting the visa that for once it is not the Balkan elled to the EU to submit asylum court decides within four weeks. barrier was for the Balkan coun- countries which are failing. claims. Why are Serbian and The Netherlands registered 430 tries to provide access to travel and The writers founded and run the By 2010, Serbia had become the Macedonian citizens, who are not claims by Balkan citizens in 2011. identity documents for all citizens European Stability Initiative, a country with the third-largest persecuted in their countries, If the solution is obvious, it is including Roma and other minori- think-tank that has closely fol- number of claims - almost 18,000 - applying for asylum in Germany also in the hands of concerned EU ties. lowed the visa liberalisation in the EU; citizens from small despite the fact that they have little member states. Instead of advocat- The best way forward for reform- process for the Western Balkans. Macedonia alone filed 7,550 claims. chance of getting asylum? The ing such solutions, however, which ing visa requirements would be for www.whitelistproject.eu This arti- Although only three EU coun- explanation is obvious. In July are in line with EU legislation and all countries benefiting from visa- cle was initially published by tries were affected - Germany, 2012, the German Constitutional the UN Refugee Convention, the free travel following a liberalisa- EUobserver. Where a Line Forms, Bloodsport Ensues

other indiscriminately. It is the tones became loud voices. EVERY- England, where the queue is taken all of which takes far more time queue. ONE, at that point, had to be first. as sacrosanct and inviolable, than a normal progression of a But it is a common misconcep- A family standing behind me where queue jumping is on a par line, the placid and pleasant faces Chris Farmer tion that a queue must remain shoved past without hesitation, with murderers and sex offenders, return. orderly, especially in Serbia. leaving a little girl crying in the I suddenly realised that this vio- People are again smiling, laugh- Waiting as we were to take an confusion. The elderly tipped lent struggle to be first – even after ing and waiting patiently for the autumnal boat ride on the Sava, backwards and lost their balance having stood for twenty minutes boat tour to get underway. t all appears very civilised. It the scene began as rather idyllic. in the melee. The smiles were in a line – was not the Only Way. Standing in line is a mark of our happens in front of cinemas, at The time had not yet come and we gone, the tickets thrust forward While in England the queue would civility and social cohesion. Ibank counters, at the airport, all stood in a semblance of a line. I and the only objective was to be click through one person and one Moving quietly through the line, in shopping centres and grocery witnessed smiling and even some the first one on the boat. The neat, ticket at a time until all were however, appears to be optional. stores. Wherever tickets must be laughing. single-file line that once stood boarded, here the line seems just bought or presented, where items When, at the appointed hour, waiting patiently had become a to be a place to wait before the real Christen Bradley Farmer is are to be purchased, where official the ticket collector announced teeming and seething semicircle fighting begins. founder and president of MACH stamps are to be stamped you will that she was ready, the long line of around the ticket collector. It is like a holding area where IV Consulting. Farmer also regu- find this unwritten social con- people exploded. Everyone rushed The frightening part for me, we warm up and sharpen our larly shares is observations on life trivance which allows us to at once to be as close to the however, was that this did not knives until we finally lunge to Serbia in Politika daily, LivingIn remain for long periods in con- entrance as they could squeeze, seem out of place or unusual. the fore. Once the struggle is fin- Belgrade.com, and in his B92.net fined spaces without killing each bump and elbow. The hushed Having just returned from ished and everyone is on the boat, VIP blog.

If you would like your NGO to appear in our Making a Difference feature, please email [email protected] 22 Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2012 Life in Focus

The opposition party Vetevendosje, or Self-Determination, held a protest in Prishtina on Monday against the meeting in Brussels between Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and his counterpart from Serbia, Ivica Dacic. Kosovo police in riot gear fired tear gas and used batons and pepper spray to disperse protesters. Ten protesters, including a Self-Determination mem- ber of Parliament, and 18 police were injured.

(AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu )

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