Newsletter March 2003, No 05

AA sS s I e m b l y S u p p o r t I n i t i a t i v e Newsletter March 2003, No 05

• Ms. Nafiye Gas, first woman in the Assembly Presidency • Dr. Alush Gashi seeks better co-operation with international community • “Coalition Return” to become more active in Assembly • Support initiatives to Assembly continue 2 ASInewsletter THE FIRST WOMAN IN THE KOSOVO ASSEMBLY PRESIDENCY Ms Nafi ye Gas is one of the young members of the Assembly, and is the representative of the Group of Other Communities in the Assembly Presidency, since January 2003. She is President of the Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party (KDTP) branch in Gjilan/Gnjilane. An economist by education, she speaks fl uent English, Albanian, Serbian and Turkish. “I am a Scorpio by Zodiac, like many of the prominent Turkish politicians,” she points out, smiling Interview was compiled by David Buerstedde and Lydia Lecheva How does it feel to be ration. But it also means fi nd its way to the know my rights as a level. I don’t like to make the only woman in the I have to work much Kosovo Government as member of a minority promises, but I can say Assembly Presidency? harder on behalf of the well. By comparison, community and I used to that the door of my offi ce interests of all these gro- there are a lot of clever stand up for them not is open for all the women Mr. Nexhat Daci, the ups. and experienced women even being a politician. in Assembly. One of the Assembly President, and in the Assembly but none A politician should know fi rst issues I am going all the other members of What do you think about of them was appointed one thing: to listen and to put for discussion is the Presidency have made the Central Election as a minister. But this then to co-operate and more to be done about me feel very welcome. Commission (CEC) Gender is a problem of their thus to be useful for his women’s education, Most of my colleagues Rule that brought you parties, I should say. or her own community especially in rural areas. are men. As a matt er and other women into the However, I do believe that and for the entire popu- Our society cannot aff ord of fact, most of my Assembly? women should be bett er lation of Kosovo because in the 21st. century to friends are male, so I’m The CEC did well in represented in positions who respects himself, will have uneducated women accustomed to them and establishing the rule that of responsibility. Women no doubt, respect others in Kosovo. We can then feel comfortable. It should there must be one should be in politics, as well. suggest how to resolve be noted, though, that woman out of every and are perfectly capable the other social problems this is my fi rst year in the How you will be three candidates for the of making the right concerning women: I will Presidency (non-Serbian encouraging progress in Kosovo Assembly. It is decisions. not even try to count minorities are represented women’s rights? excellent that it was kept them. in the Presidency on a How did you decide for like that for the I am a member of the rotational basis). All my yourself? The “Other Communities” Municipal Elections. I do Assembly’s Women’s other colleagues here have in the Assembly is a group hope that this regulation My party saw that I Caucus and will do all I already a year of of parliamentarians of will not change for could go into politics. I can to encourage women experience behind them. diff erent ethnicities repre- Kosovo institutions in the never thought it would to participate actively in But I feel self-confi dent senting diff erent political future. For me, it was not happen but I always tho- politics and public life. Of because I stand both for parties that co-operate in diffi cult because I have ught in terms of politics. course, I also strive to the interests of Turkish, order to improve their the support of my KDTP My measure for things be a good example for Bosniak, Gorani, Ashkali status within the Asse- which gave a chance goes in that direction. them. As a member of the and Roma parliamentari- mbly. How do you coordi- to young people and For example, during the Assembly Presidency, I ans and for all the female nate the Group? to women in particular. civil registration, I found will be able to raise issues parliamentarians, as well Moreover, I hope that my name had not been of interest to women at With OSCE’s help we are as for the younger gene- this Gender Rule will recorded in Turkish. I the highest parliamentary working on establishing ASInewsletter 3 To organize themselves always thinking about more eff ectively. It takes how to improve Kosovo’s eff ort and a lot of work economy and job prospe- to do this but it is the cts for all communities. only way. Good internal Kosovo is nothing with- co-ordination and having out a well-functioning the ability and courage to economy. We are curre- overcome apathy, to voice ntly working on many concerns and to make draft laws that will make constructive proposals for Kosovo more att ractive positive change are for investment. indispensable. This is also the only way to convince You are now the most your constituents that important political fi gure things can change for the for the Turkish, Bosniak, bett er. However, special Gorani, Ashkali and encouragement should be Roma communities given to the small parties. represented in the Kosovo Yes, KDTP was successful Assembly. What do you at the last Election, but plan to do for them? we could do bett er if we Whatever is good, wha- had more adequate access tever is in our interest. to media. Co-operation with all the political parties in the What in your view are the biggest challenges that Assembly will be one face minority communities of the key issues. I in Kosovo today? believe that it will not be diffi cult for me to achieve Minority communities this because my political can only be an asset party, KDTP, is always for Kosovo. My party, tolerant. We, the Turkish “Other communities” as “Other communities” still Your party, the Kosovo for example, could be people, don’t like fi ghts. a Provisional Technical did not have an offi ce and Democratic Turkish Party, a strong connection for Sometime we prefer to Group based on the I immediately requested was quite successful in the good co-operation with step back but only to practice of the European one. There are now Municipal Elections 2002. Turkey which Kosovo achieve what is good for Parliament to bett er stand ongoing preparations to Your party colleagues in needs today more than all. together for all minority get our offi ce ready and before. The biggest challe- interests. However, we Prizren are now part nge is to generate optim- try to meet regularly, very soon we will have of the Municipal Gove- usually on the day of the a place where “Other rnment. What could other ism in a bett er future. Ms. Gas, thank you for plenary session. When I communities” could non-majority communities Much will depend on the your time and all the best became a member of the meet. The co-ordination learn from your party? state of the economy. for your future work in the Presidency in January, then will be easier. I as an economist am Assembly. 4 ASInewsletter four proposals. It is expected that the working groups will LATEST DEVELOPMENTS start to function soon

“COALITION RETURN” IN THE ASSEMBLY RETURNS TO ASSEMBLY Franklin De Vrieze Ms. Rada Trajkovic resigned, on 30 December 2002, as head TRANSFER OF MORE and noted that 2003 would for overcoming the problems laws. Ministers are requested to of the parliamentary group of COMPETENCIES TO be the turning point for either related to UNMIK’s approval of participate in the initial discus- “Coalition Return” (KP) in the KOSOVO INSTITUTIONS the good or bad of Kosovo. To laws passed by the Assembly. sions of the proposed laws that Assembly. She was replaced address the frictions between the parliamentary commission On 20 January 2003 the SRSG ++ First, UNMiK’s Offi ce of the by Prof. Dragisa Krstovic, a local and international leaders proposes. Deputies that add addressed the people of Kosovo Legal Advisor should submit lawyer, former judge from Lep- the SRSG held separate meet- new articles to the law are in a televised speech. He iden- its remarks on the proposed osavic and a member of the ings with the three leaders of tifi ed the economy, crime and laws, with regard to a poten- required to hand them in on Democratic Party of Serbian main Kosovo Albanian political multi-ethnicity as the key chal- tial confl ict with the Constitu- time to the commission so they Prime Minister Zoran Djinjic. parties. On 27 January 2003 lenges for Kosovo and UNMIK tional Framework, at the Offi ce can be referred back to the (see interview with Mr. Krstovic prof. Daci stated: “In this year, in 2003. He reiterated UNMIK’s of the Prime Minister, before minister. The government will in this Newslett er). Following we should be more co-oper- three months of boycott , KP willingness to transfer further they are brought to the Assem- call on the commissions to give ative. Local institutions and rejoined the plenary sessions authority within the existing bly. their opinions, which will be UNMIK should work together registered; and at the second of the Assembly in mid-Feb- legal parameters but stressed ++ Second, UNMIK’s Legal in reducing the tensions and reading of the law at the ruary. Prof. Daci, president of that hand-over would depend Offi ce should add a statement creating a vision for the future Assembly, the chairman will the Assembly, “warmly wel- on commitment and perfor- to the laws that are returned, mance of the Provisional Insti- of Kosovo citizens.” Mean- consult the minister and the comed” the Assembly members giving detailed explanations of of KP. Prof. Krstovic referred to tutions. The SRSG made it while, the SRSG has asked corresponding commissions. the Provisional Institutions to how the approved laws are a “diffi cult decision made by clear that external relations, the ++ Fourth, laws that the SRSG write down their ideas on the in confl ict with the Consti- KP” and asked for “a tolerant fi ght against organized crime, refuses to sign and returns present status of the transfer of tutional Framework and the atmosphere in the Assembly.”s security and minority rights to the Assembly. According to competencies. UNMIK is also ways in which they should be would not be transferred. He the Constitutional Framework, examining which competencies improved. said that the time for solving there can be no third reading of JOINT STATEMENT OF could legally be handed over ++ Third, some concerns have Kosovo’s fi nal status would the law. Therefore, the creation to the people of Kosovo by the been raised by the govern- FOUR PARLIAMENTARY come, but not in 2003. Speak- of a working group of the cor- ing of relations with Belgrade end of the year. ment has raised regarding the GROUPS ON INDEPEN- approval of proposed laws, responding commissions was DENCE DECLARATION he stressed that co-operation proposed to the SRSG, which and dialogue were welcome and together with a number of AGREEMENT ON THE would include the ministers in O n 4 February 2003 the Federal had produced results. How- amendments about which the PROMULGATION OF question and also UNMIK legal Parliament in Belgrade promul- ever, interference would not executive was neither informed LAWS offi cers. The working group gated the Constitutional Char- be tolerated. Following the nor consulted in advance. The would look into confl ict with ter that established the new SRSG’s speech the President Following the SRSG’s non- Assembly Presidency had of the Assembly of Kosovo, promulgation of the Laws on approved several additional the Constitutional Framework state of “Serbia and Monte- Prof. Nexhat Daci, expressed his Higher Education, External instructions regarding proce- and reach agreement by con- negro.” Because of the refer- dissatisfaction with the work Trade and Telecommunication dure with the aim of improving sensus on the new proposed ence to Kosovo in the preamble of the SRSG. Prof. Daci indi- (see previous ASI Newslett er - relations between the govern- text, which would then come of the Constitutional Charter, cated that Kosovan institu- p. 5), on 13 February 2003 ment and the Assembly, which before the Assembly as the new a group of Kosovo Assembly tions would be less tolerant Prof. Daci sent a lett er to will be applied during future proposed law. Members began collecting sig- and obedient towards UNMIK, the SRSG with four proposals Assembly debates of proposed The SRSG agreed to Prof. Daci’s natures in order to include in ASInewsletter 5 the Assembly procedure the HEAD OF PDK the territory of Kosovo against ment Protection (see article in appointed Mr. Faik Marolli adoption of a declaration for PARLIAMENTARY Kosovo Albanians following an this Newslett er), the Law on (Ashkali from PDASHK) as the independence of Kosovo. Mr. GROUP INDICTED BY indictment by the ICTY. The Forests and the Law on Man- leader and Mr. Sadik Idrizi Bujar Dugolli, head of the THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL indictment of the head of PDK agement of Public Finances. (Bosniak from VATAN) as his parliamentary group of AAK, parliamentary group led to the During the same period the Four former members of the deputy. There is an agreement announced the support of 42 canceling of the regular ple- Assembly also approved in Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA/ among the non-Serbian par- nary session of the Assembly principle (fi rst reading) the Law Assembly members. Represen- UCK) have been charged by the liamentarians that they will on 20 February 2003. SRSG on Seeds and the Law on Liqui- tatives of the Kosovo Serbs International Criminal Tribu- take one-year leadership each strongly condemned the inde- Steiner called the stance of the dation and Bankruptcy. nal for the Former Yugoslavia on a rotational basis. This year, pendence move. The SRSG, EU Kosovo institutions to respect (ICTY) for war crimes commit- it is the Roma/Ashkali turn and US strongly opposed the the proceedings of the Tribunal ted in the territory of Kosovo NEW LEADERSHIP OF to chair the group. Mr. Zylfi initiative because outside of the an example to the region. between May and July 1998. “OTHER COMMUNITIES” Merxha, the Roma representa- competencies of the Assembly, Three of the indictees were THE LEGISLATIVE PRO- tive (PREBK) announced that while senior offi cials of LDK detained by KFOR in Kosovo IN ASSEMBLY and PDK discussed “whether it on 17 February. The fourth, CESS IN JANUARY AND Members of “Other communi- he was leaving the group and is the right moment to take Fatmir Limaj, was in Slovenia FEBRUARY 2003 ties” in the Assembly elected will act independently in future the decision to declare indepen- when he learned about the During the fi rst two months their new group leaders on because he was not elected dence now.” indictment and announced his of 2003 the Assembly adopted 20th February 2003. The Turk- as leader. “Other communities” On 13 February 2003 the willingness to surrender vol- three laws after the second ish, Bosniak, Gorani, Ashkali now consists of 9 representa- Assembly of Kosovo met in untarily while calling for calm reading: the Law on Environ- and Roma parliamentarians tives. plenary session. Although the and discouraging demonstra- independence declaration was tions. Mr. Limaj is a member of the Assembly of Kosovo and not formally included on the the leader of the parliamentary agenda, a Member of the Presi- group of the Democratic Party dency read a joint statement of of Kosovo (PDK). leaders of four political groups All four are under indictment - Democratic League of Kosovo for war crimes committ ed (LDK), Democratic Party of while allegedly serving for Kosovo (PDK), Alliance for the UCK at the Llapushnik/ Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Lapušnik prison camp located Other Communities (OC - Non- in Gllogovc/Glogovac munic- Serb minorities) - regarding the ipality. Mr. Fatmir Limaj at declaration. In the joint state- that time was a commander ment, the leaders expressed in the KLA and was allegedly their support for the initiative responsible for the operation to approve an independence of the Llapushnik/Lapušnik declaration and agreed to prison camp. The indictment review the text and present a states that during 1998 the “harmonised” declaration for four indictees committ ed or approval at a future session. otherwise aided and abett ed There was no further discus- the execution of the crimes of sion on the proposed inde- imprisonment, cruel treatment pendence declaration, and the and murder of both Serb and Prof. Daci, President of the Assembly (LDK) and Hydajet Hyseni, Member of the Presidency (PDK), Assembly proceeded to the con- Albanian civilians. These are announce the postponement of the regular plenary Assembly session of 20 February 2003, following sideration of draft laws. the fi rst arrests carried out on the indictment of Fatmir Limaj, chair of PDK parliamentary group, by The Hague Tribunal (ICTY). 6 ASInewsletter major political parties in the Assembly of Kosovo and that “THERE IS NEED FOR MORE the leaders of the parliamentary groups had jointly submitt ed a proposal to the COOPERATION BETWEEN presidency of the Assembly. “When the leaders believe it is the right time, it will be ASSEMBLY AND SRSG” done,” he added. Prof. Alush Gashi is the newly appointed Deputy Leader of the LDK parliamentary group. In a friendly and strong way, he With regard to the input to communicated his main message: it is necessary to establish new mechanisms that would allow Kosovan institutions to become policy-making by other com- engaged “on a daily basis” with the UN administration. munities, Mr. Gashi empha- Interview by Mustafa Eric, OSCE sised that the majority was open to discussing all pro- Prof. Alush Gashi is aware ment of elected Kosovo offi - posals, “because we have that the SRSG represents the cials with the work of the supported the article of the UN Security Council in SRSG is needed, not just to Constitutional Framework Kosovo. He also sees that demonstrate respect for local where all citizens of Kosovo institutions, but to really the SRSG represents Kosovo are equal. We believe as soon abroad and makes decisions ensure what has been prom- as the Serb representatives on behalf of the entire Kosovo. ised by Resolution 1244.” see Kosovo as the center “Therefore, I do believe that As for the process of trans- of decision-making, and not elected representatives should fer of competencies to Kosovo Belgrade, tensions which do be part of that process. There institutions from UNMiK, he exist will be erased.” is no reason for not sitt ing saw that elected Kosovan offi - He said the Assembly had not in all his meetings, on inter- cials would have to work adopted a single piece of leg- national aff airs or security together now with the Offi ce islation, which could jeopar- or whatever of the reserved of the SRSG, and not as “par- dize the position of Serbian powers, both to learn and to allel institutions.” Mr Gashi community in Kosovo. “At witness the work,” Mr. Gashi stressed his strong belief that the same time, we have to said. the SRSG “should open the make sure that democracy He insisted that there should door for us and for that pro- works in the parliament, we be mechanisms for regular cess,” while also admitt ing have to work for decisions cation, with accountability, liament are committ ed to that KFOR would remain in co-operation between the between the Government of continue with their broad and in the end the votes Kosovan institutions and the the area for some time due to Kosovo, Presidency of the Par- mandate of passing laws and have to be counted. I believe offi ce of the SRSG, saying the “fragile” situation in the liament, President of Kosovo strengthening Kosovo insti- everybody in the parliament that, “the lack of such a region. should accept the name of and the Offi ce of SRSG should tutions, which is the best mechanism creates prob- Asked about his view on the the game, which is the vote,” exist.” guarantee that Kosovo citi- lems.” As an example, it was proposed declaration of inde- Mr. Gashi stressed. “At the zens are protected. If we had “unacceptable” that legisla- “A member of the Parliament pendence, Mr. Gashi reminded same time we are committ ed been more engaged with the tion adopted by the Assembly has been indicted and it is no that Kosovo’s population had to continue to respect the rule work of the SRSG, we would would need two months to minor event,” said Mr. Gashi come out in support of a of law, and the procedures of be signed by the SRSG. “I do referring to the indictment have known that the indict- democratic, free and indepen- the parliament, which have not accept that,” said Gashi. of Mr. Limaj by the ICTY. ment would take place and dent Kosovo in the 1991 ref- been adopted. ” He added that “bett er co- “One should understand that Mr. Limaj would turn him- erendum. He said the debate Asked about the tensions operation should exist, such the Parliament has been dis- self in and would not be on the independence issue between the various Kosovo as a mechanism of daily turbed by that event. At the in a position to do that in had demonstrated the very Albanian parties, Mr. Gashi co-operation and communi- same time, members of Par- another country. So engage- good co-operation among the said: “The parliament has ASInewsletter 7 contributed to bring diff erent political parties together. On CHALLENGES OF THE a daily basis LDK, PDK and AAK work together in the committ ees and in the presi- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LAW dency of the parliament. We On 16 January 2003 the Assembly of Kosovo passed an important law for Kosovo’s future. The Environmental Protection Law get together as the leaders of (EPL) was passed after another eighty amendments were adopted to it. EPL came as a compromise between those who want to have parliamentary groups, and a cleaner environment and others that want to have faster economic development while using the natural resources. also for crucial debates on what is needed for Kosovo. Blerim Vela, Information Manager of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe in Kosovo. Fortunately, all political par- Someone might ‘translate’ this ingly healthy environment posed off and in which time and access to Justice, princi- ties agree. I do believe that the as ‘removing the “environmen- through gradual introduction frame. ples of the Aarhus Convention constructive co-operation in tal obstacles” in the future eco- of environmental standards of included in the Law, represent the Kosovo parliament will Today, environmental prob- nomic development of Kosovo’. the European Union. It will an eff ort that will contribute continue. We cannot aff ord lems in Kosovo are severe, But the issue has not been also establish a specifi c author- to the democratization of the to fi ght with each other, and include: litt er in populated properly raised. The citizens ity and clearly set the obliga- Kosovan society. These ‘envi- we have to work with each areas; air pollution from open of Kosovo should have a safer tions of the public authorities ronmental democracy’ princi- other.” burning of garbage, coal, and environment and health com- responsible for gradual intro- ples should be enforced and With regard to the situation fuel wood; heavy metals in bined with economic devel- duction and enforcement of implemented so that the Koso- among the local branches drinking water as a result of opment. This, in fact, means such standards. The Law out- van citizens have the right to of the political parties, Mr. uncontrolled open pit mining Gashi said that the Message having sustainable develop- lines key principles for Kosovo’s be informed about the environ- and heavy industry; defores- of President Rugova was loud ment - using the natural environmental policy, includ- mental situation, environmen- tation on mountain slopes; and clear: “The work has resources to that extent that ing the principle of precaution and abundant unexploded ord- tal degradation and threats to to be democratic, it has to would not endanger the future and prevention, the principle nance. A very big threat to public health, but also to fi le be transparent, it has to be of the next generations. of clean production and recy- complaints when required by a work of co-operation and public health and environment cling, and the principle that the the situation. In this respect, not confrontation. This goes The fi rst hearing of the Envi- represents the Kosovo Power polluter and exploiter pays. local environmental NGOs need for locals as well as for the ronmental Protection Law in Corporation (KEK), the main be involved more actively in internationals.” the Assembly of Kosovo was Although it’s the fi rst time energy supplier for households solving the current and poten- Asked about the forthcoming in October 2002. The EPLs that Kosovo has an Environ- and industry, and the opening tial environmental problems. legislative agenda, particu- sponsor, the Ministry of Envi- mental Protection Law in its of previous industrial plants larly the draft laws on health ronment and Spatial Planning, legislation, the Law is full of of ‘Trepça’ and ‘Ferronikel’. The Regional Environmental and social welfare issues, Mr. explained that the Law sets ambiguities and leaves much Their reconstruction and priva- Centre for Central and Eastern Gashi reminded that in the clearly the duties and responsi- of space for numerous inter- tization should include envi- Europe (REC) is a neutral, non- post confl ict situation there bilities for environmental pro- pretations. For example, arti- ronmental concerns too. The advocacy, not-for-profi t orga- was a very high rate of tection in Kosovo, including implementation of the Law unemployment and a need cle 13 (Consent and Prohibition nization founded in 1990 by the natural resources such as should bring about a healthier for a comprehensive cover- for Import) paragraph 4 states: the United States, the Euro- water, air, soil and biodiver- ‘The Ministry may dispose and safer environment for citi- pean Commission and Hun- age of various sections of sity. Furthermore, the Law the population with regard of any illegally imported, zens. gary. The Kosovo offi ce was stipulates the creation of the to health and social welfare exported, stored or transported If the EPL is promulgated by opened in June 2000. Its mis- Kosovo Environmental Protec- sectors. But he underlined goods or those goods that are the UN Special Representative, sion is to assist in solving the tion Agency and the Kosovo that they viewed it necessary considered to exist in contra- environmental NGOs will have environmental problems of the Environmental Fund. to have the private sector vention of this Article.’ How- to work hard to play an Central and Eastern European involvement and competition The purpose of EPL is to estab- ever it doesn’t clearly state active and important role in (CEE) Region and to encourage in the health sector alongside lish a basic legal framework who will bear the cost of these further development of this its progress toward sustainable the public health services. that will provide an increas- actions, where will they be dis- law. Access to Information development. 8 ASInewsletter

Interview with Mr. Dragisa Krstovic, Head of the Parliamentary Group of Coalition Return (KP). We will try to secure some agreements if we think they are good and worthwhile. We “WE ARE GOING TO BE MORE ACTIVELY are establishing a legal service in KP composed of legal ENGAGED IN THE ASSEMBLY” experts. They will advise us during discussions on laws, Dragisa Krstovic was elected in 2001 to the Kosovo Assembly as a parliamentarian for “Coalition Return.” Recently he amendments and aspects of took up the position of head of this group. He worked as a judge for much of his career and currently lives in Leposavic. our work. All of that will be Interview by Jonathan Browning, OSCE Democratization Officer in Leposavic/Leposaviq aiming to change the draft Thank you Mr. Krstovic for example laws related to laws and improving them. taking time to discuss with economic, agricultural and Second, within KP we will us your ideas on the work social aff airs? try to formulate and pro- of the Kosovo Assembly. pose amendments. As it is I am expecting that in the In December last year you not certain that we will get near future the Kosovo the majority of our sugges- became the new leader the Assembly, as a priority, will tions immediately, we will KP caucus. Any thoughts on deal with passing legislation, your new position? which takes into account the try to follow them up with clear arguments, prepared in It is not easy to be the head points of view of all dif- advance, so that our pro- of the KP group. It carries ferent communities. I also posals are the right and best much responsibility. But I expect that the Assembly will think that I will be able to not try to discuss issues for ones. We will see how suc- conduct this role in a very which it is not authorised. For cessful we are, but we will positive way and satisfy all example, discussing issues do our best. It is not good deputies of the KP caucus, such as sovereignty and the that the government work- including the will of the independence of Kosovo, in ing groups drafting laws do people represented by us. In which case we would feel not include Serb representa- the near future we will have provoked to react. As far as tives. If we had been involved to face important decisions, legislative activities is con- from the very beginning, many questions that need cerned, I expect that the Serbs could have had some discussing, questions that are Assembly will enact well impact in the law making sensitive. It is also important thought out laws which process. Though I must say create a legal framework for that KP takes the right att i- that whenever we fi nd that all that needs to be deter- tude towards these discus- the interests of our commu- mined by law. These will sions, and discuss them as isfy the needs of all the cit- Assembly? How will you nity are in danger, we will include laws on taxes, social much within KP as inside the izens of Kosovo and will be reach your goals? use the tools and mecha- aff airs and any other issues Assembly itself. implemented in the best pos- nisms foreseen by the Con- that directly aff ects each cit- sible way. We will take a diff erent What are you and KP izen in Kosovo. I think that approach than we have up stitutional Framework. One as a whole hoping to the delegates of the Assem- How will you work towards until now. First, we are going of these mechanisms is to be achieve in the near future bly will have an opportunity gett ing your ideas and pro- to be more actively engaged able to object to a law, if with upcoming laws. For to make laws which will sat- posals enacted within the in the Assembly committ ees. so needed. Firstly it can be ASInewsletter 9 given to the presidency of 20 February the scheduled the Assembly. If the presi- session did not take place FRIEDRICH EBERT STIFTUNG dency cannot fi nd a solution, because Kosovo Albanian dep- it establishes a proper panel, uties were worried about the which would be formed by indictments of the Hague Tri- AND THE ASSEMBLY IN 2003 the SRSG. Using this mecha- bunal. That’s why we had Besa Luzha, FES program co-ordinator for Kosovo nism, we could try to remove a hard decision whether to Considering the fact that tina will be assisting the A visit to Albania is fore- things that jeopardise the enter Assembly room to make the parliamentary work parliamentarians - individ- seen for March 2003 as the interests of our community a quorum or not. I am expect- has been strengthened as ually, within the commit- starting point, continuing from laws adopted in the ing to have diffi culties in the far as compliance with tees and fractions - is with a visit to the Croatian Assembly. future, during each Assem- the rules and procedures also proposed work in the Parliament. bly session, which will raise is concerned, the Friedrich future. As we consider the staff How do you now see your the question of realistic need Ebert Stiftung (FES) plans Another form of support of the parliament to be relationship with other of KP to be in that body. to continue along the sim- for the parliament activi- ilar lines focusing more a very important factor political entities and parties ties will be in promoting As you have now been wel- on content related consul- for professional work being in the Kosovo Assembly? and strengthening the co- comed back into the Assem- tancy. The focus will be on developed, we will continue operation between the supporting them with var- Our relations with other bly what would you like to the same committ ees we’ve parliament and other ac- political entities are not bett er worked with last year. ious trainings in march say to your fellow MPs for tors of civil society as than when we left the Assem- These are the Committ ee and April based on the eva- the future work that lies NGO’s, local communities bly, perhaps worse now. This for Labour and Social Wel- luation of their needs and ahead? and youth organizations, is because some issues not fare, Public Services Com- problems that they and the through debates, trainings foreseen for discussion in the I would like to send my fellow mitt ee, Envir-onment and parliamentarians face. Assembly are being proposed, and seminars. This is very members the following mes- Spatial Planning; but we For a bett er understanding or people are talking of them important input for a bet- sage. Let us leave aside things will also involve other of the committ ee work and being proposed for discussion ter and overall legislative that are not for the Assem- committ ees in common a fruitful cooperation with on the agenda. This is not process that will include bly to debate, and which issues and subjects con- the committ ees and other in accordance with Assem- the inputs from various in accordance with Consti- cerning the three main parliamentary bodies, we bly procedures and pursuant groups of the society. tutional Framework cannot committ ees. plan to support a parliam- to Constitutional Framework An exchange of experience be writt en in the agenda. Let Training on methods of entary guideline brochure. and other legal documents. and regional cooperation us start doing useful things research and data collection This will be an important KP is very concerned about will also remain a focus such as adopting laws and for the committ ee needs, tool for all kinds of coop- these issues and we seriously of our work in cooperation creating the legal framework planned for the end of eration and make the pro- and rationally need to think and coordination with to work towards a bett er February, will help the cess of identifying points to about the role that KP plays other partners of ASI. This future. We need to do some- committ ee members to be supported from various in the Assembly. At the fi rst fruitful regional cooper- thing on the return of IDPs, have more information and donors. Assembly session after we ation between Kosovo Ass- background of the laws returned to the Assembly, to work on a safer and more embly and the parliaments All these forms of support that they will have to rev- on 13 February 2003, KP certain life for all inhabitants in the region will continue will be jointly prepared iew, discuss and amend. faced an unpleasant situa- of Kosovo, along with many to relate to common issues with the deputies them- tion. It was very hard to other issues that are crucial An internship program and related to help the selves, the ASI group and decide whether to stay or for the life of the people who where successful students work of the committ ees as other partners who are to leave the session. On live in Kosovo. of the University of Prish- well as individual deputies. involved. 10 ASInewsletter ASSEMBLY ANALYSES AND DEBATES SECURITY THREATS On 23 January 2003 the Assembly of Kosovo looked into the security situation in prosecutors. There are 336 Kosovo Albanian judges and Kosovo. Mr. Jean-Christian Cady, Deputy UNMiK Special Representative of Pillar prosecutors; 17 Kosovo Serb judges and prosecutors; and 1, Police and Justice, as well as Police Commissioner, Stefan Feller, off ered their 20 judges and prosecutors of other minorities. They deal assessments. After a thorough debate the Assembly adopted a statement against with 100% of the civil cases and 95% of the criminal violence. Following are a summary of Mr. Cady’s report on the security situation in cases. Kosovo for the period October 2002 to January 2003 and the statement adopted by UNMIK is cognizant of the challenges in the justice system. the Assembly. Where we recognize that circumstances undermine The crime statistics for 2002 show progress towards a stabilization and normalization the impartiality of the local judiciary, UNMIK has of the security situation. Murder rate in 2002 is down by 61% compared to 2001. The 27 international judges and prosecutors to take up number of kidnappings is down by 51%. The number of robberies is down by 10%. investigations and prosecutions so that justice does The number of interethnic crime is decreasing. And the crime clearance rate is at a very not fall through the cracks. International Judges and encouraging 53%, which is higher than in many western countries. Prosecutors are involved in 87 cases which represent One of the main reasons for this progress is the growing numbers, and increased approximately 3-4% of the cases pending before the presence, of the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) in the streets - 5200 in January 2003, District and Supreme Courts. These cases involve compared to 4300 in December 2001 - and the increasing competence of KPS offi cers. war crimes, ethnically motivated crimes, terrorism/ Another important milestone has been the establishment of UNMIK’s authority in extremism, corruption and organized crime. the northern part of Kosovo, and the dismantling of the parallel police and justice structures which were functioning there and the establishment of KPS in the North. An Increase in “Mafi a” type crimes: Though we have made progress towards establishing a The Establishment of Multi-Ethnicity in Police multi-ethnic police and judiciary and the security situation KPS is a multiethnic police force with 84% Kosovo Albanians, 9% Kosovo Serbs and 7% in Kosovo has stabilized, I am, nevertheless, very concerned other ethnicities. UNMIK police, including KPS, are now present throughout Kosovo. about the increase of certain “mafi a type crimes”: these More KPS of all ethnicities are being deployed in the North. being the use of bombs and execution style murders. There has also been a rise in crimes with apparent political Multi-ethnicity in policing is the goal for all parts of Kosovo, and this is equally true motivation. Such high-profi le crimes have a particularly for North Mitrovica. The KPS must refl ect all the ethnicities of its communities. There negative impact on the security situation, by increasing is one Police school in Vushtrri/Vucitrn through which all KPS offi cers must graduate. the level of public fear and uncertainty. At least 8 incidents On 15 January 2003, 10 Kosovo Serbs and 10 Kosovo Albanians began an accelerated of this type have occurred in the last three months and eight-week class to become instructors within the KPS. On 20 January 2003, 40 emphasize the need for eff ective witness protection. Kosovo Serbs, 50 Kosovo Albanians and 10 from other minorities began a twelve- I refer, of course, to incidents such as the murders in last week training course. The KPS recruits will train together and the work together as October of AAK leader Avni Elezaj and Suhareke/Suva Reka policemen. Municipal Assembly President Uke Bytyci, the murder in November of prominent human rights lawyer Ibish Hoti, The Establishment of Multi-ethnicity in the Judiciary the car bomb which exploded in Dardania in December injuring 31 people, and the recent murder of former FARK The establishment of a multiethnic judiciary to uphold the rule of law is also essential leader Tahir Zemaj and two of his relatives, and the rocket to the stability and security of a society. With the recent appointments of 13 judges which was fi red last night at Peje/Pec UNMIK Regional and prosecutors of Kosovo Serb ethnicity, the judicial system in Kosovo is now truly Police HQ, which resulted in extensive damages to the multi-ethnic. We now have a total of 373 in local judiciary: 326 judges and 47 building but caused no injuries. ASInewsletter 1 UNMIK is committ ed to providing adequate protection to all who are threatened. Witnesses will not testify if they are subject to intimidation. We are calling on the ASSEMBLY international community to help us extend our existing witness programs as a matt er of urgency. We are determined that no one should be deterred from coming to the police DECLARATION from fear of retribution, and that the rule of law in Kosovo prevails over the rule of silence. It must be made clear that UNMIK Police, that is the international civilian police ON SECURITY and the Kosovo Police Service, and KFOR are the sole providers of protection in Kosovo. The Assembly of Kosovo is Th e Assembly of Kosovo No private militia can be tolerated. strongly against violence, asks for order, protection, any kind of crime and or- justice and foreign represen- Progress in fi ght against Organized Crime and Corruption ganised crime in Kosovo tation of Kosovo institutions As the security situation has stabilized and inter-ethnic crime has decreased, UNMIK has and strongly supports the to be created and structured intensifi ed the fi ght against organized crime, which gained a foothold during the more fi ght of responsible institu- and to have a civil control. chaotic immediate post-war period. In 2002, UNMIK Police made a number of successful tions against crime and their The Assembly of Kosovo seizures of weapons, and drugs another contraband such as cigarett es. eff orts to create security in calls upon all citizens to Kosovo for all its citizens. denounce crime and to help One of the priorities set by the Commissioner and myself is the fi ght against prostitution The Assembly of Kosovo in preventing and solving and human traffi cking. The Traffi cking and Prostitution Investigation Unit in UNMIK is determined to co-operate crime through testimonies Police carried out 353 operations in 2002, closing down 61 premises. I hope we shall with KFOR and UNMiK by considering this as citi- achieve even more this year. With the establishment of a safe house for victims and regarding security and other zens’ duty and life’s indis- witnesses, and the increased activity of the Victim Advocacy and Assistance Unit in the developments in Kosovo. Department of Justice, we aim to make it easier for the particularly vulnerable victims pensability. of traffi cking to give evidence in safety against gang-leaders and thereby to secure their The Assembly of Kosovo The Assembly of Kosovo conviction. asks to be informed at least considers that there are for- once a month from responsi- eign implications in ruining We have also begun to make signifi cant arrests in corruption cases, such as the recent ble institutions on the secu- security in Kosovo in order arrest of offi cials in the Pristina Municipal Cadastre Agency. We intend to do much more rity situation in Kosovo. to impede its democratic in this fi eld in 2003. We have set up a special anti-fraud unit, the Financial Investigation The Assembly of Kosovo development. Unit, which will be initially staff ed with 10 experience criminal fraud investigators from considers that the solution the Guardia di Finanza coming from Italy. They have wide experience with mafi a. They The Assembly of Kosovo of Kosovo’s fi nal status in will have wide powers to investigate the activities of public institutions and publicly calls upon print and broad- accordance with the politi- funded enterprises, and to carry out criminal investigations where evidence of fraud is cast media to professionally cal will of the people creates discovered. In this area, we rely on the assistance of members of the Kosovo public to treat the security problems security in the country and come to the police, in confi dence if necessary, with any information they may have about in Kosovo, by being based corruption in public offi ce. the region. on data, escape hate speech The Assembly asks and sug- in order to help the explana- As we can see from the examples of other countries, the fi ght against organized crime gests local institutions to get tion of situations and to help and corruption is long and slow. In this fi ght, Kosovo is still at an early stage. But as much as possible com- creating a positive opinion UNMIK has now established the tools to work with and we are committ ed to engaging petencies and responsibili- in Kosovo. the batt le fully. ties regarding the security problems and greater co- operation with international Jean-Christian Cady, institutions to exist between Assembly of Kosovo, Deputy SRSG for Police and Justice. them. 23 January 2003 21 ASInewsletter RECENT SUPPORT INITIATIVES TO THE ASSEMBLY Assembly adopts new Rules of Procedure mation aims to contribute to greater transparency and accountability of the Kosovo institutions. As part of its In July 2002 the Assembly Presidency authorized the Committ ee on Judicial, Leg- good governance programme, NDI envisages to sup- islative and Constitutional Framework Matt ers to revise the Provisional Rules of port the Assembly in debating, adopting and imple- Procedure of the Assembly. Under the chairmanship of Prof. Arsim Bajrami (PDK) menting this proposed law. a working group of 5 Assembly members met during the second half of 2002. Amongst others the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Friedrich Naumann Stiftung (FNSt) and OSCE were asked to advise on par- European Agency for Reconstruction to ticular issues, while members of the working group included in the text their consid- support legislative process erations on other issues. Between 3 and 5 January 2003, the Assembly Presidency On 28 January 2003 the Prime Minister and the organized a retreat to fi nalize the revised Provisional Rules of Procedure, based upon European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR) announced the proposals of the working group. The fi nal draft was adopted with additional EAR’s support programme to the government in the amendments at the plenary session of the Assembly on 9 January 2003. Consulta- fi eld of legislation. The project will focus on the har- tions on particular issues with the SRSG are foreseen. monisation of Kosovo’s legislation with the “acquis communautaire” of the European Union as well as increasing the local capacity in legislative matt ers, Gender Equality Committ ee considers Equal Opportunities Law including in translation matt ers. GTZ from Germany The Gender Equality Committ ee in the Assembly held a series of consultations was selected as the implementing partner through a during the week of 3-7 February 2003 to ask for the support of various interna- tender procedure. The team leader of GTZ is from tional organisations in drafting a law on equal opportunities for men and women Slovenia. As part of its support to the legislative pro- in Kosovo. UNIFEM, FES, NDI, World Learning Star Network and OSCE have replied cess, EAR also envisages a support programme to the positively to this request. The Omnibus Anti-Discrimination Law, currently under Assembly of Kosovo, starting mid-2003. consideration by the Offi ce of the Prime Minister, will focus on preventing and fi ghting all kinds of discrimination in the fi elds of employment, vocational training, social protection, education, and other areas. In addition to this Omnibus Anti- Workshop on Research Methods and Data Discrimination Law the need for a law to promote equal opportunities for men and Collection women has been highlighted. International organisations will support the Gender On 24-26 February 2003, FES and OSCE organised a Committ ee by providing the translation of gender equality laws from European workshop on research methods and data collection for countries, off ering advice on how to review draft laws from gender equality percep- the Committ ees on Environment and Spatial Planning, tive, off ering expertise on gender budgeting, off ering consultations on existing leg- Agriculture, Health, Labour and Social Welfare, Public islation in the fi elds of domestic violence, anti-traffi cking and women’s rights. Services. The workshop aimed to strengthen the ability of Assembly Members to conduct research in the Freedom of Information Law being prepared fi eld of interest and relevance to future social, environmental and public services related legislation. Various Following various consultations with political analysts, civil society and Kosovo research institutions in Kosovo off ered their services politicians, the Offi ce of the Prime Minister is considering a “Freedom of Information to Assembly members, including RIINVEST, the Center Law,” to be introduced in the Assembly during March 2003. The law ensures the for Political and Social Studies of the University of Pris- right to access information from local, Kosovan institutions to the greatest extent tina, Kosovo Institute for Policy Research and Develop- possible and consistent with the public interest. The availability of public infor- ment (KIPRED), Kosovo Institute for Democratic Society ASInewsletter 13 (KIDS), Index and the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe. Time-line of support activities to the Assembly

February 2003 Working visit of Assembly senior staff to - Visit of Assembly Senior staff to Paris, by Assembly Secretariat and French Assembly. Brussels and Paris - Consultations on the Rules of Procedures. From 28 January until 6 February 2003 the Assembly - Consultations with Assembly Gender Committ ee on an Equal Opportunities Law and with Senior civil servants conducted a working visit to the Offi ce of the Prime Minister on Omnibus Anti-Discrimination Law, by OSCE, NDI, FES Brussels and Paris. The delegation was headed by Mr. and other donors. Isuf Demaj, Secretary to the Assembly of Kosovo, and - Consultations with country offi ces on ongoing support programs, by OSCE. included Mr. Isa Neziri, Head of the Administration - Consultations on establishing a Glossary of parliamentary and legal terms, by OSCE, NDI, Department; Mr. Daut Beqiri, Head of the Legal Depart- FES and Assembly Secretariat. ment; Ms. Natasa Prica, Head of the Main Committ ees’ - Workshop for Assembly members on research possibilities, 24-26 February, by FES and Secretariat; Mr. Sali Rexhepi, Head of the Table Offi ce; OSCE. Mr. Ilaz Berisha, Head of the Language Services and Mr. - Assistance to the legislative process, by Bearing Point/ Barents. Gazmend Kelmendi, Co-director OSCE Department of Elections (Interpreter). March 2003 The delegation visited the Secretariats of the Brussels - Workshop with Assembly Members of Other Communities, by OSCE. Regional Parliament and the Federal Belgian Parliament, - Workshop on Constituent Relations, by NDI. to explore the functioning of bi-lingual institutions. In - Workshop with Gender and Budget Committ ees on budgeting from gender perspective, 14 - Paris the delegation was hosted by the French National 16 March, by OSCE and Star-network. Assembly and the training focused more on the use - Workshop for Assembly members on negotiating skills, by KIPRED. of procedures att ached to one specifi c action (tabling a - Workshop for Assembly Legal Staff , by FNSt. document, drafting a report, an amendment...). This - Workshop with Committ ees on Trade & Industry, and Finance & Economy, 25 - 26 March, highly interesting visit was organised by the Assem- by FNSt. bly Secretariat with the support of the liaison offi ces of - Workshop on Rules of Procedure, by FNSt. and NDI. France and Belgium. - Visit of the Committ ees on Public Services and Social Welfare to Albania, by FES. - Consultations on the legislative process, by FES Assembly Secretariat Weekly Bulletin - Consultations on Freedom of Information Law, by NDI. - Consultations on establishing a Glossary of parliamentary and legal terms, by OSCE, NDI, The External Aff airs Unit of the Assembly of Kosovo is FES and Assembly Secretariat. dealing with institutional public relations and att ached - Public Hearing in the Health Committ ee on the Law on Medicine Products and Medical directly to the Offi ce of the Secretary to the Assembly. Devices, by FES. One of its duties is to send every week a bulletin in 3 - Assistance to the legislative process, by Bearing Point/ Barents. languages listing all events to occur in the Assembly or - Roundtable “Media and Parliament”, last week of March, by OSCE. related to it during the upcoming week. It also gives all agendas for Plenary, Presidency and Committ ee meet- April 2003 ings and is tasked with the Public Gallery’s manage- - Visit of Assembly Senior Staff to Berlin, by Assembly Secretariat, Bundestag and FES. ment during the plenary meetings. To be added on the - Workshop on Freedom of Information Law, by NDI. mailing list of the Assembly Bulletin, please send an - Committ ee fi eld visits, by OSCE. email to the following address: [email protected] - Public Hearing in Committ ee on Social Welfare on the Law on Social Assistance Scheme and the Law on Essential Labour and Health, by FES. 14 ASInewsletter NDI & THE CENTRAL FRIEDRICH NAUMANN STIFTUNG: ASSEMBLY IN 2003 A REFLECTION ON 2002 AND PLANS FOR 2003 Kevin Deveaux, NDI Minire Çitaku, Project coordinator of FNST for Kosovo

The National Democratic bly Presidency and key Following the inaugural within the parliamentar y concepts in the respective Institute (NDI) is a Wa- Committ ees to develop session of the Assembly of process. On the level of fi elds. shington-based NGO that good governance legisla- Kosovo, the Friedrich Nau- individual members, more Further support to the shar- has been working with tion. This includes revised mann Stiftung (FNSt) began regular engagement in ing and exchange of experi- Kosovans since June of Rules of Procedure that its support to the Assembly exchanging views among ences concerning the Rules 1999 to build democracy. ensure MPs are able to hold within the framework of deputies from other par- of Procedure will be made. Since the general elections the Government account- the Assembly Support Ini- liamentary groups is rec- of November, 2001, NDI able for its decisions and tiative (ASI). ommended, both formally FNSt will also strive to and informally. On the level improve the exchange of has been working with to provide regular feed- On the level of elected Mem- of political parliamentary information between Member of Parliament back to the Government bers of the Assembly, spe- groups, eff orts should be UNMIK and local insti- (MPs) and Central Assem- on the opinions and needs cial emphasis was placed made to improve internal bly staff to provide training of Kosovans. A new Free- on supporting the Commit- tutions as well as social working structures groups in order to proceed to ensure all MPs are more dom of Information Act tees of Trade and Industry through the division of faster towards fulfi lling the able to eff ectively represent is planned for Assembly and Finance and Economy labor and regular internal standards set by the SRSG. their constituents. by facilitating a process of debate in the fi rst part of information exchange. On By doing so, FNSt aims to 2003. Other good gover- dialogue and exchange of In 2003, NDI will con- experience in the fi eld of the level of committ ees, support the hand-over of nance legislation will be tinue to provide training economy. This was achieved regular contact with high- competencies from interna- developed later in the year. with regard to developing through various activities ranking civil servants from tional to Kosovan institu- the respective ministries tions. In addition to this, relationships with con- Finally, NDI hopes to work including workshops, sem- (e.g. mutual participation FNSt will off er its support in stituents. NDI will also with Central Assembly inars and open discussions in meetings) would increase other requests if expressed work with parliamentary with representatives of Committ ees to ensure they executive oversight. by the Assembly. groups and Central Assem- have the capacity to work various economic organizations. Furthermore, assis- bly Committ ees to ensure eff ectively, across multi- In 2003 FNSt would like to Additional eff orts shall be tance was granted in the they have the capacity to ethnic and multi-party continue what was suc- made to participate in the debate on the revision of the cessfully started in 2002. newly founded Municipal consult with the citizens of lines. It is also hoped that provisional Rules of Proce- The overall aim of FNSt Assembly Support Initia- Kosovo on a regular basis the Committ ee on Gender dures and a series of train- will be to convey European tive, MASI. In order to in developing and debat- Equality will be provided ings were given to the legal ing crucial legislation that standards to Kosovo’s insti- support and give technical with the support to ensure staff of the Assembly Sec- tutions by supporting the advice to local trainers in aff ects all of Kosovo. the women of Kosovo have retariat. work of the legal staff and the process of creating the NDI is also working with a strong voice in the Based on its consultations, the Committ ees of Trade municipal politics, a “train the Offi ce of the Prime Min- Assembly to address their FNSt has observed a weak and Industry and Finance the trainers” program will ister, the Central Assem- concerns. cross-information fl ow and Economy with modern be conducted. ASInewsletter 15 ASI LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A YOUNGER BROTHER, MASI The Assembly Support Initiative (ASI), who saw the light of the world in December 2001, has turned out to be such a lively and alert child, that his family - agencies supporting the establishment of democratic institutions of self-government in Kosovo - decided he should have a younger brother: “MASI”, the “Municipal Assembly Support Initiative.” Hartmut Pürner, OSCE Democratization Department, Municipal Assembly Support Team [email protected] On January 27 and February ing in accordance with the rule Ahead is a four-year term for palities will in 2003 continue posal that the content of civil 10 of this year the fi rst prepa- of law and on behalf of all com- the newly elected Municipal to strengthen municipal self- servants training programmes ratory meetings took place. The munities and citizens equally. Assemblies, which will be cru- government in Kosovo. The should also be shared with Association of Kosovo Munic- “MASI” seeks to achieve the cial for the full establishment of Council of Europe and the Municipal Assembly members ipalities, Council of Europe, same aims on municipal level, functioning democratic struc- Association of Local Democracy to ensure that it remains in Friedrich Naumann Founda- working with the Municipal tures on local level. At the same Agencies will in February 2003 a position of eff ective policy tion, the Kosovo Institute for Assemblies. Target groups are time the overall allocation of be opening a “Local Democracy making and monitoring of the Policy Research and Develop- the elected offi cials of the resources to Kosovo is decreas- Agency (LDA) for Kosovo” in civil administration. USAID, ment (KIPRED), the National Kosovo Municipalities, mem- ing. MASI aims to consolidate Gjilan/Gnjilane. The Friedrich another partner of the Minis- Democratic Institute (NDI), the bers of Municipal Assemblies, eff orts by coordinating train- Naumann Stiftung has elab- try of Public Services, currently Offi ce of SRSG, UN Develop- its Presidents, Vice Presidents ing eff orts, on the one hand, orated a training programme does not conduct training for ment Programme, UN Habitat and Committ ee members. Pro- and achieve mutually benefi - consisting of 10 training units, municipal assemblies, but are and the US Agency for Inter- fessional training for munici- cial eff ects through this assis- which will be implemented, in however currently preparing national Development (USAID) pal civil servants is under the tance, on the other hand. So co-operation with the OSCE. a four-year project that is happily responded the invita- legal responsibility of the PISG while the overall amount of The Kosovo NGO KIPRED will planned to start in late 2003 or Ministry of Public Services. resources and fi nances ded- tion from the OSCE Democ- be conducting political party early 2004. ratization Municipal Assembly Also the internal set-up and the icated to capacity building training on the central and The OSCE’s Municipal Assem- Support Team. They met as means of co-operation between might shrink, MASI might be municipal levels. While the fi rst bly Support Team will con- they had already then agreed the partners will be modelled the tool to nevertheless pro- target groups are political par- tinue their capacity building that “MASI” should do to the on the example of the suc- vide the same quality of train- ties, KIPRED made the point activities, though their proj- 30 Municipal Assemblies in cessful elder brother. Members ing for the common clients, the that the political parties must ects of “Municipal Assembly Kosovo, what the elder brother of the Initiative will work to Municipal Assembly members not be disconnected from the Start Kit” (MASK) which has ASI has already done to the bring resources together in a in Kosovo. political work in the Assem- been running since November Assembly of Koso v o . common pool in the further- The list of the future partici- blies. NDI will work on improv- 2002, ReGoCip (“Responsible As the inter-agency co-ordi- ance of their joint goal. As with pants is already impressive and ing the party-to-constituency Government and Citizen Par- nator of democratization pro- ASI, the work of MASI will might increase in the future. relations, and training session ticipation”), projects developed grammes to support the focus on a democratic political Like ASI, MASI will open for all on policy making, on both the by OSCE Offi ces all over Assembly of Kosovo, the ASI culture based upon knowledge agencies that plan to contrib- central and municipal assem- Kosovo, and additional activi- has sought to strengthen and of and respect for democratic ute to the capacity building of bly levels. ties of the Ethnic Communities professionalise the Assembly rules of procedure, transpar- Kosovo Municipal Assemblies. and Citizen Participation Sup- of Kosovo. This has been and ency and accountability to the The partners are looking for- UNDP and UN Habitat are port Teams. is being done through skills public. ward to welcome more partic- focusing on the training of development so that it may Now is the right time to come ipants at their table. The fi rst civil servants, their counter- MASI is supposed to make his become a stable, functional and together for a joint eff ort to ideas for co-operation have part being the Ministry of fi rst steps when spring comes. productive legislative assembly, support the performance of already been brought up. The Public Services. However they Hopes are high that he will be as rapidly as possible, operat- Kosovo Municipal Assemblies. Association of Kosovo Munici- responded positively to the pro- as vibrant as his elder brother. ASI Mission Statement

As the inter-agency coordinator of democratization programs to support the Assembly of Kosovo, the Assembly Support Initiative (ASI) seeks to strengthen and professionalise the Assembly of Kosovo in developing skills so that it may become a stable, functional and productive legislative assembly, as rapidly as possible, operating in accordance with the rule of law and on behalf of all communities and citizens equally. Members of the Initiative will work to bring resources together in a common pool in the furtherance of this goal. ASI will work in accordance with the principle that responsibility for the actual work of the Assembly is and must be the responsibility of the Assembly Members. The work of ASI will focus on a democratic political culture based upon knowledge of and respect for democratic rules of procedure, transparency and accountability to the public, developing and implementing a legislative agenda, oversight over the Executive and respect for multi-linguality of the Assembly. As the inter-agency coordinator of democratization programs to support the Assembly of Kosovo, ASI supports the Assembly via conferences and training, workshops with the Committ ees, technical assistance to the Presi- dency, Committ ees chairpersons and individual Assembly Members, working visits to other countries and parliaments, training for the legislative staﬀ and interpreters of the Assembly. The work of advisers and consultants to the Assembly and its Committ ees is also part of the ASI-coordination.

Currently participating in ASI: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Friedrich Naumann Stiftung (FNS), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in cooperation with National Demo- cratic Institute (NDI), OSCE Democratization Department and the Assembly ASI Newsletter Secretariat with the active support of the country oﬃ ces in Pristina of USA, UK, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Austria the EU- Belgrade Street 32, 38000 Pristina Tel. (+381-38) 500 162 Fax: (+381-38) 500 188 pillar and the European Agency of Reconstruction (EAR), United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in co-operation with the Inter-Parliamentary contact: [email protected] Union, and the East-West Parliamentary Practice Project (The Netherlands). The views expressed by the contributors to this Newslett er are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Assembly, OSCE Mission in Kosovo or the ASI partner organisations.