November 14 - 27, 2008 Issue No. 4 €1.50 Y OP E C FRE BUSINESS Kosovo Rejection Sparks Kosovo Businesses First Crisis with EU Dogged by Corruption Refusal to accept deal on deployment of EU police and justice mission marks first serious clash with Prishtina’s European allies. By Tim Judah in London page 6 osovo is teetering on the brink of crisis in CITY Kits relations with the European Union. The crisis New Look for an emerged after Kosovo’s gov- ernment, under Prime Old Beauty Minister Hashim Thaci, rejected a deal between the EU, the UN and Serbia, which would have paved the way for the full deployment of EULEX, the EU’s police and justice mission. Up until last week, the princi- pal problem blocking EULEX’s deployment had been resistance page 8 by Serbia to its deployment in Serb-controlled areas of north- ern Kosovo. GUIDE Now, however, a six-point plan has been agreed between the EU, The Alpine Lakes of the UN and Serbia. This foresees Kosovo that some of the revenues from the two customs points in the northern Kosovo will stay in the north, while in the Serbian areas the local police will remain “under the existing chain of command.” What this means is that the government of Kosovo will not be entirely sovereign over the page 12 whole of Kosovo, and thus the agreement contains a “de facto” recognition of the situation on FOOD & DRINK the ground. Free Your Mind at It is this stark reality which has provoked the Kosovar rejec- Tingell Tangell tion plus the fact that the gov- ernment of Thaci now feels photo by Petrit Rrahmani for Prishtina Insight Prishtina for Rrahmani Petrit by photo under pressure from opposition Kosovo’s leaders say ‘No’ - but can they maintain their position? parties not to be seen to be giv- ing in to what they believe to be Brussels, there was a mood of now it is in their best interests to Following months of negotia- Serbian moves to consolidate anger amongst EU officials deal- let EULEX deploy across the tions, a deal was struck on power in areas under their de ing with Kosovo. “It is disingenu- whole country.” November 7 between the EU, the facto authority. ous of the Kosovars to claim now Meanwhile, a senior Serbian UN and the Serbian authorities Kosovo’s leadership says the that they did not know what was source said; “We are not ready to on deploying the EU police and six-point plan breaches Kosovo’s going on,” one senior EU source change the deal in any way,” judges across the whole of page 11 sovereignty, territorial integrity in Brussels said. At every stage adding that any attempts to do so Kosovo. and constitution. of the negotiations, Prishtina “might have grave conse- continued on page 5 NEIGHBOURHOOD According to one source in was kept fully informed “and quences.” Europe Ponders New Investigation Real Estate Strategy for Bosnia Doctors Milk Global Financial State Hospitals Crisis Hits Kosovo for Private Gain Real Estate An undercover investigation reveals Kosovo’s real estate industry has how doctors blatantly abuse jobs in state begun to feel the effects of the global health service to recruit clients for their financial crisis, as housing demand experiences a steep decline. private clinics. page 9 page 7 page 17 is supported by: 2 • November 14 - 27, 2008 highlights Sejdiu Makes Key Albania Trip JOIN OUR TEAM! osovo’s President, Fatmir Sejdiu, vis- ited Albania in his first trip as head The BIRN Kosovo team is looking for proactive, motivated candidates with a Kof state to the country last week. President Sejdiu held talks with strong command of the English language to fill the following vacant positions: Albania’s President, Bamir Topi, on 1. Sales agent 2. Contributors areas of political, social, economic and educational cooperation. JOB SUMMARY: JOB SUMMARY: Both Presidents exchanged ideas on The Sales Agent is responsible for the sale Writers need to produce 300 - 1000 word European and NATO integration for the of newspaper advertising targeting the articles on topics of interest to the English- countries, regional cooperation and the English-speaking community of Kosovo. speaking community of Kosovo future perspectives of Kosovo, reports Insight Prishtina for Rrahmani Petrit by Photo the office of the Albanian Presidency. and Prime Minister, Sali Berisha. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: An important point of discussion was Sejdiu was also proclaimed an also the progress in recognitions of Honorary Citizen of the town of Shkoder, • Build advertisement sales, business • Use words and pictures to inspire and Kosovo’s independence. in northern Albania. working directly with clients inform, open dialogues, and help people On his first day, Sejdiu addressed Along with his Albanian counterpart, • Promote Prishtina Insight as the top tackle everyday challenges President Sejdiu visited the construction news source in Kosovo • Address situations and opportunities Albania’s members of parliament while special meetings were held with the site where a road connecting Albania and • Work with Prishtina Insight management that are unique to Kosovo Kosovo is being built. to ensure that all ads running in the • Possess a positive voice and an interest Parliamentary speaker, Jozefina Topalli paper are appropriate/approved in Kosovo REQUIREMENTS: REQUIREMENTS: Kosovo Ups Budget by 15% osovo’s first independently-com- • Extensive experience in sales • Must be willing to adhere to Prishtina piled budget for 2009 will be 1.43 • Excellent knowledge of English and Insight's guidelines, deadlines and quali- Kbillion euros, an increase of 15 Albanian languages ty standards. percent on 2008. Kosovo’s government set • Energetic, hard working, self starter • Experience in media is not mandatory the projected budget for the coming year. • Must have excellent verbal communica- but is an advantage Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci tion and writing skills • Photography skills a plus • A willingness to travel locally • Ability to write in English pledged this will open new opportunities for sustainable development. According to the budget, Kosovo aims To apply, please send a CV and a motivation letter to [email protected]. to maintain economic growth of 6 per- cent and increase capital investment by Insight Prishtina for Rrahmani Petrit by Photo 40 percent. Salary hikes of 10 percent for ing for local municipalities have all been civil servants: belt-tightening measures calculated into the new budget. for central institutions with 15 percent This is the first time Kosovo has com- cuts in spending for the President’s pletely independently compiled its budg- office, the Prime Minister’s office and et without the assistance of the United Advertise! Parliament and 10 percent cuts in spend- Nations Mission in Kosovo. Egypt ‘Weighing’ Kosovo Recognition gypt will very soon recognise Do you need to reach out to our readers: Kosovo’s independence, reports EAbdullah Al Eshal, Cairo’s former Influential decision makers, high-spending deputy foreign minister and counsel to President Hosni Mubarak. He said he is householders and foreign visitors. willing to send back to his home country a message of the new reality created in Kosovo, in order for Egypt not to post- pone the recognition of Kosovo’s inde- pendence from Serbia. FoNet by Photo “I want to inform you that recognition round table entitled “Kosovo and Egypt,” from Egypt will come very soon, after said now is the time for Cairo and other If our target readers are your potential clients, being informed of your history and your Arab countries to recognise Kosovo’s efforts in state-building. Our country is independence, in order to facilitate its we can help you reach them reliably and willing to contribute to peace and stabili- European integration. ty in the region,” pledged Al Eshal in The conference was attended by an Prishtina last week. Egyptian delegation with the aim of regularly, using the language they speak. A prominent Albanian activist in informing them of the progress of Egypt, Beqir Ismaili, who organised the Kosovo state-building. NATO Chief Backs KSF Call Prishtina Insight marketing at 038 24 33 58, ATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said he backs the Ncreation of Kosovo’s Security or email us at [email protected] Force, which is to be formed after the dis- membering of Kosovo’s Protection Forces. to reserve space in our next issue. “Along with other NATO ambassadors, I am very pleased with the security in Kosovo, which continues to be stable,” he said. According to Scheffer, NATO will con- Photo by Petrit Rrahmani for Prishtina Insight Prishtina for Rrahmani Petrit by Photo tinue to be present in Kosovo in accor- dance with United Nations Security being looked at by the NATO alliance Council Resolution 1244, which regulated since “this is not our business.” the mandate of the UN administration He said maintaining security was a far and NATO peacekeepers after the 1998- more important issue. 1999 conflict between Serb forces and During his visit to Kosovo, Scheffer vis- Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian majority. ited NATO’s KFOR peacekeeping troops However, he added the issue of recog- and held various meetings with Kosovo’s nising Kosovo’s independence was not senior leaders. news • November 14 - 27, 2008 3 Thaci Maintains Surroi: Jo! Po! Stance on UN in “Kosovo’s Ndoshta! Kosovo reaction very By Krenar Gashi delayed” o means no! This is the slo- gan of worldwide anti-rape Ncampaigns. Simple, clear, BALKAN INSIGHT, PRISHTINA concise; when you say no, you mean eton Surroi described Prisht ina’s obj e ction to the United no, and others should respect that. Nation’s proposed six point plan as very delayed and not But in the part of the world where Van entire refusal.