DOCSLIB.ORG

(DSPE) - Geotechnical Specialist Reference No

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
(DSPE) - Geotechnical Specialist Reference No NDËRMARRJ A H IDROEKONOMIKE “IBËR - LEPENC” SH.A. HYDRO - ECONO MIC E NTERPRISE “IBËR - LEPENC” J.S.C. VODOPRIVREDNO PREDUZEĆE “IBËR - LEPENC” D.D REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (CONSULTANCY SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT) COUNTRY: REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO NAME OF PROJECT: Water Security and Canal Protection Project (WSCPP) Credit No. CR5902-XK Project No. P133829 Assignment Title: Dam Safety Panel of Experts (DSPE) - Geotechnical Specialist Reference No. WSCP-CS-IC-6 The Government of the Republic of Kosovo has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Water Security and Canal Protection Project (WSCPP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds of such financing for consulting services for which this Request for Expressions of Interest (REoI) is issued. The WSCPP (being implemented under Credit Agreement CR5902-XK between Republic of Kosovo and the World Bank - IDA) has the objective of restoring the Ibër Canal to its original capacity and to improve water resource management for various canal users in Central Kosovo. This will ensure that more reliable and better quality water benefits approximately 500,000 people residing in the central Kosovo canal basin, and becomes a supporting factor for economic and social development. The Iber Lepenci Company (ILC) – a parastatal under the Government of Kosovo – is the Implementing Agency for the WSCPP. The Gazivoda Dam and Mihaliq Dike-Reservoir are 2 critical infrastructure elements of the WSCPP. The Gazivoda Dam, is a rock-filled embankment dam on the Ibër River in the District of Mitrovica, Kosovo. It was completed in 1979 and forms Gazivoda Lake, the largest reservoir in Kosovo. Gazivoda Lake covers 11.9 km2 (4.6 sq mi) of which 2.7 km2 (1.0 sq mi) are in Serbia. At 101 m (331 ft) in height, it is also the tallest dam in Kosovo. Discharge water from the turbines (hydropower plant) and biological minimum from river Ibër is collected by the smaller Pridvorica reservoir and dam, height 10 m located below Gazivoda. Dam with four controlled gates. Mihaliq dike – reservoir, the construction of a 600 m long and 25 m high earth dike across a wide creek above the Ibër Canal creating a compensation reservoir of about 3.7 million m3, a pumping station to lift water from the Ibër Canal to the reservoir, and a pipeline of 2 km to supply the Pristina municipal regional water company presently under construction during periods of high turbidity of the canal water. As part of the implementation of the WSCPP, a Dam Safety Panel of Experts (DSPE) is proposed to be instituted. The overall objective of the DSPE is to provide independent review and recommendations to ILC for ensuring that safety issues of the Dam subprojects to be financed by the World Bank are adequately addressed in terms of design, construction, operation and maintenance as required by the Dam Safety Safeguard Policy (OP4.37) of the World Bank. More specifically, the OP 4.37 requires that any dam that can influence the performance of the project or affect safety and performance downstream of the project area must be identified, its safety must be assessed, and necessary dam safety measures, remedial works and actions are identified and implemented. The DSPE will be established at the detailed design phase for remedial measures in Gazivoda/Pridvorica and detailed design for Mihaliq; and will be maintained throughout the project implementation phase and even during the initial period of the operations phase. The DSPE is expected to consist of 4 panel members, including: (i) Dam Specialist (Dam Engineering Design and Construction) (who will act as Chairperson of the DSPE) (ii) Hydrology and Hydraulics Specialist, (iii) Geotechnical Specialist, and (iv) Hydro Electrical and Mechanical Specialist. In addition to the 4 experts, other experts, can be mobilized for specialized review needs, if required. The main scope and input of the DSPE will be advisory in nature and in no way detracts from or substitutes for the expertise, resources, or responsibilities of the dam owners or the agencies and staff responsible for design and operation of the dams or the project consultants. In both the preparation and the implementation phases, the DSPE and its panel members purview is strictly limited to safety matters, and does not extend to financial or economic issues, selection of alternative designs, construction phasing, or any other features of the facilities except where safety is involved. The Client will organize periodic working missions of the DSPE (or its individual panel members) at the dam site depending on requirements in each phase of project implementation. The Client will provide DSPE with documents, information and data required for safety review in coordination with consultants and contractors. Scope of Services The primary tasks of the Geotechnical Specialist will include, but not be limited, to the following overall scope: (i) Review the geological and geotechnical aspects of design reports of the Gazivoda and Pridvorica Dam rehabilitation works and the new dam construction works, (ii) Review the geological and geotechnical investigation reports, such as drilled core assessment, permeability tests, in-situ and laboratory tests, etc.; and assess the need for additional investigation and tests, if required. (iii) Assess the nature and scope of the “fault” /weak shear zones at the dam foundation and plunge pool as well as sub-horizontal joints / seams in the banks and abutments. (iv) Review the geotechnical aspects of the plunge pool reshaping and required treatment works, such as concrete slab anchoring, grouting, drainage, as well as their design criteria, drawings and construction plans. (v) Review the seismological aspects of the dam site and areas as required. (vi) To review stability analysis and resulting factors of safety for normal, unusual and extreme loading conditions for embankment and concrete dams, spillways structures and outlet works including determination of seismic loading criteria; (vii) Perform the dam site inspection, along with the results of site investigation, survey and test results, and check their adequacy. (viii) Review the geotechnical aspect of the Construction Supervision and Quality Assurance Plan, and assess the result of instrumentation data related to geotechnical aspects of the foundation during construction works and recommend additional monitoring, survey and design modifications if any. (ix) Recommend follow up actions related to geotechnical aspects of the work (if any) to ensure the safety of the dam’s rehabilitation works, considering potential risks and required safety level. (x) Review the technical specification and drawings of the bidding document and provide technical support for the geotechnical aspects of bidding process, including pre-qualification, bid evaluation, contract negotiations; (xi) Review the adequacy of the instrumentation plan, such as piezometers, seepage measuring devices, settlement survey, slope inclinometers, and extensometers, including their numbers, locations, monitoring frequency, etc. (xii) Undertake periodic construction supervision to review the process of construction works to ensure that geotechnical related works are undertaken in overall conformity with the approved design documents, construction plan/schedule, etc. (xiii) Carry out field inspection for the purpose of geological assessment during foundation excavation and treatment works such as grouting and anchoring; (xiv) Review any major change in site design occurring due to the changes of geological conditions at the site. (xv) Coordinate with the DSPE chair and other panelists for fulfilling the assignments in the field and his/her home offices under the guidance of the client; and (xvi) Attend meetings with other consultants (Designer, Supervisory Engineer, etc.) and the Financiers (WB) under the guidance of the client. Implementation Methodology and Contract Duration: (i) The work schedule and milestones will be agreed with the ILC in coordination with other relevant agencies after appointment. Members of the DSPE are expected to conduct a mission including sites visit in general twice during detailed design and construction preparation phase for an estimated duration of 10 days per mission. (ii) The DSPE will be maintained on an on-call basis throughout dam project preparation and implementation period to provide technical review and guidance to ensure the dam and reservoir are sustainably rehabilitated, operated and maintained. (iii) The services of the DSPE are envisaged to start in April 2018 for an initial period of 20 working days. (iv) Duration of involvement will be up to end of project which is currently planned for 42 calendar months. (v) At the request of the ILC, the DSPE panel members may provide technical support from their home offices and through video/audio conferences. Qualification Requirements: The Geotechnical Specialist should meet the following minimum requirements: An advanced degree in Geology, Geotechnical Engineering or other relevant majors, Minimum 25 years of experience in relevant professional works, Having worked as a geotechnical expert in designing and construction of large dams including concrete dams. Intensive experience in preparing geotechnical aspects of construction plan and schedule for large-scale or complex dam projects. Intensive experience of geotechnical related works for dam safety planning, instrumentation and monitoring. Terms of Reference (ToR) for the required services is available with ILC The ILC now invites
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Association-Of-Serbi
    POLICY NOTE Number 05 ― December 2013 Association of Serbian Municipalities: From a tool of integration, to a disaster in the making Author: Agron Bajrami, Editor-in-Chief, Koha Ditore Daily 2 Policy Note 05/2013 Association of Serbian Municipalities: From a tool of integration, to a disaster in the making elections Agron Bajrami, Editor-in-Chief, Koha Ditore Daily December 2013 © Group for Legal and Political Studies, December 2013. The opinions expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect those of Group for Legal and Political Studies donors, their staff, associates or Board(s). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any mean without permission. Contact the administrative office of the Group for Legal and Political Studies for such requests. Group for Legal and Political Studies „Rexhep Luci‟ str. 10/5 Prishtina 10 000, Kosovo Web-site: www.legalpoliticalstudies.org E-mail: [email protected] Tel/fax.: +381 38 227 944 ABOUT GLPS Group for Legal and Political Studies is an independent, non-partisan and non-profit public policy organization based in Prishtina, Kosovo. Our mission is to conduct credible policy research in the fields of politics, law and economics and to push forward policy solutions that address the failures and/or tackle the problems in the said policy fields. GLPS is institutionally supported by: Visa Liberalization Process in Kosovo: An assessment of achievements and challenges This page intentionally left blank Visa Liberalization Process in Kosovo: An assessment of achievements and challenges Association of Serbian Municipalities: From a tool of integration, to a disaster in the making elections Introduction Part of the Kosovo-Serbia Agreement and on normalization of relations reached through EU mediation, last April 19th in Brussels1, was the creation of the Association of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo, an institution tying together Serb-majority Kosovo municipalities with its headquarters in northern Mitrovica.
    [Show full text]
  • An Overview of the Development of Mitrovica Through the Years This Publication Has Been Supported by the Think Tank Fund of Open Society Foundations
    An overview of the development of Mitrovica through the years This publication has been supported by the Think Tank Fund of Open Society Foundations. Prepared by: Eggert Hardten 2 AN OVERVIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF MITROVICA THROUGH THE YEARS CONTENTS Abbreviations .............................................................................................................4 Foreword .....................................................................................................................5 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................7 2. The Historical Dimension – Three Faces of Mitrovica .......................................8 2.1. War ...............................................................................................................8 2.2 Trade ............................................................................................................9 2.3. Industry .......................................................................................................10 2.4. Summary .....................................................................................................12 3. The Demographic Dimension ................................................................................14 3.1. Growth and Decline .....................................................................................14 3.2. Arrival and Departure .................................................................................16 3.3. National vs. Local
    [Show full text]
  • Agron Nagavci Local Consultant (On Request of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)) November 2015
    Flood Prevention Map (FPM) for Leposaviq/Leposavić, Zveçan/Zvečan and Zubin Potok municipalities, northern Kosovo Agron Nagavci Local Consultant (on request of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)) November 2015 1 Table of contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 I. INTRODUCTION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 BACKGROUND -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 PURPOSE OF THE ASSESSMENT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 1.BASIC STATISTICAL DATA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 1.1 Leposaviq/Leposavić municipality -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 1.2 Zveçan/Zvečan municipality -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 1.3 Zubin Potok municipality -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 1.4 The Ibёr/Ibar River basin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 2. BASIC STATISTICAL DATA- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15 HYDROECONOMIC 1.1 Leposaviq/Leposavić municipality --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    [Show full text]
  • 78-Management Response (English)
    MANAGEMENT RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INSPECTION PANEL REVIEW OF THE KOSOVO POWER PROJECT (PROPOSED) Management has reviewed the Request for Inspection of the Kosovo Power Project (pro- posed), received by the Inspection Panel on March 29, 2012 and registered on April 12, 2012 (RQ12/01). Management has prepared the following response. May 21, 2012 CONTENTS Abbreviations and Acronyms ......................................................................................... iv Executive Summary .......................................................................................................... v I. Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 II. The Request .............................................................................................................. 1 III. Project Background ................................................................................................. 2 IV. Management’s Response ......................................................................................... 5 Map Map 1. IBRD No. 39302 Boxes Box 1. Emergency Evacuation of an At-Risk Part of Hade Village in 2004/05 Annexes Annex 1. Claims and Responses Annex 2. Selected List of Meetings with Civil Society Organizations Regarding Ko- sovo’s Energy Sector Annex 3 List of Publicly Available Documents Regarding the Proposed Kosovo Power Project Annex 4. Country Partnership Strategy for the Republic of Kosovo FY12-15 Annex 5. Comprehensive Water Sector Assessment Annex
    [Show full text]
  • Municipality of Zubin Potok DEVELOPMENT STRA 2013-2017 TEGY
    Municipality of Zubin Potok DEVELOPMENT STRA 2013-2017 TEGY Zubin Potok, April 2013 Municipality of Zubin Potok Development Strategy 2013 - 2017 Implemented within the project Entepreneurship Intiative Support funded within the program EURED 2 in Kosovo Disclaimer: This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the Institute for Ter- ritorial Economic Development (InTER) and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union Financed by: European Union Office in Kosovo Implemented by: Kosovo Relief Committee Dear fellow citizens, We have witnessed significant investments in the develop- ment of the municipality of Zubin Potok in previous years, reflected in construction or reconstruction of structures of public importance and investments in communal infrastruc- ture. Today, Zubin Potok can be proud to have a modern elementary school, sports facilities envied by larger and richer municipalities, paved roads and street, kilometers of sewerage and water supply network, and many more. At the moment, other projects are also implemented, that will significantly improve the lives of our citizens, such as the construction of the Health Center, reconstruction of the Cultural Center “Vojvodina” or construction of the regional water supply system. We have recently also started the tourism development project in our municipality, that will significantly improve tourism and economic potentials in our municipality. Strategic planning is a modern approach in the systematic solutions for issues relevant for local development. By adopting the development strategy for the next five years, we want to define development goals and priorities for the municipality in order to achieve a vision of a better and quality life of all our citizens.
    [Show full text]
  • UBT Annual International Conference on Business, Technology and Innovation
    Proceedings of the 4th UBT Annual International Conference on Business, Technology and Innovation Chapter: Architecture and Spatial Planning Chapter: Civil Engineering, Infrastructure and Environment November, 2015 1 ISBN 978-9951-550- 13 - 0 © UBT – Higher Education Institution International Conference on Business, Technology and Innovation Durres, Albania 6-7 November 2015 Editor: Edmond Hajrizi Organizers: Albert Qarri, Felix Breitenecker, Krenare Pireva, Evelina Bazini, Kozeta Sevrani, Betim Gashi Co-organizes: Ardian Emini, Muzafer Shala, Lulzim Beqiri, Mimoza Sylejmani, Besian Sinani, Xhemajl Mehmeti, Murat Retkoceri, Bertan Karahoda, Ermal Lubishtani, Albulena Jahja, Erveina Gosalci, Alfred Marleku, Ibrahim Krasniqi, Ylber Limani, Naim Preniqi, Rexhep Kera, Muhamet Sherifi, Ermal Gashi Authors themselves are responsible for the integrity of what is being published. Copyright © 2015 UBT. All rights reserve Publisher, UBT 2 EDITOR SPEECH International Conference on Business, Technology and Innovation is an international interdisciplinary peer reviewed conference which publishes works of the scientists as well as practitioners in different research area. The main perspective of the conference is to connect the scientists and practitioners from different disciplines in the same place and make them be aware of the recent advancements in different research fields, and provide them with a unique forum to share their experiences. It is also the place to support the new academic staff for doing research and publish their work in international
    [Show full text]
  • Split Asunder
    BIGSplit Asunder DEALCivic Oversight of the Kosovo-Serbia Agreement Implementation “Sometimes I ask myself if this dialogue with Serbia is really worth it if it is costing us so much division within Kosovo society. This dialogue is the reason why parliamentary normality has been completely blocked in Kosovo. How can we be ready to dialogue with Serbia if we are not able to dialogue locally first, our government with opposition?” BIG —BESA LUZHA, FRIEDRICH EBERT STIFTUNG “Sometimes I’m afraid of being wrong and making a slip of the tongue when talking about the decision-makers in the municipalities. I do not know which municipality they belong to, DEAL Kosovo or Serbian.” — CITIZEN FROM LEPOSAVIC “I did try to explain that there is an agreement between the two parties that Kosovo citizens enter Serbia with an ID card, but to no avail. He asked me to show him my ID, and when he saw that it is a Kosovo ID card, said “I’m sorry you cannot go with this.” —SHPEND KURSANI, KOSOVO CITIZEN RESIDENT IN FLORENCE, ITALY BIG Split Asunder DEALFour and a half years since negotiations began between Belgrade and Prishtina, the two remain far apart, and the rift in Kosovo over the dialogue is widening. December 2015 REPORT #3 “If I could have one telephone number and not have to carry three separate phone plans (Kosovo cell, Serbia cell, and fixed)…Three telephones, two or three sets of license plates, everything is a lot more complicated than it was before. I don’t see any positive change, but I am confident that if they had asked the people, all this would have been resolved long ago.” — V.N., SOUTH MITROVICA “This process of negotiations goes on but life cannot wait to political agreements, laws are not written for further political agreement, but implementation.
    [Show full text]
  • Kosovo Water Security Outlook
    KOSOVO WATER SECURITY OUTLOOK June, 2018 / WAT Document of the World Bank World the of Document KOSOVO WATER SECURITY OUTLOOK June, 2018 / WAT Document of the World Bank World the of Document 2 Water Security Outlook for Kosovo © 2020 The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; Internet: www.worldbank.org Some rights reserved This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclu- sions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Rights and Permissions The material in this work is subject to copyright. Because The World Bank encourages dissem- ination of its knowledge, this work may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for noncommercial purposes as long as full attribution to this work is given. Attribution—Please cite the work as follows: “World Bank. 2018. Water Security Outlook for Kosovo. © World Bank.” All queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; e-mail: [email protected]. Water Security Outlook for Kosovo 3 Acknowledgement The name of this report is a “Water Security Outlook for Kosovo”.
    [Show full text]
  • Water Security and Canal Protection Project
    SFG1823 REV Government of Kosovo Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR PROTECTION OF IBER LEPENC CANAL KOSOVO ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK (ESIAF) Public Disclosure Authorized WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (ESMF) FEBRUARY 2016 Public Disclosure Authorized ESIAF& ESMF Report ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK (ESIAF) WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (ESMF) TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES OF ESIAF .......................................................................................... 6 1.2 CONTENT OF THE PROGRAM FOR THE WATER SECTOR ..................................................................... 8 1.3 STUDY AREA ............................................................................................................................ 11 1.3.1 Protection and upgrading works along the open air sections of the canal ................................. 12 1.3.2 Emergency reservoir Mihaliq (ERM) project area .................................................................. 12 2 LEGAL FRAMEWORK ................................................................................................................ 13 2.1 WORLD BANK POLICIES ............................................................................................................ 13 2.1.1 Environmental
    [Show full text]
  • Parliaments and Normalization
    Parliaments and Normalization Introduction Belgrade and Pristina remain locked into a complex post-conflict status quo for now two decades. The EU-sponsored dialogue that began in 2011 has improved relations considerably in such areas as freedom of movement and trade, but has kept the core of the dispute—the status— under the carpet. Serbia insists that it would not recognize Kosovo’s independence under any circumstances, but it is willing to normalize relations with Pristina. Kosovo maintains that normalization without recognition is not sustainable, as it leaves the conflict open. Given these irreconcilable positions, finding a model that satisfies both sides would be challenging. Although officially no option has been put forward, many in Belgrade and Pristina and in several narrow international circles are discussing potential options, ranging from ‘border adjustment’ to recognition of independence. Belgrade started last fall a national dialogue on finding a model to conclude the Kosovo conflict, so far narrowing the discussion down to 11 options, ranging from Kosovo’s incorporation into Serbia to recognition of independence.1 Kosovo’s government, on the other hand, drafted a platform for negotiations, setting Serbia’s recognition of independence as the dialogue’s final goal. Local and international organizations have developed various scenarios, ranging from recognition to renewed conflict.2 Although governments run negotiations, the role of parliaments in supporting and overseeing the process and ratifying a final agreement is essential. In this context, CIG gathered a number of members of parliaments from Serbia and Kosovo representing all major political parties to discuss their role in helping reach and ratify a final deal.
    [Show full text]
  • Report on the State of Water in Kosovo 2015
    MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND SPATIAL PLANNING KOSOVO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REPORT ON THE STATE OF WATER 2015 Prishtinë, 2015 2 Foreword Protection of water resources is a moral, ethical and human obligation of everyone as water is an essential factor to life, health, food, culture, production and renewable energy. The need for fresh water is one of the greatest environmental issues globally today. Data show that more than 1.2 billion people worldwide do not have access to drinking water, while approximately 3 billion people (half the population of the world) do not have appropriate sanitary services. Over 200 diseases originate from polluted water and approximately 6.000 people a day die because of diarrheal diseases. According to the World Health Organization, about 5 million people die every year because of polluted water consumption. In view of the current urbanization trend in the world, until 2025 approximately 3 billion people will need water supply and more than 4 billion will need to access wastewater services. In Kosovo, as in many other countries of the world, the human health and well-being is increasingly threatened by poor water quality or lack of fresh water. Based on data provided by our institutions, approximately 80 % of the population in Kosovo is supplied from the public water supply system and about 60 % of the population has access to the public sewerage system. Protection, preservation and monitoring of the quality of water resources is one of the greatest environmental challenges of our society. Industrial development, urbanization and intensive agriculture are some of the factors causing water pollution.
    [Show full text]
  • Split Asunder
    BIGSplit Asunder DEALCivic Oversight of the Kosovo-Serbia Agreement Implementation “Sometimes I ask myself if this dialogue with Serbia is really worth it if it is costing us so much division within Kosovo society. This dialogue is the reason why parliamentary normality has been completely blocked in Kosovo. How can we be ready to dialogue with Serbia if we are not able to dialogue locally first, our government with opposition?” BIG —BESA LUZHA, FRIEDRICH EBERT STIFTUNG “Sometimes I’m afraid of being wrong and making a slip of the tongue when talking about the decision-makers in the municipalities. I do not know which municipality they belong to, DEAL Kosovo or Serbian.” — CITIZEN FROM LEPOSAVIC “I did try to explain that there is an agreement between the two parties that Kosovo citizens enter Serbia with an ID card, but to no avail. He asked me to show him my ID, and when he saw that it is a Kosovo ID card, said “I’m sorry you cannot go with this.” —SHPEND KURSANI, KOSOVO CITIZEN RESIDENT IN FLORENCE, ITALY BIG Split Asunder DEALFour and a half years since negotiations began between Belgrade and Prishtina, the two remain far apart, and the rift in Kosovo over the dialogue is widening. December 2015 REPORT #3 “If I could have one telephone number and not have to carry three separate phone plans (Kosovo cell, Serbia cell, and fixed)…Three telephones, two or three sets of license plates, everything is a lot more complicated than it was before. I don’t see any positive change, but I am confident that if they had asked the people, all this would have been resolved long ago.” — V.N., SOUTH MITROVICA “This process of negotiations goes on but life cannot wait to political agreements, laws are not written for further political agreement, but implementation.
    [Show full text]