Opinion: ’s Successful Use of Violence

September 2 - 15, 2011 Issue No. 70 www.prishtinainsight.com Price € 1

NEWS Missing EULEX and Kosovo Kosovo Police Close to Lobbyist “Violent Clash” under > page 2 Arrest in FEATURE Sacked Kosovo Eritrea Gallery Chief Kosovo’s flying Blames Politics independence lobbyist, James Berisha, is being held in prison in Eritrea, it emerged on Thursday afternoon, two weeks after he was reported missing. See Page 4 > page 12 - 13 Limaj Faces Grilling as INSIDE PRISHTINA Prishtina’s History Retraced Through Roads Get Tested ‘Lost’ Photos Former minister Fatmir Limaj is shortly to be interviewed by EULEX prosecutors for the first time in 15 months - while > page 18 his roads face a test of their own, Prishtina Insight has learnt. FEATURE Limaj issued these tenders The news comes as it emerged government - since EULEX police By Artan Mustafa based on a combination of the low- that EULEX prosecutors will inter- raided his home and office. Time Is Running est price and the best technical view Limaj on 20 September. Following the raids, Johannes he EU rule-of-law mission in offer. But questions are being EULEX spokesman Kai Mueller- van Vreeswijk, former chief pros- Out for Macedonia’s Kosovo, EULEX, is to asked about how the technical Berner told Prishtina Insight that ecutor of EULEX, said the mis- Temploy an international offers were graded. Limaj, 40, has been summoned to sion had uncovered evidence that Big Cat expert in road quality as part of a In a number of cases highlight- appear before a EULEX Prosecutor could result in Limaj and Nexhat probe into corruption at the ed by a Prishtina Insight investi- at the Special Prosecution of the Krasniqi, head of the procure- > page 15 Ministry of Transport. gation into road tenders last year, Republic of Kosovo, SPRK, in ment at the Ministry of The unusual move is to be used the reason why some firms regard to the investigations into Transport, being jailed for up to 55 in an attempt to demonstrate that received top technical marks and the Ministry of Transport, Post years. contracts issued by the former thus beat cheaper bids was far and Telecommunications. But lack of further action in the transport minister, Fatmir Limaj, from clear. This will be the first grilling in case and comments made by a for- Kosovo’s only English-language did not provide “value for money”, The international experts 15 months of the once powerful mer EU investigator have cast a newspaper is available: as was stated in the criteria for expect confirmation of their minister - who ran the biggest shadow over the probe. awarding many of the biggest con- appointment in the forthcoming ministerial budget in Prime Delivered to struction projects. weeks, this newspaper has learnt. Minister Hashim Thaci’s previous continues page 2 Your Door

Nightclub Shakes Ancient Ban Fails to Halt Kosovo’s From Newsstands Mosque Trade With Serbia across Kosovo

A row between Muslims who attend the Kosovo’s ban on the import of Serbian Sent To Hadum mosque in Gjakova, western goods does not cover all areas, it has Your Inbox Kosovo, and the municipality has erupted emerged, as energy and medicine continue after the town’s mayor failed to act against to cross the border. a disruptive nightclub. While imports of most Serbian goods From Mosque-goers said they couldn’t use the stopped in July, multimillion deals that the our partners place of worship at night dur- Kosovo Energy Corporation, KEK, signed with Belgrade-based... news ing Ramadan... page 5 business page 7 see page 16 for more info

is supported by: 2 September 2 - 15, 2011 news Limaj Faces Grilling as Roads Get Tested Star Witness in Haradinaj from page 1 procurement. has been interviewed before. Limaj’s lawyer, Tomë Gashi, “Krasniqi might be interviewed Trial Pleads Guilty to Troy Wilkinson, a former police said the prosecution appeared to later again,” Mueller-Berner said. officer in EULEX’s Executive be trying to buy time. Limaj last week appeared at the Contempt of Court Department for Organised Crime, “They sent the invitation for Prishtina Municipal Court in hefqet Kabashi, a former Serbian and Kosovar Roma civil- claimed in an interview last the interview three months in regard to a different case involv- member of the Kosovo ians. month with the newspaper Zeri advance. This is quite strange ing war crimes, for which he is SLiberation Army, has plead- But appeals judges partially that EULEX had focused on the because normally the prosecution suspected. ed guilty to contempt of court for quashed the acquittal last year, Limaj case because they were sends a notice ten to two weeks in The Constitutional Court of refusing to testify during the trial seeking stories to make a media advance and eight days is the min- Kosovo is about to issue an calling for a re-trial because the at a war crimes tri- trial chamber had not done splash. imum according to the law,” answer in the coming weeks to a bunal of former Kosovo prime min- enough to ensure the testimony of Limaj and Krasniqi are being Gashi said. “They seem to be government request, submitted in ister Ramush Haradinaj on charges certain witnesses given “serious investigated, among other mat- more interested in his reputation July, to clarify whether parlia- of crimes against humanity. witness intimidation,” thus ters, for organised crime, money than the truth.” mentarians and other high state Shefqet Kabashi refused to testi- depriving the prosecution of vital laundering, bribes, misuse of offi- But sources close to prosecu- officials enjoy immunity from fy in 2007 at the first trial of support for its case. The original cial positions and fraud between tion say they’ve made important arrest while serving their man- Haradinaj, KLA commander dur- 2008 and 2010, involving the issue progress, which is leading dates. ing its conflict with Serb forces in trial had heard how many witness- of road tenders. towards an indictment, and that EULEX has said it has an arrest 1998-99, and two others. es felt unsafe. Around 1,300km of roads were they are interviewing Limaj warrant prepared for Limaj for He entered his plea at a session Earlier this month, the tribunal asphalted and renovated when because of this. alleged war crimes, but cannot act of the International Criminal said Kabashi’s testimony was rele- Limaj was in charge of the min- The summons to grill Limaj until the dilemma over MPs’ Tribunal for the former vant as it related to the alleged istry, with Krasniqi at the helm of does not extend to Krasniqi, who immunity is cleared up. Yugoslavia, ICTY, in , responsibility of Haradinaj and , after being handed two co-accused, Idriz Balaj and over to the court earlier this Lahi Brahimaj, on six counts of month by Dutch authorities. torture and murder of prisoners at EULEX and Kosovo Police The ICTY acquitted Haradinaj the KLA headquarters and the in 2008 of charges of murder, rape, prison in Jablanica. torture, abduction, cruel treat- All three deny all wrong-doing ment, imprisonment and the and Kabashi has again refused to Close to “Violent Clash” forced deportation of ethnic respond to prosecutors' questions. A US diplomatic cable Wikileaks Highlight: issued by the embassy in Hundreds Gather for Bajram Prayers Orthodox Church Pays LDD, and he would have had trou- Prishtina, and released by ble in securing votes to maintain Wikileaks, reveals how KEK a government. In fact, this was Thaci at his worst -- emotional, Kosovo Police’s special unit, “On December 30, 2009, Father impulsive, and hasty. It appears ROSU, and EULEX were Simeon, secretary to Bishop that the folly of his exercise was close to clashing violently Artemije, Serbian Orthodox clear to him the following morn- Bishop of Ras and , signed ing, when he came away from a in August 2009. an agreement with the Kosovo meeting with President Sejdiu Electricity Corporation (KEK) for with nothing to show.” Gracanica Monastery, and stated that all SOC sites in Kosovo were On PDK’s 2009 Election now authorized to become KEK “In this fight, PDK has several By Lawrence Marzouk customers. KEK reconnected clear strengths and weaknesses. Gracanica Monastery the same Chief among its weaknesses is a day. Gracanica Monastery, along reputation for corruption and with 57 other Serbian Orthodox violent clash between crime. No fewer than three of Church (SOC) monasteries, con- Kosovo Police’s special unit, PDK's mayoral candidates have vents, and churches had been dis- AROSU, and EULEX riot prior criminal convictions and/or connected from the electrical grid police was averted through the face felony charges (Sami intervention of US Ambassador to in autumn 2009 due to their fail- Lushtaku, Skenderaj/Srbica: con- Kosovo Christopher Dell, it is ure to register to pay for electrici- victed for threatening a judge; claimed in a leaked cable. ty. SOC buildings were reconnect- Xhabir Zharku, Podujeve/ As tension between EULEX and ed to the electrical grid about one Podujevo: two arrests for kidnap- the Kosovo government mounted month after KEK began to discon- ping, obstruction of justice; and, over a protocol the mission wanted nect non-paying mosques, a Shukri Buja, Lipjan/Lipljan: vehic- to sign with Belgrade, PM Hashim process that began after Islamic ular homicide). That said, PDK Thaci decided to send 25 members Eid al Fitr celebrations.” enjoys the natural advantages of of the paramilitary police unit to incumbency -- patronage and northern Kosovo to protect The Zanzi Bar Fiasco power. Another PDK asset is Prime Albanian returnees who were Minister Thaci, a tireless cam- reconstructing homes. “By most accounts, Prime paigner who has promised voters “EULEX subsequently sent two Minister Thaci acted rashly last Formed Police Units (FPU, anti-riot night when he decided to dismiss an impressive, if not always plausi- police), consisting of 100 French, the LDK from the coalition about ble, array of public sector projects Italian, Romanian, and Polish offi- an hour after he learned of the and new investment as he barn- cers, to the three bridges across the LDK-AAK agreement. He had not storms across Kosovo in support of River Ibar to prevent the ROSU from consulted with either AKR or PDK candidates.” crossing,” according to the cable. The EULEX commander was ous escalation in tensions between EULEX who want to do so by mov- unable to convince his ROSU coun- the GOK and EULEX. ing forward with the police proto- terpart to stand down and at 8 pm the “We were fortunate that Prime col regardless. Hundreds of people gathered outside of Prishtina’s KP unit was pulled back to a police Minister Thaci recalled the ROSU “We will continue to urge all station in southern Mitrovica. forces, and that the incident did not sides to put aside the issue of Grand Mosque to mark the end of the holy month of “Responding to a call from the end in a violent police-on-police EULEX-Serbia police cooperation Ramadan. Ambassador, Prime Minister Thaci confrontation. for several days, in the hopes that called the ROSU back to ,” “We are also fortunate that the calm can increase the political Kosovo’s Muslims have been campaigning for a new, the cable reads. Europeans have thus far, also space necessary for Kosovo leaders bigger mosque in the capital as they claim there is cur- “The decision to send ROSU refrained from escalating the issue, and EULEX to maneuvre.," the rently not enough space in the exiting places of worship. forces north represented a danger- though there are some within cable concluded.

Y M C +381 38 602042, +377 44 243367, +386 49 243367 K news September 2 - 15, 2011 3 UN: Kosovo One of Many Editor’s Word Balkan Heroin Routes to EU “Qelloja kush?” Claims by the Russian Federal Drug chief Viktor Ivanov that Kosovo is the “main European drug forwarding station” for Heroin have been queried by the UN’s Office on Drugs and Crime. By Lawrence Marzouk adding that this fact was well known to police forces in Europe, who were o ease you back into the post-beach routine, let’s start duly concerned. with game of ‘guess who?’ or “Qelloja kush?”, if you By Lawrence Marzouk Ivanov said that Russia had Tprefer. launched an initiative to combat I am one of the world’s best known international organi- drug trafficking in Kosovo that pro- sations, spanning the globe. I promote freedom of speech, posed the creation of a so-called among other things, and my most senior officials tell the eroin making its way into the Balkan Anti-narcotics Five, which world that “people have a right to information that affects passes would include Russia, Serbia, Hthrough Kosovo, but this is just their lives”. Despite this I have no “access to information” Montenegro, Macedonia and one of three major routes to the lucra- policy and my officials appear completely baffled when tive market, the UN’s Office on Drugs Albania. approached by a journalist to find out whether it is possible and Crime has told Prishtina Insight. Heroin sales for Kosovo were 3 bil- to ask for certain documents to be released. Russian Federal Drug Control lion euro a year, he is quoted as say- Have you got it yet? No? Well, it’s the hypocritical UN – an Service Viktor Ivanov announced an ing on the website Voice of Russia, organisation whose top guy complains about a “culture of initiative to combat drug trafficking adding that almost 50 tons of heroin secrecy and a lack of accountability” in the world and calls via Kosovo in Belgrade this week, pass through Kosovo annually. on states to open up their books, but whose own multi-bil- which is supposed to involve five coun- But the UN’s Office on Drugs and lion-dollar, taxpayer funded gravy train has no – that’s right tries, including Russia and Serbia. Crime told Prishtina Insight that no – policy on what documents it should or shouldn’t release. Speaking during a press conference “they had” not made any specific The public of the world which pays for the UN in all its at Belgrade’s Russian Embassy, estimations about the level of heroin The UN disputes Ivanov (above)‘s claims that extraordinary guises has no right to request the documents Ivanov said that he had signed a trafficked via Kosovo. Kosovo is the sole of hub for heroine in it produces while its leaders prattle on about how everyone bilateral agreement with Serbian “However, our research division Europe else must be transparent. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic on a did indicate that in 2009, the latest It’s as if Wikileaks, the organisation founded on openness, combined fight against drug dealers figures we have available, some 70 Threat Assessment, 2011’, reveals that operated in complete darkness, without providing any which provided a solid foundation for tons of heroin were estimated to be “Kosovo appears to act as a storage means to the public of knowing their motives, financing or operational collaboration. trafficked via the Balkans in general. site for heroin smuggled from the for- how they decide what to publish or not, and then com- According to the Russian official, “We're unsure of the figure of 50 mer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia plained when its own material leaked. his talks with Serbian officials con- tons of heroin trafficked via Kosovo or Albania. Imagine that? Well you don't need to because both cases cerned the Balkan route for traffick- as there are three main routes after “Heroin is often stretched and cut are true. ing drugs from Afghanistan to the heroin leaves Turkey.” with adulterants and then re-pack- Clearly some of those who shout the loudest about trans- Europe, which has its distribution He said the main routes were via aged and sent westward through parency are not always those most willing to open them- centre in Kosovo, where heroin is Turkey-Bulgaria-Macedonia- Kosovo; Serbia or Montenegro,” it adds. selves up to scrutiny. believed to be repackaged before Turkey-Bulgaria-Serbia; and Turkey- “Kosovo is especially threatened, And what of Kosovo? Surely those grubby, corrupt leaders I read about in all of these international reports must be being transported onwards. Bulgaria-Romania. due to its location along the main dead against allowing the public to pry around in their “A kilogramme of heroin costs “This said, Kosovo is obviously heroin trafficking route from Bulgaria affairs. around 10,000 euro in Kosovo, while used by heroin traffickers and is to Italy.” Well, I have some news for you – whether they are blissful- the price for the same amount of that under threat,” he added. According to the report the scale of ly unaware of the scope of their laws or have embraced the drug in western Europe is around The UN’s Special Report ‘The profits across the Balkans is a real new world order, Kosovo leaders are not doing badly in 150,000 euro” explained Ivanov, Global Afghan Opium Trade: A threat to the legal economy. “In many cases, profit from the terms of allowing its citizens to get information. heroin trade from the Balkans to When I say citizens, I actually mean my team at BIRN and Western and Central Europe exceed- a few hardy members of civil society, because as far as I can ed the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) tell no one else is bothering to use the laws. I have seen a of transit countries such as Albania number of reports in recent months and years complaining and the former Yugoslav Republic of that institutions have not properly implemented the law on Macedonia, posing a serious threat to access to documents, but when we speak to the institutions they say that no one submits requests. the licit economy,” it reads. “Given It is true that major problems remain with the law’s the low GDP per capita across most of implementation. There are no guidelines in place for people the Balkan countries, the heroin to ask for documents, no money has been assigned to dealing trade can significantly exacerbate with requests, the legal requirement of allocating a member corruption.” of staff to this task has been ignored and the deadlines set Kosovo was used as a transit coun- in the law are unrealistic. try mainly for heroin being smuggled Clearly Kosovo has much progress to make if it wants to into to Italy. become the Sweden of the Balkans, but, at least, with a little Almost 90 per cent of the heroin persistence, you can get documents when you ask for them – abused in Italy entered the country Unlike some the EU countries, and, of course, the UN. from Bulgaria, via Kosovo, to Recently, we have successfully secured all the expense Albanian, through Albania from receipts from one Minister. Among the beers ordered, wine Greece, or via Bulgaria-Serbia- quaffed and foie gras sampled, there is no scoop. We were Heroine from Afghanistan passes through the Balkans on the way to Western Europe Bosnia--Slovenia. not looking for a major corruption case, just testing the sys- tem and checking to see if those elected to represent the cit- izens of Kosovo are spending money wisely. We’ll publish those documents in the next months so you can decide for PRISTINA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT “ADEM JASHARI” yourself. The power in the release of these documents is not in the story that it will generate, or the buzz about who ate what where, it is in the impact on ministers’ behaviour. They will know, from now on, that if they order the most expensive champagne on the menu, they may well be found out. That is the kind of credible threat which encourages politicians to think twice before squandering cash. Societies function better when it is not just the police, prosecutors, auditors and inspectors ensuring that the laws are followed and money is spent well. That’s why the UN will always struggle with corruption. It must open itself up to proper scrutiny. But the public, and journalists in particular, need to play their part too, and can only do so if freedom of information laws are in place. In contrast to the UN, it is the public and its journalists in Kosovo who need to up their game if cor- WE ARE OPEN FOR ALL DEPARTING FLIGHTS • CALL US ON 038 594422 ruption and wrongdoing is to be tackled properly. 4 September 2 - 15, 2011 news Missing Kosovo Lobbyist under Arrest in Eritrea

Kosovo’s flying independence lobbyist, James Berisha, is being held in prison in Eritrea, it By Petrit Collaku emerged on Thursday afternoon, two weeks after he was reported missing. osovo’s Foreign Ministry, MFA, revealed on Thursday Kthat James Berisha, who is touring Africa in a bid to convince the supply of fuel to the engine. Berisha started flying across countries to recognize Kosovo’s He was unharmed. Africa last November, asking independence, is being held in On August 15, he took a com- African states to recognise prison. mercial flight to continue his Kosovo’s independence, Foreign minister Enver mission, and flew from Sudan declared in 2008. Hoxhaj has asked for help from to Eritrea. Nothing has been Berisha, 39, flew all over the foreign ministries of heard from him since. Latin and Central America in Germany, France and Saudi Lumnije Gashi, who is based 2009, visiting 34 countries and Arabia to assist with the release in Prishtina and has been four territories to thank states of Berisha. tracking Berisha's moves in that had recognised Kosovo’s “Those countries have good Africa, said he received the last independence and lobby others relations with Eritrea and we email from Berisha on August that have not. asked them to help us for the 15, the day he landed in He was planning to continue release of Berisha from prison,” Asmara, Eritrea. his lobbying mission in Artan Behrami, MFA spokesper- “In this email, Berisha Asia. Berisha spent his son told Prishtina Insight. warned us that he may be childhood in Kosovo and The ministry was unable to arrested,” Gashi told Prishtina then left for Western say if Berisha why he had been Insight. Europe to fulfill his arrested. A resident of the US state of dream of becoming "The MFA is trying through Texas who grew up in Kosovo, a pilot. James Berisha has not been in contact with his family for more than two weeks diplomatic channels to release James Berisha and say to Eritrean officials that Berisha's presence in Eritrea has to do US Prosecutor to Lead Croatia and solely with lobbying for Kosovo's independence, nothing else," said Behrami. Organ Trafficking Serbia in War MFA stated that according to the information’s received, of Words over Berisha’s was in good health and was being treated well by Investigation Eritrean officials. Kosovo At the end of May, Berisha John Clint Williamson has been appointed as the crash-landed in Sudan, after a lead prosecutor for an investigation into allegations he State Secretary at the Croatian Foreign cylinder of the Cessna 172 4- of organ trafficking by the in Ministry, Mario Nobilo, has expressed dis- seater plane broke and blocked Tsatisfaction to Serbian Ambassador northern Albania. Stanimir Vukicevic over statements made by degrading treatment, before Serbia's President Boris Tadic and foreign minis- ultimately disappearing.” ter Vuk Jeremic. Marty’s findings corrobo- Croatia's foreign ministry has told the Serbian By Petrit Collaku and rated allegations raised in a ambassador that Croatia recognises Kosovo as an www.prishtinainsight.com Michael Montgomery 2009 investigation by the independent country with which it will develop John Clint Williamson Balkan Investigative friendly relations based on mutual respect for Publisher: sovereignty and territorial integrity, just like Reporting Network, Center EU and US government are illiamson, who with all the other Southeast European countries, BIRN for Investigative Reporting taking this investigation seri- played a key role in including Serbia. Balkan Investigative Reporting Network and the BBC. ously." Wbringing indict- The relations between Serbia and Croatia's ments against Slobodan Thaci has denied the allega- "The key to the investiga- took a new turn for the worse last week after Mensa e Studenteve, first floor Milosevic, will serve as the tions and pledged to work tion is now witness protec- Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor's visit lead prosecutor in a seven- with the investigators. 10000, Prishtina tion, and western govern- to Kosovo. member task force headquar- Williamson has extensive Kosovo ments must step up to pro- On 24 August, Kosor said in Prishtina that tered in but operat- experience investigating and vide the financial and logisti- Phone: +381 (0) 38 24 33 58 ing under the jurisdiction of prosecuting complex criminal Croatia was Kosovo's best friend because both cal support to make sure countries had suffered from the nationalist and Fax: +381 (0) 38 22 44 98 the EU’s rule of law mission cases including war crimes. to Kosovo, diplomats said on He was a prosecutor for the those people with informa- war-making regime of late Serbian leader [email protected] Monday. U.S. Justice Department and tion about serious crimes feel Slobodan Milosevic in the 1990s. His task force will probe the served as a trial attorney for safe. That includes accepting Serbia's foreign minister, Vuk Jeremic, reacted Editor-in-Chief: Council of Europe’s 2010 seven years at the U.N. war resettlements of witnesses by saying: "Whoever has Jadranka Kosor as a Lawrence Marzouk report which alleged that a crimes tribunal in The Hague. and, if necessary, their fami- best friend, doesn't need enemies." Serbian President Boris Tadic said on Friday [email protected] criminal network with links During the Bush adminis- lies," he said. that the partnership between Croats and to Kosovo’s incumbent Prime tration, Williamson served as EULEX is the European Editorial Team: Albanians should not be built to the detriment of Minister Hashim Thaci exe- Ambassador-at-large for War Union's rule of law mission Ana Petruseva, Gordana Igric, others, in this case the Serb people, adding that cuted kidnapped civilians and Crimes Issues. He is current- in Kosovo. It was established Jeta Xharra, Marcus Tanner, Kosor was rekindling old hostilities to secure sold their organs after the ly a Special Expert on war in 2008 and is the largest civil- 1999 . financial benefit for her country. Petrit Collaku, Shengjyl Osmani, crimes for the United Nations ian crisis management mis- The report, headed by Secretary-General. Kosor responded that after 20 years of inde- Artan Mustafa and Kanarina Shehu. sion in history. More than human rights investigator The decision to appoint pendence no Croatian politician or prime minis- 2,000 international police offi- Dick Marty, claimed that Williamson signals strong ter would ever again go to Belgrade to ask for per- Marketing, Sales & Distribution: cers, judges and prosecutors “numerous concrete and con- U.S. backing for the probe and mission about what to do or think. [email protected] vergent indicators confirm follows months of intensive are supported by approxi- "Those times are, luckily, gone forever," she that some Serbians and some negotiations between the EU mately 1,200 local staff. Its said. Design & Layout: “Rrjeti” Albanian Kosovars were held and Dick Marty. aim is to help Kosovo's Croatia's foreign ministry said in a statement Y prisoner in secret places of Fred Abrahams of Human authorities to develop inde- that Croatia strongly supports the protection of all human and minority rights in Kosovo as well M Printing: Lindi Printing Center detention under KLA control Rights Watch said the pendent and multi-ethnic jus- C in northern Albania and were appointment of Williamson tice, police and customs serv- as the restoration of dialogue between Belgrade Copyright © BIRN K subjected to inhuman and was a "welcome sign that the ices. and Prishtina. news September 2 - 15, 2011 5 Nightclub Shakes Ancient Mosque A nightclub which shares a wall with one of Kosovo’s most ancient and beautiful mosques is shaking the building with loud music and stopping the faithful from praying.

inspectorate for preventing such the situation. activity, since it is just 10 meters “After they are done with it, we away from the mosque and uses will try to reach a positive decision By Alban Selimi the wall of the mosque as the wall for the Hadumi mosque, thus work- of the nightclub,” he said. ing for the good of Gjakova citi- “Especially when we perform zens, especially Muslim believers.” the fourth and fifth of the five daily Lekaj admitted that his first row between Muslims who prayers, we have to leave the response to the complaint was attend the Hadum mosque mosque because of the noise that inaccurate as the inspectors had in Gjakova, western A investigated during the day. interrupts us. Kosovo, and the municipality has “It is not the first time that we “You can see that during the day, erupted after the town’s mayor the nightclub does not work. failed to act against a disruptive are facing this problem; this has nightclub. happened even in the past years. However, we will be observing the Mosque-goers said they couldn’t During the last Ramadan, we had activity of this nightclub also dur- use the place of worship at night to completely leave the mosque and ing the night. during Ramadan, the month of go to another one.” “If we come to a conclusion that fasting, because of the Logic night- But until now, the municipality it is interrupting these believers club, which was pumping outmu- of Gjakova has failed to resolve the from performing their prayers, we sic so loud it was shaking lights in issue. will undertake the appropriate the building. Mayor Pal Lekaj said: “It is true measures to stop its activity.” The venue, which has been open that the head of the Islamic com- Mellova added: “The mayor is since 2008 under various names munity of Gjakova has sent a com- well informed that we leave the including Liquid, was taken over plaint regarding this issue, but [we mosque when the music starts by new owners this summer, have received] also a petition playing in this nightclub. Even the although neighbours say that noise signed by the citizens that attend lights in the mosque shake, as the has been an issue for some time. the prayers in this mosque. base of the music is so high.” Florim Mellova, Imam at the “If the noise that comes out from Nightclub owner Lendrit mosque, organised a petition call- this nightclub prevents them from Halilabazi refused to speak to ing on the municipality to close the performing their rituals, we will Prishtina Insight. mosque, but, instead, the munici- do whatever we are allowed by law The Hadumi mosque was built pality wrote back saying that the to stop this mess or even close this in 1594 and was restored by club was not operational. nightclub. UNESCO and Cultural Heritage “We have signed a petition and “I have ordered the directorate of withour Borders between 2005 and we have informed the respective inspectorate of Gjakova to analyse 2009. The nightclub, now renamed Logic, shares a wall with the mosque Weapons Seized Summer Spells Rise in by EULEX in Kosovo Road Deaths Kosovo is experiencing a spike in road deaths this summer as its already congested roads Northern Kosovo are flooded by emigrants returning home by car. The European Union police operation, EULEX, has seized several weapons in the northern part of Kosovo in an investigation into the murder of Kosovo policeman Enver By Petrit Collaku Zymberi. sidered to be part of the evidence, ens of thousands of he added. Kosovars emigrants to This effort was hindered by TWestern Europe return to By Petrit Collaku local residents, who blocked the their homeland each summer, road thus making an obstacle for bearing presents and much needed the police to seize the vehicle, he remittances, but also placing an explained. extra burden on the country's icholas Hawton, the According to a Beta news already overstretched road infra- Baki Kelani, Kosovo police But he said that there were spokesman for EULEX, agency reporter from the scene, structure. spokesperson. fewer fatal accidents overall in the Nsaid that EULEX police, While police say they have been He said that officers were carry- first six months of the year com- KFOR and EULEX forces entered supported by the NATO peace- the village of Zupce at around successful in cutting road deaths ing out operations on all major pared to last year. keeping force KFOR, had conduct- at other times of the year, they roads to check for speeding and According to police statistics, 53 ed searches in four houses on 05:00 CET and started searching admit that the summer period other traffic offences in a bid to people died in car accidents Wednesday. Two of the houses local households for suspects. remains a dangerous one on were in Zubin Potok, the other two Beta reported that local Serbs in stop the recent trend of fatal car between January and June 2011, were in Zupce village. the villages had been upset by this Kosovo's roads. accidents. compared to 75 in that period last Between January to August 19, He said that no suspects had and had gathered near the place The latest fatality was a motor- year. 75 people died in car accidents in been found during the searches. where barricades were set up fol- cyclist who died after being “These are positive figures com- Kosovo. Of these, more then 20 obstructed by a vehicle he was try- pare to last year," he said. "But, “No arrests have been conducted,” lowing the imposition of a trade died in July and the first half of ing to overtake. The motorcycle hit actually, we are worried about the Hawton told Prishtina Insight. ban last month. They were report- ed as saying that it would depend August alone. a van coming in the opposite direc- current situation where, during He added that EULEX had on international forces’ actions As a result, police have tion. July and August, more than 20 seized several pieces of evidence, whether the road would once increased traffic patrols, including On August 13, four people died persons have died in car acci- including weapons. “Evidence was again be blocked. with motorcycle and bicycle units. and two were injured in a car acci- dents,” Kelani told Prishtina found during the searches and Zymberi was shot in the head “There has been a huge increase dent on the main Prishtina to Peje Insight. there has been a seizure of num- near the Brnjak checkpoint after in cars and traffic as it is the sum- road. “We will be checking for illegal ber of weapons,” he said. the authorities in Prishtina sent mer holidays, during which many Kelani said that the recent overtaking, if safety belts are Y EULEX police officers are con- special police units to enforce a Kosovars living abroad have come increase has forced police to put being worn and where drivers are M tinuing to remain in the north so trade ban at the Jarinje and to their homeland and have con- all traffic units, including motor- using telephones while driving,” C as to seize a vehicle which is con- Brnjak crossings. tributed [to congestion],” said cycle and bicycle police units out. said Kelani. K 6 September 2 - 15, 2011 news ’s Young Yugoslavs Still Pine for ‘Home’ Searching for an identity in a country that looks askance at them, second generation ex-Yugoslavs are often bigger, more nationalist Serbs, Croats or Bosnians than their parents.

According to Austria’s Statistic Office, 29 per cent of people of for- eign origin in Austria came from By Gordana Andric ex-Yugoslav countries. Slavs have been migrating to Vienna for generations. As the imperial capital of Austria- And it all comes back to me, a Hungary, the city was a magnet to far away little town and my the Czechs, Poles, Serbs and “girl from the green fields, I Slovaks then living under the don’t know where she is now…” Habsburg dynasty. From a café in Vienna’s More recent, post-Second World Ottakringer Strasse, the well- War migration to Austria from known lines of a Serbian song by Yugoslavia occurred in two waves. of Zeljko Joksimovic waft onto the The first was in the 1960s and street. 1970s, when Yugoslavia became the The sounds are similar in a first Eastern European dozen other cafés in Ottakringer Communist country to allow free- Strasse, which is widely nick- dom of movement, and tens of Nationalist Serbian graffiti in Vienna's 11th district named “Balkan Street” on account thousands of Yugoslavs moved to of the number of ex-Yugoslav Austria to work. Serb from Pozarevac, who moved that [Ante] Gotovina [the Croatian decides to devote more attention to immigrants who have made it A second wave of migration fol- their home. to Vienna five years ago, says the general jailed by the Hague the subject,” Ivana Martinovic, an lowed in the 1990s when ex-Yugoslav youths he has encoun- Tribunal for war crimes on 15 editor at the Vienna newspaper Walking down the street are Yugoslavia collapsed and thou- posters advertising club dates for tered are often rigidly nationalis- April] was not guilty and I wanted Biber said. sands of Croats and Bosniaks tic. to show I’m proud to be a Croat,” She says that young Austrians various singers from the Balkans. [Muslims] sought refuge from the The graffiti mostly celebrates the “They are all big Serbs, big he said. with Balkan origins often have a conflict in Austria. Croats, big Bosnians and big Émigré organizations in Vienna distorted perspective on the situa- results of Balkan football matches. Vedran Dzihic, from Vienna No one coming from an ex- do their best to keep Serbs, Croats tion in their parents’ homelands. Yugoslav republic needs a foreign and Bosnians aware of their home “They go there for a few weeks language to find his or her way countries’ national grudges and in summer and of course they round Ottakringer Strasse. The grievances. think those are great countries as average person working in a shop In 2008 street protests against they don‘t see the poverty, the here speaks Serbian better than Kosovo’s declaration of independ- unemployment, or any of the prob- German. ence from Serbia was organised in lems,” she said. In most cafés the waiting staff Vienna. Several thousand showed “On their Austrian salaries, it’s don’t bother use German at all, but up. a perfect place.” assume their customers speak at Darko Miloradovic, vice-presi- Both Martinovic and Vedran last one Balkan language. dent of the Community of Serbian Dzihic, from Vienna University, Although some cafés are marked Clubs in Vienna, complains that believe that the long-distance “Serbian”, “Croatian” or many did not know why they had nationalism of many young ex- “Bosnian”, most are fairly mixed. come. Yugoslavs in Austria reflects a At one table you might see a “Many had no idea why they search for identity. teenager showing her friend a T- were there. They knew they were “Their nationalism is based on shirt with Serbia’s coat of arms on protesting against Kosovo’s inde- partial information and on emo- the front, while on the other side of pendence, but they didn’t know tions,” Dzihic said. “In their anything more about the issue,” he search for identity they can find it the same café a young man wear- Petar Rosandic (right), aka Kid Pex, a rap musician from Vienna who was born in Zagreb ing the Croatian checkerboard said. in a group [nation] that they don’t emblem reads a newspaper. Most of the information that ex- really know, so they can create University’s Institute for Political nationalists,” he said. “Some of Yugoslav youngsters in Vienna anything they want from that Most Balkan youngsters in these Sciences, says ex-Yugoslav immi- cafés are, in fact, second-genera- those born here think they are big- gather about their mother coun- group.” grants can be divided into three ger Serbs than me,” he added. “But tries comes from the home and Martinovic, herself an ex- tion immigrants, born and raised groups when it comes to their sen- in Austria. For all that, they are when I ask them a question about from their parents. Yugoslav, raised in Austria, timents toward their motherlands. Serbia’s history or culture, they go At school, youngsters from ex- believes that nationalism is often often every bit as nationalistic, or Some show almost no interest in patriotic, as their parents when it all quiet,” he laughed. Yugoslavia learn about Austrian just part of growing up. their country of origin or ethnic His girlfriend, 18-year-old history. Whether they will hear “The Fascist symbols on their comes to the “home” country. background, some are nostalgic The 432,000 people of Yugoslav Marijana Rusic, who was born and more about their mother countries necklaces or tattoos don’t always for the old Socialist Yugoslavia raised in Austria, says she can depends on the teachers. have a hard-line nationalistic origin living in Austria today are and a third group are highly the largest foreign community in recognise Balkan types in Vienna Slavoljub Paunovic, an engineer meaning, as those teenagers are nationalistic about their Serbian, just from the way they look. She from eastern Serbia who has been often not aware of what they’re the country. About 58,000 were Croatian, or Bosnian origins. born in Austria. herself has big cross tattooed on living in Vienna for 25 years, says wearing,” she said. Sinisa Djurdjic, a 24-year-old her back. he has brought up his son as a real “They just feel the need to “You can recognise the Serbs by Serb. belong somewhere and to mark their chaplet bracelets. Ex- “My 22-year-old speaks Serbian themselves as members of some Yugoslav boys, regardless of and knows a lot about Serbia, as I group.” nationality, always have the same insisted on that,” he said. Petar Rosandic, aka Kid Pex, a short haircut, like Sinisa,” she “He could tell you when the rap musician from Vienna who explained. Battle of Kosovo happened, even if was born in Zagreb, maintains Davor, a young Croat born in you woke him up in the middle of that some of these superficially Vienna, seems to prove the point. the night,” he added. hard line Balkan patriots are not He has the same “Balkan” haircut Paunovic believes this form a as aggressive as they look. as Sinisa. Only a pendant with the national awareness is quite nor- “Waving the flag is often as far Croatian emblem around his neck mal. “It’s more like cheering for as they are ready to go,” he said. marks him as different. your own religion and tradition,” “Croats, Serbs and Bosnians hang Davor visits his family in he said, “though some people are out together [in Vienna],” he Croatia every July. The necklace more extreme.” added. “It’s folkloric nationalism. he wears was bought after this “In school they don’t get much Serbs with the four ‘S’ symbol tat- Y year’s visit, as a patriotic demon- information [about the Balkans], tooed on their arms always shake M stration. unless a teacher who has several my hand to greet me,” Rosandic C “I bought it because I believe pupils from former Yugoslavia noted. K A Shop in Balkan Strasse, Vienna business September 2 - 15, 2011 7 Ban Fails to Halt Kosovo’s Trade With Serbia Serbian electricity and medicine continue to be imported into Kosovo despite the embargo Prishtina imposed in July. European Union around Serbia. In the meantime, Prishtina Insight has discovered that By Besiana Xharra Serbian medicine, as well as ener- gy, is still being imported. In March, KEK awarded a con- tract worth 17 million euro for the osovo’s ban on the import of import of electricity between May Serbian goods does not 2011 and March 2012 to four com- Kcover all areas, it has panies, including Rudnap Energy, emerged, as energy and medicine based in Belgrade. continue to cross the border. While imports of most Serbian A second tender in April, also goods stopped in July, multimil- for power and worth another 32 lion deals that the Kosovo Energy million euro, was awarded to two Corporation, KEK, signed with Belgrade-based firms, GENI and Belgrade-based energy companies EGL. These companies will continue earlier this year remain in place. Serbian products, such as Wellness biscuits, are slowly disappearing from the streets of Kosovo On July 20 Kosovo announced it to export electricity to Kosovo as Confusion surrounds the import September,” he said. said. was blocking imports from Serbia electricity is not included in the of these goods because although Adriatik Stavileci, spokesperson The construction sector had ben- in response to Belgrade’s refusal July “reciprocity measures”, the for Kosovo customs, told Prishtina to abide by the terms of the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s they are brought from Europe efited to a similar extent, he added. Insight that the amount of goods Central Europe Free Trade Dardana Halimi said. Union countries, the fact that they When Kosovo was able to export Agreement. “Energy is not included in the are made in Serbia should mean being smuggled into Kosovo across to Serbia, the total value of its Membership of CEFTA is sup- decision on reciprocity,” Halimi that they are blocked at the border, its northern, porous border had goods was only 15 million euro a posed to oblige participants to explained. “Reciprocity has to do Halimi of the trade ministry said. dropped dramatically as a result of year, while imports from Serbia allow free movement of goods. with trade relations, and energy the controversial police operation cost about 290 million euro a year. But in 2008 Serbia and Bosnia issues are not in the remit of this Rivals replace Serbia: in the north. Kosovo relied heavily on Serbia and Herzegovina started barring ministry.” “Since the beginning of the reci- for imports of wheat, for bread, for goods marked with Kosovo custom Haki Ejupi, chief inspector of Meanwhile, many Serbian good procity measures until now, we example. But in August Kosovo stamps, after Kosovo declared pharmaceuticals in the Kosovo are still on sale in many supermar- have had only 35 cases of confisca- signed a new deal to import wheat independence from Serbia. Medicines Agency, said several kets and small stores, but this is tion of smuggled goods,” he said. from Bulgaria. Kosovo’s ban in July followed Kosovo companies authorised to stock bought before the imposition He said petrol was the main item Kosovo’s agricultural minister, the cancellation of the latest import medicines still bought of the ban in July and these prod- being smuggled across the north- Blerand Stavileci, said that Kosovo round of talks between Kosovo them from Serbia. ucts are becoming increasingly ern border points, and that crimi- and Bulgaria would start to work and Serbia, which was due to dis- He said these drugs were often rare. nals were now attempting to find on removing all administrative cuss Kosovo customs stamps. The bought from companies based in Kosovo shop inspectors launched alternative routes into Kosovo. and custom barriers to the food negotiations were postponed the European Union, which means an operation at the beginning of trade. because the EU believed no deal that the products do not arrive August to ensure that new Serbian Ban is boon for local He added that there was no prob- was likely to be reached. directly from Serbia. products were not being sold. industry: lem with the supply of wheat as A new round of talk is expected Manufacturers of these drugs Ruzhdi Shehu, chief inspector Kosovo farmers had also increased in September, and the EU-mediator include Hemofarm and Zvlavia. for the Trading Inspectorate of The embargo on Serbian goods production to cover 80 per cent of Robert Cooper was in Prishtina “Kosovo’s contracts with several Kosovo, said 100 people were work- has stimulated production in the country’s needs. this week to discuss the issue. companies to import these medi- ing on the operation. Kosovo, according to Agim The association of farmers, how- The ban has had a major impact cines have not yet expired,” he “Those who have violated the law Shahini, president of the Kosovo ever, disputes these figures. It says on Kosovo’s small export market, said. “About 40 types of these will be punished. But for more Business Alliance. “Most manufac- that its members can only supply forcing exporters to take lengthy drugs are still available in phar- details you will have to wait for the turers say that their production 40 per cent of the demand for and expensive routes into the macies in Kosovo.” report we will publish in has gone up about 40 per cent,” he wheat in the country. Import Relaxation Sees Influx of Old Cars Almost half of the cars brought into Kosovo since July’s relaxation of the import age limit have been older than 8 years – despite the high taxes imposed on these vehicles. 2,000 cars were imported: 1000 cars “The new decision of the govern- below the age of 8 and 943 older ment has just increased the value cars. Nearly 150 new cars were of existing cars in the market By Lavdim Hamidi brought in. because of high custom clearance The average price for a car of up taxes, especially for cars that are to 8 years was 6,200 euro, while the manufactured since 1998. import taxes were in the region of “Therefore, this has hampered ars up to age of 13 are now 2170 euro, including customs and even more the living standard of being imported to Kosovo VAT. Kosovars,” he said. “For these Csince the law was relaxed in July, in a bid to cut the price of The average cost of a car over older cars, citizens must pay cus- vehicles and boost the government eight years old was 2,280, while the toms, excise and Value Added Tax coffers. import duties reached around which often exceed the value of Previously, the government had 1,700 euro. the car, while for new cars no imposed an age limit of eight Kosovo Customs’ spokesman excise tax should be paid, but such years on imported cars in order to Adriatik Stavileci said customs cars cannot be afforded by many phase in more environmentally had collected 4.2 million euro from Kosovars, because of the higher friendly vehicles. car import taxes in July. prices,” explained Nazimi. Opponents of the new scheme Opposition politicians and car He added that due to high taxes, say that it is all about raising rev- dealerships have criticised the pol- many people cannot even buy a 13 enue as customs duties for all ages icy, saying that is aimed purely at year old car, thus ensuring that Kosovo's car market remains divided between the haves and the haves-not have been increased. Some argue raising more money. cars from the 80s remain on the buy an old car at a cost of 2200 ple to buy cars. that it will have no major impact Kosovo’s budget is expected to streets. euro, for which they will have an Unlike Kosovo, where there is a on prices as consumers will be put take in a further 20 million euro a Haki Shatri, Former Minister of extra customs taxes of 1700 euro?” car custom clearance fee on Y off by high import taxes. year as a result of the change to Economy and opposition politi- said Shatri, adding that the gov- imported cars, Albania lately has M But according to Kosovo the law. cian, said the new policy is absurd. ernment aims only to fill the state removed such taxes, which has sig- C Customs, during July, just over Car trader Nazim Salihu said: “This is not logical: who will budget, rather than enabling peo- nificantly decreased car prices. K 8 September 2 - 15, 2011 neighbourhood business Romania Plays Nature Card to Attract Tourists Forget beaches and big hotels. Romania is trying to turn its vast unspoiled coun- tryside into the next big thing in tourism – but the figures show it has a way to go.

By Marian Chiriac

stvan Szakacs rises at seven each morning to start his first Itask of the day: feeding the ani- mals on Solyomko farm, in Bixad, a village in southeast Transylvania’s lush Covasna county. On his farm, Szakacs grows veg- etables, medicinal herbs and grains, as well as raising horses, chickens, ducks and keeping bees. With his lean looks, he may look like the archetypal son of the soil but appearances can deceive. Szakacs, now in his mid-fifties, abandoned his job as a driver for a local construction company just over three years ago and started a new life, one of a growing number of pioneers in rural tourism in Transylvania. "I told myself it would be a good idea to profit from what we have round here: forests, a unique lake nearby and pristine nature," he says. Together with his wife he bought a traditional farmhouse Romania's beautiful countryside is beginning to attract tourists, but much work remains to be done to promote this area and turned it into a rural bed-and- heart of Romania, this part of Bucharest-based tourist agency. relies in its mountains, fields and ed around 1.2 million foreign visi- breakfast. southeast Transylvania has an Anton cites poor roads, often country life, which in the last tors. That compares very poorly "The experience has surpassed overwhelmingly ethnic Hungarian semi-deserted country towns and three years have started to be used with the more than 5 million visi- all my expectations because I’d population, so visitors can steep unskilled tourism personnel as to their potential.” tors to Bulgaria and a stupendous never been a farmer before,” he themselves in traditional some of the main factors hinder- While the authorities try to 9 million or so who went to recalls. “I've learned to make Transylvanian Hungarian culture ing the development of country- explore new ways to attract for- Hungary - which is far smaller bread, to cook and build hives for as well as enjoying Hungarian cui- side tourism in Romania. eign visitors, Romania's revenues than Romania and arguably has bees." sine, such as goulash soup and a For all the problems, interna- from this sector still pale in com- far fewer attractions. Szakacs sounds almost prosaic delicious cake called kurtos tional experts are optimistic about parison to those of its smaller, Meanwhile, not all the new fans when he talks about his motives kalacs. the long-term prospects. more tourist-savvy neighbours. of rural tourism in Romania are for all of this. “People pay to have Rural tourism is Romania’s new “The number of foreign tourists According to official data from foreigners. fun,” he says. mantra. It emerged in recent years to Romania could double in the 2010, Romania's total revenues Domnica Mateescu, who runs a Around his farm there is plenty as an answer, at least in part, to the next two or three years if the coun- from tourism amounted to around small printing house in Bucharest, of fun available. Guests staying at crisis in agriculture and as an try continues to focus on promot- 750 million euros, which is only a has spent most of his holidays in Szakacs's inn, which has 20 beds, alternative to more traditional ing the mountains and rural life,” third or a quarter of the money recent years on different farms can go hiking, visit the area's forms of tourism based round sea- Taleb Rifai, secretary general of that neighbouring Bulgaria or across the country. "I like it famous St Anna lake, the only vol- side hotels and beaches. the World Tourism Organization, Hungary earned from this sector because it's cheap and they’re usu- canic lake in Central Europe, or Despite the government's efforts WTO, said last week on a visit in in the same year. ally located in beautiful places,” simply hang around the farm, to promote this sector, much Romania. There is no official data avail- she says. relaxing with a drink in the calm remains to be done in terms of “For a long time Romania able in Romania about revenues “There is no noise and fuss there settings of the gardens and infrastructure and “educating peo- focused on its seaside, which is an from rural tourism alone. and on a farm I can practice my orchards. ple who work in tourism”, says important asset,” he added. It is the same story with tourist gardening skills, which is one of Although Covasna lies in the Petre Anton, member of a “But Romania’s uniqueness numbers. Last year Romania host- my main hobbies”, she says. Trade Gap Narrows in Albania as Exports Rise 29.9 million lek (215 million euro). According to INSTAT, trade with Meanwhile, exports were valued countries in the euro zone at 17.8 million lek (128 million accounted for 69.1 per cent of By Besar Likmeta euro), registering a growth of 7.7 exchanges, with Italy and Greece per cent compared to the previous emerging as the country's main month of June and a 32.4 per cent trading partners. increase compared to the same Minerals, electricity and fuels lbania’s trade deficit fell 0.4 period of 2010. boosted exports in July with an per cent in July compared Imports were valued 47.7 million increase of 30.3 per cent in these Ato the previous month, lek (342 million euro), registering goods, compared to the previous according to data published by a growth of 2.4 per cent compared month. Y Albanian’s Institute of Statistics, to the previous month of June and Albania’s trade deficit was reg- M INSTAT. a 7.4 per cent increase compared to istered as nearly 3 billion lek (2.15 C INSTAT estimated that the trade the same period of 2010. billion euro) in 2010. K deficit for the month of July was neighbourhood news September 2 - 15, 2011 9 Ancient Roman Ship Discovered off Albanian Coast The remains of a 2,100-year-old Roman ship have been discovered off the Karaburun Peninsula in Albania’s southern coast by archae- ologists.

By Besar Likmeta

research team comprised of Albanian and US archaeologists Afound the wreckage in August at a depth of 50 metres and believe it dates to between the second and first century BC. According to archaeologists, the discov- ery of a 30 metre-long ship with more than 300 amphoras-a type of ceramic container- aboard, sheds new light on the ancient pop- ulation of the southern Illyrian coast and its trade relations in the Mediterranean. “The growing maritime evidence points toward an intense wine industry and associ- ated heavy trade that developed in the 2nd century BC and continued into the 1st cen- tury CE,” Dr Jeff Royal of the RPM Nautical Foundation said in a statement. “The heavy traffic of this commodity ran Amphoras from an ancient ship found off the Albanian coast southward down the Eastern Adriatic route to the Vlora area before cutting over to “This discovery is important not only for covered 20 shipwrecks from ancient, allow for the excavation and preservation of Southern Italy and continuing into the West the expedition but also for Albania’s under- medieval and modern times in its survey of these relics, but so far they have received lit- Mediterranean,” Royal added. water archaeology,” Dr Adrian Anastasi the Balkan country's coast in the last five tle support from local authorities. During ancient times, Albania’s coast from Albania’s Institute of Archeology said. years. “The discoveries of the last five years stood on an important trade route, receiving The expedition was financed by the RPM Robb and his research team have called could create a unique museum for the traffic from Greece, Italy, North Africa and Nautical Foundation, which was founded repeatedly for the creation of an underwa- Balkans, an opportunity that Albania the western Mediterranean. by US financier George Robb Jr. It has dis- ter archaeology museum, which would should not miss,” Robb said. Serbian Police Oppose Snails Invade Pride Parade Electrical Serbia's Police Union has expressed its unwillingness to secure the forthcoming Belgrade Pride Parade, cit- Poles in ing poor working conditions. Zagreb

By Bojana Barlovac nails trying to escape from the oppressive heat wave that has swept across Croatia in Srecent days, have taken over electrical poles in Zagreb to the shock of many of the cap- head of the Belgrade gay march ital's residents. scheduled to be held on 2 October, the Vesna Stamol, an expert in land snails work- ASerbian police union has issued a ing at the Croatian Natural History Museum statement saying that the police cannot let its officials "shed their blood for a quarter of said the animals were trying to find respite from bread, pate and 500 grams of water and a the scorching temperatures, according to the daily allowance of 400 dinars (about 4)." Croatian Times. This is on top of their monthly salaries, "Although I was also surprised to see them on thought to be in the region of 300 euro per Religious and nationalist elements have stopped earlier Gay Pride events hot poles, that actually helps them against the individual. heat. At about 30 centimeters from the ground, EU-level working conditions for police citizens and damage caused to the citizens The statement also refers to last year's the air current is stronger," which helps them officers. and the city of Belgrade," the statement clashes when thousands of hooligans cool down, Stamol said. It said it would only secure the parade read. attacked police in central Belgrade in an The phenomenon is seen more often in rural “when the Serbian government provides The police union also raised question attempt to disrupt the parade. As many as the standards and working conditions that about whether Serbia was in such an eco- areas, Stamol added. 140 people, mostly policemen, were exist in the EU". nomic condition to bear the consequences For this to happen, it is enough if the amount injured, 249 arrested and damage was esti- Members of the police argue that this of the parade such as damage and injured of humidity in the air drops due to heat. mated at more than 1 million euro. time they "will not allow [themselves to people. Extreme temperatures such as these experi- The government’s decision to allow the be] beaten, hurt and humiliated" but the "As a number of Serbian nationals have enced in Croatia in the last days are not necces- parade to be held is seen by some as politi- statement does not reveal how they intend the right to express their views, opinions sary. cally motivated – an attempt to show to do that. and differences, the other number of Snails will remain on the poles until the first Serbia as liberal and encourage its path "We are warning those who are deciding nationals also has the right not to bear any rains come, when they will come down to search towards European Union accession. on our fate to take into account, when consequences arising from hasty deci- for food. They could, however, remain on the However the police officers’ union state- doing security assessments, factors such sions of the [first group of] nationals," the poles for another six months without any prob- ment called on the government to provide as numbers of injured police officers and statement concluded. lems, daily Jutarnji List writes. 10 September 2 - 15, 2011 neighbourhood Macedonia’s Military Feels As the prospect of NATO membership has receded, Macedonia’s armed forces have seen spending fall, prompting concern that they are being sidelined.

side with NATO troops, the army called Macedonia. past few years there has been a Macedonia’s military budget met is still shut outside the alliance At Bucharest, NATO had no “stagnation not only of the mod- NATO recommendations, account- By Sinisa Jakov because of a longstanding dispute other option but to declare that ernization of the army but also of ing for 2.1 per cent of GDP. After Marusic with neighbouring Greece over Macedonia would only be able to the living standards of its staff”. gradual falls each year the army the country’s name. join once the two countries had Stojanovski retired from the budget for 2011 now stands at 1.3 Citing the unresolved nature the settled the issue. post that he held since 2005 on per cent of GDP. acedonia’s army, which name dispute, in 2008 Greece Three years on, the continued August 18. The spokesperson for the this month marks its 19th blocked the North Atlantic failure of the country to enter Blaming the cuts in defence Defence Ministry, Selvet Baruti Manniversary, takes pride alliance from extending an invita- NATO has deflated enthusiasm in spending mainly on the global eco- told Prishtina Insight that some 70 in the fact that it has been a mili- tion to Macedonia to join at and about the armed forces, while nomic crisis, which has also affect- million Euro are available in total tary force deemed fully compatible NATO’s Bucharest summit. significant cuts in funding have ed Macedonia, Stojanovski said he for this year. with NATO standards since 2008. Athens claims that use of the deflated serving soldiers’ morale. regretted that politicians had Macedonian politicians pledge But although hundreds of name “Republic of Macedonia” General Miroslav Stojanovski, “ignored” his calls for more invest- to maintain a significant military Macedonian soldiers serve in implies a territorial claim against who until recently headed the ment in the army. presence in international mis- peacekeeping missions side by its own northern province, also General Staff, admits that over the Five years ago, in 2006, sions, a practice that its NATO allies have praised. After being present in Iraq as part of the US-led peacekeeping force, in Libya, as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the bulk of Macedonian troops currently deployed overseas are stationed in Afghanistan, taking part in the UN-led ISAF mission. More than 200 soldiers are now serving there. Since 2002 when the country started active participation in mis- sions abroad, Macedonian soldiers have received more than 1,400 awards for combat achievement and participation in missions, a fact that speaks highly for the pro- fessionalism of an army of only 7,000 or so soldiers. But military experts warn that key investments in procurement have been delayed for too long, put- ting the lives of Macedonian peacekeepers at risk. However, thus far no soldiers from Macedonia have died in over- seas missions. “Our soldiers’ excellent training will have been in vain if they lack equipment,” says retired colonel Failure to enter NATO has been a major setback for the Macedonian army professor Blagoja Markovski, Macedonian MPs Deny Seeking EU Protection Legislators from the ruling VMRO DPMNE party deny reports that they asked Brussels to shield them from their own party chief, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski. exchange for his loyalty. According to the original source, a Facebook post by local freelance Journalist Zoran Bozinovski, the By Sinisa Jakov Marusic VMRO DPMNE parliamentarians were forced to sign blank resigna- tion forms that could be activated everal of the MPs alleged to if they chose to leave the party. have signed the letter dis- On their official entry to parlia- Smissed reports, published on ment, after the June 5 election, Monday, which claimed that that they were also allegedly forced to six of them recently sent a letter to sign bank cheques of 500,000 euros At a parliament session on that people [in the June 5 election] changed their minds, media the EU delegation in in as another guarantee that they will Monday they demanded to know voted for legislators who are forced reports said, was the former which they said the ruling party whether such a letter existed, to into allegiance to their party Foreign Minister Antonio was blackmailing them to ensure stay loyal. which MPs from the ruling coali- leader,” Bozinovski told Prishtina Milososki who quit in June “for they stayed loyal. “This is speculation”, Slave tion did not reply. Insight. family reasons”. Milososki was “This is a politically constructed Goshev, another MP linked to the Bozinovski stands by his story, He said his source told him that seen as one of Gruevski’s most lie by the opposition,” Mihailo affair, told Prishtina Insight. Dzolonga, one of the six MPs told Slave Goshev of VMRO DPMNE saying he obtained the informa- the letter was signed at a secret trusted associates. Balkan Insight. Dzolonga denies denied his party ever blackmailed tion from a source who allegedly location in Skopje one month ago The EU office in Skopje was not Y ever writing or signing such a let- him acted as “the middleman” between and that more MPs had originally available for comment on Tuesday M ter, adding that his party has never Macedonia's main opposition the MPs and the EU office in planned to sign it, but then changed as it was closed for Ramadan, a C attempted to blackmail him in Social Democrats were quick to Skopje. their minds at the last minute. national holiday in multi-faith K run with the allegations. “The most disturbing thing is Among those who allegedly Macedonia. neighbourhood September 2 - 15, 2011 11 Like Forgotten Force

adding: “We should [only] accept promised that by 2020 the army duties that match our capabili- budget would rise gradually from ties”. 1.3 per cent of GDP back to the Ever since 2006, Macedonia has previous level of 2.1 per cent, announced the procurement of once again matching NATO rec- modern armed personnel carriers, ommendations for defence spend- intended mainly for troops serving ing. abroad. But the army has yet to “Now is the time when financ- reach a deal on actually buying the ing is being planned,” Besimi told APCs. reporters, referring to the period For its mechanized infantry when the country’s financial squad serving in Afghanistan, plans for the following year are Macedonia currently uses rein- being agreed. “One of my chal- forced versions of the Hermelin lenges will surely be to increase light APC, vehicles produced in the defence budget,” he added. the former East Germany and Besimi did not say how he later donated to the Macedonian planned to tackle continual com- army in the 1990s. plaints about army wages and liv- Military analyst Petar Skrbina ing standards. says such vehicles are outdated The average soldier’s monthly and don’t meet NATO safety stan- salary at the moment is about 320 dards. The protection that these euro, which is about the national vehicles offer is not adequate to average. conditions in Afghanistan, he Soldiers say that with pay at maintains. that level they cannot even dream “We risk losing soldiers if we of buying a flat in a country continue to send them out in where prices for apartments cost Hermelins,” Skrbina insists. around 1,000 euro a square metre. Another sector of the armed An employee at the army logis- forces suffering from a lack of tics centre in Skopje told funds is the air force. Prishtina Insight under condi- Before the 2008 NATO summit, tion of anonymity that he felt the military launched a modern- frustrated, risking his life “for ization programme for the air practically nothing in return in force’s mainly Russian-built com- terms of my future [financial] bat, all-purpose helicopters. security and that of my family. Elbit Systems of Israel was cho- “There’s an impression that sen to equip the aircraft with the government doesn’t care sophisticated NATO compliant about the army, especially now equipment. that joining NATO is no longer But only few helicopters ever certain,” he added. experienced an upgrade. “We also have no idea what we Meanwhile, in January 2008 one of will do after we retire,” the same History of Close Encounters: the upgraded helicopters trans- soldier said. porting military staff back from By law professional soldiers However, diplomacy prevailed ing predominantly Russian and acedonia’s army was Bosnia crashed near Skopje, must retire when they turn 39. and no serious incidents Ukrainian equipment. formed in 1992 from the killing all 11 on board. This is a matter of deep concern occurred. After six months of fighting, a Mterritorial defence force The army’s development in the peace deal signed in Ohrid result- The tragedy sparked fresh con- for soldiers who may afterwards of the former Yugoslav republic 1990s was additionally hobbled ed in the disarmament of the troversy over the quality of the be left without a job and reliant and from a few leftovers of the by the international arms embar- Albanian insurgents in exchange upgrades, which were supposed to on a small military pension. Yugoslav Army, the JNA, which go placed on former Yugoslavia, for a political settlement guaran- provide better navigation systems The authorities have responded pulled out peacefully after and night-flying capabilities. to some of these complaints. Last Macedonia declared independ- which was intended to prevent teeing greater rights for the com- Parallel plans to purchase new year an ambitious project was ence. the wars in the region from munity. helicopters, ideally from a launched to help military person- The first serious challenge was spreading. Although Macedonia As part of the Ohrid deal, it Western manufacturer have also nel purchase flats at affordable to secure the previously unguard- was not involved in any armed was also agreed that the level of been put on hold owing to lack of prices. The project, currently at ed border with Serbia, which conflict at the time, it still fell participation among Albanians funds. an early stage, envisages building then included Kosovo. under the terms of the embargo. in its ranks would rise. At the moment, the army has a special army flats on sites of for- Macedonia’s lightly equipped The army’s greatest challenge After the conflict ended, in contract with Elbit to form a com- mer military bases. conscripts faced a serious task in was in 2001, when a serious 2002, Macedonia deployed its first bat flight school. Over the next The government has also trying to control a mountainous armed conflict erupted between overseas peacekeepers in Iraq. few years the military plan to launched a programme to help border whose precise contours the Macedonian authorities and By 2008, as a consequence of spend over 5 million euro a year retired soldiers find new jobs. have often been disputed by the a rebel force based in mainly eth- reforms, it has shrunk in size on this school, which is intended The authorities promise to pay local, mainly ethnic Albanian, nic Albanian western from a force of over 20,000 con- to turn out highly trained pilots. half the wages of army veterans population. Macedonia. scripts in the early 1990s to a Macedonia’s new defence min- for the first six months if compa- The army also had several near The army and police suffered small, well-trained core of some ister, Fatmir Besimi, who took nies employ them. encounters with the much from defections of some ethnic 7,000 professionals. over in July, has acknowledged But Prishtina Insight’s inter- stronger JNA, controlled by Albanian staff who then joined Military training and equip- the pile-up of problems in the locutor said he was sceptical Slobodan Milosevic’s Serbia, the rebel force. That year the ment donations from friendly armed forces. about these plans. “Seeing is which had already waged major army made some of its biggest NATO countries greatly assisted At a recent joint meeting with believing,” he replied. wars in Slovenia and Croatia. procurements to date, purchas- the process of transformation. former defence ministers he Slovenian PM Dined with Tadic Before Merkel Visit lovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor the Chancellor, who has been conducting a meetings between Serbia and Slovenia’. ing during a joint press conference with has revealed that he was invited to an tour of the Balkans, visited Tadic in Serbia Pahor then responded to Tadic’s appeal Merkel. Sunscheduled dinner meeting with and asked that Serbia abandon its parallel by travelling to Belgrade for a meeting with Merkel, for her part, was quoted as saying Serbian President Boris Tadic just days institutions in northern Kosovo. the president last Saturday. that ‘a gradual approach can be used in the before German Chancellor Angela Merkel Pahor reportedly claimed that he was ‘It was an intensive four-hour meeting settlement of the Kosovo problem’, a com- visited him , Blic reports. contacted by Tadic and asked to ‘come to during a working dinner. We discussed ment some observers have taken to mean a The meeting was scheduled shortly after Belgrade within the context of regular security issues,’ Pahor was reported as say- change in her stance on Kosovo. 12 September 2 - 15, 2011 feature Sacked Kosovo Gallery Chief

Kosovo’s National Art Gallery remains without a permanent director after the Ministry of Culture ousted Fahredin Spahija in a coup that he claims was politically motivated.

By Shengjyl Osmani

osovo’s artists are becom- ing concerned about politi- Kcal meddling in the cultural scene following the sacking of the director of the Kosovo Art Gallery. Fahredin Spahija became the latest official to blame political interference for the loss of his post when he was removed in June. His post has yet to be filled permanent- ly. Spahija, who was only halfway through his four-year mandate when he forced out, says he was dismissed after a politically orchestrated petition was handed to the Minister of Culture, Memli Krasniqi, who took up his post in January. He claims employees of the gallery were forced to sign up to the campaign to oust him or face the sack. The Ministry of Culture and the acting head of the Gallery reject Kosovo Art Gallery is currently without a permanent head as the Ministry of Culture struggles to find a replacement the accusations, claiming that All eleven employees at the us,” she added. Spahija was sacked for his poor Gallery signed a petition to the Gjykolli also refused to say why treatment of staff. Ministry, accusing Spahija of mis- he signed the petition, as he had But some members of staff who treating them and of mismanage- “nothing against Fahredin signed the petition against Spahija ment. Initially the petition had Spahija told Prishtina Insight that they been submitted with just nine sig- “In my declaration I clearly had nothing against the former natures. mentioned that I was complaining director. A number of prominent The two staff members who about the former director of the artist have also backed Spahija. signed it at the second calling told art gallery, Luan Mulliqi,” he said. Prishtina Insight that they had Spahija told Prishtina Insight “We should learn from the had no problems with Spahija. that top politicians from the cul- Mexhide Maxhuni and Skender tural sector had wanted him out mistakes that Albania has Gjykolli said they finally decided for some months. made, where even the main- to sign it for “the sake of col- “I knew that behind the scenes tenance staff often gets leagues” but refused to elaborate people close to the Minister of Alban Muja fears political influence in the cultural scene on what that meant. Culture were aiming to eliminate Dhurata Ramosaj, the current and end what he called the removed when the leader- “I was not forced to sign the peti- me professionally,” Spahija said. acting head of the Gallery, and one “unbearable” atmosphere under tion,” Maxhuni said, “but I respect Meanwhile, others who signed ship of a cultural institution of the initiators of the petition, Spahija. very much the [former] director the petition have defended their said they had agreed to share their “The director mistreated all of changes. and he was never mean or rude to action and the removal of Spahija. dissatisfaction with the Ministry us and we wanted to end this tor- ture, solve our problems and pre- vent the situation from becoming worse,” Ramosaj said. Veton Firzi, permanent secre- tary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, said that after receiving complaints from Gallery employees, they set up a commit- tee to look into them. “We formed a disciplinary com- mittee to deal with this issue and after talking to all employees indi- vidually, the committee proposed Fahredin Spahija’s dismissal,” Firzi said. But Spahija retorts that “if the accusations were true, why haven’t the workers mentioned

“In my declaration I clearly mentioned that I was com- plaining about the former Y director of the art gallery, M C Luan Mulliqi,” he said. K feature September 2 - 15, 2011 13 Blames Politics

Fahredin Spahija opening an exhibition with Budim Berisha ernment-backed institutions. field. Budim Berisha, a well know The director of the Kosovo painter from Prizren, said he only National Theatre, Arian Krasniqi, held his first exhibition in Kosovo left his job citing “political inter- in many years because of ference” in the summer of 2009. Spahija’s presence at the Gallery. Alban Muja, an artist from “I trusted that Fahredin would Prishtina, said that politics and run my exhibition [properly],” culture needed to be separated Berisha said. Kosovo won’t ever more clearly. have a better-equipped director of “Whenever politics intervenes the Art Gallery, he added. in culture there is no more cul- ture, only anti-culture,” he said. Fears for independence: “We should learn from the mis- takes that Albania has made, The sacking of Spahija has where even the maintenance staff any concrete examples of abuse? employees of the Gallery have Lutfi Haziri, former culture added to concerns in the artistic often gets removed when the lead- “All these scenarios were well been misused for other people’s minister in the previous govern- community that politics is ership of a cultural institution planned in advance and the personal interests,” he added. ment, told Prishtina Insight that encroaching directly into their changes. Before appointing Dhurata during his mandate he received “This doesn’t happen elsewhere Ramosaj as acting head of the good reports about Spahija. in the world, except in countries “The director mistreated all gallery, Minister Krasniqi twice “He is a very well organised per- “All these scenarios were like Belarus where all institu- of us and we wanted to end failed to fill the post. son who always follows agendas well planned in advance and tions are led by party people,” he added. Vesta Nura and Shkurtë Kadriu- and schedules, working in a pro- the employees of the Gallery this torture, solve our prob- Citaku, both employees in the fessional way,” he said. Muja said that perhaps an lems and prevent the situa- Ministry of Culture, turned down Others artists have also rallies have been misused for other international director should be considered for the Gallery to tion from becoming worse,” offers to be acting heads of the to Spahija’s side, though some people’s personal interests,” gallery. Neither has divulged why would only speak anonymously for avoid the institution being Ramosaj said. they did so. fear of being blacklisted by gov- Spahija added. dragged into politics.

Peja Tourism Street Fair 2011 “Experience Dukagjini Region”, is a leading event for the tourism industry to meet, net- work, negotiate and do business.

This year, the “Experience Dukagjini Region” Street Fair will be more than just picking brochures. It will last two days, to take place during September 10 and 11 and will open from 11:00 hrs at central square of Peja. The event will feature cul- tural performances, community programs and lots of activities to be enjoyed over entire weekend, to include hiking routs, biking adventures, traditional food, wine degustation and tours etc - all at special discount rates.

At this “first of the fall” type of event in 2009, over 60 vendors including 7 towns, lined the streets and offered a range of products and services. More than 10,000 consumers attended last year’s event and hundreds of festival attendees who were looking to plan a vacation stopped by the event booths, to learn more about special packages and offers as well as of the attractions that the destination had to offer. The street fair was initiated by USAID’s Kosovo Private Enterprise Program and Municipality of Pejë. Both partners continue to support Experience Dukagjini Region, street fair.

Contact Kosovo Alternative Tourism Association at [email protected] or visit www.kata-ks.com if you have Y any questions. M C K 14 September 2 - 15, 2011 culture

Kosovo’s Young Playwrights Fail to Grab the Limelight Budding dramatists complain that a lack of funds and interest mean they’re not getting a chance to showcase their talent. work on stage. The National Theatre, an austere, Communist-era building on Prishtina’s By Besiana Xharra Mother Teresa Boulevard, organises only one competition for young writers each year, a contest named after the acclaimed actress Katarina Josipi. ward-winning playwright Dituri Most of the time the theatre shows the Neziraj is like many of her fellow work of international writers such as Tom Adramatists in Kosovo: unemployed Stoppard and Eugene Ionesco, translated and disillusioned with the state of theatre into Albanian. Writer Mehmet Kraja says in her country. “Today’s young playwrights the country’s theatres suffer from unimagi- are waitresses or working in fields that have native management. nothing to do with their profession,” she “Theatre must change its culture, but this Award-winning playwright Dituri Neziraj is now unemployed. laments. is currently impossible given the people “After I completed my Masters in drama, I funds, and is not just down to poor manage- ing to Shasivar Haxhija, an advisor in the now managing Kosovo’s theatres,” he says. had to look for another profession. For a ment. “The drama section at the Faculty of ministry. “Kosovo theatres are not cultural short time I worked as a journalist Arts has produced very good authors, names He said the ministry was hoping to raise institutions with established pro- and now I am unemployed, like that make us proud,” Kryeziu says. “But the budget for next year but added that the- grammes and cultural poli- many of my colleagues,” she young playwrights are supported very lit- atres outside Prishtina were the responsibil- cies,” he adds. adds. tle,” he adds. ity of their local municipalities, so they “Kosovo theatres don’t do Neziraj’s children’s “The National Theatre of Kosovo does not could not expect to receive central govern- performances anymore, drama, Me, You and open doors for them, which leads me to con- ment funds, apart for some specific projects. they do waffle.” Dedushi, made it onto the clude that the drama in Kosovo is badly man- Neziraj said the current funding arrange- He charges the National stage of the National aged,” he continues. ment was “scandalous”. “We cannot cover Theatre in particular with Theatre after she won a Even the Katarina Josipi prize comes in all costs with this money, it is impossible.” ignoring the country’s own national competition for for a lashing, as the playwright says it too He added that there had been no budget “great writers” to concen- young talent. But since often is used to promote drama “with no increases in recent years, just promises. trate on poorly translated then, the theatre has value”. Two private theatres in Prishtina, Oda and staged foreign dramas. shown no further interest Burbuqe Berisha, director of the National and Dodona theatre, do stage plays written The well-known play- in her work. Theatre, shrugs off such criticisms, arguing in Albanian, but these are rarely the works wright Ekrem Kryeziu, who At least Neziraj had one of that the Katarina Josipi prize has been a of younger playwrights. is a professor at the her works showcased. Most great success in promoting Albanian-lan- Agim Selimi, director of Dodona, said his Academy of Arts, agrees that other young writers guage drama. theatre is the only venue to promote young theatre remains a marginal- never get to see The jury is professional and picks the best writers, but that he struggles to do so in the ized art form in Kosovo. their drama, she said, which, with the theatre’s absence of financial support from the gov- But he believes support, is then produced for the stage. ernment, relying only on ticket proceeds. this is a She accepts that young playwrights are Some established actors and playwrights, result of not getting enough attention in Kosovo but meanwhile, says it’s up to youngsters to a lack says it’s up to the government to set aside impose themselves and bring about change of more money for drama. in the world of Kosovo Albanian drama, Jeton Neziraj, artistic director at the rather than just complaining. National Theatre, agrees; the failure of the Actor Melihate Qena says she is con- government to invest in theatre is a major cerned when she hears about new play- part of the problem. wrights obsessing over money troubles. “At least the National Theatre in “Drama should be something wanted by Prishtina has managed to maintain itself your soul, so that you cannot live without but the other theatres are in deep crisis as a writing,” Qena says, “but today some have result of no one investing in them,” Neziraj taken on this work for benefits alone and says. aren’t really interested in drama.” Kosovo’s provincial theatres, in Peja, Arian Krasniqi, playwright and a former Gjakova, and other towns, are virtu- director of the National Theatre, said he ally unusable. After years of neglect they hoped a new generation of dramatists will Y are mostly used now for political rallies at make their mark and so bring about “a election times. major turning point in the writing and pro- M The Ministry of Culture gives the motion of Albanian drama here and outside C National Theatre 230,000 euro a year, accord- our country”. K Memli Krasniqi Minister of Culture Youth and Sports feature September 2 - 15, 2011 15 Time Is Running Out for Macedonia’s Big Cat With only about 20 Balkan Lynxes left in Macedonia’s Mavrovo National Park, environmentalists are battling against the clock to save it from extinction.

the semi-peninsula. The pace of decline has been catastrophic, even over the last 20 years. By Sinisa Jakov Marusic Back in the 1980s, according to Macedonian Ecological Society, the Mavrovo Park alone was home to about 120 animals. n the Mavrovo national park, in the Now they estimate only about 20 remain. mountains above the western town of These remaining animals are so few and IGostivar, city dwellers arrive every elusive that when Macedonian environmen- weekend, seeking time out among the wild talists in March captured a live specimen on scenery and fresh mountain air. the mountain, for the purposes of tracking The lynx could soon be extinct in Macedonia. Few seem to know that the thick pine its movements, it was big news. lected some valuable information about National Park, says he is determined to save forests surrounding them are one of the last “It was an historic event,” says Dime Marko’s lifestyle. the species. “We will take every possible remaining haunts of one of Europe’s rarest, Melovski, of the Macedonian Ecological “In only the first days of research we found measure to preserve the Balkan Lynx,” he most endangered animals, the Balkan Lynx. Society, recalling his emotion on finding the that Marko had crossed some 35 kilometres says. The largest wild cat in Europe, the lynx is animal in a trap: “I cannot describe how I felt and had came back to the place where he was But Jakuposki says that as matters stand, a national symbol of Macedonia, its image when we found out that we had a live animal. captured. Along the way he strangled a doe,” the lynx is protected only by general adorning the face of five-denar coins. I was trembling with excitement.” Melovski notes. Macedonian laws, protecting a range of But for most Macedonians, the depiction Over the past four years, the Macedonian Until they caught Marko, Macedonian sci- endangered species. on the coin is the only sighting they are ever Ecological Society has teamed up with the entists mostly had to make do with dead “The studies should give us enough data to likely to get of this majestic beast, which has Mavrovo Park and with environmentalists in lynxes and with stuffed animals in museums, back up our case for parliament to specifical- been driven to the brink of extinction across neighbouring Albania in an effort to save the Melovski explains. ly regulate protection of the lynx and finance wild cat. The Balkan Lynx is a subspecies of the its re-introduction,” Jakuposki adds. Their aim is to research the lynx’s habitat, Eurasian Lynx, which remains widespread They need more funding to prevent its Balkan Lynx which stretches over the other side of the in Russia and other parts of Central and extinction if they are not to be too late, he Eastern Europe. he Balkan Lynx (Lynx lynx marti- border to Albania, and obtain more data concludes. Once it was common throughout the noi) is a subspecies of the about its status, movements, daytime and mountains and forests of the Balkan penin- TEurasian Lynx in the Lynx genus. nocturnal habits and favourite pray. sula. But man has shrunk the Balkan Lynx’s It is the national symbol of the Republic When the study wraps up by the end of natural habitat and continuous illegal poach- of Macedonia. It is considered to be the 2012, the environmentalists hope to be in a ing has pushed it to the edge. largest cat on the continent. The Balkan position to propose more accurate measures Today only fragmented populations, num- Lynx has been on the brink of extinction for its protection. for nearly a century, with numbers esti- The adult animal caught in March was put bering no more than a hundred in total, hang mated to be around one hundred. The to sleep, then weighed and measured and a on in parts of Macedonia, Albania and Balkan lynxes decrease in number have blood sample was taken. Montenegro - most of them in western Macedonia. been thought to be due to illegal poach- The lynx, which they named Marko, was Melovski says that if their last-ditch ing. While the Balkan Lynx is listed as a then released back into the wild with GPS efforts fail to save the animal in the Mavrovo subspecies in much of the news coverage attached, allowing the scientists to track its park, this cat may soon be extinct. and taxonomic references, there has whereabouts and learn about its habits. Oner Jakuposki, head of the Mavrovo been some dispute over those claims. Already, the scientists say, they have col- marketing

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E-mail: [email protected] Y Tel: 038/ 22 98 99 M + 377 (0) 44 137 976 C K 16 September 2 - 15, 2011 Prishtina Insight

Where to pick up Prishtina Insight? Hotel AFA Located in a quiet neighbourhood Prishtina Insight has teamed up with these excellent venues to offer a limited number of complimentary copies of Kosovo’s only just outside the city centre, Hotel Afa can guarantee guests a peaceful English-language newspaper. Grab a copy of the publication and settle down with a drink or a meal to read it. night while being within walking distance of all the action. The venue Jinglebells A taste of Napoli in Prishtina. has won a host of awards for its Cavallero Mexican Restaurant excellent service to customers and If your soul is affected by the grey sea- After ten years of making pizza in Napoli, and offers a good range of facilities, You can almost transport yourself to the son then pay a visit to Jinglebells, where only with love to blame, Fatmir the chef from an exclusive restaurant and Mexican coast, with soaring palm trees and an you will find all the colours that you’ve returned to Prishtina. His pizzas, made in a VIP bar to pretty, tranquil garden. immaculate five star resort, while dining at been missing. woodburn stove, are definitely genuine napoli- Rooms start at 45 euro for a single, Cavallero Mexican Cantina. Mouth-watering Jinglebells is a perfect one-stop-shop tanas. For those who consider pizza to be bor- and luxury rooms and apartments appetizers and savoury main dishes are nicely for internationals offering a selection of ing, Fatmir has several pastas on offer, also a are available. The hotel’s rooms are washed down with countless cocktail options books in various languages and the true joy for the taste buds. Napoli has an excel- well appoint- and even imported Mexican beer. Skopje-based quickest supply of international newspa- lent selection of red and white wines or, for the ed and com- ‘Los Ritmos’ entertain diners every Friday pers in town. It also offers souvenirs and more ambitious, one of the region's best Quint's fortable. and Saturday with their latin beats. For more gifts, such as raki. Napoli makes for 15, Rr Ali information, visit local handicrafts. delicious lunch, dinner Kelmendi, their facebook page, or even after-theatre Sunny or contact them. Jinglebells. time out in the centre Hill, Cavallero, Bookstore and of Prishtina. Prishtina Located next to the ex- more. +381 UNMIK building Pizzeria Napoli 38/225 226 Prishtina 12, opposite off Luan Haradinaj, www. hote- +386 49 619 375 EULEX HQ opposite Newborn lafa. com Facebook page +386(0)49 741 170 044/409-402402

Cantina am-pm Restaurant Hotel Prishtina Hotel Victory Te Komiteti

Cantina AM-PM, formerly known as Hotel Prishtina’s 43 charm- But Victory is more than a place to meet and do Te Komiteti’s large trees and a beauti- Mexican Cantina, recently went ing guest rooms and suites are business. Its doors are always open for guests to fully garden, which surround the small through a transfer to new management, reminiscent of a small hotel in enjoy the tranquility of our guest rooms and lob- outdoor terrace, give you an impression and although hardly noticeable from a the European tradition. You'll bies, and the finest cuisine in the region. The only of an exclusive place for ordinary peo- distance, the new owners have trans- immediately feel at home in hotel in the region where real plants, original art ple. And this is exactly what it is. From formed the venue into a more grown-up our living room, sipping a glass and fine solid furniture decorate the space and brunch to lunch-time snacks and special affair with good, cheap food. Cantina of wine in our fine restaurant turn it into a homelike environment. Hotel evening meals, this restaurant offers offers Mexican dishes at reasonable surrounded by a gallery of Victory is established to offer travelers the most dishes comprising quality, varied ingre- prices, starting from less than 5 euro. paintings complete, comfortable accommodation available dients, combined to perfection. Although the majority of the food is by local in Kosovo and the region. Our professional staff Alongside one Mexican-influenced, Cesar salad and artists. will offer guests the highest standard of service of Prishtina’s pizza have been included too. Mexican The hotel and support, and we will use our resources to best ‘modern favourites served up at Cantina include offers free, greater lengths to make your stay as complete as European’ style tortilla, thicker fast wifi possible. menus, you’ll pan-friend tortilla, internet, Hotel Victory also find a good nacho chips and complimen- Mother Teresa selection of burrito. Cantina’s tary break- Prishtina, Kosovo wine, and great also offers a very fast, confer- Tel: +381 38 543 277 sangria and pleasant area for al ence room, +381 38 543 267 cocktails . fresco dining. swimming Email: Te Komiteti Cantina AM-PM pool, sauna info@hotel-victo- Qamil Hoxha Rr Qamil Hoxha and laun- ry.com Street Prishtina dry service. http://www.hotel- Prishtina +377 49 710 710 victory.com/ +381 38 24 96 63

Friends Bar Odyssea Bistro Paddy O’Brien’s Olive Tapas Bar

Friends Bar is owned by a Swiss- Odyssea Bistro Bar is a beautiful The staff at Paddy O’Brien’s have a saying: After many tears running tapas Albanian couple. The modern interi- bistro located in the heart of Prishtina, “It’s easy to walk in, but very hard to leave.” bars in England and Germany, as or and the calm terrace behind the offering a combination of a quality And with its warm atmosphere, fantastic range well as opening the first of its bar will make your stay comfortable. menu with inspiring dishes and a mod- of drinks and excellent food, it is easy to see why. kind in Prishtina, these guys no They offer a wide range of beers, ern bar with a large variety of drinks There have been many attempts to establish a their trade.Try to delicious tapas including Dark Lasko and Murphy’s and exotic cocktails. proper Irish pub in Prishtina, but this is the only and while away on afternoon on Irish Red, which can rarely be found Odyssea Bistro Bar's unique design is one to hit the spot. the moorish sangria.Tapas and in Kosovo. You can also try eight dif- a mixture of classic French influence From classic coffees to cocktails, via, of course, main courses include rocket ferent tastes and colours of vodka. and a modern touch. Guinness, you really wont find it difficult to salad, mixed cheese, Spanish tor- Starting from May 14 there will be Busy during lunch breaks, romantic select the perfect drink. tilla, omelet with vegetables and barbeques every Saturday from 5pm for dinners and classy for evening A mouth-watering menu of Irish specialties is potatoes and deep fried calamari. to 9pm, and brunch every Sunday drinks, Bistro is a great place to visit at also on offer, spanning from all-day breakfasts to from 9am to any time of the day. Irish stews at night. Open Monday to Saturday 1pm. BBQ and Sample Bistro’s brunch on Sundays, or Options include shepherd’s pie, bangers and 7 am until 12 pm brunch will be enjoy live music on Wednesday, Fridays mash, fish ‘n chips, Olive Tapas Bar offered with a and Saturdays and whopping great St.Fehmi Agani 48/1 wide choice of Bistro, burgers. Tel. +381 38 321 132 local and Sejdi Kryeziu, Pejton, Prishtina Thursday is pub quiz Cell +377 44 620 414 international 045402095 and 049333959 night, but there is [email protected] food. always something going on at the pub, whether it 17, Rr.Fehmi is sport screenings or Agani just a good shindig. 045244 498 Paddy O’Brien’s Y Facebook Tringe Smajli Street, Page: Friends M by the Illyria Hotel Bar - Prishtine Prishtina: 045-420900 C K By Shengjyl Osmani September 2 - 15, 2011 17 in Prishtina Timeout Contact Prishtina Insight if you would like your event to feature or to advertise your venue. Email [email protected] Prishtina Diary Friday, September 2, 2011 Howells is remembered for his spe- DJ SHONKY from 10pm will perform cial connection with the local crowd at Zone Club. This event is being that no other artist has ever had. He’s Every day, at 4 and 6 pm ABC organized by Next Level (A local also the only DJ to have played for Cinema is screening the brand event planning agency) for its fifth more than 6 hours nonstop. He is new movie Rise of the Planet of anniversary. Dj Shonky is a French finally returning with a super spe- the Apes. During experiments artist coming from who is cial night at the Surf Urban Summer to find a cure for Alzheimer's known worldwide for his minimal Festival. disease, a genetically-enhanced music. chimpanzee uses its greater Friday, September 2, 2011 Danny is one of the few DJs on the intelligence to lead other apes DJ Jungle V’S DJ. FLOW at Duplex scene today that truly has a style of to freedom. The movie is direct- Club starting at 10pm. DJ Jungle and his own. With his passion for all ed by Rupert Wyatt, written by DJ Flow are known local artists who styles of music and infectious per- Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and played Hip Hop and RnB music. sonality, Danny has created a unique, is played by James Franco, Friday, September 2, 2011 eclectic sound that has established Andy Serkis and Freida Pinto. RnB and Hip Hop music from Live him as one of the most in demand Stine and DJ Gamble at Plat’on Club DJs in the world. Danny is one of the ABC continues screening the from 9 pm hardest working and most dedicated movie Bad Teachers at 8pm and Saturday, September 3 individuals in the business with over 10 pm. Some teachers just don't Jägermeister Party with TINGULLI 20 years experience and a hectic tour- thing from jazz to rock, to pop and give one. For example, there's TRENT & DJ JUNGLE (BABA ing schedule that constantly takes anything a bit bizarre. He likes to Elizabeth (Cameron Diaz). She's STARS) starting at 10 pm at Duplex him around the world. He has played champion his own special tracks and foul-mouthed, ruthless, and Club. in the world's coolest clubs and held records that nobody else has latched inappropriate. She drinks, she Friday, September 9, 2011 residencies at places such as Arc, on to and has a way of combining DJ Danny Howells in Prishtina to Ministry of Sound, Twilo, cutting edge grooves with crowd gets high, and she can't wait to perform at Theatre Oda, from 11 pm. Renaissance, The End, and Bedrock, pleasing dynamics that enables him marry her meal ticket and get Danny Howells is one of the world's as well as his own Dig Deeper nights to connect with his audience making out of her bogus day job. When best DJ's and most respected in the worldwide. Danny is a DJ with a him one of the hottest DJs in the she's dumped by her fiancé, she Kosovo clubbing scene. Danny broad musical taste who likes any- world. sets her plan in motion to win over a rich, handsome substi- tute (Justin Timberlake) - com- peting for his affections with an overly energetic colleague, Amy Kosovo National Theatre (Lucy Punch). When Elizabeth also finds herself fighting off the advances of a sarcastic, irreverent gym teacher (Jason Segel), the consequences of her wild and outrageous schemes give her students, her co-workers, and even herself an educa- tion like no other.

The premiere of the movie Mr. Popper’s Penguins will be hosted by ABC Cinema on September 9, 2011. The life of a businessman begins to change after he inher- its six penguins, and as he Monday, September 5, 2011 Dürrenmatt. Informed by the Second World War and the transforms his apartment into Helver’s night play from 8 pm. many recent advances in science and nuclear technology, a winter wonderland, his pro- Wednesday, September 7, 2011, until Sunday, September 9, the play deals with questions of scientific ethics and fessional side starts to unravel. 2011 mankind's ability to handle its intellectual responsibili- Nine Eleven short and documentary film festival ties. The play is directed by the Albanian producer Ise For ticket reservation or fur- Monday, September 12, 2011 Qosja and it will be on stage at 8 pm. ther information call ABC The Physicists, by Friedrich Durrenmatt – a satirical Tuesday, September 13, 2011 Cinema at 038 243 117 or visit drama often recognised as the most impressive yet most Silence [heshtje] a play by Refet Abazi, directed by Arta them at easily understood work of the Swiss writer Friedrich Kallaba. http://www.kinoabc.info

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LIK will donate 10 per cent of all received course fees in September to Y M Prishtina Insight’s fundraising efforts for Prishtina Hospital. C K 18 September 2 - 15, 2011 Inside Prishtina

Prishtina’s History Retraced Through ‘Lost’ Photos A new book reveals how Kosovo’s capital change dramatically in last 60 years through photos which had been all but lost War II, she remembers life before the war, its hardship and the regimes that followed. By Shengjyl Osmani “She still speaks of a town of respectful people, beautiful houses and the magnificent old market,” explained Valbona. A city is not just a batch of Prishtina Poetic Memories is an houses, streets, squares, insti- illustrative black and white photo “tutions, shops...no! A city is a collection book, which allows the cascade of energies, a true heart’s nest, flickers of joy and concerns reader to sense how the city of and a search for new beginnings,” Prishtina looked between the 1950s wrote Vlora Dumoshi, of the and 1980s, and how it developed. Municipality of Prishtina, in It looks at how people lived in Valbona Shijaku’s book on the then small town of around Prishtina's evolution in last 60 18,000 inhabitants from different years. cultures and faiths. Shujaku, an independent cultur- The photos included in the book, al manager based in Prishtina published in June, have been care- with a graduate degree in art from fully selected from those in the Columbia University, has dedicat- archive at the Museum of Kosovo. ed two years of hard work on her “The collection of photographs latest cultural project - a book on from the Museum of Kosovo, the old city of Prishtina, Prishtina which feature Prishtina in the late Prishtina's old town how it looks now and how it looked 50 years ago (top) Poetic Memories. ‘50s and ‘60s, is a photographic per- “My interest in the old town spective on the collective memory to the book. “For days I walked around mem- hubris, there were, and there are, came early in age, mostly because of Prishtina of the time,” says He explained that these almost orizing old buildings and compar- remnants of the old town,” she of my grandmother’s stories,” she Arber Hadri, the Director of the forgotten photos were archived, ing them to the pictures I had dis- added. “This book is meant to be a said. “Having lived through World Museum of Kosovo, in the preface digitalised and categorized covered,” she said. “I talked to the photographic supplement to my thanks to the dedication of the aged inhabitants who are living grandmother’s town, in fragments, author Valbona. proof and first hand witnesses of the way she spoke about it, the way Valbona Shujaku told Prishtina the town as it once was,” explained she remembered it, and the way Insight that she doesn’t want the Valbona. she wanted to remember it, so it beautiful memories of her grand- The book contains 244 photos would not vanish completely into mother and parents to be forgotten and a map where all the photos are oblivion. and lost forever. identified with the location. In “This book is a gift from She wants to make a new gener- addition, Valbona told Prishtina Prishtina to me,” adds Valbona. ation aware that the city of Insight that it was not easy to The book can be bought at Prishtina once had two rivers, select the photos and leave many Prishtina’s book stores, and it cost beautiful houses, and a bazaar. more unpublished, as all were just 20 euro. It can be also ordered Y A city with gardens and crafts- “beautiful and meaningful for online, from the web site: www. M men changed into a town of her”. prishtinapoeticmemories.com or C administrators and bureaucrats, “Even though Prishtina has directly from Valbona at info K she added. been shaped into a concrete @prishtinapoeticmemoies.com. 19 Inside Prishtina September 2 - 15, 2011 Garland Boyette deputy team leader and legal expert for the EU SME support through the Ministry of Trade and Industry Prishtina through the Eyes of: the Eyes through Prishtina

1) What surprised you most about Prishtina? I was surprised by the size, extent, and popularity of the "café culture" here

Bar Review: 2) What's your favourite hangout? Chez Bar

3) What is the best thing about Prishtina? Studio 53 The weather here is on the whole quite pleasant, has a surprisingly vibrant night life, and it's a great spot from Pasta La Vista, Baby which to explore the region. pened during the the plunge. 4) What is the most annoying thing about hot summer Apart from this item, Prishtina? Omonths, Studio 53’s the venue offers the usual The lack of water in the centre between 22:30 and 5:30. garden terrace and classic range of sandwiches and design is already proving pasta dishes ranging from 5) If you were mayor of Prishtina for the day what popular with those look- 1.70 euro to 2 euro. would you change? ing for a good spot to The bar also serves the I think we should be able to do something to improve the check out the passing usual range of coffees, soft garbage situation crowds. drinks and alcoholic The comfortable interi- drinks that can be found 6) How many macchiatos do you drink a day? or and a relaxing terrace across Prishtina, includ- I know it's a sin here, but I don't drink coffee. may be light and airy, but ing several alcoholic cock- and is open for private call for reservations at Studio 53’s food speciality 7) What's your favourite Albanian word and why? tails. Studio 53 is also an reservations. They are 045 611 111. is anything but – pasta official representative of "Ufull"/"Uflla" - just sounds great! sandwich. Prishtina open from 8 am till 12 mid- Studio 53 Attibassi Italian coffee night from Monday to Str. Rexhep Luci nr. 5 Insight has yet to try it, 8) What landmark do you use to tell taxi drivers company. Sunday. Next to ABC Cinema but will report back to its where you live? The bar will soon start For more, visit them and NLB Bank readers once it has taken Grand Hotel (sometimes Café Metro) hosting weekend events, next to ABC Cinema, or 045 611 111 SHOP Review: Bakery PanExpert German Franchise Looking to Make Dough

ermany may be best known for its Besides the high quality of the prod- car exports, but their baked goods ucts, the bakery also has reasonable Gare pretty good too if PanExpert is prices, affordable for all. Sandwiches cost anything to go by. from 0.50 euro to 1.50euro; pieces of cakes The shop is the first and only German range from 0.45 euro up to 1.40 euro. bakery franchise in Kosovo, and is serv- You can also order entire cakes, costing ing up cold sandwiches, breads, cakes and from 7.50 euro for a small one up to 18 muffins in a comfortable environment. euro. Finger food or cold sandwiches can be made to order for private events. The shop near the National Theatre is just the first in what the owners hope will be a growing empire of dough. PanExpert bakery will soon open another 15 or 20 shops around the city, in order to stay very polite and helpful staff. PanExpert Bakery Y close to everyone. For orders you can reach them at 044 Str. Bajram Kelmendi, nr. 1 M The bakery is open every day from 7am 197 520 or 038 224 381, or email panex- Behind the National Theatre C untill 11 pm, Monday to Sunday, and has [email protected] K If you would like your NGO to appear in 20 September 2 - 15, 2011 our Making a Difference feature, please Opinion email [email protected] Outside In EULEX: Selective Rule of Law?

By Kreshnik Hoxha

ULEX received a warm welcome in the after- math of Kosovo’s independence in 2008, but Ethe growing agitation ever since demon- strates the corroding confidence in the European mission. But, did the recent Northern Kosovo drama add another nail to the coffin? The optimism that Kosovo will be guided towards the EU through a mission deployed by the EU itself was quite a soothing feeling in Kosovo’s first days of state- hood. Faced with the post-independence challenges, a mission that would oversee, train and guide the Kosovar leadership was regarded as pivotal to the creation of a functional state. Kosovo’s Successful One of the key priorities of EULEX was to ensure widespread investigation in addressing corruption, war crimes, terrorism and organised crime. This would be especially relevant in cases involving local leadership, Use of Violence which had so very lucidly demonstrated its ineptness in policy making and weakness in enforcing rule of law in Violence has been used repeatedly and successfully in Kosovo to advance political goals, but US a post-independent Kosovo. mediation is now required to solve the current crisis, says Balkans’ expert David Phillips. At a time in 2010 when the reputation of PM Thaci’s seemingly coordinated attack on Europe is suddenly paying attention. government was in absolute tatters and the irritation of Serbian enclaves and UN personnel. Violence in Kosovo could escalate con- citizens with its government was growing exponential- The Bush administration condemned flict in Bosnia and Herzegovina, result- ly, it was the Chief Prosecutor of EULEX, Johannes Van By David L. Phillips Albanian-led violence, while conclud- ing in its ethnic partition. Vreeswijk who stated that serious investigations to ing that the status quo was untenable In addition, it could destabilize address corruption were due to follow shortly. and launching a diplomatic process Macedonia where a fragile power-shar- This claim, in addition to the raid undertaken by that culminated in Kosovo’s US-led ing agreement keeps the peace between EULEX police in the Ministry of Transport and osovo Albanians have a track coordinated declaration of independ- ethnic Macedonians and Albanians. Telecommunications months before, had planted the record of using violence to ence. Another spasm in the Balkans would seed of hope for Kosovo citizens. This was perceived as Kadvance their political goals. Serbia rejected the outcome. So- fuel anti-immigration sentiments on Prime Minister Hashim Thaci's bid to called bridge watchers, Serbian thugs the rise across Europe. a signal that finally, after two years of witnessing seize Kosovo's border crossings with allegedly financed and coordinated by Seized by the dangers of Kosovo’s Northern Kosovo submerged in lawlessness and the rest Serbia fits the pattern: create a crisis, Serbia’s Interior Ministry, enforced a partition, EU foreign policy chief of the country struggling with weak rule of law, EULEX get the international community was going to get its act together. involved, and enlist foreign mediators partition of Kosovo. Serbia’s goal is to Catherine Ashton has called for dia- in service of Kosovo’s agenda. annex 20% of Kosovo north of the Ibar logue. She castigates both sides insist- However, partly due to the lack of a clear strategy and The current crisis occurred when River. ing, “Violence will never be tolerated.” partly due to the confusion arising from its political ver- Thaci seized customs stations on the The international community turned In fact, violence has served a purpose sus technical mandate, EULEX has proven to be nothing a blind eye. It also ignored Serbia’s by mobilizing international mediation. Kosovo-Serbia border in a bid to end the else but a reconfigured version of UNMIK. embargo of goods bearing a customs Thaci may look like a winner in the de-facto partition of Kosovo. Its unclear mandate was further confirmed in the stamp with the state insignia of short term, but crisis has a cost. EU While the Kosovo government has an aftermath of the trade reciprocity measures with Kosovo. member states that refuse to recognize absolute right to assert its sovereign Serbia, when the two EULEX-controlled borders in On July 28, Kosovo Special Forces Kosovo’s independence will harden rights, European leaders criticized took control of two northern border their position. The visa liberalization Jarinje and Brnjak were exempted from Prishtina’s Thaci’s recent gambit as reckless and crossings to enforce a ban on imports dialogue enabling visa-free travel for orders by EULEX, which chose not to assist the Kosovo provocative. Brinksmanship may from Serbia in retaliation for a ban on Kosovars to Europe will be delayed. EU government. achieve some goals in the short term, Kosovo’s exports in a dispute over cus- member members opposing expansion If EULEX keeps boasting about its actions elsewhere but it also risks discrediting Kosovo toms regulations. will be validated. in Kosovo as a sign of rule of law enforcement, then it and undermining its goal of gaining When NATO forces regained control, The United States does not want to must act with the same consistency in the Northern greater global recognition. they were attacked by a mob of armed reward violence. However, letting the part of the country too. Kosovars successfully took matters Serbs. The border crossing at Jarinje current problem fester or punting If, for all the years that it has been loitering in into their own hands on two previous was burned to the ground. One Kosovo responsibility to the EU risks an even Kosovo, EULEX had tackled the organised crime and occasions. In the 1990s, their impa- policeman was killed. greater crisis. corruption in the northern part of the country, like it tience with peaceful non-violent resist- Thaci’s provocation paid off. He con- Bill Clinton is beloved for leading ance led to an armed rebellion against solidated his nationalist political base NATO’s intervention and George W. attempted to do so in the south, today the situation on Serbia’s tyrannical rule. Slobodan by issuing an emotional appeal to pro- Bush for stewarding Kosovo’s inde- the ground in the north would have been very different. Milosevic responded with atrocities tect the country’s “sacred sovereignty. pendence. It is ’s turn to Instead, the prolonged negligence of the north by and war crimes. The confrontation with Serbia comes at lead an international diplomatic effort EULEX sparked Prishtina’s orders to deploy special Kosovo rebels calculated that the a time when Thaci’s credentials have restoring Kosovo’s sovereignty and sta- forces, which in turn forced EULEX to restore peace and United States would never let happen in been tarnished by allegations of vote bilizing the Western Balkans. order, 12 years after the war had ended. Kosovo what happened in Bosnia. They rigging, rampant corruption, and ties Ironically, in all this state of affairs, it is precisely the were right. In 1999, the Clinton admin- to human organ trafficking. David L. Phillips is Director of the EU that criticises Kosovo for unilateral actions of istration launched a 67-day air cam- Thaci may have instigated the cur- Program on Peace-Building and Rights enforcing rule of law in the north – a task that should paign resulting in Serbia’s surrender. rent crisis, but international public at Columbia University’s Institute for have been enforced by its own EU mission in Kosovo. A confrontation between Serb and opinion holds Serbia responsible. the Study of Human Rights and a Selectivity in its actions harms EULEX’s already Albanian youths in the divided city of President Boris Tadic has tried to dis- Fellow at Harvard University’s Project Y Mitrovica sparked riots across Kosovo tance Belgrade from the hooliganism of on the Future of Diplomacy. His upcom- weakened credibility in Kosovo. But, above all, a mis- M during the spring of 2004. Frustrated Kosovo Serbs. However, Serbia’s EU ing book is entitled “Liberating Kosovo: sion that fails to accomplish its duties can never be jus- C with their lack of progress towards membership has been seriously com- Coercive Diplomacy and U.S. tified to the European taxpayer at a time when the EU is K independence, Kosovars launched a promised. Intervention.” floating on a financial mess. September 2 - 15, 2011 21 Opinion If you would like your NGO to appear in our Making a Difference feature, please email [email protected] Ten Years On, Macedonia Still Awaits Closure Only full implementation of the Ohrid Agreement can bring a divided Macedonia to the point to true reconciliation. suaded to come down from his government had traveled to for things to unravel. rebel movement, were returned to mountain stronghold. Dublin to present its candidature With the election of a new gov- Macedonia’s domestic jurisdiction Subsequently he formed a politi- to join the European Union ernment under Gruevski in July in 2008. The implicated ethnic By Erwan Fouere cal party, became part of main- [Ireland then held the EU 2006, the political environment Albanians claimed all along that stream politics and joined coali- Presidency]. dramatically changed. Underneath these cases should be covered by tion governments. Such is the While Trajkovski provided the his reformist programme and the amnesty agreed after the con- nature of Balkan politics. vision and inspiration, it was the promises to pursue implementa- flict, which Gruevski’s governing n 13 August 2001, exactly With its recognition of the lin- Prime Minister, Branko tion of the Ohrid Agreement and party never wanted to accept - ten years ago, five political guistic and cultural rights of eth- Crvenkovski, and his successor, EU and NATO accession - promises until few weeks ago! Oleaders, representing the nic communities in the country as Vlado Buchkovski, who success- that initially impressed many - lay But, as part of the coalition deal majority Macedonian as well as well as the need for strengthened fully steered the ambitious legisla- a deep-rooted nationalist and pop- reached after this June’s elections, ethnic Albanian communities, democratic institutions, the tive agenda through parliament, ulist agenda. which returned Gruevski for a signed the Ohrid Framework Agreement brought a period of completed in spring 2005 with the His behaviour in the first third mandate but with a reduced Agreement in the Macedonian relative calm and stability which adoption of the law on the use of months of his mandate reopened majority, parliament adopted a capital, Skopje. has continued to this day, despite flags. wounds from the 2001 conflict and controversial decision on this This guaranteed linguistic and dangerous bumps along the way. This was achieved despite the awakened dangerous “Balkan issue, in effect granting them cultural rights for the Albanian Indeed, even allowing for contin- best efforts of the then opposition ghosts” that many had hoped had amnesty. and other ethnic communities in uing problems, it has been rightly party led by Nikola Gruevski, now been exorcised forever with the This decision has caused consid- the country. The EU and US, which hailed as a model for reconcilia- the Prime Minister, to block every- demise in Serbia of Slobodan erable anguish for the families of had brokered the Agreement, tion and for fostering multiethnic thing relating to the Agreement, Milosevic. the mainly ethnic Macedonian signed as witnesses. coexistence for the entire Balkan reflecting the deep prejudices that It took Gruevski three months civilian victims of the conflict. This landmark event marked region. continued to exist between the after his election before he accept- Their anguish was understand- the culmination of difficult negoti- However, making this political forces, four years after ed a face-to-face meeting with his able, and is shared by all those who ations that were concluded over Agreement a reality was not plain the signature of the Agreement. 2001 “nemesis”, Ahmeti, even suffered at that time. But neither the previous days along the shore sailing. It required radical changes Trajkovski understood what the though Ahmeti’s Party had amnesty nor court proceedings of Ohrid Lake, hence the to the constitution and the adop- Agreement implied for the coun- obtained over 63 percent of the eth- alone will help to heal the wounds Agreement’s name, one of the tion of over 70 laws providing for a try: “It is necessary to change the nic Albanian vote in those elec- from that time. Final closure can most beautiful locations in the decentralised system of govern- mentality of each individual in tions. This reluctance to engage only come through a reconcilia- Balkans and one steeped in legend ment, equitable representation of order to overcome the prejudices with political opponents remains a tion process similar to that in - but whose tranquil waters belie different ethnic communities in which are the greatest menace weak point of Gruevski’s to this South Africa. the underlying tensions that have the army, police and other branch- even for the best ideas brought day. And as the architect of that marked the troubled history of the es of public service, a law on use of about by a new era”, was his plea The country has moved on since model, Archbishop Desmond region. flags and symbols - always a sore to parliament in December 2003, those difficult beginnings, and Tutu, has repeated: for the recon- The Agreement brought to an point throughout the Balkan just two months before he died. both Gruevski and Ahmeti have ciliation process to succeed, it end a bloody conflict, which had region - linguistic rights as well as The EU recognised the great been in a coalition government must be initiated from within the threatened to tear apart this small an increased role for civil society. courage displayed by the country’s since 2008, reconfirmed in June’s region; it cannot be imposed from multi-ethnic country after barely Success would not have been leaders by accepting Macedonia's early general election. And outside. ten years of independence, follow- achieved without the courage and candidature for EU membership although the EU Executive in The recently established ing the breakup of Yugoslavia. leadership of political leaders at in December 2005, an important November 2009 recommended that REKOM Initiative, a network of Just over a year had passed since the time, led by the highly respect- stepping-stone in the EU integra- accession negotiations should civil society organisations across the 1999 Kosovo/Serbia war, which ed President, Boris Trajkovski, tion process and an encourage- commence, the record of imple- the Balkans, offers an excellent brought to the fore the legitimate tragically killed in a plane crash in ment to continue reforms. mentation of the Ohrid example in this respect; it advo- grievances of ethnic Albanians as 2004 on the With this decision, the EU made Agreement ten years on remains cates the establishment of a well as sending over a quarter of a very day it clear that “the road to Brussels mixed. Regional Commission for Truth million refugees across the bor- that went via Ohrid”. To quote Javier Mistrust between the communi- Seeking and Truth Telling about der into Macedonia. the Solana, EU High Representative at ties runs deep, no more so than in war crimes and other serious vio- It was another reminder the time, “Instead of facing a education. The trend towards lations of human rights in the for- of the difficult Balkan destructive conflict, the country is splitting schools on ethnic lines mer Yugoslavia. past that still weighs now engaged in a constructive grew to such an extent in recent The Ohrid Framework heavily on the region. struggle for membership of the years that it required a repeated Agreement, if properly imple- The ethnic Albanian EU”. appeal from the OSCE High mented, can make a real difference community in The next big challenge facing Commissioner for National in promoting reconciliation and Macedonia at the time, the country’s leaders was to Minorities for the government to fostering a relationship of trust according to the 2001 ensure full implementation of all adopt an integrated education and mutual respect between the census, comprised 25 the adopted laws, in particular the strategy. different ethnic communities. It per cent of the popula- long-term reforms to the judiciary If children from different com- can also act as a buffer against the tion of 2 million. and public administration, both munities are divided in schools, potential spillover of unrest from With the signing of highly politicised, and guarantee- what hope is there for an integrat- north of the border in Kosovo. the Agreement, which ing greater respect for the rules ed multi-ethnic society to develop But it requires greater dedica- marked the formal cessa- and democratic process for the on a basis of mutual trust? That tion and commitment by the coun- tion of hostilities, the benefit of all citizens and ethnic the country still suffers from unac- try's leaders acting together. It also leader of the rebels, Ali communities. ceptably high unemployment rate requires a more determined effort Ahmeti, whom the However, as one learns from of over 30 per cent, mostly young to involve civil society and respect Macedonian leadership at observing the history of the people across the ethnic divide, for media freedom. Gruevski’s the time branded Balkans, nothing is irreversible. has not helped to bridge the gap of confrontational attitude towards a terror- Even when a mistrust. media has drawn reprimands from ist, was process is in Perhaps the most sensitive the International Federation of per- place, it issue remaining from the 2001 con- Journalists and from Amnesty takes flict relates to the victims and International. just atrocities committed then. Of the This is the challenge facing one six cases brought before the Gruevski and Ahmeti as they inci- International Criminal Tribunal mark the tenth anniversary of an dent for the Former Yugoslavia, ICTY, agreement, which has withstood only two - against ethnic the test of time and remains a Macedonians - went to trial, result- viable model for the Balkan ing in one conviction still on region. appeal and one acquittal. The remaining four cases, Erwan Fouere was EU Special against ethnic Albanians, Representative and Head of including leaders of the Delegation in Macedonia from 2005 to this year. 22 September 2 - 15, 2011 Community Focus NGO Sows Seeds of Eco-Awareness A Green NGO is cultivating interest in the environment with a specially designed eco-curriculum for young pupils.

worked hard to create a “cleaner, friendlier and more beautiful envi- ronment, all over Kosovo”. By Shengjyl Osmani “Our vision is an environmen- tally sound Kosovo with actively participating citizens working osovo has an unenviable towards sustainable develop- record for protecting the ment,” said Dr Zeqir Veselaj, the Kenvironment – the plastic- head of REC. bag-choked rivers and polluting industries are testament to this. Green Packs But the Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern The Green Packs are focused on Europe, REC, in Kosovo is aiming primary schools, and REC is lobby- to address these concerns using ing for the material to be included techniques including educating in the curriculum. young school children about the Shpresa Mustafa, from Pjeter importance of going green and Bogdani primary school in providing small grants for local Prishtina, said the packs provided projects. the children’s first insight into Kosovo youngsters are, for the protecting the environment. first time, being introduced to “We, as trained teachers, were environmental protection in the very satisfied with all the material classroom through a ‘green pack’ which were contained in the pack- Kosovo's record on the environment is poor - REC is seeking to change that devised by REC. age, and I’ll continue mentioning ronmental issues which is aimed others this year, bringing together Since its establishment in The charity now hopes to roll the environmental facts to all my at catching the attention of chil- the Ministry on Environment and Kosovo, REC has also given out out the programme across the future classes, with the hope that dren. municipal assemblies. 500,000 euro of environmental country, for which it is seeking this project will continue in the Project manager Shqipe Neziri Rita Luzha, the environmental grants. funds, and include green issues in future too,” she said. said most primary schools had officer for Peja municipality, told Fideze Bekteshi, the REC the national curriculum. The green pack has been trans- Prishtina Insight that a project for Information Officer, said the REC has, for eleven years, received the pack but more funds lated for dozens of countries the reconstruction of a water group has also worked on drafting attempted to raise awareness of were needed to make it a yearly across Europe and includes songs, canal was successful implemented and monitoring environmental environmental concerns and has programme. games, facts and advice on envi- “The project covered the majori- with a 50,000 euro grant from REC. legislation in Kosovo including the ty of all primary school children “Thanks to REC, in corporation Kosovo Environmental Strategy in Kosovo, where we had 12 train- with the Swiss International 2005-2015 and the Strategy for Air ers who trained 900 science teach- Development Agency, SIDA, the and Strategy for Management. ers, who received certificates canal area was cleaned, and since “Another issue we are focusing accredited by the Education then, the water from rains doesn’t on is to increase cooperation with Ministry, and 1,100 primary floods the streets anymore. environmental NGOs,” he added. schools, 950 in “The citizens of Peja now, even during rainfall, can walk on and 150 in Bosnian language, were unflooded streets. Thanks to REC, introduced to the green pack.” we, the municipality of Peja, have She added that REC would be ratified the local environmental attempting to secure more funds at plan, and are successfully improv- a donor conference in New York to ing our environment,” he added. ensure that all primary children, Ardita Zekiri, who works on in each municipality in Kosovo local initiatives and civil society receive the training. support for REC, said: “The proj- ect is funded by the Swedish Eco Action Plans Tackle Government through SIDA and Local Issues implemented by REC in coopera- tion with MESP and the partner REC has been able to implement municipalities. Local Environmental Action “The budget depends on the Plans, LEAPs, in five local projects, there are no limita- Municipalities last year, and ten tions on the sums.” A page from the Green Pack The Green Pack attempts to teach children the about eco-issues Murdoch’s Nemesis Helps Reporters Spot Scoops read all other sources of news. go to get the secrets,” he said. He described this approach as Davies added that understanding “baffling, breathtaking and how a source is thinking, and what By Lawrence Marzouk hideous”, adding that this led jour- he or she needs, is also critical in nalists to get “sucked up into a con- convincing them to talk. sensus”. “The finding of stories starts “We miss stories if we focus on with the ‘hang-on-a-minute- ick Davies, the Guardian journalist widely recognised this tiny little group of stories,” he moment’,” he said, explaining that Nas one of the world’s best added. this is when reporters should spot reporters, told journalists at BIRN’s He said, instead, that reporters that the usual order of things is out Summer School they must be vigi- should take a moral judgment on of place and begin investigating. lant for ‘hang-on-a-minute’ issues and look for the unusual in On the phone hacking scandal, he moments if they want to uncover everyday life. said that he had a number of lucky great stories. His pursuit of the vast haul of breaks when key documents Davies, the journalist credited documents obtained by Wikileaks arrived just when he was facing with virtually single-handedly lead- was, he said, an example of how pressure to prove more of the story. ing the investigation into the hack- journalists failed to spot a story. The use of phone hacking as a Y ing of phones by a British newspa- He said that when the arrest of journalistic technique would, he per, also attached the basic tenets of M the alleged whistleblower was cov- said, only be justified in “remote reporting, force-fed to journalists, C ered in the press, reporters focused cases of extraordinary impor- such as balance and the need to K on this. “Very, very few thought to tance”. Nick Davies at BIRN's summer school September 2 - 15, 2011 23 Classified Contact Prishtina Insight if you would like to advertise Email [email protected]

Embassies and Liaison Offices in Prishtina

American Address: "Nazim Hikmet" no. 30 Arbëria/Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 549 516 Austrian Address: "Ahmet Krasniqi" no. 22 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 249 284 Belgian Address: "Taslixhe" I, 23 A 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 734 734 British Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 6 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 254 700 Bulgarian Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 12 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 038 245 540 Dutch Address:" Xhemal Berisha" no. 12 Velania, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 224 61 Finnish Str. Perandori Justinian No. 19 Pejton 10 000 Prishtina Phone: +386 43 737 000 French Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 67 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 22 45 88 00 Greek Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 68 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 243 013 German Adress: "Azem Jashanica" no. 17 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 254 500 Italian Address: "Azem Jashanica" no.5 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 244 925 Japanese Address: "Rexhep Malaj" no. 43 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 249 995 Luxemburg Address: "Metush Krasniqi" no. 14 Classified Ads Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 226 787 Do you have a flat to rent? Position to fill? Students to find for a language course? Why not speak directly to Kosovo’s international com- Malaysian munity through Prishtina Insight’ classified ads. Address: "Bedri Shala" no. 48 Almost every international organisation, embassy, NGO and many others subscribe to Kosovo’s only English language newspaper, which 10000 Prishtina is also on sale at newsstands in seven cities and received in electronic format by scores of paying clients across the world. Phone: +381 (0) 38 243 467 Norwegian Address: "Sejdi Kryeziu" no. 6 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 232 111 00 Saudia Arabian Easy Medium Hard Address: Dardania SU 7, building 2, #1 y| y | |y 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 549 203 697448 15 9 245 Slovenian Address: "Anton Ceta" no. 6 5 43 463210000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 244 886 2431 8 17 97 Swedish Str. Perandori Justinian No. 19 67 8 93 24Pejton 10 000 Prishtina 84 82 46 26 17 Phone: +381 38 24 57 95 Swiss 182 59 39Address: "Adrian Krasniqi" no. 11 10000 Prishtina 2 3891 2989 Phone: +381 (0) 38 248 088 1 43 2498 Turkish Y Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 59 M Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina C 736587 52 357 2 Phone: +381 (0) 38 226 044 K 24 September 2 - 15, 2011 marketing

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