Interview : Auditor Reveals Kosovo’s Misspent Millions

July 15 - 28, 2011 Issue No. 68 www.prishtinainsight.com Price € 1 NEWS Opposition Heatwave Set to Ponders Continue in Kosovo into Next Week Surroi for > page 3 NEWS Kosovo EULEX Asked Limaj President to Resign and Face War Crimes Trial The LDK and Surroi have > page 6 moved closer to one another since Isa NEIGHBOURHOOD Mustafa took over the Macedonia Pulls party in 2010. Plug on Opposition Media See Page 3 KEK Signed Deal with > page 11 CULTURE ‘Illegal’ Supplier Prizren Film Festival Comes of Age at Ten State power company signed deals for 1.7 million euro with a Serbian firm after learning that it was not authorised to supply the contracted parts, Prishtina Insight can reveal. > page 12-13 Titan, the German company duced by Caterpillar, Hitachi-Fiat Prishtina Insight has seen. By Petrit Collaku that Solar-Ortex Uro claimed and Liebherr. Despite this, the KEK in March FEATURE could supply the required branded Ortex Uro also appeared to have awarded three contracts to its Forgotten osovo’s public electricity goods, also wrote to KEK urging it the rights to supply Titan products partners Solar-Ortex Uro, worth supplier, KEK, in March to drop the deal, days before it was in Serbia though not in Kosovo. 1.7 million euro over three years. Albanians Ksigned a series of contracts signed. In response to a request for clar- Following the decision, the offi- for almost 2 million euro for The KEK had asked all firms ification from the KEK, Titan then cial distributors of Caterpillar, Power Their branded mechanical parts from a bidding for the contracts to pro- wrote that although it provided Hitachi-Fiat and Liebherr prod- firm that it knew had no right to vide written proof testifying that goods to Caterpillar, Hitachi-Fiat ucts in Kosovo, SMH Kosova, Own Future sell the products. they were authorised to sell and and Liebherr, it was unable to sup- Teknoxgroup Kosovo and The energy corporation award- service these specific parts as part ply or service parts on their Kombinimi, complained. > page 15 ed three contracts to the Kosovo- of the tender process. behalf. The three firms wrote to Serbia consortium Solar-Ortex The letter provided in the name “Titan cannot provide any such Kosovo’s tender appeals body, the Uro to supply KEK with of Ortex Uro, which is based in authorisation or contract with the Procurement Review Board, Caterpillar, Hitachi-Fiat and Krusevac in Serbia, came from manufacturers of machines OSHP, providing it with letters Liebherr parts. Titan. because we are not their dealers from the three multinational com- Kosovo’s only English-language But each of these firms wrote to This authorised Ortex Uro to and we do not sell spare parts on panies proving that they had newspaper is available: KEK, warning that Solar-Ortex supply the KEK with ITM branded behalf of the above mentioned exclusive deals for Kosovo. Uro was not authorized to sell its parts, which are produced by manufacturers,” Titan wrote to Delivered to products. Titan and used in equipment pro- KEK in February in an email that continues page 2 Your Door

Juries Still Out On KEK: Fukashima Revives From Newsstands Serbia-Kosovo Deal Kosovo’s Lignite Plans across Kosovo

On Saturday, July 2, the EU-led negotia- Kosovo Energy Corporation, KEK, Sent To tions between Belgrade and Prishtina believes that the fall-out from Japan’s Your Inbox made their first breakthrough with a nuclear disaster could reopen its bid to series of agreements on quality-of-life position Kosovo as a major exporter of lig- issues such as freedom of movement. nite-powered electricity. From The deal, a product of five months of Plans to build a 2000 MW power plant our partners negotiations... and privatise the... email [email protected] analisys page 4 business pages 7 for more information

is supported by: 2 July 15 - 28, 2011 news KEK Signed Deal with ‘Illegal’ Supplier

from page 1 former authorisation by your side, December 2010, which KEK had KEK. whether they’d issued authoriza- we will immediately undertake then cancelled for lack of “respon- “Whenever there is a need to tion [to Ortex Uro],” Viktor Prishtina Insight has obtained legal action,” Titan added. sive bidders” - a fact questioned by install electronic devices and soft- Buzhala, KEK’s spokesperson, told copies of each letter under The letter was sent to key indi- the complaining companies that ware, the winning company will Prishtina Insight. Freedom of Information legisla- viduals in KEK, including the had submitted offers. not be able to perform this opera- Buzhala said that Titan had tion. head of procurement. Maloku said he feared that the tion,” he said. responded after two days, stating Liebherr wrote in its letter to In an accompanying email, the consortium had then gained they had indeed issued the autho- KEK: “Liebherr Export AG togeth- Titan official wrote: “Gentlemen! access to the other bidding compa- KEK stands firm: risation to Ortex Uro for the pur- er with N.T.SH. SMH Kosova, will Please take notice of the enclosed nies’ information and had used poses of the bid. by all legal means protect our letter referring to the above men- this to undercut their offers. The KEK is standing by the con- “The withdrawal came very late, brand name Liebherr and our tioned tender!” “It is impossible that this com- tracts. It says it awarded the deals after we’d already announced the products in Kosovo if any other However, the KEK went ahead pany can supply the original parts to Solar Ortex Uro because they winner and after we had the deci- company is using our Liebherr and signed the final contract with to KEK, especially the Liebherr offered the lowest price and met sion from OSHP to proceed,” brand name and our products.” Solar-Ortex Uro. parts, because they are not the the technical and administrative Buzhala said. But the OSHP rejected their Beka Maloku, owner of SMH manufacturers or dealers for such criteria. “We don’t care where the compa- appeals, maintaining that the KEK Kosova, told Prishtina Insight that equipment,” he said of Solar “The evaluating commission ny will get the original spare parts had a right to award the contracts Solar Ortex Uro had not entered Ortex Uro. wrote directly to Titan, asking from,” he added. to whichever firm provided the the first tender in “Liebherr in Germany is now But the spokesman necessary authorization doc- aware of what we added that if Ortex Uro uments and face in Kosovo, in the did not respect the con- offered the sense of doing busi- tract, KEK would confis- lowest price. ness in Kosovo,” cate the bank guarantee After the Maloku added. that the firm had provid- losing com- Prishtina Insight ed. panies con- asked Solar, the “They will be on the tacted Titan, Prishtina-based black list and will never Titan sent a firm that was part of get any more tenders letter to the winning bid, to from us [if they do not Ortex Uro, explain how they supply the parts],” copied to the could supply the Buzhala said. KEK, shortly KEK with the In the meantime, he before the required goods now said the KEK could not final contract that Titan had sus- withdraw now from the was signed in pended cooperation. contract, as OSHP, the May. In an email sent highest authority on In the letter, to our newspaper, questions relating to which this Solar’s owner, tenders, had told them newspaper has Bekim Pireva, said not to cancel it. obtained, Titan only: “Our partner, “The unsatisfied said it was Ortex Uro Group, parties can appeal to immediately has the authorisa- the Supreme Court,” withdrawing tion and all neces- he added. “The OSHP authorization for sary documents.” decision is a manda- Ortex Uro to rep- Gani Shasivari, tory decision for us resent it in any owner of [to follow]”. public tender in Teknoxgroup, SMH Kosova filed Serbia. maintains that an appeal at the “If we receive Solar Ortex-Uro Supreme Court on notice about con- will not be able sup- June 10. tinuous use of our ply the goods to Fake Slurs Fuel Albania-Romania Tensions Fabricated anti-Albanian diatribe attributed to Romania's President creates tension between Bucharest and Tirana.

tions in Albania and Kosovo on Tuesday The Romanian President's office has quoted an Italian press agency as saying declined to comment on this issue. that President Basescu had said he would Later, the Albanian media withdrew By Marian Chiriac never recognize Kosovo because “the the report, saying a Serbian hacker had Albanians are shit, like Gypsies”. broken into the Italian press agency’s Romania is one of five EU states that website and published the fake quotes. have refused to recognise the independ- Relations between Romania and Kosovo omania has voiced discontent over ence of Kosovo, procaimed in 2008. are already at a low level. Bucharest, a Albania's decision to summon its The President's alleged words circulat- diplomatic ally to Serbia, remains firmly Rambassador to Tirana for question- ed in the media across Albania and opposed to recognising the independence ing, following Albanian media reports that Kosovo, prompting hundreds of enraged of the breakaway Serbian province. wrongly attributed offensive statements people to post comments. Formally, Bucharest rests its case on about Albanians to President Traian Prishtina Insight sourced the original international law. In practice, Romania Basescu. report to JulieNews.it web site, which fears that recogntion of Kosovo's inde- “This behaviour is unusual, as an published a report from a person called pendence will encourage separatism in ambassador doesn’t have to offer explana- Costel Antonescu on behalf of Romanian general - a concern for Romania. tions for unchecked media reports," the TV-web agency Telenews.ro. From there Like Slovakia, which also opposes foreign ministry in Bucharest said. "We it was picked up by other media. recogniution of Kosovo, Romania is home disapprove of such vulgarization of the “But no one with this name exists; he to a sizeable and sometimes restive eth- diplomatic dialogue... based on online never worked for us”, Georgiana Dicu, nic Hungarian minority to whose aspira- reports." Telenews.ro editor, told Prishtina tions for autonomy it remains firmly Several Albanian-language publica- Insight. opposed. Traian Basescu, Romania’s president

Y C +381 38 602042, +377 44 243367, +386 49 243367 K news July 15 - 28, 2011 3 Opposition Ponders Surroi for Editor’s Word Kosovo President Biznes Veton Surroi, a respected publisher and Kosovo’s ‘unofficial foreign minister’, is being lined up as presidential candi- date for the opposition Democratic League of Kosovo, LDK, in next’s year election. An LDK official told Prishtina fact that in addition to his party’s By Lawrence Marzouk Insight that the party needed to failure to pass the 5-per-cent make “smart moves” to defeat the threshold in 2007, he might not be By Artan Mustafa PDK. popular with some traditional- “One of those is naming Surroi ists. f you sit long enough in a pub in the as a presidential candidate This is a result of his earlier least salubrious corners of the UK, ources within the Democratic because he has a well formed criticisms of Ibrahim Rugova, Ichances are that a man with a limp League of Kosovo, LDK, con- image,” the official said, on condi- Kosovo’s longtime independence and a whiff of tramp will offer you goods of dubious origins. Sfirmed to Prishtina Insight that tion of anonymity. leader, first president and found- It could be an illegal immigrant with a they are considering asking one of the “Thaci himself would never ing father of the LDK. country’s most respected intellectuals accept to run against him; he Ismet Beqiri, general secretary box full of counterfeit DVDs or a bloke in to become their presidential candidate would be afraid to debate with of LDK, indicated that this might a long coat selling perfume which had in next year’s election. Surroi”, the same official added. be a problem. Their presidential “fallen off the back of a lorry”. The poll represents a major shift On July 11, Thaci told the candidate would need to “be close This kind of trade happens all over the in Kosovo’s political landscape Pristina daily Kosova Sot that he to our party tradition”, he told world: if there are people to buy them, with the first direct election to the had not yet made up his mind Prishtina Insight. you can bet there will be people selling presidential. Until now the post about whether to run for presi- Kosovo’s move towards a US or them. It’s commerce in its rawest form, has been elected by parliament dent. “If I decide to be a candi- French-style presidential election and it’s mostly illegal because the goods and been seen as largely ceremo- date, I will know how to win,” he emerged as a result of the coun- are stolen or breach copyright laws. nial. said. try’s most recent political crisis. “I don’t care where it’s from, as long as Key individuals in Kosovo’s sec- The LDK and Surroi have Veton Surroi for President? Behgjet Pacolli, billionaire it’s cheap,” your imaginary friend might ond largest party see Veton Surroi say, sipping on his ale, if challenged on moved closer to one another since to win. businessmen and head of the as key to their hopes of securing why he’s just bought his wife’s birthday Isa Mustafa took over the party in Ylli Hoxha, of the Foreign New Kosovo Alliance, AKR, victory. The publicist has so far perfume from the guy sporting eau-de- 2010. Policy Club, a think tank of which has formed a government not commented on the plan, nor vagrant. Mustafa, also mayor of whose board Surroi is a member, with Thaci, was forced to with- has he responded to Prishtina Luckily, this kind of unfettered capital- Insight’s queries about the Pristina, and Surroi have worked told Prishtina Insight that as far draw from the presidency after ism isn’t often used as a model for run- reports. together in civil society and as he knew, “There has been no just a few weeks. The ning an economy, mainly because it’s not Surroi withdrew from politics Mustafa has integrated ex-Ora specific communication of this Constitutional Court had ruled a very good one, unless you’re China and in 2007 after his Ora party failed people into his party. nature between the LDK and Mr that his election in parliament you can do whatever you want. to cross the threshold of 5 per Teuta Sahatqija, now vice-pres- Surroi”. was illegal. You would expect most governments cent in the general election, as a ident of the LDK, was once the “He hasn’t showed any interest Negotiations between Mustafa, and their institutions to prefer a more result of which it failed to enter number-two figure in Ora. She to run as a candidate,” Hoxha Thaci and Pacolli struck a deal regulated approach, where legal con- parliament. says she is not aware of any spe- added. “Regardless, I am sure on putting police officer and Important figures in the LDK cific talks with Surroi about the Surroi would be a great candi- political rookie Atifete Jahjaga tracts are respected, for example, espe- are confident that they can woo presidential race. date, and this country is crying forward as president on condi- cially in the heart of Europe. him back into frontline politics. “But I can say the LDK is out to be represented by people tion that the constitution was So it may surprise you to hear that The 50-year-old accused undergoing a powerful process to who have good reputation within changed to allow for a directly Kosovo Energy Corporation is buying Kosovo’s big parties of stealing restructure itself and is a much as well as out of Kosovo.” elected, stronger presidential spare parts for its machinery from the and manipulating votes, and of stronger party than Hashim Arben Gashi, key advisor to post in 2012. guy with the limp and the long coat who driving Ora out of parliament on Thaci’s media are portraying it,” Mustafa, the LDK candidate who Surroi has participated in got it after it “fell of the back of the the eve of Kosovo’s proclamation Sahatqija told Prishtina Insight. won the second highest number major events in the recent history lorry”. And it must have been quite a big of independence in 2008. Others “The LDK will win the next elec- of votes in the 2010 general elec- of Kosovo. He was part of the eth- lorry because they’ve just signed three blamed his party’s failure on tions and our candidate will be tion, says the party has not yet nic Albanian negotiating team in deals worth just under 2 million euro. Surroi’s elitist, Pristina-centric Kosovo’s next President.” decided on its candidate for the doomed Rambouillet talks KEK, as you can see from the quote of image. The idea of appointing a presi- President. near Paris in 1999 whose failure its spokesman in our investigation, has Surroi remains a popular fig- dential candidate from outside “Surroi is a possible option but paved the way for NATO’s inter- showed no interest in ensuring that legal- ure in Kosovo, is active in public the party has already received I don’t know how feasible it is,” vention in the Kosovo conflict. ly binding contracts are respected and debates and is a favourite of the the blessing of Isa Mustafa. He Gashi said. “We must be careful When parliament declared that it sources parts made by some of the diplomatic core. declared in mid-June that it was to take into account how our Kosovo’s independence in 2008, world’s most powerful firms in that field The LDK believe that only a “in the interest of the country to party structures and voters he wrote a column about the from the official supplier. They just high-profile candidate can have a president who is not that reflect on our presidential candi- irony of him not being able to selected the firm with the lowest price reverse a series of defeats to much linked to political parties”. date, so that votes do not go to sign the declaration since he had and paper work which proved they could Hashim Thaci’s Democratic However, he maintained that other parties.” not become a member of parlia- supply a completely different set of spare Party of Kosovo. Thaci could also such a candidate would need the Some of the hesitation in the ment. He may yet have the last parts. stand in the poll. support of a major political party LDK about Surroi comes from the laugh. The spokesman told us: “We don’t care where the company will get the original spare parts from.” Well, Mr KEK, you should care, because Snow and Sun in Kosovo as Heatwave it’s that kind of approach which means that Kosovo is one of the worst places in Europe to do business. Set to Continue into Next Week That’s the view of the World Bank which ranked Prishtina as the worst warned the elderly, children and anyone with place in the Balkans, hardly a bastion of health problems to avoid the afternoon sun. economic excellence, to set up a company. Last Saturday alone, some 30 persons, main- What chance has the hardworking busi- ly elderly, required health assistance, By Petrit Collaku ness which has toiled to secure a decent Prishtina’s emergency unit reported. exclusivity agreement for Kosovo when “There is an increase in the number of peo- even state institutions are willing to take ple requiring medical assistance due to the osovo’s meteorological office forecasts the ‘black market route? that the heatwave which has hit the higher temperatures,” Basri Lenjani, head of The talks between Belgrade and KBalkans this week is set to stay with us, the emergency unit, told Prishtina Insight. Prishtina are likely to find a compromise but there is still snow on the country’s highest “Some 30 per cent of them are people with so Kosovo can again export through peaks. chronic illness.” Serbia, which is absolutely key for the Ben Islami, who runs the Hiking Njeri Syle Tahirsylaj, head of the meteorological competitiveness of Kosovo goods. group which organises treks to Kosovo’s station in Kosovo, does not see much relief in This could, and should, be a good time mountains, reached Kosovo’s highest peak, sight. to be preparing to invest in Kosovo. But Maja Njerit, on July 9. “The weather will be good, the temperatures until the basic rules of Western com- While snow can still be found at 2658 metres during next week will go up to 37 Celsius. The merce are respected, the country’s econo- altitude in the country’s southern Sharr temperature is perfect for flora and fauna, but my will be the guy with a cardboard box mountains, Prishtina has been sweltering as well as for the tourism,” she said. writ large not the businessman in a sharp under temperatures of up to 40 Celsius. For more information about hikes visit suit. Arben Islami holding a snowball in July The emergency centre in Prishtina has www.njeri.net 4 July 15 - 28, 2011 news

Juries Still Out On Serbia-Kosovo Deal The value of last Sunday’s deal between Prishtina and Belgrade remains the subject of fierce debate on both sides of the border, some hailing progress, other denouncing a sell-out. ary in providing Prishtina author- us, and those solutions helped it not do much to intervene now. that the government declared ities with certified copies of origi- become a little smaller and allow Expert opinion on the deal is capitulation a success and thus nal civil registry books. us finally to cooperate for the wel- equally mixed. Behlul Beqaj, a directly deceived its own people,” By Petrit Collaku and On freedom of movement, Serbia fare of all people who live in political commentator from Kostunica said. Bojana Barlovac agreed to accept Kosovo ID cards Kosovo and Metohija and mainly Kosovo, was decidedly cynical. The country’s main opposition and other car documents, such as Serbs.” Kosovo was negotiating solely Progressive Party was more meas- insurance and number plates. To He added: “Without those solu- “to prolong the power of this gov- ured. An official said that Serbia n Saturday, July 2, the EU- tions most Serbs would slowly but led negotiations between date, Kosovars who had not ernment, which wants to main- must not recognise Kosovo, but OBelgrade and Prishtina retained Serbian documents had certainly leave [Kosovo]”, and this tain its regime,” Beqaj told talks between Belgrade and made their first breakthrough been unable to cross the border. was “what they are doing today”. Prishtina Insight: “This regime is Prishtina should continue. with a series of agreements on University and school diplomas The Kosovo Albanians, he con- capable of sacrificing everything, Professor Vuletic said the stri- quality-of-life issues such as free- will be mutually recognised by an tinued, “attempted to get full con- including the northern part [of dent criticism should be ignored. dom of movement. international body or mutually firmation of independence, con- Kosovo].” “Opposition parties in Serbia who The deal, a product of five agreed academic institution. firmation that Serbia does not He poured scorn on EU spin disagree with the move do not months of negotiations, represent- Non-recognition of college exist in Kosovo. We managed to that the deal represented a major enjoy large support in the country ed the first of its kind between degrees has been a major issue for oppose that”. success. and have no arguments,” he said. Serbia and representatives of ethnic-Albanians from the Presevo “The EU has had no foreign pol- "They have the right to criticize independent Kosovo. valley in southern Serbia, who Progress or surrender? icy successes, and so it’s investing but it is not worth paying much Following NATO’s intervention often study in Kosovo and find a lot in Kosovo and Serbia and is attention to them.” in Kosovo in 1999 and Serbia’s pull their degrees worthless in Serbia. In spite of Stefanovic’s defence, making attempts to show there Dusan Janjic, director of the out, civil registry books were Both governments were quick the agreements drew stiff com- are results”, Beqaj said. Belgrade-based Forum for Ethnic removed to Belgrade. to spin the deal in their favour – plaints from opposition parties in He said the agreements might Relations, said he feared too much Under the agreement, the EU Kosovo claiming it was a first step Serbia that the deals represent a mean nothing in practice as was being built around relatively rule-of-law mission in Kosovo, towards Serbian recognition of its step towards recognition of the Kosovo’s opposition parties had small advances. EULEX, will act as an intermedi- independence, and Serbia arguing independence of the breakaway not endorsed the dialogue to begin “With the small amount of that the agreement would mainly former province. with. progress which has been made, benefit Serbs in Kosovo. Likewise in Kosovo, the nation- “It could become history and both sides have rushed to talk But the messages of victory alist Self-determination move- not be implemented in practice at about final deals, which might from each side’s negotiating ment, Vetevendosje, insisted that all [if the government changed],” mean the death of further talks,” www.prishtinainsight.com teams have failed to convince the dialogue favoured only Serbia Beqaj suggested. he warned. many politicians, commentators and the outcome had “degraded” Taking a different view, He said that the EU should aban- Publisher: and the public on either side of Kosovo’s statehood. Vladimir Vuletic, professor of don its roll as mediator and BIRN the border. “Kosovo’s government has sociology in Belgrade, said the attempt to guide the talks more Kosovo’s Prime Minister, denied its… sovereignty for [free] deal was significant if it improved proactively, as the Americans did Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Hashim Thaci, echoing the words movement through Serbia,” the people’s lives. at the Dayton Ohio talks on Bosnia of his chief negotiator, Edita second biggest opposition party “The most important thing is in 1995. Mensa e Studenteve, first floor Tahiri, said the agreement was a said in a statement. that the agreements will make “The EU should not have got 10000, Prishtina first step towards recognition of It added that Kosovo’s decision people’s everyday life easier,” he into all this without making an Kosovo Kosovo. to agree to receive only copies of said. agenda with concrete plans and Phone: +381 (0) 38 24 33 58 “I have said earlier that this the civil registry was another Spinning the results was normal criteria,” he said. “This is what process will end with reciprocal capitulation. politics, he added: “The reality has the US did for the Dayton agree- Fax: +381 (0) 38 22 44 98 recognition between Kosovo and More surprisingly, a senior only one word and that is ‘normal- ment and, if it hadn’t, a deal would [email protected] Serbia as two countries,” Thaci member of Thaci’s own ization’ of life.” never have been reached.” said. Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, The talks would continue to Janjic said recent initial success- Editor-in-Chief: Tahiri argued that Kosovo’s the speaker of parliament, Jakup progress, he believes, even if there es did not mean Serbia would nec- Lawrence Marzouk concessions, such as agreeing to Krasniqi, also critiqued the deal. are “potential ups and downs”. essarily get hoped-for EU candidate [email protected] accept only copies of civil records, Krasniqi’s relations have been “Politics exists for the people status, or that Kosovo would obtain were necessary to help the coun- increasingly strained with Thaci and not the other way round,” he visa liberalisation with the EU. Editorial Team: try on its way to visa liberalisa- after he was not put forward for maintained. Janjic conceded that the deal Ana Petruseva, Gordana Igric, tion with the EU. the post of President of Kosovo Some opposition parties in meant Serbia was making “small Jeta Xharra, Marcus Tanner, Borislav Stefanovic, head of following last December’s general Serbia have condemned the deals progress towards Kosovo’s inde- Petrit Collaku, Shengjyl Osmani and Belgrade’s team, was keen to tell election. as an attack on Serbia’s sovereign- pendence”, but warned: “This will Serbs that he had fought off He told Prishtina daily Koha ty, however. not resolve the situation for Kanarina Shehu. attempts by the opposing team to Ditore on Friday that Kosovars The leader of the Democratic Kosovo as there are countries in impose their view on Kosovo’s should have fought for the right to Party of Serbia, DSS, Vojislav the world, like China, which will Marketing, Sales & Distribution: independence. enter Serbia using their passports Kostunica, said Serbia’s ruling not recognise Kosovo’s independ- [email protected] He told Belgrade’s Blic newspa- and not have settled for a compro- Democrats were accomplices to ence regardless of Serbia. per that dialogue with the Kosovo mise by which they can enter the Western powers in the process “I sincerely hope that Design & Layout: “Rrjeti” Albanian representatives was using ID cards. of making “an illegal state of Washington will push [EU foreign Y “sometimes like talking to people “The government should not Kosovo. policy chief Catherine] Ashton on Printing: Lindi Printing Center from another planet due to the give up on all those aspects of “Through history, Serbia had its this, to get more involved and res- C completely opposed positions.” statehood,” Krasniqi said. ups and downs, victories and olute and not only a neutral facili- Copyright © BIRN K “There is a huge wall between However, he said parliament could defeats, but this is the first time tator on the issue,” he concluded. interview July 15 - 28, 2011 5 Auditor Reveals Kosovo’s Misspent Millions Unplanned and unbudgeted projects worth tens of millions of euros and contracts awarded before the tender was issued – these are just a sample of the problems revealed in this year’s crop of public sector audits reflecting, according to Kosovo’s auditor general, a failure to offer the taxpayer good value for money. executive government, but there you get as much as possible for as There appears to be a misunder- as well. were only 8.41 per cent satisfied little as possible in a situation of standing between the role of the "These kinds of organisations with country’s overall economic scarce resources, you should do state or municipality as an owner, and enterprises are here to pro- By Artan Mustafa direction. Publicly owned compa- this in a transparent way, you the role of the board and the role duce services for citizens", says nies, courts and central institu- should not discriminate the mar- of the executive director. Olofsson. "But, it was very inter- tions all scored high in public per- ket. Then you’re getting value for "It's a governance structure that esting in 'Termokos', this lady in ception of large scale corruption. money,” Olofsson says. is not understood," he says. "Here the executive was saying 'she is osovo faces many chal- This is of no surprise to the “It can be that they [procure- we have a messy situation where quitting now', 'the board doesn't lenges in managing its pub- Auditor General, who sees corrup- ment officers] have preferences for none of them is taking up their work, earlier it was PDK Board Klic funds properly, and pro- tion and the misallocation of some partners that can be in this role in accordance with what we now it's an LDK Board.'. curement lies at the heart of the funds as a key issue for Kosovo to system so to say, regional prefer- can call a benchmark or a good "Such words would have been problem, Auditor General Lage solve. According to the Ministry of ences, municipality preferences, standard of running public enter- totally impossible in another envi- Olofsson told Prishtina Insight in Interior’s audit, it awarded a associational preferences about prises." ronment. The Board should be a an interview this week. 670,000 euro contract to the firm who is going to get the job. There The auditing report on professional one, this is not a polit- The Swede led a team of about NNT ALBESI for the construction can be other reasons about why 'Termokos' said that during 2010 ical thing. You're so highly paid to 50 auditors in compiling around 90 of a regional centre in Gjilan they do not have this rationalistic the company collected 3.8 million do the job and you are not produc- audit reports for 2010 on public despite not receiving three eligible process etc. in some cases you have euro, down 1million euro on last ing the results for the citizens. bodies, the widest ever trawl of bids, as required by law. fraud, in some cases corruption. year. Also, due to the lack of recon- What is that?" institutions to date. Most were The firm Protec was given a con- One should just read the papers ciliation of accounts between He says that it is absolutely nec- published in early July and the tract worth almost for 100,000 euro and see what the judiciary is say- finance and invoicing depart- essary that people debate about results will be, by the end of to supply inventory for archives, ing,” he said. ments there was a difference of what is demanded in terms of August, sent to the parliament. but the winner had not provided He said Kosovars needed to do 700,000 euro in rev- service. The key area of improve- According to the audits, the proof it had paid its electricity moreto hold politicians and enue collection. ment is management, according to annual financial statements are in bills, as required. bureaucrats to account. The report said him, and parallel to it becoming better order, but the quality of In another project to supply “More or less that is to a great that the manu- more businesslike so the mecha- spending is not. “There we have weapons, the goods were received extent done more by international al recording of nisms of holding the management some general problems,” said 42 days before the order was made donors and partners and not very financial data to account should also be strength- Olofsson. for 500, 000 euro. much by the Kosovo people. Here carries a risk ened. One striking example is at Word Bank had said recently it must be beefed up”, Olofsson of errors and "To have the chance to be very Ministry of Transport and Post- that in Prishtina it takes longer adds. non-reconcilia- clear when people are mismanag- Telecommunication, which has than in any other capital in tion of finan- ing, to have both administrative the country’s largest ministerial Balkans to open a business. The cial data measures that can be taken and budget at almost 210 million euro. The mess in public auditing report shows that other measures, so be clear, be The audit revealed a number of enterprises Prishtina Municipality also strug- transparent, show everyone what roads which were built even gles with running its accounts, as you want to see and react when it though they had not been budget- Lage out of a final budget worth 64 mil- is not happening." ed for. A contract worth 1.3 million Olofsson says lion euro, it spent 48 million, or 75 euro was awarded for asphalting a that there is a per cent of the final budget. Some track between the town of mess in pub- 48 per cent of the budget was used Suharekë and village Studenqan, licly owned up in the last three months. which was signed even though it enter- Perhaps the most serious prob- had not been planned for that year. pris- lem emerged with the con- Auditors also tested 17 other es. struction of an elementary projects for which 9 million euro school in Hajvalia. Some 70 had been set aside. They discov- per cent of the value of the ered that the ministry had, in fact, contract was paid while spent 19 million on the road-build- just 30 per cent of the work ing schemes, more than double the was completed. According original budget. to audit, the matter is now Olofsson says that public sector being investigated by pros- managers’ do not know how to ecutors. manage funds. “And the trust of Auditor Olofsson says that the people, taxpayers and repre- procurement should be easy sentatives from different interests to implement, but that in in the public sector does not exist Kosovo business logic is either today to the extent it should. replaced by favouritism This is one of the main chal- or corruption. lenges,” he said. “More or less it is A UNDP report on the public about this: you have the pulse, published in the first week public money in trust, of July, showed a 32.6 satisfaction you should ensure that rate of Kosovars for the work of News Kosovo Urged to Complete Ahtisaari Plan The International Steering Group, ISG, welcomed Kosovo’s progress in implementing the 'Ahtisaari' plan, while urging the authoritiers to put the rest of the plan into practice. its current borders". for the Serb minority and other with the closure of four field dialogue with Serbia, which is The 14th meeting of the ISG wel- reforms. offices,” the press release reads. being conducted under EU facilita- comed the government's progress “The ISG renews its support for Meanwhile, the ISG urged tion. By Petrit Collaku in adopting laws required by the the International Civilian Kosovo to continue efficient com- The government was praised so-called Ahtisaari plan and Representative, ICR, including his pletion of the remaining tasks. further for its commitment to fully encouraged the government to put affirmative and corrective pow- “Kosovo’s government commits cooperate with the EU rule-of-law the rest of the plan into law. ers,” the press release reads. itself to finding the funding neces- mission, EULEX, in investigating he 25 members of the The 2007 Ahtisaari plan, named The ISG said the ICO was being sary for the ICO until the end of its the allegations contained in the International Steering after the Finnish UN Special reduced in Kosovo, now that many mandate,” the ISG stated. report of Council of Europe rap- TGroup, which groups vari- Envoy to Kosovo, called for tasks undertaken in the regional The ISG welcomed the election porteur Dick Marty. ous countries that recognise Kosovo's conditional independ- offices had been completed. of Atifete Jahjaga as President, Marty's report accused high- Kosovo’s independence, on ence - the conditions being its “The ISG notes with approval "following Kosovo’s navigation of ranking Kosovo officials of having Tuesday reaffirmed "full support Y agreement to a degree of interna- that the ICO has continued to a period of political uncertainty". engaged in grave crimes including for the consolidation of an inde- tional supervision, extensive reduce its size as tasks have been The government was also com- organ trafficking during the pendent, fully sovereign, demo- decentralisation, special measures further completed, most recently mended for its engagement in the Kosovo conflict in the 1990s. C cratic, multi-ethnic Kosovo within K 6 July 15 - 28, 2011 news EULEX Asked Limaj to Resign and Face War Crime Trial The row over MP’s immunity deepened last night as American Ambassador Chris Dell said Kosovo was confronting “the whole world” if it did not resolve whether standing MPs can face trial asked to state publicly where they “one or two friends”. Krasniqi is stand on investigating war crimes. known to be close to Limaj. “The MPs should be careful not Sparkes said the request was the By Petrit Collaku and to place Kosovo in a confrontation only option to resolve the issue as Artan Mustafa with the whole world. Limaj had refused to waive his A photo calling for Limaj's release while being tried at The Hague “We want the parliament to immunity. According to the Kosovo’s port Fatmir Limaj for suspected write a very simple resolution that “There is an ambiguity in the Constitution, ‘MP’s shall be war crimes owing to his immunity. ULEX deputy head Andy would ask the Government to for- Constitution as to what extent a immune from prosecution, civil Prosecutors from the EU rule of Sparkes has told BIRN’s Life ward the question to the member of the parliament enjoys lawsuit and dismissal for actions or Ein Kosovo show that former law mission questioned Limaj in Constitutional Court explaining to immunity from arrest,” he said. minister of transport Fatmir decisions that are within the scope March but did not arrest him. Limaj refused to waive his immu- what extent the members of the “We have a warrant arrest for of their responsibilities as deputies Though a member of parliament, nity by resigning as a standing MP parliament enjoy immunity from Mr Limaj. He has been in freedom of the Assembly.’ immunity does not prevent police to face war crimes charges. arrest,” he said. only because of this ambiguity. But, an MP shall not be arrested from investigating allegations. The comments came as Jakup “If they do not do it, Kosovo will “He is being accused for charges or otherwise detained while per- Limaj, who remains a popular Krasniqi was accused of “protect- have a real crisis, a confrontation that go to earlier periods, but we forming the duty without the con- figure in Kosovo, has already faced with the international community. don’t know if we can arrest him ing his friends” after rejecting an sent of the majority of 61 out of 120 a war crimes trial before the “We did not want to come to this while he is performing his duty as MP’s in Kosovo’s parliament. EULEX request to pass a bill clari- International Criminal Tribunal point. We worked on it for four an MP. The issue of MPs' immunity has fying the lifting of immunity of for the former Yugoslavia, ICTY. months now trying to solve it. “One way would have been for further divided two fractions of the MPs under investigation. He was charged, along with Isak Last week, the EU rule-of-law “The Prime Minister has said MrLimaj to resign. We asked him ruling Democratic Party of Musliu and Haradin Bala, with mission in Kosovo, EULEX asked privately and publically that he to do it, but he said no.” Kosovo, PDK, to which both committing war crimes against the speaker of parliament, Jakup would be happy to forward the But Krasniqi has defended his Krasniqi and Thaci belong, and Serbs and Albanians suspected of Krasniqi, to clarify the issue of the Parliament question to the decision saying it was up to the which have disagreed repeatedly immunity from arrest of MPs who Constitutional Court. government of Hashim Thaci to on a number of issues since the last collaborating with Serbia during are under investigation. “How outraged would the MPs seek an opinion on the issue from general election. the Kosovo war. Krasniqi said the request had no be if Government had said “we’re the Constitutional Court. In an interview for Voice of In November 2005 he was acquit- basis, as it was not parliament’s job taking away your immunity”. Passing the buck further, Prime America, the US ambassador to ted and returned home to a hero’s to deal with the immunity issue. Krasniqi is inviting the Gov to vio- Minister Thaci responded that his Kosovo, Christopher Dell, criti- welcome, with street celebrations US Ambassador Christopher late the independence of office had not received any such cised Krasniqi's handling of the in the capital, Prishtina. Dell told BIRN that as a result of Parliament. That comes as a sur- request from EULEX and he would issue. Limaj is not the only MP in the the decision, Kosovo was in a “con- prise”. not interfere in parliament's work. The immunity of MPs has spotlight over immunity. Another frontation with the whole world”. In an earlier comment to Voice of No immunity was lifted of any become a growing issue in Kosovo MP, Azem Syla, also a member of “If this resolution is not passed, America, he said Krasniqi was MP since first elections in 2001 of since EULEX in March failed to the PDK, is another war crimes then all the MP’s are going to be refusing the request to protect the post-war Kosovo. arrest former minister of trans- suspect. Kosovo Gets Kosovo Albanians Query Law No-Interest Loan on Serb Village Plan to give Velika Hoca special competencies to protect its religious and cultural her- from Islamic Bank itage has annoyed the local muncipal officials, who say it will aggravate ethnic tension. The Islamic Development Bank has granted Kosovo a loan of said they were not against pro- pendence for Kosovo in exchange 27 million euro, for which it won't be charged interest. The tecting the cultural heritage of for a measure of international the village, "and we are doing so. control and pledges to create new money will go on education, health and infrastructure. By Petrit Collaku But giving such competencies is majorit-Serb municipalities. The loan agreement will be creating ethnic division". Serbs were also promised finalised by the end of August, by The mayor said the law would rights of control over some 18 which time the government will have a negative impact on local Serb Orthodox monasteries, he small village of Velika By Petrit Collaku have completed its project targets ethnic relations, a process in churches and other sites in for education and health. Hoca, 25 km fromPrizren, which the municipality has Kosovo. Kosovo will start to return the Thome to some 400 inhabi- invested money and time Under the proposed draft law money only after ten years. tants, a medieval monastery and “This law will bring back rela- for Veika Hoca, the village will several churches, has become the osovo's Deputy finance minis- The loan is highly favourable tions between the communities elect a heritage committee of centre of a dispute, thanks to a ter, Ramadan Avdiu, said the because Islamic banks do not apply to zero,” Latifi told Balkan seven members, five from the vil- draft law that aims to give it spe- Kloan from the Islamic Bank interest rates on loans because Insight. lage, one to be selected by the was part of a loan promised back in cial powers to preserve its usury is prohibited by the Islamic Kosovo' givernment signed up Serbian Orthodox Church and 2000, part of which was put on hold. ancient heritage. faith. to measures allowing local Serbs one member will be from the “At that time, the UN mission in The draft law, sponsored by the “Certainly those kinds of loans extensive self-government when Rahovec municipality. Kosovo, UNMIK, advised the bank ministry of environment and are more welcome for countries it agreed to the so-called Ministry of environment stat- not to allocate the whole sum due to spatial planning, is seen as an than the ones that come with inter- Ahtisaari plan. ed that the draft law will be mod- insufficient security,” Avdiu told obligation by the government, est,” Avdiu said. The plan of the former UN ified in order to be in harmony Balkan Insight. which has pledged to give the Since Kosovo declared independ- envoy on Kosovo, Martti with the law on local self-gover- He described the loan as part of small Serb minority maximum ence in 2008, its relations with the Ahtisaari, recommended inde- nance. the bank’s strategy of helping non- powes of self-government. Islamic world have been uneven. members of the Organisation of the But the municipality of The country has won only 20 recog- Islamic Conference, and the money Rahovec, in which Velika Hoca nitions from Arab and Islamic will be spent on projects to do with lies, says the draft law will give countries. By contrast, all but five education, health and possibly the village powers that violate of the EU's 27 members have recog- infrastructure. laws on local government. nised the former province of Avdiu said he had participated at “Every article in this draft law Serbia. an Islamic banking conference at falls against the interests of the Avdiu said the government was Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at the end of municipality and stops munici- continuing to lobby the OIK for June, meeting top bank officials. pal activities in this village,” the independence recognitions but “This time we convinced them municipal assembly says in a let- denied to specify whether Kosovo Y that there were security guarantees ter. planned to join the Islamic organi- from the Republic of Kosovo,” This week the assembly called sation. About 90 per cent of Kosovo's C Avdiu said. for the plan to be dropped. population is Muslim. K Rahovec mayor, Smajl Latifi, business July 15 - 28, 2011 7 KEK: Fukashima Revives Kosovo’s Lignite Plans Kosovo’s plans to become a major exporter of energy, powered by its huge lignite reserves, were downsize as the world turned against fossil fuels, but the Japanese nuclear disaster has revived the country’s hopes to cash in on its biggest asset

By Lawrence Marzouk

osovo Energy Corporation, KEK, believes that the fall- Kout from Japan’s nuclear disaster could reopen its bid to position Kosovo as a major exporter of lignite-powered elec- tricity. Plans to build a 2000 MW power plant and privatise the country’s massive lignite reserves, the fifth largest in the world, were scup- perred last year as it became clear that major investors were strug- gling to raise funds in the finan- cial crisis. Perhaps more importantly, major international organisation, such as the World Bank and The Fukashima Nuclear plant in Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami European Union, as well as Washington were uneasy support- are currently in a new environ- ment, said that the World Bank , said. Climate Program, told the news- ing the massive use the highly pol- ment.” the US administration and the But it seems that some among paper. luting brown coal. He pointed out that Germany European Commission were mak- the international community are Managers at the World Bank, The scheme has since been has since turned its back on ing an exception to its environ- still hesitating to support the plan the newspaper suggested, asked downgraded to a mere 600 MW nuclear energy and will commis- ment policies for Kosovo. financially. for explicit written support from plant, with the possibility of sion four extra lignite-powered “International stakeholders and The World Bank, which recently the Obama administration before extending it later. This will pro- units this year. friends are supporting it, maybe suffered a public relations night- bringing it to the board. The sup- vide full coverage for Kosovo con- He said that the use of new tech- with some reluctance, because it mare for helping the South porting letter was published with sumers but will not allow the nology made the use of lignite far is never nice for anyone to burn African utility Eskom build a the NYT story. country to export large quantities. more acceptable. coal - that is the World Bank , the 4,800-MW coal plant, appears to be “The World Bank itself doesn't But Arben Gjukaj, Managing “The time is right that lignite, US administration and the unsure, according to an article want to do this project,” Guay Director of KEK, has told BIRN’s this abundant resource, be maxi- European Commission. published in the New York Times said. “They know they just had show Jeta ne Kosove, that the mally utilised or capitalised for “In the interest of the economic this week. Eskom. They just had this bruis- mood has changed following the the benefit of the population; and development in Kosovo they "On the one hand, the U.S. is tak- ing [board] fight around coal. nuclear disaster in Japan. add more operating units,” he accepted to have a small exception ing a very strong, and we think Why have another fight over a “Let me dwell once more on the added. to their energy policy and climate very positive, stance on coal lend- project, especially one that is just problem that was presented two or Gjukaj also announced that change policy.” ing in the World Bank. And then so bad?” three years ago, especially the KEK had signed a deals to clear He added that Kosovo needed to on the other hand, they are push- "The World Bank itself doesn't World Bank and Global Warming, the ash pits surrounding the aging push through the plan as it had ing the bank to invest in this coal want to do this project," Guay “he said. “The problem which was power plant, Kosovo A, and install already been stopped and revised project that is controversial with- said. "They know they just had raised was the issue of construc- a filter to cut pollution. in 2007 and 2010. in Kosovo and also directly contra- Eskom. They just had this bruis- tion of coal power plant. Andrea Capussela, former “There is no way of escaping dicts what their own coal guid- ing [board] fight around coal. Why “But the Fukoshima incident in director of the International the conclusion that lignite is ance says," Justin Guay, with the have another fight over a project, Japan has changed this, and we Civilian Office's economic depart- cheaper than anything else,” he Sierra Club's International especially one that is just so bad?" Businesses Ignore Calls to Buy Tax Tills With just days left before the deadline for Kosovo’s 60,000 businesses to have introduced fiscal cash registers, only one in six has so far heeded the call. July 15, KTA will take action to He claimed big businesses, locat- punish all those who are not ed in the Industrial Zone in equipped with fiscal registers.” Prishtina, where the state loses By Besiana Xharra Another problem faced by the millionsof euros because the cash tax administration is that even registers are not being used. those with the new equipment can “We are all aware that this area avoid paying tax on sales if they do is flooded with large business, but fter a year of government campaigning, and threats, not issue a receipt. very few of them are equipped Ato get businesses to intro- “I've recently bought some with fiscal boxes and they are duce fiscal cash registers and things for my home and although I allowed to do business without any boost the country’s tax income, the have seen the fiscal box in the shop, intervention,” said Kacaniku. vast majority of firms have failed I didn’t receive any receipt," said Nahit Sharku, director of mod- to do so. Agon Dula, a citizen of Prishtina. ernisation and strategy at ATK, According to the Kosovo Tax Selatin Kacaniku, from the con- says that inspectors are checking Administration, ATK, the latest sumer protection organisation the area nonstop, as in many other data shows that out of 60,000 busi- Consumer, says that tax inspectors areas of Kosovo. nesses, just under 11,000 have are not doing their job. “We have visited businesses in bought in the equipment as the “I have already raised this issue, this area and we can say that more July 15 deadline looms. but no steps have been taken. This than half of them are equipped warning,” said Sharku, adding some businesses in this area and Y "All businesses are aware of this poor work ethic of the inspectors with fiscal boxes. that TAX inspectors are continu- in those that haven’t seen a fiscal deadline,” said Bashkim Shala, cannot lead to any successes,” said “Those that are not equipped ously following the situation. boxes, employees or managers C deputy director of ATK. “So, after Kacaniku. have already received the last Prishtina Insight has visited refused to speak. K 8 July 15 - 28, 2011 neighbourhood business Rising Demand for Loans May Test Serbian Banks As Serbia's central bank plans to cut its repo rate and curb euro loans, commercial dinar loans are set to become more popular – but can banks afford them? However, euroisation also poses risks, limiting the central bank’s ability to control the economy By Vera Ovanin using official interest rates and exchange rates. It can also reduce the central bank’s effectiveness as a source of erbia’s central bank, the bail-outs, forcing it to draw more Narodna Banka Srbije (NBS), heavily from foreign currency Sslashed its key repo rate by reserves rather than on the domes- 0.5 percentage points to 12 per cent tic currency. on June 9th, the first decrease Lending in dinars accounted for since May last year. just 33.3 per cent of all lending in The bank said it planned to fur- Serbia at the end of May, accord- ther reduce the rate as inflation- ing to central bank data. ary pressures continued to ease. The combined degree of euroi- Food prices have been growing rel- sation in Serbia is 70-80 per cent, atively slowly and aggregate owing to the hyperinflation during demand has stayed low. Serbia is the violent breakup of the former also expected to have an average Yugoslav federation in the 1990s. agricultural season. “We cannot expect that the However, it is unclear if banks banks will immediately drop the will be able to meet a rising interest rates but if the degree of demand in dinar loans unless restrictiveness starts to ease, as there is a simultaneous rise in sav- forecasted by the NBS, we could ings in the currency. expect a drop in interest rates on The repo rate is the interest rate dinar loans,” Volksbank’s product Serbia's Central Bank in Belgrade at which central banks buy back development expert, Nenad Lucic, government securities from com- be met. The hikes reflected the impact of Prishtina Insight. said in an emailed statement to mercial banks. Central banks tend Bojan Lecic, the treasury head a less favourable agricultural sea- Serbia’s consumer price infla- Prishtina Insight. to raise repo rates when they wish at Banca Intesa Belgrade, said the son on food prices. tion slowed down to 13.4 per cent Petar Jovanovic, a member of to reduce the supply of money in real issue is whether the banks It was also the result of a higher year-on-year in May, from 14.7 per the executive board of Raiffeisen the short term, and lower it when will have enough funds to meet the recovery in aggregate demand cent a month earlier. Banka, said all clients whose loans they wish to increase the supply of rising demand for dinar loans that than had been expected, which The NBS is targeting inflation of are tied to the Belgrade Inter-bank money and stimulate growth. will accompany a lowering of was spurred by Serbia’s decision 4.5 per cent in 2011 and 4.0 per cent Offered Rate, BELIBOR, should In an effort to further discour- interest rates. to raise pension and public sector next year, both with a variation expect lower interest rates in the age lending in the euro, the central “Unless savings in dinars go up salaries earlier than planned. band of 1.5 percentage points on coming period. bank will raise the mandatory hand-in-hand, it remains to be Although the interest rates on either side. BELIBOR is the interest rate at reserve requirements for all euro- seen what funding sources lenders commercial loans will go down it But a drop in the repo rate, cou- which 10 local banks are offering denominated loans to 30 per cent will tap into to finance these dinar- won’t happen overnight, the NBS pled with the hike on mandatory term dinar deposits on the Serbian from 25 per cent starting on June denominated loans,” Lecic said in said. The central bank is unlikely reserve requirements for euro- inter-bank market. 30th, it said earlier. an emailed statement to Prishtina to relax its monetary policy swiftly denominated loans, is unlikely to “The clients can expect to start Both moves are designed to pro- Insight. as the anticipated slowing of infla- be the only contributing factor to borrowing money [...] with lower mote lending in dinars and min- Roughly 90 per cent of all sav- tion in the coming period will take the slide in interest rates, interest rates and lower monthly imise risks tied to Serbia’s stag- ings by Serbian citizens are in a some time. Jovanovic said. margins,” Jovanovic said in an gering level of euroisation. foreign currency, the central bank “The persisting inflationary He also cited the recent curbing emailed statement to Prishtina Serbs have unofficially adopted said last year. pressures require a monetary poli- of the dinar’s strengthening Insight. the euro as a refuge from the dinar, The central bank began to ease cy that reduces the degree of against the euro as one of the However, not everyone is confi- prone to high inflation and sudden its restrictions after almost a year restrictiveness very vigilantly,” underlying causes behind the dent that the challenges ahead will devaluations. of boosting the key repo rate. the NBS said in an email to anticipated drop in interest rates. Macedonia Tries Its hand at Olive Oil The country's first olive oil company is pioneering production of this Mediterranean staple in the sunny southeast, with a plantation of 13,000 trees. become a centre of olive oil pro- producing oil and this is a pioneer duction if the private, public and attempt," Arsov explained. civil sector teamed up. Macedonia is better known for By Sinisa Jakov Marusic “If individual olive growers producing sunflower oil. The from the region can be hired as biggest such facility is in the cen- subcontractors, we could produce tral town of Veles. nearly 600 tons of olive oil a year Kirov said he hoped the EU will hile olive trees are not in future,” he maintained. help fund his olive endeavour, rare in Macedonia, lack of Kirov has cooperated with whose initial cost is estimated at Wtradition and know-how experts from Skopje’s Faculty of about 1 million euros. Support has prevented the country from following the example of neigh- Agriculture and with Greek pro- could come from IPARD, the EU’s bouring Greece and turning olive fessors from Thessaloniki Instrument for Pre-Accession oil into a major export. University to develop a new olive Assistance for Rural Development. In a bid to change this, KM, a strain, called “Marsela”. The olive is native to the company in the southeast, this They hope this plant will gener- Mediterranean area and three month started work on a first plan- ate more output and be better suit- Mediterranean countries are the tation of some 13,000 trees near ed to Macedonia's climate. biggest olive oil producers in the the small town of Dojran, near the Toso Arsov, a professor at the world: Spain, Italy and Greece. Greek border. agriculture faculty, said some Together they are responsible for “We plan to make some 300 tons regions of Macedonia, like the some 75 per cent of the world's pro- of olive oil a year, aimed both for basin around Dojran, which had a duction. Y exports and the home market,” the warmer than average climate Greece is considered by some as company owner, Kiro Kirov, said. throughout the year, were perfect the champion in terms of quality, C Kirov added that the entire for growing olives. since it is the biggest extra virgin K region around Dojran could “Macedonia lacks know-how in olive oil producer in the world. Macedonia is exploiting its Mediterranean climate neighbourhood July 15 - 28, 2011 9 Macedonia Soothes Albanians Over Hague Cases After reportedly striking a deal with his ethnic Albanian partner party on war crimes cases, Nikola Gruevski is expected to present his new gov- ernment to parliament on Thursday. cal instructions to "manage the cases", meaning stall proceedings in the courts. By Sinisa Jakov Marusic and DUI and VMRO-DPMNE officials Sase Dimovski brief that these cases will now lapse under a general amnesty law for for- mer insurgents that was adopted alks between Gruevski’s VMRO- shortly after the conflict ended. DPMNE party and its ethnic In 2001 Macedonia saw an armed TAlbanian partner, the Democratic conflict between Albanian insurgents Union for Integration, DUI, appear to be Djukanovic Excoriates and the security forces. The clashes over on a new government. ended with the signing of the Ohrid Talks began after both parties won the June 5 elections in their respective peace accord that guaranteed Sebian Nationalism ethnic blocs. Albanians more rights. The insur- Sources from both parties told gency leaders then formed the DUI. Milo Djukanovic, leader of the Montenegrin ruling Democratic Party of Balkan Insight that an agreement on a Party sources say the two winning Socialists, DPS, claims that Serbian nationalism is denying Montenegro its new government was speedy after parties have agreed that families of VMRO-DPMNE accepted three key DUI former Albanian insurgents who were identity. demands concerning the Albanian injured or killed during the 2001 con- Serbian. community. flict will receive state pensions. The “[Montenegro] should not be fooled with VMRO-DPMNE reportedly agreed to DUI had previously insisted on state make-believe brotherly recommendations dump plans to re-examine four war pensions for all former insurgents, By Prishtina Insight like, all right, you are independent, but give crimes cases that the International whether or not they were injured. up on your national identity, culture, church Criminal Tribunal for former The third DUI demand that and language,” said Djukanovic. Yugoslavia, ICTY, had returned to Gruevski has reportedly accepted As the dominant ideology of the local “Because everybody who gives us such Macedonia in 2008. concerns language. Ethnic Albanian political public, Serbian state national- advice is not doing it because of brotherly The cases involve alleged crimes MPs and ministers want the right to “ism is still claiming Montenegro and motives,” he continued. “They are leaving a committed by ethnic Albanian guer- use their native language in parlia- denying Montenegrin national, cultural and chance for someone to ask us again in 10 or 20 rillas, including current DUI officials, ment. religious identity,” Djukanovic told the years: Since we are the same, why do we need during the 2001 armed conflict in the Currently, Albanian can be used in Podgorica-based daily Pobjeda on Wednesday. two Serbian states next to each other? And country. parliament, but with restrictions. For A former prime minister and president of that means another meaningless circle. Many feared that reviving the cases example, a legislator may not use Montenegro, Djukanovic was one of the Welcome to 1918. before the Macedonia's domestic Albanian when presiding over a par- prime movers in the country’s bid for state- Djukanovic charged that part of the long- courts would rekindle the ethnic dis- liamentary commission, but its use is hood. time opposition to Montenegrin independ- putes of the past. permissible during plenary sessions. Montenegro declared its independence ence had “Serbia’s overall support, including Since the four cases were returned Gruevski’s new ministerial line-up from Serbia in a referendum held in May funding,” adding that he was not only talking from the Hague, only one case of is still a mystery. But some new faces 2006. A year later, Montenegrin became the about pro-Serbian parties in Montenegro. alleged torture perpetrated against are anticipated. It is also expected country’s official language. “There are parties that grew on a political construction workers has reached the that the DUI will have more ministers In census figures released earlier this platform very close to the former Liberal courts, but it has been repeatedly than it did in the last government. week, 45 per cent of Montenegro residents Alliance’s ‘Little cabinet,’ and in the mean- postponed. The third government led by declared themselves to be Montenegrins, time they rushed into the great Serbian A senior official from the Gruevski will most probably be adopt- while only 29 per cent said they were Serbs. nationalism,” Djukanovic told Pobjeda. “Or Macedonian prosecution recently told ed without hitches, as his party and However, some 37 per cent of the country’s they so impersonalised their ideology that it Balkan Insight under condition of the DUI control over 70 of the 123 seats 625,266 inhabitants said they speak is completely clear today that their leading anonymity that following the return in parliament. Gruevski has been in Montenegrin, while about 44 per cent speak idea is making money.” of the Hague cases he received politi- power since 2006. Albanian Town Unveils Statue of George W. Bush he town of Fushe Kruja has Kruja welcomed President Bush as the unveiled a statue to the for- leader of a country that we are more Tmer US President commemo- connected to than any other place in the rating his visit on June 10, 2007, planet,” said Berisha in a speech in when Bush received a rock-star wel- front of a cheering crowd of locals gath- come. ered in the town square festooned with The 43rd US President visited the Albanian and American flags. town, which lies close to Mother Teresa “Albanians are proud of their pro- International Airport, to discuss a US- Americanism and always will be,” funded microloan programme with a Berisha added. baker, a barber, a tailor and a shepherd. Bush was the first US President to The 2.85-meter statue of Bush was visit Albania, and received a warm wel- unveiled on Wednesday, his 65 birthday, come. He is credited with sponsoring in a ceremony attended by Albanian Albania’s successful bid to join NATO in Prime Minister Sali Berisha and US 2009, and unequivocally supporting embassy officials. Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of inde- “Albanians and the citizens of Fushe pendence from Serbia one year earlier. 10 July 15 - 28, 2011 neighbourhood Burials Relieve Pain For Some Srebrenica Families No ‘healing process’ is going on in divided Srebrenica – but for some relatives of 1995 massacre victims, the ceremonial reburial of 613 of them brought a degree of relief.

Srebrenica massacre to begin. “It feels almost like relief, bury- By Eldin Hadzovic in ing him after so many years of Srebrenica searching and of hoping at the same time that by some miracle he had survived,” Revda says of her husband. n July 11 in 1995, Revda “Still, he was only 36 and my Hrustic, together with her grief for him will never pass,” she Othree daughters, escaped adds. “But at least I know where I from the Bosniak enclave of can visit him.” Srebrenica, after Ratko Mladic’s Many people were coming to Bosnian Serb Army, VRS, seized Srebrenica for the first time | the “UN protected” town. Photo by Eldin Hadzovic Revda’s husband, Azem, wasn’t Surrounding the grieving that lucky. After Bosnian Serb sol- Revda, some 30,000 people in diers captured him he disappeared Potocari waited for the ceremony without a trace – one of at least in the almost unbearable heat of 7,000 men and boys killed in the sun on July 11. Europe’s worst single atrocity All around families prayed over since the end of the Second World the graves of loved ones while oth- War. ers came to bury the 613 victims Bosnian and international whose remains were recovered courts have since declared the from mass graves during the past massacre an act of genocide. year and identified through DNA. Now, on the 16th anniversary of The youngest victim to be the massacre, Revda came back buried this year was 11-year-old with her daughters to bury her Nesib Muhic. Mersed Smajlovic, husband’s remains, which were director of Memorial Center exhumed from one of the second- Potocari, said that 82-year-old ary mass graves near the town of Large families, like the Alic, Becirovic, Gabeljic and Suljic families, each buried more than ten members this year alone Redzo Pudaric was the oldest vic- Zvornik. tim being buried the ceremony. while fleeing Mladic’s troops with pointing a finger towards an elder- you.” The Hrustic family will bury One woman, Nezira Ibisevic, was her two-year-old daughter. Her ly man. “That’s Miladin Radic, aka Camil Durakovic, mayor of only a handful of bones as only being buried too. husband and 11-year-old son Elvis ‘Popeye’. He was in the VRS and Srebrenica, says the reconciliation some of the remains of Revda’s Many people were coming to were left behind. can be seen on one of the videos process in the town is slow and husband were recovered. Srebrenica for the first time. “It is impossible to find a com- taken in Srebrenica in July 1995. uncertain. Like many victims of the mas- Others have been coming every plete family in Srebrenica,” she “You can recognize him; he’s the “Srebrenica lies in the sacre, he was buried in one of sev- year since 2003, when the then US said. “I lost my husband and my one in a multi-coloured T-shirt Republika Srpska, Bosnia’s Serb- eral mass graves that Serbs later President Bill Clinton inaugurated sister, who was killed together with a gun in his hand,” Elvis dominated entity and our children dug up and scattered in smaller the Potocari memorial cemetery. with her children,” Spiodic told adds, referring to a video of go to school and study the Serbian secondary graves, to cover up the Many came on foot. This year Balkan Insight. General Mladic filmed in curriculum,” he says. scale of the slaughter. more than 6,000 took part in three- While Elvis’s father perished in Srebrenica right after the UN-pro- “Help from the [Bosnian Serb] “The Missing Persons Institute day March of Peace from Nezuk, a the mayhem following the fall of tected enclave fell to the Serbs, government in Banja Luka is min- never discovered his whole body,” small village near Tuzla. The num- the town, he survived. Sadika when he famously promised not to imal, and is insufficient for the Revda’s daughter, Elma, says, star- ber of marchers grows every year. thought she had lost her son, too. harm the refugees gathered in municipality’s further develop- ing at the open grave with her As the coffins snaked through “Finally he was exchanged, front of the UN barracks. ment. If this doesn’t change, father’s name written on a tomb. the crowds in a mournful proces- wounded but alive,” she recalled. Elvis does not know if his neigh- Srebrenica will die once again,” he “Today we’re only burying parts sion, a voice read out the names of “I couldn’t have been happier bour actually killed anyone, but he adds. of his lower skeleton and the victims, one by one. when I saw him.” wonders. “Today he acts like noth- Meanwhile, relatives of the vic- mandible, which were identified Large families, like the Alic, Today she lives in Tuzla and ing happened. He doesn’t mention tims of the Srebrenica massacre with DNA analysis. The rest is still Becirovic, Gabeljic and Suljic fam- rarely visits her house in Potocari. that day and I don’t talk to him, continue to search for the remains to be found,” Elma adds. ilies, each buried more than ten But Elvis spends most of his time unless I really must.” of 3,045 people whose bodies have Her mother sat next to a hole in members this year alone. in Srebrenica. As we talked, a Evis says he is “trying to make never been located. the ground, a veil covering her Sadika Spiodic, who comes from neighbour passed. something of my life here” in The Potocari Memorial Centre face, waiting for the ceremonial Potocari itself, lost her husband “You see that man?” Elvis asks, Srebrenica – but it’s an uphill says 4,524 victims of the July 1995 burial of 613 victims of the struggle. massacre have been buried in “Without a proper infrastruc- Potocari and another 188 have ture, or jobs, there isn’t much been buried elsewhere. hope,” Elvis says, adding that the The war in Bosnia from 1992-95 number of youngsters in claimed a total of about 100,000 Srebrenica shrinks every year. lives. “Besides the lack of job opportu- Trials for genocide of the for- nities in Srebrenica, our neigh- mer Bosnian Serb president, bours still consider Ratko Mladic a Radovan Karadzic, and Bosnian hero,” he continues. Serb general Zdravko Tolimir con- tinue. The Serbs of Srebrenica mostly Judgment is pending for the for- stay at home on July 11. Gordana mer chief of the general staff of Andric, who owns a small restau- the Yugoslav army, Momcilo rant in town, won’t be drawn on Perisic, accused of providing the subject of the annual pilgrim- logistical aid to the Bosnian Serb age. Army at Srebrenica. On March 29 “Its politics and I don’t deal with prosecutors demanded a life sen- politics,” she says, diplomatically. tence. “I also don’t think about Ratko The trial of Ratko Mladic, Mladic or Radovan Karadzic, since arrested on May 26 and trans- I consider them neither heroes nor ferred on May 31 to The Hague, is war criminals. not expected to start for several “I say that every war criminal months. Former Yugoslav presi- Y should be punished, but no one dent Slobodan Milosevic died in talks about the war crimes against prison in The Hague on March 11, C the Serbs,” she finally adds. 2006 while his trial for genocide K Coffins ready for burial “There, I have nothing else to tell was still ongoing. neighbourhood July 15 - 28, 2011 11 Macedonia Pulls Plug on Opposition Media Closure of critically oriented outlets leaves Nikola Gruevski's government without its biggest media critics.

“The closures and the taxes requests to repay the money in Macedonia in a form of [media] us into scared servants [of the demands all appear to be political- installments. As its financial wor- darkness, outside the democratic authorities],” she added. ly motivated,” Nicola Duckworth, ries grow, A1 may be the next process,” she said. Causidis said they were demon- By Sase Dimovski Amnesty International’s director media outlet to go under. Vladimir Milcin, executive strating also for those who were for Europe and Central Asia, said The threatened closure of director of the Open Society too scared to protest themselves. this week in a press release. Ramkovski’s newspapers earlier Foundation in Macedonia, is one “We’re also marching on their “This is not an isolated incident this year preceded an opposition of the loudest critics of the behalf, to declare out loud that we acedonian media that but a confrontation with media walkout of parliament. As a result, Gruevski government’s media are organized and that they cannot hold critical views of the critical of the government that the government called a snap elec- agenda. bribe or scare us!” Mcentre-right government has been going on for over a year,” tion in June. However, the ruling In his last column for the now Natalija Radivojevic, a lawyer of Prime Minister Nikola she added. part won the vote, albeit with a defunct Shpic, Milcin accused the representing journalists in courts, Gruevski are fast closing, or are “These closures are looking reduced majority. Prime Minister of actively shut- said she was becoming increasing- under serious threat of closure. more and more like an all-out “We fear Gruevski’s govern- ting critically oriented media. ly overwhelmed with cases of vio- In what some are calling a “Black assault on freedom of expression.” ment is using its new mandate as “One by one, Gruevski has lations of workers’ rights. Friday for Macedonian journal- The Organization for Security an excuse to continue its attempts crushed all the bastions of free- “I used to believe that the tools ism”, three pro-opposition newspa- and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE, to isolate, marginalize and silence dom and democracy. His task was that journalists posses in creating pers Shpic, Vreme, and Koha e Re, has expressed similar concern media critical of the government,” made easier by the fact that all of public opinion and pinpointing owned by detained media tycoon over the spate of closures. said Duckworth of Amnesty them [the media] hoped they social problems would prevent vio- Velija Ramkovski, have all closed at “This is a very disturbing devel- International. might survive if they made ‘little’ lations of workers’ rights on such once, ostensibly as a result of their opment that has practically elimi- In a sign that A1 is already concessions,” he wrote. a scale,” she said. failure to repay back taxes now nated pluralism and opposition weakening, this week it “One by one, columnists who In another form of protest, all demanded by the authorities. views in the country’s press announced that it had been forced refuse to applaud to Gruevski are seven members of the so-called Meanwhile, the country’s only overnight,” the OSCE representa- to send most of its staff temporar- vanishing. Some will get new boss- Council of Honour, a wing of the critical national TV station, A1, tive on media freedom, Dunja ily on leave. es and will obey orders without Journalists’ Association tasked also faces closure for the same rea- Mijatovic, said in Vienna on A1, Macedonia’s oldest private complaint but those who refuse with nurturing ethical principles son. It has continued working after Monday. TV broadcaster and by far the will be left on the street, at least for and applying the journalists’ code courts froze its account six “The media should follow the most popular TV in the country, some time,” Milcin added. of conduct, resigned at the week- months ago. But the TV station, rules set for all businesses, but now airs only short news bulletins Mijatovic, from OSCE, said end. also owned by Ramkovski, has cut these outlets seem to have been without accompanying reports, Macedonia’s authorities needed “The collective resignation is news bulletin and sent most jour- targeted by the authorities,” analysis, interviews, debates or reminding that media pluralism also a sign of protest over the con- nalists home on paid leave. Mijatovic added. panel discussions. was a prerequisite both in the fight dition of Macedonian journal- In what journalists unions have The closures and sackings “We refuse to believe this is the against corruption and in foster- ism,” Ida Protugjer, one of the described as another ominous prompted Macedonia’s Journalists end,” Mladen Cadikovski, A1’s edi- ing the democratization process. seven journalists who resigned, development, five journalists from Union and its Journalists tor-in-chief, Mladen Cadikovski, “Closing critical media never told Balkan Insight. the daily Utrinski Vesnik were Association, two different organi- told Balkan Insight. leads to political and economic sta- “Instead of serving the public sacked in the past few days after zations, to stage a joint protest on “We will try to prevent in every bilization, but to stagnation and interest and truth, journalism has taking part in a strike against Monday. way the closure of the first private the loss of trust in governments become hostage to media owners management lay-off plans. The The goal was to remind state TV in Macedonia, which has and politicians,” she warned. and centres of power, mainly the daily, along with two others, is institutions and media owners of remained a symbol and promoter Macedonian journalists have political parties,” she added. owned by Germany’s WAZ. repeated and increasingly routine of democratic processes in the consistently complained of gov- The 30 or so cases that the coun- Media watchdogs fears the sack- breaches of journalists’ rights. country,” he added. ernment interference in their cil had considered over its seven ings, on top of the spate of closures “No one can expect journalists Many intellectuals and political work, ranging from being shut out months of existence had shown and threatened closures, are part of to abide by principles and codes of observers have publicly spoken of press conferences to defamation that journalists no longer have the a growing crackdown on independ- conduct when they are faced out against what they see as a sus- suits and even death threats. strength to fight for professional ent minded journalists and media everyday with the possibility of tained campaign of harassment, Last Monday, several hundred standards, she maintained. groups. losing their jobs and when lay-offs targeting media that decline to reporters held a protest in Skopje Zoran Stefanoski, head of the are being made without the proper echo the government’s line. to register their mounting anger Broadcasting Council, a national procedure,” Naser Selmani, head “It is obvious that these media over recent events. regulatory body, says the party of the Journalists Association of were closed because of a conspira- The protest was on behalf of all politicization of the media is a Macedonia, said. cy of the governing parties,” those who were “deceived into sign- general problem in Macedonia and All three closed dailies are the Biljana Petrova, a communica- ing resignation notices when they was clearly evident in the cover- property of detained tycoon Velija tions expert from Skopje, said. were employed, who have been laid age of the June 5 early elections. Ramkovski, a supporter-turned- “Their closure is a bad sign; it’s off overnight… who work for “A1 positioned itself as supporter foe of Prime Minister Gruevski placing months without pay, who receive of the opposition and as a critic of and his ruling VMRO-DPMNE little or no social welfare and who the government, while party. are not allowed paid vaca- Sitel TV [another Ramkovski was detained last tions,” Tamara Causidis, national private December after police charged head of the TV] was him with tax evasion. He stays in Journalist’s clearly sup- detention as the trial against him Union of porting the is ongoing. Macedonia, govern- The authorities insist that his said. ment,” he media empire must repay 10 mil- It was also a said. The lion euros’ worth in back protest against third nation- taxes, or face clo- “the direct black- al private sure, and have mail and atmos- broadcaster, rejected phere of fear Kanal 5, also that is turn- backed the ing government, he added. 12 July 15 - 28, 2011 culture

Prizren Film Festival Oscar nominated directors, worldwide music stars and international acclaim: the tenth edition of Kosovo’s documentary festival, Dokufest, has come a long way from a one-screen event in a city with no cinema. more each year.” Pamela Cohn, a New York- Let England Shake,” he said. The festival has again upped based producer, filmmaker, Some 300 guests, producers its film count. This year 180 doc- writer, and programmer who and filmmakers have confirmed By Shengjyl Osmani umentaries and short movies served on last year’s festival their attendance and the organ- from 55 countries will be jury, told Prishtina Insight that izers are expecting more than screened at seven locations, Dokufest was becoming more 10,000 visitors. including in the city’s fort, on professional and internationally Other highlights of this year’s the Lumbardh river and, for the recognised with each passing event will be the presence of en years since the war- first time, in the League of year. Iranian producer Mohsen scarred city of Prizren Prizren house. “When I was chosen to serve Makhmalbaf and James Tin southern Kosovo The Ottoman-era building on the international jury for last Longley, a filmmaker who has held the first Dokufest, the played a key part in the history year's Dokufest I was so been nominated for an Oscar documentary festival has of the Albanian national move- impressed by the festival and several times. established itself as a major ment in the 19th century, when the town of Prizren,” she The two filmmakers will be event in the world of cine- Albania and Kosovo formed part recalled. present on stage to present their matography. of the Ottoman Empire. “There is something special movies and field questions. Aliriza Arenliu, Dokufest’s “From one screen in the first there, not only in the cultural Arenliu noted that many pro- executive director, told edition, this year we will have event but in the people who put ducers and filmmakers who had Prishtina Insight that the seven screens as well as a camp- it on,” she added. “The gather- attended the festival once keep International Documentary and “The people of the region are site, Doku nights, ‘Doku kids’ ing of industry guests from all coming back. Short Film Festival had proved very fortunate to have access to and workshops and debates over the world is impressive as Cohn recalled that she and a great success: “Now it is inter- so many great documentary and organized every night after the well.” Veton Nurkollari became nationally recognized by short films,” she added. movie screenings,” Arenliu The festival’s artistic director, friends after meeting over the famous producers and filmmak- “For this year's itinerary, explained. Veton Nurkollari, announced years on the festival circuit in ers and is growing more and Veton invited me to curate a this week that British pop star various places. strand of films as a contribu- PJ Harvey would be presenting “He and his team have built a tion to the rest of the special “State institutions still haven’t grasped the value of festival, her latest project. very strong international non- programme to celebrate “The special events of this fiction festival event, one that not just the artistic values, but the financial revenues for the Dokufest’s ten-year anniversary. tenth festival will include… PJ can rival any of the more estab- Y “We will be presenting eight whole city and county of Prizren, which we estimate to be Harvey together with the pro- lished ones in North America or fantastic international films on ducer Seamus Murphy, who will Europe in its superb program- C worth around 3 million euro,” Arenliu added. artists as part of this year's pro- K be discussing their latest album, ming,” she said. culture July 15 - 28, 2011 13

Comes of Age at Ten

“There is something special there, not only in the cultural event but in the people who put it on,” she added. “The gathering of industry guests from all over the world is impressive as well.”

tival, not just the artistic val- Nita Deda, media officer for ues, but the financial revenues Dokufest, said an exhibition for the whole city and county of starting a day before the official Prizren, which we estimate to opening of the festival, on July be worth around 3 million 22, titled “Transit”, will look at euro,” Arenliu added. the theme of refugees and dis- Dokufest will also mark this placed people around Europe. It year’s milestone with a retro- will be opened by Norwegian spective of 15 documentaries or artist Espen Rasmussen. short movies from the previous “Croatian designer Mirko Ilic, nine editions. artistic director of the Times “To make our guests recall Magazine, will be moderating the documentaries screened in one of the festivals debates the previous nine editions, or to about the process of how the make it possible for our new designers express their dissatis- guest review to know what have faction with certain political or we screened in the past nine social topics through design,” editions, we will have a night explained Arenliu. dedicated to the 15 best movies Each night the festival will from the previous nine edi- have entertainment from differ- Aliriza Arenliu and Jeton Nurkollari with the Mayor of Prizren Ramadan Muja tions,” Veton Nurkollari ent local and regional artists explained. and bands. gram. I’m very honored and tional or governmental support, He is finding sponsorships But Dokufest is no longer just excited, once again, to be part of despite a promise by the then through private entrepreneurs about films. Live music, talks Dokufest opens on Y it all.” Minister of Culture at the clos- and businesses. and exhibitions are an increas- July 23 and closes on July 31. Arenliu regretted that the fes- ing night of last year’s festival “State institutions still ingly important part of the For more information visit tival still received no institu- to rectify this. haven’t grasped the value of fes- C package. www.dokufest.com/2011/ K 14 July 15 - 28, 2011 culture

Albanian Underground Art Scene Finds New Home New cultural center aims to host a vibrant scene that is often shunned by mainstream institutions.

cultural map of Europe. Most artistic events in the city are restricted to the city centre or to By Besiana Lushaj TV studios, failing to provoke much social interaction. Artists often complain that official events sponsored by few blocks past Tirana’s institutions, mostly controlled train station, which for by the ministry of culture or the Adecades defined the edge municipality, do not echo urban of the city and the border to the cultural trends and lack the industrial zone, a new multifunc- potential to truly enhance the tional art centre has opened. city’s cultural flavour. Located in an old warehouse, Instead, a commercial culture, Tirana Ekspres, an initiative of exploited by advertisers, fills the the organization with the same void. name, aims to respond to the Rubin Beqo, from the Tirana growing cultural and artistic Ekspres crew, is a promoter, DJ needs of a constantly expanding and performer, club manager capital, which has tripled in size and artistic director of night in the past two decades. clubs and underground festivals With the railways tracks on in Albania. “We will be using the west giving a sense of space, this place to host events, the like a giant platform, and with gravity of which will produce a the sky as a background, the social impact,” Beqo says. dusty row of old warehouses has “Tirana Ekspres is a multi- never seen so many young peo- functional space for art that ple. wants to provoke people into “It looks like a theatre stage, thinking critically about improv- isolated by the new apartment ing their quality of life,” he buildings from the three sides,” An exhibition of photos of Tirana at the venue adds. Irma Toptani, a young activist at Enida Gjata, a former Tirana barely survives in Albania,” stream gallery are often off-lim- decades. Tirana Ekspres, says. Arts Academy professor and TV Gjata says. its for young artists, she under- Elinor Butka, a photographer “The noises of the city cannot personality, points out that main- “Artists get frustrated because lines. and musician in Tirana’s under- intrude here because the wall of stream institutions shun alter- they are not heard, so their ini- Adela Demetja, a curator liv- ground scene, agrees. buildings don’t let them,” she native and the underground art tiatives are sometimes sacri- ing between Tirana and “There is a strong commercial adds. culture. fices, done in vain,” she adds. Frankfurt, was one of the first to culture in the Albanian capital”, Though a bustling capital, for “Faced with so much injustice Even the bare rental costs to put put an exhibition at the Tirana Butka says. “Adventure and many artists Tirana often feels and political corruption, art on an exhibition in a main- Ekspres. Titled “Pipifax for exploration are experiences that isolated from the underground Tirana - Beyond the mirror and happen in bars or clubs among what we found there,” it was groups that don’t share a com- organized by the Tirana Art Lab. mon cultural identity and the Demetja says that were it not generation gap is immense.” for this new centre, open to all Irma Toptani, a young activist artists, the exhibition would who for years covered Tirana’s have been hard to put together. culture scene for a national TV Her art collective can’t afford to station, notes that young people maintain a centre of its own and have lacked a sense of direction would have struggled to afford in Tirana’s urban sprawl the rent for an exhibition space. because there are no shared “The old railway as an exhibit- spaces where they can exchange ing space fitted our artistic con- ideas and experiences. cept like a glove,” she says. “This “Young people don't have a space is an open opportunity for place to meet or share authentic anyone doing art who wants to interests, like art or music,” make it public,” Demeltia adds. Toptani says. Tirana Ekspres’s first exhibi- “This is a city where every- tion, launched on June 16, was body meets everybody, and that appropriately titled “Opening”, is OK - but we see younger people and featured works of photogra- not searching for cultural diver- phy and painting. sity but sticking to stereotypes “Artists here are thirsty for and café culture,” she adds. Y places like this,” says Jutta Bezenberg, a German photogra- This article is funded under the C pher who has made Albania her BICCED project, supported by the K Tirana Express's opening night professional home for two Swiss Cultural Programme. feature July 15 - 28, 2011 15 Forgotten Albanians Power Their Own Future Plagued by a poor electricity supply, some Albanians have turned to building their own small power plants from scrap.

ised fresh improvements after recently securing a 100-million-euro loan, co- By Besar Likmeta financed by the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, EBRD, and the International Finance Corporation. In its 2010 report, the Energy Regulatory iqiri Luka takes understandable pride Agency, the public watchdog that monitors when he describes in detail how his the CEZ distribution branch in Albania, Fiqiri Luka his generating is own power Fsmall hydro power plant, built from says losses amount to more than 30 per cent during periods of draughts. and set up customer protection policies to scrap parts in an irrigation canal in the vil- of the electricity consumed in the country. Albania’s power generation system has help the poorest consumers. lage of Buraj, has powered electricity for his This is passed on to consumers in the form not seen major investment since the early "The government should apply a dedicat- family for the last eight months. of high prices. 1980s, when the cash-strapped former ed customer protection policy for those not “I did everything with my bare hands,” However, despite CEZ’s promises of fresh Communist regime stopped investing in able to pay the price of electricity, in order the 76-year-old says. “Last winter we had investment, the villagers of Buraj who have new hydropower dams. to reduce theft, while those who drive a enough electricity keep the lights on and got accustomed to a life without modern After the fall of Communism, the demand Mercedes and have three-storey villas turn on the TV as well,” he adds. amenities - impossible without a proper for energy grew rapidly. It is estimated that should pay the full price,” Simon Uzunov, an Luka says he first dug a trench in the power supply - remain skeptical. the power grid needs $1.6 billion in invest- electricity expert with the Vienna-based canal to power the small turbine, which was “The last time that someone from the ment to eliminate power failures. Energy Community, says. welded together from parts he’d salvaged power company even came to the village Power bills in Albania average 35 to 70 Uzunov also urged “unbundling” the from a junkyard. was back in 1996,” says Fatmir Luka, euros a month. Although this cost is half costs in order to help locate the sources and The turbine in turn powers a generator Fiqiri’s son. the average in the EU, it is still expensive for mechanisms of the losses. salvaged from a rusted Ford engine, produc- “Since than we’ve had to manage every- most Albanians, as their purchasing power “Data on the level and source of losses in ing up to eight kilowatts of electricity per thing on our own, from repairing the power is only 25 per cent of the EU average, accord- the grid should be available to all interested hour. lines to installing power converters in order ing to the EU’s statistical wing, Eurostat. customers,” he adds. “These measures “I have done something minimal because to boost the voltage,” he adds. Meanwhile, Albania’s National Statistics would certainly increase the ability to face there is not enough water to install a bigger Fatmir says his father’s skills have come Institute estimates that in the first six this kind of issue.” generator,” he says, pointing to the small particularly handy, although building the months of 2010, losses accounted for 27.9 per While policy-makers, corporate execu- stream that runs on the edge of his land, small power plant with their minimal finan- cent of the electricity in Albania’s grid. tives and experts debate a solution to the where his son and daughter-in-law plant cial means still wasn’t easy. Nearly 90 per cent of these losses country’s electricity problem, back in Buraj, beans and vegetables. Despite the hard work required to divert occurred in the electricity distribution sys- Fiqiri Luka has slightly simpler view of Buraj, a village outside the town of Fushe the irrigation canal, he says that he had tem, meaning they were due to theft. things. Kruja, only 25 kilometres from the Albanian faith in his father’s project because the “old To curb electricity theft and secure funds “I just want electricity, a couple hundreds capital, Tirana, has not seen a steady supply man” had done the same thing many years for utility companies to invest in the ageing steady volts, so that I can work,” he says. of electricity for the better part of the last before. power grid, experts say government and the “I’m desperate to have the power supply two decades. Luka built his first power plant in the vil- utility companies should unpack the costs back before I die,” he adds. Whenever there is electricity, which is lage back in 1958, where the area was not yet often late at night, the voltage usually only connected to the national grid. reaches about 30 to 40 volts. It is not enough “I used old barrels to make the turbine, marketing even to turn on a lamp – rendering power- and parts from an old refrigerator to make hungry modern appliances like washing the propeller,” Fiqiri remembers, with sense machines and refrigerators useless. of nostalgia. “I destroyed that one; I never Albania’s 69,000 kilometre-long power thought we’d be left without electricity grid, which since 2009 has been run by the again,” he adds. Czech power giant, CEZ suffers from con- Power outages are not only a problem for stant blackouts, particularly in rural areas. rural areas of Albania such as Buraj. The company blames its state-owned Because most of the country’s power gener- predecessor KESH for not investing in ation depends on hydroelectric plants, improving the security of supply. Energy which are susceptible to changes in the theft remains endemic. But CEZ has prom- weather, cuts are rampant in cities as well,

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- Simultaneous and consecutive interpreting; - Written translations; - Revision, editing and proofreading; - Certified translations for court; - Simultaneous interpreting equipment and sound systems; - Media monitoring; - Language consultancy.

E-mail: [email protected] Y Tel: 038/ 22 98 99 + 377 (0) 44 137 976 C This river is used to generate electricity K 16 July 15 - 28, 2011 Prishtina Insight

Where to pick up Prishtina Insight? Hotel AFA Located in a quiet neighbourhood Prishtina Insight has teamed up with these six excellent venues to offer a limited number of complimentary copies of Kosovo’s just outside the city centre, Hotel Afa can guarantee guests a peaceful only 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 Ernest Koliqi 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 by the Illyria Hotel C Bar - Prishtine Prishtina: 045-420900 K By Shengjyl Osmani July 15 - 28, 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, July 15, 2011 very day at 6 pm, (“The Lovely Bones,” Full House, Eelke Kleijn / Untold ABC Cinema con- “Atonement”) in the title Stories, from 10 pm Etinues screening role. Raised by her father The philosophy behind his second the animated movie Rio. (Eric Bana of “Star Trek”), full-length album - ‘Untold Stories’ - Blu, a rare macaw who an ex-CIA man, in the wilds is that music should be continuous, believes that he is the of Finland, Hanna’s an uninterrupted, emotional experi- last of his kind, discov- upbringing and training ence. Having written the album as ers there’s another have been one and the one single piece instead of a collec- macaw out there, a girl same, all geared to making tion of individual tracks, Untold named Jewel. her the perfect assassin. Stories is truly Eelke’s way of push- Then, to set up a life with The turning point in her ing boundaries with music. The her, he leaves his cage in adolescence is a sharp one; album received great reviews and small town Minnesota sent into the world by her international DJ support by the likes and heads to Rio de Janeiro. father on a mission, Hanna journeys stealthily of Hernan Catanneo and Nick Blu is domesticated and Jewel is the fiercely inde- across Europe while eluding agents dispatched after Warren. pendent, high-flying female. They embark on an her by a ruthless intelligence operative with secrets Ever since his 2003 landing in the adventure of a lifetime, where they find out about of her own (Academy Award winner Cate world of electronic music, Eelke friendship, love, courage, and being open to life’s Blanchett). As she nears her ultimate target, Hanna Kleijn has been a name synonymous with quality. Fans and enthusi- many wonders. Rio also brings collectively a faces startling revelations about her existence and asts worldwide have come to love the sympathetic Dutchman for his menagerie of bright characters, a heart-warming unexpected questions about her humanity. The affectionate sound, unique productions and dynamic DJ sets, which story, colourful backdrops, stimulating Latin and movie is directed by Joe Wright, starring Saoirse have taken him from Mexico to Russia, and almost everywhere in modern music, and family-friendly song and dance. Ronan, Eric Bana, Olivia Williams, Cate Blanchett, between. And it’s not just the fans that are moved by his work; avid fol- Every day, at 8 and 10 pm, ABC cinema also contin- Jason Flemyng, Jessica Barden, and is written by lowers include internationally renowned DJs such as Hernán ues screening the brand new movie Hanna. Seth Lochhead, David Farr, Joe Penhall, Joe Wright. Cattáneo, Sasha and Dave Seaman, who repeatedly drop his tracks in Award-winning director Joe Wright creates a boldly For ticket reservation or further information call clubs and festivals around the world. original suspense thriller with Hanna, starring ABC Cinema at 038 243 117 or visit them at More for Eelke Kleijn at http://www.eelkekleijn.nl/blog/ Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan http://www.kinoabc.info

Aisheen, Still Alive in Gaza Nicolas Wadimoff , Switzerland DOKUFEST 2010, 35mm, Colour, 86 min

he 10th International Documentary “Where’s the ghost town?” asked the little Tand Short Film Festival: July 23 to 31 boy to the theme park attendant. “It’s The jubilee edition of Dokufest will be the there, right there. But it has been greatest edition ever organised. In this bombed… Do you want to see it?” It is with edition 185 films will be screened, from 55 these words that the film begins - an different parts of the world, selected from impressionist journey through a devastat- more than 2,000 films that have applied for ed Gaza after the war. The ghost town? the festival. Gaza is the ghost town. DokuKids – kid’s festival will screen 40 films. 10 years strong / Documentaries and Special programmes: Shorts- best of nine years of Dokufest. Spotlight L Mohsen Makhmalbaf & James Longley Life in Loops Timo Novotny , Austria Afghan Alphabet Hammam 2006, 35mm, Colour, 80 min Mohsen Makhmalbaf , Iran On July 30, 12 short films will be screened Screening of the documentary “The Coal The multi-media artist Timo Novotny 2001, 35mm, Colour, 46 min by producer Seamus Murphy, on PJ Kingdom” by Casey Cooper Johnson, fol- describes his project as an experimental Harvey’s album “Let England Shake.” lowed with a debate on environmental musical documentary. His film is a remix Mohsen Makhmalbaf tracks the children Both will be attending the festival and will issues in Kosovo. of the film Megacities, a visually opulent who do not attend school in the border vil- be open for Q&A from the audience. Participants: Casey Cooper Johnson; Visa essay about life in several big cities lages between Iran and Afghanistan with Kelmendi; proficient in energy issues; around the world, which was filmed in his digital camera and questions why they For the first time this year, the festival is Justina Pula, deputy in Kosovo 1997 by the Austrian director Michael are not being educated. He finds girls launching DokuPhoto, opening on July 22 Parliament; Fllanza Hoxha, Glawogger. In the documentary, Novotny studying in UNICEF classes in one region. with an exhibition of the Norwegian pho- Project manager for the privatization works with the kind of technology often One of the girls is not willing to come out tographer Espen Rasmussen. The exhibi- of Distribution and Supply of Energetic used by DJs in dance clubs - the remixing of her burqa despite the fact that she has tion shows the path of refugees and dis- Corporation of Kosovo (to be confirmed); of an original work and the use of loops to run away from Afghanistan and the placed people from different parts of the Moderator: Krenar Gashi (KIPRED) create new compositions. The soundtrack, Taliban are not present here. She is more world. The exhibition will take place in which plays a role in shaping the film, is afraid of the horrifying god that the the Museum of the Hammam, and will end Dokunights the work of the electronic group Sofa Taliban have created more than the in July 31. Every night, after the film screening, Surfers. Taliban. The teacher tries… Dokufest is having entertainments every The opening of the festival starts with night. The Dokunights will be held at View from the World, The City on Made in Switzerland - 16 film from screening of Pietro Guzman’s film: ‘Mulliri’ [the milling], where different Film, American Documentary Show Switzerland. Nostalgia for the Light. bends and dj will take off the stage. The case. performing bands and artists are: Blla Festival Debates: Blla Blla…, Jericho, Bei the Fish, Sofa Detroit Wild City Design of Dissent- debate with Mirko Surfers, Bud Pets, Conquering Lion, Florent Tillon , France Ilic – July 24, 4 pm at Hammam Toton, Jozzef & the Children, Pink Metal 2010, 35mm, Colour, 80 min Museum etj. Iranian Cinema- a constant revolu- Festival tickets can be bought at The automobile industry jump-started tion? Panel discussion with Mohsen DokuShop in ‘Shadervan’ [city center Detroit’s prolific rise and helped turn it Makhmalbaf and Gani Jakupo – July in Prizren], costing 2 euro. into the most industrialized city in the 25, 4 pm United States. But drastic changes in ‘Human Rights Film Factory-Stories The DokuCamp, with tends, will cost 1 American demographics & culture have from the Kosovo Margin’ Workshop euro per night, and the registration upended the once prosperous city, leaving it “Visa Liberalization- Arts and can be done at the Culture Centre in in partial ruins. Today, vast urban prairies, Culture”- Debate- July 27 Prizren [Shtepia e Kultures]. populated with a diverse array of wildlife Participants: Verena Knaus, Strategy including falcon, deer, and coyote, have Advisor to the Minister for European All movies are screened all day, in seven replaced what once had been working- and Integration in Kosovo; Besa Luzha, screens in the city located in the river, in middle-class neighborhoods. Now, an unex- Program Coordinator at FEC; Albert Heta, Lumbardhi, in the castle, cinema bahce, pected turn of events has created a ‘blank Artist Director at Stacion-Center for League of Prizren, Culture Centre, and canvas’ environment where young people Contemporary Art Prishtina. Musical high School screen. Y and urban farmers are moving back into Moderator: Ilir Bajri For a full timetable visit the ruined neighborhoods of old Detroit. Debate on the Environment – July 28 www.dokufest.com/2011/ C K 18 July 15 - 28, 2011 Inside Prishtina Kosovo’s “Shrinking” Capital Faces Funding Cuts Kosovo’s first census in 30 years has revealed that Pristina is home to just 200,000 residents, more than half its previous official estimate, prompting a rethink on the capital’s funding

By Besiana Xharra

osovo capital is facing fund- ing cuts and the prospects Kof donors dropping projects after its population was revealed to be just 200,000, well below the figure of half of million which had been the benchmark for many years. While Pristina’a town hall and public services providers for the city argue the census data is off the mark, at least one major proj- ect already appears to have been fallen victim of the census. Figures from Kosovo’s first cen- sus in 30 years, released at the end of June, providing a number of surprises. These included Prishtina’s lower-than-expected population and that the country’s overall inhabitants numbered just 1.7 million. Prishtina is, according to the data, is home to just 20,000 more people than Kosovo’s second city Prizren. As a result of the population count, the city faces losing up to 10 million euro of its 40 million gov- ernment allocation. According to Pristina munici- Prishtina could lose millions following its lower than expected population result for the census pal’s budget for this year, the gov- ernment distributed 39 million from representatives of a German Kosovo has only 200 thousand and many others show that the “The EU has no plans to change based on an estimated population bank that Germany may review inhabitants. number of residents here is much the support planned for Prishtina of 380,000 inhabitants. the promised donation for the con- Arjeta Mjeku, regional spokes- higher. " and the EC Liaison Office cannot If the new calculations prove to struction of the water plant in woman of water Supply for comment or speculate about the be true, Prishtina could be set to Shkabaj. Pristina, says that her company Arjeta Mjeku, spokeswoman for intentions of other donors,” said lose a quarter of its funding. “This is because the German has already identified 93 thousand the Regional Water Plant in spokeswoman Syzana Bytyqi. “For the year 2012 we will have authorities will calculate that for houses or flats which are supplied Prishtina, said the water plant She said that financial support to analyze this issue, but every- only 200,000 citizens. Prishtina with water from this company and would be built. is one of the ways that the thing will be done according to does not need to build that plant.” if the average number of mem- “The German Development European Commission supports law,” Deputy Prime Minister Muhamet Gashi said the munic- bers per family is five, Pristina Bank has promised that the proj- Kosovo to implement EU policies Hajredin Kuci said. ipality was not yet concerned as it should be about 500 thousand ect will be realized,” said Mjeku, and progress towards European The largest project which looks believed the results would be inhabitants, says Mjeku. adding that it will be built by 2014. integration and values. set to flounder is plans for a new revised. “We haven’t made any Also the municipal spokesman The European Commission “The EU is already the largest water processing plant in the vil- analysis about the possibility of Muhamet Gashi says that Pristina Liaison Office in Kosovo said that donor to Kosovo and it will allo- lage of Shkabaj. losing any donations. The final can not have only 200 thousand despite the revised population cate more resources to Kosovo on Mayor Isa Mustafa said: “I per- results of the census is in 2013.” inhabitants. figure for Prishtina and for a per capital basis than to any sonally have had it said to me Officials from Pristina, contin- "There are many facts that Kosovo, investments will not be other place in the world over the ue to deny that the capital of prove this. Water bills, electricity dropped. next three years,” added Bytyqi. Coffee Shop Stella Indulge your Sweet Tooth

cake, different types of biscuits, fruit cakes, chocolate cakes and traditional By Shengjyl Osmani baklava, all served up in a pleasant, clean environement. The shop on Fushe Kosove road opened last week, and is the second Stella store. The first is at the Grand f you are wondering where to have a Store Mall, on the road to Skopje. coffee break and taste delicious Pizzas and sandwiches are also part Isweets while on the unattractive of Stella’s menu. Fushe Kosove road, don’t think twice Call them at 049 182 182 or 044 378 176 about popping into Stella, the newly for any orders or reservation. opened coffee shop at Hysi Centre Mall Y which offers reasonably priced coffees Coffee Shop Stella and different drinks. Hysi Centre C Sweets available include coconut K Fushe Kosove road Grab a cake and a coffee at Stella 19 Inside Prishtina July 15 - 28, 2011 Brotherhood and Unity Statues Nicolas Makes Way for Car Park Ballesteros The half-century old monument Brotherhood and Unity, which is a rare symbol of ex-Yugoslavia in Prishtina, is to be moved, at least temporarily, as the municipality plans to build three underground researcher, Tokyo University Foreign garages for about 1500 parking places. Studies

By Artan Mustafa

he most obvious monument to Yugoslavia in Kosovo’s capital, Brotherhood and TUnity statue, will cease to stand between of: the Eyes through Prishtina the national and municipal assemblies in a few weeks. An advisor to the Mayor of Prishtina, Asdren Osaj, told Prishtina Insight that the monument will be moved to make space for the work that will take place to build an underground car park. “I cannot say at the moment whether it will be returned or not, that is something which is being discussed in the municipality and a deci- sion will be taken in due course,” he said. The area where the monument is placed was named Adem Jashari Square in the years after the war. And it had been rumoured that another monument honouring the ex-KLA leader will be placed instead of the Brotherhood and Unity which was built in 1957. However, Asdren Osaj says that as the matters stand the idea is to build the underground garages and then return the above spaces as they were, namely a square with greenery. There will be three such garages in three areas of the city, according to documents released by the town hall this week. One is located in the area between the ex-UN HQ and Boro & Ramizi centre and the other between Faculty of What surprised you most about Prishtina? Philology of University of Prishtina and the newly build cathedral. When you arrive to Prishtina you get sur- “In addition to parking places there will be prised by the traffic, the people, the mix of build- new buildings for commercial use,” Osaj said. ing and constructions. Prishtina is different. “Taking into account the size of this city, these parking spaces should be quite a relief for What's your favourite hangout? Prishtina and will look good as well.” After a feasibility study and related legal pro- Payton area is nice, but there are many small cedures, Prishtina municipality opened a compe- cafes all over the town where you can enjoy your tition earlier in July. time The offers will be opened on July 20. “The building will start this year, probably September What is the best thing about Prishtina? or October, when all the procedures have been closed and offers chosen in accordance with the The people. What really makes a difference at laws of the Republic of Kosovo,” Osaj said. Yugoslav monument to brotherhood and unity any place is the people.

What is the most annoying thing about Bar Review: Prishtina? Probably the traffic and the sidewalks. It's hard Prishtina’s Last - and First - Chance Saloon to cross the road when traffic lights are not work- ing. And you have to pay attention to the side- walk, it's easy to stumble. osovo’s capital is is hosting rock music, with blessed with a wide performance from local If you were mayor of Prishtina for the day Krange of themed bands and a large dance what would you change? places to down a drink, but floor available for shape- until now the US style throwing. I think that I would improve the traffic situa- saloon has been strangely Stand-up comedy will be tion and the traffic signs. absent. also part of Saloon’s offer, That was remedied on also a rarity in Prishtina. How many macchiatos do you drink a day? July 4, US Independence Saloon is open from Day, of course, when Saloon Monday till Saturday, from Three or four: coffees are great here. opened its doors for the first 9am util the last guest leaves time. the bar. It is closed on What's your favourite Albanian word and If you are looking to sam- Sunday, but open for private why? ple whiskies, this is the parties. place to come. Some 26 vari- Call 049 120 726 if you are Hajde bre! You can use any time. eties are available, which interested in booking the has to be a record in Kosovo. place. You can also snack on US What landmark do you use to tell taxi driv- ers where you live? Y style food. Saloon bar M Every Wednesday, Friday, Under Grand Hotel It is easy for me, I live near the former OSCE C and Saturday night, Saloon next to The Cuban US Decor at Saloon building. K 20 July 15 - 28, 2011 opinion

How to Party Like a Serb Exit festival showcases what is arguably Serbia’s greatest asset - its relentless party spirit.

and continue applying finishing entrance, your appearance and The old-fashioned Serbian clubs, unless they somehow form touches to their appearance. outfit are often used to decide kafana is the only place where the part of a cocktail or can be placed A night out in Serbia may be whether you can enter. This is typ- dress code is truly relaxed. While next to a glass of spirits. Serbs By Gordana Andric cheap by Western European stan- ically true of the gaudier “splavs” most kafanas are to be found out- even have an unwritten rule dards – but for those who live here, – the riverside Belgrade party side the capital, Belgrade still has against toasting anyone who does it is still seen as an expense, if not boats that are popular in the sum- a few that have managed to sur- not drink alcohol. an extravagance. mer months. vive. Getting seriously drunk is an or Serbs, there is a big differ- Particularly in this era of eco- Serbian ladies wear stilettos Incidentally, regardless of what important part of the “going out” ence between “going for a nomic hardship, many people plan. drink” and “going out”. chiefly in order to get into swanky the guides say, the touristy estab- F Once they have achieved their economise by getting a little bit Beers, cocktails and spirits can venues, not because they enjoy the lishments in Skadarlija are not intoxicated before they hit the big mission, women act in the manner be imbibed while still only “going pain. If a woman must wear flat old-fashioned kafanas. Skadarlija venues. of their contemporaries the world for a drink”. To qualify as “going shoes on a night out to such a is a decent, polished street – and over. They may talk too loudly, out”, the same drinks must be con- This can either be done with a venue, they had better be really the true kafanas are neither pol- laugh at things that actually are sumed in a bar or club where you drink at home or – if you’re in shiny. ished, nor particularly decent. not that funny, call current or ex- remain until dawn. Belgrade and the weather is warm Men also risk a boring night if Most of the genuine kafanas boyfriends, and sway while they Although there are some differ- – in a park. they try to enter certain venues in that survive in Belgrade are locat- walk. ences between big cities like Note however that women who sneakers. Shoes are always a safer ed near the central train station. Among drunk guys, exchanging Belgrade and the rest of Serbia, it are planning to spend the night in bet than trainers, no matter how The term kafana in its original kisses on the forehead are a social- is generally true that preparations high heels will avoid the parks, ugly they are. sense conjures up a world of plaid ly acceptable way of expressing for “going out” start in the after- choosing to pass this time at home The rules about dress code are tablecloths, waitresses who are affection. While sober however, noon. with fellow stiletto-wearers. especially applicable to those who less than polite, a band of Roma such exchanges may only take This is when ladies will pack the Getting together is central to the have not reserved a table at their musicians, a scantily-clad female place between fathers and sons hairdressers’ salons, to the point Serbian boozing tradition. This is venue of choice. But as Serbs like singer and patrons that drink rak- who are under the age of 15.This where it is almost possible to see not a nation of solo drinkers. If to be sure they will end up where ija and vinjak, a Serbian form of habit may not surprise those who the steam escaping from the doors. you see someone sitting at the bar they wanted, they mostly book a cheap whiskey. are also familiar with the fact that Partly for this reason, hair- alone, it is probably because they table in advance. Of these typical kafana attrib- Serbs consider it customary to dressers work a different week to know the waitress or are waiting Of course, not all venues utes, only the rakija has managed exchange three kisses in greeting, the rest of the world, taking their for another person. require reservations or fancy to survive in posh clubs as well, not two. day off on Monday. The nightlife starts quite late, footwear. But do not be fooled – a where ordering the drink is seen While kissing on the forehead After hairstyles, male and and Serbs can act shy and embar- dress code of sorts still applies, as rebellious and cool. has its place at moments of over- female, have been arranged satis- rassed if they arrive at venues even at the more “alternative” In general, beers are only con- whelming intoxicated emotion, factorily, the Serbian night out early. Although most popular clubs establishments. sumed by those who drive and can- starts in earnest. hugging is a more common expres- open their doors at midnight, they If the clientele are dressed infor- not afford to get seriously drunk. Men traditionally gather in sion of affection. only begin filling up at one or two mally, it is probably because they They may also be drunk by a few cafes and bars to have a drink Drunk Serbs love to hug each am. are obeying an unspoken rule to honest beer lovers, and those who before they hit the clubs. Women other. They dance while hugging, Y Wherever you plan to party, it is dress informally. Anyone who will typically meet at the home of overdid the shots and need to wind they drink shots while hugging, worth bearing in mind the dress dares to wear a fancy “splav out- a friend for their first drink. down. and at the end of a long night of C Behind closed doors, they can chat code. fit” away from the fancy splav will Non-alcoholic beverages are an revelry, they crawl out of the club K As few fancy clubs charge for soon discover they do not fit in. alien phenomenon in Serbian in a tight hug. opinion July 15 - 28, 2011 21 Anonymous in Brussels Getting sourced information and quotes from those working in EU institutions is a little trickier than one might expect, finds Selvije Bajrami.

By Selvije Bajrami

henever I read stories written by my fellow journalists from the cap- Wital of Belgium, a country in which you can find most of the buildings of the European Union, I always encounter anony- mous pieces of information as opposed to fact attributed to named sources. Of course, I can’t help but compare Brussels with Prishtina, the town I live and work in. Like most journalists, I often meet high-ranking officials for coffee, lunch and a chat about what is happening, key issues and problems. Even though I end up writing the article, I must confess I don’t always get the exact information I was looking for. During my stay in Brussels for the Balkan Fellowship for Excellence in Journalism, I noticed a completely different rhythm to the place where I work everyday. Before arriving in Brussels, I had already had scheduled appointments with officials connected to the EULEX mission in Kosovo, and other international rule of law organi- EULEX: Difficult to Penetrate sations. I had also interviewed individuals who work indirectly for EULEX and are EU senior at the beginning of the meeting I no longer work for the organisation. low journalists in Brussels often report knowledgeable about its role. had with him. Without hesitation, some have told me information without attributing to named I didn’t get all the meetings I had hoped “This is how I usually work with the jour- things that I specifically needed for my sources. I now understand that the EU hier- for, but I learned a lot. I was also amazed by nalists in Brussels,” he continued. research. But, I’m also convinced that they archy prevents me from quoting anyone the European officials’ relationship with the Perhaps unsurprisingly, the senior offi- would not hesitate to tell me even more if other than official spokesmen. media. cial, who now works in Brussels, preferred my research was not for an article to be pub- “You can speak freely. You may ask me to focus on the accomplishments of EULEX, lished on Balkan Fellowship for Selvije Bajrami is a Prishtina-based jour- and I’ll answer, but the hierarchy of the EU so there was no talk about any inefficiencies Journalistic Excellence website. nalist who is participating in the 2011 institutions functions in such a way that the of the mission when it comes to fighting cor- That said, I gleaned something useful Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic only person that you can cite by name is the ruption and organised crime. from all the interviews I conducted in Excellence. spokesperson. If I am quoted as the source, On other side, those who speak more Brussels and each interviewee will be quot- She will be writing regular updates on either as a diplomat or a senior that may freely are usually the ones who served in ed in my final article. her investigation into EULEX and interna- cause troubles with my employer,” said an Kosovo for some months or years and now Above all, I now understand why my fel- tional rule of law missions in the region. Comment: Marching Back to Potocari While tens of thousands of music fans headed for the annual EXIT festival near Novi Sad, Valerie Hopkins joined thousands of others on a very different four-day event.

613 bodies murdered in 1995 and succeed in passing what was then As an American who has never Potocari several times but never identified through DNA analysis a treacherous route. experienced the horrors of war, before for the commemoration. over the past year. Young and old marched along- the march was a powerful way to The area is normally quiet and By Valerie Hopkins The Mars Mira is a trek across side one another. Many groups try to approximate the bravery fairly empty, especially of kids. 80 kilometres from the tiny east- came from all over Bosnia bearing and suffering of so many dis- Seeing 40,000 mourners there on ern Bosnian hamlet of Nezuk T-shirts with their town names. placed people. As we marched, Monday shed some insight on through the mountains to the for- Some older marchers walked with minutes felt like hours and most what it must have been like when spent the past four days with mer UN Safe area of Srebrenica. canes and hobbled on crutches. people did not have a clue how almost 50,000 internally displaced thousands of other sweaty The march commemorates those I met people who had traveled much longer we’d be on our feet people tried to take refuge in the Iinternational campers surviv- who fled from Srebrenica on foot from Sweden, Egypt, Japan, exposed to the hot sun. Although small town. ing on a few hours of sleep each after the Dutch UN soldiers with- France, the UK and Cyprus to walk fruit trees and fountains sporadi- The march in some ways bears a night. After it was all over, there drew from Srebrenica, leaving the in solidarity. Although many inter- cally lined the path, no one knew striking resemblance to a music was trash everywhere, and the territory in the hands of the Army nationals attended, very few came when the next army truck carry- festival. Of course there is no alco- sunburned and sweaty partici- of the Republika Srpska. from the region or were Serbs ing water or bread would appear hol or drugs, but the mood was pants, young and old, said goodbye Sixteen years ago today, at from Republika Srpska. to quench our hunger and thirst. open and friendly. Strangers until next year. 12.30am, between 12,000 and 15,000 The original EXIT was a protest There were not enough army swapped food and stories and I wasn’t assembling with over Bosniaks departed from against Slobodan Milosevic’s tents, and many had to sleep friends bonded because of shared 100,000 music fans for the 600-odd Srebrenica with the goal of reach- regime, but was not four days of under the stars with whatever experiences. performers at Novi Sad’s lauded ing territory held by the Bosnian fun and music. The first march in they had brought. Most of my friends from Bosnia EXIT Festival this weekend. The army in the Tuzla and Kladanj 1995 was much longer than ours. It There was a lot of grumbling and the region opted for EXIT main event for the crowd I was regions. Some survived, but others was not originally a protest, either, about the lack of food, water, sani- instead of attending the Mars with was the burial of over 600 perished at the hands of the but has become one. tary toilets and tents this year, but Mira. As far as respect and recon- people. Republika Srpska soldiers who Muhamed Durakovic, one of the the fact remains that unlike the ciliation are concerned, the march There were no stages to visit, attacked them with artillery, mor- march’s organizers, walked and first treacherous march in 1995, is a powerful outpouring of but the rugged mountain route tars, and anti-aircraft cannons. hid in the forest for 37 days before we were surrounded by friends respect for the dead and for the was lined with mass graves, some Over 6,000 marchers traveled reaching free territory. Now he who shared food and the burden of struggles of those who survived. holding hundreds of dead. Unlike this year in the opposite direction, says he marches to advocate jus- our heavy backpacks. There were And EXIT, which exposes over a EXIT’s million-euro budget, this a symbolic homecoming for those tice for the victims of Srebrenica police securing the territory, and hundred thousand people from all took place on less than a thousand who would never be able to return. whose bodies have never been Red Cross volunteers. Mines over the Balkans to one another, euro. I met Seid, a 24-year-old who found, and to send a strong state- along the route were clearly does its part kindling the regional I was covering the seventh annu- marched back to Srebrenica in the ment to those who deny that geno- marked. understanding necessary for rec- al Mars Mira, or March of Peace, place of his father, who did not cide happened. I have been to Srebrenica and onciliation. which culminated in the burial of 22 July 15 - 28, 2011 community focus

NGO FOCUS: Kosovar Woman Initiative Setting up a business in Kosovo is tough. But it’s even tougher if you are a woman. But one NGO is looking to break down those barriers in the western city of Gjakova. bottles, mostly used for wine. “I didn’t have the courage to run my own business on my own, but Gjelane during her examination to enter school By Shengjyl Osmani thanks to the organisation, and the trainings we attended, I decid- ed to open a small business, for Ecosovo which now I can freely talk to my ocated in the city of colleagues from the organisation Gjakova, Kosovar Woman and show them that we can do it,” LInitiative [Inicitativa e Gjelane's Going to school Femres Kosovare, IFK], a non-gov- she said. ernmental organisation, was Kumnova-Baci added: “Our rela- ised conference on Roma, Ashkali adult literacy classes. We're offer- established to help break down tions with the members are so and Egyptian issues where we ing extra English classes to all barriers to woman in the region important to us, the social connec- were able to raise our concerns children in the community over and tackle the social problems tion we have with them is very By Elizabeth Gowing about the school registration poli- the summer, and we're carrying on they face. meaningful for them and for us cy, a range of international agen- with teaching for Gjelane and co Eranda Kumnova-Baci, execu- too. cies have brought pressure to bear all the way through August, since tive director of the organization, “By working from so close with on decision-makers. they need all the teaching they can told Prishtina Insight that one of these groups we know how to help ou may remember Gjelane - Meanwile, Gjelane has done get. she was on the front page of their major successes has been to them, and what to do to socialize some hard learning: her name, the So we still need help. If you or encourage women to set up their Ythis newspaper some alphabet, counting in twos and anyone you know would be inter- them, and how to treat differently months ago, and since March she’s own businesses and give them the fives and tens, basic communica- ested in committing a minimum of their social problems. been in the front row of classes wherewithal to do so. tion in English. But also more five half-days (each approx. 3 “I didn’t believe we can do so that our NGO has been running The training provided includes sophisticated stuff - what it means hours teaching), not necessarily in much for the social problems for her and her friends whom we how to start a business and how to to earn a star for your effort; how one block, then please get in touch. woman are facing in our region, had discovered had no right to reg- write a business plan. but thanks to our great motiva- ister at a Kosovan school. Gjelane to fit homework in around the In particular in coming weeks this Violeta Hoxha, a participant tion, we managed to help so many is a 9-year-old Ashkali girl from things your parents get you to do would be for English classes, but from 2007, is now a successful busi- when you're home; the particular we have other roles - e.g with the woman, children and minorities Fushe Kosove and she didn't regis- nesswoman, creating handmade form of stamina taken to get up clothing transfer we organise for from this region.” ter at school during the first two academic years. That means a every day and set off for classes. famllies in need and other projects missed opportunity in any educa- That you always put the date and as they start up. Street Dog Cull tion system, but in Kosovo it your name on your work. And the While Gjelane's been learning meant that she had missed her lid on the felt tip pen. classroom politics and the tricky chance for schooling forever. So for four months myself and behaviour of the three times table, Campaign Scores Success When we discovered this Ministry my colleagues have spent every I've been learning about Kosovo's policy - that children of nine or morning working to make sure brick walls - and where there are Animal Friends of Kosovo has forced Prishtina municipality to more could only enter school if that Gjelane, and the others on our ways round them. I've learned drop its policy of culling street dogs and will adopt the TNR, they passed a test (and how to roll, are ready for school. We've something about the power of the Trap-Neuter-Release, technique, it was announced on learn enough to pass the test if also spent every afternoon work- volunteer - that what those 52 chil- Thursday. you're not at school?) - it seemed a ing to try to get the school and the dren demonstrated they could do violation of the right to education The charity had been distributing leaflets and protesting system ready for Gjelane. Last on Friday in front of the munici- and it also seemed like a problem Friday the two came together - pality assessment commission peacefully for a number of weeks. we could do something about. We Gjelane and fifty-one friends set was the combined contribution of For more information visit the campaigns Facebook page. held onto that belief even as the off in a straggling, giggling line a gang of international and size of the problem became appar- strung out across the mahalla, to national volunteers sitting at-the- ent. (By the end of our first week reach the state school where they elbow and sounding words out offering classes we had 50 children were registered. It's not often that painstakingly for the children to attending; our roll is now 76). you're present at fifty two life- understand. 'We' turned out to be a wider changing moments within one If you want a taste of the kind of group than I could ever have day; I felt overwhelmed by what satisfaction that comes from dreamed of. Our NGO, The Ideas this new access to education watching a child master a skill; if Partnership, is a small organisa- meant for the expanded life you want to learn to play intricate tion staffed entirely by volunteers. chances for each child. clapping games; if you want to be We now have twenty three volun- It wouldn't have happened with- reminded to appreciate your life, teers helping to make education out all those volunteers, all those your literacy, the options you happen for these children in Fushe donations, all those lobbying voices - have... then work as a volunteer. Kosove and we've been lucky to all those people like you. We're very Get in touch if you'd like to know have had support in kind from grateful! more about our work. Heifer International, from the And now we know more about Agape Service Foundation, UNDP what is needed in this community. Elizabeth Gowing is a founder of and UNV, and direct financial sup- We'll be supporting Gjelane and The Ideas Partnership, a Kosovan port from over one hundred indi- friends as they start their new edu- NGO working on educational, cul- vidual donors. People have done cation adventure, with a weekly tural and environmental projects. sponsored river kayaking, run pub visit to each child at home, trying She can be reached at theideaspart- quizzes, held parties, put us on to pick up any issues at school [email protected]. their wedding list, and sidled up to before they become dealbreakers. and her blog about the project in Y us to hand over envelopes of cash - We're also starting a soap-making Fushe Kosove is at ranging from five euros to over a income-generation project for the www.GettingGjelaneToSchool.wor thousand - to be used for the proj- C women in the community, and dpress.com K ect. Following the ECLO-organ- July 15 - 28, 2011 23 Classified Contact Prishtina Insight if you would like to advertise Email [email protected]

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