News: Balkan Economies Brace for Fallout from Greece Crisis

March 26 - April 8, 2010 Issue No. 36 www.prishtinainsight.com Now on sale for € 1

GUIDE Prishtina Insight’s Guide to Live Music > page 8

BUSINESS Kosovo’s New Power Plant – Does Size Matter? > page 5

CULTURE Reviving Glory of National Theatre > page 9

KSF Banned From KLA CITY Illegal Builidings to be Mapped From Air Festivals in Arms Row > page 6 Following a spat with NATO over unit’s appearance with weapons, the KSF will not be allowed to take part in future commemorations of the Kosovo Liberation Army. memoration. KFOR’s commander, General disasters. By Lawrence Marzouk The so-called “epopee”, or epic Markus Bentler, said that the KSF Although intended as a multi- NGO FOCUS poem, commemorating the death would not be able to take part in ethnic force, it is comprised almost he Kosovo Security Force, Don Bosko: A of the popular hero Adam Jashari, such events as the Epopee. entirely of ethnic Albanians, some KSF, has been banned from a key personality in the develop- “There will be appearances of of whom fought in the KLA and, in Ttaking part in future com- History of ment of the KLA, took place on the ceremonial unit, probably not spite of NATO attempts to play memorations of the Kosovo March 5. on March 5 [next year] but proba- down such views, is widely seen as Education Liberation Army, KLA, following a NATO resumed cooperation bly at other events,” he said. Kosovo’s future army. row with NATO over bearing with the KSF a few days later. A The KSF took over from the General Bentler said the KSF > page 14 arms. press release issued by the Kosovo Protection Corps, made up guard would not be allowed to take The NATO force in Kosovo, President’s Office clarified that of former KLA fighters, in part in “events connected [only] to KFOR, froze its relationship with the KSF’s ceremonial unit would January 2009. Its mandate is to one part of the community”, as its the KSF after members of the be allowed to use “demilitarised conduct crisis response operations activities needed to underline the TIMEOUT force, which does not have mili- weapons” for certain events. in Kosovo and abroad, civil protec- multiethnic nature of the force. tary status, appeared carrying But in an interview with tion operations within Kosovo and Dam Festival 2010 weapons at a recent KLA com- Prishtina Insight yesterday, to assist in dealing with natural continues on page 2 Programme Kosovo’s Exports Serbia Boycott > page 15 Stuck in Doldrums Angers Pro-Europeans The refusal of Serbia’s President, Boris The European Commission announced Tadic, to attend a regional summit on in February that it planned to extend its March 20 in Slovenia, protesting over the tariff-free trade agreement with Kosovo invitation given to Kosovo, has drawn crit- and the rest of the Western Balkans to icism from pro-European experts in Serbia 2015. But Muhamet Imeri, owner of the itself. They fear the gesture is likely to lead Galanteria factory... business page 7 news to Serbia’s... page 4

Y M is supported by: C K 2 March 27 - April 8, 2010 news Balkan Economies Brace for

February 2008, its trading relation- United Bulgarian Bank belongs ships with all the non-recognizing to the National Bank of Greece, countries were badly affected. Postbank is owned by Eurobank By BIRN staff Currently there is little Greek EFG Group, while Piraeus Bank investment in Kosovo, although one Group, Alpha Bank Group and Greek company, Public Power Emporiki Bank also have their Corporation, is part of a consor- local affiliates. reece has been the economic tium bidding to build Kosovo’s new But Ganev thinks that Bulgarian motor of the region in recent power plant. bank assets will be hit only if Gyears. As a result, its severe The main problem facing Kosovo Greek bank system collapses com- financial troubles hold consequences for in terms of Greece’s economic pletely. “Local branches are stable several countries beyond its borders. decline is to do with the large ethnic [though] any severe problems in If the European Union fails to Albanian diaspora in Greece, from their parent Greek banks might avert the collapse of the Greek econ- Kosovo and Albania proper. As they hurt their work in Bulgaria,” omy, it will have repercussions lose jobs, this is bound to affect the Ganev said. across the Balkans and especially economy of Albania, which will Two weeks ago, the Finance among Greece’s immediate neigh- have a knock-on effect on its eco- Minister, Simeon Dyankov, bours – Albania, Bulgaria and nomically-close neighbour, Kosovo. expressed concerns about a possi- Macedonia. ble liquidity drain from local bank Greek businesses, especially BULGARIA: Short-term branches to their headquarters in banks, have been important new balance of economic power in beyond focusing on long-term fun- Greece. However, Ivan Iskrov, gov- investors throughout the region and the Balkans and regional relation- damental economic reform. pain, long-term gain: ernor of the Bulgarian National observers predict that as Greece’s ships are likely to be transformed as Albania “should step-up structural Bank, BNB, said the local partners financial troubles worsen, such a result. reforms, get closer to the EU and The immediate consequences of of Greek banks appeared stable. investments are bound to dry up. apply competitive policies to devel- the downturn in Greece may be “There’s no reason to worry,” said Inevitable big cuts in public ALBANIA: The worst op the potential of its own econo- damage to Bulgaria’s economy and Iskrov, adding that BNB was moni- spending in Greece “will affect the my,” Sanfey said. delay to its recovery. But in the affected neighbour toring all the banks. whole of the Balkans because long term, some believe Sofia may Meanwhile, some experts Greece has been the gravitational KOSOVO: Not much of a benefit from its neighbour’s eco- The roughly 664,000 Albanians believe the long-term effects of the centre of financial, economic and nomic instability. currently living in Greece make up relationship Greek crisis may be beneficial. social stability in the region,” Greece has been a key investor to 10 per cent of Greece’s total work- Ganev says that while the Greek Pajtim Melani, head of market in Bulgaria since the 1990s. From force. An important migrant popu- Safet Gerxhaliu, deputy chair of downturn could lead to a more research at the Albanian 1996 to 2008 it was the third biggest lation with strong ties to Albania, Kosovo’s Chamber of Commerce, restrictive EU policy towards new Competition Authority, a govern- investor in the country, responsi- they send home hundreds of mil- says that the “one-sided” nature of entrants in the euro-zone, delaying ment watchdog, explains. ble for 9 per cent of direct foreign lions of euros in remittances every the economic relationship between Bulgaria’s ambitions to join, the Apart from the danger of Greek investments, FDI, in Bulgaria, data year. Greece and Kosovo means Kosovo crisis might also have the contrary investment falling, or even disap- from the government’s Invest After a meeting of the directors of will not be affected greatly by effect of speeding up euro-zone pearing, from parts of the region, Bulgaria Agency shows. Albania’s central bank on February Greece’s economic turmoil. acceptance of countries like trade with Greece – an important Last year, however, Greek for- 24, governor Ardian Fullani warned “If you look at the trade balance, Bulgaria, which have done much to component of several regional eign investment plummeted from that the Greek debt crisis would we are mostly importing from meet the necessary requirements. economies – is declining as Greek 2.7 billion euro in 2008 to a mere have a negative impact on Albania, Greece,” he said, “and we also used Bogdanov said that countries consumers tighten belts and cut 37.7 million euro, according to the and the bank was keeping a close it as a transit point [for imports] like Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia, consumption. National Bank. watch. from Asia.” which are economically stable, and The impact of the Greek crisis is Lachezar Bogdanov, of Industry “The economic slowdown of the Greece is one of the largest have lower taxes and a better busi- also likely to be felt by emigrant Watch, an economic think tank in Greek economy will also affect sources of imports for Kosovo and ness environment, could benefit workers in the country. As borders Sofia, said the short-term conse- Albania’s economy,” Fullani said, the port of Thessalonica is a key from the downturn in Greece. “If in the region have opened up, and as quences of the Greek downturn adding that the impact would be felt transit zone for products destined Greece starts to be seen as a risky Greece has become more prosper- would be felt immediately by local in terms of remittances, foreign for Kosovo and coming from Asia country, other countries in the ous since joining the EU, its econo- businesses dependent on Greek trade and in Greek banks present in and Brazil. Lignite for one of region have a better chance to my has sucked in large numbers of custom. Fewer Greek tourists Albania. Kosovo’s biggest exporters, attract investments that otherwise seasonal and permanent workers. would visit Bulgarian ski resorts, Greek-owned banks in Albania Ferronikeli, passes through the port would go to Greece,” Bogdanov Ethnic Albanians alone make up and fewer people would come to comprise 25 per cent of the coun- as well as almost all chickens, which said. about 10 per cent of the total Greek shop in Bulgaria. try’s banking assets and hold 38 per hail from Brazil. He doesn’t expect the withdraw- workforce. Many of these people “Many Bulgarians who usually cent of the loans. “Greece has been According to Kosovo’s Central al of Greek investors from have lost, or will lose, their jobs and work in Greece for the summer an important source of investment Bank, imports to Kosovo from Bulgaria, either. On the contrary, the negative impact of their loss of will have hard time finding a job or in Albania in the last decade as well Greece were worth 71 million euro “In times of deep economic crisis earnings will be felt in hundreds of will be paid less,” noted Georgi as a source of cheap credit emitted for January to November 2009, a and insecurity in Greece, I don’t towns and villages “back home”. Ganev, an economist from the from Greek banks,” Melani said. small increase on the 2007 and 2008 see why any Greek company would Not all is doom and gloom. Centre for Liberal Strategies in “The rising risk of premiums [on figures. wish to shut down a successful Greece’s economic stake in Sofia. debt] in Greece will raise interest But exports to Greece, which had business in Bulgaria”, he said. Macedonia and Kosovo had already Meanwhile, Bulgarian exports to rates in Albania as well,” he added. been the third biggest market in the Closures were possible, though shrunk before the crisis in its econ- Greece are also expected to drop. An EBRD senior economist, Peter EU for Kosovo’s goods in 2007 and only of Greek branches already in omy unfolded, largely for political Today, around 10 per cent of the Sanfey, told the BBC on March 9 that 2008, are already negligible. They financial troubles. The Greek cri- reasons. county’s exports, worth of around of all the countries in the region, fell drastically from 10.8 million in sis could also bring a positive And, as we report from Bulgaria, 1 billion euro per year, go to the Greek crisis would be felt most 2008 to 0.2 million euro for January change to the traditional EU divi- some economists there believe that Greece. in Albania, because of the size of to November 2009. sion between “old” and “new” short-term pain could be followed Some experts warn that Greek investments in Albania and Gerxhaliu says this collapse member states. “A division should by long-term gain. Investment that Bulgaria’s banking system may be the size of the Albanian emigrant reflects poor diplomatic relation- not be made between ‘new’ and might once have gone to Greece will vulnerable to shocks from the community in Greece. ships. Athens is one of five EU ‘old’ member states but between now shift to more stable local Greek economy, as Greek banks According to Sanfey, Albania member states that have not recog- those countries that have reason- economies, they say. One thing is control about one-third of the local can’t do much to avert shocks to its nized Kosovo’s independence. After able economic policies and those clear; the Greek crisis is creating a banking system. own economy from the Greek crisis Kosovo declared independence in that don’t,” Bogdanov said. KSF Banned From KLA Festivals in Arms Row

from page 1 to go that way [freeze relations] to make that “training with tanks” after 2013, when kind of statement and that statement was KFOR is to review the force’s use of offen- “The use of the ceremonial unit needs to understood.” sive weapons, General Bentler responded: be coordinated,” he added. “It needs to be The General said the decision was taken “Dream on.” coordinated with Com-KFOR in such a way to “underline discrepancies that have been He said: “When you look now at this stage, that it presents itself in a way deemed there… What we always said was ‘Please do 11 years after 1999, you will see that the mil- appropriate.” me a favour, stick to the rules.’” itary mission is almost entirely fulfilled. General Bentler said: “There was a differ- KFOR has since resumed training and “There is no threat from the outside and Y ence of opinion that needed to be addressed mentoring the KSF. “We are committed to when you look inside, where are the mili- M and solved. bringing that force up to full strength in a tary tasks? Most of the tasks still burden- C “We have chosen, with the proper support very short time,” the General said. ing Kosovo are political in nature,” he con- K of the chain of command with the Alliance, But, asked whether the KSF might be cluded. news March 27 - April 8, 2010 3 Fallout from Greece Crisis Editor’s word MACEDONIA: Worries banks. The total Greek shareholders account avoid a crisis last year,” he Pranverë capital of for around 25 per cent of recalled. Romania’s economy is about trade but not Greek banks Romania’s banking expected to grow by around 1.3 per- investment is around 800 assets. Surprisingly, cent in 2010. million euros, despite the cri- By Lawrence Marzouk Greece’s economic turmoil is and the value sis, between BOSNIA and CROATIA: Too unlikely to decrease the level of of its assets in September distant to share the pain direct investment, FDI, in Serbia is worth 376 2008 and million euros. September 2009 pring is definitely in the Macedonia, because its role in this The small presence of Greek The five Greek Greek bank own- air – an appropriate field is already negligible. businesses in Bosnia and Croatia banks in the Serbian ers invested 204 million Stime, you might say, for In the late 1990s and early 2000s means these countries do not a spot of spring cleaning. investments in the OKTA crude oil market are Alfa bank, euro in the banks they hold in expect any direct spillover from The government, in the com- refinery, the Usje cement factory, Pireus, Marfin, Eurobank Romania. the crisis in Athens. ing days, is expected to unveil the Stopanska bank, the grocery EFG and Vojvodjanska bank, a for- Greece ranked sixth in terms of Total Greek investment in its new line-up. Out with the store chain VERO and hundreds of mer state bank privatised by recap- Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end old and in with the new – smaller concerns made Greece one italisation with Greek capital and Romania at the end of last year, last year amounted to some 2.3 mil- although many of the ‘old’ will of the main investors in now a member of the National with a share of around 6 per cent. lion euro, less than one tenth of 1 remain in place, and many of Macedonia. Bank of Greece group. But, overall, FDI almost halved last per cent of total postwar FDI of 3.8 the ‘new’ aren’t in fact that But during the past few years Greece’s remaining investments year in Romania, from 9.5 billion billion euro. The amount new. Greek investments shrank drasti- in Serbia are mostly in the trade euro in 2008 to 4.9 billion. and retail sector. Figures for the first nine months remained unchanged since 2008 as I have heard every possible cally, reflecting poor relations gen- Bosnia did not attract fresh Greek permutation of cabinet reshuf- erated by the bilateral “name” dis- Economic analyst Goran Nikolic of 2009 show exports from says that under the terms of the Romania to Greece fell by 14 per investment last year, Edin Varupa, fles on the Prishtina rumour pute. Latest official data from 2008 of Bosnia’s trade ministry, told mill in the past month. show that 79 per cent of FDI in February 26 New Vienna Initiative cent compared to the same period (a meeting between the Serbian in 2008. Imports from Greece to Balkan Insight. As a result, Some well-informed sources Macedonia came from EU coun- Varupa said, Bosnia “did not suggest a minister will be tries but Greece’s part in the FDI is National Bank, foreign banks and Romania also fell, by 28.6 per cent, the IMF), banks can withdraw up to during the same period. Greece’s expect to feel any impact from the sacked on corruption charges only 1.1 per cent, worth around 3 Greek crisis”. and arrested, while some sug- million euro. 20 per cent of their assets from latest troubles are too recent to Serbia. show up in recent data, analysts The largest Greek investment in gest the minister will be sacked In terms of trade, however, Bosnia is the Sarajevo-based Coca- and handed a cushy job outside Greece is Macedonia’s third biggest However, he does not predict a say. significant withdrawal of Greek “We don’t have the 2009 results Cola bottling company, part of the of government and charges partner after Serbia and Germany. capital, because that capital would for all Greek banks present in Coca-Cola Hellenic Group, which will be dropped. As Macedonia’s Finance Minister, have difficulty finding any buyers Romania but we expect they will has operations in 28 countries, as Some intimate that the Fatmir Besimi, said on Monday, at this moment. “Now is not the still report profits, though most well as in Bosnia. The company unnamed person, who every- “Greece is one of our most impor- same to sell because the prices are likely a bit down compared to pre- does not expect to suffer any con- body is naming in private with- tant trade partners and it is normal exceptionally low… It is simply not vious years”, says Ciprian Bota, an sequences due to the crisis in out a great deal of evidence, to expect that this will have an a smart strategy,” Nikolic said. economic journalist. Greece. isn’t going anywhere. ‘The impact on our exchange. But this In terms of Greece’s overall debt “But Romania has to ask what In Croatia, meanwhile, while arrest would be too politically concerns only the trade.” of 50 billion euro, he went on, “I will happen if the Greek bankers many fear that the “Greek sce- sensitive’ they say, knowingly. Official data show that trade don’t see those 376 million of euros’ cut their credit lines to their nario” could be repeated here, as At the same time we have between the two countries dropped worth of assets, which Greek Romanian branches, which are the two countries share many firm, unwavering statements sharply this year. In the first nine banks have placed here, being sig- already burdened by non-perform- problems, notably roaring foreign issued by the international months of 2008, Macedonian nificant as a proportion of that.” ing loans,” Bota said. “Will the debt and corruption, there is also community and by Kosovo’s exports to Greece totaled 340 mil- However, economic analyst local banking system be thrown off no risk of a direct “spill-over”. government about tackling cor- lion euro. In the same period in Miroslav Prokopijevic says that it balance?” Trade levels are low and the two ruption, also suggesting that 2009 it was less than half that fig- is premature to say what the risks Greek investors in Romania countries do not even have direct springtime could mean the ure, at 160 million euro. to Serbia’s economy are, because remain optimistic. “The difficult flights from one to another. birth of cleaner, more trans- The Economy Minister, Zoran the Greek crisis has not yet peaked. economic period Greece is going “There are no significant Greek parent institutions. EULEX Stavreski, recently met the repre- He sees two main areas of concern through will not hurt business in investments in Croatia and our even promised arrests when sentatives of Greek companies in for Serbia. Romania,” says Yorgos Ioannidis, two countries don’t share strong the leaves come out, referring the country and said he was con- “In a panic situation, the Vienna general manager of OTE, the trade ties, so I don’t expect any not so obliquely to spring. vinced they would stay. “With its Agreement would not mean a Greek telecom operator, which direct impact from the economic The longer nights and business environment and low thing, as no one would pay atten- owns a local Romanian company, crisis in Greece,” economic ana- warmer weather have brought taxes, Macedonia provides good Romtelecom. “We will make fur- lyst Hrvoje Stojic says. out the optimist in me. So I am conditions for the Greeks and other tion to it, therefore the withdrawal ther investments just as in previ- According to Croatia’s Chamber going to stick to line that this investors,” Stavreski said. of capital by [Greek] banks is the ous years. As regards profits, we of Economy, HOK, the trade time of year represents a real But data show that in the first first risk,” he said. “The second expect a better performance than exchange between the two coun- chance to reshape Kosovo for nine months of last year over 70 risk is that if Greece starts to face last year,” Ioannidis added. tries in 2009 amounted to only 102 the better. And it would be a million euro of Greek capital left even greater problems, it could Romania’s main troubles relat- million euros, with Croatia export- catastrophic error of judgment the country. This mostly happened influence trade.” ing to the Greek crisis, according ing goods worth 35 million euros if firm evidence of corruption in the second quarter of 2009, when Prokopijevic believes that could to analysts, is that FDI is on and importing goods from Greece is swept aside for the sake of the Greek owners of the mobile mean a reduction in the value of decrease and investors’ confidence worth 67 million euros. political expediency. operator Cosmofon and the marble trade to the tune of several hun- in Romania is falling because of According to Stojic, Croatia’s What people want is a real quarry Prilep sold up and left the dred million euros a year. the overall regional picture. “The economy might suffer indirect spring clean, not sweeping country. Greek troubles send worrying sig- consequences through its econom- under the carpet. With all the ROMANIA: Business as nals, affecting investors moods,” SERBIA: Banks are the ic ties with Serbia and Macedonia, muck already under there, this usual – for now says Dan Suciu, an economic ana- which are likely to be hit harder by is not a long-term solution. main concern lyst. the Greek crisis. “But those indi- But just in case my wishful Greece is a significant presence “The Greek crisis has no direct rect consequences would not be thinking is proved wrong, I Greece’s most important invest- in Romania’s economy but not a impact on Romania but Bucharest significant so I don’t believe the have my broom at the ready ments in Serbia are in the banks. dominant one. According to official has its own problems as it was crisis in Greece is an important and I hope you do to. You might Greeks own 17 per cent of the data, two of the top ten banks are forced to take out an IMF-led res- topic for Croatia,” concluded need it. capital and assets in Serbia’s Greek and all seven banks with cue loan worth 20 billion euro to Stojic. Control Tightened on Northern Borders he EU rule-of-law mission, plan is to ensure the highest secu- Sadriu told Prishtina Insight. and Leposavic, are in an area find pragmatic solutions in coor- EULEX, together with rity measures are in place. “Those checks will contribute to which remains out of the reach of dination with Pristina and TKosovo Police have intro- To date, EULEX has been regis- the security in the north.” Prishtina’s institutions and is Belgrade.” duced stricter controls at the tering details of vehicles and driv- Smuggling remains a number- broadly controlled by Belgrade. She added that the mission was northern border crossings 1 ers passing through the northern one law enforcement issue in An EULEX vehicle and Kosovo in discussions with Serbia about and 31. borders, but has rarely been mak- northern Kosovo. Police building were sprayed with bringing back ‘Kosovo-Serb and From March 19, the authorities ing thorough checks. Following the declaration of gun fire at Gate 31 on March 13. Kosovo-Albanian judges and pros- have decided to thoroughly check Kosovo police said that all vehi- independence, Serb militants EULEX spokesperson Karin ecutors’ back to the municipal all vehicles, cars, buses, trucks cles passing through Gates 1 and burned down the border check- Limdal said: “There is an urgent court in north Mitrovica. Y and trains passing through these 31 will now be registered electron- points in February 2008 and full need to improve the rule of law She added this will ensure ‘that M border crossings. ically. “So far everything is going control has not been restored. situation in the north of Kosovo justice can be delivered by a sin- C EULEX said that the aim of the according to the plan,” Brahim The two crossings, Zubin Potok and the best way forward is to gle and multi-ethnical judiciary’. K 4 March 27 - April 8, 2010 news

Serbia Boycott of Slovene Outside In Chloroform: Summit Angers Pro-Europeans Dissolve the Belgrade’s pro-EU activists and NGOs fear the boycott is likely to increase Serbia’s regional isolation and slow its Government! progress towards EU membership. would at least have commended the agenda instead of jubilating By Kreshnik Hoxha over an alleged “fiasco”, Jelena By Branka Trivic in Milic, director of the NGO Belgrade Centre for Euro-Atlantic t would probably be fair to say that most Studies, told Belgrade daily people dream to go to Oxford University. Danas. IBut, only weirdos dream of Kosovo he refusal of Serbia’s Pro-Europeans are disappoint- politicians queuing up to apply to Oxford’s President, Boris Tadic, to ed about Serbia’s lack of eager- Somerville College. Tattend a regional summit on ness to compromise, even after It was a strange dream! That’s what March 20 in Slovenia, protesting Brussels lifted visa require- chronic exposure to chloroform does to over the invitation given to ments on Serbia last December. your brain I guess. I say dream, but it Kosovo, has drawn criticism from While some in Serbia main- was more like a nightmare if you take pro-European experts in Serbia into account the presence of my home

Photo by Council of Europe Council of by Photo tain that the Kosovo and EU itself. They fear the gesture is like- Balkan leaders meet in Brdo country’s‘leaders’. ly to lead to Serbia’s isolation from issues can be separated, pointing Initially, I thought I spotted Melihate the region and will slow its path to the example of Cyprus, which the region, though it was no Relations, told Prishtina Insight. Termkolli putting herself forward for a towards the European Union. joined the EU before resolving more than a recycling of “both Ivan Vejvoda, head of the Plastic Surgery degree to save LDK’s The summit, organised by its internal disputes with the Europe and Kosovo” – the slo- Balkan Trust for Democracy, a face from the wrinkles caused by Fatmir Slovenia and Croatia, was intend- breakaway Turkish-ruled north, gan on which Tadic’s pro- NGO, noted in a recent interview Sejdiu. But, Meli should know that noth- ed to gather all Western Balkan Joksimovic dismisses such talk. European coalition campaigned with Radio Free Europe that ing can sort LDK’s fossil face! leaders for the first time since the “The EU is not going to repeat its in Serbia’s 2008 parliamentary Tadic had mentioned the need Somerville is where Margaret wars of the 1990s, to discuss coop- Cyprus mistake in the Balkans,” elections. for a flexible Kosovo policy. Thatcher, the former British PM, did her eration in reaching their shared Joksimovic said. Some experts maintain that He said Tadic’s expectation chemistry degree. And I thought I saw goal of European Union member- Meanwhile, senior EU offi- Belgrade is doing no more than that this year would see the Nexhat Daci attempting to follow in ship. The conference was seen as a cials have also touched on short-term muscle flexing, beginning of a solution to the Maggie’s footsteps. But, it’ll be a cold day preparation for the EU-Balkans Serbia’s need to improve its while it awaits the ruling of the problem encouraged him to in hell before that happens, and Daci’s meeting planned for June in regional cooperation, among International Court of Justice, believe that Serbia may soon chemistry background should remind Bosnia’s capital, Sarajevo. them the presidents of the ICJ, on Kosovo’s independence. abandon its hard-line rhetoric. him that the netherworld freezing over However, Serbia had hardened European Commission and Whatever the outcome of the “Unimaginable as it seems at is thermodynamically impossible. its diplomatic rhetoric on Kosovo Council of Europe, Jose Barroso ICJ, this camp believes that the moment, I think that soon – Oxford University requires dedication even before Slovenia kicked off and Herman van Rompuy, and Belgrade may adopt a more real- perhaps within the next six and ambition. That translated into hectic diplomatic efforts to get the EU’s foreign policy chief, istic policy once the ruling has months – we will see the highest Albanian means nothing else but PDK both Prishtina and Belgrade to Catherine Ashton. been given. The harshest criti- officials of Serbia and Kosovo and AAK militants queuing up for eti- take part at the summit at Brdo. The British ambassador to cism of Serbia’s refusal to sitting in the same room,” quette and elocution lessons. But, who Without even a word from Serbia, Stephen Wordsworth, attend the summit in Slovenia Vejvoda said. would pay the high tuition fees? Brussels, suggesting that Serbia was more unequivocal in an came from Cedomir Jovanovic’s But Aleksandra Joksimovic Was that Skender Hyseni I spotted would have to recognise Kosovo interview with a local daily this Liberal Democratic Party, LDP. sounds a more skeptical note. with a gormless look on his face and a before joining the EU, Serbia’s month. Whether or not it recog- Insisting that Serbs did not She is not convinced Serbia has stack of papers tucked under his arm? Foreign Minister, Vuk Jeremic, nises Kosovo, Serbia will have vote in the 2008 elections for a prepared any “exit strategy” The young Hyseni must have studied at jumped the gun this month, stat- to start pragmatic dialogue with policy that fostered anti- after the ICJ delivers its ruling one of the great universities to pull off ing that if pressed to choose Kosovo before it joins the EU, he European sentiment, the on Kosovo. Like many observers, his translator-to-foreign-minister-in- between the EU and its claim to warned. Wordsworth referred to Liberals said the boycott had she suspects the court’s ruling is eight-yearstrick. It’s just a shame he Kosovo, he would chose Kosovo. highlighted Serbia’s ambiguity likely to be neutral, allowing the way the Federal Republic of bunked the courses on diplomacy, public Jeremic’s statement raised eye- about EU membership. both sides to make their own Germany opened up dialogue speaking and western politics, as those brows among some politicians in Irritated by what they called interpretations. With that in with the communist German would have equipped him with the skills Tadic “isolationist gesture”, mind, she fears Serbia will try to Democratic Republic, GDR, he desperately needs. Serbia’s pro-Europeans were advertise the court ruling as a despite never recognising that But then my ear was drawn to the also embarrassed to hear huge victory, leading to renewed country, the so-called ostpolitik unmistakable twang of the Gjakovar Vojislav Kostunica, head of the confrontation. If the scenario (eastern policy). accent. It was an 18-year-old girl from the www.prishtinainsight.com nationalist Democratic Party of comes true, Serbia may try to Predrag Simic believes the EU western city, applying to do politics and Serbia, DSS, praise Tadic. propose a new motion at the UN is going to become increasingly economics. Who knows, maybe she can Publisher: “The extent to which the General Assembly condemning involved in seeking a pragmatic follow Maggie’s route and become the Kosovo issue has become the Kosovo’s declaration of inde- BIRN compromise between Belgrade first female PM of Kosovo. Maggie priva- focal theme of Serbia’s foreign pendence. This will, she and Pristina. Balkan Investigative Reporting Network tised everything in the UK. So why can’t policy is surprising, when one believes, slow Belgrade’s EU “If Serbia adopts a construc- our Gjakovar do it in Kosovo? She might recalls that every election since progress. tive approach instead of one Mensa e Studenteve, first floor even manage a transparent privatisation 2000 has been won on the EU Other pro-EU observers in based on ‘either Kosovo or 10000, Prishtina of PTK and KEK. theme, and that Serbian citizens Serbia expressed indignation Europe’, it may be assisted even Odd isn’t it? A tiny bit of chloroform Kosovo are more interested in European over Belgrade’s insistence that by those EU countries that have gave rise to a complex dream like this Phone: +381 (0) 38 24 33 58 integration than in Kosovo”, the Slovenia summit was a fail- recognised Kosovo in finding a one. Regular inhalation would do won- Aleksandra Joksimovic, of the ure. If Serbia was committed to middle ground with Kosovo,” he Fax: +381 (0) 38 22 44 98 ders to politics, at least in my parallel Forum of International regional cooperation its officials said. [email protected] world. EU membership brought to us by the new Western-educated female PM Editor-in-Chief: with a fresh government. Lawrence Marzouk Kosovo: Court Bans Prizren Emblem So, provided that last year’s budget he emblem of the Feith, who said it was ‘both be a common meeting point for surplus has not been “put to good use” [email protected] Municipality of Prizren, well-reasoned and thorough’. all of its citizens. yet, I suggest our government pays this Editorial Team: TKosovo, has been ruled as He said: “It is a boost to the “This decision strongly rein- girl’s tuition fees and invests in some Ana Petruseva, Gordana Igric, anti-constitutional as it does rule of law in Kosovo that the forces the principle that protect- chloroform! Only by dissolving the cur- Jeta Xharra, Marcus Tanner, not reflect the commune’s applicant could have his claim ing and promoting the cultural rent cabinet in chloroform, will the polit- ‘multi-ethnicity’. decided on by the and linguistic rights of all com- ical limbo in Kosovo stop and create Petrit Collaku, Shengjyl Osmani and The Constitutional Court Constitutional Court, when he munities strengthens Kosovo opportunities for the likes of this girl to Belinda Vrapi ruled on Friday that the was of the view that the and its development as a demo- return to Kosovo and take the lead to emblem, which includes an Municipal Assembly’s Decision cratic society.” make positive changes. Marketing, Sales & Distribution: image of the League of Prizren violated the rights of Prizren’s The lawsuit was brought by And when it comes to dissolving the [email protected] building, the spiritual home of non-majority communities to the former deputy mayor of the government, a toxic organic solvent like Albanian nationalism, and the protect and promote their iden- municipality, Xhemajl Kurtishi, chloroform is a cheaper option than a Design & Layout: “Rrjeti” date of its formation, must be tities. a Bosniak. heavy drinking night at Zanzi Bar! If Y changed. “It is right that in the case of The Constitutional Court has nothing, it ensures Hajredin Kuci does- M Printing: Lindi Printing Center The decision was welcomed Prizren, the municipal emblem given the municipality a three- n’t suffer indigestion from eating the C by the International Civilian should reflect the multi-ethnic month deadline to bring in a humble pie the next day. Copyright © BIRN K Representative (ICR), Pieter nature of the municipality and new emblem. business March 27 - April 8, 2010 5 Kosovo’s New Power Plant – Does Size Matter? first unit of Kosova e Re, together with Kosova B and Kosova A, for their entire lifespan will use only 25 By Besiana Xharra per cent of those reserves,” said Faik Nahi, political advisor to the ministry of energy. “The rest will be exported and, he downsizing of plans to build a depending on the energy needs in new power plant in Kosovo the years to come, the lignite will be Tmeans that the country’s poten- used to generate new capacity,” tial to exploit its massive lignite He said that Kosova e Re will reserves and become an energy cover Kosovo’s energy needs, and a exporter are being lost, critics warn. small amount of electricity may Kosovo’s current and past gov- still be exported. ernments have envisaged the con- Nuhi explained that the downsiz- struction of a 2000 megawatt power ing was to allow firms to secure plant close to the current, aging funding and becaus of question Kosova A and B facility in Obilic. marks over the need for large-scale This would have positioned the exports in the region. country as a major energy exporter The government, according to in the region and made use of the Nuhi, will be a shareholder in the world’s fifth largest reserve of lig- project but it has not yet been decid- nite. ed what its stake will be. But the tender process for the Minister of energy Justina new power station floundered Shiroka Pula told the Assembly of because interested parties strug- Kosovo last week that Kosova e Re gled to raise funds due to the Credit will first be built with a capacity of Crunch. 500MW and that by 2018 a further In a bid to resuscitate the plan, 500MW will be added to the facility. the ministry of energy announced She said that by 2025, the plant will last year that the scheme was being be generating 2000MW.

downsized to just 500MW, with the Insight Prishtina for Rrahmani Petrit by Photo Government coalition partners option of a further 500MW plant New plans to build a 500MW power station near the current site in Obilic are facing opposition Democratic League of Kosovo, being built later. new power plant] will not bring cerns and the withdrawal of presti- 2000MW and for exporting over LDK, has submitted objections to Earlier this month, four consor- growth in revenues to Kosovo’s gious global companies as reasons many years,” said Ceku. the proposal, calling for 1000MW tiums announced that they were budget and will not create new for the larger scheme’s failure. Officials at the Ministry of interested in bidding for the tender, followed by a further 1000MW. jobs,” said Ceku. “Kosovo, in this Ceku believes that, worst of all, Energy and Mines agree that much “The strategy should be a func- which includes improvements to way, is losing its economic power.” the plan will fail to use Kosovo’s lig- of the lignite will no longer be used tion of market competition,” said the current Kosova B plant and the He cites long delays to the proj- nite reserves. for the power plants, but say it will Fatmir Rexhepi, an LDK deputy. Kosova e Re, New Kosovo, facility. ect, changes to the remit, removal of “Kosovo has large quantities of be exported. Some economic experts believe But opposition politicians and experts from the ministry of ener- lignite and these were earmarked to “Sibovc [mine] lignite reserves that delays to the project are the some experts claim that this project gy, growing environmental con- be used for a Kosova e Re with are about 1 billion tonnes and the will fail to exploit Kosovo’s rich source of all the problems. “At the mineral wealth in lignite. beginning, there were very good Ethem Ceku, former minister of What happens next with Kosova e Re? bidders, which have left the race because of the changes and delays,” energy and a member of the opposi- he four consortiums bid- and Turkey, Park Holding from issued in the coming days. In July, said economist Naim Hoxha. tion Alliance for the Future of ding to build the power Turkey and consortium negotiations will be completed Another expert, Artan Nimani, Kosovo, AAK, told Prishtina Insight Tplant are Adani Power/Pt PPC/Contour Global LLP from with the firms, and the winner believes that delays led bidders to that reducing the capacity from Adani Global from India and Greece and Great Britain. will be selected in September. question the value of the project. 2000MW to 500MW is not conducive Indonesia, AES Electric According to the ministry of Construction of the project will to economic development. Ltd/Demir Export A.S from USA energy, the draft tender will be begin in early 2011. “Reducing the capacity [of the Kosovo’s Exports Stuck in Doldrums Despite the waiving of import tariffs to EU and US markets, Kosovo products are failing to make inroads. nearly all their products to the EU lion euro in 2009. But exports des- without paying duties or placing tined for the EU in first six months limits on the quantities. Quotas of the year were worth only 26.9 mil- remain only on wine, sugar, calf lion euros and of this, 18.5 million By Lavdim Hamidi and certain fish products. euro of goods was exported to Italy The European Commission last alone. Compared to 2008, last year’s month announced that it intended export to the EU were down by 20 he European Commission to extend its tariff-free unlimited per cent. announced in February that it access agreement to 2015 with the Berat Rukiqi, general secretary of Kosovo is failing to make inroads in the export market to the EU or USA Tplanned to extend its tariff-free trade agreement with Kosovo and the rest Western Balkans. Kosovo also has a the Kosova Chamber of Commerce, attracting foreign firms to Kosovo, metals and scrap metal – and the EU of the Western Balkans to 2015. But separate preferential agreement says Brussels’ pledge to extend the from where they can export goods is not that interested in scrap Muhamet Imeri, owner of the Galanteria with the US for the export of 4,500 preferential trade agreement is to EU countries without paying tar- metal,” Sadiku says. factory, which produces wooden furni- different products. But its exports to politically very important, as it iffs. Sadiku blames the government ture in Podujevo, says the extension America remain minimal too. shows Kosovo is not being excluded He maintains that the govern- for the many of the problems that offers little hope to his firm. Firms in Kosovo complain that from this deal despite the divisions ment should support local produc- local producers and exporters are He last exported to the EU in 2007 they are unable to take advantage of in the EU over its independence. ers by creating a more favourable facing, saying they don’t support and has since been forced to scale these agreements because they In economic terms, the agree- environment for investments and the development of the private sec- back operations because of finan- don’t have the money to invest in ment gives Kosovo the potential to pushing forward the process of tor enough. cial constraints. “In 2007, I exported new technology. They also say the export more goods to EU countries, standardising products to meet EU In neighbouring countries, he wooden furniture to Greece and government doesn’t support them even if, until now, it has not been in standards. explains, banks provide more credit Holland,” he recalls. “But since then enough. “Bank loans aren’t a position to exploit it, he adds. “So Economic expert Muhamet for exporters. “Turkey has estab- I haven’t been able to continue favourable,” says Imeri, who also far, Kosovo hasn’t profited from the Sadiku says that regardless of the lished a whole range of banks to exporting because I don’t have the chairs Kosovo’s Exporters’ pact as much as it could, mainly preferential trade agreements with support exports and we should be funds to complete a new production Association. “The government has because of its limited potential to the EU and US, Kosovo is not yet doing the same,” Sadiku says. For line in the factory.” not helped with funds to invest in export,” Rukiqi admits. capable of producing high enough their part, government officials Y In 2000, the EU granted trade pref- production technology.” But in the long term, this pact quality goods for export. blame the fall in Kosovo’s exports on M erences to all the Western Balkan The total value of Kosovo’s could have a positive impact on for- “About 80 of the 160 million euro the global financial crisis, which, C countries, allowing them to export exports was worth around 160 mil- eign investments, he continues, by of Kosovo’s exports comes from they say, has hit all countries. K 6 March 27 - April 8, 2010 city Experts Call for Pollution Christian Geosits Probe in North Kosovo Austrian Development “We don’t want to blight the area by saying ‘do not eat any- Agency thing grown here’, but it would By Lawrence Marzouk be prudent to see what is getting into the food chain.” British Ambassador Andy Sparkes said: “The British cientists from the UK’s Embassy closely follows the Aberystwyth University issue of displaced persons with- Shave called for further in Kosovo, including Roma, studies of pollution in northern Ashkalis and Egyptians, and we Kosovo, after discovering high will continue to support the levels of lead contamination in Government of Kosovo and of: the Eyes through Prishtina the area. international community in the The team of specialists also work that is necessary to recommend that the Cesmin resolve this issue.” Lug and Osterode refugee The European Commission camps, which have been home and Kosovo’s government to Roma families since 1999, be launched a 5 million project in closed ‘as a matter of urgency’ February to close the lead-con- because of the ‘very poor soil taminated Cesmin Lug and and air quality’. FoNet by Photo View over Mitrovica, which suffers from high pollution levels Osterode refugee camps ‘as soon The experts – Professor Mark as possible’. Macklin, Dr Graham Bird and Embassy and Post look at the origin of the pollu- At the launch of the project, Dr Paul Brewer – made the Telecommunications Kosovo, tion, rather than just its impact, Kjartan Björnsson, Chargé remarks in an interview with were presented in Mitrovica on concluding that the Zvecan d’Affaires at the European Prishtin Insight following the Thursday. Smelter, which has not been Commission Liaison Office in release of a report looking at Testing of soil, dust and operational since the 1999 con- Kosovo, said: “This project was whether an area earmarked for water in the Roma Mahalla and flict, and the nearby waste designed to address the alarm- the resettlement of Roma from Fidanishte – the land previously dumps, were the most likely ing and somewhat appalling the lead-contaminated camps in agreed by the Municipality of source of lead pollution. conditions under which you Mitrovica could be made safe. Mitrovica for the resettlement The experts said that further What surprised you most have lived for the past decade. The scientists concluded that of Roma, Ashkali and research was needed to estab- about Prishtina? “The European Commission despite lead-pollution in the Egyptians from the lead con- lish the levels of pollution in worked very closely with the resettlement area, which is also taminated IDP camps Osterode and alongside the river Ibar and Most people speak better German Government of Kosovo, USAID, in Mitrovica, the land will be and Cesmin Lug – was carried its potential impact down- than I do. and other stakeholders during habitable once remedial action out in December. stream in Serbia. several months to establish a What’s your favourite hang- has been taken. The results show that The higher ground near the viable framework for solving out? The camps were set up by although there are elevated lev- Zvecan smelter was also high- this long lasting problem.” UNHCR in 1999 as a temporary els of lead in the resettlement lighted as an area of particular The 30-month project will be Hard to say, I’d surely forget one. measure when the Roma area, remedial measures can concern. The report called for implemented by Mercy Corps Those places playing alternative Mahalla, on the southern shore make the area safe for the reset- the facility not to be reopened. and the Kosovo Agency for music at a volume permitting con- of the Ibar River, was burnt tlement, which is to be funded As a result of the high levels Assistance and Development versations, I guess. In a few down by ethnic Albanians at the by USAID and the European of pollution, the report recom- (KAAD). weeks, if I have time to work on end of the conflict in Kosovo. Commission Liaison Office. mends that gardens in the Roma The Council of Europe’s com- it, hopefully my garden (bbq!). Despite repeated calls to close The team added that although Mahalla be landscaped with missioner for human rights, the camps and numerous inves- pollution levels were high, they paving slabs, as the land will not Thomas Hammarberg, earlier Do you do anything cultural? tigations into the toxic, lead- were not uncommon in post- be safe to grow vegetables or this year called for the camps to contaminated environment, industrial areas in Europe, fruit. be closed and forced returns to The Jazz Fest was a pleasure, I around 600 Roma still live there. including around Aberystwyth Professor Mark Macklin told also hope to make it to some of Kosovo to be stopped. The results of the soil and University, which has higher Balkan Insight that the issue of the currently ongoing water testing of the Roma lead concentration levels in the food safety should be looked at Francophonie and classical music Mahalla, funded by the British soil. in detail in the whole area sur- events. I missed out on last year’s The report was the first to rounding the smelter. He said: motorcycle meeting and should go to the football pitch more often (if you accept my interpretation of Illegal Builidings to be Mapped From Air culture, too). Prishtina Municipality will soon name a ‘Day Zero’, after What is the most annoying thing about Prishtina? which it will monitor all new illegal buildings from the air Air quality. photos will be used to spot newly constructed buildings with no If you were mayor of Prishtina planning permission. for the day what would you By Shengjyl Osmani “It is expected that the whole change? territory of Prishtina will be recorded and we will aim to iden- Like everywhere, traffic and tify the number and locations of urban planning issues. he Municipality of Prishtina is to buildings in Prishtina,” begin mapping illegal buildings Muhamet Gashi, the spokesper- How many macchiatos do you Twith aerial photos. son of the Municipality of drink a day? The municipality will also des- Prishtina, told the daily Koha ignate a ‘Day Zero’, after which Ditore. “After these recordings, no In liters?

all buildings constructed without building will be allowed without Insight Prishtina for Rrahmani Petrit by Photo a permit will not be included in permission.” What’s the tastiest Kosovar the ‘legalisation process’, through He said that the photos will be food? which previously unregulated made using satellite imagery. New buildings have sprung up across Prishtina since 1999 buildings will be made legal. Home made Ajvar at a friend’s This is expected to be the shortest commission, which will be estab- “The public has no clue what in Thousands of illegal buildings place, and I am continuously map- phase of the process of legalising lished for legalising the buildings, fact is this process and what it have appeared in Prishtina since ping good buildings without planning per- and the supervisory commission includes, and it would be cata- the end of the conflict in 1999 and, qebap/qofte/kernace/cevape mission. “The first phase is of this process,” added Gashi. strophic if the municipality to date, little action has been places countrywide. expected to end within a short Besnik Vllasaliu, from the starts with such a huge process taken against their owners. period of time and after this NGO Advocacy Centre, said that without having a big campaign of According to the manual for What landmark do you use to phase, the map of the buildings the municipality should not start informing the public regarding Y ‘legalising illegal buildings’, tell taxi drivers where you and objects in Prishtina will be the legalisation of buildings with- the call for legalising buildings M which has been approved by the live? sent to competent bodies in the out first running an awareness built illegally,” Vllasaliu told C urbanisation department of the municipality, and to a special campaign. Koha Ditore. ADA office, of course. K Municipality of Prishtina, aerial feature March 27 - April 8, 2010 7 Plan Unveiled to Drag Farming into 21st Century

While the government hopes that investing 4.7 million euro in agriculture this year will revitalize this war-damaged sector, some farmers fear only big commercial concerns stand to benefit.

Fruit farmers are being asked to worth of fruit or vegetables, or grow such popular apple varieties 24.4 per cent of total imports. as Granny Smith, Fuji and Golden Nijazi Idrizi said Kosovo’s ter- Delicious. The Ministry of rain and climate favoured the cul- By Petrit Collaku Agriculture said it expects that by tivation of good quality fruit and 2013 some 560 extra hectares will vegetables. Some agricultural pro- osovo’s Ministry of be planted with apple trees on top duce was already being exported Agriculture, Forestry and of the current 600 hectares. “If to Western European markets. KRural Development, such a trend continues, in 2018 “Last year, hundreds of tons were MAFRD, has launched a fresh Kosovo will have enough apples exported, and according to round of grants in an attempt to for local consumption and be able exporters European consumers move farming into the 21st centu- to export to many countries,” were surprised by the taste,” Idrizi ry and end the country’s expensive Thaci, calling for dialogue on the recent social unrest [to further our Idrizi said. said. The strategy of the ministry dependence on imported food- future of agriculture in Kosovo. If demands],” he said, referring to In the next five years, the min- was to encourage farmers to stuffs. the request is not met, the union the wave of strikes staged earlier istry plans to spend 37 million improve productivity and diversi- Some 1.4 million euro are being plans to stage a peaceful protest on this year. “It’s time to change the euro on agriculture with 50 per fy. “This way they can be more made available for farmers culti- April 10. conditions… of poor farmers.” cent allocated for this year. competitive,” Nijazi added. vating grapes and apples with a The union wants the govern- Idrizi, from the ministry, has Kosovo has long been an agrari- However, the Agricultural further 3.3 million for other agri- ment to allocate 10 per cent of defended the set criteria for the an economy, and even today 60 per Federation of Trade Unions of cultural produce. Kosovo’s budget to agriculture, receipt of grants, saying they will cent of the population live off the Kosova has voiced misgivings. The The ministry is asking farmers offer a annual subsidy of 200 euro help ensure that farmers who land. But the agriculture sector is union’s head, Tahir Tahiri, said to diversify grape and apple prod- to each farmer who plants a truly sought to expand their busi- still dominated by subsistence the strategy would appeal to only ucts to appeal more to the EU mar- hectare with certain types of pro- ness are selected. Subsistence farming, characterized by low better-off farmers and make many ket. Grape varieties to be cultivat- duce and set up an “agro-bank” farmers may also apply for aid but yields and small plots and the con- more unhappy. “The criteria are ed in future will include world- that would offer farmers loans on the aim of the programme is to flict saddled this already under- tough for the grants and there will wide favourites such as favourable terms of interest. encourage viable commercial performing area with 1.5 billion be more disappointment then sat- Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot Tahiri said it was high time the farmers to improve efficiency. euros’ worth of damage. isfaction,” Tahiri predicted. and Muscat Hamburg. Currently government started thinking Since the 1999 war many inter- He added that one of the prob- the main varieties are Vranac and about farmers, because national organisations have pro- lematic criteria is that an appli- Cabernet Sauvignon. many now faced a diffi- vided financial and technical cant for a grant must have docu- “Kosovo has a tradition in wine- cult economic situa- assistance to local farmers but ments proving title to the land. “I making but has to enrich its tion. “We are not Kosovo remains a net importer of can tell you that some 60 to 70 per knowledge and technology. This using the fruit and vegetables. According to cent of the farmers do not possess way Kosovo can conquer a corner figures for 2007, Kosovo is a mas- those documents,” he said. of the world wine market,” Nijazi sive importer of agricultural prod- Tahiri said he had sent a letter Idrizi, political advisor to the ucts, buying in 384.6 million euros’ to the Prime Minister, Hashim Ministry of Agriculture, said. Farming Facts:

he total surface of Kosovo is 10,877 makes agriculture potentially a strong more than 10 ha. km square of which 53 per cent, economic sector that should be able to Agriculture con- T585,000 hectares, is agricultural adequately feed the population and tributes 30 per land, 41 per cent (455,000 ha) is forest enable the export of some foodstuffs. cent to the GDP of and 6 per cent other. Most farmland is privately owned (88 Kosovo and sup- Around 51 per cent of farmland is per cent) while the rest is the property ports 60 per used for grains and cereals (corn, of socially owned companies. The aver- cent of the wheat, barley), 45 per cent for pasture age agricultural area per household is popula- and meadows, 3 per cent for vines, while 3.2 ha. tion. olive groves and other produce repre- Farms with an area of 0.5 to 2.0 ha sent the last 1 per cent. dominate the agricultural sector, Kosovo’s arable land is considered while only 8 per cent of arable land good quality and the temperate climate is divided in units amounting to

Y M C K 8 March 27 - April 8, 2010 By Belinda Vrapi Guide in Prishtina

Prishtina Insight’s Guide to Live Music

From cool jazz to heavy metal, Prishtina offers a polyphony of sounds, but it’s not always easy to find out who’s playing where and to keep up with the ever changing line-up of venues. Here, Prishtina Insight provides you with its top ten places to catch some live music.

AVENUE BAR MAROON PUB ODYSSEA BISTRO BAR CANTO CAFÉ 049274337 GEGE Avenue is a bar with a trendy A reddish two-storey building in Already a prime cocktail bar This bar in Ferizaj offers a and pleasant ambiance, offering downtown, Maroon Pub has estab- and top-notch restaurant, homely atmosphere and great Gege is the latest live music finger food, pasta and cocktails, lished itself as one of the best Odyssea added live music to its music. Canto Café is run by the venue to have appeared on the among other things. It also offers a places to catch a band since opening list of qualities last year. Jazz or Nikolla family, who also happen to Prishtina scene in the building for- variety of music to clients - Jazz last summer. Live bands perform latino music or served up along- include among their numbers merly occupied by Posh Nosh. on Tuesdays, Albanian traditional several nights of the week, starting side fine food on Friday and some very talented musicians. If It hosts evening events varying songs on Thursdays and instru- with Latin rhythms on Mondays Saturday nights. This coming you can catch them live, you will from live rock bands to classical mental piano and violin sounds on and Tuesdays, rock and alternative week there will be Two Face band not be disappointed. This Saturday Albanian music and states it musi- Sundays. from Wednesdays to Saturdays and on Saturday from 9.30 p.m and night, Canto will have alternative cal intentions with a piano next to traditional Albanian songs on Luan Tashi Band on Sunday 9.30 rock with 7 me 7 Band and Day the bar. Behind Café e Vogel. Sunday. However, as often with p.m. If you’re looking for a wild Shift. There’s no particular pro- Tel: +377 44 45 50 10 Prishtina, schedules are not set in night of music, look elsewhere. gramme as the owner told Prishtina Insight that they usually Open 08:00-24:00 stone. Odyssea, however, is a great Wesley Clark Street, off Ferizaj’s spontaneously organise live music place to enjoy a drink or food main road evenings. Expect events on most UNDERGRAND Fehmi Agani Street while listening to some chilled nights of the week. (in front of Amelie). out music. A new bar located at the former Find them on 044169378 Gege UN headquarters, Undergrand is Facebook - Maroon Pub Sejdi Kryeziu Street, HARD ROCKERS Off Mother Teresa Boulevard not a typo but an accurate descrip- Pejton nest to the NLB bank near tion of its location. With a stylish- +377 44 55 64 44 Hard Rockers Club is a SOKOLI e MIRUSHA the Grand Hotel ly decorated interior, in stark con- Open 9am to Midnight. bar/nightclub, located near the (The former Posh Nosh) trast to the muddy exterior, it is With decent food and a wide http://www.odyssea-group.com/ main KEK building. one of the best new editions to variety of music, Sokoli makes an Music genres include Blues, Prishtina’s nightlife in recent attractive and vibrant hangout for Alternative, Rock’n’Roll, Hard ZANZI BAR months. Rock music on Mondays artists, politicians, and the youth JAZZ CLUB 212 Rock, Punk Rock, Metal, Death with Edona Reshitaj and Band is, of Prishtina. Named after a 70s Metal, Melodic Metal, Progressive Zanzi Bar may have hit the head- without doubt, one of the best ballet, you would expect Sokoli e Jazz Club 212 doesn’t always Rock, Acoustic and a lot more. line for all the wrong reasons chances to enjoy live music in Mirusha to take its music serious- stage Jazz, but the venue, one of Hard Rockers is dedicated to pro- when the Democratic Party of Prishtina. The band plays a bril- ly, and you won’t be disappointed. Prishtina’s largest clubs, usually moting new artists and bands in Kosovo’s made an abortive attempt liant repertoire of songs, ranging Nightly live music varies from offers a raucous evening. Denik the rock scene. to break the government coalition from rock versions of the Balkan sounds on Mondays to jazz Prizreni performs on Wednesdays, Live music is usually held at the from the venue, but it is also a stal- Spiderman theme tune to music most of the week. At the Latina band on Fridays and Zanzi weekends, although you might be wart of the Prishtina music scene. Albanian classics. On weekends, the downstairs bar Band on Saturdays. This coming lucky and catch something during It has been serving up jazz and Wednesdays, Fridays and offers great dancing and a mix of week, Thursday will be a Karaoke the week. other musical styles since the end Saturdays there are DJs and live live bands and DJs. night. For more information, look up of the conflict and regularly holds performances. Hard Rockers Club group on music nights in its basement loca- Y Off Luan Haradinaj Street, Café e Vogel, right side. Rr.Mbreti Leka Zogu I, Facebook. tion. M under the Grand Hotel and oppo- Open: 09am to Midnight; Fri & Pejton C site the New Born statue Sat 9am to 1am +377 44 16 72 86 On Bill Klinton Street, next to Hajdar Dushi St, Off Mother K 049 124 012 or 049 860 920 Tel: +377 44 78 88 88 www.212pr.com the KEK building Teresa Boulevard 9 Culture March 27 - April 8, 2010

Reviving Glory of Turbulent history

he National Theatre has Kelmendi. But by the end of its origins in Prizren, the 1980s politics was having a National Theatre TKosovo’s “city of cul- major impact. The scrapping ture”, where a theatre was of Kosovo’s autonomy also With plans to tour Kosovo, hold a summer festival in Prishtina and encourage young actors established in 1945. But after meant the withdrawal of the onto the stage, director Buqe Berisha hopes to put the National Theatre’s controversies only six months it moved to theatre’s autonomy and the behind it. Prishtina. Performances were Albanian theatre troop was staged in Albanian and left without a place to perform. fied a law on the National Theatre, Negotiations about the festival Serbian. According to Buqe They transferred their plays to confirming its right to receive gov- with the municipality are under- Berisha the theatre, through the privately owned Dodona ernment funds. But cash remains way and Berisha expects to make the ages, was a place where the Theatre. Professor Faruk Begolli led By Shengjyl Osmani extremely tight, as the theatre details of the festival public soon. disappointment and rebellious receives less than 1 per cent of the The new head is also interested feelings of the people were the activities there, which con- national 1 billion euro budget. in re-establishing theatre produc- represented. tinued despite the growing he position of director of Berisha said the theatre barely tions outside Prishtina. She is The 1970s was the heyday of political turmoil. After the Kosovo’s National Theatre gets by on the current level of state planning to take the National Albanian-language theatre, conflict of 1999, the National has proved a difficult one to T funding. The small sum showed Theatre on the road around represented by Esat Mekuli, Theatre was re-established in fill. After the last director resigned, “how much the upper levels of our Kosovo. Azem Shkreli and Ramiz its former home. complaining of political pressure, society pay attention to our cul- Despite its financial limitations, Buqe Berisha could be excused for ture,” she maintained. “It’s painful the theatre tries to support theatre feeling a weight on her shoulders. But Berisha told Prishtina Insight that we have such a small support productions out of town, recently that she was brushing aside past from our government,” she added. loaning costumes for a play in controversies and outlined bold But she continued: “We cannot Ferizaj, for example. plans to revive Kosovo’s theatrical blame the Ministry of Culture for But Berisha maintains that the- life. not supporting us, as… they have atre can only thrive outside “I’ve heard from the news [about no say in setting the portion of the Prishtina if young actors return to the controversy], and that there has budget set aside for culture.” their hometowns to perform. been political pressure, but I The National Theatre of Kosovo “Young people who have a proper haven’t seen anything like that to was founded in 1945 in Prizren, the education in acting and a talent for date,” she said. city in Kosovo most associated with drama should return to their home When Arian Krasniqi was cultural life. After six months it cities to revive the local theatres, appointed director in September relocated to Prishtina. Over the fol- which lack the challenging spirit 2008, it was hoped his arrival would lowing years actors performed in of young people,” she said. end instability in this 65-year-old both Albanian and Serbian until Young people should also feel institution. The theatre had failed politics got in the way under free “to knock on the National to appoint a new head after two Slobodan Milosevic. Theatre’s door” if they want to try selection processes, leaving it After Milosevic scrapped out internships in acting, direct- directionless. But Krasniqi lasted Kosovo’s autonomy in the late 1980s ing, stage designing or costume less than a year. and tensions mounted in the then designing. In August 2009 he resigned, com- province, plays in Albanian were “I strongly encourage students plaining of “growing bureaucratic transferred to the privately run from the Faculty of Arts to apply Dodona Theatre. It was not until for voluntary internships at the Upcoming Plays the end of the conflict in 1999 that National Theatre where they can “Our society doesn’t lack a the Albanian language was again gain new professional skills, and in culture of attending plays but heard on the stage of the National future might get a job within the he next regional project with Theatre. Theatre,” said Berisha who is also Skopje and Tirana will be after being excluded for ten Berisha said there was work to a lecturer at the arts faculty. TIbsen’s Peer Gynt, a high- do to revive the old days when the “Unfortunately, till now, no one spirited poetic fantasy, based on years from cultural events, Norwegian folklore. “It is a story of theatre played a more important has applied for these positions,” an irresponsible, lovable hero, society needs more public part in people’s lives: “Our society she added, “so I call on all the stu- which will be shown to audiences doesn’t lack a culture of attending dents to try out such great opportu- information regarding activi- from Prishtina, Skopje and Tirana ties.” plays but after being excluded for nities, which can help them and and performed by actors from all ten years from cultural events, also help us a lot.” three national theatres,”Berisha society needs more public informa- The internship programme at said. Another upcoming project is a tion regarding activities.” the National Theatre lasts six production of a Swiss drama, pressure” from the Ministry of One way of reviving interest in months after which all participants The Physicists. Culture, Youth and Sport. “It is the the theatre, now in the planning are awarded with certificates by The Ministry of start of political interference in the stage, is to hold outdoor plays in the theatre and the Ministry of Culture has also managerial work of the Kosovo summer in Prishtina’s Germia Culture. promised to support National Theatre,” he claimed. Park. In cooperation with the city Berisha believes that better pro- the National Berisha takes a very different of Prishtina and the department motion of plays has increased audi- Theatre in organ- view of the culture ministry offi- for culture, the theatre is planning ences markedly since she assumed ising a play using cials. “In fact, they are very kind a summer theatre festival that the reins last autumn. “I’m very sat- young actors and have a great desire to help me Berisha hopes will be particularly isfied with our audiences,” she and dramatists in my work… I’m very thankful for popular among members of the said. “And I believe the number of from the Y their support,” she said. large diaspora who return in young people visiting our doors will Faculty of Arts. M Money remains a big headache, droves to the country each sum- only grow in the months ahead with C however. In 2005, parliament rati- mer. our rich monthly programmes.” K 10 March 27 - April 8, 2010 Food & Drink

If you are tired of Burek, Tave and Pleskavice, here are three recommendations for some good international fare in Prishtina We recommend We

Himalaya Gorkha

he restaurant is run by a Nepalese family, who serve up tasty meals Tnative to South Asia. Located in what is known as the ‘Qafa Gallery’, Himalaya Gorkha’s only competition is a handful of machiatto bars stuffed with middle-aged men and cigarette smoke, until Le Siam arrived. The surroundings are a tad uninvit- ing, especially at night when the place is deserted, but luckily not the restaurant, which serves up some of Prishtina’s To Thai For best curries. Himalaya Gorkha to the Thai experience, as ber-vinegar condiments. The 044 402 265 where else in the city, as its waitresses are Thai natives, last appetizer, fish cake, was- Qafa Gallery – 17 UCK Boulevard interior is completely in con- and fitted out in traditional n’t very appetizing, as it was By Maneater trast to the rest of the busi- dress. dreadfully unseasoned. nesses located in the same The waitresses also provide My inexperienced dining building. a lot of assistance when order- partner decided on Pad See e Siam is a superb edi- The space isn’t large at all ing, especially for those that Ew with chicken for their tion to Prishtina’s but gives off an air of warmth are new to the cuisine. Thai main, which included soft rice international dining L and Asian sophistication. food is well-known for its par- noodles coated in salty soy scene Two rows of a dozen or so ticular etiquette, such as its sauce, the crunch of sweet I had the pleasure of dining dark wooden tables are smart- disregard of the knife, which spinach, carrot and cabbage, at the restaurant, Prishtina’s ly dressed in colourful cutlery is conveniently printed in the and shreds of well-seasoned newest Thai spot, with a first- and accompanied by white menu. chicken. The ingredients timer to South East Asian upholstered chairs, each However, Thai food is also blended together beautifully fare. While I spent the greater adorned with a bright silk pil- known for its intricate use of to create a distinct, yet not part of my day counting down low. One of the walls hosts flavour to create a balanced overwhelming Thai dish. the minutes to dinner time, I built-in seating, with choco- meal. Every dish incorporates I craved something with a knew my dining partner was Chinese Restaurant late-coloured cushions and sweet, sour, salty, spicy and little more impact, and decid- instead leaning towards a traditional triangular shaped bitter elements, creating a ed to order Pra Ram Long his restaurant along Police state of apprehensiveness Thai pillows. fusion of flavour able to capti- Song, a mixture of vegetables Avenue will not win any culinary spurred by a fairly inexperi- The walls are embellished vate all of the senses at once. and sweet peanut sauce with Tprizes but the food isn’t bad, and if enced palate for international with metallic artwork with The menu includes a range beef. Slices of green and red you are looking for Chinese in food. Nonetheless, I was right Thai-style symbols. of appetizers, soups, salads, pepper, cabbage, carrot and Prishtina, this is the place to come. to expect their full-out infatu- Meanwhile, the ceiling is cov- curries, noodles and speciali- zucchini arrived with very ation with everything Thai by ered in sheets of mirror, ties listed under their Thai thinly sliced beef and lus- Luan Haradinaj Boulevard the end of our meal. which, unexpectedly, are not name, with a vivid description cious sauce. I ordered a side of [across from the police station] Le Siam is located on the cheesy and instead help to for each. The main dishes can sticky steamed rice to balance second level of the Qafa ‘enlarge’ the dining area. be ordered with either chick- the flavour, which arrived in a Center on UCK Street, well Although the interior is en, beef or seafood, the latter beautiful silver bowl. known for its very grungy fairly modern and refined, the being a bit pricier. My dining partner and I and dark interior. It’s a shame overall look feels refreshingly A list of side dishes is also were fully immersed into our Le Siam isn’t located some- traditional. The staff also add available and recommended Thai evening, full of flavour in order to provide balance for and beautiful combinations of every dish. This list includes ingredients differing in steamed, garlic or egg-fried colour, texture and taste. rice, and regular or egg-fried And the menu’s breadth noodles. allows for a new experience We went for the platter for each time, although prices are our appetizer, which is a selec- slightly elevated, in line with tion of starters from the other high-end restaurants. menu. Four out of the five Cavallero appetizers were beautifully Four stars t Cavallero Mexican Cantina, shaped pastries with distinct First floor of Qafa Building, mouth-watering appetizers and fillings – vegetable spring roll, UCK Street, 045 243 588, open Asavoruy main dishes are nicely nut medley, and curry paste – Monday to Thursday from washed down with countless cocktail which are explosive, but deli- 11:00-14:00 and 17:45 to 22:30, options and even imported Mexican cious in flavour, and served and Friday to Sunday from beer. Gather you’re friends and bring on with chilli sauce and cucum- 11:00 to 23:00 the fiesta. Y Next to the ex-UNMIK building, on the alley which connects Luan M Haradinaj and Mother Teresa streets. C Thai Rex To Thai For A Tie Tongue Tied Thai-m Out Low Tide Tel: 044 508 980 K By Shega A’Mula 11 in Prishtina Inside Prishtina March 27 - April 8, 2010

Building Review: Prishtina’s Private Sculpture Park ut of the many attention- A large part of Fatmir’s work is grabbing restaurants and focused on national Albanian Obusinesses located on the heroes and figures. These include highly frequented Qamil Hoxha writer Faik Konica, Doctor Ali Street, one residential home with a Sokoli, and fallen fighters of vari- front lawn full of finished and ous wars and conflicts. unfinished sculptures has been The two-and-a-half metre tall receiving unintentional interest sculptures located in the front for more than a decade. Many peo- garden, and hard to miss for ple new to Prishtina wonder what passers-by, are identical sculp- the story behind these sculptures tures of Anton Cetta, a very influ- is, despite its very logical explana- ential academic, who was born in tion. Gjakova in 1920 and died in The house is owned by Prishtina in 1995. renowned sculptor Fatmir Hoxha, He is best known for his many who is also a professor at the publications on Kosovar Folklore, University of Prishtina Arts and his efforts to reconcile fami- Faculty. The 55-years old artist has lies who were part of blood-feuds been crafting statues for decades, in the country. He was responsible and simply ran out of room for his for ultimately eliminating all work. His large front yard has existing feuds in the 1990s. proved accommodating, and has The first Anton Cetta accumulated many works over the Sculpture, which is finished and Fatmir Hoxha’s garden of statues has proved a real draw to tourists years. bronzed, was placed a few metres His 23-year-old son, Daors away from the entrance of the because any attempts to move it According to Doars, the munici- But again, the Hoxha family Hoxha, who is also a sculptor and yard a couple of years before the will damage it. pality has never objected to the seem to be happy with that. art student at the University of 1998-99 conflict, said Doars. After Several other sculptures are display of the sculptures. But he Fatmir is regularly commissioned Prishtina, invited Prishtina years of on and off interest, the also located near the entrance of admits that their presence has led for private work by people, busi- Insight into the family home for sculpture was finally purchased the home. Although significantly to a lot of interest in his father’s nesses and institutions. Doars is an interview. Noticeably, the first recently by a buyer in Gjakova smaller, the sculptures are either art, usually after people realise also planning to hold his first per- level alone is covered in different and will be moved soon. nude, or portrait-style. Also, a that it is a private home. sizes of portrait-style and full- The second sculpture, however, sculpture made with ammunition He added that many visitors sonal exposition this year. length sculptures, and numerous remains unfinished and still in its sits on the other side of the gar- just stride into the garden and paintings also completed by cast. It will remain in the garden den and depicts a cracked globe take pictures with the sculptures Fatmir Hoxha can be contacted Fatmir. until it is completed and bronzed, damaged by war. without asking permission. at 044 153 710. Bar Review: Shop Review: Paddy O’Brien’s Irish Bar Star Tech Electronic he staff at Paddy O’Brien’s across their homeland. stools, tables and chairs. have a saying: “It’s easy to walk They’ve gone as far as to import A uniform shade of cherry-like Solutions Tin, but very hard to leave.” Irish staff, as I realised when 22- wood is used everywhere from the As I looked down at my fourth year-old Thomas greeted me from floor to the ceiling beams, and accu- eeping up with changes in priced digital cameras, starting round of Jameson, and the clock behind the bar. Longing to travel, rately matched with two patterns of technology can be difficult, from 180 euro. hands pointed to a time well after Thomas accepted a job offer from emerald green wallpaper, and Kespecially without a go-to Finally, a selection of generic midnight, I realised that they were one of the owners, and made dozens of framed pictures of the place for suggestions. office supplies are available, from right. But I was not alone – the bar Kosovo his first destination outside homeland. Star Tech shop in Prishtina can paper, pens, notebooks, and more – was full of casually-clad people, of Ireland. As far as liquor is concerned, help with a wide-variety of tech- also reasonably priced. singing along to requested songs, Although he admits his transi- every possible poison is available, nology accessories and products to Star Tech’s location is probably and keeping the bartender busy. tion has been bumpy, Paddy along with local and international make your gadget-filled life a bit the best feature of all. It is located There have been many attempts O’Brien’s patrons do a good job of draft beer, and freshly shaken cock- easier. right across Grand Hotel, making to establish a proper Irish pub in making him feel just at home. tails. The store may be small, but the it a very accessible spot for many Prishtina, all of which have either The vast majority of visitors are Classic coffees along with Irish number of products seems end- electronic solutions. really been a let down or been forced Irish personnel stationed in blends such as O’Brien’s tradition- less. Mother Teresa #43, 044 112 676 to convert to a Kosovar setting. Kosovo, who Thomas says have fall- al Irish coffee and Bailey’s Irish Computer accessories are the Paddy O’Brien’s, on the other en head over heels for the place. coffee are also offered, and served most common and include speak- hand, shows good prospects for Next in line are the English, with a touch of alcohol, and ers, keyboards, headsets, micro- longevity, with an incredibly Americans, and Germans, who also whipped cream. phones, cameras, printer toner, authentic flair hard to outstrip. often frequent the venue. Food is also offered up at Paddy laptop bags and loads of memory ‘Paddy’ and ‘O’Brien’ aren’t just The bar is located in a downtown O’Brien’s, with a mouth-watering options form hard disks to dozens random names chosen to imply an home which has been totally trans- menu of Irish specialties. Many of of USBs. Different CD and DVD Irish setting, but are instead the formed, and decked out in custom the food products are imported in variations are also available. names of the two owners that have made furniture corresponding to order to create an authentic meal. Telephone products are also gone out of their way to create a Irish pub standards around the Options include shepherd’s pie, exciting, from cell phones to per- bar akin to countless scattered world – the height of the bar, bar bangers and mash, fish ‘n chips, sonalised accessories – especially and an all-day breakfast compris- for the iPhone. ing of eggs, sausages, Irish bacon, In fact, there’s a large selection black and white pudding, tomatoes, of Apple accessories, including beans, and toast. Leave you’re carb- the iPod, which have been harder counting at home. to come by since the closing of the The only thing missing now is Apple store in town. the Guinness on tap, which will be Philips electronics are also arriving soon. available, such as hair straighten- The bar opens bright and early at ers, curlers and blow dryers, hair 7 am, served food until 11 pm, and removal devices, and energy effi- usually closes fairly late. cient light bulbs. Star Tech’s other international Y Location: Tringe Smajli Street, M just off Mother Teresa by the Illyria brands include Kodak and Fuji, with a range of economically C Drinkers enjoying a pint at Prishtina’s first authentic Irish pub Hotel. Star Tech is a treasure trove of goods K 12 March 27 - April 8, 2010 neighbourhood

Albania Police Seize Berisha Backs Down Over One Tonne of Marijuana olice seized nearly one tonne of marijuana on Sunday in Secret Service Changes PSouthern Albania as it was about to be smuggled into Italy on a Albanian government forced to reconsider bill that would increase Prime Minister’s control over the secret service speedboat. News in Brief News after coming under fire from NATO partners and the opposition. The bust represents one of the largest quantities of the narcotic into the agency that once spied ever seized in the country. The on and persecuted his political drugs were confiscated in a van rivals, civil society activists and near the bay of Kakome, which was the media,” said a Rama, adding By Besar Likmeta abandoned by the trafficker at first that Albania could not afford to sight of police. disregard the opinions of NATO According to police, the drugs allies. ollowing a strong public According to Artan Hoxha, were set to be smuggled into Italy outcry, Albania’s centre- author of the investigative TV on a speedboat coming from the Fright government has put show “Xhungel”, the fact that Italian coast. planned amendments to the law the international community According to the US State on the secret service on ice, raised the issue of the bill, in Department International Strategy pulling the bill from the parlia- the absence of a local debate, for Narcotics Control report, mentary schedule. shows how sensitive the agency Albania is an important cannabis Sali Berisha’s Democratic has become in the context of producer for markets in Europe. Party-led administration was Albania’s NATO accession. forced to back down after “The issue was not raised by Tirana’s NATO partners blasted Bosnia: Silajdzic Slams those you would normally proposed amendments to the expect; the opposition, civil soci- Talk of “Peaceful law on the State Security ety or the media, but by the US Service, SHISH, passed recently Divorce” embassy and the EU,” he noted. by the national security com- Although Albania has made he Bosniak member of mission in parliament. strides over the last decade, Bosnia’s tripartite presiden- The amendments would effec- becoming a full member of Tcy, Haris Silajdzic, has reject- tively allow the Prime Minister NATO last year while also ed the talk of a “peaceful divorce”, to dismiss of the current state applying for EU candidate sta- raised by Bosnian Serb leader security director, Bahri Shaqiri, Sali Berisha, Prime Minister of Albania tus, ambassador Withers Milorad Dodik. and give the service new powers warned that the draft bill would Dodik’s statement was strongly to spy on public officials. mission. Opponents of Berisha, who put into question such achieve- rebuffed by the Bosniak member of The bill would give SHISH Dardan Malaj, politics editor after the fall of the Communist ments. the country’s tripartite presidency, new powers to force private citi- for the daily Shqip, says regime served as Albania’s pres- “Albania is a new NATO mem- Haris Silajdzic, who spoke after a zens and government institu- Berisha’s move was not unex- ident from 1992-1997, have ber and has aspirations for full meeting with a NATO delegation tions to cooperate with it, while pected; he did not expect it to repeatedly accused him of using Euro-Atlantic integration and headed by the alliance’s Secretary requiring the Prime Minister’s provoke such a backlash. the secret service, headed previ- we feel that this law is taking General Anders Fogh Rasmussen permission to allow joint opera- “All Albanian Prime ously by the late Bashkim Albania in the wrong direction,” on Tuesday. tions with partner agencies. Ministers have tried to bring the Gazidede, to spy on, coerce and he said. “It is just rhetoric, if (partition) Although the government secret service under their con- even physically attack opposi- “The matter that needs to be said the amendments met NATO trol in order to use them when tion members and the media. could not have been achieved with kept in mind is that this is not standards, those who sponsored they needed them the most,” Under Gazidede the service tanks it certainly cannot be simply an internal political Albania’s accession into the said Malaj, adding that: was also accused of being achieved with microphones,” debate. Under NATO, and under alliance clearly thought other- “Because of the ongoing politi- involved in kidnapping and tor- Silajdzic said. “If someone does not bilateral arrangements, this is a wise, arguing that the country cal crisis, the government may ture, and in trading arms, drugs like Bosnia-Herzegovina they are matter with international impli- would be edging in the wrong have hoped there would be little and contraband oil in neigh- free to leave, but they cannot take cations,” Withers clarified. direction if it passed the legisla- resistance.” bouring Yugoslavia when it was any part (of the country) with With the bill now kicked into tion. Were parliament to pass the under UN embargo owing to the them,” he added. the long grass, its future is On March 12, while the bill bill, Berisha could nominate a war in Bosnia. Both Berisha and Silajdzic was responding to uncertain. Foreign Minister Ilir was still being discussed in the new head of the service within Gazidede denied the allegations. Dodik’s remarks that Bosnia was Meta, after a trip in Washington commission, the US ambassa- the next two months, at a time Following the US diplomat’s surviving only because of interna- last weekend, indicated that the dor in Tirana, John L Wither, when the government is locked criticism of the law, opposition tional intervention. “There are proposal might be redrafted more or less savaged the pro- in political stalemate with the Socialist leader Edi Rama many examples proving that with EU and NATO assistance. posed changes. opposition over the results of jumped on the bandwagon to Bosnia-Herzegovina is unsustain- If so, that will be seen as con- “It is vitally important for June 28 parliamentary elec- criticize the bill as an attempt to able and that the time has come to Albania to keep the secret serv- tions. turn back the security agency firmation that governments in adopt a different approach,” Dodik ice professional, independent The Socialist opposition has back to its darkest hours. Tirana no longer have the lee- told journalists in Banja Luka on and free of all political influ- boycotted parliament for the “I call on Berisha to recall the way to toy with the security Monday. ence and we are worried that past six months and has led a proposed changes which aim to service as was often done in the this bill undermines such prin- series of protests questioning turn the state security service past. Group Pushes ciples,” Withers said. “In addi- the legitimacy of Prime tion, this draft assigns troubling Minister Berisha’s government. Recognition of Yugoslav new domestic responsibilities to “This is a time when stability Nationality the intelligence service,” he in the Albanian intelligence added. service is particularly impor- Yugoslav alliance has been Two former Albanian presi- tant and this draft law raises formed in Zagreb with the dents, Rexhep Mejdani and questions exactly in that area,” Aaim of having the Yugoslav Alfred Moisiu, also spoke out Withers underlined. nationality recognised once again against the bill, organizing a According to the terms of the as a nationality in all of the roundtable with Western proposed bill, Shaqiri could Yugoslav successor states. ambassadors in Tirana to dis- apply for a second, final term as The Association Nasa Jugoslavija cuss the proposed changes. SHISH director. But the direc- [Our Yugoslavia Alliance] estab- “Not every change is a reform tor’s relations with the right- lished the Savez Jugoslovena on that brings positive results,” wing government have always March 21, 2010. Moisiu said at the roundtable, been strained and it seems In a press statement it said that while calling on the political unlikely that Berisha would people of Yugoslav nationality have class to reflect and take a nominate him again. the right to protect their identity mature decision on the issue. Since the end of the Stalinist and cultural, artistic, linguistic and His predecessor, Rexhep regime of Enver Hoxha in 1991, literary inheritance. Mejdani, was more direct in his the security services in Albania The group wants to open public objection to the draft law, accus- have undergone major transfor- discussion on the rights of ing the Prime Minister of “try- mations. SHISH is now consid- Yugoslav nationals and their ing to bring SHISH under his ered generally to be under civil- “active role in democratisation”. Y control”. ian control and professional. It The statement added that M Objections to the bill have leads important counterterror- “Yugoslavs still exist and they are C also come from the EU delega- ism operations in partnership proud of their position as the only K tion in Tirana and the OSCE with ally agencies like the CIA. alternative to nationalism.” opinion March 27 - April 8, 2010 13 Kosovo’s Internal Reforms Dear Teta Mia... Need Outside Support Teta Mia solves your problems Kosovo’s government has hired an interna- tries (the other one being Albania), which has tional PR company to rebrand the country. not seen negative growth during the econom- The motto of the campaign is “Kosovo: Young ic crisis, its economy suffers from a wide Where is Isa Mustafa? By Seb Bytyçi Europeans.” trade imbalance. If Kosovo cannot sell its Prishtinalia, Bregu i Diellit It tries to utilise the fact that Kosovo has the products in the region it cannot hope to create youngest population in Europe and to present much needed new jobs. h Prishtinali! If only I knew! a youthful and progressive image of Kosovo. The European foreign policy chief, You seek him here, you seek osovo celebrated its second independ- Unfortunately, the youngest Europeans are Baroness Ashton, and the French Foreign Ohim there, but Prishtina’s ence anniversary on February 17. also the most isolated. The EU has not yet Minister, Mr Kouchner, just completed their mayor is nowhere to be found. KHowever, many felt that there was not Mr Mustafa was the main winner even started the process of visa liberalisation tours of the Western Balkans. The EU much to celebrate. Despite its progress, with Kosovo. The average costs for a Economic and Monetary Affairs of the 15 November mayoral race in Kosovo is facing very difficult challenges. Schengen visa application in Kosovo is 124 Commissioner, Mr Rehn, is in the region in Kosovo. He swept to victory on a It’s isolated, poor and it is facing a very hos- Euros. While, the average monthly salary in the third week of March. wave of anti-Astriti sentiment tile Serbia. among the “qytetarë” of the capital After many pledges of support and a Kosovo is 240 Euros. The message they need to take home is that Kosovo, has the highest rejection rate for the current situation is untenable. with a whopping 57.2% in the first donors’ conference, it is hard for Kosovars not visa applications in the region. About half of Kosovo needs its European and American round – a blazing mandate for to feel a sense of abandonment from their the Schengen visa applications from Kosovo allies now more than ever to help it break this reforming Prishtina’s infrastruc- allies. are refused. isolation. ture and public spaces. First, there were the unnecessary conces- Kosovo’s businesses are also feeling the The continuing tolerance of the lack of With 16,547,354 euro for local sions given to Serbia in order to get it to agree pinch of isolation. Kosovo became a member recognitions by five EU members and the infrastructure in the municipality’s to deploy the EU Rule of Law Mission of the Central European Free Trade aggressive Serbian policy towards Kosovo has 2010 budget (drawn up, incidentally, (EULEX) in Serb-majority northern Kosovo. Agreement (CEFTA) through UNMIK (the UN to stop. in September 2009), there are cer- Then, there was the lack of progress in Mission responsible for foreign policy among Kosovo’s citizens must enjoy visa free trav- tainly a few cents available. including Kosovo in the visa liberalisation other things until 2008), but since its declara- el like their neighbours do, so they can see the So while the infant mayor of process. This was coupled with the inclusion tion of independence Kosovo companies have benefits of a united Europe. Its companies Gjilan has had only days to ponder of Serbia in the white Schengen list and a gen- been unable to sell goods to Serbia or use it as should be able to benefit from free trade key appointments to municipal eral lack of will on the part of EU to deal with a transit route. agreements and create jobs. directorates, Isa has had four Serbia’s aggressive foreign policy regarding Bosnia also decided not to respect CEFTA Otherwise, the reformers in Kosovo and months. Kosovo. provisions when it came to Kosovo’s products. civil society will struggle to find meaning to But as the LDK hangover wore off And now, to top it all off, it is becoming This policy of Serbia and Bosnia is disrupt- the reforms we are pushing for. from their only significant victory more obvious that the EU is not sufficiently ing regional trade and is very damaging to in these interminable elections, and committed to its own mission on the ground Kosovo’s already weak economy. Seb Bytyçi is Executive Director of Balkan we woke, rubbing our bleary eyes, to see it succeed. Although Kosovo is one of the two coun- Policy Institute (IPOL) where was our new mayor? I thought perhaps Isa was eschew- ing the local limelight in favour of the subterranean world of Creative Politics: Buy a Hole in Prishtina’s water pipes. Those of us lucky enough to escape the fumes of Obiliq by living on Sunny Hill will contest that no, there is no way Isa is diverting his extensive energies the Road! to fixing the chronic water prob- no longer driving, but maneuver- hole, once mended, will have a financial incomes. As critics lems in the neighbourhood. Far ing. badge of the buyer with a slogan argue, roads are in a poor state of from it – for two weeks recently, we A creative policy idea could or name of choice. repair not because of a lack of were treated to a meagre hour of come from Germany: Buy a hole The sponsorship scheme is not investment in infrastructure, but water for our daily ablutions. By Martin Waehlisch in the road! completely new: In Berlin one due to the misuse of funds which So we should seek him in tortu- Niederzimmern, a German can adopt exhibit pieces in the results in thinner asphalt roads ous negotiations with our beloved town in the eastern state of Museum of Natural History, and or poorer quality than was paid KEK, explaining how collective nofficially, Prishtina Thuringia, started to sell its pot- all around the world people for. power cuts to punish the few who might be Europe’s capital holes to finance their repair. The become patrons of park benches. Aside from the practical chal- don’t pay must be against some Uof potholes. Nearly every international human rights charter budget of the municipality is second street has damages rang- The idea promotes community lenges such an auction would tight, so the mayor started an unity: citizens can feel like they create, it exemplifies a rare out- or other. And ,that two years after ing from the size of a football to the sparks of independence fire- the dimension of a volcano internet campaign putting holes own a part of the city and so side-the-box approach in politics works have faded, any power out- crater. As every year at the start in the road on sale for 50 euros become more attached to public which could be useful in dealing ages in the capital of a new state of spring, potholes open up like each (www.niederzimmern.de). property. with some of Kosovo’s problems. struggling to attract foreign invest- crocuses on the fields after the About 138 potholes have already Whether the idea could work And finally, one question snow, ice and rain of winter. been snapped up by companies in Kosovo is doubtful, as most remains: What is your favorite ment must be unacceptable – and not unavoidable. Moving through the city becomes and private individuals. The people struggle with their own hole in the road? Alas – the power this spring has been worse than ever – but hey, who needs a warm shower when there isn’t any water? Maybe the reason we can’t see our Kryetar on TV is because he’s pitch- ing in himself with a little bit of Rental of simultaneous road maintenance. After all, the largest pothole in town is his name-  sake, so it’s possible that he’s attempting to fill it in... translation equipment. No. And the crack in my wind- screen gets longer with every bump in the road. So where on earth could Prof. Dr Isa Mustafa be? You know the answer, Prishtinali. Services for conferences, presentations and trainings. He’s rubbing his hands gleefully as he thinks he’s just figured out a cheap, clean method for heating the city’s apartment blocks next winter, For prices and booking call: +381 38 602042, [email protected] as Springfield Nuclear Power Plant [email protected] opens a subsidiary in the Balkans. +377 44 243376 Excellent. Y M C To send a letter to Prishtina Insight, email [email protected]. K If you would like your NGO to appear in 14 March 27 - April 8, 2010 our Making a Difference feature, please NGO Focus email [email protected]

Embassies Don Bosko: A History of Education and Liaison he education system in shift system in place to deal with Kosovo suffers from poor oversubscription. Offices in Tinfrastructure, ranging from The picture is altogether differ- the buildings themselves to class- ent at the well equipped social Prishtina room equipment, and pupils often educative centre Don Bosko in face short school days due to the Prishtina, which offers students American state-of-art laboratories and excel- Address: "Nazim Hikmet" no. 30 lent vocational tuition. Arbëria/Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina The Don Bosko Centre in Phone: +381 (0) 38 549 516 Prishtina, named after Saint Don Austrian Bosco, a 19th Century Italian Address: "Ahmet Krasniqi" no. 22 Priest who set up schools for the Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina poor, is part of an international Phone: +381 (0) 38 249 284 network of 2,000 not-for-profit Belgian schools under the umbrella of the Address: "Taslixhe" I, 23 A Salesians of Don Bosco. 10000 Pristina Education at the Kosovo facility Phone: +381 (0) 38 734 734 started in 2003 and the scope of the British project was expanded in 2008. Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 6 The centre, in Rr. Tahir Zajmi, Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina includes vocational training; a Phone: +381 (0) 38 254 700 Lycee, or Middle School of Bulgarian Electrotechnics; a youth centre; Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 12 library; and space for social and Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina cultural activities. Phone: +381 (0) 038 245 540 The Lycee, the first of its kind in Danish Don Bosco, a Kosovo, has 280 students and Address: "Nene Teresa" no. 2 expects to register another 130 stu- 10000 Prishtina Visionary Priest dents this year. Phone: +381 (0) 38 249 995 aint John Bosco was born The student fee is 960 euro per Dutch on August 16, 1815, as academic year but scholarships Address:" Xhemal Berisha" no. 12 SGiovanni Melchiorre are offered to 20 per cent of stu- Velania, 10000 Prishtina Bosco, also known as Don dents who come from poorer back- Phone: +381 (0) 38 224 61 Bosco. grounds. Finnish Str. Perandori Justinian No. 19 He was an Italian Catholic The ‘Good Morning’ programme gathers all students and professors Pejton priest and educator who dedi- 10 000 Pristina before lessons start at 8am. The cated his life to the education of Phone: +386 43 737 000 aim is allow students to discuss poor youngsters and employed French their concerns. teaching methods based on Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 67 “The aim is not to solve the edu- Courses include subjects such ajvar, pickles and other products. ‘love rather than punishment’. Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina as electronics, IT, finances, Under a picture of Don Bosco in He placed his works under cational problems in Kosovo but Phone: +381 (0) 38 22 45 88 00 the ‘protection’ of Francis de to establish high standards in administration and foreign lan- the main hall of the centre is the Greek Sales, a 16th Century saint. education and professional voca- guages. Recently, new course on saying: “It is enough to know that Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 68 The organisation he founded tions,” Anton Gojani, the coordi- welding, hydraulics, processing of you are young and abandoned for Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina was thus known as the Society nator at Don Bosko, told Prishtina fruits and vegetables and tourism me to love you very much.” Phone: +381 (0) 38 243 013 of St. Francis de Sales, or, more Insight. have been added to the curricu- Don Bosco’s schools are present German popularly, as the Salesian Gojani said that Don Bosko lum. in 130 countries worldwide, and Adress: "Azem Jashanica" no. 17 Society or the Salesians of Don offers qualified staff, a modern During a visit to the centre, a all are run under the Salesian phi- Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Bosco. curriculum and a positive climate group of women was practicing losophy of providing charitable Phone: +381 (0) 38 254 500 He also founded, together for education. pasteurisation of processed fruits education for the poor. Italian with Maria Domenica During their four years of stud- and vegetables. “That’s why we also have the Address: "Azem Jashanica" no.5 Mazzarello, the Institute of the ies, from 14 to 18 years old, stu- The training is provided in two youth centre, the Oratorium,” Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Daughters of Mary Help of dents are always the centre of difficulty levels, with each level Gojani explained. Phone: +381 (0) 38 244 925 attention, following modern lasting three months. One month “We want to guarantee a space Japanese Christians, a religious congre- Address: "Rexhep Malaj" no. 43 methods of educations. costs 80 euro. for the youth where they can live gation of nuns dedicated to the 10000 Prishtina care and education of poor Veton Shabani, an 11th grade “I am really satisfied with the and learn together and create Phone: +381 (0) 38 249 995 girls, and popularly known as student, told Prishtina Insight: “I training here,” course member friendships.” Luxemburg Salesian Sisters. left public school and joined Don Ganimete Pllana told Prishtina The Oratorium is open to every- Address: "Metush Krasniqi" no. 14 Don Bosco succeeded in Bosko. Why? Because I heard that Insight. “I considered myself a one and tries to direct young peo- Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina establishing a network of there are better conditions and it decent housewife but now I see ple off the streets and towards Phone: +381 (0) 38 226 787 organisations and centres to proved to be so.” that I had missed out on the latest education. Malaysian carry on his work. Don Bosko also offers training techniques.” Don Bosko is planning to open Address: "Bedri Shala" no. 48 10000 Prishtina In recognition, he was canon- for adults to improve their skills She added that, following the another centre in Gjilan soon. and prepare them for the job mar- training, she hoped to create a Visit http://www.donbosko-koso- Phone: +381 (0) 38 243 467 ised by Pope Pius XI in 1934. Norwegian ket. small firm producing local jams, va.com/ for more information. Address: "Sejdi Kryeziu" no. 6 10000 Prishtina Easy Medium Hard Phone: +381 (0) 38 232 111 00 Saudia Arabian |y |y Address: Dardania SU 7, building 2, #1 10000 Prishtina 256 649 984 Phone: +381 (0) 38 549 203 Slovenian 38 1 18275Address: "Anton Ceta" no. 6 10000 Prishtina 697825 389 Phone: +381 (0) 38 244 886 Swedish 287 6538 16 7 Str. Perandori Justinian No. 19 Pejton 39 17 7310 000 Pristina Phone: +381 38 24 57 95 29 4 9463 296Swiss Address: "Adrian Krasniqi" no. 11 54 368 10000 Prishtina 1 32 1 Phone: +381 (0) 38 248 088 Y 825685 12Turkish M Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 59 C Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina 739 92 4 984 Phone: +381 (0) 38 226 044 K By Shengjyl Osmani March 27 - April 8, 2010 15 in Prishtina Timeout Contact Prishtina Insight if you would like your event to feature or to advertise your venue. Email [email protected] Prishtina Diary National Theatre FRIDAY 26.03.2010 quickly a resident DJ DAM FESTIVAL 2010 in many top Swiss SQUARE 21: clubs. She has of Kosovo performed in France, PROGRAMME: ‘Hip Hop Don’t Stop’ ; Belgium, Moscow, Closer, Warmp up - Luro; Morocco, America and Wednesday March 31, 8pm MARCH 25 Ulfah Arts and Dam Festival Special guest DJ from Asia. 8 pm National Theatre presents: Germany DJ Sket , a Grand Opening The historic, heroic and member of Blazin SATURDAY, 03 April Prishtina New Orchestra humourous works by Armend Closer, a drama by Brothers @ SPRAY Visar Kuci, violin and artistic Xhaferi, guitar, Dafina Zeqiri Patrick Marber, is a director and Visar Kuci. Violin, Alia Al bruising dissection of Duplex: SPRAY CLUB: New Born Choir Zougbi, actress/storyteller modern relationships, Ylber Asllanaj, artistic director (Lebanon/UK), Lule Ballata, in which sex is the sub- DJ FICI will be playing DJ OXIA: Olivier Donika Rudi, composer flute, Riad Ymeri, tenor, ject even when it’s not, House and Hip Hop Raymond, born in 1971 Ethem Qerimi, violin Rosalind Parker, piano (UK), honesty is frequently mixes for you and in Grenoble (France), not the best policy, and professional dancers. was already into “black APRIL 1 people with choices music” (disco & funk) almost always make the in his early teens. 7pm National Theatre wrong one. During college years, Baroque Concert Olivier’s friendship Marigona Qerkezi flute The National Theatre play is directed by with Stéphane (Kosovo) Kushtrim Koliqi. The play is not open to under Deschezeaux kick start- Annika Quartet (Kosovo) 16s because of its sensitive material. Closer is ed a musical journey, organised by the National Theatre and ‘be ART’, with a debut on a local Donika Rudi: Albanian com- and is supported by the Ministry of Culture, radio station broadcast- poser of electro acoustic and Youth and Sports. ing a show dedicated to instrumental music. She stud- Funk. Olivier’s mixes ied at Conservatory of Music are influenced by a Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, in Geneva-composi- tion/instrumental music. She large spectrum of Saturday, March 27, 8pm music styles: electro- is currently following a mas- funk, italo-disco, new- ters degree at the Royal SATURDAY wave (Depeche Mode, Conservatory of Music in 27.03.2010 New Order) and the Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Mons, Belgium. early Chicago and New- is a play by Tennessee Marigona Qerkezi: A 15-year- SQUARE 21: York house scene. Williams about a socie- MARCH 26 old student at the renowned ty which tries to dic- 8pm Youth Palace – Red Hall Music High School Prenk Gala Concert Jakova in Prishtina, Kosovo. Hip Hop Arena Warm Up: SABB (SK tate how people should Kosovo Philharmonic - Opera In 2007, Marigona received the Supreme / Noir Music) live, at a time when a DJ Goce MK lack of human commu- Patris Berisha, xylophone best artistic performance nication has led to the (Kosovo) award at the Young Musicians After: VEGIM (TMM The most Underground isolation. Jonian – Ilia Kadesha, violin Competition ‘Ars Kosova’ in Records) Hip Hop DJs and many (Albania /Greece) Prishtina. more surprises. In the overcharged circumstances of a family cri- Luka Sulic, violoncello Afterhours: GENTI & sis, many truths are revealed about our desperate (Slovenia) 8pm National Theatre Duplex: YACINE (Spray) fear of death, our love of life, our hidden guilt, Claudio Buchler, conductor New American Music (Austria) Indiana University New Music Swiss DJ Tap Tap will our insecurities, our inability to face the truth, Ensemble be playing Hip Hop our materialism, our greatness and our pettiness. David Dzubay, composer & con- after the resident warm ductor, Liana Gourdjia, violin, up DJ (10pm to 5am). The monthly programmes of the National Theatre can be found at www.teatrikombetar.eu Robert Spady, clarinet, Eric Allen, violoncello, Teddy DJ Tap Tap first and all the tickets cost only 3 euro. Neidermaier, piano, Daniel appeared in Club Stein, flute. Indochine; starting off in the VIP lounge she APRIL 2 8pm National Theatre Cinema Jonian-Ilia Kadesha: Born in Concert by Swiss Paganini Athens in August 1992, he Alexandre Dubach, violin American University began studying the violin at (Switzerland), Luan Durmishi, four. tenor, New Born Choir, in Kosovo: He performed for the first time Ansambli Rexho Mulliqi. Robert Elsie Presents: KOSOVO IN RARE in public at the age of five. In May 2000, he received two APRIL 9 COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS, Midday special prizes at the interna- 8pm Youth Palace – Red Hall tional competition “Musicalia Recital Concert ell known writer, translator, interpreter, 2000” in Athens. Agron Shujaku piano and specialist in Albanian studies Robert WElsie will be at AUK on Tuesday, March MARCH 29 APRIL 19 30, to present a collection of beautiful colour pho- 8pm, National Theatre 8pm Youth Palace – Red Hall tographs of Prishtina and Prizren taken in 1913. Authorial Concert Fatosat N’Dam (children’s pro- His presentation includes some of the oldest pho- Dafina Zerqiri composer gramme) tos ever taken of Kosovo. Many have never before (Kosovo) Air Music Orchestra been published.If you are interested in the histo- Kushtrim Gashi conductor ry of Prishtina or Prizren, this is a must-see. 8.45pm Toshio Yanagisawa, conductor Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at Midday String Concert (Japan) at American University in Kosovo – Auditorium Fegus Quartet (Slovenia) Germia Campus, Nazim Gafurri 21. MARCH 30 7pm, National Theatre Recital Concert Mennan Berveniku (Kosovo) he animated movie Cloudy Meat balls is the lat- est film to be screened at ABC. The movie fol- 8pm, Marathon Concert Tlows a scientist trying to solve the world food Kosovo Young Soloists, ensem- crisis, but things get complicated and the food raining bles and composers from the sky doesn’t stop. The film is based on a chil- Faculty of arts, music art dren’s book. The film will be screened at 2pm, 4pm, branch – Prishtina Toshio Yanagisawa: Born in Y and 6pm every day. The movie lasts for 1 hour and 21 Japan 1971, he studied conduct- min. For more information, check ABC’s website MARCH 31 ing at L’Ecole Normale de M kinoabc.info or call 038 243 117. 8pm Oda Theatre Musique de Paris. C K 16 March 27 - April 8, 2010 marketing

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