City: Prishtina Takes First Steps to Stub Out Smoking

January 28 - February 10, 2011 Issue No. 56 www.prishtinainsight.com Price € 1 Tirana NEWS Dutch Minister: Carnage “Kosovo is Run by Leaves Criminals” > page 3 Albania at BUSINESS Boiling Point Foreign Investment in Kosovo Stalls After anti-government > page 6 protests left three dead and dozens wounded, INVESTIGATION there are fears that Revealed: Vukovar Albania’s descent into Croats Tortured in chaos may have become Nis, Serbia unstoppable.

See Page 10 - 11 Kosovo Agency Accused > page 8 of Manipulating Land Sale FEATURE Auditor General says Privatisation Agency ‘manipulated’ auction of publicly owned industrial estate, short-changing the Guerrilla Gardening public of up to 200,000 euro. Grows in Prishtina By Petrit Collaku, Lawrence signing the contract and the that the actual area of office space at least 14 months later, in January Marzouk and Shengjyl Osmani manipulation of the office space was 2,583 square metres, five times 2010. figure may have deprived taxpay- the size mentioned in the original Over this time, according to a ers of around 200,000 euro. offer. real estate expert in Prishtina, the rishtina Insight has The PAK first announced the The PAK correctly stated the value of the site would have risen obtained documents under auction of the site in November total area of land for sale at each by about 10 per cent, potentially Pfreedom of information rules that show the Privatisation 2008 in a newspaper advert offer- point at 7,646 square metres. adding a further 110,000 euro to its Agency of Kosovo, PAK, adver- ing 550 square metres of office But real estate experts believe overall value. > page 12 - 13 tised the site - a large industrial space within a total of 7,646 square the difference in the size of the According to the PAK’s internal estate on the edge of Prishtina - as metres of land. office space between the offer pre- correspondence, which Prishtina having five times less office space In brochures provided to bid- sented to bidders – 1,460 square Insight has obtained, the agency than was actually for sale. ders, it then said that the location, metres – and the real size of the was aware of the costly discrepan- The winning bidder, Liria F.C 2, formerly home to the publicly site – 2,583 square metres – was cy but pressed ahead with original Kosovo’s only English-language from Prishtina, bought the enter- owned Kosova Elektro company, worth at least 90,000 euro. deal with Liria FC for just over 1 newspaper is available: prise from the PAK for 1,050,000 included 1,460 metres of office Documents seen by Prishtina million euro. euro. space. Insight show that the final trans- Delivered to Experts believe that delays in But the final contract revealed fer of the site was not signed until continues page 2 Your Door

Marty: Document is “Not a The People on the From Newsstands Report Against Kosovo” Pavement across Kosovo

It may come as little surprise that in the ‘It’s a Roma begging ring – organized Sent To history of the Council of Europe no com- crime’, ‘they make quite a lot of money; Your Inbox mittee report has garnered as many media they’re not really that poor’, ‘they’re not hits as Dick Marty’s inquiry titled from Kosovo, you know – they’re bussed in “Inhuman treatment of people and illicit from Albania’, ‘giving them money just From trafficking in human organs in Kosovo.” encourages them.’ our partners In recent weeks... Walk for more... Exclusive Interview: page 4 opinion page 21 see page 16 and 23

is supported by: 2 January 28 - February 10, 2011 investigation Kosovo Agency Accused of Manipulating Land Sale

from page 1

“It should be noted that total floor building surface area pre- sented in the IM [Information Memorandum] (1,460m2) was mis- calculated, which was noticed dur- ing the process of contract comple- tion, and PAK’s Regional Office of Prishtina has corrected it to a total of 2,583m2,” a PAK employee wrote in a letter to its chairman, Dino Asanaj, in December 2009. While the PAK official talked of a “miscalculation”, the Office of The site on the outskirts of Prishtina which is believed to have been sold for less than its value the Auditor General complained in a report published last summer “We noticed irregularities and insuffi- the buyer was signed including the wrong that the process had clearly been cient transparency in the privatisation data. “manipulated”. process, as a result of unfair competition “I cannot prejudge anything. The respon- “In the Kosova Elektro contract, between the bidders,” it added. sible agencies are the ones to decide what we noticed that during the process The PAK confirmed to Prishtina Insight will happen and who is involved. PAK is of privatisation the PAK manipu- that it was possible the contract had been open [to an investigation],” Kaloshi said. lated the surface area of the priva- manipulated, and said that it had reported He added that the PAK management and tised premises,” the office wrote. the case to the Anti-Corruption Agency and board would welcome any probes. to economic crime unit within Kosovo Prishtina Insight contacted the Anti- police. Corruption Agency but it denied receiving “PAK had doubts that were noticed dur- anything from the PAK. “The agency has ing the process and we reported them to the not received any information about this Anti-Corruption Agency and to respective case,” the agency said. institutions for further investigations,” Yll Fazli Cakiqi, owner of Liria FC, which Kaloshi, the PAK’s spokesperson, told bought the land, said he was unaware of any Prishtina Insight. problems with the contract, or that he had He said the sale took place during a trans- received more office space than was origi- fer of competencies from the Kosovo Trust nally specified. Agency to the Kosovo Privatisation Agency “We haven’t received any information at the end of 2008. from PAK that there is a problem with the Kaloshi confirmed that the contract with contract,” Cakiqi told Prishtina Insight.

Net Closes on Suspected Kosovo Gang Boss in Ireland The net is closing on one of Kosovo’s most wanted men, currently under surveillance in Ireland, the country’s Ministry of Justice has told Prishtina Insight. extortion, attempted extortion, Sekiraqa to be extradited on two counts of rape and grievous November 17 and he was located bodily harm. by Irish police a few days later. By Petrit Collaku “Kosovo’s Ministry of Justice To date, Kosovo does not have a and Irish authorities are in the bilateral extradition agreement final stages of fulfilling the legal with Ireland, which currently has basis for his arrest and we are at agreements only with Australia he Ministry has confirmed the beginning of the extradition and the US outside of the to Prishtina Insight that the procedure,” Ehat Miftari from the European Union. Tpaperwork to start the extra- department for international judi- Kosovo cannot sign extradition dition of Enver Sekiraqa from cial cooperation within the treaties with EU member states as Ireland is in its final stages. Ministry of Justice, told Prishtina it is not part of the Council of Sekiraqa is wanted for organised Insight. Europe, but bilateral agreements crime and the murder of a police Sekiraqa is wanted for the mur- with respective countries are officer in Kosovo. der of Triumf Riza, a member of allowed. Sekiraqa was located by Irish Kosovo's special police force, who Prishtina has submitted police in November last year and was shot dead in August 2007 on requests to 40 countries for bilater- has been under 24-hour police sur- the streets of Prishtina by a hit- al extradition agreements, veillance since. man suspected of working for although only a handful have so He is wanted under an Interpol Sekiraqa. far agreed, including Switzerland, red notice on charges of murder, Kosovo sent a request for Albania and Norway. Enver Sekiraqa, a wanted man in Kosovo.

Y M C +381 38 602042, +377 44 243367, +386 49 243367 K news January 28 - February 10, 2011 3 PDK Confident of Forming Editor’s Word New Kosovo Coalition Leak

By Lawrence Marzouk By Petrit Collaku

pparently there isn’t an obvious he future partners of the translation of ‘leak’ into Albanian. I Democratic Party of Kosovo, led by Aspeak, of course, of the Xhavit- is-a- Tthe outgoing Prime Minister criminal sort of leak which we have seen Hashim Thaci, are not yet known, but this week, not the type which manifests the country’s largest party says it is con- itself daily in the form of a river running fident it will be ready to form a coalition down my street. after the December election results are But after the last few weeks, it might be time certified. for the Academy of Arts and Science to put that The winning party of the December spanking new building to good use and come up snap elections, PDK, said that it had not with a word. It will no doubt become particularly Thaci is confident that he will be able to form a new government quickly made any formal offers to other parties useful when our successors come to pen our yet, but it is understood that discussions ment, gained 12, AAK 11 and AKR seven nessman Behgjet Pacolli, and minority chapter in history. have been held with the Alliance for the per cent. On top of this 25 seats are parties, although he is known to be keen You see, the growing torrent of material which Future of Kosovo, AAK, and the New believed to have been secured by minori- to tempt AAK also into the grouping. is emerging into the public domain about Kosovo Alliance, AKR. ty parties. Conditional ballots have not AAK, whose leader Ramush Haradinaj Kosovo’s politicians is changing politics and this “We are waiting for the certification of been counted yet. is in The Hague awaiting retrial for war country irrecoverably. the results and the moment the new par- Former coalition partner Democratic crimes, has called for a coalition includ- It is as if someone accidentally drilled a hole liament is formed and gains its mandate, League of Kosovo, LDK, have said that ing PDK, LDK and AAK. into the ground outside the government building, we will be ready to form the government they will not form a coalition with Thaci “We have made it clear that AAK will unleashing onto the streets a stream of slurry within a few days,” Memli Krasniqi, the unless there is a technical government, not create a coalition just with PM that many of the ruling class had hoped would caretaker government’s spokesperson including all parties and civil society. Thaci,” Besnik Tahiri, a member of remain underground forever. and PDK member, told Prishtina Insight. “If there is an all-inclusive govern- AAK’s leadership, told Prishtina Insight. For the many Kosovars who continue to imag- “We will create a sustainable and sta- ment and if the mandate is set until “But this idea was not supported by [the ine a world in which any criticism of their coun- ble coalition that will work towards our autumn when new elections will be held, LDK],” Tahiri said. try, and more importantly those who fought for vision of Kosovo,” Krasniqi said. “This LDK will be part of the government,” He said that the election process had freedom, has been “cooked up in the kitchens of will happen soon.” Arben Gashi, a leaeding LDK member, damaged the legitimacy of any new gov- Belgrade”, this is no big deal. According to preliminary results of told Prishtina Insight. ernment dominated by the PDK. When the shit hits the streets they prefer to Central Election Commission, CEC, PDK But this idea has now been rejected by CEC said that the certification of elec- hold their nose and pretend that nothing is there, has gained 32 per cent, LDK 24, caretaker PM Thaci, who could form a tion results should be completed in early like a steaming, smelly mirage. Vetevendosje, Self-determination move- majority coalition with AKR, led by busi- February. Unfortunately, it is outside of Kosovo that these leaks are causing the biggest stink. Much of the good work that has been done by Kosovo in recent years has all but been erased, I Dutch Minister: “Kosovo is fear, and certainly any attempt by ‘Kosovo, The Young Europeans’ to frame their country in a positive light seems almost laughable now. It is, of course, important to note that the 2004 Run by Criminals” US KFOR report, the 2005 BND intelligence paper and Dick Marty’s bizarre oeuvre have not actual- emerges after a series of leaks which has ly presented any proof that the county’s leaders already damaged the reputation of are the bunch of murderous, ruthless, organised Kosovo’s ruling class. criminals that is suggested. By Lawrence Marzouk Leaked NATO documents identified The intelligence reports offer no guarantee of Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci as veracity and are both probably littered with inac- one of the "biggest fish" in organised curacies. As a result, Marty’s report, which is osovo is run by people who live off crime in his country and alleged that a based in part on similar reports, is also likely to crime, according to the assessment senior member of his party ordered a be wrong in a number of aspects. Kof the then Dutch State Secretary series of political murders. for European Affairs in a leaked cable It just seems unlikely that there is no truth at The focus of the 2004 NATO intelligence from 2007. all in any of this growing body of evidence. Frans Timmermans, who remains a report was Xhavit Haliti, a senior figure In any sane country, the emergence of such parliamentarian in the Dutch assembly in Thaci's Democratic Party of Kosovo, information from credible sources would have but is no longer a minister, made the com- PDK, who was a key figure in running the forced some serious soul-searching and a string ments during a November 2007 meeting Kosovo Liberation Army's fund from dias- of resignations pending independent investiga- with US officials in The Hague. pora donations. tions. Those fingered would want to step out of The remarks appear in a cable, obtained The document claims that Haliti is public life in order to clear their name. Not in by the Wikileaks website, made at the involved in a range of organised crime Kosovo. time of elections in Kosovo and in the run- activities, ordered political murders Instead, as the stream becomes a river the up to the February 2008 declaration of against members of the Democratic country’s leaders stand aloof in their self-inflat- independence. League of Kosovo, LDK, and exerted a ed rafts, hoping that the flood will eventually “Timmermans was concerned about the strong influence over Thaci because of his abate and they will be left in charge, unhurt. future implications of the EU's outreach to wealth. They may well be left unhurt politically in Kosovo: Kosovo is run by people who live But while Haliti is the focus of the sur- Kosovo, but there are many in line to join the off crime...(they have) no other means to veillance report, it also details the alleged country’s next government who will find them- support themselves,” the cable reads. role of several other key players in selves embarrassed when senior members of the The former minister also suggested that Kosovo's business and political world, international community refuse to stand shoul- the EU would never be able to agree on including the current caretaker prime der to shoulder with them for those photo-ops. Kosovo’s independence. minister, Thaci. Thaci made a call after Dick Marty’s report for “He [Timmermans] also expressed The information from the leaked intelli- their friends to come forward and back Kosovo. strong doubt the EU could ever reach con- gence reports was first published by The only person to date who has been willing to sensus on Kosovo,” according to the cable. investigative reporter Jürgen Roth last fly to Prishtina and support him has been Denis “Timmermans noted that Russia was month but was given international media MacShane, former Europe minister in Tony creating havoc in the Balkans, and Kosovo coverage by French daily Le Monde and Blair’s government, who is under investigation will be a messy affair. British newspaper The Guardian in the for fiddling his parliamentarian expenses in the “The Russians will react strongly (to a past week. UK. He was kicked out of the Labour Party last Kosovar declaration of independence), The Kosovo government and Haliti have year for the allegations, which he denies. and the European reaction will be all over rejected the allegations contained in the Kosovo needs its friends more than ever now, the place, I'm afraid,” reads the cable, report and the leaked NATO document, and its choice of ministers will be crucial in apparently referring to Timmermans’ pointing out that similar claims have been determining how many friends, and which ones, comments. circulating without being proved for a it will have left after this terrible chapter. The criticism of Kosovo’s leaders decade. Former Dutch Minister Frans Timmermans 4 January 28 - February 10, 2011 news Marty: Document is “Not a Council of Europe Rapporteur, Dick Marty, tells Michael Montgomery that the emphasis placed on organ traffick- ing is obscuring the fact that “hundreds of people disap- peared and were killed”. His report is not anti- Kosovo but merely a search for the truth, Marty says. mafia boss. Based on your information, is it fair to com- pare Mr. Thaci to a mafia boss? By Michael A: Some will take issue with the Montgomery term, I’m sure. What is new in this report, in relation to what has been said in the past, is that we t may come as little surprise were able to obtain specific details, that in the history of the thanks to people who were eyewit- ICouncil of Europe no commit- nesses to what occurred and that tee report has garnered as many we describe this group, Drenica, of media hits as Dick Marty’s which Mr. Thaci was no doubt one inquiry titled “Inhuman treat- of the leaders. In this regard, you ment of people and illicit traffick- can say “boss” or you can say ing in human organs in Kosovo.” “leader,” but either way he played Dick Marty answering questions following the adoption of his report at the Council of Europe In recent weeks, Marty has been an important role, in crime and in likened to a Nazi propagandist, a Q: You write how some of Q: In your report you write this is not hearsay, this is seri- bomb-throwing nihilist, a primi- politics. And that is one of the the abductees were subjected to about the relationship between ous information that could be tive ape and a terrorist. On the details that was uncovered quite a filtering process, including events that happened in Albania used to build an indictment? some time ago by very serious plus side he’s been hailed as a medical tests, and ended up at in 1999 and 2000 and the more A: Our work is not the work of crime studies in the region. dogged, courageous investigator a location in Fushe Kruje near recent Medicus case in an examining magistrate or an who puts truth to power, a man the airport. You have very spe- Prishtina. Is there a direct con- attorney general; my work is the Q: You found evidence of a who’s unafraid to challenge the cific information about how nection between the two cases? political work of an institution network of makeshift detention misdeeds of Washington, Moscow these victims were killed, and A: Several elements lead us to that defends human rights. So our facilities in Albania that was or any lesser power. where their bodies were taken believe that there is a connection work is not an indictment, but used by the KLA or operatives In person, Marty is soft-spoken, and what happened to the bod- between the two cases: That, ulti- more a set of findings, and on the linked to the KLA. almost professorial in his ies. mately, it is the same internation- basis of those findings the proper A: Yes, from several testimonies, demeanor. But behind this veneer A: Based on testimonies we al channels at work. It is even of authorities would have to open an is a determined former prosecutor not just one, we learned that there was an entire network of small have gathered, there was a sort of interest to note that the latter case investigation. Now, if you ask me and senator who occupies the curi- selection among the prisoners. involves organ trafficking that personally as a former magistrate ous position of human rights rap- detention centres and that the detainees were moved from one Certain prisoners - following, in occurred in 2006, while interna- and prosecutor, based on the docu- porteur. addition, the collection of blood tional forces were present in ments and on the testimony we Dick Marty spoke with reporter centre to another. And it is through these eyewitness testi- samples -were selected and taken Kosovo. We did not provide fur- have gathered, certainly an inves- Michael Montgomery exclusively to a centre where they were killed ther details because we do not tigation should be opened and it for Prishtina Insight and the US- monies that we were also able to with a bullet to the head, after wish to interfere with the ongoing should have been opened a long based Center for Investigative gather statements about organ which their organs were extracted investigation by EULEX of the time ago. Reporting. trafficking. I would also like to say, in relation to organ trafficking, for transport abroad. I must Medicus case. But we believe - and emphasise that this did not occur there are several elements that Q. In 2004 a team of officials Q: In your report for the that the emphasis being placed on systematically with everyone who point to this - that the two cases from UNMIK and the ICTY Council of Europe’s this in the media is exaggerated in disappeared. I am even stating are related, in particular that the travelled to Rripe, near Parliamentary Assembly, you relation to the rest of the criminal that we have knowledge of only a same people were carrying out the Burrell, Albania, where they liken Kosovo’s outgoing Prime activity. We state that, certainly, small group of cases. And so I surgical operations, and the same searched a house and spoke Minister, Hashim Thaci, to a not all of those who disappeared had their organs removed, only a think we must stress that this international channels were with the people who lived small portion. But that should not organ traffic, while of the utmost involved. there. They also found indica- obscure the basic fact that these gravity, is not the key point. The tions of bloodstains through- people disappeared and that it is key point is that hundreds of peo- Q: In terms of the informa- out the first floor living area certain they were killed. ple disappeared and were killed. tion you cite in these reports, and collected evidence such as www.prishtinainsight.com

Publisher: BIRN Witness Safety Dispute Threatens Balkan Investigative Reporting Network A major investigation into allegations that senior Kosovo political figures ran a violent criminal network could be hindered by witness safety and Mensa e Studenteve, first floor other security concerns, Prishtina Insight can reveal. 10000, Prishtina tial information. tries. Marty alleges that the group led Kosovo While EULEX insists that it can “EULEX has the capacity to pro- by Thaci conducted assassinations Phone: +381 (0) 38 24 33 58 By Michael provide security for witnesses in a vide witness security to the high- of political opponents and even Fax: +381 (0) 38 22 44 98 Montgomery and Altin possible new organ trafficking est international standard, which executed civilians and sold their investigation, Western officials, has so far been successful,” kidneys to organ traffickers. [email protected] Raxhimi human rights groups and Marty Limdal said. Thaci has denied the allegations doubt the mission has the capacity Western officials pointed out and denounced Marty. At the same Editor-in-Chief: n Tuesday, the Council of to run the probe. that no witness has been killed or time, he has expressed support for Lawrence Marzouk Europe’s Parliamentary Relocating witnesses outside hurt since EULEX took over an investigation. Albania has also OAssembly voted in favour of Kosovo and Albania is emerging authority from UNMIK. said it would support an investiga- [email protected] a resolution calling on regional as a key obstacle. A Western diplo- “Given the circumstances and tion, either by EULEX or the Editorial Team: governments and the EU rule-of- matic source close to EULEX said lack of resources and support International Criminal Tribunal Ana Petruseva, Gordana Igric, law mission, EULEX, to launch a the mission did not have any relo- from outside countries, EULEX is for Former Yugoslavia, ICTY, in new investigation into allegations Jeta Xharra, Marcus Tanner, cation agreements with countries doing a pretty good job,” a Western The Hague. of high-level corruption, murder outside the region. diplomat based in Prishtina said. EULEX officials say they need to Petrit Collaku, Inge Baanders, Shengjyl and organ trafficking raised by Osmani and Belinda Vrapi special Rapporteur Dick Marty a “Kosovo is a small country. If “The question is whether that’s examine Marty’s evidence to month ago. you can’t move witnesses and good enough”. determine whether a criminal their families far away - in some In the controversial report for investigation is warranted. Marketing, Sales & Distribution: The contentious issue is whether any institution based in cases forever - you won’t be suc- the Council of Europe, Marty cites “Marty has not provided us with [email protected] Kosovo or Albania is capable of cessful in going after the big fish,” Western intelligence sources and any evidence despite us asking investigating the claims. Marty the source said. eyewitness testimony linking out- him for it,” Limdal said. Design & Layout: “Rrjeti” has said he is open to working EULEX spokesperson Karin going Prime Minister Hashim In an exclusive interview with Y with EULEX or other institutions Limdal declined to say whether Thaci and close associates to a net- Prishtina Insight and the US-based M Printing: Lindi Printing Center but only if they can guarantee the the mission had secured agree- work of “criminal entrepreneurs” Center for Investigative Reporting, C ments to enable witnesses to live drawn from the ranks of the Marty said he would not hand over Copyright © BIRN safety of witnesses and confiden- K under protection in other coun- Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA. any sensitive information such as news January 28 - February 10, 2011 5 Report Against Kosovo” used medicines and I.V. drip not want to endanger those sources small team, and that I am known report, especially the organ aggressors and the Albanians bags. Later, the ICTY’s prosecu- that trusted and spoke with me. for my earlier reports, contributed trafficking case - they've been as the primary victims? tor’s office destroyed this evi- to establishing this trust. investigated many times with- A:Yes, I think there was a per- dence without ever having it Q: Your report has been crit- out any success. Some people ception that the Serbs were all analysed and without inform- icised for being long on com- Q: There's been talk in say Dick Marty is just rehash- guilty and the Albanians were all ing any other authorities mentary, some of it libellous, recent days about the need for ing old allegations. What's victims. It is true that Milosevic including UNMIK. A and short on verifiable facts. clean hands. That is, that peo- your response? committed horrible crimes. What spokesperson for the tribunal Why don’t you cite many of ple who want to be in the new A: I would respond that, proba- we refused to see is that there were said this was done in accor- your sources? government in Kosovo need to bly, if I myself were a witness, I also Albanian Kosovars who com- dance with normal procedure. A: First, I would like to remind have clean hands and not be would talk to someone I trusted mitted crimes. These crimes in no What is your comment? you that there is a whole series of under a cloud of suspicion. Do but not to international institu- way diminish the gravity of the A: This is certainly not a nor- reports by intelligence agencies you have an opinion on tions that are not in a position to crimes committed by Milosevic. mal procedure for any tribunal in from a variety of countries: The whether or not someone facing offer sufficient guarantees of pro- But I think that you can’t have a the world. When you gather evi- [American] FBI, the [British] MI6, an investigation should be able tection. I think everyone knows justice system for only the van- dence and you believe that you the Italian SISMI, the German to serve in the government of that UNMIK had great difficulties quished and not the victors. And I don’t have the necessary proof or BND, and other reports. They are Kosovo? in its work and that EULEX - and would like to stress that this you are not the competent author- crime studies. If we have been able A: I am of the opinion that any- it is senior officials and judges in report - and for me it is important ity to continue the investigation, to be more precise, it is thanks to one who assumes political respon- EULEX who tell me this - has to underscore this - is not a report you never destroy the evidence, our witnesses. And these witnesses sibilities should be above suspi- major problems with interpreters, against Kosovo. It is not a report especially when no statute of lim- risked their lives. I would remind cion. That is, not only should they with local collaborators, with against Kosovars. itation has expired. You keep the you that there is currently no wit- be free of a criminal record, not searching the information system. I met mothers who had lost their evidence, because at some later ness protection law in Kosovo, and only should they not be the object It is extremely difficult to keep sons in Serbia and mothers who point in time, perhaps, there will that during the trial of the of an open investigation, but there records strictly confidential. If, as had lost their sons in Kosovo, and be new evidence that will make Haradinaj brothers, of the forty should also not be all sorts of a witness, you do not have com- between a Serbian mother and an the old evidence newly signifi- witnesses who spoke up during the information casting doubt on plete assurance that your state- Albanian mother who have both cant. So, I do not accuse the ICTY investigation, none testified at the their honesty. There is a well- ments will be kept confidential, lost their children, there is no dif- of a conspiracy; I think they made trial and several were killed. known French expression: “even and that you as a witness are truly ference. And both have the right to a mistake. So these witnesses will speak Caesar’s wife should be above sus- protected, clearly you won’t talk to know what happened to their chil- Q: What do you think the when they have an absolute guaran- picion.” these institutions. dren. So this is fundamentally a main factors were for the West tee that they will be protected, not report for the men and women of and the UN not to conduct seri- only during, but also after the trial. Q: Is the concept of ‘omerta’ Q: The so-called yellow Kosovo, because I am certain that ous investigations in Kosovo? still important in terms of house. What was its function there can be no real future for this A: I think that the philosophy in Q: You've conducted some organised crime in Kosovo? in this whole network? What people without the truth, and this the beginning was - and this is the very difficult and disturbing A: There are aspects that are happened there? people, I know them well because expression used by American investigations in your career, somewhat similar to the Sicilian A: The infamous yellow house there are many Kosovars in diplomats - the past is past; we both as a criminal prosecutor mafia of twenty or thirty years was one of the centres in the pri- Switzerland. One tenth of the pop- need to look toward the future. As but also as a human rights spe- ago, and I think that the police or vate detention network. It was a ulation of Kosovo is living in they saw it at the time, they had cial rapporteur. How does this judicial authorities of Kosovo transition centre where blood Switzerland and I know many. I chosen the team that seemed most investigation compare? should draw inspiration from samples were also taken, in all believe they deserve a political up to the task of controlling the A: The greatest difficulty that I methods used by the Italian police, likelihood to establish whether or class that is above corruption and local authorities. Political stabili- have encountered is finding wit- for example, working with high- not the person was compatible that does not think solely of its ty and political expediency out- nesses and, even more, developing level informants, people who with recipients. So it was part of a own interests, but of the interests weighed the sense of justice, to put trust. Trust had to be built slowly, admit their crimes and help bring network, but we know that it was of the population as a whole. it simply. in order to make it understood down the whole network. The not where organs were extracted. that I was fully committed to pro- financial aspects must also be Q: Are you ready to immedi- Q: A close reading of your tecting the witnesses’ anonymity taken on. There are Kosovo politi- Q: Do you think people didn't ately hand your information, report suggests you penetrated and their lives, and that I would cians who have enormous finan- pay enough attention to what your witness list, your testimo- the inner circle of this criminal never give out any indications cial fortunes, yet declare absolute- happened to Serbs in Kosovo ny, to EULEX so they can con- network. Is that a fair state- regarding witnesses without their ly insignificant incomes. And so because of the devastation cre- duct an investigation? ment? consent. It was very difficult to we must also investigate finances. ated by Serbian forces - the eth- A: I am certainly in favour of a A: Those are your words. I think develop this trust. Perhaps the What is the origin of this money? nic-cleansing, rape and murder. judicial process, but justice must that you are not completely wrong, fact that I represent an institution That is, when international provide guarantees. And when it but you must understand that I can- such as the Council of Europe, Q: It's been said about the institutions arrived in Kosovo, does, I will ask the witnesses to not be more precise because I do that I work alone with a very allegations you make in the they treated the Serbs as the agree to testify. Organ Trafficking Probe

witness identities and testimony Marty likened the challenge of a week after he made his state- unless there are “absolute guaran- investigating organised crime in ments in November 2009. tees” that the information will be Kosovo to combating the Sicilian Marty said Bllaca’s experience tightly protected. mafia 20 years ago. did not bode well for other insiders Marty cited failures by both “I think that the police or judi- who are considering co-operating UNMIK and EULEX in developing cial authorities of Kosovo should with the authorities. tools to run sensitive investiga- draw inspiration from methods “I think that is a troubling indi- tions such as protecting witnesses’ used by the Italian police,” he said, cation of the state of the justice identity and other sensitive infor- “for example, by working with system in this country [Kosovo],” mation such as intelligence high-level informants, that is, peo- he said. reports. ple who admit their crimes and Human rights groups say wit- “Everyone knows that UNMIK help bring down the whole net- ness protection has improved had great difficulties in its work work.” under EULEX but they still ques- and that EULEX - and it is senior But Marty said there has not tion whether the mission could officials and judges in EULEX who been the will in Kosovo to develop safely undertake an ambitious Marty questions EULEX’s ability to safeguard witnesses tell me this - has major problems informants to target high-level investigation targeting senior gov- a credible investigation into these ICTY former chief prosecutor, with interpreters, with local col- suspects. As an example, he cited ernment officials. Kosovo is the serious allegations,” Lotte Leicht, Carla del Ponte, also questioned laborators, with search the infor- the case of Nazim Bllaca, a 37- only country in the region that European Union director at whether EULEX had the resources mation system,” he said. “It is year-old Kosovo Albanian who does not have a witness protection extremely difficult to keep records claimed he had been part of a net- law in place, according to the Human Rights Watch, said. “It is and political support to handle the strictly confidential,” he added. work run by former top KLA offi- Council of Europe. crucial to have an independent case, citing the Tribunal’s own “If, as a witness, you do not have cials that killed, tortured and Last week the US-based group senior prosecutor, an effective wit- experience with intimidation of complete assurance that your blackmailed political adversaries Human Rights Watch called on ness protection programme - witnesses in Kosovo. statements will be kept confiden- in Kosovo after the war. Bllaca said EULEX to appoint a special prose- including the ability to relocate “I fear that EULEX will not be tial, and that as a witness you are he had killed one person and took cutor based outside the region to witnesses outside the Balkans - able to do this investigation Y truly protected, clearly you won’t part in the torture of 16 others. investigate Marty’s allegations. and the security required for such because you can imagine the M talk to these institutions,” he con- EULEX only placed Bllaca “The EU mission in Kosovo will a delicate investigation.” obstacles they would face with per- C tinued. under protection and house arrest face great obstacles in conducting In an interview last month, the sonnel based in Kosovo,” she said. K 6 January 28 - February 10, 2011 business Foreign Investment in Kosovo Stalls Direct foreign investment in Kosovo failed to pick up in 2010, remaining at well below the level achieved in 2007, new figures reveal Holland, Greece, Croatia and Slovenia to promote investment,” he added. He complained, however, that funds By Besiana Xharra promised by the World Bank to improve the business sector in Kosovo had been put on hold because of the country’s lack of a gov- ernment. osovo is struggling to attract foreign The World Bank has told Prishtina businesses to the country, according Kto figures released by the Central Insight previously that if Kosovo does not Bank of Kosovo, CBK. ratify its $20-million [15-million-euro] pack- For the first three quarters of 2010, age soon, it risks losing it. The funds, Europe’s youngest country saw 203 million agreed last year by the Bank’s board, euro invested from foreign firms, the same include $12 million to modernize the out- figure as in 2009. dated land registry system and a further If the last quarter of 2010 also mirrored $12 million, [nearly 9 million euro], for the previous year, Kosovo will have seen 291 bringing other areas of the public sector up million euro of direct foreign investment, to date. well below the 2007 high of 414 million euro. The project aims to attract more foreign According to the bank, the largest invest- businesses by improving the business regis- ments came from Germany, Slovenia and tration, making it easier to obtain building Switzerland, while Austria, Great Britain, permits and tackling the enforcement of Turkey, Holland, Albania, the US and contracts. France also spent money in the country. Currently, Kosovo is ranked 113 out of 183 “The main areas where these countries countries in the World Bank’s ‘doing busi- have invested in Kosovo are in financial ness league’ because of its poor perform- Kosovo’s strategic position has failed to win over foreign investors services, manufacturing, construction, pro- ance in those areas. cessing industries and real estate industry,” “For reforms in these areas we will work expected soon, the failure will do little to more investors. “We need to make reforms said Kada. with the Ministry of Trade and Industry convince investors to put their money into in the business environment through more Mustafe Hasani, from the government- experts in cooperation with the World Bank. Kosovo. favourable tax legislation,” he said. run Investment Promotion Agency in “These reforms will be introduced by the Kushtrim Puka of the Gap Institute, a “Then we have to accelerate and regulate Kosovo, IPAK, said that he was pleased with new Government, therefore the delay in the leading think-tank, said that it is worrying the issue of obtaining building permits and the investment in Kosovo for 2010, given the creation of the new government has stopped that Kosovo continues to be ranked so poor- so on.” global financial crisis. this work,” said Hasani. ly for foreign investors. Officials of the caretaker Government He said that 563 foreign firms registered The country has also recently been hit by “Reforms in the five areas [mentioned by agree. “After certification of the election, we with the country’s business agency in 2010. the failure of the European Union to renew the World Bank] must happen but they will will establish a government very soon and “These companies have declared that they its preferential trade agreement at the take time, especially now with the delay in one of our priorities will be the work of have 2120 employees,” he explained. beginning of the year, meaning that those establishing the government,” said Puka. attracting foreign investors,” said Hajredin “We have organised conferences in the importing Kosovo goods to the EU now pay Economist Musa Limani said the country Kuci, deputy prime minister of the outgoing US, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Austria, tariffs. While a solution to the problem is must take a number of measures to attract Government. News in brief Kosovo Police Hope New Phone Highway to Macedonia will cost 500 million euro Law Will Slash Prank Calls osovo's Ministry of Transport said it will fund Kthe 55-kilometre motorway, connecting the two capitals, by offering the road as a concession to a firm that will pay for the con- By Petrit Collaku struction and recoup the money through tolls. No date has been given for a start to construction but the osovo police say that a new Ministry of Transport have said law requiring mobile phone that it estimates the costs will be sections. The first will start from Kusers to register their SIM 500million euro. Lipjan, near Prishtina, and run cards will cut down on prank calls According to the ministry, the to Kacanik, 42 kilometres away. to the police and fire brigade. highway will have three tunnels The second section, from “We receive a lot of fake phone with a total length of 3.3 kilome- Kacanik to the actual border calls every day reporting rob- tres and four bridges. with Macedonia, totals 13 kilome- beries, fires or shootings,” Kosovo The project is divided into two tres. police spokesperson Brahim Sadriu told Prishtina Insight, adding: “The police head to the Avrupa granted licenses to locations and then we figure out that somebody was making a explore minerals prank call.” Last December, employees at the vrupa Minerals has Pristina municipality building announced that Kosovo’s were forced to evacuate after AGovernment has granted it police received a tip off that a two exploration licences. police. He added that such require- licence covers an area of 19.05 bomb had been placed in the build- The Bajgora licence, which is Under the provisions of the law, ments are found everywhere in the square kilometers. ing, only to find that the threat located 30 to 40 kilometres north of residents who purchase a tele- region, and will help police track Avrupa has already been grant- was bogus. Prishtina, targets the extraction of phone SIM card for their mobile down users that phone in prank ed two licenses before, that of Pristina's fire brigade sent out silver, lead, zinc, and gold. The phones will be required to submit incidents. firefighters and trucks 24 times licence covers an area of 76.5 Kamenica and Glavej. their identity cards. Current mobile phone users, last year to answer calls that square kilometres of land. Paul W. Kuhn, CEO of Avrupa “All SIM cards must have an meanwhile, are expected to register turned out to be false alarms. The other Rezhanc licence is Minerals, said: “The acquisition of owner,” Ilir Imeri, chief of the their SIM cards as well. “All other Police hope that a new law, Y located 55 to 60 kilometres south of the Bajgora and Rezhanc licences telecommunications department current users are obliged to regis- which went into effect January 1, M Prishtina, close to the border with is an important milestone in at the Telecommunications ter their SIM cards […] and the will cut down on the number of C Macedonia, where the extraction bringing Avrupa to “critical mass” Regulatory Authority, TRA, told deadline for this registration is prank phone calls received by the K of copper and gold is targeted. The in Kosovo.” Prishtina Insight. February 28, 2011,” Imeri explained. business January 28 - February 10, 2011 7 Pressure Mounts on Kosovo to Reverse Wages Hikes Hashim Thaci is being urged to revisit a controversial decision to raise civil service salaries by up to 50 per cent.

billion euro, of which around 315 finance minister Haki Shatri criti- million went on civil service cised the move, saying officials salaries. The latest decision would were isolating Kosovo from inter- By Lavdim Hamidi increase the wage bill to 415 mil- national monetary institutions. lion out of 1.3 billion euro. The model of massive pay Thaci announced the decision increases, according to Shatri, fol- on January 6, after unveiling the lowed the poor example of Greece, cting Prime Minister pledge in the run-up to the which in consequence had faced Hashim Thaci faces grow- December 12 general election. huge budget deficit problems. Aing pressure to cancel a The proposed increases were “This model of budget execu- decision earlier this month to opposed at the time by the IMF in tion was taken by Greece and we increase public-sector wages by up Kosovo, which said the outgoing are following in their footsteps,” to 50 per cent. government had agreed to limit Shatri said. During his mandate in Opposition politicians have con- state salary increases to 7 to 8 per the finance ministry between 2000 demned the move, saying it will cent. and 2007, he said, he never dared push the government’s wage bill to The IMF warned that the deci- spend more than 30 per cent of the over 30 per cent over the 1.3-bil- sion could break an agreement country's budget on salaries alone. lion-euro budget, making Kosovo between the two parties, which No other country in the region public-sector wage bill the most had opened the door for hundreds spent more than 30 per cent of its expensive proportionally in the of millions of euros in donations total budget on salaries, he added. region. and loans. Economy professor Nagip Prishtina Insight has learned The outgoing economy and Skenderi said it was clear that the that Pieter Feith, head of the finance minister, Ahmet Shala, increases were being adopted to International Civilian Office, ICO, said that he was confident the gov- buy social peace. “This is a govern- has called on Thaci to reconsider ernment would reach a new agree- ment effort to protect social wel- whether the country can afford ment on the salary increases and fare in the aftermath of big such a rise - and whether the deci- is expected to reopen negotiations increases in prices of basic prod- sion is legally sound, given that he with the IMF next week. ucts,” Shatri said. only leads a caretaker govern- According to Shala, the 100-mil- According to the Statistical ment. lion-euro cost of the salary Office of Kosovo, the inflation rate Kosovo awaits formation of a increases can be covered from at the end of last year reached 6.6 new government following general budget reserves and increased rev- per cent. However, bread prices elections held late last year and enues as a result of fighting tax alone rose more than 28 per cent. reruns this month. evasion. A spokesman for the ICO told Kosovo’s budget for 2010 was 1.1 But former economy and Balkan Insight that budgetary Kosovo’s North Remains a Smugglers’ Paradise The head of Kosovo’s customs believes that the country is losing 30 million euro a year in smuggling through its northern, porous border with Serbia

points – Gates 1 at Leposavic and 31 ence, a mob of local Serbs set gates Mitrovica, at which all vehicles Huruglica said that to tackle this at Zubin Potok – in the former 1 and 31 ablaze in protest. importing goods through the north- issue required the deployment of provinces’s lawless north. Since then, full customs’ control ern gates are supposed to report. anti-smuggling units in the north, Business leaders believe the fig- has yet to return, although the EU “According to statistics we which had been impossible to date By Besiana Xharra ure could be as much as 100million rule-of-law mission, EULEX, has receive from EULEX, when we com- because of the security situation. euro, 15 per cent of the total rev- been tightening monitoring of the pare those with clearances in The final step, according to enue for 2010 at 700 million euro. two troubled crossings in the Mitrovica, we believe that our loss- Huruglica, will be the return of lmost three years after Kosovo The area to the north of the divid- absence of Prishtina officials. es are around 30 million euro per Kosovo customs staff to those declared independence from ed, flashpoint city of Mitrovica is “We have information that year,” Huruglica added. gates, but he admits that this may ASerbia, the northern border home to Kosovo’s largest Serb com- through these two gates [1 and 31], Agim Shahini, chairman of the only be possible following negotia- between the two countries remains a munity which remains largely gov- large quantities of goods continue Kosovo Business Alliance, believes tions between Pristina and haven for smugglers. erned by Belgrade, despite attempts to enter Kosovo without passing the that the real figure is closer to 100 Belgrade. Naim Huruglica, head of Kosovo to weaken its grip on the area and customs terminal in Mitrovica for million euro and that smuggling is Alexandra George, EULEX’s cus- customs, estimates that the country impose rule of law from Prishtina. final clearance,” said Huruglica, growing. toms spokesperson, said that while lost 30 million euro in 2010 because In February 2008, following referring to the customs centre in “The illegal economy is develop- both Kosovo Customs and EULEX it cannot control two key check- Kosovo’s declaration of independ- southern, Prishtina-controlled ing in that area,” he said. “From acknowledges that smuggling takes our investigations we conclude that place in the north, as it does across Kosovo annually loses about 100 all of Kosovo’s borders and in all million euro per year and the fig- countries, the latest figures from ures presented by Kosovo customs Kosovo Customs show an increase are not correct.” in revenue from the borders, up 65 Shanini suggested that the north million euro to 700million euro in had been left deliberately lawless 2010. so that both Serbian and Albanian “These include a successful fight mafia gangs groups could profit. against smuggling throughout “I think it is convenient to some Kosovo, including in the North, and to leave that part of Kosovo in this improvement of post-import con- way,” he said. trols, including at the south Economic professor Muhamet Mitrovica terminal,” she said. Sadiku said it was time to crack “In addition, actions by EULEX down on the problem. at both gates and by Kosovo “For the past three years, this Customs at their check points at area has been led by mafia groups, Kosovo’s other border points, and by persons involved in illegal trade, through their procedures, have also Y therefore I think the time has come considerably reduced the amount of M to stop this phenomenon,” said fraud and smuggling taking place.” Sadiku. C Mitrovica’s main bridge, seen as the dividing line between Belgrade and Pristina controlled Kosovo K 8 January 28 - February 10, 2011 neighbourhood Revealed: Vukovar Croats Were Tortured in Nis, Serbia More than 400 Croatian civilians and soldiers were impris- oned in a camp in Nis, southern Serbia, during the war in Croatia, where at least one person died. Army in November 1991, was among the many Croats taken pris- oner in November 1991. At first, By Barbara Matejcic alongside other people from and Zoran Kosanovic Vukovar, he was held in prison in Sremska Mitrovica, in Vojvodina. He was then taken to an army hree former prisoners inter- barracks in Aleksinac and trans- viewed in Varazdin and ferred to Nis from where he was TZagreb, Croatia, have told released for exchange on December Prishtina Insight that the 10, 1991. Yugoslav Army ran a detention Fr Kosec said the regime in Nis camp for Croatian prisoners in Nis from mid-November 1991 to late involved routine torture. “The February 1992. guards beat us most at night and did Ivan Grujic, head of Croatia’s not spare anyone,” he said. He said The prison in Nis, Serbia, where the crimes were allegedly committed he was held in a cell containing Commission for Missing and “But the night guards had The status of the other 4 per cent office was waiting for the police to around 40 mostly elderly people Imprisoned Persons, says at least bragged [to the prisoners] before has not been established. do their part of the job and an from Vukovar, “civilians just like 447 Croats were held for exchange this conversation that they’d beaten “In all these prisons in Serbia, investigation would be launched me”. At the time of his arrest, he purposes in Nis’s military investiga- a Croatian soldier so badly that he’d there was mental and physical tor- once they had located potential sus- had been a parish priest in the tive prison or correction facilities. ‘croaked right away and that his ture, without exception,” Grujic pects for the offences. monastery church of St Philip and The prisoners, who included both liver was showing.’” said. “The camps closed when the Jacob in Vukovar. But the Serbian Army says it has civilians and soldiers, were moved The exact cause of Mesic’s death international community began He says that one Colonel no information on the existence of to Nis mostly after other camps in is unknown. But on July 14, 2010, fol- greater monitoring and pressure,” Jovanovic ran the camp but he former Yugoslav Army prisons for Begejci and Stajicevo in Serbia’s lowing an exhumation carried out he said. could not recall his first name. Croat prisoners in Nis. northern Vojvodina province closed on the request of the Croatian The camps in Begejci and A second witness to the condi- Forty days after it received a following an international outcry in Commission for Missing and Stajicevo, former cattle farms, tions in Nis, Niko Mirosavljevic, request for information, the 1991. Imprisoned Persons, it was con- closed in late 1991, following an now living in Zagreb, told Prishtina Ministry of Defence had not However, several witnesses say firmed that he had been buried in International Red Cross inspection. Insight that he spent 270 days in responded to Prishtina Insight’s that the Nis camp was the worst one Nis cemetery. They were later demolished, former camps in Serbia after capture in questions about how many Croats that they passed through. Veljko Odalovic, head of Serbia’s detainees say in order to destroy Vukovar and was exchanged as a 50- were held in Nis, what conditions According to one witness, the Commission for Missing and evidence of their existence. per-cent invalid, with broken chest had been like, who the prison com- commander was one Colonel Imprisoned Persons, said at least Former detainees said most of bones, jaw, nose and ribs. mander was and whether he Jovanovic, though Prishtina Insight one Croat died in Nis. the murders and disappearances in “All the camps were nasty but remained active in the Serbian was not able to reveal his complete He said that after the ten bodies the camps happened before the Red Begejci and Nis were the worst,” he Army. name. Guards included young sol- were exhumed in July 2010 from the Cross visited and listed the prison- said. “We were beaten all the time in Acting under Serbian Freedom of diers and conscripts. city cemetery, “It was determined ers in 1991. Nis. They would storm the rooms Information legislation, the min- In July 2010, an exhumation that beyond doubt that one body was day and night and beat people even istry set an additional 40-day dead- took place in Nis’s city cemetery on directly linked to people from in bed. They beat us both with Long road to justice: line to respond to the request. At the request of the Croatian Croatia held in 1991 in collection batons and rifle butts.” the end of this, Prishtina Insight Commission of Missing and centres in Serbia, some of whom In May 2008, “Vukovar 1991” Zoran Sangut now heads the for- received a written answer, saying Imprisoned Persons revealed ten were temporarily held in Nis. handed Serbia’s war crimes prose- mer detainees’ association, that the ministry did not possess bodies, one of which was identified “Some detainees from the centres cutors criminal charges against “Vukovar 1991”. Back then, aged 21, the requested data. as Petar Mesic, whose name was on in Stajicevo and Begejci were held persons unknown, accusing them he spent 130 days in camps in Rights activists in Belgrade say Croatia’s missing persons list. in the military prison in Nis,” he of war crimes against prisoners-of- Stajicevo, Sremska Mitrovica and Serbia’s defence ministry is simply The other bodies had been buried added. war in Sremska Mitrovica, Nis in 1991 and 1992. stalling, by denying knowledge of with no identification and it is not “We have established that Petar Stajicevo, Begejci, Nis and the mili- In the Nis camp, “they beat us some of the camps and what went clear whether they were also from Mesic was on that list, was brought tary investigative prison in with fists, boots, batons, especially on there. Croatia. Autopsies are still ongoing. from Croatia and ended up in Nis, Belgrade. on the day when the first countries “As around 5,000 people went In 2008, a Croatian ex-detainees’ where he died and was buried, and The charges say that contrary to recognised Croatia’s independ- through the camps in Serbia, they association, “Vukovar 1991”, hand- we have returned his body to the Geneva Convention, unknown ence,” Sangut said. are all witnesses to what happened ed Serbia’s war crime prosecutor Croatia,” Odalovic continued. camp commanders and guards beat “It was worst for those who ended in them,” Sandra Orlovic, from the criminal charges against persons The other nine bodies can also be prisoners, tortured them with elec- up in solitary,” he added. “They had Humanitarian Law Centre from unknown, accusing them of war related to the conflict in former tricity, burned them and killed to stand half-naked and barefoot on Belgrade, said. crimes against prisoners-of-war Yugoslavia, Odalovic added, with- them. bare cement beside open windows “This is a grave violation of imprisoned in several camps, Nis out adding any further details. The charges say prisoners were in winter for the whole day and human rights and all these facts included. Ivan Grujic, who attended the not given enough food and water, night.” Serbia’s state prosecutor has con- exhumation in Nis, said that a net- were kept in barns, were forced to can be unpleasant, but it must not Sangut says the guards in Nis firmed to Prishtina Insight that a work of camps and prisons had sleep on bare cement floors without be an obstacle for the victims to included young soldiers and con- pretrial process is underway, with functioned in former Yugoslavia in blankets, were interrogated day and claim justice,” she added. scripts who gave each other action new information being collected, 1991 and 1992 under Yugoslav Army night, were threatened with death, Sangut agrees. “Serbia is not movie-style nicknames, such as mostly on the Stajicevo and Begejci command, located in Serbia, and were taken to false executions willing to face the past and its polit- “Rambo” and “Tyson”. He believes camps. Bosnia, Montenegro and Serb-held and false exchanges. ical leadership is trying to postpone these nicknames were deliberately However, the Serbian police need regions of Croatia. Sangut said that since his associ- the opening of a discussion about chosen to avoid recognition in to do additional work and locate per- Grujic says that at least 447 ation filed criminal charges in May the camps for as long as possible,” future criminal trials. petrators before the investigation Croats passed through Nis, either 2008, he had received no response he said. “We twice asked to put up a can be completed, and it is not clear the military investigation prison or from the Serbian prosecution memorial plaque at the camp in when police can finalise this, main- Exhumation shows Croats the correctional facility. “It is hard although he had made several Stajicevo but President Boris Tadic ly because the Serbian army, succes- were held in Nis: to determine whether these were inquiries. turned us down. sor to the Yugoslav Army, denies all two separate camps, or whether For its part, Serbia’s War Crimes Sangut said the existence of the knowledge of the Nis camp. Fr Kosec remembers that in 1991, people were transferred for interro- Prosecutor’s Office, says it acted camps in Serbia and the forced At least 21 Croat prisoners were while he was being held in Nis, gation from one place to another,” immediately on the charges, removal of Croats to Serbia con- killed in Serbian detention camps in Colonel Jovanovic asked him if it he said. requesting information from the firmed that the war was an interna- the early 1990s, according to a was possible to perform a Catholic His commission says a total of police and army. tional conflict, not a civil war, “and Croatian County Court in Osijek. service following a man’s burial, 7,666 people were exchanged from “A pretrial process is underway that Serbia was committing aggres- because they had not found a local all of the Yugoslav army-run camps and we have new information large- sion against Croatia, which is why Nis – the ‘worst of all the Catholic priest in time. from December 1991 until August ly relating to concealment of this this issue is not being discussed camps’: “He didn’t tell me what had hap- 1992. Of that number, 219 were crime,” deputy prosecutor Bruno openly”. Y pened to this prisoner, who was under 18, 932 were women and 424 Vekaric said. “The most data we col- This investigation was done with M Fr Branimir Kosec, a former called Petar Mesic,” recalled Fr were over 60. Almost half the num- lected so far is for the centres at support from the Scoop, a Danish C parish priest in Vukovar, captured Kosec, from Varazdin, in Croatia, ber were civilians, 46 per cent, Stajicevo and Begejci,” he added. network for investigative journal- K when the town fell to the Yugoslav where he now lives. while 52 per cent were combatants. Vekaric said the war crimes ism neighbourhood January 28 - February 10, 2011 9 Bosnia Football Receives Funds as Presidency Question Looms International football's governing bodies FIFA and UEFA have approved funding for con- struction of a sports centre in Bosnia, as the country's possible exile from the two groups looms.

A member of the NSBIH presi- vehemently rejected by Bosnian dency, Sulejman Colakovic, Serb football officials. By Sabina Arslanagic described the decision to release The NSBiH is made up of repre- the funds for the sports centre in sentatives of the football associa- Zenica as a “goodwill gesture” and tions of the country’s two highly voiced hope that Bosnia’s soccer independent entities, the predomi- ollowing a visit to Bosnia by federation will meet a FIFA and nantly Serb Republika Srpska and FIFA and UEFA representa- EUFA requirement to change its the Bosniak-Croat Federation. Ftives this week, the Balkan management structure. Bosnian Serbs do not agree with country’s soccer federation, the The European and international the concept of one president as NSBiH, announced that four mil- governing bodies have told Bosnia they fear this might jeopardise lion euros for a modern sports cen- that its national and domestic their autonomy. tre in the central town of Zenica teams will be suspended from If sanctioned, Bosnia would also had been released and that the international competition if the lose international funding, which construction works will begin shortly. NSBiH does not replace its three- currently makes up between 70 Bosnia’s Football team is line for a new ground The decision to fund the modern member presidency - made up of a and 80 per cent of the NSBiH budg- ern sports centre in Zenica was a “Clearly, we expect your federa- centre comes just over two months Bosniak, a Croat and a Serb - with et. development project which his tion to be organised in the same before the NSBIH must decide a single president. Local media quoted UEFA organisation and FIFA did not way as those of all other (UEFA whether to end its ethnically The NSBiH has been given until national associations’ director want to link with the decision and FIFA) members,” Theodoridis selected presidency or face inter- March 31 to change its statutes to Theodore Theodoridis as saying about the NSBiH governing struc- was quoted as saying. national exile. meet the demand, which has been that the construction of the mod- ture. Craigslist Ad Drives Romanian Yugo Fans into Fury Hunting Party Legendary automobile has found its place on the US site Craigslist, but a for-sale advert has made many Serbs angry. Draws Criticism Environmentalists criticise a hunting excursion for high- profile politicians and businessmen. ment of so many top-level execu- tives and politicians are matters of concern. By Marian Chiriac, The international environmen- Bucharest tal group Vier Pfoten has criti- cised the size of the hunt. “It’s hunting party in north- time that this kind of animal mas- western Romania, which sacre comes to an end. We are not Adrew many local and for- questioning the legality of this eign businessmen, ended on hunting event but its magnitude, Sunday with what media and as in the last six years around 1,200 green activists called “true car- wild boar were killed in the Balc nage”- over 150 wild boars were contained area,” Veronica Tulpan, killed. The hunt was organised by head of national programme at tennis player turned businessman the group, argued. Ion Tiriac, who is also one of the In the past, Romanian authori- country's richest men. ties also questioned the manage- Tiriac holds the lease to the Balc ment of the animals in the Balc hunting facilities in northwest area and the legality of the con- Romania, where the gathering Yugos parked in central Prishtina in the 80s tract under which the hunting took place. With him were some 30 ground was leased, though no guests, including businessmen American car market in the mid- box with offensive messages, some irregularities were discovered. Wolfgang Porsche and Klaus 1980s. About 147,000 vehicles were threatening him with violence, he In late 2004, the government of Mangold of DaimlerChrysler, and shipped to the US, where it was a says. former Prime Minister Adrian Spanish banker Jose Merino By Bojana Barlovac relative hit due to its low price. It "I got really lots of emails, and Nastase granted Ion Tiriac a 49- Jimenez, according to local media cost about $4,000 at the time. about half of them with racial year lease on the Balc grounds reports. without a public auction. Soon But the car became infamous in slurs (at the expense of “These kind of events are an after, Nastase lost elections but for the US for its underwhelming per- Americans), profanity and other 43-year-old American from excellent opportunity to socialise, several years he was among the formance. Car Talk magazine ugly words, including death Orange County, in the US, make new friends and discuss pol- participants at the hunting events voted it worst car of the millenni- threats. Serbs do not have a sense Ahas angered patriotic Serbs itics or business,” said Elan in Balc. um. of humour," the man was quoted by describing his car as a "pile of Schwartzenberg, an Israeli with In Romania, like in many other crap". The Yugo had a brief moment as saying in the Serbian daily businesses in Romania, who was ex-communist countries, hunting "I have for sale this pile of crap in the Hollywood spotlight, being Politika. one of the few participants who has long been associated with the Yugo, designed by a retarded engi- used extensively in a 2000 comedy After 30 years of production, the agreed to speak about the hunting old nomenklatura. Former dicta- neer and assembled by a group of starring Danny DeVito, last Yugo rolled off the Zastava party. tor Nicolae Ceausescu often hunt- drunk workers," the advert reads. “Drowning Mona.” company’s assembly line in the While Ion Tiriac’s lawyers have ed bears, wild boars, and black The rest of the advert sounds The American selling this "piece Serbian town Kragujevac in 2008. argued that the boars are brought goats in the mountains. even less promising, describing of history", as he called it, is sell- Yugos are still alive on the roads, in from a local breeding facility Since 1990, hunting has become the car as no more reliable than ing his car for 2,200 US dollars. however, as well as in a book, enti- and are not a protected species, increasingly popular among rich jailed US trickster Bernie Madoff. Instead of potential buyers, tled The Rise and Fall of the Worst environmentalists say the magni- foreigners and Romania's nouveau The Yugo broke into the many Serbs have filled his email Car in History, by Jason Vuic. tude of the hunt and the involve- riche and political elite. 10 January 28 - February 10, 2011 neighbourhood Tirana Carnage Leaves Albania at Boiling Point After anti-government protests left three dead and dozens wounded, there are fears that Albania’s descent into chaos may have become unstoppable.

protesters carrying sticks, stones the Socialists had been locked in a attacking police without provoca- and Molotov cocktails attacked the stand-off over the results of the tion. police barricade protecting the June 2009 elections. Then, following the airing of TV By Besar Likmeta, Prime Minister’s Office. The Socialists, headed by Tirana footage of the death of one protest- Tirana The opposition leaders who had Mayor Edi Rama, insist that the er, Rama accused Berisha and organised the rally had moved to election was marred by fraud and Interior Minister Lulzim Basha of the fourth floor of a glass and con- demand a recount. Prime Minister murder. s police armed with AK-47s crete office building, known as Berisha’s coalition maintains that “I accuse the Prime Minister of and riot gear reinforced a Tirana’s Twin Towers, in front of the elections were the best man- being the political orchestrator of Abarricade against a crowd the pyramid, from where they aged in history. A recount was this bloodbath,” Rama said. “I of anti-government protesters watched the clashes unfold. impossible because the opposition accuse the Minister of Interior holed on the roof of the pyramid- The protesters took aim at the had exhausted all legal appeals, Lulzim Basha of abuse of power, shaped former memorial museum police lines who initially adopted a they said. resulting in the death of three peo- of ex Albanian dictator Enver defensive approach. But as the For the better part of last year, ple, and call for the immediate Hoxha on January 21, Andi, a attack from the crowd grew more the opposition boycotted parlia- arrest of this socially dangerous Tirana resident, took another sip from his beer and turned to the ferocious, police used tear gas and ment and held peaceful rallies in worm,” he added. a water cannon. Tirana and across the country, The government accused Rama Berisha and his Democratic barman at the Rockwood Cafe. Party returned to power in 2005 “Maybe this is the time to play At first, the police tactics demanding a ballot recount. The and his supporters of trying to seemed to work, and the crowd protests included a 21-day hunger take power by force. after eight years in opposition, that song about Che Guevara,” he campaigning on a “clean hands” said, looking at the TV pictures, retreated. But they regrouped strike by 200 opposition support- “Bandits, criminals and terror- around Hoxha’s former memorial ers and two dozen MPs who were ists, orchestrated by Edi Rama, platform against corruption. He which showed the clashes down was re-elected Prime Minister the street. from where they continued to holed up in tents in front of tried to usurp the Prime bombard the police with stones Berisha’s office. Minister’s Office and take power with a thin majority in 2009. The scene at the cafe was surre- Despite the political turbulence al, considering that just a few and set cars on fire. The stand-off has poisoned the through violence,” Berisha said. political climate and has halted At a press conference on Friday, of the past decade, the economy has metres away, opposition protesters recovered. It grew at an average and police were fighting for turf Shots fired, blood on the the reforms needed to expedite Berisha blamed the protesters for Albania’s progress towards EU the demonstrators’ deaths, argu- rate of 6 per cent of GDP per year. outside the gate of the Prime street: Moves towards membership of Minister’s Office. membership. ing that they were shot at close Despite several mediation range with weapons that do not the European Union, an aspiration Like him, most Albanians As the battle raged between pro- attempts launched by President form part of the police arsenal. backed by 90 per cent of the popu- throughout the country, haunted testers and riot police, there were Bamir Topi, the Parliamentary Over the last two days, however, lation according to polls, contin- by a long and tumultuous transi- loud bangs from stun grenades Assembly of the Council of faced with growing evidence to the ued. tion after the collapse of Hoxha’s and the air filled with tear gas. As Europe and the European contrary, he has retracted, admit- In 2006, Albania signed a regime in 1991, were glued to their time passed, the situation became Parliament, Berisha and Rama ting that the National Guard Stabilization and Association TV screens, feeling a sense of déjà tenser. failed to budge from their might have shot them. Agreement with Brussels and in vu about past riots. At around 4pm, a group of pro- entrenched positions. April 2009, alongside Croatia, Meanwhile, outside the door of testers on top of the pyramid Throughout this period the joined NATO. the café, police in riot gear and charged towards the police cordon Violence Condemned: opposition and the government But following the carnage in Special Forces armed with auto- protecting the northern gate of hurled daily accusations and Friday’s clashes were the worst Tirana at the weekend, observers matic rifles lined the street. the Prime Minister’s Office. threats at each other `but events that Albania has seen since 1998, fear the situation could become Holding the high ground on the The National Guard responded took a new twist two weeks ago fol- when armed supporters of the increasingly unstable. Appeals for slopes of the pyramid, a ruined with a barrage of automatic rifle lowing the publication of a video then opposition Democratic Party calm and dialogue have rushed in building adjacent to the Premier’s fire in the air that lasted for nearly showing Deputy Prime Minister attacked government buildings fol- and Albania’s principal foreign Office, whose ripped-off marble half-an-hour. Ilir Meta and former Economy lowing the murder of one their ally, the United States, has criti- slabs served as ammunition, pro- By the time the shooting was Minister Dritan Prifti allegedly MPs, for which they blamed the cised the demonstrators for resort- testers pelted the riot police for over, police in plain clothes started discussing corrupt deals. hours. detaining protesters, forcing them Meta, who then also held the There were only a few hundred into police vans, three people lay economy portfolio, resigned fol- of them - mostly angry young men dead. lowing the exposure and the start bussed in by the opposition On Saturday, the police of a probe into the affair by prose- Socialist Party to bulk out a bigger spokesperson, Alma Katragjini, cutors. rally held to denounce govern- announced that 113 protesters had Meta has denied wrongdoing ment corruption. been arrested following the clash- over the corruption scandal, while Following a series of high-pro- es. Most of those detained were Prime Minister Sali Berisha called file corruption scandals, the oppo- freed by Tirana’s district court on the tape a fabrication orchestrated sition called the demonstration in Monday. by the opposition. The govern- an attempt to topple the centre- Video filmed by TV stations ment “would not collapse over right government of Prime shows that two protesters were [spying] bugs,” he said. Minister Sali Berisha and force an shot outside the gate of the Prime The opposition meanwhile early general election. Minister’s Office, although they demanded Berisha’s head and Berisha’s Democratic Party and did not appear to have been attack- hoped that Friday’s protest would the Socialists have been locked in ing the building or behaving force him out. International and a bitter power struggle for almost aggressively. Three people were killed and dozens injured in the protests local calls for the opposition to two years over the results of the One video shows one of the pro- refrain from violence, issued on former socialist Prime Minister, 2009 general election. The opposi- testers falling to the ground after the eve of the rally, went unheeded. Fatos Nano. ing to violence. tion has staged several peaceful being shot in his chest. The bullets A year earlier, Albania was The US State Department assis- protests since then. But Friday appear to have come from a plunged into anarchy following tant secretary Philip J. Crowley was different. National Guard soldier stationed Who was to blame? the collapse of a series of pyramid condemned the violence unam- Like the customers at the inside the Prime Minister’s Office. biguously. Rockwood café, most of the 20,000 As calm returned to Tirana on investment schemes, which Friday evening, both Berisha and robbed nearly a billion dollars’ “We regret that the demonstra- or so people who marched on Before the Storm tion in Tirana was not peaceful Tirana’s main boulevard before Rama traded blame for the vio- worth of savings from the impov- lence. erished population. Almost 3,000 and that earlier calls for calm were the clashes started, looked baffled Two decades after the fall of the The opposition first claimed people died in the violence that not heeded and we note with by the battle unfolding in front of Communist regime, Albania’s that the police “provoked” protest- ensued. regret that several deaths and them. transition to democracy remains ers into attacking them, and that The collapse of the pyramid many dozens of injuries have been The protesters had begun to nightmarishly fraught and pro- the government bore responsibili- schemes led to the demise of the reported from these clashes,” Y march along the avenue which tracted. ty for the violence, despite the Democratic Party government and Crowley said. bisects Tirana from the railway Before the violence erupted in M many television cameras present the resignation of Berisha, who “The use of provocative rhetoric station to the university, at around Tirana last Friday, for nearly 18 C that showed opposition protesters then served as Albania’s president. and the suggestion or tolerance of K 2pm before an advance guard of months the ruling Democrats and any form of violence is a deep dis- neighbourhood January 28 - February 10, 2011 11 Republican Guard Shot Us, Claims Albanian Journalist A reporter for the local broadcaster ABC News, wounded during Friday’s violent anti-government rally, has told Prishtina Insight that the National Guard shot him and two of the protesters who died in the clashes. are used by MP5 automatic rifles. When questioned about the shooting of Mahmutaj during a By Besar Likmeta press conference on Friday, Prime Minister Sali Berisha said that the journalist had only been n his testimony, which has also pushed. been given to prosecutors, Albanian General Prosecutor IFatos Mahmutaj gives a Ina Rama has issued a warrant detailed account of how an officer for the six high ranking National from the National Guard, standing Guard officers that led the opera- in the courtyard of the prime min- tion, but the police, in breach of ister’s office, opened fire, wound- ing him and killing two protesters. the constitution, have refused to “I saw the [National Guard] enforce the warrants and arrest service to the people of Albania. mentary investigative commission officer when he stood up because the officers. Prime Minister Sali Berisha They deserve better,” he added. Coup accusations: to investigative fully the mecha- before he was covered with his has said the police will not The Secretary General of the nism of the coup,” Berisha told shield. He removed the shield, enforce the arrest orders, and has Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Immediately after the clashes on MPs before they voted unanimously took aim and shot,” said Fatos accused the chief prosecutor of Jagland, called for restraint and dia- Friday, Albania's General to create it. Mahmutaj, who was reporting being part of a failed coup d’état logue. “I am very concerned about Prosecutor, Ina Rama, (no relation Government critics see the inves- live for his TV station at the time orchestrated by opposition leader the outburst of violence and casual- to Edi Rama) launched an investi- tigative commission as an attempt of the incident. Edi Rama. Berisha has also ties during the demonstrations in gation into the deaths, sequestering by Berisha to pressure and eventu- “I saw the fire in his [gun] bar- accused the head of Secret the streets of Tirana,” he said. video shot by the police, question- ally replace the two heads of the rel, I felt the impact of the bullet Service, Bahri Shaqiri, of being “I condemn all kinds of violence ing witnesses and requesting police only independent official institu- in my hand, and also heard a involved. and urge all political forces to and National Guard duty activity tions that he does not control, the crack only ten centimeters from The fighting on Friday broke engage in constructive dialogue reports. general prosecutors office and the my right ear, which was the skull out when several hundred pro- within the existing democratic After collecting initial evidence, secret service. of the killed protester that was testers attacked the police barri- institutions of Albania,” he added. prosecutors issued a warrant for In 2007, the government used a cracking,” Mahmutaj added. cade set up to protect the prime Human rights organisations, the the detention and questioning of similar parliamentary investigative Photos taken by photojournal- minister’s office, using sticks, OSCE and top EU officials also the six highest ranked National commission to fire former general ist Hektor Pustina show the man stones and Molotov cocktails, and expressed concern over the loss of Guard officers suspected of order- prosecutor Theodhori Sollaku. standing next to Mahmutaj fall to police responded with tear gas, a life. ing the shootings of the protesters. Berisha tried to replace the secret the ground after being shot in the water cannon and later with live "Demonstrations are instru- But the police, under Berisha’s service head Shaqiri back in June, head. ammunition fire to disperse the ments of freedom of expression control, have refused to enforce the but backed off under US and NATO Three anti-government pro- crowd. and peaceful assembly of citizens,” warrants. pressure. testers died during Friday’s EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine On Monday, the human rights clashes and several others were The group of violent protesters Ashton and Enlargement watchdog, the Albanian Helsinki Growing anger on both wounded after the National threw rocks and set several cars Commissioner Stefan Fuele said in Committee, KSHH, urged the police Guard officers inside the court- on fire as they clashed with a joint statement. to enforce the prosecutor’s orders, sides: yard of the prime minister’s police. Another group of protest- “We deplore that today’s event describing the refusal as a breach of office appear to have fired into ers, estimated at 20,000 people, has spiralled into violence. We the constitution and “a dangerous Despite the appeals for calm, the air to disperse the crowd, demonstrated non-violently on urgently appeal to all political precedent with grave repercus- mutual accusations of murder have which was pelting them with Tirana's main boulevard. forces to call for calm and refrain sions”. continued and the opposition has stones. Berisha’s ruling Democratic from provocation,” they added. In a televised cabinet meeting on announced a new protest to honour “Then I heard another barrage Party and the Socialist opposi- “The right to demonstrate comes Sunday, Berisha accused General the victims of Friday’s clashes. of automatic rifle fire, but it was tion, headed by Tirana mayor Edi with a responsibility to do so peace- Prosecutor Rama of being party to Berisha has responded by calling a not fire from an AK-47, it was Rama, have been locked in a fully,” Lithuania’s Foreign an attempted opposition coup. rally of his own supporters a day more muffled. He stopped shoot- power struggle since the end of Minister, Audronius Azubalis, cur- The General Prosecutor was one- later. ing for a moment, then directed the June 2009 parliamentary elec- rently chairman of the OSCE, said. sided for having launched high-pro- As the two parties play a blame the fire toward the gate, and shot tions. “The police have a right to main- file corruption probes against his game over the violence, many the other person at the gate,” The Socialists allege that tain order and protect the public minister and not against the oppo- Albanians are growing angry at Mahmutaj said. Berisha stole the elections but they must not use excessive sition, Berisha said. [Rama was both sides, accusing Rama and Videos published by several through voter fraud, while the force against those carrying out voted into her post in 2007 with the Berisha of sacrificing the country’s local TV stations show a National ruling majority rejects the accu- their legitimate right to protest,” support of his Democratic party.] future for their own narrow politi- Guard officer with an automatic sations as baseless and maintains said Andrea Huber, Amnesty Berisha said that the warrants cal interests. MP5 rifle shooting at protesters that the polls were the best the International's Deputy Director for for the officers “meant to decapitate In an online petition circulated standing at the gate to the prime country has ever held. Europe and Central Asia. the chain of command of the since Saturday, hundreds called for minister's office when the pro- Friday's anti-government American, British and EU ambas- National Guard, which is protect- both Berisha and Rama to quit, tester at the gate is shot in the protests were called by the oppo- sadors in Tirana and other diplo- ing institutions”. describing them as equally respon- chest. sition following the publication mats met Prime Minister Berisha Half an hour later, at an extraor- sible for the deaths of the three pro- According to prosecution of video which allegedly shows on Sunday and called for calm and dinary session of parliament, MPs testers. sources, the protesters were shot two government ministers dis- dialogue between him and Rama. from the governing coalition set up “The Albanian political scene with 9mm caliber bullets, which cussing corrupt deals. “We have repeatedly urged an investigative committee tasked should be cleansed once and for all Albania’s political leaders to search with probing the alleged coup of these greedy creatures,” Nina, for compromise,” US Ambassador d’état. Deputies from the Socialist one of the signatories to the peti- Alexander Arvizu, who also met opposition did not attend. tion, wrote. “Leave us alone,” wrote President Bamir Topi, said on Apart from repeating his accusa- another. Saturday. tions against Edi Rama and the gen- “It’s not that they care that much “When one side or both insist on eral prosecutor, in his speech to about this petition but we should maximalist positions that it knows parliament Berisha lashed out at show them that Albanians are not the other side cannot accept, I'm the head of the secret service, blind and see these two as the main sorry, that's not compromise,” he Bahri Shaqiri. culprits,” Ervin Duka, another sig- said. Berisha accused him of being natory, wrote. “Resolving political differences part of the plot because his depart- But while Albanians rant at each through street battles is also not ment allegedly failed to forward other in the street or on online peti- compromise, and does not reflect warnings about the nature of the tions, most people realize that oust- the democratic aspirations of riot to the police. ing Berisha and Rama from their Albanians.” “I urge you to create this parlia- posts will take much more than that. Reporter Fatos Mahmutaj was shot while covering the protests in Tirana 12 January 28 - February 10, 2011 feature Guerrilla Gardening Craze

Kosovo’s capital is colourful, but only figuratively, strewn with drab concrete blocks and grey thoroughfares. But a growing movement of guerrilla gardeners are adding a splash of colour by planting flowers in tawdry public and private spaces, without permission.

thirty years ago in New York where the so-called Green Guerrilla Group transformed a By Inge Baanders vacant private lot into a garden. After nearly three decades, the group continues to be active and counts 600 members. y day they don suits and The craze has now arrived in work for international Prishtina, brought by members of Borganisations and civil soci- its large international community, ety groups. But by night, they swap the pinstripes for ripped but is also winning followers jeans and take to the derelict plots among Kosovars keen to spruce up of Prishtina to plant flowers. their city. Welcome to the slightly strange Jeff, who asked for his full name world of guerrilla gardening in not to be published, came to Kosovo’s capital. Kosovo in early 2010 with no prior The term refers to unsanctioned experience of guerrilla gardening. cultivation on someone else’s land. This, however, did not deter him It encompasses any activity that from launching the idea on an aims to beautify a piece of waste- unprepared public. Guerrilla gardeners at work in Prishtina land, from planting flowers to “When I was standing on my cleaning up litter. balcony overlooking piles of project took place opposite the the plants so they could plant Guerrilla gardening happens garbage, I became aware of the Prishtina’s inner beauty former OSCE building in down- them at home,” he told Prishtina without permission, as Richard need for green spaces here,” he town Prishtina, where the team Insight. “We went back and plant- Reynolds explains in his blog at told Prishtina Insight. “Prishtina is struggling to planted flowers in concrete flower ed some more. After they had www.guerrillagardening.org. So he assembled a group of expose its inner beauty,” says Jeff. boxes near the bus stop. gone, we went back again. Every Therefore, guerrilla gardening seven friends and since last “We are trying to lead by example Several days later the flowers time they lasted a bit longer,” he activities take place mostly at spring, the enthusiastic team has and create a sense of ownership had gone. But Jeff and the team added. night. transformed five spots in of common property.” were not discouraged. “You have to use flowers that The concept first emerged some Prishtina. The first guerrilla gardening “People took out the roots of can resist cold weather and also

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Y M C K feature January 28 - February 10, 2011 13 Blossoms in Grey Prishtina

must be careful not to be too ambi- something, but explain to them and the Balkan Peace Park Project tious; you have to be able to be in why. We have to counter the pre- helped children from Fushë and out of the place in an hour,” vailing belief that one person can- Kosovë to transform the litter site he advises. not make a difference,” she added. next to the town’s community cen- The most challenging aspect of Meriton, a translator from tre into a garden. guerrilla gardening is post-plant- Prishtina, tried to encourage his At first people were sceptical. ing maintenance; flowers need neighbours to transform a vacant “They would walk by and tell us watering and newly accumulated plot outside his apartment block there was no point in what we litter needs to be removed. into a green area. were doing,” Gowing said. Four For this, Jeff stresses the need “I figured, although it’s public, months later however, the garden to involve local residents; involv- if you can put garbage and cars is looking good. ing them in the process will there, why not trees?” he said. Jeff believes that perceptions of increase feelings of ownership Enthusiasm among his neigh- the need for green spaces and and encourage them to look after bours was lacking though. “I acceptance of guerrilla gardening the garden. knocked on every door of my are changes for the better. This sense of ownership block, but only five out of a thou- “First I was considered a curios- An international example of the guerilla gardener movement from California towards public space has been one sand people could muster the ity, and then people started thank- area that NGO activist Elizabeth effort to help.” ing me for what I was doing,” he Gowing, of The Ideas said. “Change only happens one Partnership, has been working Convincing the sceptics pace at a time.” on. Now that winter has arrived in “First, it is related to culture And Meriton’s newly trans- Prishtina, the guerrilla gardeners and habit forming,” she said formed public garden did not last are hibernating, waiting for referring to the lack of care long. “One day, I saw a car driving spring. towards public spaces. “There is a over the young trees as there was But the team has already identi- need to change what is acceptable; no other space in sight where he fied their next project and as soon throwing litter on the street is could park,” he said. “If people do as the first rays of sunshine not.” not know how much effort you put return, be prepared wake up one But it is not just the mentality into it then they simply don’t care. morning to see a pile of litter next which must change, Gowing Even the few green areas of to your office transformed into a believes; the state must also pro- Prishtina are ruined by litter.” flowery scene. vide infrastructure. But Meriton is still hopeful and “There is a lack of infrastruc- supportive of Jeff ’s initiative. “I Feeling motivated to roll up your ture and a poorly developed sys- will try it again this spring and I sleeves and join the group to help tem of waste collection,” she said, am sure fewer trees will get make Prishtina a greener city? adding that Kosovo simply pro- destroyed that time,” he said. Please contact duces too much litter. After a summer camp in Rugova [email protected] for “Don’t just tell people not to do Valley, The Ideas Partnership, Era more information. An Ideas Partnership project to create a garden in Fushe Kosove

Y M C K 14 January 28 - February 10, 2011 guide Pamper Yourself or Hit the Slopes at Radika Hotel Radika offers great access to Macedonia’s best ski resort, a top-class spa and magical views across Lake Mavrovo, making it an ideal destination for a winter weekend

5km of west-facing pistes, stretch- ing down the mountain overlook- ing sprawling Lake Mavrovo, from By Mia Marzouk black down to 1,250metres. And when you’ve worked up an appetite from all that Getting there s usual, we missed the exercise, you can grab a sur- sharp left turn to Hotel prisingly good pizza at Hotel It will take you around two- ARadika, nestled on the Lodge right next to the foot of and-a-half hours to get from western shores of Lake Mavrovo the slope, by the chairlift. in Macedonia’s most gorgeous Prishtina to Mavrovo by car, Watch the weather though – national park. Only two and a half via Skopje, on mostly good the uppermost pistes can get hours from Prishtina, this luxury roads and excellent very windy, and because the hotel off the beaten track is the Macedonian highways. It is slopes are relatively low-lying, perfect base from which to enjoy well signposted throught-out. the country’s best ski slopes, most averaging only 1,600m above sea Distance wise, it is shorter to stunning views and a skin-tin- level, the ski season often has a take the mountain route direct- gling spa. late start, early end and even some ly from Kosovo to Tetovo, but it Mavrovo, smothered by the half- wobbly bits in the middle. rarely works out as quicker. metre of snow which fell over the If you’re there just for the ski- munic- weekend, is eerily quiet, its lake ing, then there’s a good selection ipal snow plough serv- semi-frozen and its windy roads of hotels just at the foot of the ski ices), Radika’s facilities include uitous Balkan casino. to the slopes and back. It’s amaz- cushioned by snow drifts. Radika centre, including the decent Hotel something for everyone on a The restaurant is also good, ing what local drivers can do with itself overlooks the lake, and the Bistra (40-65 euros per person) weekend break. especially the a la carte menu, an ageing two-wheel drive views to the mountains opposite, with its alarming collection of The spa in the basement of the serving hearty portions imagina- Berlingo. and even in winter part of the out- stuffed animals lining the corri- hotel boasts four different saunas tively presented, and some excel- In fact, Radika’s only drawback door swimming pool is open for dors, and the more modern Hotel (two Turkish-style steam baths lent Macedonian wine. is the likelihood of encountering those brave enough to poke their Alpina (25-55 euros per person and two Swedish dry saunas), a The rooms are sublime, with Kosovar politicians in the restau- heads out of the water and watch depending on when you go and “Dead Sea” pool that, it is to be vast comfortable beds and huge rant or, worse, in swimming gear the steam rising. what room you stay in). There are hoped, does not actually contain baths. Make sure you get a lake in the sauna. To head to this part of the world also cheaper hotels further along water from the Dead Sea, two view, and regardless of the level of Top tip: Instead of leaving work in January, you would likely be a the main road. Jacuzzis, a large swimming pool luxury you can afford, your room early on a Friday, arrive late on a skier, drawn by the cheap prices But if, like ours, some of your and a smaller pool for children. will be suffused with the bright Monday, beating the border and proximity to Skopje or party eschews the knee-wrench- You can also push the pampering light of a snow-covered winter queues and taking advantage of Prishtina for a weekend workout ing dangers of misjudging a par- boat out and plump for a profes- wonderland stretching out ahead. cheaper hotel prices for Sunday for the quadriceps. allel turn, then Hotel Radika real- sional massage. Prices range from 39 to 218 euros, nights. A day’s ski pass, which gives ly is the best place to stay – as long Table tennis, a pool table and and don’t include meals – but if you access to lifts, will set you as your wallet can stretch to it. table football can also amuse, you treat yourself to staying at Hotel Radika back 20 euro per day. While not the About half an hour’s slow drive they’re in rather soulless sur- Radika, give yourself a break v. Leunovo most extensive network of ski from the slopes in thick snow roundings, and I have to confess from saving money. Mavrovo & Rostusa runs in the Balkans, you’ll find (despite the valiant efforts of the we did not venture into the ubiq- There’s also a free shuttle “bus” Tel: ++ 389 (0) 42 22 33 00

Brezovica Ski Season Opens, Finally

Brezovica’s ski centre opened this week for the first time this season after the heavy snowfall of last weekend.

And with another big dump of the white stuff expected in the next few days, the centre looks well stocked for the season.

Bright, sunny weather is predicted for Sunday and early next week, so if you can escape from work, conditions should be perfect. Y To check the weather and read the latest news visit M www.njeri.net/snow. C K feature January 28 - February 10, 2011 15

Balkan Winemakers Strive To Match Grape Expectations From Croatia to Kosovo, growers face challenge of replacing “plonk” with higher quality wines that they can market abroad.

since the time of the Ancient sales abroad. Until recently, only 5 Yugoslav period, 80 per cent of try’s 19-year dispute with Greece Greeks. per cent of Croatian wine was Macedonia’s grapes and wine over its name, its winemakers It is also clear what the chal- exported and 50 per cent of that were exported in bulk and ended face an increasingly aggressive By Tim Judah lenges are for up-and-coming pro- went to the rest of the former up being bottled elsewhere in the campaign waged by Greece. ducers who have invested large Yugoslavia. old Yugoslavia. The government in Athens sums in the country in recent South of Peljesac, in That has all changed, says argues that because it registered n the Western Balkans wine- years. These slopes produce Montenegro, it’s a different story. Katerina Kostovska, Tikves’ to protect the name “Macedonia” makers are looking at the Dingac wine. Here, while there are a handful of export manager. Now almost all in 1989 (like “Champagne”), only Ibooks and chasing invoices. It The Dingac area is only five small wineries, Plantaze, the Macedonia’s wine is branded and wines from the Greek province of is time to see if the holidays have square kilometres in size but, biggest producer of bottled wines bottled at home. Of that, 45 per Macedonia should be sold as been kind to them. Serkovic says, there are at least 15 in the former Yugoslavia, domi- cent is consumed domestically Macedonian wines. “T’ga za Jug”, After all, Christmas comes producers here. They include nates the scene totally. and 45 per cent exported to Serbia. is the name of the former twice, first on December 25, and Saints Hills, which is the passion With 2,310 hectares, it boasts Here, too, the emphasis is on Yugoslav republic’s best-known then for Orthodox Christians on of Ernest Tolj, a Zagreb industri- one of the biggest vineyards in improving quality. wine. It translates as: “Longing January 7. In between, there is alist who has invested heavily one piece in Europe. Like every- Macedonia has its own particu- for the south”. New Year, which is celebrated by here and in other Croatian vine- one else, Plantaze has suffered in lar problem. Because of the coun- all, including Muslim Bosniaks yards. the recession but in 2010 it still and Kosovo Albanians, many of Sasa Spiranec, a Croatian wine sold 16.9 million bottles. whom are partial to a drink at writer, says Dingac is special Unlike Croatia, less than half of Christmas, too. because the vineyards run down that is drunk at home. The tiny Good year or bad, Balkan wine- to the sea so steeply that every- domestic market consumes 40 per makers agree on one thing. The thing has to be done by hand, cent of Plantaze’s production. year ahead is one of challenges. which makes the wine expensive One-third goes to Serbia, 15 per In the wider world, wines from to produce. He thinks that the cent to Bosnia, 5 per cent to former Yugoslavia and Albania coming years will have to see a Russia and 5 per cent to Western are not well known. But after shakeout in the industry. Europe. two decades of huge change in Quality has recently The accent in recent years has the industry, the emphasis improved, he says, but the been on investing in quality. But now is on quality over plonk country has some 17,000 pro- director Verica Maras says Kosovo's only real Irish Pub... and, for the former, finding ducers, only 2,500 of which pro- Plantaze can no longer rely on its new markets beyond the for- duce for the market. traditional, regional market. mer Yugoslav comfort zone. Meanwhile, 50 per cent of As the quality of Serbia’s own Across the region, the wine the Croatian market is domi- wines increases and as Italian, industry has been transformed nated by a few big companies, French and others muscle into the since the Yugoslav era. In including food and retail former Yugoslav market, local Every Thursday many areas rich business- Every Thursday giant Agrokor, which pro- producers are being forced take men and even former duces wine for its own their wines abroad. Because they at 7.30pm politicians like Zoran supermarkets and repre- are mostly too small to produce Zivkovic, Serbia’s ex-pre- For sents one-third of the large amounts for big Western 20% off all bar food! mier, seeking a new pas- charity total sold in Croatia. supermarket chains, the empha- sion or status symbol, Tourists drink large sis has to be on quality. have invested heavily in amounts of the stuff. But Curiously, for a country which wine. But beyond this since the recession, even otherwise hardly exports any- common story, the pic- if, like the Croats, they thing, Kosovo has made a break- ture from country to have not been drinking through abroad with Stone Castle, country is radically dif- less, they have been drink- which can be bought in Waitrose, ferent. ing cheaper. an upmarket British supermarket Facing the sea, stand- Croatia’s many expen- chain. Along with Slovene wines, ing on the slopes of the sive wines have seen sales Stone Castle is the only other for- Saints Hills vineyard on fall by 40 per cent in the mer Yugoslav wine there on offer. the Peljesac peninsula in last two years, Spiranec Just as Plantaze dominates Croatia, wine maker says, which means that for Montenegro, Tikves plays the Dubravka Serkovic says the first time, producers of same role in Macedonia, produc- Y wine has been produced high-end wine are being ing 67 per cent of its wine. But, M here “forever”, or at least forced to look seriously for again, the story is different. In the C K 16 January 28 - February 10, 2011 Food & Drink Enjoy a Pizza Heaven at Napoli Haradinaj, next to The Cuban bar. Although deal. Napoli only opened its doors in December, it Bright red accents told of the tomato sauce seems right at home. Checkered tablecloths below. The thin crust bore battle scars from By Gravlax and pictures of Italian gangsters offer a com- its brief visit to a very hot oven: slightly forting lack of pretentiousness and a healthy blackened and puffed in parts. dose of kitsch. The waiter supplied a steak knife, fork and It took me a few minutes to digest the bottle of chili oil for the attack. I cut off a hen it comes to pizza, Prishtina is menu. It features pizzas from Mexican to small piece of the pizza, almost feeling guilty A perfect pizza at Napoli blessed, at least in the sense that rocket, priced between three and six euros. for mutilating this work of art. Any appre- Wyou’d be hard-pressed to find a bad, Napoli also offers pasta dishes and some sal- hension vanished as I tasted the hints of rooms. Each ingredient retained their dis- let alone inedible pie in this town. The fre- ads. However, the classic margarita pizza of charring play off the subtle sweetness in the tinct flavor while still supporting the greater quently hand-tossed creations undoubtedly just tomato sauce and mozzarella seemed the crust in a harmony of crunchy delight. I soon good of the whole pie, which was a steal at benefit from the many former diaspora best and fairest way to assess Napoli’s entered a sauce full of zest that mingled with five euros. who’ve returned to spread the sizzling gospel prowess. the indulgence known as mozzarella. This Napoli Pizza might not be in the same cate- of crust, cheese and sauce gleaned from tours I was but a few sips into a big house red was a great pizza by any measure. It could in the West. But true greatness eludes most of gory as a place working with hand-pulled these crisp wheels of Italian bounty. This is from the ample selection of foreign and have used a little more crunch toward the fresh buffalo mozzarella, kobe bresaola and not to disparage the talents of the countless Kosovar wines when my pizza arrived. This middle, but it was a nearly perfect execution an oven excavated from Pompei. Nor should it local pizzaiolos. They deserve our gratitude was a very good sign. Despite the current in the Neapolitan tradition for merely three be. Napoli is about shear deliciousness, sim- for maintaining a standard that many cities slow-food fad, faster often is better in the case euro. ple and affordable. And in Prishtina, it towers should envy. of pizzas. Hot ovens mean less cooking time A Prishtina native and self-professed mar- above the competition. But they’ve got nothing on Napoli Pizza. and more importantly, a crust crisp encasing garita enthusiast declared between bites that The Sunny Hill stalwart has dispatched a a tender interior. it was the best he’d ever had in the city. mission to the centre, and it is nothing short Perhaps 40 centimeters across, the shear Napoli’s version of the mainstay shtëpise, of exceptional. size — Napoli’s only one — of this margarita or house, pizza also did not disappoint. Slices Napoli Pizza, off Luan Haradinaj The oven is the most striking feature of the pizza stunned me. It was enough to feed two. of spicy sausage did a brilliant job in the role 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Monday to Saturday. new Napoli. Flames from the brick pizza-bak- A layer of mozzarella glistened across this of pepperoni. Peppers seared by the baking 5 p.m. – 11 p.m, Sunday. ing apparatus glow behind the windows of flat expanse, having melted with perfection process, retaining their freshness. All sup- 045-402-402 / 049-402-402 the eatery, tucked away off Rr. Luan before a sprinkling of oregano sealed the ported by a chorus of ham, olives and mush- Delivers. Where to pick up Prishtina Insight? Hotel AFA Located in a quiet neighbourhood Prishtina Insight has teamed up with these six excellent venues to offer a limited number of complimentary copies of Kosovo’s just outside the city centre, Hotel Afa can guarantee guests a peaceful only English-language newspaper. Grab a copy of the publication and settle down with a drink or a meal to read it. night while being within walking distance of all the action. The venue Jinglebells Pizzeria Napoli has won a host of awards for its Cavallero Mexican Restaurant excellent service to customers and If your soul is affected by the grey sea- After ten years of making pizza in Napoli, and offers a good range of facilities, You can almost transport yourself to the son then pay a visit to Jinglebells, where only with love to blame, Fatmir the chef from an exclusive restaurant and Mexican coast, with soaring palm trees and an you will find all the colours that you’ve returned to Prishtina. His pizzas, made in a VIP bar to pretty, tranquil garden. immaculate five star resort, while dining at been missing. woodburn stove, are definitely genuine napoli- Rooms start at 45 euro for a single, Cavallero Mexican Cantina. Mouth-watering Jinglebells is a perfect one-stop-shop tanas. For those who consider pizza to be bor- and luxury rooms and apartments appetizers and savoury main dishes are nicely for internationals offering a selection of ing, Fatmir has several pastas on offer, also a are available. The hotel’s rooms are washed down with countless cocktail options books in various languages and the true joy for the taste buds. Napoli has an excel- well appoint- and even imported Mexican beer. Skopje-based quickest supply of international newspa- lent selection of red and white wines or, for the ed and com- ‘Los Ritmos’ entertain diners every Friday pers in town. It also offers souvenirs and more ambitious, one of the region's best quince fortable. and Saturday with their latin beats. For more gifts, such as raki. Napoli makes for 15, Rr Ali information, visit local handicrafts. delicious lunch, dinner Kelmendi, their facebook page, or even after-theatre Sunny or contact them. Jinglebells. time out in the centre Hill, Cavallero, Bookstore and of Prishtina. Prishtina Located next to the ex- more. +381 UNMIK building Ernest Koliqi Pizzeria Napoli 38/225 226 Prishtina 12, opposite off Luan Haradinaj, www. hote- +386 49 619 375 EULEX HQ opposite Newborn lafa. com Facebook page +386(0)49 741 170 044/409-402402

Cantina am-pm Restaurant Hotel Victory Te Komiteti Paddy O’Brien’s The staff at Paddy O’Brien’s have a saying: Cantina AM-PM, formerly known as Victory is more than a place to meet and Te Komiteti’s large trees and a “It’s easy to walk in, but very hard to leave.” Mexican Cantina, recently went do business. Its doors are always open for beautifully garden, which sur- And with its warm atmosphere, fantastic through a transfer to new management, guests to enjoy the tranquility of our guest round the small outdoor terrace, range of drinks and excellent food, it is easy to and although hardly noticeable from a rooms and lobbies, and the finest cuisine in give you an impression of an exclu- see why. distance, the new owners have trans- the region. The only hotel in the region sive place for ordinary people. And There have been many attempts to establish a formed the venue into a more grown-up where real plants, original art and fine solid this is exactly what it is. From proper Irish pub in Prishtina, but this is the only affair with good, cheap food. Cantina furniture decorate the space and turn it into brunch to lunch-time snacks and one to hit the spot. offers Mexican dishes at reasonable a homelike environment. Hotel Victory is special evening meals, this restau- From classic coffees to cocktails, via, of prices, starting from less than 5 euro. established to offer travellers the most com- rant offers dishes comprising quali- course, Guinness, you really wont find it diffi- Although the majority of the food is plete, comfortable accommodation available ty, varied ingredients, combined to cult to select the perfect drink. Mexican-influenced, Cesar salad and in Kosovo and the region. Our professional perfection. Alongside one of A mouth-watering menu of Irish specialties is pizza have been included too. Mexican staff will offer guests the highest standard Prishtina’s best ‘modern also on offer, spanning from all-day breakfasts to favourites served up at Cantina include of service and support, and we will use our European’ style Irish stews at night. tortilla, thicker resources to greater lengths to make your menus, you’ll Options include shepherd’s pie, bangers and pan-friend tortilla, stay as complete as possible. also find a good mash, fish ‘n chips, and whopping great burgers. nacho chips and selection of Thursday is pub quiz night, but there is burrito. Cantina’s Hotel Victory wine, and great always something going also offers a very Mother Teresa sangria and Prishtina, Kosovo on at the pub, whether it pleasant area for al cocktails . Tel: +381 38 543 277 is sport screenings or fresco dining. Te Komiteti +381 38 543 267 just a good shindig. Cantina AM-PM Qamil Hoxha Email: info@hotel- Paddy O’Brien’s Rr Qamil Hoxha Street Y victory.com Tringe Smajli Street, Prishtina Prishtina http://www.hotel- by the Illyria Hotel M +377 49 710 710 +381 38 24 96 63 C victory.com/ Prishtina: 045-420900 K By Shengjyl Osmani January 28 - February 10, 2011 17 in Prishtina Timeout Contact Prishtina Insight if you would like your event to feature or to advertise your venue. Email [email protected]

Theatre schedule National Theatre of Kosovo

Mehmet Ballkan, assisted by Lale Balkan, costumes by Tayfun Çebi, and music by Peter Tchaikovsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff. Thursday, February 3 and Friday, February 4, Play Rock’n’Roll, from Tom Stoppard, directed by Dino Mustafic Friday, January 28, 2011, Saturday, February 5, the National Theatre of Kosovo Eugene Ionesco’s play Martins will host the play Rock’n’Roll Couple will be played in the from the famous British author National Theatre of Kosovo, Tom Stoppard. The play is direct- directed by Bekim Lumi 29 December. ed by the Albanian-Bosnian Saturday, February 5, Lidhje Gjaku was put on stage director, Dino Mustafic, a suc- Kosovo Ballet Troupe will be in 1980 and marks a shift in cessful director in the region. performing Oh Zot [Oh God], by attention to individual dramatist Rock’n’Roll is his last text the choreographer Arthur in the context of family and from 2006. This modern play, Kuggeleyn, and music by social connections. takes place in Prague and Christian Meyer, in the National Thursday, February 10, ABC Cinema is broadcasting the movie Takers, everyday from 6, 8, Cambridge during the period Theatre in Kosovo, starting from Përgjuesi [listener], a stand-up and 10 pm. between the Prague Spring of 8 pm. comedy with Adem Mikullovc, to Takers takes you into the world of a notorious group of criminals 1968 and the Velvet Revolution of Sunday, February 6, be performed on the the small (Idris Elba, Paul Walker, T.I., Chris Brown, Hayden Christensen and 1989. It ends with the concert of Ballet play Dashuria që vret stag of the National Theatre. Michael Ealy) who continue to baffle police by pulling off perfectly the band Rolling Stones in 1990 [Love that kills], by the choreog- All the plays at the National executed bank robberies. They are in and out like clockwork, leaving in the Czech capital. rapher Ilir Kerni. Theatre start at 8 pm and are in no evidence behind and laying low between heists. But when they The last performance of this Monday, February 7, Albanian language, unless other- attempt to pull off one last job with more money at stake than ever excellent show will be on The play Më afër [Closer] from wise noted. For a complete before, the crew find their plans interrupted by a hardened detective Saturday, January 29, and Patrick Marber, directed by schedule of the plays, and more (Matt Dillon) who is hell-bent on solving the case. Monday, January 31, starting Kushtim Koliqi (small stage of detailed information, visit its ABC Cinema is continuing to broadcast the movie The Tourist with from 8 pm. the National Theatre). brand new web page Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp starting from 8 and 10 pm. Tuesday, February 8, http://www.teatrikombetar.eu/c During a trip to Europe, Frank meets Elise. Soon they both are Beselem pse me flijojnë from om. For ticket reservation call at involved in a chasing game through beautiful Paris and Venice. Rexhep Qosja, directed by Fatos 044 430 693, 038 224 397, or send an Berisha. email at [email protected], For ticket reservations or additional information contact them at 038 Wednesday, February 9, or visit the ticket place at the 243 117 or visit their web page www.kinoabc.info Lidhje gjaku from Sharon entry of the theatre every day Pollock, directed by Fadil Hysaj. from 10am to 12noon, or 5-8 pm. Lidhje Gjaku [blood link] from the popular Canadian author Sharon Pollock, directed by Fadil Hysaj. Includes prominent Kosovar actors: Irena Cahani, Hazir Myftari, Aurita Agushi, Lumnije Sopi, Bislim Muçaj, Lirak Celaj and Shpetim Tuesday, February 1 Kastrati. Play’s set designer is Duke pritur Godonë [Waiting by Austrian stylist Sylvia Weber, for Godo], a play by Samuel Vesa Kraja has designed the cos- Baket, directed by Drita Begolli. tumes, and Valton Beqiri has Wednesday, February 2, arranged the music. The play is The Ballet play Lidhja directed iby Kastriot Saqipi. The [Relationship], choreographer play will be repeated in 18, 28 and

Prishtina Diary:

Friday, January 28, 2011 Duplex Club will host a concert with the well known Albanian rock band from Macedonia, Elita 5. The concert starts from 10 pm. Friday, January 28, 2011 Full House Club hosting the best rapper from US, Nappy Paco, New York City and DJ Rafoo from Y Switzerland. Entry: 3 euro for men M and 2 euro for women. C K 18 January 28 - February 10, 2011 Feature

Prishtina Takes First Steps to Stub Out Smoking in Bars Five years after the introduction of an antismoking law requiring bars and restaurants to provide large non-smoking areas, some venues are finally act- ing under threat of massive fines. increasing number of venues in ers and fire extinguishers. For said. “There is a reason why the expect it might damage our busi- Prishtina have begun displaying Prishtina’s glut of small drinking Albanian word for ‘to drink’ is the ness,” said Amélie’s Ben. no-smoking signs. dens, this part of the regulation same as it is for ‘to smoke’ [pi]. Rizvanolli is slightly more opti- By Inge Baanders The popular café chain Amélie may prove impossible. Can you imagine drinking a raki mistic. “If not everybody complies was among the first to adopt a Burim Rizvanolli of the upmar- and not smoking a cigarette?” it will affect our business but oth- complete smoking ban. ket restaurant Te Komiteti said: “Of course I would miss my cig- erwise I see no reason why it Nisim Ben, Amélie’s owner, told “The fact that areas have to be arette but if I want one I will just would,” he argued. nce a haven for committed Prishtina Insight that reactions physically divided is a problem for go outside.” But, he continued, “I But for long-suffering non-smok- smokers, Balkan countries Ohave one by one been limit- from customers had been mixed. small bars. The law should either will probably smoke less.” ers the move is a godsend. Emma ing or outlawing smoking in pub- “Although many do appreciate it, require a complete smoking ban or James Leigh, who works for an Kay, deputy Dutch Ambassador, is lic places. we have experienced some disap- allow some small places to be NGO in Prishtina, disagrees. “I one of them. “During winter, when Now, even Kosovo is getting in pointed customers,” he said. smoking.” don’t think people will smoke less, the smoke becomes even more on the act. Having ignored a 2005 The law stipulates that the Guri Shkodra, one of they will simply stay at home.” unbearable, I avoid going into law which demands that all restau- smoking area must be physically Prishtina’s fervent smokers and This is the reaction many busi- restaurants and bars,” she said. rants and bars provide at least 70 isolated from the rest of the venue owner of the Crème de la Crème nesses are afraid of. “As the major- “This seems like a positive devel- per cent of their space to non- and equipped with air condition- bar, agrees. “70/30 is a joke,” he ity of people in Kosovo smoke, I opment.” smokers, venues are now being forced to think again after the Café Review: Ministry of Health issue a warn- ing this month that non-compli- ance will result in hefty fines. According UN estimates, month- ly cigarette consumption in the small country weighs in at 300 Furra Lumi tonnes, and it has proved almost impossible to date to find smoke- free zones in restaurants, hotels or years in the making and still even taxis. offers great homemade baked “From the beginning of products, with no additives. February, health inspectors will By Shengjyl Osmani The shop also makes avail- visit the field to see whether the able different jams, honey and law is implemented,” the ministry cheese, which you can add to cautioned earlier this month, say- the tasty pastries and eat in fter fifteen years of store. ing that breaches will be met with excelling at organic bak- a 5,000 euro fine. Shop-owners Luz and Merita Aing, Furra Lumi is Mita strenuously monitor all According to the ministry, it has branching out into the world of products being sold at the bak- decided to start implementing the cafes. This means you can now ery to ensure everything con- law now because “resistance enjoy their delicious food sumed is of the highest quality. against the law has started to alongside a macchiato in the This has earned Lumi the Y decrease after raising awareness stylishly designed venue. reputation as one of the best M among the population [about the The new place, opposite the bakeries in town. C dangers of smoking]”. original bakery, has been three All the products from Lumi K In preparation for this, an 19 Inside Prishtina January 28 - February 10, 2011 Shop Review Atle Andersen Jinglebells of the Norwegian Embassy In desperate need of an original birthday present? Looking for souvenirs for your family, friends or yourself? Or simply browsing the international newspapers? Jinglebells, bookstore and more, is the place to be. souvenir, which is then nicely frostbitten, Jinglebells also has international books, including wrapped. a selection of homemade raki language-learning books, and The shop offers a wide selec- (“rrushi”, grape) on offer in films, and wide selection of By Inge Baanders tion of souvenirs, ranging from beautifully designed bottles; magazines and newspapers in simple postcards and the ubiq- this traditional drink is always various languages, including uitous flags to vases and paint- a good gift and definitely some- Italian, French, German, ings. You will find it difficult to thing you need either when you English and Albanian, will stop inglebells opened a few resist the gorgeous, handmade leave Kosovo or simply when you getting bored. months ago opposite jewellery on display - including you prepare yourself for a grim Jinglebells, bookstore and JEULEX, a few minutes out- Kosovo’s ancient metal-work- winter’s evening. more, is definitely worth a of: the Eyes through Prishtina side Prishtina’s city centre. ing craft of filigree. Should you prefer a warm visit. Don’t be fooled by its Entering the small, cosy shop Jinglebells is well equipped cup of tea with honey, modest exterior; its large selec- is a blissful escape from the to help you through the cold Jinglebells sells a variety of tion of gifts will make it diffi- glass and brick jungle of weather and wintry evenings. homemade honey from cult to keep your purse shut. Prishtina. The shop sells charming, Gjakova, Kosovo’s historic city The friendly staff speak colourful traditional socks and in the south-west. Jinglebells. Bookstore and English and German and are shawls which are guaranteed to When it’s cold and dark out- more. more than happy to explain the keep you warm – and all at rea- side, curling up on the sofa is Ernest Koliqi 12, opposite background of various items sonable prices. often all you can face. EULEX HQ and help you choose the perfect If you’re feeling especially Jinglebells’ modest section of +386(0)49 741 170

What surprised you most about Prishtina? That the city was so lively all the time. There are a lot of peo- ple in cafés, bars and in the streets even on a Tuesday morning. I really did not expect this.

What’s your favorite hang- out? I am trying to discover new places every week – which is easy! However, I am ending up at the Mexican place Cavallero a lot. Others nice places are Paddy O`Brien’s, especially for watching sport, and Créme de la Créme on a late Saturday.

Do you do anything cultur- al? That depends on the defini- tion, but I think I do a lot: Concert with Nouvelle Vogue, salsa nights at Cuba, hiking in Rugova Valley, several really nice movie festivals. And per- haps the most extensive; I am exploring the Balkan wine cul- ture a lot... This weekend we Jinglebells does a good line in souvenirs for those difficlut coming-home presents are going on a wine tour to the Tikves region in Macedonia.

What is the most annoying thing about Prishtina? The garbage pretty much everywhere. If you were mayor of Prishtina for the day what [Lumi Bakery] would you change? One day limits the opportuni- are baked in German ovens, ties. I would have tried to make combining Teutonic efficiency a plan for garbage recycling. with Kosovar recipes. Lumi also delivers some of its How many macchiatos do products to local restaurants you drink a day? and bars, but mostly produces a Probably one a day. Plus a limited number of goods in couple of big black ones, if I order to have fresh ones each manage to explain it to the day. waiter. The new “Furra Lumi” is located in front of the old bak- What’s the tastiest ery, on Anton Çetta, next to the Kosovar food? former Restaurant ‘Rugova’. Flija – great stuff and it The other is in front of the keeps you going for a long time! Y Philological Faculty. For any What landmark do you use to M orders visit their stores, or call tell taxi drivers where you live? C them at 044 278 550. The National Museum. K If you would like your NGO to appear in 20 January 28 - February 10, 2011 our Making a Difference feature, please Community Focus email [email protected] The main findings of BIRN’s monitoring process during December 2010 Chief inspector Zef Komani Kosovo’s Chamber of Advocates, which is persons, organ trafficking, organised crime the highest lawyer’s institution in Kosovo, and unlawful exercise of medical activity. Two lay judges absent from hear- at the Ministry should now investigate and initiate discipli- The doctors used to work in Medicus, a ing in Peja Municipal Court of Health sentenced for nary action which may result in Gashi hav- private medical centre, where it is alleged ing his licence removed. According to the that poor people from Kosovo and other In case P.nr:243/08 on “Grievous Bodily corruption Law on the Bar, which regulates the activity countries sold their organs, mainly kidneys, Harm”, at the Municipal Court in Peja, of the Bar and its organisation, the Board of after receiving promises of large payments. The former chief inspector of the Health BIRN’s monitors noted numerous impor- the Chamber of Advocates can decide to The organs were then transplanted to for- Inspectorate Office within at the Ministry of tant violations of the Criminal Procedure remove a lawyer from the Bar registry if he eign nationals paying large sums of money. Health, Zef Komani, was sentenced to one Code of Kosovo (CPCK). or she is convicted by an adjudication Two other doctors, an Israeli and a year and eight months in jail for corruption According to the CPCK, a trial panel entailing more than six months in prison. Turkish national, are believed to be key fig- and abuse of his official position. should be composed of one judge and two On the day the sentence was delivered, ures in the organ trafficking case. The At the time of the unlawful activity, lay judges when judging criminal offences Gashi told media he was not in court for his Turkish doctor, Yusuf Sonmez, was arrested Komani was responsible for inspecting pri- carrying a sentence of more than three own case, but instead was there in relation in Turkey earlier this month, and has been vate clinical centres, whether they conform years. The Peja District Court began pro- to a client’s case. released on bail while the Turkish authori- to the laws and health regulations of the ceedings without the two requisite lay Gashi, who is one of the most well-known ties consider the case. judges in a case carrying a sentence of up to Ministry of Health. Komani issued and lawyers in Kosovo, serves as legal advisor to five years. Moreover, the court continued threatened to issue huge fines for certain Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi. private medical clinics on grounds of Kaçanik extortion trial continues proceedings although one of the parties breach of health regulations. The clinics Numerous irregularities in court’s involved in the case was not present during could avoid these fines by paying Komani The Kaçanik extortion trial, with the hearing, another violation of the CPCK. thousands of euros for his “silence” at the proceedings for former Minister of Kaçanik’s mayor Xhabir Zharku as one of ministry. A citizen, who owned a private Communities and Returns the suspects, has proceeded with a witness Addresses remain key problem in medical centre, paid Komani 2,500 euros to statement. The witness, who is also the injured party, delivering official documents to avoid a 12,000 euro fine. Months later, Former Minister of Communities and Komani approached the citizen, asking for Returns Slavisa Petkovic, together with ten described a meeting he had with the sus- parties another 2,500 euros in order not to receive a other suspects, is being tried on charges of pects and said he received a death threat huge fine from the ministry. The citizen corruption, abuse of his official position, from Xhabir Zharku. In 2006, two Kosovo cit- In Kaçanik Municipal Court, a hearing agreed to meet Komani and hand over the falsification of official documents and fraud izens won a bid in the privatisation process was postponed because the court invitations money. He also informed the police about in office. The allegations refer to the time of a farm and land near Kaçanik. It is to the parties were not delivered. Instead of this, which resulted in Komani being arrest- when Petkovic served as a minister in the alleged that the injured parties were threat- sending the invitation to the defendant, the ed for receiving bribes. Kosovo Government. ened and extorted to withdraw their win- Court sent it to the Kosovo Trust Agency. Komani argued that the money he Due to numerous violations of procedure, ning offer, in order for the defendants to win The problem with addresses is known to received from the plaintiff was for purposes the first hearing of the case was postponed; the tender as second bidders. all Kosovo courts. The root cause is the lack of completing some documentation for a the defendants had not received the invita- of an updated and complete database of new clinical centre, which the plaintiff was tion for the hearing on time and lawyers had Low number of prosecutors addresses held by the Post and planning to open soon. Komani’s lawyer also not received indictments of their clients. makes courts and prosecutorial Telecommunications of Kosovo. argued that his client is a professional and One of the lawyers, quoting financial rea- responsible person, noting some cases sons, resigned from defending his client. offices less efficient Good Practice: For the first time, where Komani had issued fines against The court decided to postpone the hearing. Prishtina District Court records a some clinics where his relatives work. Another suspect in this case includes The low number of prosecutors is evident Branislav Grbic, who replaced Petkovic at after the reappointment process and has a case audio-visually Lawyer Tomë Gashi sentenced to the Ministry of Communities and Returns. negative impact on the efficiency of courts six months for obstructing police and prosecutorial offices in Kosovo. BIRN monitors have noted good practice Medicus case trial The Municipal Court of Vushtrri was in the Prishtina District Court. After a officers unable to continue a hearing on a case lawyer’s complaints on the record drafted The first hearing in the Medicus case, the because the public prosecutor was absent. on a previous hearing, the Court started Tomë Gashi, a lawyer from Prishtina, has confirmation hearing of the indictment of The public prosecutor assigned to that case audio recording. The defendant had said been found guilty of obstructing police offi- seven doctors, was postponed because some had also been assigned to another case in that the written record did not represent all cers while on duty in an incident in a relevant documents were missing. the Municipal Court of Skenderaj. The that had been said during the previous ses- Prishtina restaurant which occurred more After nearly three years of investigation Municipal Court of Drenas also suffers sion. According to the Criminal Procedure than four years ago, and sentenced to six by Kosovo Police and UNMIK Police, the from this problem, with prosecutors arriv- Code of Kosovo, all trials should be audio months in jail, suspended for one year. doctors are facing charges for trafficking in ing late and trials having to be postponed. and/or video recorded. Fundraising Drive for Child Emergency Care According to Mary Packer, pro- Additionally, AIHA’s project Kosovo’s Rotary Clubs, which have to be held on February 12. “The gramme director at the American focuses on an educational compo- been very supportive of the proj- programme includes classical International Health Alliance, the nent, both to raise community ect. music, dinner, an auction of donat- By Inge Baanders current facilities are inadequate. awareness of the importance of The Prishtina International ed items and then dancing,” “At present, children must be antenatal care through patient Rotary Club is one of them. Philip explains Smith. “So far, almost 100 taken to the general emergency education and community out- Smith of the Club told Prishtina people have made reservations to ne of Kosovo’s imminent centre, an extremely busy unit and reach, and on clinical training. For Insight: “Last fall, we heard about join what we believe will be the challenges lies in its health- far from an ideal environment for the latter, AIHA co-operates with the problems with emergency care social event of the season.” Ocare system, with infant and sick children with needs different experts from Emory University in for children in Kosovo and we With the gala, the Rotary hopes maternal mortality rates among the from adults. The small area set Atlanta, Georgia. immediately agreed to support to raise 8-10,000 euro. highest in Europe. Its health infra- aside for children is just one cor- “To date, there have been three AIHA’s project.” Packer is optimistic: “It would structure is poorly developed and ner of a larger room and often has visits of five specialists to provide In an effort to raise money for be a great achievement to see the struggles with a lack of necessary to become an overflow space for training and guidance to local the project, the Rotary Club is paediatric emergency room in equipment and clinical training and adult patients,” she said. emergency specialists and paedia- organising its first ever gala event, operation by the end of 2011.” expertise. AIHA seeks to establish a paedi- tricians,” explains Packer, stress- In 2009, the American atric emergency room with, among ing the importance of this aspect International Health Alliance others, observation, resuscitation of the project. “None of the emer- launched the three-year, USAID- and intervention areas. The gency specialists had received sub- supported Partnership to Improve Clinical Centre’s management is specialty training in paediatric the Health of Women and Children supportive and currently working emergency medicine prior to this in Kosovo. The project aims to with AIHA to identify a suitable project.” improve maternal and child area for the emergency room. The One of AIHA’s partners is the Y healthcare, in particular the quali- room, with an estimated capacity Livermore Rotary Club from M ty of delivery of paediatric emer- for treating 9,000 children a year, Oakland, California. One of the C gency care at the University will be specially equipped to be club’s former presidents visited K Clinical Centre of Kosovo. able to respond to children’s needs. Kosovo in 2009 to meet members of January 28 - February 10, 2011 21 Community Focus If you would like your NGO to appear in our Making a Difference feature, please email [email protected] I don’t know how many of the bun- dled women on the streets, with their hands stretched out to you, go back to homes like hers, facing the multiple challenges of poverty, illiteracy and institutions which don’t do what they are required by law. The People on the Pavement But these kids weren’t from burned, and they invited me in to I’ve had some more glimpses into to help her as much as they can, and Kosovo, and they weren’t that poor their home. We went past the old their life, their compromises. I dis- Gjelane is determined to learn the anyway: my friends’ reassurances car door panels which make an covered that Hateme can’t read or stuff her brothers are coming home By Elizabeth Gowing allowed me to walk through town improvised fence around the write, though Agron can – he’s with. with a light heart - and the occa- home, past the overflowing latrine, showed me his school leaving cer- One Thursday we brought her a sional extra glow when I was able the cold water tap outside which is tificate. “Education is the most workbook for the first grade in to give away one of my pathetic their only source of water, to a sin- important gift you can have,” he school; when we returned on the It’s a Roma begging ring – packs of pencils. gle room, three metres by three told me solemnly. following Tuesday she had finished organised crime’, ‘they make No-one likes having their com- metres, where the whole family “Yes; do your children work hard every exercise. Her mum had start- ‘quite a lot of money; they’re not fortable certainties rocked, so lives and sleeps. Inside, the chil- at school?” I asked. He looked ed carefully tracing the alphabet really that poor’, ‘they’re not from apologies for the family I’m about dren were eating their lunch off uncomfortable. No, the children too. Kosovo, you know – they’re bussed to introduce you to. I met them in the floor – serious 9 year-old didn’t go to school. Her mum is pregnant again; I in from Albania’, ‘giving them October, when we had some Gjelane, her mischievous brothers “But you’ve just told me that edu- congratulated her when she told money just encourages them.’ clothes and materials to give away aged 7 and 6, the subdued 3 year-old cation is the most important gift me, but she frowned. ‘I didn’t want Walk for more than a few blocks and asked staff at the Balkans who’d been burned, and a two year- you can have.” I asked him. He ges- to be pregnant. Look at the space in Prishtina and you will come Sunflowers community centre in old giggly sister, Elhame. The chil- tured at his kids’ feet. “They’ve got here. Sixty euros a month?’ across a dark-skinned figure hud- Fushë Kosovë whether there were dren are smaller than you’d expect no shoes. They can’t go to school I don’t know how many families dled on the pavement muttering families locally who might be in for their age, and some of them like that.” there are in Kosovo like Hateme’s. I prayers to God and to passers-by, need. “Not all, no, but there are have swollen bellies, the signs of In November we sorted out shoes don’t know how many of the bun- with hands outstretched for chari- some people who could do with malnutrition. for the 6 and 7 year old boys and dled women on the streets, with ty. Many of these people begging help,” we were told. We were taken The family made polite conversa- they have registered to start school their hands stretched out to you, go have children cradled in their by them to knock on the door of tion – asked me about my family in September this year, and already back to homes like hers, facing the arms; many of them are children Hateme and Agron, an Ashkali and my work, and I asked them a began catch-up classes run by multiple challenges of poverty, illit- themselves. couple who received the bag of bit more about themselves. They Balkan Sunflowers to get them eracy and institutions which don’t When I arrived in Kosovo, like clothes with polite thanks. live on 60 euros a month of social ready. do what they are required by law. lots of people, I worried about Just walking to their home welfare. That’s less than 9 euros per Gjelane has shoes too, but it I don’t say that giving money to what I could do in the face of such expanded my understanding of person per month; that’s basically turns out she can’t start school in Hateme outside the mosque on need, expressed explicitly from the Kosovo. Kids in this neighbour- not possible. So Agron goes out September: two years have passed Fridays will solve the problems - street corner, asked of me directly. hood, on a cold autumn day, were rooting through the bins in since she should have registered, though I know it will mean that the I asked Kosovar friends, and peo- running around barefoot in mud Prishtina for scrap metal to sell on. and so she won’t be accepted unless kids will eat that weekend. But ple who had lived here a while. and through rubbish heaps. The And Hateme begs, outside the she passes a test. when I’ve visited Hateme I drive Their answers, at the beginning of rubbish is a dominant feature of Xhamia e Llapit mosque on Until last week she couldn’t even the ten minutes home to the capital this article, will be familiar to you. their area – not just the drifts of Fridays, taking Elhame with her. I write her name, so it’s not likely in disbelief and shame that it took So perhaps there was nothing I plastic bags that make you tut on thought about what my friends had she will pass the test. By law, me four years living here before I could do; I was certainly dissuaded many a city street or road verge in told me and wondered about the Municipal Education Departments met the people who had been call- from giving any cash. I started car- Kosovo, but great piles of it, as three year old’s burns – “Do you should provide accelerated learn- ing out from Prishtina’s pave- rying small packs of coloured high as the houses, with dogs snuf- take Ramadan with you too?” ing out-of-school for pupils like her, ments. crayons in my handbag to give to fling through them, along with the Hateme frowned like any mother but at the moment such state-fund- children asking for money – I reck- occasional adventurous toddler. would. “Of course not – it would be ed education isn’t available in Elizabeth Gowing is a founder oned that couldn’t count as sup- I returned on another occasion too uncomfortable for him with his Kosovo - you miss school for two member of The Ideas Partnership, porting organisd crime, or encour- to take some prescription ointment burns, to sit in the cold.” years, and you’ve missed your a Kosovan NGO working on educa- aging dependency, and at least it to Agron and Hateme for their son I’ve been back to visit Hateme chance forever. tional, cultural and environmental honoured the childhood of the who I had heard had been badly and the kids a number of times. Balkan Sunflowers are offering projects. She can be reached at kids who were approaching me. [email protected] 22 January 28 - February 10, 2011 opinion With a little help from Kosovo’s friends to cover all polling stations. report is very damaging both to This sort of election observa- the image of Kosovo – having been tion does not actually constitute widely covered by international By Seb Bytyci monitoring in the real sense media - and to the internal demo- because observers are not perma- cratic process. nently present during the voting First, it contains several sweep- process. However, it allows fraud- ing prejudiced generalisations osovo is facing some pretty sters to say that the results are about Albanians, sounding simi- big challenges for such a legitimate because the interna- lar to the view promoted in Serbia Knew and small country. It is tional observers said that the for a long time that Albanians can- currently wrapping up an election process was 'generally good' – hav- not create a functional society. process that has turned sour. Its ing missed all the bad parts. This Internally, the report has drawn poll results look unlikely to pro- is a serious issue; one solution is duce a stable government. It is fac- attention away from the election to have full international observa- ing new talks with its adversary process, allowing many politi- tion missions in the future with Serbia. And on top of all this, a cians to revert to the nationalistic report by Council of Europe rap- static observers in every polling rhetoric to distract from their par- porteur Dick Marty accuses some station. ties’ behaviour during the elec- of its political leaders of involve- Democracy in Action, the moni- tions. Coming prior to negotia- ment in organ trafficking during toring mission made up of a coali- tions with Serbia in which and after the war. tion of local NGOs, did not ensure Kosovo's leaders are expected to fast and accurate reporting of the make concessions, the report Electoral fraud process. It suffered from internal could not be more badly timed – divisions and some of its member Fraud during December’s gener- and any concessions are now con- NGOs were perceived to have loy- siderably less likely with so many al elections occurred primarily in alties to different political parties. the strongholds of two of Kosovo’s of Kosovo’s politicians on the Moreover, observers on the ground defensive. former “war parties”, the PDK and often in effect work for certain the AAK, although it also hap- So this dialogue with Serbia has political parties, especially in the inevitably been delayed. Right pened elsewhere. party strongholds. The fraud in the strongholds is now, it is not realistically a priori- Now three NGOs have left the ty for Kosovo. Kosovo is now at a important because Kosovo is one coalition, and there will probably electoral zone. It does not matter disadvantage because it will be be a new coalition of NGOs for more difficult to compose a com- where votes are from – or, for some election monitoring. how they are cast. And for the par- petent team for the dialogue with What was remarkable in this all the political tension that has ties, it is easier to commit fraud in process was the deafening silence their strongholds, where pretty built up. Such a team must have of Kosovo’s friends before the elec- the backing of the Kosovo much all the commissioners and tion, although concerns were Assembly since any new govern- even observers are loyal to one being raised about possible fraud. ment coming out of these dam- party. International representatives and aged elections will suffer a lack of The solution is to split Kosovo in ambassadors of friendly countries legitimacy in the eyes of the elec- several constituencies, so that have great influence with Kosovo’s torate. each region has members of the political leaders. But no one pub- assembly responsible to their pop- licly warned any party leader that ulations or constituencies. This Kosovo’s friends would not toler- Friends in a time of need system would be more representa- ate the manipulation of the free It is therefore time for Kosovo’s tive and more democratic. will of the citizens. If this had hap- friends to revitalise their engage- Minorities would not lose out pened, Kosovo would probably be ment in Kosovo. The European because they would not be subject- having an easier time of it now. Parliament took an important step ed to thresholds. On the contrary, when it adopted a resolution call- such a system would encourage Flags of friendly countries flap along Mother Teresa Boulevard, Prishtina New government ing for dialogue with Serbia not to the minorities to go out and vote, include the issue of the status of even more the case when the cur- The problems with the elections Kosovo. The European rent reserved seats expire after are not the last of Kosovo’s woes, Commission, the President, and this parliament, as provided in the however. It will be very difficult to the High Representative should Ahtisaari package. form a stable government. take the initiative to ensure that Fraud happened in other The anti-PDK rhetoric among all member states recognise the regions as well, but usually in vil- the other Albanian parties is independence of Kosovo. This lages where the entire village is aggressive, while the largest Serb would create a more level playing loyal to one party. And throughout party, the Independent Liberal field for the dialogue with Serbia. Kosovo, manipulation of the vote Party, SLS, is the PDK’s most reli- And, the EU and its member states for candidates within a party is able partner now. The AAK is should increase their support to the norm. quite interested in joining the gov- EULEX to fight corruption and After the revoting in several ernment, but they are unsure how municipalities, the PDK, although such a move would impact on their organised crime. This includes still the largest party, comes out party’s future. A grand coalition prosecuting those responsible for the principal loser, and it seems between the PDK and the LDK is electoral fraud. did not manage to increase its sup- possible but not very likely, and While the role of the US in port since the 2007 general elec- would happen only under severe Kosovo remains irreplaceable, it tion. The biggest winner in this international pressure. must call on all its allies that have election is, of course, More likely seems to be a nation- not recognised Kosovo to do so. Vetevendosje. al coalition of all parliamentary And it must assure Kosovo’s citi- (and even some non-parliamen- zens that the US is committed to Election observations tary) parties, probably except Kosovo’s democracy by insisting Vetevendosje. A 'technical govern- on the prosecution of those sus- The ENEMO international ment' is also possible, but only pected of vote fraud. observation mission made up of with the support of a solid majori- It is crucial for Kosovo’s closest several NGOs from abroad, moni- ty of the parliamentary parties, allies to understand that the cur- tored the December 12 2010 elec- because formally such a thing is rent electoral system must be tions, but their mission structure not mentioned in the constitution changed. And, that Kosovo should is problematic. and could be opposed. not be pressured into creating a Before the elections, concerns government which will not have were raised regarding ENEMO’s Mr Marty and ‘dialogue’ sufficient legitimacy and one that small number of observers, unsur- would collapse soon. Kosovo needs Y prising given the short time period with Serbia its friends more than ever to help M to organise extraordinary elec- Council of Europe rapporteur it through these stormy times. C tions. They only have mobile Dick Marty's report was published Let’s hope that its friends are not K observers and not nearly enough amid all this uncertainty. The only for fair weather. January 28 - February 10, 2011 23 Classified Contact Prishtina Insight if you would like to advertise Email [email protected]

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