Opinion: Media Freedom and Its Enemies in the Balkans

May 20 - June 2, 2011 Issue No. 64 www.prishtinainsight.com Price € 1 NEWS Serbian Negotiator From Pushes Talks on 'Big Issues' Newborn > page 3 to the BUSINESS Frivolous Pimpsons Government Interview: In 2008, Fisnik Spending Under Ismaili created the NEW- Spotlight BORN monument, an icon > page 7 of hope. Today, he is the brains behind the NEIGHBOURHOOD Pimpsons, an acerbic look Albania Opposition at Kosovo's politics three Blocks Roads in years after independence. Protest See Pages 4-5 > page 9 INVESTIGATION Kosovo Spurned Legal Advice on The Bear Game “Dangerous” Highway Deal > page 14-15 Authorities ignored legal advice warning it strongly against signing a contract with Bechtel-Enka to construct the coun- INSIDE PRISHTINA try’s first highway, according to a leaked document Prishtina Insight has obtained. Curtain Rises The law firm pointed out numer- ences between the highlighted with Albania’s first highway, also By Lawrence Marzouk ous areas where the standard con- problematic clauses and the final built by Bechtel-Enka and finished on Stand-Up tract for major infrastructure proj- contract, released for the first time in 2009, to form a so-called “patri- he deal to build Kosovo’s ects, the Federation of Consulting this week by the opposition otic highway” running all the way Comedy first highway, worth at least Engineers’ Red Book, had been Vetevendosje party. from Pristina to Tirana. 700 million euro, is heavily in Prishtina T amended “in a completely one- Eversheds was paid 1.7 million From the start, Bechtel-Enka weighted in favour of the contrac- sided way”. euro to provide advice to the gov- was seen as the runaway favourite tor, Bechtel Enka, and broke the > page 18 terms of the tender, according to The company provided the ernment. to land the job in Kosovo, so there the government’s own legal advi- advice at the end of January 2010. was little surprise when the gov- sors. Although the final contract was Tender subject: ernment in January 2010 A document drafted by not signed until April 2010, announced that the US-Turkish Eversheds, a respected British law sources close to the negotiation A tender to build Kosovo’s first consortium had won. firm brought in by the government process admitted that many of highway, linking Morine on the The only other bidder, Strabag Kosovo’s only English-language to help with negotiations, which Eversheds’ suggested changes to Albanian border with Merdare on of Austria, had offered a set price newspaper is available: Prishtina Insight has obtained, the contract were not made. the Serbian border, was launched of 1.3 billion for the full highway. warned that signing the contract This is confirmed by Prishtina in September 2009. Delivered to would be “extremely dangerous”. Insight’s own analysis of differ- The road was devised to link up continues page 2 Your Door

Willow Wands and Kosovo Customs Lose From Newsstands Slaughtered Sheep: Millions in Import Scam across Kosovo

“It's Hederlezi, after all!” The head of Kosovo customs, Naim Sent To Huruglica, says criminals are stealing mil- Your Inbox “Lukas, get in! Where are you going?” lions of euro for the country as part of a asks curly-haired, 25-year-old Driton huge fraud scheme involving exports from through the tiny window of his tiny white Turkey to Kosovo. From car. Statistics obtained by Prishtina Insight our partners “To Plemetina, to the social housing,” I show a discrepancy of around answer, happy that someone... culture page 12-13 business 60 million euro a year... page 6 see page 16 for more info

is supported by: 2 May 20 - June 2, 2011 investigation Kosovo Spurned Legal Advice on “Dangerous” Highway Deal

from page 1 remains to be seen, and should be closely monitored,” he added. But according to a document A spokeswoman for Bechtel- obtained by this newspaper, Enka defended their bid, saying it Eversheds warned the government was a “compliant proposal that met that Bechtel’s offer broke the terms the requirements of the govern- of the tender and suggested that ment’s tender dossier. the procurement process might “Based on our innovative techni- have to be rerun. This advice cal solutions and competitive offer, appears to have been ignored. the GoK selected BEGP [Bechtel While the Kosovo government Enka General Partnership] as the had stipulated that bidders had to winning bidder in December 2009,” Eversheds warned the government it was being asked to take on too much risk compared to the contractor provide a fixed price for the work, she told Prishtina Insight. Bechtel-Enka proposed a “remea- “BEGP was proud to be the suc- build a key section of its highway also pay for customs duties of Until then, Hashim Thaci’s gov- sureable” offer - containing per- cessful bidder from this open and from the port of Durres to Kosovo imported equipment, representing ernment had refused to make it unit prices for the materials but no transparent international tender, at a cost of 418 million euro. costs of 25 million euro and 10 mil- public, citing commercial confiden- total cost. which we won as a result of provid- As with the subsequent Kosovo lion euro respectively - despite tiality. “BEJV [Bechtel Enka Joint ing the lowest price and best tech- contract, the deal was remeasure- Eversheds’ suggestion that these Ahmeti told Prishtina Insight Venture]’s tender is not compliant nical solution,” she continued. able and the final cost for the work areas should be looked at. that Bechtel-Enka had outmanoeu- with the tender dossier,” Eversheds “We are now working with the came in at more than 1 billion The cost of the final deal signed vred the government. wrote. “BEJV have simply ignored government to deliver the motor- euro. with Bechtel Enka also climbed “On one side we have a govern- the requirement to provide a way in accordance with our agree- Concerns were raised when from 400 million to 660 million euro ment with weak institutions and on design and build solution (a fixed ment and complete the first sec- Kosovo entered into a similar deal after four months of negotiations. the other side we have a multi- price lump sum).” tions well ahead of the original pro- in 2010, but the government batted The Ministry of Economy of national and experienced company The original offer of 400 million gramme.” away criticism. Finance and the IMF have subse- that buys the best lawyers that can euro, Eversheds cautioned, was Minister of Economy Bedri Eversheds’ document reveals, quently placed the cost at 1 billion be affordable,” he said. “nothing more than a non-binding Hamza told Prishtina Insight that however, that it was extremely euro, a figure the Ministry of “The result is that the contract estimate”. completely favours the company Eversheds wrote that the deci- and is not favourable to the govern- sion to accept a remeasureable con- ment,” he added. tract had “procurement law impli- He said Bechtel was not to blame cations” and said “it may be neces- for trying to maximise its profits; sary to inform other tender- the government was to blame for ers/potential tenderers. not protecting the public interest. “The most important thing is “They may also want and be enti- The contract with Bechtel-Enka including a number of costs to the government beyond what it usually expected in such deals tled to tender on a remeasurement that this contract does not have a basis,” the law firm wrote. fixed price,” he added. “We don’t Andrea Capussela, until recently Bechtel-Enka had fulfilled all the worried that costs would balloon Transport disputes. know how much this project will one of the highest ranked diplo- tender criteria. as a result of the deal negotiated. Claims that expenditures have cost. mats working in Kosovo, a special- “If there was something wrong It warned that the overall cost of also been capped also appear ques- “The government says it will cost ist in economics, said he also found all other bidding companies had a the highway could be more than tionable. 700 million euro, the contract is the shifting standards for the ten- chance to meet the respective bod- double the 400 million euro fee on While the Kosovo government signed for 659 million euro, but der disturbing. He agreed that the ies to make a claim,” he said. the basis of which Bechtel Enka has the right to refuse the construc- there is space in the contract that deal was “seriously flawed” and to “Everything was within procure- was selected. tion of any section if the design allows Bechtel-Enka to exceed this the “detriment of Kosovo’s govern- ment rules.” Eversheds warned that this vari- costs provided by Bechtel are 20 per amount,” he explained. “In the end, ment. He added that it is normal that able type of contract offered no cent higher than those stipulated in we don’t know how much this proj- “The construction contract was changes to a project result in certainty about price and that the the contract, costs for each section ect will cost.” negotiated after the winning bidder revised costs. risk and responsibilities being can increase after construction is had been chosen, when the negoti- “Even in contracts worth less the shifted to the government from agreed due to a range of reasons. Get-out clause? ating power of the government was laws allows for deviations within Bechtel-Enka would result in These vary from unexpected lowest,” he told the Prishtina daily foreseen limits.” much higher costs. problems with the terrain to design Perhaps Eversheds greatest con- Koha Ditore last month. Hamza also said that Kosovo’s While some of these “onerous” failures. These extra costs, accord- cern in its memo to the govern- “A competitive bidding process government had taken a fair share conditions were later removed ing to the contract, will be borne ment was that Kosovo was signing would have required fully compara- of the risk, adding that “so far we from the final contract, the con- almost entirely by the government. up to a contract for the full high- ble offers based on the same con- haven’t paid any penalty”. tract obtained by this newspaper Eversheds points out that under way – not to sections, as was origi- tractual terms, so that the selection shows many worrying elements the contract, the government takes nally planned, despite the fact the can be made only on price, execu- Final cost unknown: remained in place. full responsibility for the design of funds were not in place to pay for tion speed and some technical spec- For example, the government the route, adding a potential esti- it. ifications. The Albanian government agreed to pay to set up quarries mated extra cost of 50 to 100 million The then transport minister, “How high the price will rise brought in Bechtel-Enka in 2006 to and depots for Bechtel-Enka and euro if problems arise because of Fatmir Limaj, claimed following defects in this area. the signing of the final deal that The government is also required the government could pull out to pay for all design changes aris- after the first two sections were ing from “unexpected ground con- finished. ditions”, unlike the cost sharing But examination of the contract mechanism that is usually includ- reveals that the government can ed in such contracts. only put on hold - not cancel - the “The BEJV amendments are construction of other sections, additional risks for the MTC and can only do that if it can prove [Ministry of Transport and that funds are not available. Communications],” Eversheds Bechtel-Enka requires a letter wrote. “In large part they should be from the Ministry of Finance con- resisted since we cannot advise firming the financial situation that they are a reasonable commer- before the start of each section. cial position.” Economic experts told Prishtina Shpend Ahmeti, economics pro- Insight that as Kosovo’s govern- fessor at the American University ment budget is 1.4 billion euro a in Kosovo and member of the oppo- year, it will not be able to avoid sition Vetevendosje party, released constructing the whole highway, the Bechtel-Enka contract for the even if it means severely cutting first time this week. other expenditures. Eversheds told Kosovo's government that Bechtel-Enka's proposal did not meet the tender guidelines

Y M C +381 38 602042, +377 44 243367, +386 49 243367 K news May 20 - June 2, 2011 3 Asylum Row Damages Editor’s Word Kosovo's EU Visa Hopes Protestë Anger over wave of asylum-seekers from Serbia and Macedonia is bound to By Lawrence Marzouk impact on Kosovo's chances of persuading the EU to ease visa requirements, Brussels MEP warns. Macedonia take strong meas- MEP, said the European etevendosje is the Jekyll and Hyde of ures and succeed in stopping Parliament had called several Kosovo politics. One minute they are people from entering the EU to times to immediately start a Lunacek warning Vurbane, witty and incisive, the next they are violent and virulently anti-Serb. By Petrit Collaku present asylum requests will dialogue on visas for Kosovo. marks concerning security and We’ve seen both in the past couple of weeks, we have a chance to start the The European Commission identity issues that the Kosovo although thankfully more of the former than visa dialogue with Kosovo,” had been urged to draw up a government has to meet in Lunacek told Prishtina list of benchmarks - a so-called the latter. he recent wave of asy- order to obtain visa-free travel Insight. "visa liberalisation roadmap" For years I have struggled to understand the lum-seekers from Serbia for its citizens. Lunacek said the govern- for the country to follow. reach and appeal of Vetevendosje, which seems Tand Macedonia hitting Lunacek arrived in Kosovo to defy the usual political parameters, combin- ments of Serbia and However, the process had not Belgium and Sweden is bound yesterday for a two day visit, Macedonia should make addi- yet started. ing policies and ethics which should not sit to negatively affect Kosovo's meeting members of the parlia- together. They attract the young, arty, urban tional efforts to get across the “Just recently, together with chances of obtaing a new visa- ment as part of a routine elite with their smart protests and funny anti- message that visa-free travel is my colleagues Tanja Fajon and free regime with the European establishment graffiti, but are also the coun- not to be used for the purposes Hannes Swoboda, we European Parliament inter- Union, Ulrike Lunacek, the try’s most nationalist, anti-Serb party. European Parliament’s rap- of seeking asylum. addressed the [EU] Hungarian parliamentary visit. This strange amalgam has been further com- porteur for Kosovo, said. The authorities in both presidency to demand that they Last year, there were high plicated by the arrival of a fresh crop of The arrival of most Roma expectations that Kosovo might countries need also to tackle go ahead with the start of the thinkers from the ranks of the now defunct and ethnic Albanian asylum- receive a strategy for visa liber- the issue of who was organiz- visa dialogue, arguing that the FER, Fryma e Re, party. seekers from Serbia and alization. Hopes fell after the ing this large-scale transport most prominent concern delay- This liberal, intellectual set-up polled a European Commission com- Macedonia has prompted calls of people to the EU. “They have ing the start of the visa dia- respectable 2.2 per cent in December’s election for the EU to suspend its visa- to proceed strictly against logue with Kosovo was that of plained that Kosovo had failed given that it had only been created a month or free regime with both coun- those who organise these security,” she said. to draw up a necessary strategy so before the vote. Ultimately, however, the tries. trips,” Lunacek said. She said the roadmap should on the return and readmis- result was well below the 5 per cent needed to “Only if Serbia and Lunacek, an Austrian Green define the necessary bench- sions of failed asylum-seekers. enter parliament. FER was perhaps unlucky to have been stand- ing for the first time alongside another virgin party, but one with a formidable reputation for Serbian Negotiator Pushes rabble-rousing and a sizable, headstrong, com- mitted following: Vetevendosje. The Self-Determination movement scored an impressive 12 per cent, making it the third Talks on 'Big Issues' largest party in parliament, and in the wake of its success - and FER’s failure - swallowed up Serbia's negotiator says that Belgrade doesn't want to touch on the issue of Kosovo's status in the ongoing the smaller newcomer. talks in Brussels, but would like to address some bigger issues, like the north. I was a little disappointed with FER’s deci- sion to throw in the towel so easily and after government through the prism of their such a short period of time. Recent events have view on status. however led me to revise my opinion, even if I “When we want to talk about what some continue to believe the merger was very much a By Petrit Collaku people call bigger issues, we don’t have an marriage of convenience. interlocutor for that,” he said. It was particularly surprising to see that He said that the delegations should avoid FER, the darlings of the international commu- unnecessary difficulties, recommending nity, heralded as the European future of the orislav Stefanovic said that when that Prishtina put aside the logic of country, were willing to join the strongest, most the Serbian delegation has attempt- ‘whether we talk on political or technical vociferous opponents of foreign ‘supervision’ of Bed to talk about bigger issues, such issues.’ Kosovo. The sensible leaders of think tanks, as the north of Kosovo, Prishtina’s delega- “Maybe the Prishtina team should avoid professors and other assorted intellectuals tion has refused to begin dialogue on the that. Because, if everything is technical were joining forces with the guys overturning topics. except something that doesn’t play well for cars and fighting with police. “For Prishtina, the north is non-exis- us, that is political,” Stefanovic said. I was also a little perplexed that a party tent. They don’t want to talk about it “What is not political about license which vaunted itself as ‘non-ethnic’ and liberal because they think it’s a political issue,“ plates? What is not political about ID democratic were willing to join Vetevendosje, Stefanovic said in an interview for BIRN’s cards? What is so political about the north who represent the most hard-line, extreme weekly show “Life in Kosovo”. and not political about ID cards?” wing of Kosovo politics when it comes to deal- Stefanovic gave the interview on Friday, Stefanovic asked. ing with Kosovo Serbs and Belgrade. after spending the day in Prishtina meet- From a liberal capitalist economic policy, Stefanovic said he opened a discussion Borislav Stefanovic. Serbia’s chief negotiator ing with officials there ahead of the about “bigger problems” during his meet- FER was also merging with a party which still resumption of talks in Brussels next week. ing with Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin thing and it is different than implementing harbours strong socialist tendencies. Stefanovic is the first Serbian official to All in all, while their images chimed - fresh, Kuci on Thursday. something.” meet Kosovo officials in Prishtina since young and not corrupt – their policies were He said he had a "constructive meeting" He said that Belgrade and Prishtina the NATO bombing in 1999. completely dissonant. with Deputy PM Kuci, and explained that have opposite views on Kosovo's status, but He met with Kosovo's Deputy Prime On the other hand, if, as appears is happen- the two exchanged ideas on the nature of stressed that those views should not be an Minister Hajredin Kuci, and Edita Tahiri, ing, the new arrivals can tame some of the the dialogue process. obstacle for resolving concrete problems. head of Kosovo’s delegation for dialogue wilder aspects of Vetevendosje, then perhaps, “We talked about the need to try to Stefanovic also addressed Serbia's moti- with Serbia, but his visit was punctuated just perhaps, we are witnessing the rise of a resolve the many open problems that exist vation for joining the talks with Kosovo in by violent protests by the Self- party which will be able to challenge and in order to maybe get to the bigger prob- Brussels, rejecting the idea that Belgrade Determination movement. reshape the political order. lems,” he said. started the dialogue in order to move In his interview for "Life in Kosovo", Vetevendosje’s statements this week on gov- Stefanovic said that Serbia's aim in gen- towards EU candidacy. Stefanovic said that Belgrade wants to talk ernment spending and the release of the eral is not to ‘strangle’ Kosovo in any way “I know that there is a perception in about the north because certain things can Bechtel-Enka contract have shown an attention but rather to try to stop the perception of Prishtina that Belgrade started this dia- be solved in the area with the help of to detail and commitment to scrutiny and pub- Kosovo as a state. logue in order to get EU candidate status. Serbia, but only if they are solved as a lic transparency which have been sadly lacking “The dialogue is great because it allows But that's not the case,” he said. whole, not piece by piece. in a largely moribund, decorative parliament. us to put aside our differences and the The Serbian negotiator explained that He said that Kosovo’s decentralisation But then they go and throw it all away by get- main one is status,” he said. ever since 2007 the strategic goal of plan for the north can be a starting point, ting into a violent ruckus with police outside The head of Serbia’s delegation said that Belgrade’s policy was to bring Prishtina but argued that there is a lack of the will the government building to protest against all topics are up for discussion in the dia- back to the negotiating table, claiming that on the part of the Prishtina team to talk Stefanovic, the head of Serbia’s negotiation logue in Brussels, and even partition is on this finally came about as a result of the about the subject. team, visiting Kosovo. Whatever your position the table. UN resolution in the fall last year. He praised the meetings with the head of on the dialogue, this wasn’t a good way of “If we agree to talk about one of the “That’s why we got this chance and we Kosovo’s delegation to the dialogue, Edita expressing or influencing the debate. solutions, possible solutions like partition, are happy with it. And it’s not about get- Tahiri, but complained that the topics dis- So, Vetenvendosje. What is it to be? Dr Jekyll we are ready to talk about this,” he said. ting the candidacy because that is a sepa- cussed in Brussels are seen by Prishtina’s or Mr Hyde? “Talking is different from accepting some- rate process,” he said. 4 May 20 - June 2, 2011 interview From Newborn to the Pimpsons: How In 2008, Fisnik Ismaili devised the monument to Kosovo’s independence, an assemblage of large yellow letters in Pristina that spells out NEWBORN and which became an icon of hope for the young country. Today he pens the By Nate Tabak Pimpsons, the country's most acerbic political commentary. it because I needed some licences. Mustafa, Mayor of Prishtina. That episodes, many of which are They would refuse. Then I slowly looked so artificial. The whole sponsored by “Dell Beer” in Ismaili, the creative director of realised that I’ve done this huge process was so unconventional, so lieu of Duff. Why is this? ad agency Ogilvy Kosovo, took an thing for whom? For people who unconstitutional. I myself felt sick active role in Partia Fryma e Re or ignore it and people who don’t care when I saw at. A: All the shady deals that are the FeR when it formed in the fall about it, so then I started feeling At that very moment, I thought happening in Kosovo seem to come of 2010. With the party fractured not to say angry, but I just felt that of one of the characters from the from him, and in my own honest after it failed to win any parlia- this government doesn’t really Simpsons, the Comic Book Guy, opinion, I think Christopher Dell mentary seats, Ismaili joined the care about anything and they need who resembles the ambassador. does not represent the US interests nationalist Vetevendosje when it a voice, I felt I could in a way be the And that image just wouldn’t leave in Kosovo. At times even breaking absorbed the remnants of FeR in voice of a certain group of peo- my head. So as soon as I got our constitution, which I find March. Shortly thereafter Ismaili ple who would be telling home, I took that charac- repulsive, knowing that an started producing “The them our concerns. ter and some other American would never allow any- Pimpsons.” It’s a digital comic on characters from the one to break the constitution. Facebook that uses “Simpsons” Q: What led you to Simpsons, put them Fisnik Ismaili start the Pimpsons? together, made my Q:So who is your Comic Book characters an oft-profane, sexually I’ve been doing for last four to five A: It was first episode, a Guy Dell? What does he do – charged satire of Kosovo politics. years. Ismaili recently produced his 50th extremely spon- mockup, a parody of how does think? taneous. It the Simpsons. I This was one of my latest things “Pimpsons” comic. to put out. But this had a tendency happened called it the A: He thinks he rules the place, to continue, whereas things in the the night Pimpsons he thinks he can manipulate Q: As the person behind past were done as one-off. Now, when because I con- everyone to do what he says. In NEWBORN, the symbol of opti- when I published the first three sider these fact all the other characters always mism for this new state, to episodes, I realised it’s something political people to be answer with “yes boss” first and three years later come out with that can keep on going. I did expect parties the pimps then start talking. They always something that reflects a lot of people to like it, but I never expect- together of Kosova have to take permission from him cynicism on your part, does ed to get 9,000 fans in two weeks. that mirror a personal trans- with the who put to talk. And whatever he tells US it on sale them, they have to do it. And there formation in terms of how you Q: What does that amount of ambassa- for is an episode where he looks out view Kosovo? support say to you? dor decid- every- his window at the US embassy and A: Of course it has, and the two A: It says that a lot of people ed to one to he considers the whole of the city, are connected because when I cre- agree with me. What I write there agree on do as Prishtina, as his monarchy. And he ated newborn it was done with the are things people are too afraid to best of intentions. And it reached the they can do with it what he pleases. choice of a please. Just like say in the streets, in the cafés. Let what I planned to do that night alone publically say it on TV. And when we declared independence — new president. pimps do. Then Q: Did you expect there to be They presented this episode they find that apart from me say- it was shown all over the world. so much attention? Obviously ing what they think, they find, peo- But after that, although it the name; came out. It was you have a lot experience in everyone was fun. It was vulgar. It ple who don’t follow politics, they became the monument to inde- advertising and marketing, so find this, and they actually call it pendence of Kosovo, it has been thanking each was totally uncen- perhaps you had some idea that neglected for three years. other and patting sored. Honestly, I using these icons of popular I’ve been trying to maintain it, each other on the had in mind just culture would resonate with “I called it the Pimpsons I’ve been trying to take care of it, back. There was to make one. people who maybe otherwise because I consider these but I’ve always been refused by the a moment when wouldn’t be engaged by the pol- authorities to do so. They wouldn’t Ambassador Dell Q: Dell plays a itics here. people to be the pimps of do anything about it, and they tapped the shoulder of Isa very prominent role in these Kosova who put it on sale for wouldn’t let me do anything about A: In a way, I knew it would raise interest. It’s not the first time I’ve everyone to do as they been doing this. I put out slogans, please. Just like pimps do. and stirred people with my Then this episode came out. Facebook status. I’ve been around on the Internet on social networks It was fun. It was vulgar. It www.prishtinainsight.com for a while. And everything I do is was totally uncensored. through the social networks: criti- Publisher: cizing the government, criticising Honestly, I had in mind just BIRN who runs the country but isn’t to make one.” Balkan Investigative Reporting Network doing a good job of it. This is what

Mensa e Studenteve, first floor 10000, Prishtina Kosovo Phone: +381 (0) 38 24 33 58 Kosovo Serbs Threaten Road Fax: +381 (0) 38 22 44 98 [email protected] Blockade after Arrest Editor-in-Chief: Lawrence Marzouk organised crime in the predomi- and Zubin Potok if “the Serb Bajram Rexhepi said that there [email protected] nantly Serb northern Kosovo. arrested because he did not pay should be no excuse for any crim- The individual was arrested as taxes to the state of Kosovo” is not inal no matter his or her ethnici- Editorial Team: By Prishtina Insight part of an investigation into released, according to a report in ty. “I want EULEX to be a really a Ana Petruseva, Gordana Igric, organised crime, money launder- Tanjug. successful mission and not like Jeta Xharra, Marcus Tanner, ing, smuggling of fuel, tax eva- The president of the UNMIK [the UN mission in Petrit Collaku, Shengjyl Osmani and sion and the fraudulent evasion of Association of Entrepreneurs of Kosovo],” Rexhepi told journal- usinessmen from north import duty and excise tax, Zubin Potok, Ratomir Bozovic, ists on Tuesday during his visit to Kanarina Shehu. Kosovo have warned that EULEX said in a press release. It said that Serbs would block the the Merdare border with EULEX Bthey will block the main is alleged he was found with a sig- roads and prevent EULEX police head Xavier de Marnhac. Marketing, Sales & Distribution: roads in the lawless region if nificant sum of cash on him. from reaching the crossing in In its press release, EULEX police do not release a Serb [email protected] While EULEX has not released northern Kosovo. explained that the arrest on arrested as part of an organised the suspect's name, the business- On Tuesday evening the men Tuesday was part of the mission's crime probe. Design & Layout: “Rrjeti” men have said he is Jevra from Zubin Potok blocked the operation which started on Police from the EU mission in Y Pantelic. main road between Zubin Potok February 15 in Zubin Potok under Kosovo, EULEX, announced on M The businessmen in north and Mitrovica for two hours to the supervision of the EULEX Printing: Lindi Printing Center Tuesday that they had arrested a C Kosovo say that they will block protest against the arrest. prosecutor in the Kosovo Special Copyright © BIRN man suspected of involvement in K the highway between Mitrovica Kosovo Interior Minister Prosecutor's Office. interview May 20 - June 2, 2011 5 Fisnik Ismaili Went from Hope to Anger

out on the street in the 80s and 90s in crucial positions. And the mix so much against the Serbs that of all these three creates a failed “The people in power right now that we got rid of the Serbs government that is running this now don’t do anything for and have our own country, we sort place by pushing it unwillingly — of say “Oh, well, maybe meaning against the the will of the people. This it’s not good to raise will of the people. isn’t the Kosovo I fought for against our own The people in power right now people because we don’t do anything for the 12 years ago.” used to do this will of the people. This against an enemy, isn’t the Kosovo I boss is we say by entering their and now it’s just fought for 12 years ago. anus. So the whole person enters not right to the anus. So one of the funniest raise up against Q: In “The episodes is of this journalist who our own peo- Pimpsons”, sucks up to the prime minister so ple”. That’s the Prime much that he’s stuck in his anus. main reason that Minister And the doctor describes what the actually stops people, Hashim prime minister suffers from. And otherwise they Thaci is it’s not only my favorite episode — should be out played by but the whole city talks about it as we Rainier Wolfcastle, quite a bit. speak. the Simpsons character inspired by Arnold Q: What’s your process for Q: You Schwarzenegger. You creating these episodes? talk about skewer Thaci as someone A: I don’t’ have a special process. the situa- who rides coattails on his I just sit down. I go through the tion here – wartime credentials. What news. Through the gossip that peo- and how it’s does this say to have this ple send me. I got through the e- really bad. kind of criticism come mails and message people send What is from you, a person who me. I confirm my information going on served in the Kosovo through my sources. Once I have here that’s Liberation Army? something that I can actually talk so wrong? A: Thaci may have fought in about, I start processing it. While A: In my the KLA, but to have the cheek Ismaili at work designing a character I’m drawing it or putting the pic- view, every- and come out and say that he — “The Idiots Guide to Kosovar the ones who can change things. tures together, I come up with a thing that can pos- indirectly, through other people — Politics” because every episode is People are the ones who can actu- copy, with a text, it just happens sibly go wrong is to say that he was the one who very actual and connects with the ally make that change. But first spontaneously every time. going wrong. We freed this place and he’s the sole news – whatever is happening that they have to become aware of have a bunch of person who takes the merit for day or the day before. So people who’s doing what. To a point you Q: How do you think incompetent people freeing and fighting for this sort of follow Kosovar politics find out through the media — but “Simpsons” creator Matt who are running place, excuse me, there are though my comic book rather than the media are controlled by the Groening would feel about the these people. other people who fought for by reading the news. people in power. So then I give appropriation of his charac- Incompetent this place, including myself, so them some extra information, ters? in terms of I will not allow for a political Q: So there’s an element of some inside information that I A: If he could understand what I their knowl- party to sort of personalise the journalism to it? find out through my sources. can write and if he could under- edge, in terms of their education, war and take all the merits for A: Yes and this is done inten- stand the political situation in in terms of their merits of being themselves. tionally because I want to me peo- Q. Describe your favorite Kosovo, he would probably ple aware that there are many episode. send me three or four people things here that are done wrong, A: Every three or four episodes to help me out. And find it and people should realize that who there’s a character who goes for a very hilarious. to blame for the situation in visit to the doctor. And they all Kosovo today — and there are have a condition. In Kosovo, the Q: So this is your version alternatives for that. People are equivalent of sucking up to your of going to the streets, and in a sense, raising hell? “At that very moment, I thought of one of the characters A: Kosovo is in such a sit- uation that people should be from the Simpsons, the Comic Book Guy, who resembles on the streets as we speak. I the ambassador. And that image just wouldn’t leave my found it quite amazing that they’re not. The main rea- head.” son is that we’ve been going Professors Urge Kosovo University Rector to Quit the rector ignored most an internal audit was of the staff, cooperating performed there. only with a small clique “The auditing has By Petrit Collaku of people in his office. highlighted certain “Rector Munch has cen- weaknesses and we will tralized the decision-making start everything from the process and he acts on his own,” beginning, re-structuring the alls are growing for the Rexhepi told Prishtina Insight. staff, including the rector, who will German head of the “He also earns 5,500 euro a be local from now on,” Naim CUniversity of Prizren to step month, although Kosovo’s law on Hasani, head of higher education down. wages says no one should receive a in the ministry, told Prishtina Some 22 professors at Prizren higher salary than the President, Insight. Launch of Prizren University in October 2010 University are demanding the which is around 3,000 euro,” The rector has no intention of removal of their German rector, Rexhepi said. giving in. Elected after applying hired professors without adequate Munch told Prishtina Insight. Roland Munch, claiming that he is The Ministry of Education is through an international job working experience he said this The University of Prizren offers Y not capable of developing the reported to have assumed de facto advert, he rejects all the criticisms was untrue. diplomas in law, psychology, com- M institution. control of the university, claiming made against him. “We have never employed people puter science, political science, Professor Arsim Rexhepi said C it had spotted irregularities after Responding to claims that he without any working experience,” economy and English. K 6 May 20 - June 2, 2011 business Turkish Health Sector Eyes Balkan Market Turkey has emerged as a key health tourist destination for Balkan citizens unable to access, or pay for, medical treatment at home.

By Altin Raxhimi, Istanbul

The treatment here is good,” says 76-year-old Milena “Stamatovic of her heart sur- gery at the Acibadem Maslak Hospital The main entrance hall of the Acibadem Maslak Hospital in Istanbul’s European quarter is crammed with relatives of Turkish pop singer Ibrahim Tatlises, who is being treated here for gunshot wounds, and security guards, anx- The German Hospital in central Istanbul treats numerous Albanian-speakingpatients, providing fertility care and cosmetic surgery ious to keep the press at bay. Oblivious to the hubbub on the believes this trend will continue – and treating patients from Albania the Kitchenette, a trendy, western of choice for Balkan patients. floors below, 76-year-old Milena particularly once the global econo- in Turkey for a host of problems, pastry shop on Istanbul’s noisy When Turku-Gocmen began work- Stamatovic, a housewife from a vil- my recovers. including prosthetic surgeries and Taksim Square. ing at the German Hospital in lage outside Belgrade, recovers fol- “We have seen numbers double fertility treatments. Istanbul five years ago, she said she lowing an operation on her heart. both from international patients, He says he sends at least 30 Advanced technology was reluctant to abandon her hair- Stamatovic is far from lonely and those specifically from the patients there every month, includ- dressing business in a nearby part of here; she is just one of fourteen Balkans,” says Benevisti. ing Istanbul’s private Medical Park He says Turkey’s private invest- town. She had moved from the patients on the fourth floor ward At her office not far from the hospital, for check-ups, medical oper- ment in health has led to the intro- Adriatic coast 15 years ago, and who hail from Serbia. Acibadem Maslak Hospital, Teuta ations and, a recent trend, plastic duction of advanced technology that intended to keep her hairdressing Turkey has emerged as a key Turku-Gocmen would agree with surgery. that is prohibitively costly in Balkan business inside the hospital and health tourist destination for many Benevisti, as she returns to her desk Ankara-born Attila Gursel, 42, countries. Some of the private hospi- work with Albanian patients on the from the Balkans, as health service after seeing off a couple from says the same. Once employed as an tal groups, like Acibadem, offer side. provision deteriorated following the Vushtrri, a northern Kosovan town, architect by a Turkish developer in advanced medical treatment, like Yet, she found herself so over- collapse of communism and during who have used her services for fertil- Tirana, Gursel soon turned his hand ‘gamma knife’ surgery for brain whelmed that she now works only as the conflicts of the 1990s. ity treatment at the German to sending patients to Turkey. Before tumours. a referral agent and translator for In turn, Turkish state-run and pri- Hospital of Istanbul. giving up his referral work to con- Besides, Turkey is competitive on patients from Albania, Kosovo and vate hospitals have aggressively Turku-Gocmen is a translator and centrate on his regular day job as a prices, offering many treatments Macedonia. courted Balkan patients, particular- referral agent for patients, who has manager for Turkish Airline in around a third cheaper than in EU ly Istanbul, with its hundreds of pri- been hired by the German Hospital Tirana, he says he sent Albanian member states. EU market challenge? vate hospitals. This has been partic- to deal with ethnic Albanians from patients to Turkey “in their hun- “Albanians believe that corrup- ularly true of countries that have the Balkans. She acts as a referral dreds”. tion in their health system is high,” Some believe that the lifting of strong cultural ties with Turkey, service for Albanian-speakers who The referral business that sprang says Zamira Sinoimeri, a former visa requirements for Balkan states such as Albania, Kosovo and are unable, or unwilling, to undergo up somewhat haphazardly with deputy health minister of Tirana by the EU - only Kosovo remains Macedonia. various medical procedures back Gursel and others is now far more who now works for the World Health behind the strict Schengen visa wall - The Turkish health ministry esti- home - about two dozen patients organised, with major health groups Organization. will reduce Turkey’s booming health mates around 58,000 international from Kosovo and Albania monthly. establishing agencies and front “So, for many, rather than paying tourist market as travel to the West patients were treated in its hospitals And booming health tourism in offices across the region. money in bribes and not get good becomes cheaper and easier. in 2010 alone. Turkey has spawned an industry of Large Turkish hospital groups treatment, they would [prefer to] pay “It will not always stay this way This influx of foreign patients its own back in the Balkans. like Acibadem and Medical Park for a private service and get it.” for Turkish hospitals,” says has been matched with the rapid In Albania’s capital Tirana, have established, or are in the But it is not just the private sector Onbasioglu. “There are new private expansion of the private health sec- Albert and Ilirjana Zyfi, both aged process of setting up, front offices in that is treating Balkan patients. hospitals in Albania and Macedonia tor over the past ten years. Today, a 42, wait in a residential apartment Tirana and Skopje to refer patients Ankara has treated hundreds of and the service is slowly improving. third of Turkey’s hospitals are pri- building on one of the Albanian cap- from those countries to their hospi- patients from Albania in its state But it is too early to say whether the vately run, says Rusen Yildirim, ital’s busiest streets. The Zyfis are tal chains in Turkey. hospitals since the 1990s. These treat- visa lifting has had any effect at all.” chairman of Turkey’s Health anxious to hear if Sefak Rusen Yildirim, who heads the ments were paid for by the Albanian And there seems little evidence of Tourism Business Council who has Onbasiouglu, an Istanbul-trained health sector group of the Turkish state. any downturn in the number of co-authored an as yet unpublished doctor, will advise them to pursue Foreign Economic Relations Board The Acibadem hospital has struck Balkan patients coming to Turkey study on Turkish health tourism fertility treatment in Turkey, as they (DEIK), a lobbying group for Turkish agreements with most governments for treatment just yet. with the country’s health ministry. wish to have a second child now businessmen, says Turkish private of former Yugoslavia who pay to Turku-Gocmen flashes me her Of those 58,000 international their son is a teenager. hospitals built up their services for treat patients in need of delicate can- Blackberry with a sideways look. patients, the majority are German foreign patients over the past 20 cer or heart operations, like Milena Many of the Albanian patients at the nationals. However, more than 1,000 Business opportunities years and is now worth up to around Stamatovic. The fact most Balkan German Hospital come through her come from Balkan countries, 140 million euro annually. citizens don’t need visit visas to go to contacts in Albania and elsewhere – according to figures from a few of Onbasioglu, an Istanbul-based “Several private hospital chains Turkey, and the national air carrier her husband is Kosovo Albanian. the Istanbul-based hospital groups. orthopaedist, set up the Tirana have developed oncology depart- Turkish Airlines connects all Balkan “One for breasts; one for belly; one Daniel Benevisti, a spokesman for office in 2005 sensing a lucrative ments, and many come from the capitals to Istanbul, has also helped for nose… two for belly and breasts,” the Acibadem hospital group, business opportunity in identifying Balkans go to such centres because it make Turkey the health destination she says. These are potential cus- is a short distance… this has devel- tomers for cosmetic surgery her con- oped especially with the private hos- Patients from the Balkans tact in Albania had found. pitals,” Yildirim says. “In the 90s, • Universal Hospital Group Omer, an engineer with a hospital they saw this as a business opportu- says it treats about 350 in Skopje of Macedonia, is sending nity.” patients from Albanian- his son for eye surgery at the World These hospitals offer what has speaking areas in the Eye Center in Istanbul. been the staple of health tourism, Balkans. “The treatment is much better including advanced cancer opera- • Acibadem says it treats a there than the treatment I can get tions, hip or knee replacements, eye further 600 patients from here in Skopje,” he says. “I want to be laser treatment and aesthetic, cos- the Balkans each year. on the safe side.” metic surgeries. The treatments are • At least 350 patients from This article was produced as part better, faster or cheaper than foreign Albania are treated in of the Balkan Fellowship for patients can access at home. Medical Park hospitals, Y Journalistic Excellence Alumni “Our aim is to serve people five according to Albaturk, a M Initiative, established and supported hours away from here,” confirms Turkish health consulting by the Robert Bosch Stiftung and C Benevisti, the Acibadem spokesman, company in Tirana. K 76-year-old Milena Stamatovic after heart surgery at the Acibadem Maslak Hospital as he settles into a cushioned chair at ERSTE Foundation. business May 20 - June 2, 2011 7 Frivolous Government Spending Under Spotlight Kosovo’s government spent more on foreign travel last year than on agriculture, according to research by opposition party Vetevendosje

fuel consumption is reason to believe that officials used the vehi- cles during the election campaign. By Petrit Collaku Moreover, Ahmeti, who present- ed his report for 2010 on govern- ment expenditures, said that Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim osovo’s ballooning number Thaci has failed to keep his prom- of ministers and deputy ise when he said he would Kministers, spending on for- decrease government expendi- eign travel and communication tures. bill are just a few examples of poor He said that trends in foreign government financial manage- travel, fuel, and telecommunica- ment, Vetevendosje have claimed. tions, were the same this year as The news came as the Ministry in 2010. of Economy sang its own praises “In 2010, more than seven mil- for reducing expenditures in the lion euro was spent on official first quarter of 2011. Some eco- trips and the subsidies for agricul- nomic experts, however, say there ture amounted to four million is more to the story. euro,” Ahmeti said. According to Vetevendosje, the But the government argues that country now has one Prime it has reined in spending. Minister, six deputy prime minis- Too many cooks: Vetevendosje complain that the country is spending a fortune on an ever expanding army of cabinet members The government has disbursed ters, 19 ministers and 30 deputy 175.28 million euro in expendi- expected to be 1.2 billion euro and fulfilled its promises of salary trary it should have spent more ministers. tures this quarter, or 13 per cent of Shpend Ahmeti, a member of expenditures are set to reach 1.4 increases for teachers, doctors because everything has a spend- the yearly budget. Compared to the opposition party Self-determi- billion euro, or 19.3 per cent high- and police. ing line,” he said. the same period last year, expendi- nation, said that the government er than in 2010. “This surplus doesn't make The government report on the tures have dropped by 5.5 per cent, has failed to prove itself when In the first quarter, the govern- sense and this happened because first quarter of 2011 showed that thus creating a surplus of 68 mil- budget expenditures are in ques- ment collected 243.9 million euro, the Prime Minister has not kept revenues increased from the tax lion euro. tion. or 19.3 per cent of the annual the promise,” Limani told administration and customs. “The expenditures are lower “There is an increase in fuel budget, which is 22 per cent high- Prishtina Insight. Kosovo's tax administration has this quarter compared to last year consumption; we know that the er than during the same period He said that with the promised collected more than 59 million because the wages for March were fuel price has gone up but we paid in April,” Finance Minister last year. salary increases, there should be euro in the first quarter of 2011, should have in mind that there Bedri Hamza told journalists on While the government a deficit in this quarterly report, or 26 per cent higher than last was no government in place for Monday. explained the lower than expected adding "expenditures increased year. two months this year,” Ahmeti Hamza presented the report of expenditures by the late wages, in fuel consumption" as well. The customs sector has also told Prishtina Insight. the first quarter of the budget on economic expert Musa Limani “The government presents this seen an increase in revenues, col- He added that considering the Monday, explaining that regular says that the extra funds are there surplus pretending that it has lecting more than 148 million lack of a government, the level of revenues planned for 2011 are because the government has not saved the money, when on the con- euro. Kosovo Customs Lose Millions in Import Scam Prishtina Insight has uncovered evidence of a scam worth millions of euros a year, involving imports to Kosovo from Turkey “Turkish officials say they losing out, while certain business- export 300 million US dollars of es are benefiting… by escaping goods to Kosovo [210 million euro] [payment of] customs and VAT tax By Lavdim Hamidi a year, and there is an inconsisten- in Kosovo,” Huruglica said. cy of around 100 million dollars He said that Kosovo customs when comparing that figure with official regularly discover goods data from Kosovo customs,” entering from Turkey that have he head of Kosovo customs, Huruglica said. been undervalued in terms of Naim Huruglica, says crimi- Exact figures concerning the quantity and value. Tnals are stealing millions of value of Turkish exports to While these have resulted in euro for the country as part of a Kosovo are difficult to obtain. fines, the penalties have failed to huge fraud scheme involving Zafer Caglayan, Turkey’s stem the crime wave. exports from Turkey to Kosovo. Foreign Trade Minister, at a meet- In the last two weeks of March, Statistics obtained by Prishtina ing last year with Kosovo’s Kosovo Customs discovered goods Insight show a discrepancy of Minister of Economy, Ahmet from Turkey declared at 42,000 around 60 million euro a year Shala, declared that Turkish euro less than their actual value, between what Turkish customs exports to Kosovo in 2009 were resulting in seven different firms declare is being exported to worth around 190 million euro. being fined a total of 52,000 euro, Kosovo and what Kosovo customs A report by the Turkish Prishtina Insight has discovered. say is being imported from Turkey. Statistical Office in 2009, mean- The undervalued goods, accord- Huruglica says the difference is while, valued Turkey’s exports to ing to Kosovo Customs, include Kosovo Customs supsects a major fraud scheme involving Turkish imports the result of widespread, organ- Kosovo at 198 million euro. textiles, mobile telephones, doors, ised tax evasion. He said that both Leaders of the Turkish Chamber out the issue,” Pajazit recalled. But none of these statistics windows and generators. the Turkish and Kosovo authori- of Commerce in Kosovo told Pajazit said he hoped that remotely match the figures collect- “We are constantly facing the ties were losing money as a result. Prishtina Insight that they were greater cooperation agreement ed by Kosovo customs. problem of undervalued goods Exporters are entitled to claim a well aware of the fraud. between the customs of Turkey Their data, obtained by from Turkey,” Huruglica said. VAT rebate from the country of Chamber member Selda Pajazit and Kosovo would deal with the Prishtina Insight, say that Turkey To prevent such tax evasion, origin, in this case Turkey. said that at a meeting organised problem. exported just 137 million euro of Kosovo customs last year reached If they underestimate the value with businesses at the end of last Berat Rukuqi, Secretary General goods in 2009, leaving a gap of an agreement with Turkish cus- of goods they are importing month in Istanbul, the head of of Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, around 60 million euro with the toms, which entered into force in through Kosovo customs, they can Kosovo Customs, Naim Huruglica, agreed that there were major average Turkish figure for that March, as a result of which the two make a profit on the VAT, while had raised this issue. inconsistencies between the two Y year. countries now exchange customs also depriving Kosovo authorities “At the seminar on April 28, 2011, countries’ figures. “Kosovo M “Through this export fraud, information. Huruglica said this of the funds collected as part of to promote Kosovo and attract for- Customs has long tried to block C Kosovo and Turkish budgets are will slowly stop the abuse. the 10 per cent import tax. eign investors, Huruglica pointed these fraud schemes,” Rukiqi said. K 8 May 20 - June 2, 2011 neighbourhood business SaleSale ofof SerbianSerbian AirlineAirline RisksRisks RemainingRemaining GroundedGrounded

Sell-off of national carrier could get stuck on the tarmac - as experts fear re-run of events in 2008 when Belgrade put JAT up for sale but no one showed much interest.

widening budget gap, worth 4.1 per cent of from 7.31 billion dinars in 2008 to 1.04 billion lifting visa requirements on Serbian nation- projected GDP for 2011, and finance invest- dinars the following year, Serbia’s business als in December 2009. ments in a pre-election year. registry data showed. Budget airlines already flying to Serbia By Vera Ovanin The government attempted to sell off 51 Business data for last year are not yet include Hungary’s Wizz Air, Spain’s per cent of the loss-making enterprise in available, but in December Radovanovic Spanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Italy’s 2008 but failed to draw interest from admitted that the carrier was not expected Wind Jet, Germanwings and Austria’s erbia’s government appears unlikely investors. The tender had a call price of 51 to record a profit for that year. FlyNiki. to find a strategic partner for its trou- million – an amount no investor would be The size of JAT’s total debt is not known “The overall climate… the global crisis, Sbled flag carrier, JAT Airways, as the willing to give for JAT now either, Dragovan but sources quoted in local media have sug- has made investors very prudish,” Milicevic airline continues to hemorrhage money and Milicevic, of the Vrsac-based firm ADM gested a ballpark figure of tens of million of competition mushrooms, analysts say. said. Consulting, said. euro. It operates a modest fleet of 14 aircraft “The government has done nothing to pre- Serbia is primarily counting on Turkish “That kind of money, even less than that, and has not renewed its aircraft for about 20 pare JAT for privatisation and reduce its Airlines to show some visible proof of inter- is pie in the sky,” Milicevic added. years, Milicevic said. bloated debt since the last time that it was est in JAT, Miljkovic said, when he “The fact that the company is losing “Any kind of upgrades stopped when the offered for sale, when no bidders turned announced the upcoming tender. money makes it difficult to determine its wars [in the former Yugoslavia] erupted in up,” foreign investment consultant, As an incentive, Serbian minister true value, which makes things more uncer- 1991,” he noted. While other airlines around Mahmut Busatlija, said. Sulejman Ugljanin, on a visit to Istanbul, tain for investors.” Milicevic continued. the world moved up, JAT stagnated. “It’s difficult to privatise a national air- said Belgrade would give Turkish Airlines a JAT’s most recent plan to turn losses to “The only thing it has going for it is its line, as it has to continue to serve as a free hand to buy as big a stake in JAT as it profits under previous management trained staff, but all airlines have that, and national airline following the privatisa- wanted, Reuters in Istanbul reported him as appears to have failed. it isn’t enough to sweeten the deal,” he con- tion,” Busatlija added. saying on March 11th. Former chairman Srdjan Radovanovic tinued. The government plans to launch a tender But Kovacevic said the only reason why unveiled a strategy in October, 2009 aimed at for JAT’s sale at the end of the summer, the Turkey’s state-owned carrier might be inter- posting 150 million euro in annual revenue Many low-cost rivals: state secretary for air traffic in Serbia’s by boosting passengers numbers from 1.1 in ested in JAT would be to gain a foothold in infrastructure ministry, Miodrag Miljkovic, 2009 to 1.5 million in 2010. Market conditions are not on the side of a an aspiring-EU member nation, as Turkey is said on April 22nd. To do this, the carrier sought licences to sale. An influx of low-cost carriers coupled behind Serbia in the lineup to join the Serbia is also considering using some of fly to neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina with the global economy’s sluggish recovery European club. JAT’s assets to establish a charter company, and Macedonia, hoping to take advantage of makes JAT look like a textbook example of a “[But] these plans are all long-term and he added. the grounding of Macedonia’s privately-run risky investment. “There is no chance of probably won’t have much impact,” he pre- The government in Belgrade chose con- Macedonian Air Transport, MAT, and capi- finding a strategic partner, given the liberal- dicted. sultancy firm Deloitte as advisor for the sale talise on Serbia’s close ties to the Serb enti- isation of the skies and JAT’s loss of the Busatlija echoed Kovacevic, saying he of JAT Airways last November. ty in Bosnia, Republika Srpska. privileged status it enjoyed in the past,” hadn’t seen any signals coming from Miljkovic did not disclose the size of the It also planned to foot airport cab fare for Kovacevic said. Turkish Airlines recently expressing inter- stake slated for privatization or the reasons passengers, though this part of the plan Destinations in Serbia began to appear on est in JAT. behind this step. never materialised. the radar of many airlines, including low- One reason for taking another stab at The airline, which employs about 1,500 cost carriers, after the European Parliament Vera Ovanin covers Serbian economy and offloading JAT is Serbia’s need to close its staff, successfully slashed annual losses approved a resolution that recommended business for corporate wire SeeNews. Croatia Economic Outlook 'Linked' to EU Entry Talks “Although Croatia has closed 28 of the 35 and that Croatia could be trapped in “a situ- reduce the size of the grey economy, which policy chapters which aspirant states must ation of uncertainty” unless it wrapped up is estimated by the World Bank to be as negotiate, a report by the European its talks in June. The report added that this much as 35 per cent of GDP. By Prishtina Insight Commission in March warned that much meant that Croatia could have its entry “Even the lowest estimates suggest that more needed to be done. delayed until its Balkan neighbours were Croatia's grey economy is significantly larg- “The main unresolved issues are reform ready. er than the average for Central Europe. roatia's economic outlook is tied to its of the judiciary, especially relating to cor- “Croatia could also miss out on 1.5 billion Reining in unregistered economic activity completion of accession negotiations ruption, outstanding war crimes cases and euro in EU cohesion funds because in 2012 will have positive benefits in terms of rising Cwith the EU, the credit rating agency refugee returns, and restructuring and pri- the EU will finalise its budget for the period tax revenues, greater consumer protection Dun & Bradstreet says. vatising Croatia's ailing shipyards,” the 2014-2020; if Croatia is not a member by and a level playing field for law-abiding In its latest report, Dun and Bradstreet, report said. then, it cannot be incorporated into budget- employers,” the report said. D&B, says it looks increasingly unlikely D&B said that missing the June deadline ary calculations and (can) only receive “Positively, the economic risk outlook has that Croatia will conclude EU membership for the completion of EU accession negotia- lower, temporary funding upon joining,” the improved. Data for 2010 indicate that the Y negotiations in June, which it said posed a tions could have several negative conse- report said. economy contracted by 1.2 per cent, less M serious risk to the country's accession to the quences, quoting Italian Foreign Minister In its brief description of the trade and than 1.5 per cent D&B previously estimat- C bloc in 2012 and could have a negative Franco Frattini as saying in March that the commercial environment in Croatia, D&B ed.” K impact on its economic outlook. EU was suffering from enlargement fatigue mentioned a government-sponsored bill to Source: Daily.tportal.hr, Radio.net neighbourhood news May 20 - June 2, 2011 9 Albania Opposition Blocks Roads in Protest Socialist Party supporters blocked several key highways in Albania on Thursday, accusing the ruling Democratic Party of illegally overturning the results of the May 8 local elections. However, the Democrats reject such accusations, saying that they are making sure that every By Besar Likmeta vote is counted and the will of every voter expressed in the results. EU foreign policy chief ocialist activists blocked the Catherine Ashton appealed for highway linking Tirana calm on Wednesday night, calling Swith the port of Durres, on the two parties to resume dia- bringing traffic to a standstill. logue in an effort to reach a reso- Roadblocks were also installed lution. near the town of Fier in southern Albania and Lezha in the north, Earlier on Wednesday, hun- according to local media reports. dreds of opposition supporters, Meanwhile in Tirana dozens of including two dozen MPs, clashed the Socialist MPs and supporters with police outside the CEC scuffled with police outside the building when Socialist MPs Central Electoral Commission, tried to storm the Commission's CEC. meeting. The commission overturned on The May 8 local elections were Wednesday evening the razor seen as key test for Albania’s thin lead held by opposition democratic credentials after a leader Edi Rama in the prelimi- nearly two year long political cri- nary results of the race for sis and the January 21 anti-gov- Tirana mayor, giving the advan- ernment protests which left four tage to his Democratic Party rival protestors dead and dozens Lulzim Basha. wounded. The CEC changed the prelimi- The ruling party and the oppo- nary results after counting select- sition have blamed each other for ed ballot boxes of the city council the violent riots, and the recent and district races which con- tension between Rama’s tained misplaced ballots from the Socialists and the parliamentary race for mayor. majority of Prime Minister The Socialists argue that the Berisha has aggravated an CEC move is illegal and a chal- already poisoned political cli- lenge to the basic principles and mate which has been in a trou- democratic values of the country. bled state since the disputed June 2009 parliamentary elections. Protesters gathered yesterday the country's election commission to protest against results in Tirana Profiles Igor Luksic, A New Start for Montenegro? The Facebook-savvy Prime Minister wows many with his techno-friendly approach - but critics maintain he is no more than the long arm of the country’s former strongman, Milo Djukanovic.

On resigning, he recommended Montenegro’s ruling Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, to make By Prishtina Insight Luksic, then finance minister, his Igor Luksic writes his own blog successor. The DPS duly unani- speaks English, Italian and nology to communicate with peo- Luksic himself insists that he is mously backed Luksic as the coun- French. ple. Those who “like” Luksic’s not beholden to Djukanovic when try’s new Prime Minister. ittle more than three months After he became Prime Facebook page tend to describe it comes to decisions, saying he However, Djukanovic remained into his term, Montenegro’s Minister, he opened a profile on him as modern and European. respects everyone’s opinions. at the helm of the DPS, and, oppo- Lnew Prime Minister is a pop- Facebook and a blog entitled The NGO sector is also broadly “Apart from the occasional tele- sition politicians say, remains ular figure, thanks largely to his “Straight talk from the heart of pleased by his approach, saying phone conversation, when we talk new, more subtle approach to poli- Montenegro’s real boss. the Balkans”. the new government seems to be about certain topics, Djukanovic tics - a pleasant contrast in many Luksic arrived from the post of From these, people have learned acting more as a provider of pub- does not interfere in daily poli- people’s eyes to that of his prede- finance minister, which he had that their new leader is a basket- lic services, unlike Djukanovic, tics,” he said recently. cessor, Milo Djukanovic. held for nine years. He has twice ball fan, is the father of two who some say used government “The history of our country is However, some see Luksic as lit- served as deputy prime minister daughters, reads the UK mainly to showcase his political characterized by strong personali- tle more than a tool in the hands of and has been finance minister no Economist magazine, likes power. ties who decided everything, but Djukanovic, suspecting that less than four times. Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings, On the other hand, the Prime now the time has come for us to Montenegro’s former strongman His key priority, he said on tak- enjoys listening to Iron Maiden Minister’s critics maintain that show that we believe in institu- continues to run the country. ing office, was doing whatever was and Guns ‘n’ Roses, admires Bill Luksic’s changes are cosmetic and tions, not figures,” Luksic added. Djukanovic announced his res- required to open accession talks Clinton and Margaret Thatcher have no real value, adding that One thing that the two men ignation as Prime Minister on 21 with the European Union. and would rather watch parlia- Djukanovic continues to hold all undoubtedly do have in common December, 2010, saying he had ful- Luksic graduated in economics ment on TV than reality shows. He real power. is youth on taking high office. filled his task of bringing in the capital, Podgorica, later tak- prefers tea to coffee. They recall that Djukanovic was Luksic was only 34 when he Montenegro closer to membership ing a Masters and then a PHD on Responding to a question about the almost absolute ruler of became Prime Minister. of the European Union and NATO. the topics of the post-Communist whether he would prefer stupid Montenegro for more than two Djukanovic was even younger – He insisted that the move was transition process. and ambitious, or smart and lazy, decades, during which time he only 28 when he became premier unrelated to international pres- He has presented himself as a colleagues, Luksic replied: “Smart was five times Prime Minister and of what was then a Yugoslav sure concerning his alleged crimi- modern, reform-oriented, concil- – I’ll know how to get ride of the once the country’s President. republic. nal past. Djukanovic, who first iatory politician. laziness..” Whether Djukanovic does still When the US Vice-Presidentm, became Prime Minister in 1991 He also does not speak pejora- Some people in the country, pull all the strings is hard to say; Joe Biden, met Luksic in the and was later President, has faced tively about the opposition, as which has a population of only the new government has yet to White House, it was the first thing charges in Italian courts of run- Djukanovic did, nor does he talk just over half a million, are clearly confront any big choices by which that came to his mind. “Damn, ning a Balkan tobacco-smuggling down to his ministers. He has pub- proud of having a Prime Minister the Djukanovic “effect” could be man, you’re young too!” Biden ring in the 1990s. lished a book of lyrical poetry. He who can use new information tech- measured. exclaimed. 10 May 20 - June 2, 2011 neighbourhood Ceca’sCeca’s LightLight SentenceSentence VexesVexes Serbia’sSerbia’s LegalLegal GuardiansGuardians Folk diva’s plea bargain - by which she has avoided going to jail for serious financial crimes - has angered law professionals who say it subverts key principles of justice.

Criminal Code. Ceca’s godfather, meanwhile, is that the prosecution is there to The State Prosecutor charged One is that no ruling may dam- Dragan Markovic “Palma”, anoth- protect the law, or the state budg- Saric and 19 alleged associates in age the rights of the injured party; er deputy in parliament who sup- et?” April 2010 with trafficking cocaine By Bojana Barlovac the second one is that every trial ports the coalition government. He said that granting Ceca what and laundered money. Saric must be fair. Palma had said it would be shame- he called a “VIP settlement”, was a remains at large. According to him, the injured ful for Serbia to put “handcuffs” scandal that almost made him “Saric would, I am sure, pay 5 I stole all the stars - I got used party is the club FC Obilic as its round such a celebrity. want to tear up his law diploma million euros [for his liberty],” to it since I lost you”. So sung management did not file a legal “We have to keep our Serbian from Belgrade University. Jaksic told Prishtina Insight. “Serbian turbo folk diva request demanding compensation. brands, as we don’t have that many Ceca’s case has raised questions The whole system called to mind Svetlana Raznatovic “Ceca” back “This happened because Ceca’s of them,” he told the media on about who might be next to plead the medieval doctrine of indul- in the 1990s, though no one then close associates are sitting there May 10, referring to Ceca as a guilty - and then effectively pay for gences by which sinners could be quite understood what she meant. [on the management] and would prime example of a Serbian brand their liberty with a fine and an forgiven their sins in return for Today the lyrics make more never file it,” he claimed. name. agreement to wear an electronic making cash payments, he noted. sense after Ceca pleaded guilty to Regardless of this failure, it was Slobodan Homen, State tag. “It seems that after you first misappropriating millions of still up to the court to examine Secretary in the Justice Ministry, Political analyst Bosko Jaksic steal, using a smaller part of the euros while trading football play- whether the club was the injured said it had been a big step for said if Ceca could be treated so spoils, you can then buy back your ers to foreign clubs from the party in the case, he added. Serbia to indict the famous singer mildly, there was no clear reason freedom and your sinlessness,” domestic club FC Obilic, which Ivosevic said the court had been in the first place. why even such a notorious drugs Jaksic concluded. she headed following the death of far too sentimental in the case, Tomo Zoric, spokesperson for baron as Darko Saric should not Ceca’s legal troubles, mean- her mafia boss husband, Zeljko with high-ranking officials includ- the Serbian Prosecutor’s Office, obtain a similar settlement. while, are not over. The star will Raznatovic “Arkan”. ing Justice Minister Snezana meanwhile, defended the light- Jaksic said he could imagine now have to leave house arrest to But instead of a 12-year prison Malovic pushing for a plea bargain touch sentence on the grounds Saric pleading guilty and then get- appear on court on fresh charges, sentence, the maximum sentence to be reached. that she was “a single mother and ting leave to wear the same kind of concerning violent behaviour for such a crime, Ceca will spend The former judge said the court had behaved well during the crim- tag for a year “on condition he did towards Aleksandar Olarevic, only eight months under house appeared to have buckled under inal proceedings,” as he told the not leave his six-star hotel in another club director, four years arrest after a court in Belgrade pressure coming from politicians media on May 10. Mauritius”. ago. approved her plea bargain with in the ruling centrist coalition The prosecution additionally Saric, a Serbian national from Prosecutors have indicted Ceca prosecutors on May 9. headed by the Democratic Party. defended the plea bargain by say- Montenegro, is the alleged leader for allegedly cursing Olarevic Under the terms of the deal, The Socialist Party leader, Ivica ing Ceca’s fine would help fill cash- of an organised criminal group while arguing over the club’s own- Ceca must also pay a fine of 1.5 Dacic, who is Deputy Prime strapped Serbia’s state coffers. suspected of smuggling over 2.1 ership. Olarevic claims that Ceca million euro in three instalments. Minister, is Ceca’s personal friend, This prompted lawyer Zoran tons of cocaine from Latin was trying to take over his club, Plea agreements, though a char- he noted. Cvetkovic to ask: “Does this mean America to Europe. Mladi Proleter. acteristic element of the law in many countries, are a new phe- nomenon in Serbian criminal pro- cedures, introduced in 2009 as part of the new criminal code. Although thousands of legal dis- putes have been concluded this way already, none has grabbed such media attention or provoked such a hostile reaction. Ceca’s case has been in the spot- light ever since the State Prosecutor’s Office started investi- gation the case eight years ago, and interest has not waned since, especially as the legal community has voiced numeorus objections to the court's decision. While Ceca will be preparing a new album with an electronic bracelet, or tag, attached to her leg, some experts complain that the state is effectively entering into pacts with criminals, paving the way to more concessions in future. Zoran Ivosevic, a former Supreme Court judge, says that regulations have been violated in the case, and if rules are violated, justice suffers. He blamed the court, as it had the final word after Ceca reached her plea-bargain agreement with Y the prosecution. M In his opinion, the court did not C take into consideration two things K from Article 306 of the Serbian Ceca remains a popular figure in Serbia special report May 20 - June 2, 2011 11 Macedonian Prosecutors to Probe Voting List Scandal Probe into claims about civil servants being asked to submit lists of reliable voters to the ruling party is unlikely to change culture of political bullying public employees.

new,” Zdravko Saveski, political and carried out in league with the Gruevski told the Vreme daily science professor and media opposition Social Democrats. newspaper on Wednesday. By Sinisa Jakov Marusic expert at the Skopje-based FON The party said it would sue the “If such things were really University, told Prishtina Insight. A1 journalists behind the story for going on, I would have been the com- “It is good that this problem slander. first to react,” he added. panies. In the absence of more finally hit the public spotlight, but Dragan Gocevski, a law profes- International monitors from recent data, most experts believe acedonia’s State this matter has been dragging on sor, said if the story was stood up, the OSCE, in their report on the practice has only increased. Prosecutor says it will for years as a well-known public it would show that the ruling party Macedonia’s 2009 local and presi- A prime factor also preventing Mprobe recent allegations secret,” he said. was routinely breaching the dential elections, noted the exis- the media from researching this that the main government party is Well-founded reports of such employment rights of civil ser- tence of political pressures in the problem more seriously are the bullying civil servants into provid- lists had circulated “during previ- vants. civil service and recommended owners, often politicians close to ing it with lists of guaranteed ous election cycles”, which sug- “If a superior civil servant the elimination of such practices the government. votes for the June 5 elections. gested that it was “only the inten- orders a subordinate civil to sub- in the future. “Nearly all national TV stations The claims, aired by the pro- sity of this practice that had var- mit a list of voters for a political The European Commission has are directly or indirectly owned by opposition TV station, A1, suggest ied”, Saveski added. party, it is a breach of the law on also noted the problem of politi- politicians close to the ruling the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party of He and other experts claim the the civil servants and a breach of cization of the government party,” Babunski said. Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski latest affair only scratches the sur- article 95 of the constitution that administration in each annual The boss of Kanal 5 is Emil has been organizing and running face of a much deeper problem prohibits all forms of party politi- report on the country’s progress Stojmenov, son of Boris the whole operation. concerning the politicization of cal activities in the state adminis- towards EU accession. Stojmenov, a leader of the small “We will analyze them [the alle- the state administration - the full tration,” he said. Klime Babunski, a communica- VMRO-Vistinska party, which is gations] and determine their effects of which have been “Any kind of order like this tions professor at the Skopje- part of the government coalition. authenticity,” Macedonia's chief brushed under the carpet by a would be illegal”, Gocevski added, based Institute of Sociological, Sitel is owned by the son of prosecutor, Ljupco Svrgovski, said tame, complacent media. noting that the affair should go Political and Juridical Research, Ljubisav Ivanov, a deputy in par- recently. Posing as surveyors from a before the State Anti-Corruption said that over the years there had liament supporting the ruling The TV station’s investigation VMRO-DPMNE call centre, want- Commission. been neither debate nor action coalition. alleges that civil servants are ing to check on whether the listed But Gocevski said the problem taken to reveal and root out this Only A1 is openly critical of the forced to collect and submit lists of people were indeed planning to was “more complex” than a sim- “widespread practice”. government’s work. Perhaps sig- guaranteed voters in exchange for vote for the party, A1 journalists ply blackmail story. Many civil He places much of the blame for nificantly, its owner, Velija keeping their posts or obtaining called several civil servants who servants willingly participated in this silence on the client media Ramkovski, has been behind bars other favours. had allegedly submitted names of such underhand political activi- who risk losing valuable advertis- for five months, awaiting trial for While the ruling party flatly dis- reliable voters. ties, he maintained. ing money if they reveal affairs alleged financial crimes. misses the allegations, some The station aired some of their “Many people got their jobs in that tar the image of the ruling Ironically, Ramkovski was one observers say it wouldn’t be the revealing conversations, claiming the state administration in the parties. of the biggest supporters of Prime first time that political pressure it has other information to further wrong way with the help of politi- Since coming to power in 2006, Minister Gruevski after the 2006 has been bluntly exercised on authenticate its story. cal parties, which is why they’re Prime Minister Gruevski has elections brought VMRO-DPMNE bureaucrats in this way. “We have a problem with the list so obedient and so ready to carry spent millions of euros each year back to power. “The A1 story reveals nothing that you’ve submitted. Two of the out such unlawful and unethical on government-funded adverts – The love-in broke down in 2008 people [on the list] said they do not orders,” Gocevski said. an important source of income to when A1 attacked the government plan to vote [for VMRO-DPMNE],” “A political party, especially in the beneficiaries. for failing to prevent the collapse a journalist can be heard quizzing a poor society, has nothing else to State statistics from 2009 reveal of a local dairy company. a civil servant. offer to its members except that the government was the sec- This article was made possible “How can they not [vote for employment in the administra- ond biggest advertiser in the coun- through the support of the VMRO-DPMNE] now?” a male tion in order to provide them try that year, competing largely National Endowment for voice can be heard responding. some sort of security,” he added. with the local telecommunications Democracy. “I’m trying to arrange a job for According to the State them here at the Fund. I’ll call Statistical Office, the number of them, what else can I say?” he people working in the govern- asks. ment in the country of 2.1 million The man, who reportedly works people is about 120,000 people, and for the state health fund, contin- rising. ues, explaining that in exchange The upward trend is contrary to for obtaining her vote, he is help- all the recommendations that the ing a women obtain in-vitro fertil- country has received from the ization. European Union, urging it to “If need be, I can double the list downsize the cumbersome state [of voters],” the man continues, sector and make it smaller but arguing he had already met his more efficient. quota of 30 people, which is appar- Saveski says civil servants not ently the mandatory number, for affiliated with parties are forced people holding managerial posts. to go along with these activities According to the TV station’s and follow party instruction probe, lower-ranking civil ser- against their will because “they vants have to supply 15 names of are afraid to come out in the reliable voters. open” – and then lose their jobs. “Can you guarantee that these “The problem here is people’s people will vote for us?” a journal- mentality,” he said. “These people ist asks another supposed employ- have to organize themselves and ee in the state health fund. oppose political pressure but they A woman can then be heard have lost confidence in any forms replying that she can vouch “1,000 of organizations such as trade per cent” for the fact that all 15 unions,” he added. names that she has submitted will The fact that Pece Gruevski, vote for the ruling party. head of the Public “This was [done] for my daugh- Administration Workers’ Union, ter’s job,” another woman says, said he was undisturbed by the explaining why she agreed to sub- affair, may add to the perception mit a list of reliable voters, that unions are neither willing adding: “She works in a school.” nor able to resist political pres- VMRO-DPMNE has called the sures on workers. recording an “outrageous mon- “I see no [sign of] breaches of tage”, designed to discredit them workers' rights [in the A1 story]," VRMO Leader and PM Nikola Gruevski 12 May 20 - June 2, 2011 culture Willow Wands and Slaughtered Czech photojournalist Lukas Houdek discovered the delights and intriguing customs of the Roma festival of Hederlezi, celebrated in Kosovo on May 6

Roma people pay special atten- tion to this holiday as it is a cele- bration of the end of the cold By Lukas Houdek weather and therefore of the lean- est days, as there is a lack of food in the winter months. The holiday features many tra- Lukas, get in! Where are you ditional rituals. The most impor- going?” asks curly-haired, 25- tant of these is the sacrifice of a “year-old Driton through the sheep, which is supposed to ensure tiny window of his tiny white car. health and luck to the entire fami- “To Plemetina, to the social ly for the year to come. housing,” I answer, happy that someone is giving me a lift. I get in Sheep wherever you look the back. “Forgive me, my trousers are all A scratched white van drives bloody, I just slaughtered a sheep. through the dusty street near the Hederlezi is not until tomorrow, social housing complex, built four but we are not as into it as the years ago for Roma internally dis- other Roma people are, so we placed people, or IDPs. Strange slaughtered the ram today,” Driton sounds come from the vehicle. Sheep for sale for the traditional slaughter said, pointing apologetically to the The driver stops, slides open the stains on his light-coloured jeans. door, and suddenly the white, ing through the glass doors at hour and the ladies' high heels “Bachtalo tumaro vrbos”, or Several minutes later he lets me fuzzy head of a sheep pokes out. In the entrance to the buildings, start sinking into the mud left "May you find a lucky willow” off not far from two beige high- several minutes a small group of the men have slicked back their after the heavy rains in the in English, say the teenagers rises. I say goodbye as I shut the Roma people has gathered around hair and are wearing carefully squishy fields. from our little group. "Vi car door and head off toward a the car, reaching for their wallets ironed shirts. First, standing in the half- tumenge," or “you too”, the small group of young Roma peo- and are proudly leading their own Even five-year-old girls are metre high wheat field, the girls smiling older women respond. ple standing in front of the main sheep away. perfectly made up and dressed and women cut off some of After finding an accommodat- entrances. It’s Thursday, May 5, They lead the sheep to a pre- in a flood of multi-coloured their own hair and carefully ing tree and tearing off enough and tonight one of the most pared area in the middle of the frills. Small groups of people sprinkle it around the field so acceptable branches, the willow important holidays for Roma peo- meadow in front of the high-rises slowly begin to gather in front the crop will grow as quickly as wands must be soaked at the ple in the Balkans, Hederlezi, will and entrust them to their chil- of the buildings and then grad- their own thick locks. entrance to the local creek. begin. dren's care. ually trail off down the gloomy Then they stick pieces of Then water is drawn up into a Those who cannot buy a sheep path toward the village. Like bindweed to one another's hips, white bucket decorated with this year stand sadly around the every year, almost all of the which will bring them the bless- flowers and we head home to buildings. These are the former local Roma are going to the ings of fertility. prepare the decorations for the IDPs who have been unable to save local creek to gather willow On the way to the most appro- big day tomorrow. The family, up the 60 euro needed from the wands for the festival. That priate willow tree for decorat- on the morning before the sheep minimum humanitarian support evening or the next day, on May ing their homes, we meet slaughter, will take a ritual bath they receive in order to buy their 6, they will decorate the interi- dozens of Roma people who in the water during which they own sheep. ors of their homes with them. have already found it and are scrub themselves with nettles Some purchase a fat rooster to The walk takes more than leaving wreathed with sheaves in order to acquire the strength eat instead of lamb. Others claim half an of rich willow wands. of that stinging plant. not to practise sheep slaughter, but it is obvious they are a bit embarrassed. There are plenty of sheep available. Not to have at least your Hederlezi – own lamb on Hederlezi is a great breaking of the shame. fast Bachtalo Hederlezi was origi- tumaro nally the Muslim name for the Christian feast of vrbos! St George's Day (the Orthodox Church calls in Djurdjevdan) and it falls on May 6. St George is the patron saint of many Serbs and the celebration of his feast day is specific to the Orthodox Church. Both Djurdjevdan and Hederlezi appear to share the same origin. It’s The holiday may have reached 4pm and south eastern Europe during the children are Ottoman Empire era and was sub- still playing in sequently adopted by Roma people, front of the among others. housing units The name of the holiday comes with their herd from the names of two Turkish of frightened prophets, Hizir and Ilyas, who, sheep. according to legend, drank the The Serbian water of eternal life. traders are slowly Hizir is the patron saint of shutting the doors plants and poor people, while Ilyas of their vans and protects animals and the water. travelling to other Y They meet up every year during villages, looking for M the night of May 5 and the morn- new sales. Women in C ing of May 6 to celebrate the end of evening dresses and K winter together. high heels start com- Woman dancing to celebrate Hederlezi culture May 20 - June 2, 2011 13 Sheep: “It's Hederlezi, after all!”

Hajde, hajde!

On the afternoon of May 6 the streets around the two high-rises are rather empty. We had expect- ed a boisterous celebration. “Are they celebrating inside? It's such nice weather. Maybe it's really just a family holiday,” we ask our- selves. It’s clear we missed the early morning part of the cele- bration. The sheep are gone. Speaking Romani, we express our best wishes for the holiday to an older woman walking by and think over where to go. Suddenly our acquaintance from the day before swing out of one of the doors and calls: “Lukas, hajde, hajde!” . I do my best to catch up to my friend, who is in an unusu- al hurry. “There's a big celebration in the village on the meadow, you won't believe your eyes! It's like a wedding,” he assures me, the spark in his eyes convincing me it will make sense to make this jour- ney at a half-run. Circle dancing – fast and without stopping

Loud Balkan music can be heard from afar. On a small meadow in the Roma mahala of Markovac, among several nice- looking buildings, we can see large amplifiers next to a mix- ing desk at which a boy not May 6 is a major celebration in the Roma calendar older than 15 has set up his key- take turns at the microphone, whose whom the entire holiday lost all of their property, particu- great feast according to tradition, board. Three young singers improving on the Turkish- celebration is taking place, say larly during the post-war era, and celebrated what may be the sounding rhythms. to me. have dressed up in the best early arrival of brighter tomor- Two distinct circle dances clothes they can afford in these rows promised by a proper start forming in the middle of It's Hederlezi after all! first days of May, organised a Hederlezi celebration. the field, a men's and a women's. The circles suddenly Despite the fact that at the site come apart and form long lines of the former camp for Roma IDPs with a leading dancer at the near the village of Plemetina Marketing head of each, the woman wav- there is often a dreary, lethargic ing a white handkerchief in her mood, during the two days of the hand, the man jingling a ring of festival the residents’ enthusiasm keys. The tempo slowly increas- and fervour for the celebration of es until the movements of the this important holiday has been sun-baked dancers, which at palpable. first glance seemed uncoordi- “It's Hederlezi after all,” we nated, now gives the large-scale heard frequently around us as an impression of being very natu- ral and organised. explanation for the numerous People unknown to us offer to smiles, for the enthusiasm in host us in their homes, bring- what is otherwise a demotivating Kosovo's only real Irish Pub... ing us coffee and refreshments. environment. “Don't be shy, my boy, have People living in below-average some, it's Hederlezi today!” an conditions as a result of their Willow wands being collected elderly couple, in front of complicated situation, people who Every Thursday Hederlezi? Ederlezi? St George? at 7.30pm derlezi is a popular traditional folk song of the Roma minority in the For 20% off all bar food! Balkans. The song got its name after Ederlezi which is a spring festival, espe- charity Ecially celebrated by Roma people in the Balkans. This holiday celebrates the return of springtime. Ederlezi is the Romani name for the Bulgarian and Serbian Feast of Saint George. It's celebrated on 6 May. The various Balkan spellings include Herdeljez, Erdelezi are variants of the Turkish Hıdırellez. The former Yugoslav rock band Bijelo Dugme released a cover version of this song in Serbo-Croatian using the same melody, but with very different lyrics. There is also another song's version made by Kroke. Ederlezi has been used for the movie Time of the Gypsies by Emir Kusturica, in Goran Bregovi 's version, entitled "Ederlezi (Scena Djurdjevdana Na Rijeci), which actually made the song famous. The song also appeared in the movie Borat: Cultural Learnings of Y America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, although it has M no connection to the authentic music of Kazakhstan. C K 14 May 20 - June 2, 2011 investigation The Bear Game Unscrupulous Romanian hunters are accused of killing hundreds of protected bears each year through legal loopholes and bogus documentation.

found to have threatened people or affect the overall population. The damaged public or private property. hunting lobby maintains that the By Magda Munteanu This is seized upon by some latter is the case, but there`s no reli- unscrupulous managers of hunting able way of counting animal num- areas, who exaggerate or simply bers in place, nor is there a coordi- make up reports of the destruction nated approach to monitoring their he hunter waited until dark. caused and then rake in fat profits movement, at a time when bears are Concealed in an observatory from the fees they charge foreign covering greater distances than Twith small windows, used to hunters to kill the supposedly ever before. There have been sever- monitor animal behaviour, he errant animals. al attempts to improve surveying checked his watch: 9.40pm. It was methods on the ground, however cold and the snow was thick, follow- Changing Hands these have proved ineffective and ing several days of heavy falls. The expensive. bear appeared. It was a big male, at As a consequence, hunters are least 12 years old. The hunter felt at The selection of new managers once thrilled and fearful. He took for Romania’s hunting areas, a able to kill bears almost at will, aim through a window, then pulled process which started in February, exploiting the legal loopholes and a the trigger. The bear stood no has provoked an ongoing dispute bear management system that works to their advantage. chance. It died instantly, the bullet over the effects it will have on game A bear in front of an observatory in Romania entered just behind its left arm - management. blood dripped from the wound. The new system allows those Dubious complaints the damage reports the managers of than a few lines, noting only that “I asked for a big, old male. They hunting associations that can prove hunting areas submit? bears ate sheep or destroyed gave it to me. I am very pleased. I they have the consent of more than The body in charge of deciding “We verify up to 20 per cent of the orchards - without elaborating – will come back in the autumn, to 50 per cent of land owners in their whether a bear should be killed is files we receive from (them). The and requesting that the county hunt black goats,” said 66-year-old area to take over directly the hunt- the state-owned Forest Research truth of the information included authorities do something about it. Fernando Pancorbo from Spain, ing management from its previous and Management Planning in these files is their responsibili- Further enquiries revealed that who has been hunting for over 50 administrators. The rest of the Institute (ICAS), headed by the ty,” said Ovidiu Ionescu, head of nobody is in charge of monitoring years. areas that have not been distributed president of a major private hunt- ICAS and president of the Brasov damage caused by bears nationwide Hunters from around the world in this way will be put up for auc- ing association. It gathers reports hunting association, which this and the environment and forests are drawn to Romania because of tion. on bear numbers and the damage year has a hunting quota of 12 ministry has no idea of the income the abundance of wild brown bears Some say the new managers will caused by them from the several bears, the largest for such an organ- generated by hunting activities. - and they`re prepared to pay up to do an even poorer job than their hundred associations that manage isation in the county. This has brought about a situa- 20,000 euro to bag one. Three hun- predecessors, while others argue hunting around the country - whose Ionescu denies that his Brasov tion where a hunter who's prepared dred were killed for sport in 2010. the former will finally put a stop to income is generated by hunting role compromises his work at ICAS, to spend thousands of euro is enti- All of which is perfectly legal, the plunging numbers of all game - activities. “If I had been involved in counting tled by law to kill a protected ani- despite the fact that the European that's resulted from the poor Based on this information, ICAS the bears within my organisation, I mal. Union deems these animals to be enforcement of hunting regula- has proposed 340 kills for this year would have had a conflict of inter- “The size of the bear he kills endangered, placing them on its red tions. to the EU. It has approved the quota ests. But since I [don't] take part in depends on the depth of his wallet. list of protected species. So how is The major loser in the process is - after checking that all the neces- this process, there is no problem.” I estimate that less than ten per cent this possible? Romsilva, the only state-owned sary procedures have been adhered So what sort of procedures exist of the hunted bears are the ones The problem stems from an manager of hunting areas, which so to - and the ministry of environ- to confirm the veracity of com- that cause problems. It's actually a exemption in EU law which permits far has administered 26 per cent of ment and forests has duly given its plaints? According to Romanian hunt for trophies,” Chiriac, of the the killing of bears if they are the country's 2,162 hunting regions. go-ahead. law, one has to be submitted to the APM at Vrancea, said. It's estimated that its share of the With critics decrying the vague- local town hall within 24 hours of Despite suspicions over the way Highway Danger latter will drop to ten per cent. ness of the system and the apparent damage being incurred. the EU exemption system functions “It's a radical change in hunting. conflict of interests, I decided for Then once this has been regis- in Romania, Ctibor Kocman, repre- Only now the bear will be in danger, myself to see what a bear damage tered, a special commission - made sentative of the European The bear population of the because poaching will increase complaint that ICAS uses to sanc- up of an environment ministry rep- Commission in Romania, says they Apuseni mountains, currently exponentially,” said Armand tion a kill actually looked like. resentative, a member of the can do little until they have evi- estimated at about 300 animals, Chiriloiu, representative of the I approached the only state- Environmental Protection Agency dence that it is having an effect on has been in steady decline, but hunting department of Romsilva. owned administrator of hunting (APM) and officials from the town bear numbers. could be dealt a severe blow The danger is that the new associ- areas, Romsilva, which oversees hall and the management of the “I have doubts related to the sci- once a planned highway ations, many of whom don't have bear populations in parts of a num- local hunting area - must go to the entific methods Romania uses to through the area is built. experience in game management, ber of counties. I randomly picked site of the damage, assess it and manage its bears. We cannot [stop "[The bear population] will will be keen to make profits from Arges, which this year received per- identify the bear that caused it. Romania hunting bears] because we not be able to sustain itself and hunters - with bears at the top of mission from ICAS to hunt 23 bears. Though this process sounds thor- don't have proof of the quota's nega- the [road] project doesn't the list of prized trophies - but in For this county, Romsilva had ough, in practice it appears to be tive effects on the bears,” he said. include any passes for animals," doing so undermine the hunting acquired licenses to kill 12 animals anything but. “They come to check warned Csaba Domokos, bear business. on the basis of six damage com- the damage in less than half of The dispute expert with the nongovernmen- “Unfortunately, they will drive plaints which had been sent by local cases. If the bear ate the sheep, tal association the Milvus the price down and the bear will municipalities and signed by their what's there to check?” said Remo The old Lada Niva creaks as it Group. lose its value. I am very worried. It mayors. Mateescu, vice-mayor of Corbeni, splutters along the bumpy forest The Targu Mures - Iasi high- takes only two to three years to “I've never signed something like in Arges county. road in the Pastravar valley of the way, which will run through the destroy a species,” said Arpad that. We haven't had problems with The concern is that, as long as Harghita mountains. But then the Carpatii Orientali and Carpatii Sarkany, owner of Abies Hunting, bears during the last ten years,” the administrators of the hunting idyllic scenery ends abruptly as up de Curbura parts of the moun- one of the largest hunting market- said Ion Naftanila, mayor of areas have a strong economic inter- ahead a deforested area comes into tain range that have the most ing agencies in Romania, which Albestii de Muscel, when I told him est in getting EU killing exemp- view. Two roebucks lift their heads bears. brings Romsilva most of its wealth- his signature appears on one of tions, the temptation to overesti- and look at us from behind some "I am now working on identi- iest hunters. Romsilva's complaint papers. mate the scale of or even invent the tree stumps. fying those bear routes that will The new private administrators I then approached Eugeniu damage caused by the bears is “Stop,” said the grizzled ranger, be interrupted by the highway of hunting areas are, in turn, Patru, the mayor of Pietrosani, great. who has spent all his life in the at Pasul Bucin and the Tarnava scathing of the former managers’ whose letter of complaint is also “In Vrancea, I've seen about ten woods, tracking animals. He gets Mica river basin," Domokos record on game management. included in the Romsilva file. “I identical complaints, written by out of the car and looks at a trail of said. Benke Jozsef, whose company will made a complaint in the summer of administrators of the hunting area paw marks that lead uphill. “There The aim of the research is take over 500 square kilometres of 2009. I haven't sent any request that were blindly signed by mayors is a bear passage over there,” he mainly to identify corridors Romsilva's best hunting regions in since then, because we don't have and villagers,” claimed Silviu said. used by bears on the planned Harghita, said his “plan is to stop problems anymore,” he said. Chiriac, a representative of the He jumps over a small creek and, route of the highway, and then the massacre Romsilva conducted The other three mayors I spoke to APM in Vrancea. hands in his pockets, follows the to propose bridges over the road in the region. admitted there had been some prob- He added the damage files that animal traces. “They are old. The which the animals can cross. “Besides the hunting quota, they lems with bears in their villages some administrators produce show bear was here three days ago,” the Milvus will try to apply his shot at least double [this figure]. and that they filed complaints to there are losses but do not quantify ranger said. He bends down, picks model to other parts of the The whole [hunting] system is full Romsilva in this respect. them or identifying the actual bears up a small stick and measures the country where bear communi- Y of flaws.” My snapshot survey of the com- that caused them. footprint. “Twenty-four centime- ties are threatened. M The hunting exemption can only plaints system revealed clear fail- Indeed, the complaints that I had tres. It's a young male, four to five "But for some areas it will be C be applied if it can be proved that ings, so what measures does ICAS access to in Arges county were the years old. His den is up there,” he too late," Domokos said K the killing of such bears does not have to check on the accuracy of briefest of assessments, no more pointed uphill towards the forest. investigation May 20 - June 2, 2011 15

Ranger heading towards an observatory, where a bear is eating the food previously put there. These cottages are meant for observation, but they are used for hunting too. I feel I`m standing next to “The Romanian authorities have pletely irrelevant,” he said. the 550,000 euro Lifeursus initia- predict where they will go nor fol- Winnetou, the famous Indian char- no idea of how the bear population Environmental campaigners say tive, the third EU-funded project on low them for any distance. acter from Karl May's novels. But to is structured or of bear cubs' sur- the authorities' estimates of bear large carnivores in the Vrancei “We have gathered information him this is just part of his daily rou- vival rates. All their estimates are numbers are too high because they mountains. Its aim is to implement that has turned upside down every- tine. His job is to monitor bear num- purely guesses,” argued Csaba are based on figures from managers best conservation practice to better thing we thought we knew about bers in this Romsilva-managed Domokos, bear expert with the non- of hunting areas across the country preserve the largest bear popula- bears. We found out that we don't hunting area. governmental association the and are assessed by an organisation tion in Romania, in the central-east- know anything about bears,” The country`s bear population Milvus Group, and a member of the whose head is the president of a big ern part of the Oriental Chiriac said. has been the subject of dispute for National Working Group for Large hunting association. They argue Carpathians, in Vrancea, Covasna He said that attaching GPS col- many years, with estimates varying Carnivores, an advisory body for there's a clear conflict of interest and Harghita counties. wildly. At the top end, the managers the environment ministry. here as the hunters are ones actual- “If Vrancea and Covasna share lars to some bears had revealed that of hunting areas put the figure at Critically, he believes the author- ly counting the prey. the same bears, how is it possible they can travel more than 1,000 7,800, which means that the country ities don't know whether the hunt- But Ionescu from ICAS insists that we proved [there are] only 300 square kilometres in one year, ten has 40 per cent of the bear popula- ing of bears affects the develop- that his aim is to genuinely bears and Covasna says it has more times more than they did a decade tion of Europe, excluding Russia. ment of the species. Being able to increase the numbers of bears in than double [this number]? The ago. The environment and forests min- prove that it doesn't is a key Romania. He explained that man- more bears they say there are, the This means that rangers in con- istry says the number is 6,000-6,500. requirement of the EU when it agers of hunting areas take meas- larger the number they are allowed tiguous hunting areas are likely to It believes this total has remained decides to issue exemptions to the ures to help cubs survive and to kill.” be counting the same bears as they constant for the past decade, but is ban on bear hunting. increases birth rates. The environment and forests migrate through the forests. Since around 2,000 more than the opti- Officially, Romania has a bear “If every bear represents a ministry admits that it only ran- there is no national coordinator for potential 5,000 euro [of revenue], domly checks - through its APMs - mum population size. The govern- management plan, as requested by the monitoring process - who would my interest is to decrease poaching the figures the managers of hunt- ment's assessment, however, is chal- the European authorities. But investigate the possibility of the lenged by some NGOs who a few Domokos warns this plan is based and protect it, so that it can bring ing associations provide ICAS. individual bears being counted sev- years ago said there were no more on data that cannot be verified and me value. If it is a protected species, “From our estimates, there's a 20 eral times - the final countrywide than 3,000 bears left in the country. that hasn't been published in inter- it is of no value to me, because it per cent rate of error. We've had figures are almost certainly inflat- One of the main reasons why the national scientific journals. “All cannot be hunted,” Ionescu said. bears travelling through 14 hunting estimates vary so markedly is that practices included in this plan are However, activists fear that some areas and could have been counted ed, environmentalists claim. the method for counting doesn't based on data which we don't know administrators inflate the figures to 14 times,” Jozsef Both, from the Experts say that in light of the take into account trends within the whether is real or not. The result- show that killing individual bears APM in Harghita, said. distances bears now travel, ICAS bear population. ing numbers are, therefore, com- won't damage the overall popula- should adjust its maps of where tion. Changing habits they traditionally live. “They began to expand their habitat and now live Counting Under Scrutiny The three-year-old bear seems in areas that don't appear on ICAS relaxed as he eats the grains the maps,” Domokos of the Milvus Three Environment Protection ranger has spread in front of the Group said. Agencies (APMs) from Vrancea, observatory. It lifts its head and He points out, for example, a Covasna and Harghita are working pricks up its ears as we approach region of Mures county where the on a 550,000-euro project that will and enter the hut on the Romsilva's ICAS map indicates there are no test five innovative bear-counting hunting area in Harghita. Its name bears, yet he says he has personally methods in Romania. is Foltos (Hungarian for stained - Their aim is to complement the the region is mainly ethnic seen 17 there and said he knows current evaluation procedures Hungarian), because of the white that ICAS has approved a number which are based on footprints spot on its neck. of killing licenses believe that one counts and the monitoring of bear “I know my bears better than my would have to tag a substantial behaviour at observatories. neighbours. One has a small beard, number of bears with GPS collars, The initiative stems from a grow- another is hunchbacked or holds its including cubs and old males, to get ing acknowledgement that present paw [against its body] as it eats,” an accurate picture of migratory counting methods do not take into the ranger said. habits - an endeavour that might consideration the fact that bears He comes here almost daily, at prove to be prohibitively expensive are increasingly migratory. dusk, to keep an eye on the bears as the tagging of 1,000 animals “We want to introduce elements that eat the food meant to keep them Europe's Bear Population would cost of the order of 3.5 mil- of statistical analysis to decrease away from people's crops. He Region Countries Number of bears lion euro. errors,” Mihai Pop, from the APM observes Foltos from behind the And, according to ecologist in Covasna, said. three small windows in his hut. Western Balkans: Montenegro 250 The new evaluation methods “This place is only for observation. Nicolae Daramus, until there is “a Serbia 80 census [of bear numbers] conduct- Kosovo 100 include the use of sensor-activated It's not for hunting,” the ranger said. ed scientifically, the species should Iberia: Spain 120 cameras, bear marking, tightly-con- The bear leaves and, about 15 Pyrenees : France, Spain, Andorra 15-17 trolled monitoring and counting minutes later, Micutu appears at not be hunted”. Apennines: Italy 40-50 and sophisticated computer soft- the fringes of the forest. He's small, It's almost dark when the female Alps Italy, Austria, Slovenia, ware to estimate animal numbers. fearful and cautious. He sniffs the bear and her two cubs come to the Switzerland 30-50 When the project ends in air from the distance, then turns observatory to eat. The ten-year-old December, 2013, the three agencies around and disappears into the mother lifts her nose and smells the Dinaric Pindos: Slovenia, Greece, Bosnia will decide whether any of these woods. air like a dog, then sits down and & Herzegovina, Croatia, methods can be applied in “Bear behaviour has changed allows her babies to play. "It will Serbia, Montenegro, Romania. during the last few years. They trav- soon let her cubs go. We'll have a big Macedonia, Albania 2,100-2,500 “If they prove inapplicable in el much more and it's difficult to male around here in short time," Romania, nobody can say anymore anticipate where they'll go,” the the ranger said. East Balkans: Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria 720 that our current counting methods ranger said. are not good,” Pop said. The old methods of counting This article was produced by the Carpathians: Czech Republic, Poland, Should the agencies decide that bears are not taking into considera- Balkan Investigative Reporting Slovakia, Romania, the new system works, it will pres- tion changes in bear behaviour, in Ukraine, Serbia 8,000 ent a costed proposal to ministry of particular a tendency to wander Network as part of the Balkan Scandinavia: Sweden, Norway 2,600 environment and forests further and further afield because Fellowship for Journalistic “The number of bears has of the encroachment of agricultur- Excellence Alumni Initiative, estab- Y Northeastern Europe: Finland, Norway, Russia 4,300 lished and supported by the Robert M Northeastern Europe: Estonia, Latvia, Russia, increased yearly only on paper,” al activity and deforestation. Bosch Stiftung and ERSTE Belarus 6,800 said Chiriac from the APM in Rangers are able to monitor bears C

Source: IUCN Source: Vrancea, who is now coordinating in hunting areas, but can no longer Foundation. K 16 May 20 - June 2, 2011 Prishtina Insight

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

Cantina am-pm Restaurant Hotel Prishtina Hotel Victory Te Komiteti

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

Friends Bar Odyssea Bistro Paddy O’Brien’s Te Veni

Friends Bar is owned by a Swiss- Odyssea Bistro Bar is a beautiful The staff at Paddy O’Brien’s have a saying: Prishtina now has a place where a Albanian couple. The modern interi- bistro located in the heart of Prishtina, “It’s easy to walk in, but very hard to leave.” warm atmosphere is combined or and the calm terrace behind the offering a combination of a quality And with its warm atmosphere, fantastic range with friendly service and high quality food and drink. Te Veni is bar will make your stay comfortable. menu with inspiring dishes and a mod- of drinks and excellent food, it is easy to see why. a result of the long hunt to find a They offer a wide range of beers, ern bar with a large variety of drinks There have been many attempts to establish a comfortable place to hang out in including Dark Lasko and Murphy’s and exotic cocktails. proper Irish pub in Prishtina, but this is the only Prishtina’s night life. It has tried, Irish Red, which can rarely be found Odyssea Bistro Bar's unique design is one to hit the spot. and succeeded, in creating a relax- in Kosovo. You can also try eight dif- a mixture of classic French influence From classic coffees to cocktails, via, of course, ing atmosphere through pleasant ferent tastes and colours of vodka. and a modern touch. Guinness, you really wont find it difficult to music, performed live. Specialties Starting from May 14 there will be Busy during lunch breaks, romantic select the perfect drink. include a rich kitchen, Turkish for dinners and classy for evening barbeques every Saturday from 5pm A mouth-watering menu of Irish specialties is coffee, morning coffee from 7 am, drinks, Bistro is a great place to visit at to 9pm, and brunch every Sunday also on offer, spanning from all-day breakfasts to appetizers, homemade raki, home- any time of the day. from 9am to Irish stews at night. made wine, a wude variety of 1pm. BBQ and Sample Bistro’s brunch on Sundays, or Options include shepherd’s pie, bangers and beers and wireless. brunch will be enjoy live music on Wednesday, Fridays mash, fish ‘n chips, offered with a and Saturdays and whopping great Perandori Justinian Street wide choice of Bistro, burgers. Peyton (next to Bosnia fast food) local and Sejdi Kryeziu, Pejton, Prishtina Thursday is pub quiz Tel: 044 250 818 international 045402095 and 049333959 night, but there is food. always something going on at the pub, whether it 17, Rr.Fehmi is sport screenings or Agani just a good shindig. 045244 498 Paddy O’Brien’s Y Facebook Tringe Smajli Street, Page: Friends M by the Illyria Hotel Bar - Prishtine Prishtina: 045-420900 C K By Shengjyl Osmani May 20 - June 2, 2011 17 in Prishtina Timeout Contact Prishtina Insight if you would like your event to feature or to advertise your venue. Email [email protected] Prishtina Diary:

Wednesday May 18 – Wednesday May 25, 2011 “Days of German Language” Every day, at 4pm and 6 pm, For the second time, Germany, Austria and Switzerland have got ABC Cinema will screen the together to present a varied programme, which appeals to foreign animated movie Rio. Blu, a rare speakers as well as to native speakers and sparks a desire to take a macaw who believes that he is closer interest at the German language. the last of his kind, shortly dis- Saturday, May 21, 2011 – 8 pm – Tetris Gallery – located near Danish covers there’s another macaw Refugee Council, Str. Mark Isaku, 24 out there, a girl named as Jewel. Dialect evening: a satirical, ironical, eloquently incomprehensible Then, to set up a life with her, he evening of cabaret with the emphasis, first and foremost, on having leaves his cage in small town fun. Open stage for all present with a cocktail provided by the Swiss Minnesota and heads to Rio de Embassy. Janeiro. Blu is domesticated nd Jewel Thursday, May 26, 2011, 8 pm Sunday, 22 May 2011 – 8 pm – Tetris Gallery is the fiercely independent, "Lidhja" - "Relationship" a ballet Film evening with “Being Azem” documentary, Switzerland, 2010, 88 high-flying female. They play by Kosovo Ballet troops. min; Dialect / English subtitles / partly German subtitles. “Being embark on an adventure of a Choreography by Mehmet Balkan, Azem” tells the story of a Kosovan boy and his career in Switzerland lifetime, where they find out Lale Balkan and Tayfun Cebi; to become the most successful Thai boxer of the world and the pride about friendship, love, music: Peter Tchaikovsky, Sergei of a whole people. Preceded at 6 pm by a screening of the Austrian courage, and being open to Rachmaninoff film “Wie geht Friede” (2010, 70min). life’s many wonders as unpre- (A second screening of “Being Azem”, with Albanian subtitles, will dictably thrown mutually. Friday, May 27 & Saturday May take place at Dokufest Prizren at the end of July) Rio also brings collectively a menagerie of bright characters, a 28 heart-warming story, colourful backdrops, stimulating Latin and mod- ‘Klubi I Kokurrecit’ [Tripe’s Club] a Monday, 23 May 2011 – 11 am – Amphitheatre of the National- ern music, and family-friendly song and dance. play by Rushit Ramabaj directed by and University Library ABC cinema is also screening the brand new film The Roommate, Iliriana Arifi. A lecture by Andreas Ernst, “Neue Zurcher Zeitung”, journalist and every day from 8pm and 10 pm. The Roommate is a 2011 thriller film Balkans specialist, on the topic “conflict reporting”, with German- directed by Christian E. Christiansen and starring Minka Kelly, Monday, May 30, Albanian translation. Leighton Meester, Daneel ‘Pergjuesi,’ [peeping], a stand-up Harris, Cam Gigandet, Sharon comedy with Adem Mikullovci, a Monday, 23 May 2011 – 8 pm - Tetris Gallery Leal, Katerina Graham, Nina successful actor and director from A lecture by Andreas Ernst, “Neue Zurcher Zeitung”, journalist and Dobrev and Alyson Michalka. Mitrovica. Balkans specialist, on the topic “conflict reporting”. The lecture will An emotionally unstable All the plays are in Albanian lan- be followed by an open discussion. college freshman (Leighton guage, and start at 8 pm. Ticket cost More information please find on the webpage: Meester) grows obsessed with 3 euro, and there is a discount for http://www.pristina.diplo.de/ and in her unsuspecting roommate, students and pensioners at just 1 http://www.pristina.diplo.de/Vertretung/pristina in Danish director Christian euro per ticket. For reservations /de/06/Veranstaltungen_20der_20Botschaft/2011- E. Christiansen's call 038 224 397 or 044 430 693, or visit TddS/Tage-der-deutschen-Sprache-2011.html Englishlanguage debut. the National Theatre from 10 am to A third movie screened by 1 pm and 5pm to 8 pm; or email Friday, May 20, 2011 ABC cinema, every day, from [email protected] Filikaqa is organising a karaoke competition. After 8pm and 10 pm is the movie three semi-final weeks, the winners will attend the Water for Elephants. Saturday, May 21, 2011 Dodona final karaoke competition night on June 3, 2011. Based on the acclaimed Theatre bestseller, Water for Theatre play for children, ‘Tom and Friday, May 20, 2011 Elephants presents an unex- Jerry’ from 12 noon. The play is Hard Rockers Club: Disco Electro, Pop, and 80s pected romance in a uniquely directed by Faik Gashi, author music films. compelling setting. Hivzi Krasniqi, music Efraim Veterinary school student Kastrati, costumes Boris Qershkov, Tuesday, May 24, 2011 Jacob meets and falls in love pictures Mehmet Behluli. Actors: Hammam Jazz Bar, promotion of Gillespi new with Marlena, a star per- Valdet Rama and Faik Gashi. [second] album. former in a circus of a bygone era. They discover beauty amidst the Gillespie is an underground rock'n'roll band of world of the Big Top, and come together through their compassion Kosovo established in 2005, known to be an influen- for a special elephant. Against all odds -- including the wrath of tial band for many of the current bands in Kosovo. Marlena's charismatic but dangerous husband, August -- Jacob and When performing live it usually ends up experi- Marlena find lifelong love. menting with noisy psychedelic fusion. Due to For detailed information, ticket reservations or movie schedules scarce finances, it took the band a year to launch contact ABC on 038 243 117 or visit their web page www.kinoabc.info its first album, which in fact was a live demo “Nje dite e zakonshme” (An ordinary day) consisting of 10 original songs, written by the band members. The band has also developed and launched two video clips, and one was given the prise for the best post-production in 2006 by the Video Fest in Kosovo and was nominated for the best video prise in other local and interna- tional competitions. The song "E Di!" was in the top charts in Kosovo for six months in a row while the single "Luledielli" was nominated for the best indie song in a few international charts. The band has also published an EP (Femme Fatale) consisting of one single and three unplugged recordings done in a radio station in Kosovo. The "Femme Fatale" single was also nominated for the best alternative song in the Top Fest festival in Albania. The albums where always distributed to the audience free of charge, based on requests from individuals. The band has also played in different countries in the region (Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro) and Kosovo. The band was invited by the MTV producers to play as a warm up band for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in India, Serbia in the Green Festival, however, due to travel- ling and documents restrictions this could not be achieved. The band had a two-year break between 2008-2010, and it is now in the midst of preparing material for its new, upcoming album "Nje nate e zakonshme!" (An ordinary night!). Gillespie is consisted of: Hana on the vocals; Guri on guitar; Isah on bass guitar and Sexha on drums.

Wednesday, May 25 2011 Duplex Club, grand opening of the new Y Summer season, with special DJs invited for the night. M C K 18 May 20 - June 2, 2011 Inside Prishtina Curtain Rises on Stand-Up Comedy in Prishtina An actor in his late sixties is one of a rare breed of stand-up comics in Kosovo – a pioneer of a form of comedy little practiced in the Balkans.

part in a stand-up routine in Maribor, wondered for a while if I could even do it,” all the time and I didn’t like it,” Mikullovci Slovenia. Mikullovci says, recalling the days prior to opined. After that, since February this year, departure to Slovenia. “I liked it much more, watching a By Petrit Collaku Mikullovci has put on more than It’s not that easy, putting a man or a woman talk about artistic values and world 20 stand-up shows in the woman in stage in front of audience, giv- literature; she was on a better level. Nice National Theatre in Pristina. ing them a microphone and just letting humour,” he adds. “The philosopher Voltaire them talk, he notes. He was young when he first realised that dem Mikullovci, a comedy veteran once said that the best “But then I thought of telling the story of he had a natural ability to make people who until recently had never tried weapon of the human race my life’s experience, the ups and downs, laugh, he recalls. Astand-up, got a warm reception from is laughter,” Mikullovci my family, my first love, and the time I As a youngster, his mother had wanted the audience in Pristina on Monday when says, adding that started in theatre,” Mikullovci explains. him to become a doctor one day and find a he finished his one-hour performance. laughter is what “Stand-up comedy should have an ele- cure for himself because he was very skin- The 69-year-old is modest about his the people of ment of truth in it as well. Not just ny. potential. He is not that used to this form of hard-pressed jokes,” he says, unpacking his own “My father said I’d become a lawyer comedy - but is always happy to see an Kosovo need most right now. philosophical approach. because I talk too much,” he said, sharing audience enjoy his performance. On Monday night, he man- Although he mocks politicians some this memory out loud with the audience. He would like to see other artists in aged to hold the attention of of the time in his act, Mikullovci does “And here I am. Coming to the end of my Kosovo continue to develop this particular 20 or so persons in the audi- not relish “swearing and cursing” all life and making people laugh,” he says. genre, which has become very popular in ence, recalling chapters the time. Cultural life in Kosovo is passing the world but is still little known in the from his life from the very “It’s not my style,” he says, recalling through difficult times, he feels, and too lit- Balkans. early days of childhood to a comedian in Maribor he saw per- tle attention is given to culture in general. His stand-up career started when the the present. forming in the street front of café, “Artists have been saying time and time artistic director of the National Theatre of “When I was first invit- drawing a large crowd of people. again that the best ambassador of a any Kosovo, Jeton Neziraj, asked him to take ed to perform stand-up, I “But he swore and cursed the politicians country or nation is its culture,” he notes. Shop Review Little Unique Boutique

ooking for quality handcrafted items to brighten up your home? Look no Cushions Stuffed Full of Charm Lfurther than Little Unique Boutique. Opened two months ago in the Green Shopping Centre in Sunny Hill, this cushion shop delivers unique and creative designs for all tastes. All the cushions are handmade by Igballe Hoxha, who has a great deal of experience in this field from her time in the United States. All the materials are carefully select- ed with high quality in mind. To make a cushion to your design, Hoxha needs just two to three days to create your order. One piece costs from 15 to 25 euro, depend- ing on the size. The shop is open every day, Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm. Little Unique Boutique is located on the second floor of the shopping centre.

For orders, call 044 905 554 or write to [email protected] Little Unique Boutique Green Shopping Centre, Sunny Hill, Y Prishtina M 044 905 554 C Visit the Facebook site “Little Unique K Boutique - Decorative Pillow - Prishtina” 19 Inside Prishtina May 20 - June 2, 2011 Bar Review: Erin Hutchinson resident project officer at Future Voters Te Veni of Kosovo, KIPRED offices Veni, Vidi, Vici: Pejton’s New Bar Wins Plaudits

By Shengjyl Osmani

ejton has long been a hub of night-time activity in Prishtina, with bars, cafes and restaurants lined up along this busy stretch.

P of: the Eyes through Prishtina But recently opened venue Te Veni offers something a little different to its many competitors in this area. Not only does it offer up a touch of traditional Kosovo – think sofra tables – the bar also delivers wifi and live music. Food includes cold sandwiches, donuts, homemade baklava and ice cream. The venue’s main specialty is the Turkish cof- fee, not often found in bars around town, and homemade brandies, raki, and wines, offered at reasonable prices. Every morning, they have special offer for coffee, from 7 to 10 am, brewing up a cup for 0.50 euro. Every weekend at Te Veni you can catch some live music, performed by different local bands, mainly playing instru- mental and unplugged music. For more details and events, follow them in their Facebook page at Te Veni. Te Veni Str. “Perandori Justinian” Peyton Area, Tel: 044 250 818 (next to Bosnia fast food) What surprised you most about Prishtina? What surprised me most about Prishtina was probably the fact that people you meet in the city- -neighbours, waiters, even taxi drivers--are very nice and helpful. I was also very impressed by the Prishtina’s Great Hammam level of English spoken by kids at the schools I have visited in Prishtina and Gjilan. I brag about it to my friends who live in other countries in the to Become Museum Balkans. while the other part of the building was preserved and its cultural heritage will What’s your favourite hangout? left in ruins. be saved and renewed,” said Halili. Our favourite place to hang out these days is Attempts to restore the site have been “The Special Committee, established Himalaya Gorkha, the Nepali restaurant. It's By Shengjyl Osmani attacked by heritage experts, who com- by the Ministry of Culture, aiming to located in a very weird mall, but you can't beat plain that builders have ignored a care- protect, promote and preserve cultural their garlic nan bread. fully design plan to protect the struc- heritage, knows best that the usage of ture’s Ottoman features. Modern bricks the Great Hammam as a museum will rishtina’s Great Hammam is to be Do you do anything cultural? have been used and the building’s dog best promote our cultural heritage, and I have been to the Ethnographic Museum three transformed into a museum, it has tooth cornices have been destroyed. will be a great place where we will have been announced. times since it is my favourite place to take visi- P Halili said the building will hold the opportunity to learn more about our Mustafe Halili, head of the cultural tors. exhibits from the Neolithic period and culture and see it from close.” department from the Municipality of 18th Century. It is not yet clear when renovation Prishtina, told Prishtina Insight that What is the most annoying thing about “We cannot make it into a hammam, a work will be completed or when the site the historic building would not return Prishtina? traditional bath, but the building will be will be opened as a museum. to being traditional steam baths. The cars parked on the sidewalks are pretty It is now planned that it will house annoying because then I have to walk in the cultural artefacts once renovation, streets and dodge the traffic. Whenever I need a which has been long delayed and much break from that I go to Tirana, which has some criticised, is completed. really wide sidewalks. Prishtina’s Hammam was built in the second half of the 15th century. If you were mayor of Prishtina for the day, According to the little information and what would you change? documentation available, it was built in If I were mayor for a day I'd probably put one of 1461 as a facility for the Fatih Mosque my KIPRED colleagues in charge instead, since and its local community. they know all the problems much better than I do. As a public baths, the public used it for generations until its original func- tion was only abandoned in the 1960s. How many macchiatos do you drink a day? From then on, the building suffered I drink one filter coffee per day and one or two much damage and since 1989 has macchiatos on top of that. received no maintenance work, despite the building’s status as one of the oldest What’s the tastiest Kosovar food? Ottoman structures in Prishtina. I like the Elbasan Tave and the sarma at The building was then used as a place Tiffany's the best. I also like the delicious bread to store construction materials, while made from the leftover liquid from cheese--it the main entrance halls were turned reminds me of sourdough bread in America. into shops. In 1995, the shops in the eastern part What landmark do you use to tell taxi driv- of the building burned down, causing ers where you live? extensive damage. Slovenia Sport. Actually, I live closer to the City Y Other parts of the building continued Park, a.k.a. the Italian Park, but for some reason M to be used for shops until the first con- the taxi drivers don't know it. C servation activities started in 2007, K If you would like your NGO to appear in 20 May 20 - June 2, 2011 our Making a Difference feature, please Opinion email [email protected] Media Freedom and Its Enemies in

Political and economic crises on the one hand - and pro- fessional weaknesses, compromised standards and media corruption on the other - are the biggest enemies of the ranked 34 and was the best per- close. media in the Balkans today. former in the Western A troubling Balkans. new issue in ing; election reporting; public In some countries spending, investigative report- Croatia, is concentration ing, with special focus on corrup- media pres- of ownership, By Gordana Igric, BIRN tion and organized crime; and use sures are which goes Regional Director of internet social networks. subtly against plu- Combined efforts - within coun- differ- ralism. tries, the region and the EU - cou- ent. The big ogether, their result is pled with expert training, might There, media humiliated, financially deliver long-term results, if we according to play- Texhausted and disillusioned have the patience and money to a paper pro- ers, journalists, editors who act as pup- see them through. duced by the some pets for owners and propagandis- country’s with tic, irresponsible journalism in Old troubles - and new journalists associa- foreign com- general. tion in April, freedom of panies as owners, appear to One consequence: people ones, too: journalists in privately have succeeded in persuading gov- throughout the Balkans are owned media groups is reluc- ernments to look the other way. deprived of the information they The economic crisis that hit the often limited by the busi- tance to make To prevent media concentration need, which is a prerequisite for Balkans two years ago, which has ness interests of their ownership of and reveal the identity of media useful lasting reform. yet to lessen its grip, has increased owners, as well as by advertisers. the media transpar- owners in Serbia to the public, the Another consequence: a chronic the media’s vulnerability to politi- Editors in Croatia too often act ent. Offshore com- first version of a Law on Unlawful loss of public trust in the media. cal and business pressures. as the extended hands of political panies are some- Media Concentration appeared in Readers and viewers see journal- In some countries, pressures and financial centres of powers, times listed as media owners. spring 2008. ists as influenced by various inter- make themselves felt in sophisti- the paper said. Chains of internationally based It has since been changed and est groups and politics, and as a cated ways. In others they are still It concluded that the position of companies appear independent of various debates have been held - corrupt force. blatant and aggressive. the journalists today is in some one another, but actually belong to but the law has never been adopt- After two decades of transition, Increasing or reducing the flow ways worse than it was under the one owner. ed. no wonder most media experts feel of advertising money from the openly authoritarian regime of These are all common sophisti- Another troubling new phenom- pessimistic. They believe it is government is always a very per- Franjo Tudjman in the 1990s, when cated ways to avoid charges of vio- enon has come from the direction hard, if not impossible, for most suasive “argument”, or tool, that there were still some independent lating media ownership concen- of internet portals. Totally unreg- journalists and editors to exit this can be used against media groups voices. tration laws and of exercising a ulated, they all too often offer vicious circle. Many feel that fighting for survival. Turning to neighbouring monopolistic position. information designed for propa- media professionals are now con- In Serbia, for example, a hand- Bosnia, increasingly turbulent Other tricks are the use of ganda or hate speech purposes. demned to remain in the grip of ful of advertising agencies close to ethnic politics and a deepening cousins, wives, sons or other rela- political parties and of tycoons. the ruling parties control almost economic crisis since the elections tives to act as nominal owners of Enemies in our midst: But it is not impossible to take a all the advertising money, prompt- last October have all taken their media houses, disguising the con- different direction, even though it ing justified complaints about toll on media freedom. flict of interest as the real ones are Not all the problems in the will take us on a road that is full their role in reducing pluralism in Bosnia's private print and elec- public officials. arena of media pressures can be of obstacles. the media. tronic media are almost all con- In some countries, no legal bar blamed on politics. The media One positive direction involves The privatisation process is not trolled directly or indirectly by exists preventing public officials themselves are all too often com- a regional strategy on media free- complete, and the state remains parties representing ethnic groups from owning media outlets at the plicit in their problems. dom. This is needed, because, as present in several mainstream or by businesses affiliated to those same time. Journalists willingly lend them- many experts agree, the cancer is media houses, directly influencing parties. Even where countries do have selves to hate speech and to the regional. Another unifying ele- editorial policy. Media outside The situation with Bosnia's pub- legal frameworks that oblige own- struggles of their political party ment is the joint drive of all coun- Belgrade remain firmly in the grip lic broadcasters is even more wor- ers to submit complete informa- affiliated owners; editors are cor- tries in the region to join the of local political leaders. rying. They are now coming under tion on ownership, that informa- rupted by advertising issues, or European Union and a conse- In other countries, pressures direct political pressure to dis- tion is all too often not checked. are led by fears that they might quent obligation to meet take different forms. Macedonia’s mantle some of successful self-reg- State agencies in charge of con- lose valuable advertising if they European standards. government opts for the old tried- ulatory bodies, like trolling and monitoring such data investigate certain businesses. Such a strategy could be devel- and-tested strategy of prosecuting Communication regulation are usually poorly equipped and Not all media run their own oped by a regional coordinating media owners for tax offences - but agency, CRA, built under the aus- short of staff. business in completely transpar- team that would exchange know- only, of course, those with whom pices of the international commu- No real efforts are being made ent manner. This makes it difficult how and take on board experts they have fallen out. nity. on the part of regional govern- for the public to raise its voice from countries now in the EU In Albania, the sharp polarisa- ments to define media strategies. when they fall out of favour and that had similar media problems tion of the political environment - The region: Moreover, the legal framework, are selectively picked on by angry in the past. and the upcoming elections - have even when it is put in place, is governments, for tax evasion, for The job of designing and increased pressure on the media Taking into account the natural rarely or selectively implemented. example. adjusting the overall strategy to as the two rival political forces differences in pressures in the var- Elites are proven experts in using While, in the past, politicians fit countries’ specific needs struggle to get the press on their ious countries, we can detect a the courts and the tax authorities had to pick a phone to exert direct would be handed to grass-roots side. common thread - or threads. to selectively target their media influence, now that influence per- organizations - but they would One pressure takes the form of Throughout the region, political enemies. vades the newsroom through edi- need financial, professional and the provision of “ready-made” elites are proving highly resistant We see a rise in the use of libel tors who act as the extended hands management support. news. Produced in parties’ head- to implementing strategies and and defamation court cases as of businesses or parties. More importantly, they must quarters, these news items or laws that guarantee media free- additional tools to intimidate the Journalists meanwhile have not be left alone to struggle to be reports are simply sent to the doms, or reinforce those already media, coupled with the enforce- become used to the art of compro- heard by their governments. media, where they are then often adopted by law. ment of what looks like unreason- mise to stay in their jobs – a prior- They need a loud supporting published, aired or broadcast In some cases, laws to this effect ably high fines. ity task in a time of economic cri- voice from the region and from without a challenge. have remained stuck in the parlia- For example, a record number of sis. Brussels. By denying reporters access to mentary pipeline for years - never lawsuits was filed against Journalists have less time than Pressure from Brussels needs their campaign meetings, both adopted. Macedonian journalists for ever, being constantly told to pro- to be more direct in the years to Albania’s ruling Democrats and Media experts across the region defamation last year - 170 - most of duce more items, and so fill pages come, as it is only pressure that the opposition Socialists indirect- agree that the lack of willpower to them pressed against investigative and supplements as quickly as pos- local governments take seriously. ly force the media to rely on mate- change the environment for the journalists or reporters seen as sible. On another parallel front, with rial produced by the parties’ own better reflects a perception by critical of the government. These pressures combine to cre- a view to enhancing journalistic press offices. politicians that the status quo - While libel is still not decrimi- ate an army of professionals who standards - which are often disap- Albania ranked 88 out of 173 indeed anarchy - suits their con- nalised in all countries in the don’t have the time or the skills - Y pointing, to put it mildly - there is countries in the 2009 Reporters stant goal - to control the media, region, high fines are the more let alone the inclination - to prop- M a need for well-designed training without Borders “Freedom of the especially during elections. threatening weapon - one that erly look into such complex phe- C in specific skills. Press Index” - a significant down- Throughout the region, we see a could force some media houses to nomena as corruption or organ- K The skills are judicial report- grade from 2003, when Albania 21 Opinion May 20 - June 2, 2011 the Balkans The Solutions to Bosnia’s Crisis Lie in Sarajevo While the blame for the country’s latest political crisis is being placed firmly on the Republika Srpska, Sarajevo’s political elite has done little to persuade Bosnian Serbs that a joint state is their best option. cal elite in Banja Luka to float the war. such policies as the referendum The Republika Srpska leader- on the State Court. ship should respond to any posi- Darragh Farrell While the Bosnian Serb leader- tive overtures from Sarajevo with ship may wish to encourage this its own positive gestures, which detachment and separation, the could include ending any further political leadership of the questioning of the details of the Bosniak [Muslim] community, 1995 Srebrenica genocide, for osnia and Herzegovina is in the largest of the country’s three example. the midst of yet another of main ethno-national groups and What is perhaps the biggest Bits characteristic political the one with the most belief in a dramas, with the President of the disappointment is the lack of an strong, unified state, have done Serb-dominated Republika attempt to reach out from those little to reach out to the Serb Srpska, Milorad Dodik, pushing a in Sarajevo that most espouse the ized crime. grip on the media. This has to referendum on the authority of community and allay the fears merits of a civic, unified Bosnia. Lacking relevant skills and with come both from Brussels, at the the State Court and Prosecutor’s and suspicions which allow While President Josipovic in no in-house trainers, editors and top end, and from strengthened Office. President Dodik to push sepa- neighbouring Croatia has under- journalists are not up to the task of professional journalistic associa- This latest provocative policy ratist notions. taken a number of activities defending libel suits in court, tions and media outlets, from the from President Dodik has If proposals from the showing a sincere effort to under- which require in-depth knowledge bottom end. Without strong Bosnia’s international overseers Republika Srpska that question stand and respect the suffering about submitting documents and diplomatic pressure, there will be worried, with the international or undermine the state of Bosnia experienced by all communities proving facts. no change. community’s High and Herzegovina are to be in the wars of the 1990s, his ideo- There have been many attempts The second thrust needs to Representative, Valentin Inzko, reduced in popularity and ulti- logical partners in Bosnia have and praiseworthy examples of pro- come from grassroots level, describing the political situation mately brought to a halt, there is done little in a similar vein. fessional bodies being established guarding standards, developing as “the most serious crisis since a need for Serbs to be persuaded Indeed the most reconciliatory to raise standards and protect pro- skills and protecting union the signing of the [1995] Dayton that their future best lies in a statements from the Sarajevo fessional and journalistic ethics. rights. agreement”. joint state. political scene towards the But their power remains highly A strategy harmonizing this What is particularly worri- The Bosniak community, and Republika Srpska in recent years limited – confined mainly to issu- two-pronged intervention could some for the international com- in particular its political leader- have come from Sulejman Tihic ing press releases and condemna- be fashioned on a regional level munity is that the referendum ship, has an inherent responsibil- and Bakir Izetbegovic, of the tions. by a small independent group of not only challenges the legitima- ity in this regard, much like Bosniak-nationalist Party of Self-regulatory bodies have media experts from the region cy of the State Court and Nationalists in Ireland who have Democatic Action, SDA, rather failed miserably in most countries, and some EU countries. to convince Unionists in Prosecutor’s Office, and the than from those parties that pur- without power to sanction the cul- Their role should also be to act Northern Ireland, through reach- authority of the Office of the port to be more moderate or prits. Those dealing with the elec- as a focal point for regional infor- ing out and allaying suspicions High Representative, OHR, which multi-ethnic. tronic media and with broadcast- mation exchange, sharing know- rather than through violence, established these institutions, it Besides expediting a credible ing issues soon became the focus how as well as alerting Brussels also could set a dangerous prece- that a united Ireland is in the investigation into crimes that of politicians’ attention and found as to whether the process is dete- dent for the Republika Srpska to best interests of both communi- may have been carried out their independence undermined. riorating. stage further referendums in ties. against the Serb community in They have been “colonised” by the Regional strategic documents future, including on the Serb Occasions such as last week’s the war, there is a need to bring political elite. should deal with the following entity’s secession. facilitation by the Sarajevo city Bosnia’s state institutions closer Numerous initiatives across the basic recommendations: insisting While the focus is now on how authorities of the commemora- to the citizens of the Republika region from different internation- on ownership transparency and far President Dodik will go with tion of the 1992 Dobrovoljacka Srpska, through for example, al organizations or journalistic checking submitting data; his brinkmanship, little atten- Street killings, and this week- increased sittings of the state associations have resulted in the decriminalizing libel and limit- tion has been paid as to why the end’s similar commemoration in parliament outside of Sarajevo. formation of working groups of ing the financial frames of fines; Republika Srpska choose to pur- Tuzla, go a small way to showing Other measures, cultural and independent experts who did their fair competition/anti monopolis- sue its policy of challenging state the Serb community that events social, less tangible and more dif- best to prepare proposals of differ- tic laws; limiting the influence of institutions and the OHR, creat- which are important to them, ficult to bring about, are also ent kinds. But their efforts have advertising agencies; excluding ing the “most serious crisis” in however controversial and offen- also failed when their proposals media owners from public office; over 15 years. sive to others, are respected and required to make Serbs and had to be supported by govern- finalizing privatization; ensuring It can be perhaps argued that have a place in the joint state. A Croats feel more comfortable in ments and adopted by parlia- self regulatory bodies are elected the Republika Srpska leadership parity of esteem between the identifying not only as Serbs and ments. in a transparent way; and others. is using the referendum issue three main ethno-national Croats, but also as Bosnian and Finally, thousands of journal- Finally, local professional asso- and resulting political crisis to groups is called for, which recog- Herzegovinians. ists who lost their jobs in recent ciations should develop country- distract people’s attention from nises the concerns of each. To avoid political crises such years find themselves without pro- based strategies dealing with the present economic downturn – International representatives, as the one that the country is cur- tection, with no union to fight for their specific conditions. the old trick of stirring national- who for the most part are based rently experiencing, the Serb and their rights. Solidarity has failed. There is no guarantee that pur- ist issues in times of economic in Sarajevo and rarely spend Croat communities have to be Associations of journalists are suit of this strategy would end in difficulty. much time in the Republika convinced of the merits of not well equipped to deal with typ- success. It would require signifi- Another theory is that this is Srpska, as well as Bosniak politi- believing in Bosnia and ical union issues. They lack cant money invested in grass an attempt to muzzle both the cal leaders, need to make a Herzegovina, its potential and finances and manpower, and have roots organisations, as well as State Court and the Prosecutor’s greater effort to understand the prospects - and the Bosniak lead- to finance themselves with virtu- into the training and coordinat- Office and thereby prevent seri- fears of both the Serb and Croat ership, as well as the internation- ally symbolic membership money, ing activities. But it at least holds ous investigation into allegations communities, including address- al community, have a leading while desperately seeking other out the hope of change for the of corruption among the Bosnian ing genuine concerns that may responsibility in this regard. grants. Some countries have more better, which is more than be said Serb political elite. exist among Serbs that crimes The “sting” from the latest than one journalists’ association. if the status quo is left as it is… Even if one or both theories committed against their commu- provocation of President Dodik, There is a need to strengthen It could reduce the intolerable are correct, it does not detract nity during the 1992-5 war are not and the fears on which it is built, these organizations, or establish pressures on the media, leading from the fact that many in the investigated seriously by the should be removed to ensure the new unions that can more effec- to greater pluralism and greater Republika Srpska support their state authorities. possibility for moving towards a tively defend the standards of the confidence within the profession. government’s initiative and ques- A parity of esteem does not Bosnia and Herzegovina in which profession and employees’ rights. tion the role of the central state mean a parity of victimhood or all its population have a stake. This paper was written for a institutions. suffering, and Bosniak leaders high-level international confer- How to make it work? It is the geographical, social should be confident that by Dr Darragh Farrell is a mem- ence entitled "Speak Up!", which and psychological detachment of reaching out to the other commu- ber of the Centre for the Study of Two levels, or forms, of joint addresses media freedom in the many Serbs in the Republika nities, they are not relativizing Wider Europe at the National intervention are needed. Western Balkans and Turkey. The Srpska from the paraphernalia of crimes or lessening the enormity University of Ireland, Maynooth. One involves putting pressure event is organised by the the Bosnian state and its centre of the crimes committed against The views expressed in this article on governments to lessen their European Commission on May 6. in Sarajevo that allows the politi- the Bosniak community during are his own. 22 May 20 - June 2, 2011 community focus Pedal Power to the People of Ecosovo Palestine The Land of Cyclists on a journey from London to Blood and Honey Palestine stopped in Prishtina this week to get involved with community projects By Elizabeth Gowing

his is the story, almost certainly untrue, of how the Balkans got their name. In Turkish, bal means By Shengjyl Osmani T‘honey’, and the story goes that when the Ottomans first arrived here they saw the lush vegetation and the rich soil and recognised this area as a land of honey. It was only after they discovered how hard they would oung people from the United have to fight to subdue and eventually lose their territory Kingdom are taking the long and here that they acknowledged the second syllable in the Ywinding road from London, The PEDAL team in Plementina, near Obilic region’s name; in Turkish, kan means blood. through Europe, passing by Prishtina, to reach The Occupied Territories in cyclists travelling from London to work. Some spent the day in Plementina, And so it is that the area where we live is the land of 100 days by bicycle. Palestine by bicycle in 100 days in spring near Obilic, working with young people blood and honey. “Many people in the UK are shocked by 2011. in the Roma community. Whatever the etymology, the entomology is correct – Israel's repressive policies, especially the They started their journey on March 21 They have also joined up with NGOs this is a country rich in benevolent insects, and particu- death and destruction inflicted during in London, and have since visited Ideas Partnership and Balkan larly the honeybee. We must all be familiar with the bee- 'Operation Cast Lead' in January 2009,” Brussels, Graz, Sunflowers to help with projects in Fushe hives glimpsed in smallholdings, against hillsides, along Alice, one of the travellers, told Croatia, and Kosove. the roadside – a rare indicator of environmental health in Pristhina Insight. Bosnia, before reach- “We want to address more the strug- Kosovo. “Cycling to Palestine ing Kosovo last week. gles of resistance, mainly for Palestine, But the honeybee is under threat – here as in other and visiting communi- When asked why make their problem be heard, because parts of the world, particularly the US and Western ties along the way they have chosen to some businesses are occupying land for Europe. Last month my own two hives which have been such as Prishtina stop in Kosovo, Alice mass production, governments have with me here for four years were found with their queens allows us to spread added: “Kosovo is a occupied other territories and created dead (and when the queen dies, all the workers dependent the message of boy- post-conflict zone and conflicts,” added Robbie, another cyclist. on her die too). And if the honeybees are under threat cotts, divestments there seems to be a After Kosovo, they will continue their then the whole food chain is threatened. Approximately and sanctions of Israeli lot of Western aid journey to Greece and beyond. one in every three forkfuls we eat is bee-pollinated: with- goods and services that are money here to rebuild the Alice added: “The bicycle allows us to out bees we would have no apples, no onions, broccoli, car- illegally produced in the Occupied country. travel and visit communities while inter- rots, cherries, potatoes, tomatoes. Worldwide, alfafa is the Territories. “We're from the UK, which is part of acting with the landscape and cultures main crop pollinated by bees, and this is mainly used as “The international community needs NATO, so it has been important for us to that we move between. feed for cows. If alfalfa failed because the bees failed, to end its silence and support for the understand our country's involvement “In the UK and Europe, the growth of there would be no beefburgers, no dairy products. Israeli occupation. We don't need to wait here. I think there is a lack of under- air travel is producing a lot of pollution for our governments to do this. We can standing in the UK about the complexi- and carbon dioxide emissions which So what can we do to support the precious begin now, today by boycotting Israel.” ties of the conflict here.” increases the threat of climate change. honeybee? P.E.D.A.L. is a group of community As in each stop, PEDAL spent their Travelling by bicycle allows us to mini- time in Kosovo carrying out charitable mize our environmental impact.” organisers, artists, food growers and Buy local honey. Kosovan honey is excellent and there is no need for the rows of honey imported from Slovenia, Macedonia, Turkey, which line the shelves of the super- markets. Most Kosovan honey is mixed wildflower honey, Prishtina Spurns Petition from bees who have foraged on a range of flowers (most of which will have proliferated because they are in areas where there has been minimal pesticide use). But you should also look out for the dark, nutty chestnut (‘geshten- to Pardon Stray Dogs je’) honey which goes particularly well on porridge. Kosovan producers also make fine acacia (‘bagrem’in Kosovo capital officials say they will carry on killing stray dogs despite receiving a petition urging Albanian) honey, and it’s possible to find the delicious them to find a more humane solution to the problem and appeals from French lavender honey from some beekeepers. If you see honey raki on sale you should also grab the chance to buy some actress Brigitte Bardot. – although it’s not particularly sweet the honey takes the edge off the raki’s kick and makes for a mellower aperitif. Replace the sugar you eat with honey. This helps honey bees and honey producers, but it also helps reduce the By Petrit Collaku food miles represented on your table. In fruit or herbal teas, honey tastes a lot better than sugar. Try it on your morning bowl of cereal too. And you can also substitute honey for sugar in baking (because it’s so much sweeter, his year, like last year, the munic- you’ll need to reduce the amount called for in the recipe - ipality of Prishtina has already by about one third to one half. And since honey is com- Teliminated more than 190 stray posed of up to 18% water, you will need to reduce the liq- dogs. uid in baked goods by about one-fifth. Honey has a slight The director of public services, Agim acidity which some cooks counteract by adding a pinch of Gashi, says the city hall will not stop baking soda to the recipe too). getting rid of the hounds, in spite of Grow bee-friendly flowers in your garden. Most of having received a protest petition from these are traditional country garden blooms that bring a group called Animal Friends of pleasure to people as well as to nectar collectors – try Kosovo and calls from Brigitte Bardot to soon filled by dogs from other areas and attacked by a group of stray dogs in apple, geraniums, mint, rhododendron, rosemary, sage, end the “slaughter”. remaining dogs are encouraged to have Kamenica, he recalled. sunflower or thyme. Some fancier-looking flowers yield "If we asked citizens about this issue, more puppies as resources are freed Gashi said projects for the more much less nectar than these. 90 per cent would be in favour of elimi- up". humane treatment of strays were being This country has had enough years of blood; here’s hop- nation," Gashi assured Prishtina They urge an alternative programme considered, but he could not provide ing that now it has entered the era of honey. Let’s do what Insight. involving the capture of the dogs, the further details. In the meantime, the we can to help The NGO urged the municipality to vaccination and neutering of the ani- municipality will not stop getting rid of Elizabeth Gowing is the author of the recently-pub- stop killing stray dogs, calling for mals and then their release to another stray dogs. lished, Travels in Blood and Honey; becoming a beekeeper another solution to be found to the prob- habitat. In 2007, French film star turned ani- in Kosovo. The book is available on Amazon, in Pristina lem caused by starving and unhealthy But Gashi said that if they did things mal rights activist Brigitte Bardot bookshops and for direct delivery through Kysmet deliver- dogs. “Shooting them does not solve the this way, too many stray dogs would wrote a letter to the then mayor of ies - call 044 151180 or email gailwarran- Y problem,” the petition read. continue to pose danger to the public. Prishtina, Ismet Beqiri, asking him to [email protected]. Elizabeth is also a founder of The M The animal rights activists say the “Who can make sure that these dogs stop the planned action. She has repeat- Ideas Partnership, a Kosovan NGO working on education- C elimination programme is ineffective will stop biting people?" he asked. One ed her calls this year with a letter to al, cultural and environmental projects. She can be K as well as cruel, because "the vacuum is eight-year-old boy had died after being KFOR calling for a halt to the killing. reached at [email protected]. May 20 - June 2, 2011 23 Classified Contact Prishtina Insight if you would like to advertise Email [email protected]

Embassies and Liaison Offices in Prishtina

American Address: "Nazim Hikmet" no. 30 Arbëria/Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 549 516 Austrian Address: "Ahmet Krasniqi" no. 22 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 249 284 Belgian Address: "Taslixhe" I, 23 A 10000 Pristina Phone: +381 (0) 38 734 734 British Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 6 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 254 700 Bulgarian Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 12 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 038 245 540 Danish Liaison Office in Pristina Address: "Mark Isaku" no. 30 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 246 594 Dutch Address:" Xhemal Berisha" no. 12 Velania, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 224 61 Finnish Str. Perandori Justinian No. 19 Pejton 10 000 Pristina Phone: +386 43 737 000 French Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 67 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 22 45 88 00 Greek Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 68 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 243 013 German Adress: "Azem Jashanica" no. 17 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 254 500 Italian Address: "Azem Jashanica" no.5 Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 244 925 Japanese Address: "Rexhep Malaj" no. 43 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 249 995 Classified Ads Luxemburg Address: "Metush Krasniqi" no. 14 Do you have a flat to rent? Position to fill? Students to find for a language course? Why not speak directly to Kosovo’s international com- Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina munity through Prishtina Insight’ classified ads. Phone: +381 (0) 38 226 787 Almost every international organisation, embassy, NGO and many others subscribe to Kosovo’s only English language newspaper, which Malaysian is also on sale at newsstands in seven cities and received in electronic format by scores of paying clients across the world. Address: "Bedri Shala" no. 48 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 243 467 Norwegian Address: "Sejdi Kryeziu" no. 6 10000 Prishtina Phone: +381 (0) 38 232 111 00 Easy Medium Hard Saudia Arabian y| y | | Address: Dardania SU 7, building 2, #1 10000 Prishtina 312 39852Phone: +381 (0) 38 549 203 Slovenian 17 89 38 Address: "Anton Ceta" no. 6 10000 Prishtina 65 2 2579 65 Phone: +381 (0) 38 244 886 Swedish 962 6495 98 6 3 Str. Perandori Justinian No. 19 Pejton 241785 2134 7 10 000 Pristina Phone: +381 38 24 57 95 98 6 468217 95 Swiss Address: "Adrian Krasniqi" no. 11 78 9 5 19 10000 Prishtina 573 Phone: +381 (0) 38 248 088 18 469 1 Turkish Y Address: "Ismail Qemajli" no. 59 M Arbëria /Dragodan, 10000 Prishtina C 87 2 96278 Phone: +381 (0) 38 226 044 K 24 May 20 - June 2, 2011 marketing

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