Opinion: Serbia Shows its Anti-European Side

April 13 - 26, 2012 Issue No. 86 www.prishtinainsight.com Price € 1

Kosovo-Serbia COMMENT Movement Deal Belgrade Shuns Caught in Crossfire Plight of Kosovo Hundreds of trucks, loaded with goods, snaked down the Roma hilly terrain for 3km from the Serbian border crossing with Refugees Kosovo on Wednesday. Merdare, the main commer- cial crossing point between the > page 3 two countries, has been the scene of long queues for weeks NEWS as delays on the Serbian side Milosevic’s Secret cause lengthy tailbacks. Angry drivers have been Files to be Opened leaving their vehicles in the queue and crossing on foot into After the Elections Kosovo. On the Kosovo side of the > page 6 border on Wednesday, traffic NEWS was light and there were no queues... Macedonians Flock See Page 4-5 See to 'Miraculous' Frescoes > page 9 Kosovo Officials Stay FEATURE Kosovo Blocked from Hooked on Luxury Cars Eurovision Despite a pledge to slash the use of ministerial cars and cut fuel costs, spending on luxury cars and travel Song Contest continues to rocket. > page 12 ment ordered all state institutions Money Diverted to Luxury minister a new four-by-four, so the By Besiana Xharra to look for savings in spending on money was taken from the INSIDE PRISHTINA fuel and official cars and issued an Limos: Department of Cultural Heritage, oon after taking office in late Critics Say Revamp 2007, Prime Minister Hashim order regulating the use of official In late 2011, the Ministry of and had been earmarked for cul- vehicles. tural projects, according to gov- Takes Prishtina SThaci made sweeping prom- Culture bought a luxury Touareg ises to clamp down on the pur- But four years on, spending has, car for its minister, Memli ernment papers. Back to Square One chase and use of official cars. “We in fact, increased, with money Krasniqi, at a cost of 47,000 euro. Haxhiaj declined to elaborate on will be careful in using budget being diverted from other projects “Buying this car was necessary what schemes lost out as a result of > page 18-19 money by accounting for every to fund new ministerial cars. because the minister’s car was the car purchase. But Memli penny that will be spent,” he said. In total, some 3 million euro has very old and had technical prob- Krasniqi was not alone in having “So I want you [ministers] to been allocated for 2012 on the pur- lems,” Shasivar Haxhiaj, a minis- funds diverted to buy official cars. send me by tomorrow a report on chase of cars. This is up from 1.5 terial adviser, said. Last October, Finance Minister the use of cars in your ministries,” million euro for 2011. The former culture minister, Bedri Hamza agreed to reorganize he added. “Our budget must not be And abuse of official cars con- Lutfi Haziri, declined to comment the 2012 budget for a number of Kosovo’s only English-language spent on luxuries when we have tinues to be widespread in min- on whether the car he had been ministries so that new cars could newspaper is available: many needs and so many people istries, municipalities and other using was in need of replacement. be bought. living in poor conditions.” state institutions, according to the Funds in the 2011 budget had not Delivered to Later that month the govern- Office of the Auditor General. initially been allocated to buy the continues page 2 Your Door

Albania’s Power Crisis Pinned Austrian Construction Giant From Newsstands on Company Errors Leaves Kosovo across Kosovo

Documents obtained by Prishtina Austria’s Strabag is to sell up its assets Sent To Insight show that high electricity exports in Kosovo after disappointing sales, Your Inbox in January 2011 by Albania’s Power Prishtina Insight has learnt. Corporation, KESH, destabilized the River In 2006, the company purchased the Drin cascade, diminishing in a single largest quarry of former Yugoslavia, close From month this key energy reserve. to the city of Drenas, for 2.5 million euro. It our partners The repercussions of the high sales of invested a further 6million euro in the news electricity and poor... page 12 economy quarry and in building... page 7 see page 16 for more info

is supported by: 2 April 13 - 26, 2012 news Kosovo Officials Stay Hooked on Luxury Cars from page 1

The Ministry of Economic Old Cars Sold Development, led by Besim Beqaj, moved 110,000 euro out of the cat- Off Cheap egory for “goods and services” he latest public auction towards the purchase of cars. of official cars organ- The Foreign Ministry shifted Tised by the Ministry of an identical amount in their Trade and Industry in budget from “mobile technology October 2011 sold off 172 for embassies” towards purchase unwanted cars, generating of new cars. 234,000 euro, Arta Istrefi, “The Foreign Ministry is in a spokesperson at this min- poor situation in terms of cars,” istry, said. explained Artan Behrami, advis- This works out as little er at the ministry. more than 1,300 euro per He would not specify when the vehicle – a bargain. The low- ministry would buy the new cars, est price for a car was 117 or how many. “It has only a few euro, while the highest price cars and they are small so the pur- paid was 4,582 euro chase of new cars is more than “Prices are not set by the necessary,” he said. Ministry of Trade, they are The Ministry of Integration Minister of Culture Memli Krasniqi bought himself a VW Touareg soon after taking up the position. set by each institution that and Ministry for Diaspora also applies to sell their cars,” reallocated funds for the same Ministry of Trade and Industry, purpose of use increase the risk 2010,” the auditors wrote. Istrefi said. purposes. fuel expenditures were above the that ministry vehicles are being “While half of Kosovo’s citi- Meanwhile no official In November 2011, the Ministry levels predicted in the budget and used for private purposes,” the zens live in poverty, the leaders of institution of Kosovo of Education spent 100,000 on four that “authorizations for use of auditor wrote. the country at central and local appears able to divulge the Hyundai for the three deputy min- vehicles were missing, [and] the At the Independent level live lives of luxury, buying total number of cars owned isters and the permanent secre- travel receipts were not accurate- Commission for Mines and expensive cars,” Avni Zogiani, by the Kosovo government. tary. The ministry argued that ly filled out regarding the Minerals, the auditor reported: from the Cohu organization, the existing cars were too old. mileage”. “In 12 tested samples for the peri- which monitors corruption, said. According to a contract for the In the Foreign Ministry, the od February-December, we The actions of the government Public Administration, which maintenance of vehicles issued minister’s adviser had used the noticed that the request form for make a bad impression on the was leading the process, was last year, the Prime Minister’s ministry’s Renault Clio outside use of vehicles was not filled out international community, too, unable to say how many, if any, office now has a fleet of six work hours without the with the required data (travel Zogiani added. devices had been installed. Mercedes, four Touareg, three Permanent Secretary’s or the purpose, destination, time of “Mayors in more developed Hajredin Kuci, Deputy Prime BMWs, as well as 15 Nissan and Minister’s approval. Between departure/return from the trip countries as well as government Minister, said: “We have increase Kia Sportage cars. January 20 to March 6, 2010 she etc).” officials go to work by trains, and spending in this direction An audit of the Ministry of covered 1,585km without com- At the Ministry of some of them also use bikes,” he because we have also increased Finance’s accounts for 2010 pleting travel forms and did not Communities and Returns and noted. “Such a thing never hap- our working capacity. Our revealed that two top-of-the-range keep records on destinations and Ministry of Transport, inconsis- pens in Kosovo.” Government has worked more Mercedes had been bought for the travel purposes. tencies were found in the fuel Plans to track government than the one before us, therefore minister and deputy minister for “The use of official vehicles bills. “Reports on fuels expenses cars with GPS devices in order to if we compare our work, it is just under 100,000 euro. In breach without necessary approval, did not present a true and fair curb such abuse were launched obvious that we did not increase of the procurement laws, the ten- records of destinations and the picture of expenses incurred for in 2010, but the Ministry of spending.” der had been issued so that only a specific brand of Mercedes could be offered, rather than a range of similar vehicles. Serbian Police Find Running on Empty: In its financial report for 2011, Stolen Cezanne which was published last month by Minister of Finance Hamza, it also emerged that the govern- painting stolen from arrested on Wednesday and the ment spent 23 million euro on Zurich in 2008 and worth police are still searching for fuel that year, up 5 million euro A82 million euro was found the fourth person. on the figure for 2010. on Wednesday in Belgrade. The operation, which was The figure back in 2007, the Serbian police found a paint- carried out in Belgrade and year before the Prime Minister ing by the post-impressionist Cacak, was organised by made his promise, was 8 million. Paul Cezanne in Belgrade on Serbia's Agency for the Fight “One of the first decisions of Wednesday night. Against Organised Crime and the Prime Minister in January So far it has not been con- the Prosecutor's Office for 2008 was to reduce expenditures firmed which painting was Organized Crime. at both central and local levels recovered but it is most likely Police cooperated with col- [on cars and fuel],” Petrit Zogaj, to be “Boy in the Red Vest”, leagues from several countries of the anticorruption agency which was stolen from Zurich and the operation was pre- Levizja Fol, recalled. together with works by Degas, pared over several months. “He promised that ministers Van Gogh and Monet in 2008. A Swiss expert is expected to would walk to work. But no such The Monet and Van Gogh come to Belgrade and confirm decision was implemented, even paintings were found soon whether it is the piece by the for a day,” he added. “Instead, the after the robbery but the French painter, which is con- costs have increased every year.” search for Cezanne’s Boy in the sidered a national treasure of Prishtina Insight checked a Red Vest and Degas’ Viscount Switzerland. range of audits carried out by Lepic and His Daughters con- According to the E. G. Bührle the Office of the Auditor General tinued. Collection, the museum from last year for evidence of misuse Three persons suspected of which the work was stolen, it is of official cars. stealing the painting were worth about 82million euro. We discovered that at the

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Editor’s Word Belgrade Shuns Plight of There’s No Kosovo Roma Refugees Business As the world marks International Roma Day on April 8, the issue of Roma who fled from Kosovo to the Serbian capital remains a source of controversy. By Lawrence Marzouk make way for the construction of Roma community in general is just leave us in peace. I have no commercial buildings. one of the most vulnerable idea what to do,” he said. Of the 33 Roma families there, groups in Serbia. “The boys are older, so they can trabag, the biggest construc- 20 were refugees. Those with Both NGOs and Serbia’s move, but my girl is so small… I tion company in Austria and By Gordana Andric Belgrade residency permits were Commissariat for Refugees don’t know where to go. I asked Sone of the few international allowed to stay in Belgrade and believe that Roma from Kosovo for a metal container anywhere in companies of note to have set up given metal containers in Roma are in an even tougher position. Belgrade, but was refused,” Gara base in Kosovo, is selling up and settlements that the city has built Although there are no official added. leaving. erdi Gara, a thin 22-year- to provide accommodation to statistics, the Commissariat for Until publication date, BIRN For the Austrian giant the old Roma, was evicted Roma evicted from other parts of Refugees estimates that about has not received an answer from Kosovo market counts for little. Its Valong with his wife and the city. 22,500 Roma from Kosovo have the Municipality of Zemun as to 8million euro of investment in three children from his home in But Kosovo refugees were only taken refuge in Serbia. NGOs say why the Gara family was ordered Europe’s youngest state is hardly Belgrade’s informal Roma settle- offered the choice of going back the number is much higher, at to leave the settlement. worth a footnote in its accounts. ment in mid-March. to Kosovo or moving to collective about 40,000. Meanwhile, Nenad Djurdjevic, But for Kosovo, the news of One of thousands of Roma who refugee centres in other parts of Usually having no documents head of the Directorate for Strabag’s departure should set fled Kosovo following the 1999 Serbia. and living in informal settle- Human and Minority Rights, says alarm bells ringing for anyone war, Gara has been living in According to Amnesty ments, they are frequent victims the evictions from Block 72 were interested in Kosovo’s economic Belgrade ever since. International, collective centres of evictions and are forced to “an example of good practice.” development. Refugees from Kosovo moved in with no basic infrastructure are move to other informal settle- “We helped many of them to Kosovo has witnessed a huge large numbers to Belgrade, seeing not an adequate housing option. ments, collective centres or find accommodation. Those who road-building programme in the the Serbian capital as their best It says the government has also return to Kosovo. They are also refused what we offered left the past few years, not least the 1bil- chance to earn money from col- failed to guarantee the evicted often hindered from exercising settlement voluntarily,” he says. lion euro highway - a gold rush for lecting waste. Roma the possibility of a sustain- their right to legal counsel. Djurdjevic and many other construction companies with Once in the capital, they often able return to Kosovo. Verdi Gara was offered a move Serbian officials believe that road-building expertise. had no choice but to build infor- Faced with discrimination, seg- to a collective centre in Zajecar, some Roma are “abusing” the fact But while the dictator-chic man- mal settlements. The settlement regation, poverty and lack of eastern Serbia but refused to go. that the city provides accommo- sions that have concurrently at Block 72 that was home to 33 health and social protection, the “I am supposed to go back to dation to Roma who possess docu- sprung up may have perfect plas- families has now been razed to Kosovo, as my house there has ments proving they have resided tering and shiny door knobs, you been rebuilt. But my brothers in the capital for more than five only need to take a look at many of sold it without me knowing, so I years. the new roads to see that the qual- didn’t have anywhere to go,” Gara “Many of them came to the city ity of asphalt used has not always says. with the idea that the city will been up to scratch. “Then I was offered to go to solve their housing issues and So while some providers of Zajecar but I refused, because I that they will get rights that they shoddy workmanship and poor- don’t have anything to do there. wouldn’t have if they weren’t in quality materials have been filling I’m collecting rubbish in the capital,” says Djurdjevic. their pockets, international Belgrade and somehow I manage The Commissariat for Refugees experts such as Strabag have been to survive from that. In Zajecar I also believes it would be “unfair” doing little business. can’t feed my family,” says Gara, to local Roma if those from Why has Strabag failed to make father of two sons, aged five and Kosovo obtained permanent an impact on the Kosovo market two, and a month-and-a-half-old housing in the capital. despite its relatively large invest- daughter. Belgrade Mayor Dragan Djilas ment in the country and world- Although according to the has stated several times that it renowned expertise? international conventions that would be unjust if Roma got I have been told on many occa- Serbia has signed, the authorities apartments while many other sions by those working in the road- were obliged to find compromise Belgraders lacked permanent building business that constructors solutions with the evicted fami- accommodation. are often asked to favour certain lies, Gara was not offered any “But they have failed to see the suppliers; politics and business other option. overall situation and take into become almost indistinguishable. “The authorities held numer- consideration why and how those If true, this is a serious and ille- ous meeting with the families but people came to Belgrade,” says gal distortion of the market. It is it was done just to comply with Curcic. the kind of unfair advantage that the procedure,” says Danilo The state has no new plan for drives away keen foreign investors Curcic, from the NGO Praxis, the thousands of Roma displaced unable to win the right political which monitored the eviction on from Kosovo. The collective cen- backing or unwilling to grease the behalf of the UN’s refugee arm, tres are also to be closed by 2015. palms of powerful officials. UNHCR. “Those who are not in public Perhaps this is why Strabag has “We have no proof that the collective centres are left out of decided that it’s not worth doing authorities tried to reach a com- the system and are under no one’s business in Kosovo. promise,” he added. care. According to my knowledge, I wrote a month ago about In its report, Praxis wrote that there is no sustainable plan for Kosovo’s potential to develop into the evicted families asked for a them,” Curcic says. a “Silicon Plain” – a place where piece of land near Belgrade The Commissariat for Refugees small start-ups could thrive in the where they could build houses on says the Roma will be able to field of technology. their own, or be placed in collec- apply for social housing like other But the country also needs large tive centres in Belgrade. refugee families. international firms, which can “The civil sector suggested the “There is no special plan for provide a major boost to the econ- inclusion of the inhabitants in them, but as they are usually in omy in the form of direct invest- permanent integration pro- worse situations than others they ment and good PR, not to mention grammes. But all the proposals will have priority,” the badly needed jobs. were rejected without any written Commissariat told BIRN. The government should be try- record of the decisions,” the same The Directorate for Human and ing its utmost to keep big interna- note added. Minority Rights announced that tional investors in Kosovo – and of Gara is currently living in it will soon form a working group course to attract new ones too. another Belgrade informal settle- to deal with the Roma who fled Strabag leaving makes Kosovo a ment in Zemun. Kosovo. poorer place, both by the loss of a But two days after he moved In the meantime, Amnesty has company which could have provid- there he received another evic- launched an initiative to outlaw ed serious foreign investment, and tion order. He believes his deci- forced evictions. by the demonstration to other sion to refuse to go to Zajecar “The only way to stop the potential investors that in fact this means that he will end up home- forced evictions is to prohibit young country with so much less. them under Serbian law,” wrote promise is not yet a good place to Verdi Gara, a 22-year-old Roma from Kosovo, is facing hardship in Belgrade “I don’t know why they can’t Amnesty in December 2011. do business. 4 April 13 - 26, 2012 analysis Photo by Korab Basha Korab by Photo Kosovo-Serbia Movement Deal Tit-for-tat arrests, nationalist rhetoric and recent interethnic violence have left the EU-brokered agreement on freedom of movement in tatters. there were no queues. spokesperson blamed the delays on papers, printed in Canada, were inside Kosovo to [Serb-run] north- While police say they have not the busy Easter period, although described as “Chetnik material”. ern Mitrovica, so let’s not talk By Fatmir Aliu, Petrit seen a sharp fall in the number of the queues have been causing prob- All but one has now been released. about going to Serbia where they Collaku, Gordana people travelling from Kosovo to lems now for more than a month. On March 28 police arrested can arrest you at any time,” Dragaj Andric, Serbia since the recent spate of “The number of people at the Balosevic Jovica, an employee of said. arrests and ethnic incidents, mem- border is the same and nothing has the Serbian post office, from the vil- Nezirt Collaku, owner of a small bers of the public, analysts and changed. The queue is long because lage of Mogila, near Gjilan, for car- business in Prishtina, said he used undreds of trucks, loaded some Kosovo NGOs say Kosovars more people are travelling because rying mail into Kosovo. He has also to work for years before the 1990s with goods, snaked down are in fact now avoiding Serbia for of the Easter holidays,” the been released. wars in Serbia. “But I have never Hthe hilly terrain for 3km travelled there since the war as I fear of ending up in jail. spokesperson said. On the other side, on March 28 from the Serbian border crossing Serbian border police arrested the believe it is not safe. with Kosovo on Wednesday. two Kosovo Albanians – Hasan “They could arrest you anytime Merdare, the main commercial Blame for long queues Fear of arrest in Serbia: Abazi and Adem Murseli – at a bor- under some fake pretext and put crossing point between the two unclear: The recent arrests of two der crossing near Gjilan. you in jail,” he said. countries, has been the scene of Kosovars last month at the Serbian On March 31, Serbian police Naim Rashiti, from the long queues for weeks as delays on “I’ve been waiting since 8am yes- border has raised tensions further arrested two Kosovo policemen International Crisis Group, said it the Serbian side cause lengthy tail- terday (Tuesday) to cross the bor- between Belgrade and Prishtina. near the Merdare border. Minister was clear that the agreement on backs. der, and it’s now 12.30pm and I’ve Kosovo trade unionist Hasan Dacic, during a press conference freedom of movement was not Angry drivers have been leaving just passed, which means I waited Abazi, President of the showed photographs of the police being implemented properly. their vehicles in the queue and over 28 hours to cross from Serbia Metalworkers Union, was arrested officers facedown and surrounded “The agreements will only be crossing on foot into Kosovo. to Kosovo,” said truck driver Feriza for alleged espionage carried out in by masked Serbian gendarmerie. implemented if there is interna- On the Kosovo side of the border Muratovic a driver from Novi 1999, under Milosevic, and Adem The wave of arrests has already tional pressure,” he said. “We need on Wednesday, traffic was light and Pazar. Murseli on drug charges. deterred some groups from going to to reach the phase when such During BIRN’s time spent at the The 65-year-old trade unionist is Serbia. agreements are implemented as a Merdare border, one Kosovo now in 30 days of pre-trial deten- One Kosovo NGO, which runs result of good will. But this will not Albanian, who didn’t want to iden- tion in Vranje, southern Serbia. cultural exchange programmes soon happen,” he said. tified, crossed into Kosovo on foot. Prishtina Insight understands he is between Serbia and Kosovo, told “Arrests of citizens and deliber- www.prishtinainsight.com He said he had left his truck on the set to be declared a prisoner of con- Prishtina Insight that it had can- ate delays at the borders are min- other side, and decided to cross science by Amnesty International. celled a trip to Belgrade following imising the value of the agreement Publisher: over to rest after waiting for about Serbian Interior Minister Ivica the arrests. and as for today, the form of the BIRN 24 hours. Dacic admitted that the arrests “We had a planned visit last implementation of the agreement Balkan Investigative Reporting Network “I’m still stuck somewhere in the were a direct response to the earli- week to Belgrade by a group of has only made movement of citi- second kilometre of the queue, and er arrests of Serbs in Kosovo. Kosovo Albanians, which we can- zens more difficult.” Mensa e Studenteve, first floor I don’t know when I will cross, so I On February 26, police arrested celled due to the latest arrests," an Natasa Kandic, head of Serbian 10000, Prishtina left a colleague in the truck and I’m six Kosovo Serbs working for the official from the NGO, which asked NGO Humanitarian Law Centre, Kosovo going to the nearby motel to rest,” Serbian interior ministry in not to be named, told Prishtina believes other Kosovo Albanians he said. Phone: +381 (0) 38 24 33 58 Gjilan. Insight. could also be arrested if they cross Kosovo police blamed negligence over. Fax: +381 (0) 38 22 44 98 Four of the men, arrested for Individuals are also rethinking on the Serbian side for the long breaching “Kosovo’s constitutional travel plans. Ylli Dragaj, a 22-year- The Serbian government issued [email protected] queues. “Passengers and truck order” and suspected of organising old student of computer science, an amnesty in 2001 annulling the drivers told us there’s at least a charges that the former Milosevic Editor-in-Chief: Serbian elections in Kosovo, were said he had considered taking four-kilometre queue on the charged with inciting hatred and advantage of his new ability to regime had filed against Kosovo Lawrence Marzouk Serbian side at Merdare,” Baki intolerance. travel to Serbia with his Kosovo ID Albanians for hostile activities in [email protected] Kelani, Kosovo’s Police spokesper- They included the Belgrade- cards until the arrests. 1999 to 2001. Editorial Team: son, said. sponsored mayor of Viti, Srecko “Since the arrests the situation But Kandic believes some of Ana Petruseva, Gordana Igric, “Our information is that the Spasic, two of his employees, and a has become much more difficult those charges and warrants were Serbian Police at Merdare are never deleted. “Some charges Jeta Xharra, Marcus Tanner, police officer from the and the main issue remains safety,” working pretty slowly, apparently Ferizaj/Urosevac. They remain he said. haven’t been annulled, because the Petrit Collaku, Shengjyl Osmani, due to their registration proce- under house arrest. “There is nobody to guarantee proceedings against those people Artan Mustafa, Florina Hajdini, and dures, or whatever. On March 27, Kosovo police my safety if I go to Serbia. I think were conducted in absentia,” she Donjeta Demolli. “We suspect the Serb authorities arrested five more Serbs who were this problem has become worse in noted. are neglecting their work, so huge found with 38 copies of a newspa- the last five to six years. “These charges and warrants Marketing, Sales & Distribution: queues of trucks are created by the per named "Srpske Novine". These “It's dangerous even to travel can be activated whenever some [email protected] delay.” minister decides he has a reason to According to Kosovo Police fig- “The purported justification for the detention of the two activate them,” she added. Design & Layout: “Rrjeti” ures, the traffic flow in Merdare “The Serbian authorities wanted Arben Grajqevci rose after Prishtina and Belgrade Kosovo Albanians lacks any legal basis and is therefore arbi- to show ‘strength’. I’m just not sure Y signed their agreement on the free- trary,” what kind of strength is being M Printing: Lindi Printing Center dom of movement, albeit from a demonstrated here,” Kandic con- C low level. Lydia Gall, Human Rights Watch. tinued, referring to the arrests. Copyright © BIRN K A Serbian Interior Ministry “It is clear that the arrest of analysis April 13 - 26, 2012 5 Kosovo Prosecutor Apologises for Corruption Chief's Misdeeds As the anti-Corruption Task Force head Nazmi Mustafi is ordered into 30 days of detention, Kosovo’s State Prosecutor has apologised to the public for his suspected involvement in graft and appealed for information.

ecutor and treat the case as a priority, as the “integrity of the prosecutorial system has been By Fatmir Aliu brought to question”. Besides Mustafi, Kosovo Police in a joint operation with Caught in Crossfire osovo’s Chief Prose - EULEX have also arrested cutor Ismet Kabashi Reshat Zherka, while a third Hasan Abazi was a political arrest and Another political commentator, “The case of the four Serbs requires called last Tuesday on K suspect, believed to be the it is an embarrassment that Serbia’s Behlul Beqaj, said that parallel to the review by a EULEX judge to deter- all those who have informa- brother of Zherka, is at large. ministry of justice hasn’t reacted.” dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia mine whether the charges and house tion about the wrongdoings of The two men are suspected of Sonja Biserko, President of the many battles were going on within arrests were justified,” she added, the Anti-Corruption Task- having acted as agents on behalf Helsinki Committee for Human governments and oppositions in both Force chief to approach his referring to four Serbs arrested for of Mustafi, extorting money Rights of Serbia, believes that countries affecting freedom of move- office and present their facts. carrying Serbian election material from people who were under Minister Dacic ordered the arrests to ment. Kabashi spoke out after the into Kosovo. investigation for corruption in curry nationalist votes on May 6, Kosovo’s government was finally head of the Anti-Corruption cases that he handled. when elections at presidential, gener- taking measures to deal with Serbian Task-Force, Nazmi Mustafi, was Fears of violence grow: Mustafi has headed the Anti- al, local and provincial level are parallel structures, after being criti- placed in 30 days of detention scheduled. cised by opposition parties for having by the District Court of Peja on Corruption Task-Force since its Meanwhile the bomb attack that “The arrests were conducted tolerated them for too long. Tuesday. foundation in 2010 by Prime killed Salver Haradinaj in his home because of the elections – this is “And now they supposedly want to Mustafi was arrested on Minister Hashim Thaci. Dacic’s strategy,” Biserko said. prove they are unwavering in imple- in Serb-dominated north Mitrovica Monday on charges of corrup- It has been handling the most “The Democratic Party hasn’t menting the rule of law because of the early on Sunday has further raised tion and abuse of power in a sensitive cases, including one reacted because the Socialists may pressure from opposition parties,” tensions. case that prompted Kabashi to against the director of the again be their coalition partner after said Beqaj. Rada Trajkovic, Kosovo Serb MP in express deep regret. Central Bank of Kosovo, the elections,” Biserko added. Rashiti, Kosovo representative for the Prishtina parliament, said she “I have information that Hashim Rexhepi who was [Serbian Justice Minister Snezana the ICG, said the latest developments was concerned that the death would other similar cases linked to the acquitted of all charges. Malovic, is from the Democratic Party showed how strained the dialogue be met with a revenge attack. “I same prosecutor exist, and I call Civil society groups said the while Dacic heads the Socialists.] really was between the parties - con- expect low-intensity conflicts and I on all those who have evidence affair raised further doubts in ducted largely without good will on just hope they remain on that level,” or information to share relating the public about the extent of Kosovo Also Playing Politics? both sides. she said. to this case to help us,” the State corruption in society. Kosovo’s Democratic The arrests “show that political “But, I’m afraid of what can hap- Prosecutor said. Institute said that the arrest In Kosovo, some analysts wonder dynamics within Kosovo and Serbia pen in next two months. Tensions are Mustafi's case is being inves- tigated by the EU rule of law shows that “super-mecha- whether the arrests of Serbs in are more important than the rising and extremists on both sides mission, EULEX. According to nisms” are being set up just for Kosovo that preceded Abazi’s deten- European integration processes,” he are becoming popular,” she added. sources in EULEX, Mustafi was show and the internal political tion were also motivated in part by noted. “After the recent death of an detained in connection to the consumption, not to really fight politics. Rashiti said the Kosovo’s govern- Albanian family in Serb-dominated Commentators say the government ment was being pressed by public alleged extortion of money the corruption. northern Kosovo, we Serbs in has a right to enforce rule of law and opinion, which continues to object to from at least one suspect whom EULEX has been apparently enclaves are just wondering who of tackle Belgrade-run parallel struc- the dialogue with Serbia. “The arrests he was investigating. investigating the Anti- us will be murdered in revenge. It’s tures. were done to show the new political In a press release, EULEX Corruption chief for almost a like a Russian roulette for us.” But they also say that the timing of order, and this is very clear,” he said. wrote that the offences being year, especially the cases that arrests might have been linked to the “Kosovo’s government could have Trajkovic says she had hoped the investigated were “abuse of offi- Mustafi handled, as it appears government’s need to look tough arrested such people at any time, but dialogue between Belgrade and cial position or authority and that most of them were dropped against Serbia following a negative this would not have served the inter- Prishtina would bring benefits to all trading in influence". for lack of evidence, or the sus- popular reaction to the agreements ests of stability,” Rashiti added. people in Kosovo, but that the result Kabashi said that such an pects were freed on parole. reached with Belgrade in March. An EU officer from Belgrade, who had been the opposite so far. arrest was a “blow to the prose- Kosovo declared independ- Prime Minister Hashim Thaci’s asked to remain anonymous, said “Belgrade has not been honest with cutorial system” but that if it ence from Serbia in 2008. The decision to allow Kosovo to be repre- Brussels wanted all the arrested peo- us,” she said. “They sign something in hadn’t happened, it would have country has demonstrated lim- sented at regional forums with a foot- ple to be released. Brussels and do not inform us. Then, harmed the system even more. ited progress in tackling the note beside the word Kosovo, and “The EU is in constant contact with when Prishtina starts implementing He ordered the Prosecution rule-of-law, and organised without the term “Republic”, was both Belgrade and Prishtina,” he said. the deal, Serbs in Kosovo perceive it as Council of Kosovo to undertake crime, corruption, drug traf- seen as a defeat. “Through our embassies and through aggression, because the Serbian gov- all necessary disciplinary meas- ficking and money laundering ures against the suspected pros- Commentator Muharrem Nitaj said Brussels we are urging all arrested ernment, in which they trust, has still plague the country. first impressions are that the arrests people to be released, because it is not failed to tell them what is happening. in Serbia and Kosovo cannot be com- clear on which legal grounds are they “Belgrade’s dishonesty and pared. arrested. Prishtina’s extremism are to be But he says it is possible that the “We believe all the arrests were blamed for everything that has hap- arrests in Kosovo were linked to pub- politically motivated, which is oppo- pened and will happen,” she added. lic and opposition party pressure on site to the EU mission of establishing Rashiti of the ICG is also concerned the government over the affair of the the rule of law. In this way Belgrade that the situation could worsen footnote and other concessions made and Prishtina are breaching and jeop- “There is a risk that the situation to Serbia during the dialogue. ardising the agreements achieved He added that the EU should be during the dialogue.” can escalate,” he said. more determined towards Serbia and Human Rights Watch agrees. “The He said the best way is to solve the ask it to respect the agreements it purported justification for the deten- stand-off was to work on integrating reached with Kosovo. tion of the two Kosovo Albanians the Serb community in Kosovo, by “It’s time that the institutions of lacks any legal basis and is therefore making Serb-dominated municipali- Y rule of law take measures against all arbitrary,” said Lydia Gall, Balkans ties more successful. “This is happen- M those that breach the law, no matter and Eastern Europe researcher at ing but there is a need to do more,” he C who they are,” said Nitaj. Human Rights Watch. said. State Prosecutor Ismet Kabashi has called for information K 6 April 13 - 26, 2012 news Milosevic’s Secret Files to be Opened After the Elections The release of the secret service files from both the communist era and Milosevic’s regime requested by the EU will have to wait for a new govern- ment in Serbia. the files, claiming that they back the disclo- sure of the names of war crime perpetra- tors contained in the files. By Marija Ristic Ivica Dacic, the leader of the former Slobodan Milosevic’s party, the Socialist Party of Serbia, who has been the biggest opponent of the law on secret files, says that n its latest resolution on Serbia, on neither he nor his party are afraid of the March 28, the European Parliament files being released. called on the authorities “to continue I “We have no reason to be afraid. their efforts to eliminate the legacy of the Milosevic’s opponents should worry, since former communist secret services as a step we will find out which of them cooperated in the democratisation of Serbia”. with the secret services. Actually, I cannot The European Parliament requested the wait for the files to be opened,“ said Dacic to opening of the National Archives, and in the media on Tuesday. particular the documents of the former The Serbian State Secretary for the intelligence agency, the UDBA. Ministry of Justice, Slobodan Homen, The EU also demands that Serbia “facili- believes that as well as implementing the tates access to those archives that concern Serbian secret files are thought to contain thousands of documents about political murders and other crimes new law, the new government will have to the former republics of Yugoslavia and to return them to the respective governments form a special commission to deal with such if they so request.” a sensitive issue. RTS Bombing: EU Demands an Investigation However, the files can only be opened “Those documents are full of sensitive knew that the bombing of RTS would take after the general elections in May. The information, not just about public figures, U Rapporteur for Serbia has place, are in the archives of the Serbian Serbian parliament has already been but also about ordinary citizens. That is requested an investigation into Ministry of Defence. adjourned, which means that the long await- why we need someone who will decide what should be made public, what is truth and ENATO bombing of the Serbian “The first place to look for all the docu- ed Law on the Opening of the Secret Files broadcaster, RTS, claiming that all crucial what is misuse [of the information],” ments relating to the deaths of the 16 RTS will have to wait a bit longer. documents are within the Serbian explains Homen. employees on April 23, 1999, is the Several attempts have been made to pass Ministry of Defence. Serbia is expected to use the so-called Ministry of Defence of Serbia. These doc- the law in the past. The first attempt was Jelko Kacin, the European Parliament European freedom of information model, uments are the result of the investigation made after the democratic changes in 2000, Rapporteur on Serbia, has said that the where each person can access his or her carried out by officers of the Yugoslav and the last in 2004, when the SPO, one of missing documents, identifying those own file, while the misuse of information by Army and as such they are kept in the the Serbian political parties, put forward members of the Serbian authorities that ministry’s archives,” said Kacin. the law. The law, however, never gained wide a third party is prohibited. support in the Serbian parliament. The Serbian archives are thought to con- The majority of the political parties in tain thousands of secret documents about domestic and foreign intelligence agencies. as Serbian citizens. Serbia are currently in favour of releasing political murders, the blackmail of politi- It also contains information about citizens Serbia is the last county in Europe to open cians and criminals, relationships with from across the former Yugoslavia, as well its secret archives. Sljivancanin Reveals Fondness for Haradinaj A new book by the man behind the infamous massacre of Croat prisoners in Vukovar in Croatia sheds fresh light on how former mortal enemies in the Yugoslav wars got along behind prison walls. passing their time playing cards, impression that he never gave up on did,” writes Sljivancanin. “He is a Sljivancanin writes about the doing sports, watching TV, prepar- the idea of Tito’s Yugoslavia and very correct person and he speaks atmosphere in Scheveningen when ing communal meals and celebrat- that he deeply respected his superi- English well.” the “Hague fugitive number one”, By Marija Ristic ing each other's religious holidays. ors, never questioning whether Even though it would be expect- Ratko Mladic, former general of In his book, Sljivancanin men- they were criminals or not. ed that prisoners of one nationality the Bosnian Serb army, arrived. tions all the major players in the This is perhaps one reason why would fight other nationalities, as “We were having lunch together eselin Sljivancanin, a for- wars of the 1990s, including former he dedicated a large part of his they did during the 1990s, in the Mladen Markac [former Croatian mer colonel of the Yugoslav presidents Slobodan Milosevic and diary to Milosevic who he saw as ICTY’s custody Serbs, Croats and general], Sreten Lukic and I. Then VPeople’s Army, JNA, has Radovan Karadzic, generals Ante his advisor not just on the legal Bosniaks were squabbling amongst the guards brought in Ratko turned his diaries of the time he Gotovina and Ratko Mladic, mili- issues, but on prison life as well. themselves. Mladic. […] Mladic came to our spent in the custody of the tary commanders Fatmir Limaj Sljivancanin describes him as a In Sljivancanin’s case, the table and said ‘Look, Markac is International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, ICTY, and Naser Oric, and politicians silent person who avoided conflicts Serbian Radical Party leader here. And you were my enemy,’ and into a book, entitled I Defended the Ramush Haradinaj and Vojislav with other prisoners. When Vojislav Seselj, his fellow country- tried to shake his hand.” Truth. Seselj. Milosevic died, Sljivancanin recalls man, gave him the hardest time. In “Markac wanted to leave the After being arrested in 2003 and The idea of former enemies liv- that everybody was in a panic, espe- the last part of his book, room, but then I said: “Maki, please sentenced by the Hague Tribunal to ing in harmony at first seemed very cially the prison management. The Sljivancanin describes the animos- sit. And you, Ratko should realize ten years’ imprisonment for aiding strange to Sljivancanin. In the prisoners were under strict control ity he felt towards Seselj. that the battles are done, here in and abetting the torture of non- beginning of the book, he describes and were checked many times dur- Known for his hardline Serbian prison there is no war”. Markac Serb prisoners from Vukovar hospi- entering the prison gym for the first ing the day because prison authori- nationalistic views and belief in had sat down, and then Mladic said tal in Croatia, he was granted early time: ties were worried that someone Serbian superiority to other “Sljivo, it is OK. And you, Maki, I release in 2011. “In one place Croats, Serbs, else might die. Balkan nations, Seselj baited am sorry. I was just joking”. This is the first written account Albanians and Muslims. They are In his prison days, Sljivancanin Sljivancanin for being a When he left custody all his fel- of the daily life behind the walls of all smiling and they greet me says he got along well with Naser Montenegrin, saying that low prisoners came to say goodbye. Scheveningen prison as seen by a warmly. We split and play volley- Oric, a former Bosnian army com- Montenegro did not exist either as “All except Seselj,” writes former inmate and reveals how he ball. In the real life, out of the walls mander in Srebrenica and one-time a country or as a nation. Sljivancanin. bonded with the Kosovo Liberation of this prison, back there in our for- bodyguard for Milosevic, and According to Sljivancanin, Seselj Sljivancanin finishes with the Army commander Ramush mer homeland, we were all split and Ramush Haradinaj, commander of was also very rude to other prison- line “Life is a miracle”. And for all Haradinaj while in prison. playing for separate teams, here we the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA. ers, trying to set them up to be pun- of those who endured the horrors Y Former presidents, generals, sol- are all together again. And we Sljivancanin found Haradinaj ished by the prison guards. He of the 1990s– the result of the deci- M diers and politicians are depicted again fight and make peace.” very polite and courteous. “He would get into fights and also incit- sions and actions of those currently C serving their jail terms or awaiting Reading his book, Sljivancanin, asked me to explain to him how life ed quarrels amongst others. living within the Scheveningen K their verdicts for war crimes, while as a former soldier, gives the in prison functions which I gladly In the last pages of the book, walls – it certainly was. economy April 13 - 26, 2012 7 Austrian Construction Giant Leaves Kosovo

One of Europe’s biggest construction companies, Austria’s Strabag, is pulling out of

Kosovo six years’ after entering the market with the purchase of former Yugoslavia’s trabag is a European construction company based in Villach, biggest quarry. with its headquarters in Vienna, Austria. It is the largest con- Sstruction company in Austria and one of the largest construc- tion companies in Europe. Strabag's current CEO is Hans Peter Haselsteiner. Strabag is active in its home markets Austria and Germany and in By Ismail Gashi all countries of Eastern and South-East Europe, in selected markets in Western Europe, on the Arabian Peninsula, as well as in Canada, Chile, China and India. In these markets Strabag has subsidiaries or operates on a project-basis. ustria’s Strabag is to sell up Major projects have included the Alte Weser Lighthouse complet- its assets in Kosovo after ed in 1964,[5] Basra International Airport in Iraq completed in Adisappointing sales, 1988,[6] the Copenhagen Metro completed in 2002,[7] the Manapouri Prishtina Insight has learnt. Second Tailrace Tunnel completed in 2002,[8] the Sofia Airport In 2006, the company purchased Second Terminal completed in 2006[9] and the Vrmac Tunnel in the largest quarry of former Montenegro completed in 2007.[10] Yugoslavia, close to the city of Strabag is also working on the Niagara Third Hydro Tunnel due Drenas, for 2.5 million euro. It to complete in 2013.[11]Strabag is also involved in the construction invested a further 6million euro in of the Limerick Tunnel, which will run from the junction of the the quarry and in building a facili- Limerick ring road with the N69, under the river Shannon allowing ty to make asphalt. a connection by road with the N18 Ennis road. (Source: Wikipedia) The company has now revealed that it intends to sell up because of its failure to penetrate the small Kosovo market. Strabag constructed Cohenhagen’s Metro (above) but failed to win deals in Kosovo. “There is no Kosovar company Gani Geci, former manager of Spokeswoman Diana Klein con- that will buy at this price, because the quarry and former MP of The Austrian company would ested in buying the quarry in firmed the sale, adding: “Strabag Kosovo is a crowded market.” Democratic League of Dardania, not discuss details of the sale, but Drenas, but this is not among our is not pleased with the sales vol- According to him, an invest- LDD, said that Strabag had failed Prishtina Insight understands business plan any longer,” said ume of products of the quarry ment of 400,000 euro is enough to because of politics. that it is looking for a price of Gashani. and asphalt base. We expected a compete with all quarries operat- He said that Strabag’s manage- around 5 million euro. Strabag Another businessman from better market and better econom- ing in Kosovo. ment had been told that Geci was has, this newspaper has learnt, nearby Skenderaj involved in con- ic conditions.” An expert in this field, who an obstacle for the company suc- been in discussion with several struction, Rustem Rukolli, said Strabag was the only other com- asked to remain anonymous, cess in Kosovo, although he did companies. that the price was too high for pany to have been in the running alleged to Prishtina Insight that not elaborate who had issued the The construction company Al him. to build Kosovo’s biggest infra- companies that win large tenders warning. Trade, owned by businessman “I have offered to co-manage structure project – the 1billion for road construction often “While I worked there at least Bajram Gashani, was among this plant but to buy it is quite euro highway – although the even- receive “instructions” on where we sold something, after my those interested in buying the impossible. The price, which I tual winner, Bechtel-Enka, was to buy gravel and other material. departure they had an even big- quarry, but, Gashani said, it has heard goes over 5 million euro, is tipped well in advance as the run- Strabag, he said, was not on this ger sales drop. now pulled out. “I have been inter- too big for me,” said Rukolli. away favourite. list of preferred companies. “It seems that Starbag [with their departure] now have under- stood that politics influenced their failure,” he added. Deputy director of the American Chamber of Commerce Arian Zeka told Prishtina Insight that the business environment in Kosovo is not good. “The business environment in Kosovo, as presented in various reports as well as by prestigious international organisations such as “Doing Business Report” and “World Bank”, is not adequate. “This is why we fail as a state to attract more foreign investment.” Zeka added, however, that Kosovo offers good opportunities for foreign investors, in terms of its natural and human resources. Kosovo, he said, had the right laws in place, but needed improvements in the rule of law, and progress in combating cor- ruption and tackling the informal economy. The Ministry of Economic Development, MED, did not want to comment on Strabag’s decision. Advisor to the Minister of MED Gezim Baxhaku said that the ministry was doing all it could to “support businesses, and is doing so consistently”. “This means creating legal infrastructure so that they oper- ate under the constitutional prin- ciple of a free market economy,” said Baxhaku. According to him, the applica- Y ble laws of Kosovo provide equal M conditions for all economic enti- C Austria’s Strabag missed out on winning the contract for the construction of the 1billion euro highway (above). ties. K 8 April 13 - 26, 2012 neighbourhood - business Macedonians Keep Macedonia to Clear of Debts Shave 5 Per Cent Off Budget to Banks Cut reflects the need to reduce spending as a result of the New data show that each European crisis and the cold winter, the Finance Minister Macedonian owes on average only said. about 600 euro to the banks, while financial crisis in the EU, has at the other end of the scale the aver- caused a fall in Macedonia's eco- nomic activity in the first three age Slovenian owes about 4,000 euro. By Sinisa Jakov month of the year. In that period Marusic the total budget income was 9 per son. As the cent less than government projec- average tions. salary in inance Minister Zoran The centre-right government of Serbia was Stavreski said the projected However, Nikola Gruevski last autumn said By Gordana Andric 370 euro, with the highest Fgross savings from the cuts it was confident it would be able to Serbs would incomes in the region will amount to some 120 million balance the books. need to work a of 980 euro, Slovenians are euro, almost 5 per cent of the total his February the total Macedonia’s budget for 2012 is bit more than two not in the worst situation when budget. He did not say where the amount in loans that biggest cuts will be made. 2.77 billion euro, with revenues months to return it comes to paying loans back. TMacedonians took from their loans. “The aim is to improve the liq- estimated at about 2.58 billion They need only about four banks was worth about 1.2 mil- Romanians took most in loans uidity of the budget and keep euro. lion. This sum put them at the bot- monthly salaries to cover their at 24 million euro . But as the down taxes,” Stavreski said, The country plans to keep the tom of the list of Balkan countries debts. country has a large population adding that his team will work out budget deficit at a planned 2.5 per when it comes to debts to banks. Although Bulgarians and of 21.5 million, their indebted- the details within the next two cent. However, economic growth In the country with a popula- Croatians owe less than ness is not at the top of the list. weeks. will have to revised down from a tion of about 2 million, this Slovenians, they are in a tougher According to the statistics, The cold winter that hit the planned 4.5 per cent, Stavreski means that each Macedonian situation comparing debts to each Romanian owes about 1,100 Balkans, as well as the ongoing owes a bank or banks about 600 incomes. said. euro and would need 3.3 salaries euro on average. The total debt of Bulgarians is to cover the loans. The average According to data from the 9.5 million euro. Per person they salary in Romania was 340 euro. Association of Serbian Banks, owe about 1,300 euro. As the Banks in Montenegro issued UBS, with an average salary of the lowest amount in loans. In average salary in Bulgaria is 250 330, Macedonians need 1.8 total, Montenegrins took 842,000 euro, they need 5.2 salaries to monthly salaries to pay off their euro. As Montenegro's popula- repay their loans. debts. tion is about 620,000, the indebt- Croatians are in a similar With 3.3 million euro worth of position. With 3,800 euro debt in loans in February, Bosnians were edness per citizen is about 1,300 loans per person and average a bit more indebted, to the tune of euro. As their average income is salaries of 720 euro, they need about 730 euro per person. With 480 euro, they would need 2.8 average incomes of 423 euro they salaries to cover their loans. about 5.4 salaries to cover their need 1.7 monthly salaries to cover Slovenia has the highest debt loans. The total amount that their loans. per person. Their banks issued Croatians took in loans was Serbians are third on the list. loans worth 7.8 million euro, so about 17 million euro. They took 5.9 million euro worth their debt per person is about Figures for Kosovo were not Macedonia’s economy has suffered as a resultof the European crisis and cold winter of loans or about 800 euro per per- 3,900 euro. available Montenegro Pledges to Meet Aluminium Plant’s Debt Montenegro says it will meet a Friday deadline to pay more than 20 million euro in guarantees for the debt of Podgorica Aluminum Plant, KAP, to Deutsche Bank.

debt to Deutsche bank and repay it in five instalments over the next three years. By Milena Milosevic But in March it failed to agree on terms of repayment with Alexey Kuznetsov, chairman of the plant’s board of directors. eutsche Bank activated the Kuznetsov argued that the con- guarantees late on Monday tract, allowing the government to Dfor its credit given to the take over the debt, was harmful to Podgorica-based factory in 2010. the factory, its owners and employ- “The Montenegrin government, ees, as well as to the interests of as a guarantor, will meet its obliga- other creditors. tions and within the envisaged The government, on the other deadline, by the end of this week, hand, stated that the stance of the will make the payment caused by plant’s Russian co-owners was the activation of the guarantees,” damaging the future of the compa- the Finance Ministry announced ny, its employees and government on Tuesday. itself. Montenegro’s government is set to pay out 23.4 million euro to Deutsche Bank to keep the Podgorica Aluminium Plant afloat The country's state budget will Since 2005, the majority of thus pay out 23.4 million euro, KAP’s shares have been owned by Montenegro’s parliament envis- rejected. The precise size of its debt is Y which is the overall amount of the Russia's Central European aged the termination of the con- Although a major Montenegrin unknown, but media reports say M credit plus interest rates. Aluminium Companies, CEAC, tract with CEAC, which the plant’s exporter and former industrial the government has guaranteed at C Initially, the government and by the Montenegrin state. management, composed of giant, KAP is now heavily indebt- least 170 million euro of its debts K planned to take over the KAP’s At its February session, Russian representatives, then ed. to the banks. neighbourhood news April 13 - 26, 2012 9 Macedonians Flock See to 'Miraculous' Frescoes Frescoes that appear to have changed colours overnight have attracted thousands of Orthodox believers to the St Demetrius church in Skopje - though not everyone is per- suaded it really is a miracle.

ably sharper than before. “I've worked as a priest for 26 By Sinisa Jakov years but I have never witnessed Marusic Skopje a miracle like this,” Fr Dragi Trpeski said. Some local clergy link the mir- ong lines of people from all acle to St Demetrius, the parts of the country have Lappeared since Monday in church's patron, a famous war- front of the church in Skopje, wait- rior saints. They believe he is ing to witness what they believe unhappy about the recent sharp was a miracle. drop in visits to the church The five-centuries-old church, caused by nearby construction especially known for its ancient sites that since last year have wall paintings, has become the blocked its main entrances. centre of attention since a TV The clergy say that before the news report about the unusual construction sites were opened Priests claim the frescoes have become noticeably sharper recently event this weekend. they hosted up to 20 weddings a The gold aureoles around the week while now they cannot Orthodox Church also visited pal religious community. But Nikola Mojsoski an elderly painted saints on the church reach that number in months. the church. He gave no state- Macedonian Prime Minister pedestrian on the nearby walls became brighter Immediately after the news ment. Nikola Gruevski on Monday also Macedonia Aquare was not so overnight, local clergy claim, got out on Sunday, Archbishop The Macedonian Orthodox briefly visited the church, lit a convinced. while the paint itself is notice- Stefan of the Macedonian Church is the country’s princi- candle but gave no statement. “I believe there is a reasonable Valentina Bozinovska, the scientific explanation,” he said head of the Commission for smiling, “I do not wish to believe Religious Communities told that priests would deliberately local Kanal 5 TV that “This is a swindle people like this.” message that we must immedi- Meanwhile, the National ately return to moral values, Conservation Centre has taken family and children, to preserve samples from the frescoes and ourselves from the decadence we says it is conducting analysis to are facing”. see whether some atmospheric While believers have been changes or change in the walls praising God and the patron humidity might have been the saint, others say the sudden cause. change in the frescoes might The church, located in the old have been caused by a chemical Jewish district, between Skopje’s reaction, or was even a deliber- Stone Bridge and the entrance to ate hoax designed to attract peo- the Turkish Bazar is one of the ple’s attention. oldest existing churches in the “I am happy to be here today. city. This is truly God’s message and Believed to have been erected a blessing to the people,” Stavre in the 16th century, the church Dulakovski told Prishtina gained its modern form in the Insight while waiting in line to 1890s after a thorough recon- Believers pray in front of the “miracle” frescoes. enter. struction. Romania Makes School Uniforms Mandatory In a bid to reduce social discrepancies between pupils, Romania is planning to make school uniforms compulsory. academic performance,” Adelina Botezatu, mother of a 10-year-old student, said. Opponents believe that requiring stu- By Marian Chiriac dents to wear uniforms denies them their right to personal identity and self-expres- sion. he debate over whether or not school But the government says the new sys- uniforms should be enforced in state tem will not be the same as it was during Tschools appears likely to end with par- the Communist period. “There will not be liament introducing mandatory school uni- the same uniform throughout the system," forms at primary and secondary levels. according to Dan Suciu, the government’s The idea is backed by a number of MPs spokesman. and also by most parents. The government "School officials will talk to parents and has already announced its support for the together decide what uniform to create for move, after the first calls came from par- School uniformsare soon to become mandatory in Romania that school, so each school has its own ents’ unions. identity and all students get the same worn by elementary school and high that it needs to make both student and “Mandatory uniform will reduce social treatment,” he added. school students, according to draft law. school identifiable. discrepancies and fashion competition Poorer families will also able to apply Schools can even choose to use just one Most private and international school between students. School uniforms are for funds to buy the uniforms that will be mandatory clothing item, bearing in mind pupils in Romania already wear uniforms. also believed to improve discipline and 10 April 13 - 26, 2012 Serbian Elections ELECTION PROFILE Serbian Elections 2012: What's This spring almost 7 million Serbians are entitled to vote in presidential, general, provincial and local elections. that is least represented in the list. Unless 30 per cent or more of the list are representatives of least By Gordana Andric represented gender, the list will not be taken into account and the party will be told to revise it. The threshold for parties to The date: enter parliament is 5 per cent. This does not apply to parties repre- The elections for the presiden- senting ethnic minorities. tial, local and general elections This will be the first election in will be held on the same day, which parties have to submit May 6. blocked lists and in which man- Boris Tadic resigned as dates will be awarded according to President of Serbia on April 4 nine the order of names on the list. months before the end of his man- Until now, parties could award date, paving the way for an early seats to people from their lists as election. they wanted, regardless of their Tadic and the government said position on the list. it would save money to organise The President gives a mandate elections for all levels of govern- to whichever deputy commands a ment on the same day. majority in parliament to form a General, provincial and local new government. He or she thus elections were called on March 13 becomes the prime minister. and the presidential vote was However, parliament must called on April 5. approve the prime minister and her/his cabinet. Who can vote? In Serbia’s political system, the Prime Minister holds most execu- About 6.7 million people are eli- tive power, while the President gible to vote in the presidential, manages foreign policy and com- general and local elections. In the mands the armed forces. election in the northern province However, since the 2008 general of Vojvodina, about 1.7 million election, after which Mirko Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, caretaker President, announces the presidential elections for May 6 people are eligible to vote. Cvetkovic became Prime Minister, The ministry for public admin- of residence. Thus, a person who Committee at least 20 days before In the general election, Serbian many believe power has essential- istration is currently compiling a has registered as a resident of the the election takes place. citizens will vote for 250 deputies ly resided with Boris Tadic. single national electoral roll to Belgrade municipality of Vracar The new president must win an whose mandate lasts four years. replace the various lists compiled could not vote anywhere else. absolute majority of votes of those The whole of Serbia is a single Provincial elections: by local authorities. The list, who cast ballots. electoral unit. Deputies are elected which is expected to be complete The voting system: If no candidate wins more than through a party-list proportional Provincial elections will be held 20 days before the elections, will in the autonomous province of Presidential elections: 50 per cent of the votes in the first representation system. contain exact information on the round, the two top candidates go Seats are allocated in proportion Vojvodina, which has its own, dif- number of voters. In the 2008 elec- into the second round that must be to the number of votes won by ferent and more complex voting The president is elected in a tions, 6.7 million people were eligi- held within 15 days. each list, using the highest quo- system. direct election with the mandate ble. In the second round, the candi- tient system. If two or more lists Of 120 deputies in the provincial for five years. The single national list will date with the highest number of have the same quotient, the seat assembly, 60 are elected under the Candidates must gather 10,000 enable voters to cast ballots at any votes wins. goes to the list with the larger same system used for general elec- signatures of supporters in order polling station in the country. In number of votes. tions. Vojvodina is also a single to submit candidacy. previous elections, Serbs could On each list every third candi- electoral unit and seats are award- They must submit their candi- General elections: vote only at their registered place date must be a member of the sex ed through a party-list proportion- dacy to the Republic Election Boris Tadic, a Leader Doing Handsomely The pro-Western, George Clooney look-alike president is riding high right now, having apparently pulled off his twin-track policy of winning on ‘Both the EU and Kosovo’. Radical Party's candidate, such attacks by arguing that in With that in mind, he backed the needs of the occasion – and the Tomislav Nikolic, and narrowly certain situations he has to act as so-called “Srebrenica resolution”, audience. beat Nikolic again in February head of the Democratic Party, the condemning the 1995 massacre, In July, when tension in Serb- By Bojana Barlovac 2008 to secure a second term. leading party in parliament, which Serbia’s parliament adopted run areas of northern Kosovo In his first four years as presi- which naturally gives him extra in 2010. escalated and local Serbs started dent, Tadic was seen as being out- possibilities to influence govern- His contribution to reconcilia- building barricades, he praised maneuvered by his coalition part- ment actions. tion in the Balkans led to him “barehanded people who are he son of a Communist-era ner, the then prime minister, Critics also say he lacks vision being awarded the Council of defending their legitimate inter- dissident, the 54-year-old Vojislav Kostunica. and strategy, dabbling too much in Europe's annual North-South ests in a legitimate way”. Tpsychologist entered politics But his double victory in the daily political skirmishes and try- Prize award in 2012. But when he feared that Serbia in the mid-1990s as an activist 2008 elections – in the race for ing to manage influential media While trying to secure Serbia’s might lose its bid to obtain EU against Serbia’s then strongman, president and his coalition’s win through associates. On the other place in the EU and befriending candidate status over the violence Slobodan Milosevic. in parliamentary elections – con- hand, no one can deny that Tadic Serbia's estranged neughbours in in Kosovo, he started calling the Tadic served as Minister of centrated much more power in his is a skilful communicator. ex-Yugoslavia, the President has men manning the barricades Telecommunications and Defence hands. Tadic is seen as a man genuine- not been so “soft” on the question criminals and urging them to in Serbia’s first post-Milosevic While Tadic continues to enjoy ly committed to reconciliation in of Serbia's breakway province of withdraw. governments. He emerged as high levels of support among ordi- the Balkans, having attended the Kosovo, which declared independ- On March 1, he managed to pull leader of the centrist pro- nary people, his concentration of tenth and 15th anniversaries of ence in 2008. off his ambitious election promise European Democratic Party in power has led critics to accuse him the 1995 massacre at Srebrenica in On the contrary, he has conduct- – “Both the EU and Kosovo”. 2004 after an internal power strug- of authoritarianism. To parry eastern Bosnia, where Bosnian ed a stiff diplomatic fight against Brussels granted Serbia candidate gle following the assassination in those complaints, the President’s Serb forces killed around 7,000 Kosovo’s independence, strongly status and Belgrade and Prishtina March 2003 of the prime minister, team often portrays the Prime Bosniaks (Muslims). He has also defending Serbia’s stance that agreed a formula whereby Kosovo Y Zoran Djindjic. Minister, Mirko Cvetkovic, as the risked nationalist anger at home Kosovo remains part of Serbia. can attend regional meetings with- M Tadic won the 2004 presidential decision-maker. by apologising to the survivors His rhetoric on Kosovo has, out Serbian boycotting or walking C election against the nationalist Tadic also defends himself from and to the victims' relatives. however, shifted, depending on the out. K Serbian Elections April 13 - 26, 2012 11 Key Parties in Serbia Twelve years after the overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic, the scene has changed significantly at stake as parties rise, fall and change their minds. Democratic Party, DS: At the founding assembly Nikolic didate of a united democratic said his party would be “a bridge block. The Democratic Party, DS, was between East and West, with the Critics say Kostunica, who set up in 1989 as the first opposition future goal of forming a union with remained in power as Serbian party in Serbia. Dragoljub the Republic of Srpska” [the Prime Minister till 2008, has wholly Micunovic, a former parliamentary Bosnian Serb entity]. lost his reformist credentials by speaker widely acclaimed for his Over time, the SNS has become threatening to sever ties with the work on human rights, was presi- more EU-oriented and has so EU over the recognition of Kosovo’s dent. became closer to the Democrats in independence by 22 of the 27 mem- The party advocates pro-Western terms of its policy profile. Its lead- ber states. values, including EU-integration, ers are often seen meeting with EU Relations with the pro-European political pragmatism and co-opera- officials. Democrats and with G17 Plus min- tion with the international commu- isters in the government have been nity. United Regions of Serbia, fractious in the last year with Kostunica often turning for support al representation system. While it remains firmly opposed URS: Local elections: to the nationalist Radicals. The threshold for the parties to Kosovo's independence, the coali- tion argues that Serbia must turn The party is loud in opposing to enter the provincial assembly Voters are also electing local Formerly a non-governmental its back on the nationalism of the both Kosovo's independence and is also 5 per cent, except for eth- authorities for 150 municipali- organisation lobbying for economic past. It believes only European Serbia’s membership of the EU and nic minority parties. ties and 24 cities. reforms and EU membership, G17 Union membership will bring last- NATO. The other 60 deputies in the The system is the same as for Plus became a political party in ing improvements to people's lives. Besides its pro-nationalist poli- chamber are elected through a general elections. Seats are December 2002 after Miroljub The party's slogan on the last elec- tics, the party insists on reforms of two-round majority electoral awarded through a party-list Labus left the Democratic Party to tion in 2008 was: “Both EU and the judiciary and the police. It has a system. Although elections by proportional representation sys- become its first president. Kosovo”. reputation for being less corrupt both systems are held on the tem with a 5 per cent threshold A former head of the Yugoslav Today it is the country's biggest than some other political parties. same day, for the elections by for all but ethnic minority par- National Bank, Mladjan Dinkic later party. A year after the assassination majority system the province is ties and with every third candi- took over the party’s presidency. of prime minister Zoran Djindjic in Serbian Radical Party, SRS: divided to 60 electoral units. date on the lists having to be a G17 Plus advocates a liberal econ- March 2003, Boris Tadic, a party omy, regionalisation, better living In the majority system, candi- member of the less represented Though Vojislav Seselj, the leader member since 1990, was elected standards and political pragma- dates who win an absolute gender. of the Radical Party, is currently on president of the party. In the same tism, appealing to young, well-edu- majority in the first round The presidents of the munici- trial in The Hague on charges of year he won the Serbian presiden- cated and urban voters. Last year it become deputies. In units where palities and mayors are elected inciting ethnic and religious tial elections. changed its name into United no candidate wins an absolute by municipal and city assem- hatred, he still rules his party back Critics say that today's DS has Regions of Serbia. majority, the first two candi- blies. home in Serbia. lost touch with the values of the Its pragmatism has been demon- dates with the highest number In Belgrade and Nis, elections Shifting towards and away from Djindjic-era and that it has become strated through its decision to form of votes go into the second are being held on two levels, as the Milosevic regime at various corrupted by years in government. coalitions with the nationalist round. these two cities are divided into points between 1998 and 2000, the Democratic Party of Serbia, DSS, In the majority electoral sys- several municipalities. Belgrade core Radical programme remains Socialist Party of Serbia, as well as with the pro-Western tem, one candidate is elected for has 17 and Nis has five. based on the idea of a greater Democratic Party in order to stay in 39 of the province’s 45 munici- In the local elections, voters in SPS: Serbia. power. palities. The six largest munici- these two cities have to fill in two Tomislav Nikolic, who replaced palities have more; seven are ballot papers. With one they vote The Socialist Party of Serbia, Seselj as acting leader once Selselj elected from Novi Sad, four from for the party they wish to rule SPS, was formed in 1990 as a merg- Liberal Democratic Party, went to The Hague, tried to shift the Subotica, three from Pancevo, their municipality and with er of Serbian strongman Slobodan LDP: focus away from Seselj's vision of a three from Zrenjanin and two other they vote for the city gov- Milosevic's League of Communists Greater Serbia with more populist each from Kikinda and Sombor. ernment. of Serbia and the Socialist Alliance The Liberal Democratic Party, pledges on tackling poverty, corrup- This combined system was of the Working People of Serbia. LDP, led by Cedomir Jovanovic, is tion and organised crime. chosen to ensure that each Kosovo Ivica Dacic, who took over the the only mainstream party to main- But he gave up and resigned in municipality is represented in leadership in December 2006 after tain that the country is better off September 2008 after which he parliament. This is opposite to It remains unclear whether Milosevic had died in detention in without Kosovo, criticizing other formed a new party, the Serbian the practice in the national par- Serbia will hold elections in The Hague in March that year, began leaders for courting nationalist Progressive Party. liament, where smaller towns Kosovo, despite the insistence by to modernize the party and put its votes and for compromising on The Radicals remained constant and cities are far less represent- the government in Prishtina and ultra-nationalist past behind it. reforms. in their nationalistic discourse, ed. that to do would be illegal. Thus, the party has distanced Jovanovic was a student leader firmly opposing Kosovo’s independ- itself from the politics of the for- during the protests against former ence and Serbia’s progress towards mer leadership and turned towards Serbian strongman Slobodan the European Union. integrating Serbia into the EU. Milosevic and set up the LDP when Advocating social justice, free he was expelled from the Serbian Renewal education and social security for all Democrats in 2005 in a party purge. Movement, SPO: has led the party towards coalitions Earlier he had been a close ally to with the Party of United Pensioners Serbia's first-democratically elect- Formed in 1990, the Serbian of Serbia and United Serbia. ed Prime Minister, Zoran Djindjic, Renewal Movement, SPO, is the In the last elections the SPS, with who was assassinated in 2003. only declared advocate of a return its coalition partners, won 7.58 per In 2008, the LDP formed a pre-elec- of the monarchy. cent of votes and entered a tion coalition with the Social The SPO, which was then Serbia's Democrat-led coalition govern- Democratic Union and the Christian leading opposition party, organized ment. Socialists hold the positions Democratic Party of Serbia. a famous rally on March 1991 that of the First Deputy Prime Minister In 2012, under the name resulted in Slobodan Milosevic [Ivica Dacic] and four ministerial «Preokret» («Turn-around»), the sending tanks onto the streets of posts. party formed a coalition with the Belgrade. Social Democratic Union, SDU, and Nowadays its long-lasting leader, the Serbian Renewal Movement, Serbian Progressive Party, Vuk Draskovic, is a more marginal SPO. Tadic pressing the flesh as the election hots up SNS: political figure, well known for changing his stances on important The President dubbed the alcohol. The Serbian Progressive Party, Democratic Party of Serbia, issues from time to time. events historic and he celebrat- His mother, Nevenka, said SNS, was formed in October 2008 by DSS: In the 2008 elections his coalition ed Serbia's victory in Brusels in once in an interview that he was a group of MPs who broke away partner was the New Serbia Party folksy fashion, joining a kolo, a so ugly as baby that some of her from Vojislav Seselj's Serbian Formed from the nationalist run by the mayor of Cacak, Velimir traditional Serbian dance. friends advised her not to take Radical Party, SRS, under Tomislav wing of the Democrats in 1992 Velja Ilic. Besides proving that he can him for a walk outside the Nikolic. under Vojislav Kostunica, its oppo- In 2011, the party shifted its dance, Tadic is known as a big house. Nikolic resigned as the deputy sition to Slobodan Milosevic kept it stance towards Kosovo, saying sports fan. He even faced police She could not have imagined leader of the Serb Radical Party close to the Democratic Party dur- Serbia had to face reality and recog- charges in 2009 after toasting that her son would grow up to be over disagreements with the Seselj ing the 1990s. nise the loss of Kosovo. That policy Serbia’s football victory over rated one of the world’s most [currently on trial in The Hague], Kostiunica, then a little-known shift opened the way for the party to Romania with champagne; foot- handsome politicians, his looks over Nikolic's call for the Radicals lawyer, challenged and defeated form a coalition in the 2012 election ball stadiums are not licensed often compared to those of to moderate their nationalist image Milosevic in the presidential elec- campaign with the Liberal premises for consumption of Hollywood star George Clooney. a little and embrace the EU. tions in September 2000 as the can- Democratic Party, LDP. 12 April 13 - 26, 2012 investigation Albania’s Power Crisis Irresponsible exports of electricity by the Power Corporation in 2011 played a key role in fomenting the worst energy crisis in Albania’s modern history. imports that started in April cost it as much as 60 euro per Megawatt hour – six times more. When importing this electricity, By Besar Likmeta KESH also paid a price that was on average 20 euro higher than that paid by the private utility compa- ocuments obtained by ny, CEZ Shperndarje, although Prishtina Insight show that both companies used the same Dhigh electricity exports in January 2011 by Albania’s Power regional energy traders. Corporation, KESH, destabilized The high cost of these imports the River Drin cascade, diminish- undermined KESH’s finances, ing in a single month this key forcing it to seek financial help energy reserve. from the government in order to The repercussions of the high keep the nation’s lights on. sales of electricity and poor man- Data obtained by the Energy agement of water resources were Regulatory Agency, ERE, mean- felt only months later, when while show that inefficient use of The Fierza dam, above, is the backbone of Albania’s energy production network, which has been put under strain. Albania experienced what Prime the Albania’s energy resources in Minister Sali Berisha recently 2011 lowered the electricity pro- tively. It blamed the low produc- demand. Fierza dam was falling by 40 cen- called its worst energy crisis “in duction rate, incurring potential tion rate on a combination of According to Albania’s Agency timetres a day in January 2011, history”. losses for KESH worth tens of mil- unpredictable weather and high of Natural Resources, the Drin KESH continued to export electric- Prishtina Insight has learned lions of euro. rates of electricity consumption. cascade, with a total installed ity despite the negative effect that that KESH exported electricity in In a statement to Prishtina KESH said the production rate in capacity of 1,350 MW, constitutes this had on the dam’s efficiency. January 2011 for as little as 10 euro Insight KESH said it had managed 2011, which hit an historic low, was 82 per cent of the country’s power KESH told Prishtina Insight per Megawatt hour, while the Albania’s energy reserves effec- down to the need to guarantee a generation with three hydropower that it could not have predicted secure supply to customers. plants. that the inflow of water in the dam The corporation also said it paid The Fierza dam is considered in January 2011 would be so low, at more for electricity imports than the backbone of the electricity 216 cubic metres per second, much CEZ because KESH had to import generating system as it regulates lower than the flow in December electricity on a monthly basis to the flow water for two other major 2010, which was 657 cubic metres guarantee supply while CEZ has dams, Koman and Vau i Dejes. per second and the historic aver- only to import electricity on an Documents obtained by age for January of 260 cubic annual basis. This is because CEZ Albania’s Transmission metres for second. is obliged only to guarantee that Operators, TSO, show that in “It was impossible to predict its imports cover the level of loss- January 2011, KESH exported that the average inflow of water in es in the grid. 232,128 MWh of electricity, which the dam would be much lower than KESH said its obligation to led to a steep decline in the level of the historic average,” it said. guarantee a 100 per cent supply of the Fierza dam of 11 metres. But data published in ERE’s electricity to customers meant The lower level of the dam annual report contradict KESH’s that energy traders could exploit meant that the energy reserve of claims. These show the average drought periods by putting up the Drin cascade, which on inflow of water in January in the prices. January 1, 2011 was 1024.4 GWh of Fierza reservoir is 213 cubic electricity, fell by almost half on metres per second. The flow in Squandering reserves: February 1, 2011 to 634.2 GWh elec- January 2011 was 223 cubic meter tricity. per second, 10 meters higher than Albania’s internal electricity Because the electricity generat- the historic average and, as such, generation capacity is about 98 per ed from hydropower plants is predictable. cent dependent on hydropower. kinetic, lower dam water levels KESH also claims its exports The two main cascades on the reduce the efficiency of produc- would have had “zero impact” if Drin and Mat rivers, produce over tion, meaning that more water is CEZ Shperndarje, the private dis- 94 per cent of domestic electricity required to produce a kWh of elec- tributor, had imported enough and normally supply more than 65 tricity. power to cover its losses in the Albanian PM Sali Berisha has called the recent energy crisis the country’s “worst ever” per cent of the country’s total net But although the level of the grid in January 2011, when Kosovo Blocked from Eurovision Song Contest Kosovo is ineligible to take part in the world-famous Eurovision song contest but that hasn’t stopped a Kosovo-born singer from representing Albania in the competition. eligible because it was not a con- Active membership in the contest. According sidered an “active member” of EBU is currently only open to to the Eurovision the EBU. broadcasters in countries which song contest offi- Previously, Kosovo had urged belong to the International cial website, the By Prishtina Insight the EBU to admit RTK as an Telecommunication Union musician will rep- active member, so as to enable it (ITU). resent Albania in to take part in the competition. While 89 countries have recog- Baku this May. he news that Kosovo was Petrit Selimi, deputy Kosovo nized the Republic of Kosovo Nishliu won an ineligible to take part in the Foreign Minister, was quoted as since it declared independence Albanian singing con- Tcompetition was confirmed telling Deltenre: “The EBU is from Serbia in 2008, it has not test on New Year’s Eve last Friday by the European quintessentially important for been admitted to the ITU. in the Palate of the Broadcasting Union, EBU. us," and adding: “Nothing is This has not stopped Congress in Tirana which was Ingrid Deltenre, director gen- more important than the Song Mitrovica-born singer Rona broadcasted state wide on eral of the EBU said that Radio Contest in nation-building" Nishliu from taking part in the Albanian public television. Television Kosovo, RTK, was not investigation April 13 - 26, 2012 13 Pinned on Company Errors demand for electricity was high. The amount of water that However, CEZ is required only flowed into dams in 2002 and 2007 by the ERE to import enough to was respectively 4.4 billion and 4.1 cover its annual losses in the grid, billion cubic metres. In 2011 the which in 2011 were 37.7 per cent. It inflow was 5.8 billion cubic does not necessarily have to cover metres. With a much higher inflow losses every month. the specific consumption of KESH In 2011 CEZ imported in total in 2011 was higher than in 2002 and 1,814 GWh of electricity, while 2007. KESH imported 1.448 GWh, for a Some experts believe that even total 3262 GWh of electricity the high specific consumptions imported. 2002 and 2007 were down to poor Sources in the energy trading management. market have told Prishtina Insight A study by the Energy Sector that KESH’s export contracts in Management Assistance Program January 2011 were for prices as of the World Bank in 2009 on low as 10 euro per MWh, but that Albania’s vulnerability to chang- when the company started import- ing weather patterns showed that ing to meet supply in April, the the efficiency of use of the Fierza average price of electricity was 60 reservoir was much higher in 2008 euro per MWh. than in 2007, although both years One key indicator used by ERE were defined by a severe drought, to evaluate the efficiency of use of which brought only 4.12 billion a hydropower dam system is spe- cubic meters of water into the cific consumption of water to pro- reservoir. duce one kWh of electricity. “In 2007 and 2008 inflows to the In 2011 an historic high of 1.47 Fierza Reservoir were similar cubic metres of water was needed (approximately 4,120,000,000 m3) to produce one kilowatt of electric- but power generation in 2008 was ity, which meant the cascade expe- 29.4 per cent higher than in 2007,” rienced its lowest efficiency in a the study said. CEZ, which is resoponsible for the distribution of electricity in Albania, lost 37.7 per cent from the grid in 2011. decade. “This was because high water But KESH told Prishtina Insight levels were maintained in the the draught in 2011 and the grow- to import electricity and ensure requests for electricity from CEZ that the specific consumption was reservoir in 2008 and there was ing rate of consumption of elec- the security of the supply. In Shperndarje, which makes it vul- only an empirical measure, and better optimization between elec- tricity in the country, which has February, the government was nerable to energy traders. other factors had to be taken into tricity import and domestic pro- surpassed 7 billion KWh, their forced to extend another 2 billion “Because nearly 100 per cent of account when evaluating efficien- duction,” it added. management of the Drin cascade lek (€14.4 million) loan. Albania’s power generation comes cy. KESH’s high exports in January had been adequate. Speaking in cabinet on from hydro-power and KESH, as a The company pointed out the 2011 brought levels of the Fierza “In a drought year with high February 22, when the new KESH generator and wholesale supplier, inflow of water in the Fierza dam dam down to historical lows that consumption of electricity we loan was approved, Prime has to guarantee the electricity in 2011 had been low according to month, which meant that electrici- guaranteed an uninterrupted sup- Minister Sali Berisha described needs of CEZ Shperndarje, the historical average, and during ty production from the dam there- ply for customers as a result of the power situation as the worst traders use the situation [by the drought years in 2002, 2007 and after was less efficient. good management of the energy they had known. charging higher prices] and so put 2011 the indicator of specific con- The median historical average reserve,” KESH said. “These months have been the the company into difficulties,” sumption was high. of the specific consumption met- toughest in the history of the KESH said. In addition KESH said the need ric in Albania in the past ten years Problems but no crisis: country’s energy system,” The company says it would wel- to guarantee an interrupted elec- has been 1.27 cubic meters of Berisha said, adding that the gov- come changes to the energy mar- tricity supply in 2011 “forced the water for every kWh produced, or KESH has spent roughly 120 mil- ernment would subsidize imports ket rules, so that CEZ carried out company to generate electricity at 20 points less than in 2011. lion euro on electricity imports and guarantee the supply to con- its own imports of electricity. low dam levels with a poor per- If the specific consumption of from April 2011 until today. The sumers at any cost. Meanwhile, KESH maintains formance”. KESH of the Fierza reservoir had draught in 2011 also extended into The cost of this pledge is not that as long it has secured the elec- However, the evidence that been in the median historical aver- the first three months of 2012, small. Although KESH imports tricity supply for consumers one KESH points at does not support age the company in 2011 would forcing the company to seek gov- electricity at high prices it sells it cannot talk of an energy “crisis”. its claim. Although in 2002 and have produced 664,801 MWh more ernment aid, after banks shunned to CEZ Shperndarje at a low prize, “An energy crisis happens when 2007 specific consumption for the electricity, which on the interna- further loans to the already heavi- which in turn sells it on to con- the uninterrupted supply to con- generation of electricity was high, tional market today would be ly indebted corporation. sumers. sumers fails,” the company said. at 1.38 and 1.4 cubic meter per worth nearly 40 million euro. In December 2011 the govern- KESH says the cost of its “This otherwise has been one kWh, it was still lower than in However, the company told ment issued 4.5 billion lek (33 mil- imports are higher because, as a the most difficult hydro-power sit- 2011. Prishtina Insight that considering lion) in loan guarantees to KESH public company, it has to cover uations in our history.” Dick Marty to Testify in Medicus Case A Kosovo Court has decided to call former Swiss Senator Dick Marty as a witness in the ongoing Medicus Case, which centres on allegations of organ trafficking and organised crime. The presiding judge is expect- from slums in Istanbul, Moscow, Marty, which alleged that some ed to decide when to call Marty to Moldova and Kazakhstan with elements of the Kosovo testify, which is likely to be some- the false promises of up to 15,000 Liberation Army traded the By Fatmir Aliu time in July. euro for their organs. organs of prisoners during the The Medicus case centres on Nine persons in total have been 1999 conflict. the allegations that a group of charged with human trafficking, Dervishi, who is the owner of people brought poor donors and organised crime and the unlaw- the Medicus Clinic, in a recent rishtina’s District Court has rich recipients to the Medicus ful exercise of medical activities, interview for BIRN, has accused accepted the proposal of the clinic and organised and carried including university professor EULEX of libel and said that PEU Rule of Law Mission, out the harvesting and trans- Lutfi Dervishi, who is accused of the indictment against EULEX, prosecutor Jonathan plant of kidneys. being the ring-leader. him and six other Ratel to call Dick Marty as a wit- According to the indictment, 30 The Medicus clinic, just out- associates is ness. Y operations involving illegal kid- side of Prishtina, is also linked to politically Rathel had asked on March 23 M ney transplants were conducted a December 2010 Council of motivat- for senator Marty to be summoned C at the clinic, by luring people Europe report made by senator ed. as a witness. K 14 April 13 - 26, 2012 feature

Boundaries Still Unresolved in ex Yugoslav Countries After decades of living as one country, the successor states of former Yugoslavia are taking time to adjust to their new boundaries. checkpoints is due to the difficult Kosovo’s Metalworker’s Union crossings. Bosnia and Herzegovina - economic situation. was detained at a border cross- The Albanian community in “All the states are facing eco- ing. South Serbia also perceives the Croatia By Marija Ristic nomic problems and a lot of Researchers also noted that presence of Serbian security serv- money is needed if you want to national authorities and interna- ices as a threat and Albanian and There has been controversy over build a border crossing. And peo- tional actors lack transparency Roma minorities mistrust Serbian whether the islets of Mali and everal regional NGOs, under ple try to find the easier way, so when it comes to dealing with authorities. Veliki Skolj belong to Croatia or the umbrella of the British that is why there are a lot of ille- border disputes, border manage- Serbia formed a Multi-Ethnic Bosnia. Croatians are concerned Sorganisation Safeworld, pre- gal crossings,” said Stankovic. ment and security provision in Police in order to address these that if Bosnia is awarded the sented a report on Tuesday which Illegal crossing is rife between border areas. issues of mistrust, but the new islands and builds a port, the examines what effect the new bor- Kosovo and Serbia. According to police force failed in its purpose, authorities might not take care of ders have on the lives of people the report, the movement of peo- researchers say. the environment, which would living along the demarcation Kosovo - Montenegro ple is particularly restricted in Political tensions are discourag- harm the local tourism industry. lines of Serbia, Kosovo, this region, since the July 2011 Montenegrins are making slow ing investments and economic Young people in Croatia hold Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia agreement on freedom of move- progress with the demarcation of growth in the region, causing a particularly strong views regard- and Croatia. ing this dispute, believing that the “There is a slow progress in ment between Serbia and Kosovo their border with Kosovo because large number of people of all is yet to benefit ordinary people. Serbia sees it as a threat to its sov- nationalities to leave the area. islands are Croatian. According to resolving this outstanding issue. the report, this issue tends to be There are diverse challenges, but “Problems with the movements ereignty, says the report. Cooperation between Albanian between Kosovo and Serbia are Both sides are worried because and Kosovar businesses is impos- raised only at election time, one common feature across the demonstrating how such unre- western Balkan is that the new not border issues, those are polit- of an increased smuggling of sible due to Serbia’s restrictions. ical matters. According to tobacco, coffee, cattle, narcotics solved border disputes can be used international borders have creat- for political purposes. ed obstacles to the movement of Resolution 1244 Serbia and and petrol. The creation of a Montenegro - Serbia Kosovo are divided with adminis- buffer zone by the security servic- people,” said Ferdinand Nikola Macedonia - Kosovo from Safeworld. trative lines and not a border. es led to complaints by the locals The key problem for people liv- These days, every crossing who find it difficult to access and ing on the border between Serbia The report says that one com- The report highlights the agree- mon complaint across the region becomes a political dispute,” said use their property. and Montenegro is that there are Oliver Ivanovic, the State no convenient crossings for local ment signed between Kosovo and is the inadequate number of bor- Macedonia in 2008 as a regional der crossings. People living in Secretary in the Serbian Ministry Kosovo - Serbia farmers. for Kosovo. Some farmlands lie across the success story. Two governments border areas also find the new formed a commission which nego- borders inconvenient because of Two weeks ago the Serbian According to the report, the citi- non-demarcated line and local peo- authorities arrested several zens of Kosovo are worried ple need to travel long distances in tiated the demarcation within one the additional costs of moving year. Despite Russian and Serbian their goods. Albanians as retaliation for the because they cannot travel freely order to cross the border and arrest of four Serbs in Kosovo. to Serbia. Local people are con- reach it. Local bus and train serv- opposition, the commission suc- Sava Stankovic, in charge of cessfully finished the process, border issues in the Serbian Two Kosovo policemen were cerned by obstacles to the free ices have been cut as they do not arrested after they allegedly movement of goods, the difficulty meet international standards, including solving the issue of 2,500 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says hectares of contested land that that the insufficient number of crossed the Serbian border ille- of accessing their private property making short journeys very time gally and the president of and a lack of convenient border consuming. were claimed by both sides. NATO to Shut Illegal Crossings in Kosovo KFOR peacekeepers have told Serb leaders in northern Kosovo that they plan to close illegal roads used to by-pass the official Kosovo-Serbia border crossings at Jarinje and Brnjak. the mayors of four municipalities, and in a sign of protest use lanes warned that the plan will worsen ation and abandoned the barri- Leposavic, Zubin Potok, Zvecan opened up in the mountains or tensions. cade to the protesters. and North Mitrovica, about the other improvised roads. “Serbs will never accept the clo- Northern Kosovo, which bor- By Fatmir Aliu plan. Northern Serbs have erected sure of the alternative [by-pass] ders Serbia, has long been prone to “Colonel [Adolf] Kondat has dozens of barricades since July 25, roads. If this happens Serbs will bursts of violence. Its population, been talking with local representa- blocking roads in reaction to a gov- again go out on their barricades which is almost entirely com- tives in the north of the intention ernment police operation aimed at and block all the roads,” Krstimir prised of Serbs, does not recognise he NATO-run force has noti- to close the illegal crossings out seizing border crossings in the Pantic was quoted by Koha.net as Kosovo's independence or the eth- fied Kosovo Serb leaders in Tthe north that it intends to there,” Nowitzki said. north with Serbia. having said after the meeting. nic Albanian-led government in close all roads used to by-pass the Roads in the area have been Spokesperson Nowitzki said he Last November, over 40 NATO Prishtina. border crossings at Brnjak and blocked for several months by couldn’t reveal when peacekeepers peacekeepers were injured in While officially a part of Jarinje, a spokesperson confirmed local Serbs protesting over the intend to undertake the action, as clashes with local Serbs when the Kosovo, the region under the de- to Prishtina Insight. presence of Kosovo government “KFOR never talks about its opera- soldiers tried to remove a road- facto control of so-called parallel Y Lieutenant-Colonel Uwe police and customs on the contest- tional plans.” block on the road from Mitrovica institutions funded by Belgrade. M Nowitzki, KFOR’s spokesperson, ed border with Serbia. Media reports say that after the to the border in Jarinje. These parallel institutions include C said that the military commander Some Serbs refuse to use the meeting between KFOR and the To prevent further escalation of town councils, health authorities, K for northern Kosovo had informed existing official border crossings northern mayors, Serb leaders the dispute, KFOR halted the oper- post offices and schools. analysis April 13 - 26, 2012 15 Croats Await Revelations From HDZ Trial Whether or not the former PM and his colleagues are found guilty of the high crimes with which they are charged, the trial will bring to light many once well-guarded secrets.

with the court on March 19. Anita Loncar Papes, owner of Ani Lon, a firm that participat- By Boris Pavelic ed in drawing the money, agreed a sentence of 11 months’ impris- onment as well as agreeing to return 2 million kuna [280,000 roats stand to learn a good euros] to the state budget. deal about how their coun- Bojan Dimic, owner of Onida Ctry was run - until recently - firm, which draw money for once the trial of Croatia’s former HDZ getting ten per cent com- ruling party, the Croatian mission in return, settled for a Democratic Union, HDZ, and sev- six-month prison term and eral senior officials for illegal agreed to return 1.8 million funding starts on April 16. kuna [250,000 euro] to the state. The HDZ itself and seven party Following the confessions, the officials and entrepreneurs, HDZ itself, Sanader and his including the former Prime friend, the HDZ’s former Minister Ivo Sanader, are charged spokesperson, Ratko Macek, In the latter, the current HDZ slash funds or secret donations. charges, and many believe with illegally funding the HDZ by remain the only indictees who leader and former Prime The party will claim that Sanader has a lot to say about drawing money from public firms have refused to admit guilt. Minister, Jadranka Kosor, was Sanader did everything on his his former colleagues and assis- and enterprises to support a Despite the confessions of the the HDZ’s presidential candi- own behalf, without informing tants. “slush fund”. others, Sanader and the HDZ say date. the party presidency of his His defence proposes calling They are jointly accused of ille- they are innocent and will The HDZ also says that it will actions. 200 witnesses, including well- gally withdrawing 46.6 million defend themselves to prove the fight to prove its innocence. A “parallel line of manage- known figures from politics, kuna [6 million euro] from public point. “We don’t consider the HDZ ment” existed in the HDZ during business and the cultural scene. enterprises and firms via Fimi Although Sanader’s situation responsible [for the alleged Sanader’s leadership and the The prosecution has proposed media, a firm owned by Nevenka and that of the HDZ clearly crimes]. On the contrary, we presidency was kept in the dark, calling about 350 witnesses. Jurak. became more difficult after the think the party and its 200,000 the HDZ plans to say in court. Either way, the public stands to According to the indictment, former officials confessed, members have suffered great Moreover, the HDZ will try to learn much more about the way money drawing operation was Sanader remains defiant. damage,” Damir Sesvecan, the prove that the party suffered Croatia’s most durable ruling led by Mladen Barisic, the HDZ “Somebody confesses he is HDZ representative at the court, financial damage if some of its party operated while Ivo treasurer and former head of guilty and says: ‘Sanader told me said after the March 20 session. officials usurped money that was Sanader led it. Croatian customs, who was to do this’. We will prove that it Observers predict that the owing to the HDZ. The party’s election defeat at friend both to Jurak and wasn’t like that,” he said after HDZ will throw all the blame on However, the HDZ is also the last parliamentary elections Sanader. the March 20 court session. Sanader, claiming he siphoned mulling a second, alternative on December 4 2011 year was The HDZ itself allegedly took The trial could meanwhile off the money without the party line of defence, in which it may widely interpreted as a result of about 30 million kuna [4 million become the largest case to be presidency know- try to prove that while it was public dismay about the prose- euro] of this sum while Sanader put before the Croatian ing anything guilty of illegally drawing 7 to 8 cutor’s investigation into the took about 15 million kuna [2 judiciary. about it. million kuna [1 one million euro] HDZ and its former highest offi- million euro] according to the The indictment The HDZ from state companies, not 30 mil- cials. charges. extends to 500 defence lion kuna [4 million euro], as While some once claimed that The trial starts in the light of pages and con- strategy, charged. the HDZ might disappear alto- the damaging confessions of tains more than which In that case, the HDZ would be gether as a party as a result of several indicted HDZ officials, 60,000 pages of has in line for a much lower finan- the scandals, those predictions who have admitted their guilt on documents and been cial penalty of about 1 million have proved exaggerated. March 20 at a preparatory court evidences, leaked kuna [130,000 euros] at most, Still, it is not clear what will session of the Zagreb County media have to the instead of 7 million kuna [about happen to the party after its Court. reported. media, 1 million euro] in fines. leadership elections, which are Mladen Barisic, the former Croatia’s anti- will HDZ headquarters in the cen- ongoing. An election congress, HDZ treasurer, was the most corruption claim tre of Zagreb has been financial- at which a new leader will be senior former party official to bureau, USKOK, that the ly blocked by the courts since chosen, is scheduled for early admit guilt. Jurak and Branka says the HDZ used HDZ last October. It could be perma- May. Pavosevic, a former party secre- the money to presi- nently confiscated by the state if Five candidates are running tary, also confessed. finance its 2003 and dency the HDZ is found guilty. for the post of party president. They did not reach a deal with 2007 general elec- took no role But if the party is found guilty Among them are Kosor, the cur- the court on penalties, however, tion campaigns and or decisions of illegally drawing money from rent incumbent and Sanader’s so will still stand trial despite the 2005 presidential regarding the public sources, the political successor in the post, and Darko their confessions. election. alleged cost for the HDZ could be higher Milinovic, the current vice-pres- “The defence that we have than the financial costs. ident who allegedly received explained to the court was a The HDZ is the first some of the money from the true and a mitigating cir- political party party slush fund. cumstance for us. What in Croatian Some believe the party’s unity will be, will be,” history could suffer badly from an inter- Barisic’s lawyer, to face nal power struggle. But, for now, Branko Madunic, such all the would-be presidents are said after the March collec- united on one point: trying hard 20 court session. tive to keep their distance from their Two other former leader, Sanader, and indictees con- from the charges being made fessed guilt and against their party. reached deals Boris Pavelic is a journalist with Croatian daily Novi List.

Y M C Ivo Sanader, former Croatian PM, continues to deny charges of corruption, despite a number of his former colleagues at the HDZ party having confessed in court to wrongdoing. K 16 April 13 - 26, 2012 Prishtina Insight

Where to pick up Prishtina Insight?

A taste of Napoli in Prishtina. Hotel Prishtina Prishtina Insight has After ten Hotel Prishtina’s teamed up with these years of mak- 43 charming guest excellent venues to ing pizza in rooms and suites Napoli, and are reminiscent of offer a limited num- only with love a small hotel in the to blame, European tradi- ber of complimentary Fatmir the tion. You'll immedi- copies of Kosovo’s chef returned ately feel at home to Prishtina. in our living room, only English-lan- His pizzas, sipping a glass of guage newspaper. made in a wine in our fine woodburn restaurant sur- Grab a copy of the stove, are defi- rounded by a publication and settle nitely genuine gallery of paint- napolitanas. ings by local down with a drink or For those who consider pizza to be boring, Fatmir has several artists. a meal to read it. pastas on offer, also a true joy for the taste buds. Napoli has an The hotel offers excellent selection of red and white wines or, for the more ambi- free, fast wifi inter- tious, one of the region's best quince raki. Napoli makes for deli- net, complimentary cious lunch, dinner or even after-theatre time out in the centre of breakfast, confer- Prishtina. ence room, swim- ming pool, sauna Pizzeria Napoli and laundry serv- off Luan Haradinaj, opposite Newborn ice. 044/409-402402

Hotel AFA Te Komiteti Located in a quiet neighbour- hood just outside the city centre, Te Komiteti’s large trees and a Hotel Afa can guarantee guests a beautifully garden, which sur- peaceful night while being within round the small outdoor terrace, walking distance of all the action. give you an impression of an The venue has won a host of awards exclusive place for ordinary peo- for its excellent service to cus- ple. And this is exactly what it is. tomers and offers a good range of From brunch to lunch-time snacks facilities, from an exclusive restau- and special evening meals, this rant and VIP bar to pretty, tranquil restaurant offers dishes compris- gardens. Rooms start at 45 euro for ing quality, varied ingredients, a single, and luxury rooms and combined to perfection. Alongside apartments are available. The one of Prishtina’s best ‘modern hotel’s rooms are well appointed European’ style menus, you’ll also and comfortable. find a good selection of wine, and great sangria and cocktails . 15, Rr Ali Kelmendi, Te Komiteti Sunny Hill, Prishtina Qamil Hoxha Street +381 38/225 226 Prishtina www. hotelafa. com +381 38 24 96 63

Restorant Brasserie Lura Paddy O’Brien’s

At 450-metres squared The staff at Paddy O’Brien’s have a saying: “It’s easy to walk in, but very hard Restaurant Lura is as spa- to leave.” cious as you get in Prishtina. And with its warm atmosphere, fantastic range of drinks and excellent food, it It’s also surrounded by the is easy to see why. towering trees of Germia There have been many attempts to establish a proper Irish pub in Prishtina, and offers a pleasant garden but this is the only one to hit the spot. where, in the summer, this From classic coffees to cocktails, via, of course, Guinness, you really wont eatery prepares food al fres- find it difficult to select the perfect co. It’s large meeting room is drink. also ideal for that private A mouth-watering menu of Irish lunch or dinner. specialties is also on offer, spanning The combined style of clas- from all-day breakfasts to Irish sical and modern interior stews at night. leaves you with an impression Options include shepherd’s pie, of refined taste. bangers and mash, fish ‘n chips, The newly opened restaurant is already famous for its Mediterranean special- and whopping great burgers. ties, exquisite seafood and fine selections of Italian, French and local wines. But Thursday is pub quiz night, but that’s not all, for music lovers, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night dinners there is always something going on at are accompanied by jazz, whereas on Saturdays local patriots can enjoy live tra- the pub, whether it is sport screen- ditional Albanian music. ings or just a good shindig. Lura Restaurant Paddy O’Brien’s Str. Nazmi Gaffuri • 10 000 Prishtina • +381 (0)38 763 763 ; +386 (0)49 763 763 • Tringe Smajli Street, by the Y www.lurarestaurant.com Illyria Hotel M [email protected] Prishtina: 045-420900 C K By Donjeta Demolli April 13 - 26, 2012 17 in Prishtina Timeout Contact Prishtina Insight if you would like your event to feature or to advertise your venue. Email [email protected] Kosova Art Gallery Chronicle Every day at 4 pm and 6 pm

Kino ABC continues screening the movie “Chronicle” by the director Joshua Trank. Three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible dis- The exhibition covery. Soon, though, they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond titled tested as they embrace their darker sides. Starring Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell and Michael B. Jordan. “Frozen Dream” by The Descendants Agim Salihu, Every day at 8 pm and 10 pm curated by ABC Cinema has started screening the movie The Zeni Ballazhi Descendants which won the Best Adopted Scenario in Oscar. Director: Alexander Payne is open at The Starring George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Mary Birdsong, Kosova Art Nick Krause, Judy Greer, Beau Bridges. With his wife Elizabeth on life support after a boating acci- Gallery. dent, Hawaiian land baron Matt King takes his daughters on a trip from Oahu to Kauai to confront the young real estate broker, who was having an affair with Elizabeth before her misfortune.

Kino ABC has announced that the premiere of In The Land of Blood and Honey is scheduled for May 9, Europe Day. President Ahtifete Jahjaga had invited Angelina Jolie last month to visit Kosovo, but still has no response from her. Kino ABC has invited actors: : Zana Marjanoviq, Goran Agim Salihu was born in 1951 in Pristina, Kosovo. He graduated at Kostiq and Rade Sherbexhija to be present at the premiere of the movie. the Academy of Fine Arts in Prishtina – Graphic Department and he finished his Postgraduate studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb in 1979. Since 1986, he is a professor at the Faculty of Arts in For any further questions or reservations call at 038 243 238 or visit them at www.kinoabc.com Prishtina where he teaches typography and calligraphy.

Oda Theatre

If It Was a Play Stacion – Center for Every Tuesday at 8 pm Every Thursday 8pm Tre Gjermanët e Contemporary Art Trashë II Based on the drama by Almir (Three Fat Germans II) Imshireviq. Director: Agon Myftari. The project “Working for one month per On bus number 4, during wartime year for art” is open until April 28, 2012 at Thanks to this play you in Prishtina, a 26 years old, wearing Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art. will understand “What did jeans, is near Hotel Union, when a Brigel say when he asked sniper bullet breaks the glass and Curatorial work by Albert Heta for a drink?”; “Why Hans shoots the youngster in the neck. A didn’t let him drink lady wearing white, who was next to Jakup Ferri, Driton Mojito?”; “How did Gani him starts to scream. When she sees Hajredini, Genc Kadriu, experience his 21st snow?”; the blood in her shirt she faints. Alban Muja, Rron Qena, “Is Vukashin really Two hours later she is seen again at Lulzim Zeqiri Ukshin?”; “Does KFOR-ja the Great Mosque, near caffe Selection from the Rron still work for KFOR or she “Romantika”, but this time in the Dalladaku Collection and archival just loves him?”; “How did company of a younger friend who material from the conference “Art Hekuran boil eggs in the middle of the North Pole?”; These and tells her “I sometimes do it even Market and Smile”! other events you can see in the play “Tre Gjermanët e Trashë II”. fourteen times!” Starrimg Rebeka Qena, Adrian ‘Working for one moth per Author: Lirak Celaj; Producer: Florent Mehmeti; Roles: Naser Morina, Armend Ismajli, Besnik year for art’, in a country without a contemporary art market, is a Rafuna, Adrian Morina, Kushtrim Sheremeti, Lirak Celaj, Fisnik Krapi. Ademi, Ard Islami, Arta Selimi, Florent Mehmeti. project based on the analysis of a specific model of contemporary art collection and a public presentation of the material of the con- For more information call +381 (0)38 246 555 or write [email protected]. ference “Art Market and Smile!” with panelists Vesa Sahatçiu, Luan Mulliqi, Tamer Bushtra, Afrim Ethemi, Gani Llalloshi and Sislej Xhafa, organised in 2008, by Stacion – Center for Dodona Theatre Contemporary Art.

Every Thursday 7.30pm DAM Festival Çifti i Hapur is being staged with the text of Italian Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 8 pm authors Dario Fo and Franca Rame, directed by Kushtrim Where: National Theatre of Kosovo Koliqi Who: Tirana Symphonic Orchestra of University of Arts A man proposes to his wife to eliminate the concept of Astrit Mustafa, clarinet (Kosovo) marital loyalty and create an “open relationship” in their Gysi Teqja, piano (Albania) lives. The woman rejects this and after several attempts at Besa Llugiqi, soprano (Kosovo) suicide, she decides to accept her husband’s offer because Altin Buli, conductor (Albania) it’s the only way to remain married. The man is happy. He, Alqi Lepuri, artistic director (Albania) no longer needs to hide his girlfriends and is released from feelings of guilt. Now everything is democratic and open. Everything goes well until the day when the woman finds the love of her life, which is what her “modern” husband PRISHTINA DIARY cannot accept. Cast: Edona Reshitaj and Besart Sllamniku; Costumes and the Friday, April 13, 2012 at 9 pm setting: Njomza Luci. Composer: Trimor Dhomi; Crème De La Crème Music: Gezim Ramizi a.k.a. Xaxi Y For more details email [email protected]; M [email protected] For more information call +377 (0) 44 259 912 C K 18 April 13 - 26, 2012 inside prishtina Critics Say Revamp Takes Prishtina

Plan to embellish Kosovo’s capital with a sequence of squares is getting a hostile reception from the art crowd, though locals are a lot less skeptical.

13,000sq-metre Ibrahim Rugova or historical value.” Square, which is about the size of Gashi apologised for all the two football pitches. delays but said the wait would be By Arber Selmani As part of the plan, the statue worthwhile. “I know that this of Albania’s warrior hero whole process of squares took a Skanderbeg will be raised up and long time but the happy ending is rishtina’s lack of an obvious a new sculpture of Kosovo’s inde- that Ibrahim Rugova Square has focal point often leaves pendence leader Ibrahim Rugova started and Zahir Pajaziti will Punsuspecting foreigners will be installed. Three fountains start in the next few days,” he scratching their heads over the will be also built, the largest out- said. exact location of the “centre”. A side the National Theatre. “We are trying to do something plan to revamp a series of run- Work on the old Union Hotel, similar to our neighbouring down squares and landmark build- badly damaged in 2009 by a blaze countries and although doubts ings, linking them up, aims to and which forms part of the have been expressed about the solve this problem, and improve the environment for all citizens of square, has also started. municipality's and the company’s the capital. Benetton, which had purchased work, when the process is fin- Zahir Pajaziti, Ibrahim Rugova the building with Kosovo firm ished you will see a great area of and the soon-to-be-named Adem QMI in 2007 for 3.2 million euro, town,” he added. Jashari Square will receive is to plough 10 million euro into “Prishtina has needed this for multi-million makeovers under the building to retain its “archi- years and the new generation will the investments and will be tectural value”. be the one to enjoy the benefits,” linked along Prishtina’s central Work on the 15,000sq-metre he continued. axis. But some architects and Zahir Pajaziti Square is also due artists question whether the to start imminently. This project No consultation: changes will make much of a consists of three sub-squares; the major difference to a city that has first section near the “Zahir But some NGOs have doubts. been scarred by years of Pajaziti” monument to the fallen INPO, the Initiative for Progress, Communist planning and then KLA soldier, the second part com- which monitors the work of unfettered development. prises the auditorium, near the Prishtina Municipality, said a Grand Hotel, and the third part delay of nearly four years for such Square deal: includes the space which stretch- an important project was inexpli- es down Luan Haradinaj road. cable. After Prishtina municipality These three sub squares will “It is unacceptable that with last year signed deals with two include fountains, a playground such a lack of vision and profes- building firms for the reconstruc- and covered stores for book- sionalism more than 8 million tion of Zahir Pajaziti and sellers who ply their trade today euro are going to be invested into Ibrahim Rugova squares, work on makeshift tables. According two squares,” researcher Edmir started last month, while a deci- to the plans, 25 to 30 per cent of Sejdiu said. sion on who will build the Adem the space will be green. Public The best solution, he argued, Jashari square has yet to be toilets will also be built. would be to bring all three projects revealed. Work is also scheduled to begin together, bringing about benefits The projects were first mooted on Adem Jashari square, current- of scale and resulting in better in 2008 but it was not until 2010 ly home to the Yugoslav-era mon- designs. that the municipality allocated a ument to Brotherhood and Unity. INPO noted that for the four budget for the schemes, when it Proposals for this square include years that the plan has been on set aside 1.6 million euro for the the creation of an underground table, the municipality has never work – 1 million of which was car park and replacing the monu- engaged the public on what they supposed to come from donations. ment with that of a KLA hero. want. Only a year later the estimated “Four companies have applied Sadri Ramabaja, a Vetevendosje cost had rocketed to 4.4 million and now we are in the process of member of the municipal assem- euro for Ibrahim Rugova Square selecting the company that will bly, meanwhile, has questioned the start the work,” said Muhamet use of public money. alone and another 4.6 million for The Monument to Brotherhood is to be replaced with a statue of Adem Jashari. Zahir Pajaziti Square, all of Gashi from the municipality, who The municipality “is playing which is being paid for directly issued the same statement in with historical figures represent- Architects indifferent : “There has also to be an interac- by the municipality. August 2011. ed in the squares,” he complained. tion between these squares, which This February, the municipali- Regarding the statue of “We have often critised it but it Arbnor Murati, a well known I don’t see,” he said. He also said ty together with architects Smart Brotherhood and Unity, he says: [the project] doesn’t depend on Kosovo architect who works out of the process ought to have involved Project unveiled proposals for the “It has neither cultural, political us.” a Swiss office, says the current discussions between “interest plans are a waste of a good oppor- groups, artists, architects and citi- tunity to rework the city centre. zens”. He said that while many Fisnik Ismaili, creator of the European cities cannot make radi- “New Born” monument, arguably cal changes because of the need to Prishtina’s best known landmark, protect their heritage, Prishtina says the Korzo – the evening stroll does not face such a problem. – was a tradition his parents fol- “Prishtina has what other lowed almost every evening and European cities don’t have,” he needed to be revived. said. “Here is a space that can be The new squares will be placed multiplied, while other cities can- at either end of the current pedes- not afford to turn back and create trian area, extending the possibili- spaces that could be changed ties of the evening Korzo, but greatly.” Ismaili says more facilities need to A group of architects had been be provided if this is to work. assembled by the municipality to “In the Nineties things changed, discuss the future of the squares as cafes, clubs and bars became but, according to sources close to the meeting points for the youth the process, it disbanded. Plans to because boulevards failed to offer bring a group of experts from any entertainment for urban London to Prishtina to help with youth,” he said. the design also fell through. “I believe that boulevards Sali Shoshi, director of Kosovo’s should be dramatically changed, office of Cultural Heritage with- bringing in some entertainment Y out Borders, complains that the and interactivity. For example, a M municipality has shown little beautiful boulevard should have C transparency during the whole cafe bars all around it with plenty of chairs outdoors for people to K A more permanent water feature is to be built in front of the National Theatre (above) process. Back toSquare One labyrinth,” hesaid. squares willcreate ameaningless thenewknow, theappearance of companies,struction asI and,asfar Prishtinaisbeingsoldtocon- ner of methat everysaid. “Itterrifies cor- squares, parks andotherspaces,” he cement,withoutwarmth. city of Prishtina today hasbecomeanugly Kosovo, andaplaywright, says theNational Theatre of director of A meaningless labyrinth? and other entertainment,” headded. and otherentertainment,” benches for theelderly, chessboards vegetation, with ed withplentyof onlookers. Itshouldallbesurround- and providing for entertainment where couldplaycourt sportsmen board arena withasmallbasketball stop for adrinkandmeetfriends. Work ontheIbrahiam Rugova Square hasstarted inMarch and isexpected to befinished inSeptember (By Bujar Aruqaj) Skanderbeg statue willberaised upaspart of thenew square Frto allthere isthe lack of “First of artistic former Jeton Neziraj, “I would like toseeasmallskate- inside prishtina proper plansorarchitectural analy- squares that will bebuilt don’t have do notresemble real ones. The ties for urbanfree breathing. Prishtina doesnotcreate opportuni- Communism, through theyears of “With theway ithaswasbuilt itsCommunistheritage. shaking off thinks that from Prishtinaisfar Aliu added. plans,”seen alsointhesecurrent hesaid. traffic,” and thenoiseof areas, between buildings occurring asdistressed such shouldberegarded such squares. that Those are calledas Prishtinahasn’twith culture andart. through, it’s a living environment, squares. re-civilize thecityby building new inthemunicipality’sfaith ability to “The siteswhich“The are calledsquares Film director BekimLumi,also canbe art conceptual lack“The of “A square isnotjustaspacetopass Aliu,awriter,Gezim alsohaslittle sis, so they will fail again,” hesaid. sis, again,” sotheywillfail dren andbooksellers.” plan looksgood,withspacesfor chil- I`ve seenonbillboards, theurban these squares,” hesaid.“With what waiting for years, sonow we have “WeMaxhuni, agrees. have been he added. think that thisimportant,” where ourchildren canplay, andI emerge. building sitewhere thesquares will things,” hesaid,lookingover the of ing, but we rarely seethegoodside change. a positive signof Prishtina, says thenew squares are Ismail Avdiu, aresident of street are awhole lotlessskeptical. ordinarygrumbles, peopleonthe Support onthestreet: “These squares willhave“These parks "We townies are always complain- But while crowd theart isfullof His friend,Abdurrahman

Prishtina through the Eyes of: Documentary Filmmaker from theUS Jeff Arak, ers where you live/lived? day? thecity.hundred milesdownwind of what would you change? lets. Prishtina? tionship andhistorywithSerbia. how young peoplefeelabout theircountry's rela- Prishtina. Myfavourite about thingwaslearning Rugova's burial. What landmark doyou use totelltaxidriv- Speca! What's thetastiestKosovar food? Two tothree. How many macchiatos do/didyou drinka I would move power that bigcoal-burning planta Prishtinafor theday you were mayor of If My phonecharger doesn't fittheelectricalout- What isthemostannoying thingabout Lots. Every day isaculturalexperiencein Do/did you doanything cultural? Dit enat -nocompetition. What's/was your favorite hangout? How much love peoplehave for my country! youWhat surprised mostaboutPrishtina? April 13-26,2012 19

By Beta 20 April 13 - 26, 2012 opinion In defence of EULEX politicians and businessmen who have amassed their wealth through crime and corruption by Nick Hawton, Chief and who seem immune from jus- Spokesperson, EULEX tice: the ‘untouchables’. The highly complicated issue of measuring success in the ‘rule of ast week, my seven-year-old law’ is reduced to the simple equa- niece was sitting across from tion of whether or not high pro- Lme in a café on Mother file people have been jailed. Theresa Street, with vanilla ice As a former BBC journalist cream spread generously around who worked for eight years in the her face, and her gleaming new former Yugoslavia, I am acutely Barbie doll resting on the table in aware of the need to simplify sto- front of her. She was trying to ries and to try to turn the ‘compli- understand what her uncle was doing exactly in Kosovo. cated’ into the ‘easily under- ‘I’m working for an organisation stood’. But, unfortunately, rule of called EULEX. We’re trying to law, is more complicated. Success make things better for people liv- in rule of law cannot be measured ing here. For instance, we’re try- in such simple terms. ing to send the naughty people to Journalists are right to ask jail, and to help the local police do whether there are investigations the same, as well,” I tried to into high profile people. They are explain, as simply as possible. also right to hold EULEX to ‘So, did you do it?’ She asked account, to ask difficult questions me, wiping some of the ice cream and, in the name of the people, to from her cheek, and looking at me ask for reasons and explanations. with a sudden, innocent intensity. But journalists also have a ‘Well…sort of. We’re still work- responsibility to give the full pic- ing on it’. And then I made a mis- ture, to put criticism in context take. ‘We’re still working on some and to give the ‘other side of the big fishes’. story’. ‘Fishes?’ She exclaimed in dis- EULEX prosecutors and police EULEX’s work should not be measured purely on the “big fish” it catches, writes Nick Hawton. officers investigate individuals belief. ‘You’re trying to jail some Kingdom, with all the available in an executive capacity or moni- ply measured by statistics, but whoever they are, regardless of big fishes? Why fishes? What have sophisticated technology and toring, mentoring and advising sometimes it is worth mentioning ethnicity, position or privilege. If they done wrong?’ expertise, major investigations our local colleagues. It may not a few. the evidence is there, and the Ah yes. The ‘big fishes’. That can take, literally, years to com- make newspaper headlines, or the EULEX judges have handed crimes are serious, EULEX will one again. plete. And in many ways the envi- evening news on TV, but it is hap- down verdicts in more than two investigate. Like it or not, the success, or ronment here is far more chal- pening. Methods, techniques, tac- hundred serious criminal cases. But that does not mean that it is otherwise, of EULEX is often lenging than my own country. tics and skills are being passed Forty-six verdicts have been easy. By their very definition, judged by our colleagues in the Every day, in police stations on, on a daily basis. The impact of delivered in major organised major organised crime and cor- press, on the basis of our success and courtrooms and at border this should not be underestimat- crime and corruption cases. ruption investigations, do take in jailing so-called ‘big fishes’. By crossings around Kosovo, EULEX ed. There are nearly four-hundred time. In my country, the United ‘big fish’ we mean the high profile staff are doing their work, either Rule of law should not be sim- ongoing criminal investigations involving EULEX prosecutors. The remains of nearly three-hun- dred individuals missing since the war returned to their loved ones. Improving the rule of law in Kosovo is not an easy process and sometimes it can be very painful, especially when it comes to war crimes. But Kosovo is moving in the right direction. And EULEX is playing its part. The pace of improvement may be slow for some, mistakes will be made along the way and expectations will, inevitably, remain high. But progress is being made. It must also be remembered that every, individual citizen has their own responsibility to improve the rule of law. It is not simply a matter of EULEX com- ing along and solving all the crimes that have occurred in Kosovo. There is a responsibility on the individual citizen to respect the law of the land, to report crime, to denounce the criminal and to provide evidence. And, finally, I have a question. What would Kosovo be like with- out EULEX? If there were no EU judges and prosecutors, no organ- ised crime and corruption experts from countries such as Germany, France, the UK and the US, if there were no EU customs special- ists passing on their knowledge and expertise, would Kosovo be in a better position? Would corrup- tion and organised crime be elim- inated more quickly? Would the Y ‘big fishes’, would the ‘untouch- M ables’ face justice more quickly? I C leave it to you to judge. K opinion April 13 - 26, 2012 21 In Spring We Do Things Outside In Action in North: cleaning, building stuff (I am not sure By the time we say it’s time to get going, what, but it seems right to build stuff in we may have already missed the season’s the spring), switch out the woollies for the renaissance and new bloom. Loathe as I (In)Stability lighter wear, start a new diet, commit to am to admit it, I am a great one for plan- By Chris Farmer more exercise, write a book and various ning and re-planning. I make long lists of other ambitions which have been hiber- things which SHOULD be done and things and Media nating until now. which MUST be done, and then recast the hroughout the Belgrade winter, But we must be careful as well. Spring list and reprioritise the next day. There is which was protracted and by turns in the White City seems to be measured in no room for THAT in spring. Spring is Tsevere this year but not altogether days and minutes rather than weeks. The about now and today, not soon and tomor- the Worst Ever, we thought about the season of renewal, once an affair which row. things we would do in the spring. could be called a full season, darts by us at I wax a little philosophical, granted, but When the sun returns, we thought, we By Kreshnik Hoxha the speed of (sun) light. Just as we start we do still have a few minutes to transi- will walk more; we will sit in more cafes; realising plans and activating spring pro- tion into spring mode. That means locking we will go down to the river; we will visit grammes, spring gives way to summer. the grumpy winter guy into a closet at the he latest developments in northern the zoo; we will become the flurry of activ- When that happens, only the most stal- end of the hall and hoping he cannot Kosovo, which has claimed one life, ity for which the winter cold offered a con- wart stick to the Good Intentions occa- escape. It means seizing the moment and Tonce again demonstrate that doing venient excuse to put off until spring. sioned by the first sunny days of spring. not writing about it. nothing only risks the situation further And now it’s here. As the heat goes up, our ambition begins The Belgrade spring will not wait while escalating. The time has come for the As the sun comes up over Belgrade’s to wane and languish. It’s too hot to do we do all that. Kosovo government and the international early spring, all of these plans and ideas that, we say. We have time for that later, we community to get their act together. never fail to burst to the surface in me. think. Chris Farmer writes for Belgrade They must realise that this “status-quo-stabili- Adding to the list, I am also beset with Spring is more verb than noun. Spring Insight ty” mantra has left the space for criminal gangs practical spring things such as general requires action, lest we miss it altogether. operating in the north to flourish and politics at the mercy Belgrade’s political game. Continuing to ignore what has obviously become an obstacle to Kosovo’s sovereignty will only enhance crimi- Serbia Shows its Anti-European Side nality in northern Kosovo and will leave Prishtina hostage to developments in Belgrade. Vranje. In a travesty of due process, the Ever since the end of the war, the internation- authorities held a closed trial barring the al approach to Kosovo has been to maintain sta- public and press, then placing Abazi bility. This is obviously an important aim, and was supposed to place Kosovo in a better position By David L. Phillips under lock and key for 30 days. The West is deluded by wishful think- to lobby for its international recognition and ing. It believes that Serbia has evolved as membership of important international organi- a society and that its political leaders are sations. erbia’s arbitrary arrest of Albanians committed to European norms of gover- However in post-war Kosovo the international from Kosovo travelling on its territo- nance and good neighborly relations. community had a different understanding of sta- Sry not only violates its legal commit- Many western countries welcomed bility to most of us. Specifically, all international ments to guarantee freedom of movement Belgrade’s recent decision lifting its stakeholders involved with Kosovo were happy for foreign nationals, including Kosovo objection to Kosovo’s participation in when the inter-ethnic balance was not disturbed Albanians. It also reveals the ugly side of multilateral meetings and acknowledging and the local leadership did not produce policies Serbia’s purportedly pro-Western govern- the ICJ opinion that Kosovo’s declaration which irritated the Kosovo Serb minority. Such ment, raising serious questions about of independence did not violate interna- an approach has often come at the cost of Serbia’s suitability for membership in the tional law. The EU Envoy Robert Cooper European Union. The detention of Hasan paralysing Kosovo’s statehood consolidation, in helped negotiate an important agreement Abazi, President of Kosovo’s particular in the north. Metalworkers Trade Union, is the most on freedom of movement between citi- Thirteen years of negligence from Prishtina, recent and egregious example of Serbia’s zens of Kosovo and Serbia. Serbia and interventions by Belgrade, has transformed foul play. Candidacy talks between EU rep- appeared to be heading in the right direc- this part of Kosovo into a haven for organised resentatives and Belgrade should be sus- tion, improving its relations with Kosovo crime and corruption. It would be hypocritical to pended until Serbia releases Abazi, there- for the first time since the end of the war. claim that the situation in the south of river Ibar by demonstrating its commitment to the Abazi’s arrest is a cause for concern. is a fairy tale. However, the situation in northern rule of law and freedom of movement. Moreover, it shows that the virus of Kosovo is not comparable and a resolution to this The EU should simultaneously suspend Serbian nationalism is alive and well. problem cannot be postponed any further. its mediation between Serbia and Kosovo. Serbian authorities reveal that Abazi was With the exception of a few outlets, media cov- Abazi’s arrest is not conducive to a pro- detained as part of a “competition of erage of the weekend attack was extremely poor. ductive dialogue and certainly not in the arrests.” But Abazi committed no crime. The reluctance to inform regularly on the devel- spirit of building trust between the two Tadic is pandering to ultranationalists opments in the Three Skyscrapers neighbour- countries. and radical extremists trying to curry hood of Mitrovica may have been justified. Abazi was en route to a European trade support during the run-up to Serbia’s Media reporting during March riots in 2004 was union conference when he was arrested elections on May 6. regarded as one of the key triggers of violence. by Serbia’s Interior Ministry on March 28, The West supports Tadic’s candidacy However, faced with a government that has got 2012. Bogus charges of “terrorism and and his Democratic Party. Tadic may be its priorities wrong when it comes to Brussels espionage” have been brought against better than other heinous candidates. and the north, and which has prioritised the Abazi dating back to NATO’s intervention However, the West should judge Tadic by in 1999. what he does not what he says. Its policy country’s international image over internal sta- Approximately 1,500 Kosovo Albanians should be based on Tadic as he is, not as bility, the media should play its role in raising were rounded up and charged with hostile the West wants him to be. The West is Ivica Dacic’s anti-European face awareness of the problems faced in this part of activities by military tribunals in 1999- the territory. Only then can the masses put pres- reluctant to speak ill of Tadic. The stakes take Tadic to task for condoning Serbia’s 2001. Serbia’s contrite new leaders took sure on the Kosovo government to draft an action are especially high after Tadic resigned as tit-for-tat arrests. The EU should suspend steps to distance themselves from plan for gaining full control over northern president and called for early general contact with senior-level officials in Milosevic’s policies, issuing an amnesty Kosovo. elections in a move designed to capitalize Belgrade until Abazi is released. The law in 2001. But it wasn’t until the follow- A state-level action has become essential. on his personal popularity in Serbia, and United States should support this mes- ing year that the last of 132 Kosovo However, this has to be led in the most peaceful play on support from Europe and the sage, not merely by sending letters of con- Albanians charged with acts of terrorism and purposeful way, with a clear agenda. United States. cern from the White House, but by pub- were finally released. The new govern- The 1990s taught an important lesson. licly castigating Serbia for its poisonous Prishtina must make it clear to the Serbs in ment in Belgrade apologised for When it comes to Serbia, kow-towing embrace of Milosevic-era policies. northern Kosovo that a possible Prishtina action Milosevic’s crimes in Kosovo, acknowl- never results in better behavior. Western does not target them; instead it targets the crimi- edging that Kosovo Albanians were tried weakness fuels Serbia’s bravado. The Mr. Phillips is Director of the Program nal gangs and parallel structures of Belgrade, and sentenced in kangaroo courts whose West must be resolute in confronting on Peace-building and Rights at Columbia which has kept them hostage for over a decade. proceedings were politically motivated. nationalist politics or it risks giving tacit University’s Institute for the Study of Prishtina should clearly present its Ahtisaari- Enter Abazi. Ten years later, Abazi was approval to the tactics it opposes. Human Rights. He is author of an upcom- based offer and its advantages to the citizens in suddenly stopped and held in administra- Instead of quiet diplomacy, Lady ing book, Liberating Kosovo: Coercive northern Kosovo. tive detention for 48 hours without access Ashton should use the bully-pulpit of her Diplomacy and U.S. Intervention Pretending that the situation in the north will to legal counsel. He was brought before office as EU Representative for Foreign (Harvard’s Kennedy School/MIT Press) solve itself is a recipe for disaster – and could the High Court of the Trial Chamber in Affairs and Security Policy. She should lead to far worse violence than in March 2004.

If you would like your NGO to appear in our Making a Difference feature, please email [email protected] 22 April 13 - 26, 2012 Community Focus Ecosovo Social Media’s New-Anti Travel around Corruption Platform Kosovo. The Council, Kosovo Police and others. ture on such cases,” added Ispahiu. Osnat Lubrani, permanent represen- Ispahiu also mentioned the impor- tative of UN activities in Kosovo, said tance of cooperation between Kosovo By Bujar Aruqaj that social media can be a powerful state institutions, which are obliged to fourth option development tool. fight corruption, like the Anti- “Social media can be a very strong Corruption Agency, Kosovo Police, instrument in fighting against injus- Prosecution, as well as other agencies new internet platform is aiming tices,” she said. “Many other countries and institutions, which according to to encourage the public to join have turned their eyes to this new plat- him, would be able to use this platform By Elizabeth Gowing Athe fight against corruption in Kosovo. form and can’t wait for the results and as an additional resource for investi- The website, kallxo.com, was the instructions how to follow and gating cases. launched last week and aims at offer- learn from www.kallxo.com. This web- “After reporting a case on the web- he holiday weekends are upon us – a pair of Easters, site is unique, and the first of its kind site, this institution will undertake the May Day, Europe Day, Spring-in-your-step-so-you-just- ing opportunities for reporting corrup- in the Balkans and it will help on iden- necessary actions, as, not only us, but Twant-to-take-time-off day. Everyone is travelling. And tion, fraud and conflicts of interest tifying corruption cases in Kosovo,” also the citizens of Kosovo, have a congratulations if you’re planning to spend the time in anonymously. “Kallxo” means “tell” in Kosovo where the economy and the environment needs you Albanian. said Lubrani. right to know if the country has under- to linger. Enjoy the slopes of Brezovica, the cultural monu- The information can be sent through Corruption reporters are also able to taken anything related to a case that ments of Prizren, Velika Hoca, Novo Brdo, Junik or Decan, the website www.kallxo.com as well as upload different documents, photos, or citizens have reported,” said Jeta the landscape around Rugova, all offering homestay or by SMS. An application for smart- video, as proof of allegations, while Xharra, director of BIRN Kosovo. restored traditional accommodation. I’ve written before phones is also planned. the identity of the citizen who reports “We will report even on the steps and about many of these places, but if you’d like information on The data collected will be immedi- the crime will be kept confidential, actions taken by state institutions in homestay with raki in the restored old houses of Velika ately shown on a map of Kosovo. As explained Faik Ispahiu, executive fighting against corruption and organ- Hoca, or the homestay with horseriding in Novo Brdo, or more alleged offences are reported, the director of Internews Kosova and ised crime, so we can make sure that the homestay with blueberries in Rugova or the kulla hotels map will become coloured in red where director of the weekly show Jeta ne the whole process functions well. in Junik and Decan… then do get in touch. corruption and crime are most pres- Kosove and Drejtesia ne Kosove. “Except the reporting on corruption, ent. “Every week we get tens of e-mails organised crime and other negative And how to get there – or elsewhere around Kosovo? Your The project is being implemented by for different cases of corruption and matters from the citizens, we will also options: Internews Kosova together with part- violations of the law from all the expect the institutions that are sup- ners such as UNDP, BIRN, the Anti- municipalities of Kosovo. These posed to fight these problems to com- 1) Private car, burning dirty fuel just for me as I tear up Corruption Agency, the Office of the emails come from the viewers of our municate with citizens on this plat- the road. Disciplinary Counsel of the Kosovo TV shows. This platform has been cre- form by telling and proving to the citi- 2) Train (had you forgotten? There are two routes – Judicial Council, the Kosovo Judicial ated mainly for processing further zens that their information is sent to Prishtina-Skopje and Prishtina-Peja. Both offer a real- Council, Kosovo Prosecutorial these requests and to have a clear pic- the proper place,” added Xharra. ly comfortable service, with a scenic route although there’s a limited timetable – see www.kosovorailway.com where information is avail- able in English, Albanian and Serbian. Click on ‘pas- senger transport’ and the ‘train schedule’ link to see Helping Kosovo’s Young the timetable) 3) Bus. Kosovo’s bus services are generally reliable, com- fortable and friendly (on my journey to Gjilan last week we were all given a choco-banana sweet by the Entrepreneurs conductor. You don’t get that on National Express in the UK). If you’re lucky you get a film as entertainment Innovation Center Kosovo is helping small startups turn their ideas into real businesses. (if you’re unlucky you get a compilation of ‘comedy’ bator if they see it necessary and our sional business incubator has also clips). Departure times are regular (every 15 minutes help is needed,” said Safet Rama, helped us get in touch with serious on some routes at the busiest times) and the journeys incubator manager. business partners and potential are cheap (as little as 1.5 euro for some intercity By Shengjyl Osmani Prishtina Startup Weekend is investors; I didn’t believe that they routes). another activity by ICK, where busi- would have taken us serious enough if And now there is a fourth option – an innovative web- ness ideas are turned into real busi- we were just a bunch of guys with an site set up with an Albanian target market for carpooling ness in 54 hours. From this activity, idea.” rom practical workshops on around Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia, Preshevo and even ICK selected their current pre-incuba- Valon Badivuku, another winner entrepreneurship, “Business beyond (their ‘Europe’ tab optimistically lists not only the tion teams. from the first Prishtina Startup 27 EU member states with Lichtenstein, Monaco, Norway, FTuesdays”, incubators to startup “Startup Weekends are 54-hour Weekend, that took place in December weekends, Innovation Center Kosovo, Switzerland and Turkey, but Albania and all the countries events where developers, designers, 2011, said that the ICK had been been a of the former Yugoslavia). based in Prishtina, is helping entrepre- neurs create real business. marketers, product managers and great help in getting his idea off the Vozitja.com (‘vozitja’ means ‘drive’ or ‘lift’ in Albanian) start-up enthusiasts come together to ground. His firm is turning Albanian gives you the chance to advertise car journeys you are plan- Innovation Centre Kosovo, support- share ideas, form teams, build prod- books into e-books. ning to make in your own car, for which you’d be willing to ed by the Norwegian Foreign Ministry ucts, and launch start-ups,” said Celik Jan Braathu, the Norwegian take passengers, or journeys you’d like to make if there was and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Nimani, project manager at ICK. Ambassador in Kosovo, told the first someone else with a car willing to take you. You put in your Prishtina, launched late last year and Startup Weekends are specifically Startup Weekend: “Kosovo has the dates and starting and destination point and there is the has already provided its support to designed for entrepreneurs interested youngest population in Europe and option to offer or ask for a regular ride if you have a daily two new companies. in receiving feedback on an idea, look- the people who are in business inno- or weekly commute, or to specify a one-off journey. The In May, it will hold its second ing for a co-founder, or wanting to vation are the ones who will develop online database matches you up with others planning the Startup Weekend, during which new learn a new skill. further the country, and if they suc- same journey and from that point you’re put in touch with innovative ideas will be selected for Startup Weekends are risk-free ceed the country will have a success them directly to negotiate meeting points, whether payment dedicated help. environments where everyone is too.” will be made towards petrol costs, and any other details. The best innovators enter in pre- I’ve asked to share a few rides next week – will let you incubation; a programme including expected to roll up their sleeves and Women entrepreneurs are also a know how I get on. Come and join me! And if you can’t find accommodation services, business dive into the exhilarating world of special target for ICK, the lift or the passengers you want on Vozitja.com but you consulting and training for a maxi- startup. For more on their future women can see the benefits of carpooling then how about posting mum period of three months. The “Anybody with a young entrepre- activities, follow them at: the information about a trip to friends or colleagues? most important stage is the incubator, neurial spirit should take ICK into www.wominnovation.org Informing the office intranet or your Facebook friends that which provides new innovators with serious consideration for their start- All innovators can start preparing you’re making a journey and would be willing to have pas- an environment for entrepreneurship up idea,” Taulant Ramabajam, one of for the second Startup Weekend that sengers could bring you some company for the ride, some development and learning, access to the winners of the Startup Weekend, will be held on May 25, 26, and 27 in reimbursement for the petrol, and could halve the number mentors and investors as well as visi- told Prishtina Insight. His business Prishtina. of cars on the road. bility in the market. Sudo:base plans to outsource software For registration and more details on However you get there, here’s wishing you safe and happy “The incubator is the heart of the development for major international the agenda, visit prishti- journeys, treading lightly across Kosovo’s fragile land- Innovation Centre Kosovo, aimed at companies to Kosovo. na.startupweekend.org scape. supporting the entrepreneurial “I have studied management, but Elizabeth Gowing is a founder of The Ideas Partnership, process, by helping to increase sur- actually doing everything you've stud- INNOVATION CENTRE KOSOVO a Kosovan NGO working on educational, cultural and envi- vival rates for innovative start-up ied is very different from the litera- Tel: +386 49 (0) 81 55 55 Y ronmental projects. She is also the author of the recently- companies. ture.” Rexhep Mala nr. 28A, Prishtina, M published, Travels in Blood and Honey; becoming a beekeep- “We currently have two teams in the He added: “At ICK we got an office Kosovo C er in Kosovo. She can be reached at theideaspartner- pre-incubator stage, and after three and all the consulting we need to get [email protected] K [email protected] months they can continue in the incu- our company going. Being in a profes- www.ickosovo.com April 13 - 26, 2012 23 Classified Contact Prishtina Insight if you would like to advertise Email [email protected]

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