Countdown to Legality - While Kosovo Waits for a New Copyright Law, the TMC Clamps Down on Pirate Broadcasting - by Arben Hajredinaj

DETAILS

Newsletter published by The OSCE Mission in Kosovo Volume 4, No 1 - March, 2003 Countdown to legality - While Kosovo waits for a new copyright law, the TMC clamps down on pirate broadcasting - by Arben Hajredinaj

Television stations in Kosovo have been given Feim Kurhasani, Director of RTV Dukagjini a deadline: 31 March 2004 at 23:59 local time says there is piracy in almost every TV station for full compliance with the Temporary Media in Kosovo including his station. He said that Commissioner’s (TMC) new guidelines on the all Kosovo broadcasters are obliged to submit respect of copyright. The TMC, in harmony copies of contracts signed between televisions with international law and practice regarding and other companies providing Þ lms, serials, the protection of intellectual property, formally music, and other programs. On the other issued guidelines that entered into force on hand he said that his television’s marketing January 1, 2004. Kosovo’s television stations has suff ered from the piracy of other TV were given a transitional period to fully comply stations in the Pejë/Peć region. According to by 1 April. Every broadcast media license has Mr. Kurhasani two televisions in Prizren and a paragraph on Copyright Permission which Gjakovë/Ðakovica have a powerful transmit- obliges the “licensee to obtain all the proper ter signal and besides playing pirate Þ lms they copyright clearances and permission for any also copy programs from RTV Dukagjini and and all programming (including music via CD other TV stations. There are cases where other and other means) prior to the airing of such TV stations in the region basically copy their programming by licensee.” whole morning program! “There is no question that piracy is severely The Media damaging our work”, says Liridon Cahani, TV Lekë Zherka, Director of Kohavision in Prish- Director of RTK. “We had given our outmost tinë/Priština says that there is no way for eff orts to obtain high quality Þ lms which we Kosovo-wide TV, including his own, to broad- tested a week before the New Year’s eve. Sev- cast pirate Þ lms or programs. These stations eral other local private TV stations have broad- were at the same time having lots of problems cast the same Þ lms one or two days before the from smaller local private televisions with New Year’s eve. Besides the Þ nancial loses, our regard to copyright. Some televisions in Ferizaj/ biggest problem is the viewers we lose because Uroševac, Prishtinë / Priština, and elsewhere of illegal competition from local TV stations.” broadcast sport packages, Þ lms, and other pro- Mr. Cahani added that given the fact that each grams just by connecting to digital satellite Kosovo municipality has 1 or 2 such TV sta- receivers, whereas KTV needs to buy all pro- Pirated Pirates…When a blockbuster Þ lm like tions, then the damage caused is greater than at grams, Þ lms and basically everything that is “Pirates of the Caribbean” has its Prishtinë / Priština Þ rst sight. He claimed RTK suff ers from unfair premiere, it is quite likely that it is already available competition throughout the Kosovo territory. IN THIS ISSUE: in the nearby CD shops on pirated DVD’s. Film distribution companies are obviously suf- fering from piracy in Kosovo. The ABC cinema not their production. Their broadcast license in Prishtinë / Priština has already complained OSCE Priorities 2004 p. 4,7 & 9 deÞ nes the copyright criteria KTV must obey. several times. Mr. Zherka pointed out that KTV has signed a contract with Top Channel TV in Albania According to the TMC, it has issued warnings When the locals take over p. 5 whilst a TV station in Ferizaj / Uroševac con- to several private TV broadcasters that contin- nects to the satellite receiver and broadcasts the uously broadcast pirate Þ lms to demand the same TV programs without paying any com- necessary copyright paperwork. But while the Learning from each other p. 8 pensation to the author or company. TMC is clamping down on copyright piracy in the broadcast media, piracy is not an exception Florin Kelmendi, Director in charge of RTV 21 but rather the rule on the streets of Kosovo, A documentary is in Prishtinë/Priština says that the piracy is pri- notably in the CD stores opposite Police Head- marily aff ecting their marketing. Smaller local quarters in Prishtinë/Priština. never finished p. 10 private TV stations broadcast pirated DVD Þ lms, other programs and even re-edited RTV Serbs return to Pristina p. 12 21 programs. On the other hand, he said, Kosovo - A Paradise for Piracy! the local stations could not keep up with the Disrespect of copyright is unfortunately wide- newest Þ lms since they are very expensive to spread in Kosovo. There are hundreds of buy. He said the Temporary Media Commis- CD shops throughout Kosovo selling pirate sioner had already issued warnings to smaller DVD Þ lms, music and PC soft ware. Currently private TV stations to stop broadcasting pirate osce Þ lms and respect their license, but to no avail. continues on page 3 DETAILS EDITORIAL over the daily lives of the people of Kosovo. But we will also strive to ensure that such responsibility is exercised with full regard for human rights and that all communities will be able to participate in all institutions, since Kosovo’s institutions are a reß ection of its people. This is accomplished in a number of ways - from developing the skills and capacities of elected and public offi cials to promoting the involvement of people and opinion-formers in public life. Another standard that the OSCE has focused much eff ort on is the rule of law, as equality before the law is a fundamental pre-condition for viability and sustainability. The OSCE will continue to help establishing well-functioning police, justice and penal systems based on impartial- ity and respect for human rights. Yet rule of law also holds true in the practice of government at central and local level. The overall goal, one which in central to the OSCE’s work, is to uphold the right of all people to live in safety and security as fully integrated members of society. Ambassador Pascal Fieschi, Three cross-departmental strategies, spreading through all OSCE activ- Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo ities, will continue to be a priority for 2004. The Þ rst is: Securing ade- quate conditions for minorities to remain in Kosovo and for sustainable returns. The second: Promoting reconciliation and tolerance and the Dear Details readers, third: Promoting the Right to Return. Many challenges lie ahead for the OSCE Mission in Kosovo in the year Dear reader, OSCE has, as the Institution Building Pillar of UNMIK, cre- 2004. We will continue to play our full part as Pillar III, the Institution ated several institutions towards achieving our goal of assisting Kosovo Building Pillar of the UN administration in Kosovo. in its transition to a democratic society based on the rule of law. A sustainable Kosovo must have its own institutions capable of meet- Let us quickly remind you of the institutions created by the OCSE in ing their domestic and international obligations, including the require- all of its Þ eld of activities that will continue our work here aft er we ments of the Standards for Kosovo. In order to achieve this, the OSCE are gone. The Kosovo Police Service School, The Ombudsperson, The will assist the institutions of society to accomplish its duties with full Kosovo Judicial Institute,the Criminal Defence Resource Centre, The respect for universal democratic values - including the interests, rights Kosovo Law Centre, Community Centres and NGO centres, Radio-Tele- and representation of all ethnic communities in Kosovo. vision Kosovo, The Independent Media Commission, The Central Elec- But how exactly can this be done? How will the OSCE help “institution Commission and its Secretariatand hopefully KPSS. The respon- tions”, the foundations of any society, become sustainable? This has sibilities of some of these institutions have already been transferred, been our goal for entire life of the Mission in Kosovo. And we will focus while others will be later. Dear reader, as you will see in separate arti- on developing the capacity amongst Kosovans to keep their own insti- cles on the various programmes run by our Mission’s Departments, the tutions in check and ensure that democratic standards are adhered to. OSCE will in 2004 in many Þ elds give more responsibilities to local offi - We will continue to work with the Provisional Institutions of Self-Gov- cials in tune with its institution building role. At the end of the year we ernment (PISG) as they take ever-increasing responsibility in public life, hope to be a step nearer the goal of a sustainable democratic Kosovo.

Shpend March DETAILS Newsletter published by The OSCE

Belgrade Street 32 38000 Pristina Tel. (+381-38) 500 162 Fax: (+381-38) 500 188 E-mail: [email protected] Publisher: Sven Lindholm Managing Editor: Arni Snaevarr Senior Editors: Hasan Sopa (Detaje), Slavisa Mladenović (Detalji) Layout & drawings: Shpend Kada Contributors: Arben Hajredinaj, Franklin De Vrieze, Lizabeta Paloka, Mustafa Eric, Olivera Stojanovic, Valentin Mitev osce Mission in Kosovo Disclaimer: The views expressed and the presentation of the material published do not necessarily represent the policies, opinions or positions of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. 2 DETAILS

continued from page 1 cess has been pending due to slow court proce- The people dures. Mrs. Bajçinovci said the new draft law Kosovo is considered to be an important mar- is being translated and will soon be put into a A CD salesman near the UNMIK headquar- ket for pirated intellectual property. It is well public debate to be then processed through the ters in Prishtinë/Priština who didn’t want to known that developed and democratic coun- Ministry of Culture to the Kosovo Assembly give his name, says that selling pirated goods tries have strict laws protecting the copyrights for adoption. She also expressed her concern is a good business for him and that it’s not and the intellectual property of individuals or over modiÞ cations to the draft law by non- his intention to quit selling pirate DVD movies companies. Four years aft er the conß ict, Ko- experts in the Assembly’s working groups. She or other soft ware for only 2,5 Euro. “Piracy sovo still does not have a proper law on the said that in the past laws aﬀ ecting cultural exists almost everywhere in the neighboring protection of authors’ rights and the intellectual matt ers have been so distorted by the Assem- countries. Most of the Þ lms on CD-ROMs that property. It is expected that a copyright law, bly that the authors’ agency did not recognize one can buy in the street are ‘imported’ from currently being draft ed by the Authors’ Agency, its own draft s. Mrs. Bajçinovci said that once Serbia, Montenegro, Romania and Bulgaria,” will be introduced in the Kosovo Assembly in adopted and promulgated, this law will have he says. Despite existing copyright laws, he March. an overwhelming impact on the Þ lm, music, pointed out; these countries still reproduced Despite this situation, many people say that it literature, and other categories that have been DVD movies and exported them to places such is wrong to take advantage of somebody else’s pirated in Kosovo. Besides, this law will engage as Kosovo. He also said he was not afraid of property without a legally regulated compen- competent authorities to take legal measures any incoming laws on copyright, since even sation, yet many still take advantage of this against the violators of authors’ rights. The municipal government was deeply involved situation as a consequence of a missing law Authors’ Agency has continuos co-operation into this business. with other Authors’ Agencies in the neighbor- that would enforce the proper compensation of He even said that most of the CD salespersons intellectual property. ing countries pointing out Croatia and Slove- nia as more relevant partners in the Balkans. were more preoccupied with the adverse eﬀ ect The Internet also contributes to the piracy on their business by local TV’s broadcasting of development in Kosovo. The millions of web Mr. Robert Gillett e, the Temporary Media Com- pirate Þ lms than new laws. sites that allow users to download Þ lms, music, missioner, said that he did not foresee that the Business is booming and Details’ interlocutor and soft ware, have contributed to the piracy new law would be the beginning of the end points out that it is no coincidence that most of development over the last four years. for many of Kosovo’s broadcasters. Broadcast- ers could network and buy Þ lms or other pack- the CD Shops are located in the so called Police ages of programs, which would provide more street in Prishtinë/Priština near the Interna- The Authors’ Agency stability for future developments in the area of tional Organizations whose members he says “There are two fundamentals - the authors’ copyrights. are the most frequent customers. rights and the code of conduct for the media” says Mrs. Luljeta Bajçinovci, Head of the Au- thors’ Agency in Prishtinë/Priština. She said that most of the Kosovo media take advantage of the lawless situation not respecting authors’ rights not only in showing Þ lms, but also broadcasting music which makes some 70-80 percent of their program schedules. Mrs. Bajçinovci said that the former Yugoslav federation law on authors’ rights is still applicable in Kosovo and that every existing case is dealt within the obligations set by this outdated law from 1989. She said the new law should be based on European and modern standards of copyright laws. Even public companies like PTK (Post and Te- lecom of Kosovo) do not respect copyright. PTK has been criticized for using a photograph by a well-known Kosovo photographer without his consent or any compensation, placing it on prepaid scratch cards, selling hundreds and thousands of them for commercial proÞ t. PTK was taken to court but for two years the pro- One of the many CD corners at the main Prishtinë / Priština streets, selling pirate CD Building tolerance through cultural events The Director of the Cultural House in Štrpce/Shtërpcë, Mr. Ljubiša Racičević, has been one of the first main initiators promoting multi-ethnic, cultural activities between the Kosovo Serb and Kosovo Albanian communities in this municipality.

by Hasan Sopa the idea to facilitate protracted initiatives to Firaja (the main Kosovo Albanian village), build a climate of conÞ dence and promote the the Sveti Sava Cultural Center organized two Even though historical and cultural ties exist, development of a multi-ethnic society, in par- dance and cultural presentations in Štrpce/ Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serb commu- ticular in non-political environment Þ eld. Shtërpcë’s Kosovo Albanian dominated areas. nities have been unable to re-establish egali- Joint cultural events such as this one will be tarian societal norms and develop inter-ethnic Under the direction of OMiK DD and in co-operation with the director of Education organized in the future as well in promoting tolerance. The Cultural House Sveti Sava community tolerance in the area. approached OSCE Offi ce Štrpce/Shtërpcë, with department Mr. Sulejman Selmani, in village 3 DETAILS OSCE Priorities 2004: Increased responsibilities Freedom of expression vs responsibility to the public Of locals in Can 120 Radio and TV stations survive in Kosovo? by Mustafa Eric running The concept of democracy refers, among other though undertaken by private entrepreneurs, things, to freedom of people to hear a multi- urban transport is a public service and in per- tude of voices, and in every society in transition forming this service, minimum standards must elections from totalitarian rule to pluralistic democracy, be accommodated “There will be signiÞ cant changes in this years freedom of media has been one of the basic elections as OSCE has started to hand over cer- standards promoted by international organisations and donor governments and agencies. tain responsibilities to the newly established Kosovo is no diff erent. Central Election Commission Secretariat” says Lars Lagergren, Director of the Department of Since the military conß ict ended and the UN Elections. presence established itself in Kosovo in 1999, there has been a steady increase in the number Over the last years, OSCE has been responsible of electronic media outlets in the territory, for organising free, fair and democratic elec- thanks to two factors, technological advances tions in Kosovo but now has come the time to and donor generosity: The former has rendered build up local capacity to run elections. the establishment of a radio or TV station rela- “There will be a shift from OSCE staff to civil tively inexpensive and the latt er made it pos- servants. The CEC Secretariat will be responsible for many clever but unemployed people sible for planning at central level, and with the to seek opportunities for generation of income in media business, regardless of their capa- Municipal Election Commissions, it will take bilities or professional background to operate over operational tasks to be implemented at such media outlets. Add to that the ease, with the local level” says OSCE’s Lars Lagergren. which licenses could be obtained from the pro- The OSCE’s Election Department will neverthe- visional regulatory authority, the Temporary less not step totally aside. It will advise the Sec- Media Commissioner, and you have the cur- retariat and retain operational responsibility rent situation in hand: More than 120 local for certain sensitive activities. It will be respon- radio and TV stations throughout the territory of Kosovo with litt le standardisation or profes- sible for the preparation of the voters’ list, a Waiting for the IMC modiÞ ed version of the voting programme for sional quality. Broadcasting, by nature, is a public service out of Kosovo voters, the planning and run- Audience of 15,000 ning of the Count and Results Centre. In addi- regardless of the status of the ownership of the tion, the OSCE will maintain a political party An overwhelming majority of these small equipment that loads signals to the airwaves registration and Þ nancial audit offi ce. There broadcasters appeal to audiences, averaging to be intercepted by radios and TV sets of the population. And in an environment, where the will be an appeals body to sett le complaints 15,000 people, with an optimistic estimate. This is hardly a market big enough to support the multiplicity of such signals leads to interfer- Þ led in connection with election preparations operations of an electronic media organisation ence in one’s frequencies by other broadcasters, and Election Day activities. if it is to rely only on the revenue to come time seems to have come for rewriting rules A.S. from advertising to the local population. This and regulations for the good of the public. obvious drawback in the operational mode has Fingers are crossed at the moment with many been forcing managers or operators of stations stakeholders waiting for Þ rst adoption, and to resort to extreme solutions, which, appar- then promulgation of the long-delayed bill ently, have litt le to do the proper concept of on the creation of the offi ce of Independent broadcasting: One TV station in the Mitrovicë/ Media Commissioner (IMC). Once this hap- Mitrovica region, TV Mitrovica has been taping pens, the scene will be set for the introduction private wedding ceremonies and running these and enforcement of regulations that will hope- tapes as “programs” in return for a fee of Euro fully ensure the realisation of proper standards 100. in broadcasting in Kosovo. One can argue, of course, that those stations, It is universally accepted that control of media which resort to those “creative” ways of rais- by and from within media is a much bett er ing funds to sustain their operations could be option when weighed against other alterna- or should be deemed “innocent”; aft er all they tives, such as being controlled by Þ nancial are “private businesses” and as long as they interests or by political inß uences or by govern- don’t “violate the laws”, they should be free to ments. One has to agree, however, that media raise funds from any legal source. establishment in Kosovo, with very few excep- Well, it is not so simple: Urban transport com- tions, has still a long distance to cover to mature panies, operating taxis or minibuses, have to to the point of being able to exercise profes- abide by certain regulations: They can not sional and ethical self-control. Unless and until employ unlicensed drivers, they can not use that point has been reached, regulatory con- vehicles that are not “roadworthy”, they can trol of media in Kosovo will have to remain an not accept number of passengers exceeding indispensable mechanism to ensure that this the limits set by regulations, etc. That is, even public service really serves the public. 4 DETAILS When the locals take over OSCE is handing over Community Centers in 8 Municipalities to local NGO’s by Arni Snaevarr A cock crows proudly on the steps of the Com- basic but very important services” says co- OSCE. But there are other possibilities. “An munity Center of Veliko Ropotovo/Ropotovë manager Katharina Ristic. The Community Internet Cafe is an option” points out co-man- e Madhe and greets visitors, a reminder that Center took the initiative to create a Village ager Katharina Ristic. it is in the midst of a rural farming com- Leader Network. Village leaders in the area “There are several possibilities for the Centers to munity in Kamenicë/Kamenica, the eastern- meet every month, sometimes with Municipal become self sustainable and generate incomes most municipality of Kosovo, bordering Serbia. leaders, in order to bring the community closer to cover their expenses,“ says OSCE’s Bujar The Community Center serves a Kosovo Ser- into the Municipal Structures. “We try to con- Maxhuni. “Some Centers have already man- bian enclave consisting of Þ ft een villages, and nect ordinary people to their delegates in the aged to establish their own run Internet cafe approximately 8000 people. The OSCE created Municipality and vice versa, the delegates and are very successful in providing net ser- the Community Center in 2001 but now it is to their constituency” says Daiana Falloni of vice.” But landline telephone connections have time to hand over the activities to the locals. OSCE’s Department of Democratization. proven unreliable, and the Community Center The three staff members have founded an NGO The Community Center serves as an informa- has run into obstacles while trying to get bett er with a dozen other members to continue the tion center for the community and provides telephone services. As with many Kosovo Ser- task OSCE took on three years ago. assistance and guidance for local people to Þ nd bian enclaves, it is caught between a rock and “The Community Center is very important for available services. A monthly newslett er pub- a hard place, not knowing where to turn when the local population,” says Co-manager Ivan lished by the Community Center is an impor- local services are hard to come by. If services Krstic. “We hope to make it self sustainable tant tool in trying to keep the local population from Serbian providers give a bett er or more and continue aft er the handover.” A Memo- updated. The Community Centers’ activities reliable coverage than Kosovo-based provid- randum of Understanding between the NGO range from giving agricultural training, and ers, it is always tempting to prefer the former. and OSCE is expected to be signed in the next computer classes to help locals with their prob- But Internet is not the only solution. “By deliv- couple of weeks. lems with customs. ering training and becoming contact/focal It is a part of a network of OSCE created Com- “We give accurate information - which is or liaison point between their communities munity Centers and NGO Resource Centers. important given all the rumours that circulate and other stakeholders such as central and local government, NGOs, they can charge for The overall goal is to work with civil society in such a community,”says Ivan Krstic. aiming to improve the capacity of Kosovo’s the services that they are providing” points citizens to keep their institutions in check. The children are not forgott en: As Details visits, out OSCE’s Bujar Maxhuni. The Co-managers This comes through bett er-informed citizens, children spend time during a school recess admit that the “big plan” is to get a certiÞ cation increased citizen participation on public policy, watching Harry Pott er on video! Grown ups for a Vocational Training Center from the Min- and more accountable and transparent local have also been provided with access to comput- istry of Labour and Social Welfare to upgrade and central governance. OSCE has created ers and hopefully Internet access will follow. skills of people who have basic education. NGO resource centres in 5 Municipalities and What chances has a Community Center in such Meetings have already taken place with the Community centres in a further 8 to support a small community has of being sustainable? Ministry, which has reacted favorably stressing the civil society sector. The resource centres’ The Center will be eligible to apply to other its increased interest in reaching out to minori- have already been handed over to local NGO’s donors, as it becomes independent from the ty’s communities. and this year the OSCE will hand over the running of 5 community centres to local NGO’s in addition to two whose functions have already been taken over by local actors. Community Centers in Štrpce / Shtërpcë and Leposavić / Leposaviq have already been handed over to local NGOs, while those in Ropotovo / Ropotovë, Dragash / Dragaš, Zubin Potok, Mitrovicë / Mitrovica north and Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje have begun the process to local ownership. “The Community Centers will be partially supported by the OSCE during 2004” says OSCE’s Bujar Maxhuni. “It is our strategy to make all centers fully independent and sustainable by themselves.” While the Community Centers have the same purpose as the NGO Resource Centers they are also serving and addressing the issues of concern of the communities in their areas. The Community Centers have tried to help local people addressing diffi culties in accessing local government or other institutions.

This is true of Veliko Ropotovo / Ropotovë e One of the village leaders networks meetings held on a monthly base in Ropotovo/Ropotovë Madhe Community Center. “We give simple, Community Centre 5 DETAILS Kosovo Judiciary System “The future of the Kosovo Judiciary is in the hands of a new generation. They speak a number of foreign languages, enabling them easy access in the field of research,” says Kosovo Supreme Court President Rexhep Haxhimusa Interview by Hasan Sopa

When UNMIK was established Þ ve years ago personal safety of the judge, might determine in Kosovo, one of the Þ rst tasks for the interna- the motivation for work. However, this should tional community was to work together with not eff ect the commitment of each and every- the local community to establish a functioning one, in sett ing up an authentic Judiciary. multiethnic judiciary. Of course, this was not In terms of the position of the judge, he thinks an easy process, but it had to be done. In the that Þ rst and foremost a judge should be inde- period between June and September 1999, the pendent, impartial and unswayed on decision- Emergency Judicial System was established but making and executing the law. since then the Kosovo Legal System has under- gone major developments. Criminal Code and Code of the Prosecution principle applied Criminal Procedure One of the major changes that occurred recently, According to Mr. Haxhimusa, legal system of a is the approval of Criminal Code and the Crim- country depends on laws and the reß ections of inal Procedure Code by the Special Repre- these laws in the society. “I think that a number sentative of the Secretary General. Now the of applicable laws fulÞ l the standards, as long challenge is the way these regulations will as they are not discriminating and in confron- be applied, considering the fact that they tation with international standards,” says Mr. both have a lot of innovations. Mr. Rexhep Haxhimusa. “By promulgation of the Criminal Haxhimusa president of the Supreme Court Laws: Criminal Code and Code of the Criminal estimates, that in comparison with the South- Procedure, there has been a big step forward. eastern Europe region, Kosovo has taken a cou- Furthermore, with the preparation underway rageous step in terms of the development of for the passing of the Civil Code and Regula- legislation. tions on property and transformation of prop- He thinks that our judiciary is among those that erty, as well as other laws that regulate the Þ eld apply the prosecution principle. “This means of the Civil Law, together with Administrative that parties to the proceedings are equal, i.e. Law, show that we are at the end of the phase the prosecutor is equal with the att orney and of temporary laws. the defendant, whereas the court will have an absolute arbitrary role”, explains Mr. Haxhi- Laws in the region should have musa. Diff erent forms, like surveillance of the common clauses incriminated persons, diff erent witnesses such Biography There is a tendency of developing the legisla- as, collaborator witnesses, anonymous the pro- tion of the South-eastern Europe, in a way that tected witnesses, according to him, enhance Rexhep Haxhimusa graduated from laws have common clauses within one region. the possibility of Þ ghting crime more success- “If we assume European integration, it is a fully. law school in 1966, soon working as deputy prosecutor in the Ferizaj/ necessity that the legislation fulÞ ls required standards that are set-up by the developed Working conditions and the position of Uroševac municipality where he served countries that have experience in this Þ eld. We the judge as president of the Municipal Court. In are talking here about a legislation that enables Aft er the 1999 conß ict, the Kosovo Judiciary 1979, he was nominated as a judge at the economic development, free exchange of capi- can be considered as a new judiciary, not by Supreme Court in Prishtinë/Priština, tal and labour force, the right to work and pos- sess private property, including organisation its staffi ng table structure but as an institution. where he worked until 1982. In 1982, of the economy and the jurisdiction”, explains “While we are still based in part on laws of the he returned to Ferizaj/Uroševac, serv- past, these laws mainly support the best part further Mr. Haxhimusa. ing as president of the previous Munic- of the international conventions that deal with According to him, soon will be established a Human Rights and Freedoms.” says Mr. Hax- ipal Assembly and as president of the group of experts who will deal with the devel- himusa. “During this period we have taken a executive council. Aft er oneyear away opment and the structuring of the judiciary. step forward in building up a judicial system from the political landscape, he started Mr. Haxhimusa says that it is necessary to use in which the society should have faith. Not an work as a lawyer, dealing primarily international experts from organisations, such unveriÞ ed faith, but a faith based on enforce- as UNMIK and the OSCE, because of their ment of the law with the highest professional- with criminal issues. As a lawyer he experience. ism.” was known for his engagement with Kosovo is going through a diffi cult transitional the so-called political processes of the Reforms are necessary period, which necessarily determines condi- time. Almost immediately aft er the con- tions and the position of the judiciary. Mr. ß ict, Haxhimusa again worked at the The rule of law aspect which deals with Jus- tice is a reserved power of the Special Rep- Haxhimusa thinks the Judiciary is essential in Supreme Court and has been president checking powers, which is in the interest of resentative of the Secretary General. “I think Kosovo’s peoples. He also thinks that profes- of the court since the year 2000. that time has come and some reforms in the sional income, mandate, position in society and administration and management of the judi- 6 DETAILS ciary are necessary. The way it is now, there are ges and obstructs organizing and functioning ecutors. Mr. Haxhimusa considers KJI as a oft en misunderstandings and obscurities and of the judiciary as a separate power from the mechanism that builds up judges profession- it might have consequences both for the people legislative and executive powers,” he contin- ally through diff erent seminars and workshops. and the other parties participating in the pro- ues. “Those that were sent abroad for training were ceedings,” says Mr. Haxhimusa. “Furthermore, lucky and gained an incredible experience, as we are all aware that in one part of Kosovo the A series of training sessions that were held at they had the chance to see how things work in Serbian judiciary system remains, which has the Kosovo Judicial Institute (KJI), but also at practice. Therefore, the future of the Kossovo a speciÞ c procedure, not coinciding with the the other institutions, have increased the ge- Judiciary lies in the hands of the new genera- applied procedure. This by all means dama- neral professional level of judges and pros- tions,” concluded Mr. Haxhimusa.

OSCE Priorities 2004:

Democratization in the times of standards “Our aim is to support the development of effective and democratically functioning institutions at central and local level through capacity building efforts that ensure effective legislation and public service provision” says Johan de Velde, OSCE’s new head of Democratization, about the cha- lenges that lie ahead this year in the field of his department. “Another aim is to increase citizen participation in the policy- and decision-making process and make government bodies accountable to citizens’ concerns. Finally supporting the emergence of professional and accountable media institutions and outlets.”

by Arni Snaevarr keep their institutions in check. This comes proper conditions for the development of a through raising awareness among citizens, inc- free, professional and responsible media. In Working with local and central government reasing citizen parti-cipation on public po- 2004 OSCE will hand over media training activ- licy, and making local and central go-vernance ities to local institutions. OSCE in co-operation Let us look more closely at Democratization’s more accountable and transparent. OSCE has with the Temporary Media Commissioner and programme priorities. At the central govern- created NGO resource centres in 5 Municipali- local partners is working to establish a Press ment level, the OSCE co-ordinates assistance to ties and community centres in a further 8 to Council in Kosovo, to function as the main self- the Assembly of Kosovo and works across party support the civil society sector. All the resource regulatory body for the print media. Through lines to improve the work of Assembly mem- centres’ have already been handed over to local the code of conduct, the Council will aim to bers and committ ees . The OSCE Assembly NGO’s and this year the OSCE will hand over uphold European standards of ethics and pro- Monitor will continue to monitor the Assembly the running of 5 community cetres to local fessionalism in print media outlets. It is hoped consistent with the provisions of the Constitu- NGO’s in addition to two whose functions have that this year relevant legislation will be passed tional Framework. The OSCE will continue to already been taken over by local actors. and a local institution, the Independent Media give support to the civil service through build- commission will assume the responsibilities of ing up capacity with the Kosovo Institute for the Temporary Media Commissioner who has Public Administration (KIPA). More responsibility to locals served as a regulatory agency for broadcast The OSCE’s objectives are to give direct sup- in Media supervision media and also assumed responsibilities for a port to the Provisional Institutions of Self- One of the Mission’s main goals is to create temporary licensing regime. Government (PISG). OSCE Advisors build up capacity in the Advisory Offi ces working with the Prime Minister and the Ministries. These Advisory Offi ces oversee the Ministries governance practises, review draft legislation, and develop guidelines for implementation in the areas of good governance, human rights, equal opportunity, gender, and community aff airs. The local governance programmes co-ordinates assistance to municipal assemblies and works with them to provide training and practical advice. Last year we trained almost 2,500 Municipal Assembly members in all municipalities across Kosovo. It also works with the Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKM) to build up an institutional component to all training programmes delivered.

Civic participation Hand in hand with governance program-mes working at both central and local le-vels is our work with civil society, which aims to improve the capacity of Kosovo’s citizens to 7 DETAILS Learning from each other From 15 to 19 December 2003 the main Kosovo political leaders met key negotiators and decision-makers from countries around the world to discuss about leadership and negotiations. The setting was the picturesque castle of Burg Schlaining in Austria, where an intensive exchange of experiences with participation from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Israel, Palestine, South Africa and Chile took place. by Franklin De Vrieze What do these regions and countries have in niak and Ashkali communities participated in dent Ibrahim Rugova stated that the discus- common with Kosovo? Where do they diff er? this conference, Kosovo Serbs representatives sions had been refreshing and useful, and that An immediate reaction might be to stress the declined their invitations. he considered the meeting a great success. Mr. diff erences - geographic, historical and polit- “Craft ing strategies for negotiation” was the Hashim Thaçi added that Kosovo needs to gain ical. Upon reß ection, commonalties begin to theme of this highly interesting meeting which the trust of the international community and appear. dealt mostly with technical issues, like how to that he hoped that this meeting would initiate What these countries and regions have in com- prepare for negotiations, how to build capac- a fresh eff ort to cultivate new international mon is a long and bloody history of conß ict, an ity, how to establish working relationships or relationships. Upon returning to Kosovo, Prof. ethnic or political conß ict, with some religious how to deal with multiple parties and interests Nexhat Daci commented to the press: “Partici- aspects. This is true in particular when it comes in a negotiating process. pation in this seminar was of dual importance to us. The Þ rst beneÞ t was learning from partic- to the fate of its peoples, a fate frequently char- But more than just learning the political and ipants from countries that have overcome prob- acterised by the total absence of basic human diplomatic skills for brokering a political deal, lems and built their states, such as South Africa, and political rights, economic and social hard- the personal histories of these peace nego- and from countries such as Ireland where there ship and cultural deprivation. tiators from around the globe made strong are important lessons to be learned. The second What bett er idea than to bring together repre- impression: David Ervine, the Irish activist beneÞ t was that we were isolated for three days sentatives from these aff ected regions to com- who spent ten years in prison only to devote from our daily problems and all the leaders pare experiences and listen to those who went his later life to peace and reconciliation; Ismail had excellent communication.” Dr. Friedhelm through similar situations or are still in the Ebrahim Ebrahim, the South African who had Frischenschlager, former director of the OSCE middle of a deep rooted conß ict, like the one spent twenty years in prison, together with Mission’s in Kosovo Democratization Depart- between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Or, Nelson Mandela, and who decided to reach out ment stated: “The world has suff ered from for that matt er, to learn from those who suc- to his former oppressors in order to win a just these problems before and still does. And these cessfully overcame apartheid, as in the case of peace for everybody in his country; his white actors who come here with great experiences, South Africa where whites and blacks fought a South African counterpart who as an offi cial have illustrated to the Kosovo political leaders winning batt le against racism. of the apartheid regime decided to join forces that they should shake each other’s hands with the suppressed majority. These modern This conference was of particular importance when it is necessary to Þ nd a solution.” as it saw the full participation of the Þ ve senior day heroes provided convincing testimony to Kosovo leaders: President Ibrahim Rugova; the power of justice and human freedom. For The conference on “Craft ing Strategies for Negotia- Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi; President of Wolfgang Petritsch, the Permanent Representa- tions” was organised by the Harvard University and the Assembly Prof. Nexhat Daci; President of tive of Austria to the United Nations in Geneva, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and was supported the Democratic Party of Kosovo Mr. Hashim the “secret of success seems to be to depart also by the Kosovo Institute for Policy Research and Thaçi; and President of the Alliance for the from past recriminations and exclusionist att i- Development (KIPRED) and the Olof Palme Inter- Future of Kosovo, Mr. Ramush Haradinaj. tudes.” national Center in Sweden. Several international While representatives of Kosovo’s Turkish, Bos- At the closing session of the meeting, Presi- leaders, including former U.S. President Bill Clin- ton, endorsed this initiative. Among offi cials who took part in it were: John Biehl, Advisor to the Gov- ernment of Costa Rica during the Central American Peace Accords in 1987 and former Secre- tary General of the Presidency of Chile Ismail Ebrahim Ebrahim, Political Advisor to the Deputy President of South Africa and senior Afri- can National Congress participant in the multi- party negotiations in South Africa David Ervine, Senior Negotiator in the talks lead- ing to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and Chief Spokesman of the Progressive Unionist Party in Northern Ireland Pini Meidan, former Foreign Policy Advisor and senior negotiator for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in the 2002 Camp David talks Roelf Meyer, former Chief Negotiator for the De Klerk Government and former Minister of Consti- tutional Aff airs of South Africa Albert Reynolds, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland and key participant in the Kosovo leaders together at the castle of Burg Schlaining in Austria Northern Ireland peace process. 8 DETAILS OSCE Priorities 2004: Human Rights Experts to be deployed in municipalities and ministries

by Arni Snaevarr

“The Human Rights Division’s goal in 2004 Additionally the Human Rights Division will strengthen the rule of law and ensure access to is to shift its focus from a primarily external maintain three units at headquarters level: justice - to advising these institutions. The Pro- human rights audit to an intra-governmental Legal System Monitoring, Capacity Building gramme will support the Chamber of Advo- approach” says Carsten Weber, the director of and Traﬃ cking Focal Point cates in building up training to promote the the Human Rights and Rule of Law depart- “Sustainability is key for all departmental rule of law. The Kosovo Law Centre will ment of the OSCE. “This we will do by provid- continue to support law faculties in Kosovo ing experts to work on human rights related activities” says Carsten Weber. With that goal and continue implementing its street law pro- issues (decisions, legislation, policies) with in mind, the Department of Human Rights & municipalities, ministries and the Police in an Rule of Law will intensify its eﬀ orts to hand gramme. The Kosovo Judicial Institute will advisory- and capacity building role.” over human rights monitoring- and reporting continue providing further legal education operations to domestic human rights NGOs for all Kosovo judges and prosecutors. It will OSCE is currently in discussions with the PISG by creating the general understanding of the eventually be turned into Kosovo’s Þ rst School to determine how this programme is being signiÞ cance of non-governmental monitoring, of Magistrate. And the Criminal Defence implemented. “Our idea is to deploy Human providing training to these NGOs and assist- Resource Centre, founded by the OSCE to pro- Rights experts to each of Kosovo’s 30 munici- ing them in fund-raising activities. vide legal expertise to local defense lawyers palities as well as the Þ ve regional police headquarters. Additionally Senior Human Rights Regarding the Rule of Law programme, there in applying international legal and human Experts would be place in selected ministries” will be a shift in focus from supporting the rights, is now fully operating as an indepen- adds Carsten Weber. development of OSCE created institutions - to dent NGO.

KPS: Full strength to be reached 2005

by Arni Snaevarr

The Kosovo Police Service School aims to train Traffi c Codes have been revised or are under employees. During 2004 approximately 300 more than 6,500 basic level Kosovo Police Ser- revision which will require extensive reme- KPS Offi - cers will be trained in supervision vice or KPS offi cers. This year it will train dial training of all police and justice system and management courses. 700 offi cers. 6,223 Basic Recruits have already graduated but only 5,643of them are currently deployed since 616 are for various reasons not serving in the police force. “This means that the goal of 6,533 offi cers or the full strength of KPS will be reached by the end of 2005 “ says Steve Bennett , head of OSCE’s department of Police Education and Development. SigniÞ cant att ention has shift ed from basic training to advanced and specialised training. This training builds capacity with the Kosovo Police Service so that it can assume greater responsibility for day-to-day police operations and complements transition from UNMIK Police to the KPS. “In 2004 the Police School will emphasise con- tinuing professional development” says Steve Bennett . “A signiÞ cant number of this year’s programmes are dedicated to local capacity building to enable local staff to replace international staff in selected institutional functions” says Steve Bennett . Penal Codes, Criminal Procedure Codes, and 9 DETAILS A documentary is never finished, merely abandoned The trainer Keith Bowers, former BBC producer says that a documentary is never finished, it is an ongoing work that one can always edit in different ways. He says there are a million ways of editing a documentary. By Lizabeta Paloka The OSCE Mission’s Democratization Depart- The quality of the Þ nal product was bett er The forgotten place ment/Media Support/Media Training, in than could have been expected and the train- Among other hardships Kosovans are facing co-operation with the Norwegian Mediehog- ees learned new skills and retained their in their daily lives life is lack of drinking wa- skolen, successfully completed a twelve-day enthusiasm throughout the process. ter - a fundamental need for every human training/production course on documentary “It would be great now to see a commitment being. Production trainees brought this issue production from 19 to 30 janauary. Four crews, by editors and managers to press ahead and up by featuring a village in the Malishevë/ made up of trainees, in co-ordination and determine to develop standards of excellence Mališevo region. The main character of this under supervision of the trainer Mr. Keith in their staff ,” says Keith Bowers, “This may feature story, Mr. Ismajl Kastrati, (65) never Bowers, a former BBC producer, produced be diffi cult given the political and economic thought that the problem of his lifetime, four feature stories focusing mainly on social climate here, but a start can be made by an lack of pure drinking water, would remain life, gender equality and Kosovo’s historical acceptance that there is still more to achieve an insolvable problem for his children and heritage in the form of old monuments. in terms of professional expertise. Young jour- grandchildren as well. The wells in the village “I think television in Kosova has made con- nalists need to be given the time and encour- are polluted just like the river, which dries siderable progress since I Þ rst came to Pris- agement to develop their writt en and visual out completely in summer. Even though his tina more than three years ago. It seems a skills. The goal must surely remain to reach family manages an average living standard, considerable number of television journalists the craft standards of television journalism the family income can not solve the problem. have come to grips with the basics of televi- in Western Europe. This will not be easy to Carrying water from a distant, but cleaner sion journalism and there is an atmosphere of achieve but there must be a common will to river three times a week is aff ordable only energy and purpose,” concluded Mr. Bowers keep on striving to improve.” by those “well off ” families, as tanks, genera- tors and tractors are the indispensable tools The most essential element of the project was Participants in this course were journalists of to transport the fundamental need of their that the participants were exposed to key RTK, KTV, TV 21, TV Festina (Ferizaj/Uro- homes, whereas other families oft en use the methods employed in making documenta- ševac), TV Syri (Gjakova/Ðjakovica) and TV water directly from the so polluted river. ries. Dukagjini (Pejë / Pec) and their feature sto- An appeal went out to the municipality to ries will be broadcast by the participating TV The coaching approach with the emphasis on solve this issue. The head of the municipality stations. The concept of the project involved real-life professional techniques also appeared stresses the fact that the issue was raised with two aspects: training the journalists in telling to produce positive results. Another pleasant many international donor organisations but their stories using pictures and to reß ect on feature of the course was the close co-opera- they were never given a positive response. the social problems or inform the public about tion among the trainees. These are the over- The centre of the municipality, itself, faces various issues. views of the stories: the same problem and a project is expected to start in spring to bring water to the town and to the neighbouring village of Bajë/Banja, leaving the problem of Turjakë/Turjake village to be solved in 2006. The inhabitants of this village would be very relieved if this would come true. For some people this is an untenab- le situation, but not for this village. The feature story concludes with the wrinkled faces of children carrying water to their houses, con- tributing to the family’s struggle of survival.

Kosovo Police Service This feature story is meant to familiarise the population on the role, diﬃ culties and challenges of women in Kosovo Police Service with a gender balance, which includes a 15% participation of women in KPS. The main character of this story was Ms. Alĳ e Elezi, a single woman in her late 20s, a policewoman a graduate of the KPS Police School Basic training course 22, who joined the KPS a year and a half ago in the north police station in Prishtinë/Priština. Through her a day of a policewoman is portrayed, the job assign- ment, some of the regulations that they have,11 how they are allowed to behave in particular Participants at the training course on documentary production held from 19-30 January dangerous cases, which are the tools, they in Prishtinë / Priština wear, etc. Her hobby is karate that helps 10 DETAILS “We hope to be accepted” “This is the first time in five years that I am celebrating my birthday at home in Pristina,” said Vukosava Mitrovic, standing on the stairway of her refurbished house in central Prishtinë/ Priština. On 22 February, nearly a month after returning to Kosovo, Vukosava was able to cel- ebrate her 68th birthday in the town where she was born.

by Olja Stojanovic

“I am very excited - that’s why I am crying,” home. I hope to be able to make some contacts explained Vukosava. “I didn’t believe I would with my neighbours. It might be diffi cult in the ever come home again, that I would see the beginning but I do believe we will succeed,” place where I grew up, where I met my hus- Dobrila stated. band, where I spent all of my life.” Vukosava, Dragoljub, and their friend Dobrila Vukosava and her husband, Dragoljub Mitro- hope that they will not be the only ones to vic, are the Þ rst displaced Serbs to return to return. They would especially like their families Prishtinë/Priština from Serbia proper, where to join them in Prishtinë/Priština. They know, they have spent Þ ve years. however, that conditions need to improve for Participants assessing a documentary done mass returns. by their own colleagues Their return was facilitated by the international community, including the Danish Refugee “We have no problem with the fact we live her enormously in her work. As a woman Council and the United Methodist Committ ee together with Albanians. This is a reality we she Þ nds herself comfortable in her job even for Relief (UMCOR), and Habitat. accept,” Dragoljub concluded. though policemen and women face constant The organisations refurbished their damaged This small group of returnees is the Þ rst - but danger but the support given by the Kosovan house and provided basic food, hygienic items, not the last to return to Prishtinë/Priština. The population and the will to contribute to the and Þ rewood. The Mitrovic couple was also international community has made it a top pri- security in Kosovo makes her work easier. given furniture, such as plastic chairs, a table, ority to assist displaced people and refugees and two sofas. The refurbished house still who wish to return to Kosovo - a priority also Rails of misery smells newly painted walls and panelling. for Vukosava, Dragoljub, and Dobrila, who The railroad goes right through the middle of “My greatest wish is that we now can live nor- wish to integrate as well as to persuade others the town of Ferizaj/Uroševac, causing numer- mally and that everybody will be tolerant,” to come back. ous accidents resulting in deaths. The doc- said Dragoljub, who is aged 70. “An Albanian umentary on this subject, reß ects the quite neighbour who we know from before came by obvious reasons behind the problem: There our house to welcome us. We hope that others are no barriers at the intersection. While rail- way authorities say it is the duty of the munic- will accept us as well,” he added. ipality to set up the barrier, the Municipality When they Þ rst arrived in Prishtinë/Priština a complains of lack of funds to build the bar- month ago, Vukosava and Dragoljub stayed at riers, leaving in a vacuum the security of the home most of the time. “When we had just citizens and cars passing through intersection. returned, we were busy cleaning and sett ing The Þ lm shows survivors of accidents talk up our house,” Vukosava told Details. But now about the horrors they endured and reß ects they have started venturing outside. citizens’ worries about lack of att ention to the problem on the part of authorities. “When we have time, we visit friends or go to Gracanica,” she said. They go to Gracanica The Hamam to do their shopping since their pension, the equivalent of 130 euro, comes in dinar. They The Hamam of Prishtinë / Priština is one of can also get medical care in the Serbian enclave the oldest historical monuments in Kosovo. in case they need it. “Municipal authorities It was built in the Þ ft eenth century and was provided a regular bus line to Gracanica,” they functional until 1970. The program aims at explained. drawing the att ention of municipal authorities to the need to take care of the old mon- Dobrila Milic, a 70-year-old Serbian language uments, which are of a great interest to the teacher, is the third member of the small citizens, as they stand witness to history to be returnee group. She lives temporarily in the learnt by younger generations. The program Mitrovic’s house but expects to return to her gives an overview of the old Hamam and the apartment sometime during the spring, aft er ruins of the current one, apart from a part of the Albanian family that currently lives there the building, which has been reconstructed has left . as to serve as a teahouse. A woman speaks nostalgically about the times she went to the Dobrila, who returned to Kosovo alone, said Haman as a child and says it is a pity to let that she was not afraid of going home. She such monuments fall into ruin. goes out for walks and to the market. As she points out herself, she was determined to A project has been submitt ed to the munici- return home. pality but the common phenomenon - lack of funds - is an impediment. “I have decided not to be afraid. This is my Prishtinë / Priština 1111 DETAILS A difficult journey towards Launching of free speech for all the Civic Herald The journalist association ‘Mediawest’ organises training in different areas of journalism for a by Valentin Mitev multiethnic group of students. On Friday 30 January 2004, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo’s Democratization Department (DD) by: Dafina Elezi and the Civic Participation and Reconciliation For a full year, 42 students from diff erent ethnic journalist association ‘Mediawest’ in Pejë/Pec, Support team (CPRST) released the Þ rst issue communities in Kosovo sat together in a bare which comprises professional journalists of of the Civic Herald electronic newslett er. The classroom to participate in seminars and lec- several Kosovan dailies. The director of the newslett er is disseminated to over 500 address- tures on journalism. The training was run by school, Ibrahim Kelmendi, said that the trainees, which have been engaged or have att ended the indefatigable Professor Musa Berisha, a ing was a courageous step in educating Koso- events of the civic dialogue or related activities. media expert trained by the American Institute vo’s future journalists. It was a chance for tale- Recipients are local and international NGOs, for Democracy. His aim was to prepare the stu- nts to be fostered so that budding journalists local and regional media, liaison offi ces of gov- dents for a diffi cult journey towards a greater could work with conÞ dence and persistence in ernments in Kosovo, gender focal points, inter- understanding of journalism. their Þ eld. ested individuals, and opinion makers. I took part in this journey, and would like to The school also embraced diff erent ethnic com- The Civic Herald aims at promoting and info- share my experiences in this report. Aft er a munities. For example, 15 students from the rming the public about civic dialogue initiati- year of training, I now stand on a solid foun- Bosniak community att ended the training. ves in South-Eastern Europe with a focus on dation from where I can go on, in search of Kosovo and the civic dialogue project with Ser- Mr. Kelmendi considers the Þ rst school-term a the truth. “Wherever you go, you go with cour- bia. The Project is implemented by the Mother success. Seven graduates are already employed age and professionalism. The search for truth Theresa Society (MTS) from Prishtinë/Priština in diff erent print and broadcast media, while is the core of journalism.” - I still remember the and the Centre for Regionalism (CR) from No- the rest are looking for jobs not only with Koso- words of professor Berisha vi Sad with the assistance from the OSCE’s De- van media but also with international media. partment of Democratization and the Freedom Lessons from Accomplished Journalists House Foundation. Professor Musa Berisha gave lectures on the In the Western Spirit The newslett er will be produced on a bi-month- Theory of Journalism, while other experienced Established in 2000, ‘Mediawest’ is the only ly basis and sent out in three languages - Eng- writers from several Kosovo dailies, such as Ib- association that teaches journalism Kosovo- lish, Albanian, and Serbian. Developed with the rahim Kelmendi of ‘Koha Ditore,’ Enver Ulaj of wide in the ‘Western spirit’. At the same time, OSCE’s resources, this valuable service, aims ‘Zëri,’ and Rrahman Jasharaj of ‘Epoka e Re,’ the association aims to develop civil society at facilitating local and regional networking, spoke about the practical elements of their pro- and democracy through its training. Since Feb- sharing of ideas and positive practices, etc., fession. Sali Kelmendi, a well experience jour- ruary last year, the association has trained 42 which will be produced with the increasing nalist and the Brussels-based corespondent of students on the theory and practice of journal- participation of the MTS and CR. Thus a high ‘Koha Ditore,’ Augustin Palokaj, taught ses- ism for both print and broadcasting media. standards newslett er and developed commu- sions on reporting and writing about interna- USAID, SOROS, and IOM as well as OMiK nication capacity will be fully taken over by tional aff airs and diplomacy. Þ nanced ‘Mediawest’. “As we knew that the local counterparts to the beneÞ t of the civil “My 0future colleagues, this ‘school of journal- aim of this association was to train future jo- society groups from the region and the inter- ism’ is on the right path towards teaching Þ rst- urnalists, we did not hesitate to Þ nance this ested agencies from the international commu- rate journalism,” Palokaj told us, adding that project. It will give opportunities to talented nity. he was happy the school had started in his own youth,” said Xhemë Ibraj, Media Offi cer at the Contact details of prospective subscribers and town. OSCE Offi ce in Pejë/Pec. Mr. Ibraj expresses receivers are also of interests. Please, forward the readiness of the offi ce to Þ nance similar your comments or subscription request to: The Success of ‘Mediawest’ projects in other parts of Kosovo, for example [email protected] The training sessions were organised by the in Deçan Municipality.

WANTED! English Language Teachers If you are: A native English speaker And you have: A degree or a TEFL qualiﬁ cation Then we would love to hear from you! To ﬁ nd out more about teaching at the English Language Institute, please call: 038 540 195 or E-mail: [email protected] Young journalist following lessons on basic journalism organized by the Journalist Asso- ciation “Mediawest” in Pejë / Pec We offer a competitive rate of pay