|
April
10, 2003
ERP KIM
Newsletter 10-04-03
SERBS PROTEST IN GRACANICA:
FOR SERBIA - NO TO INDEPENDENT KOSOVO
 |
|
Kosovo Serbs in Gracanica strongly opposed Steiner's
proalbanian policy and protested against policy of ethnic
discrimination pursued by Albanian dominated institutions. Milan
Ivanovic speaks to the gathered Serbs, APR 9 |
SERBS PROTEST IN
GRACANICA: FOR SERBIA - NO TO INDEPENDENT KOSOVO
Serbs of central Kosovo peacefully
protest against transfer of UNMIK's powers
MESSAGES FROM PROTEST IN GRACANICA
The
Serbs will not accept the status of a national minority in their own
country -
No Serb will
live in an independent state of Kosovo -
Continue directives
of premier Djindjic - Insist on full implementation of Resolution 1244
BISHOP ARTEMIJE SUPPORTS AND WELCOMES PROTEST GATHERING IN
GRACANICA
I wholeheartedly support protest
gatherings in K. Mitrovica and Gracanica as well as protests soon to be
held in other parts of Kosovo and Metohija. I appeal to Serbs throughout
the Province to express their demands peacefully and with dignity,
persisting in their just battle for their rights and for freedom
SERBS OF CENTRAL KOSOVO DECISIVELY AGAINST STEINER'S POLICY
An appeal was sent from the gathering to
all Serbs to leave UNMIK's municipal governments and to Return (Povratak)
Coalition deputies to leave the Kosovo Parliament. It was also emphasized
that official state organs of Serbia and Montenegro need to act more
decisively before the international community in demanding the resolution
of the problem of the south Serbian province, because every delay serves
to benefit the Albanians who desire an independent Kosovo
MASKED PERSONS FIRE AT POLICE IN VICINITY OF PEC
A military
group called the Albanian National Army (AKSH) have claimed, on its
website as well as in some handouts they delivered in different Kosova
areas, that its members are active in Kosovo too.
FIRST CHARGES AGAINST
ANA MEMBERS
It is also the
first time that the international officials affirm the existence and
activity of ANA (Albanian National Army) in Kosovo, naturally through a
court, although so far UNMIK police and KFOR representatives denied to
have proof on ANA existence in Kosovo
TWO
ALBANIANS ATTACK SERB IN GORAZDEVAC WITH KNIFE AND INFLICT FACIAL INJURIES
After a brief conversation one of the two Albanians suddenly jabbed at
Svetislav Simonovic with a knife, wounding him in the face. The Albanians
immediately fled the scene in their vehicle
NEW HOPE FOR DISPLACED
PERSONS FROM KOSOVO AND METOHIJA - RETURNS IN SPRING
RETURNS IN SPRING -
Well thought out and organized return to village of Novake near Prizren
should serve as a model for all of Kosovo and Metohija
BALKAN LEADERS IN BELGRADE PLEDGE TO WORK TOGETHER ON THEIR
COMMON PATH TOWARDS EU
The leaders
underlined that the regional stability and cooperation have been
consolidated and advanced, and stress the need of respecting the
principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful solution of
all the disputes. The Declaration points to the importance of respect of
Dayton-Paris agreement and the Resolutions 1244 and 1345 of the United
Nations Security Council that have been estimated as documents of vital
relevance for the stability in the region.
SERBIA - MONTENEGRO: ADMISSION TO THE PARTNERSHIP OF PEACE
PROGRAM IS STATE PRIORITY
Serbia and
Montenegro Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic and the personal envoy of the
NATO Secretary General, Gunther Altenburg, emphasized in talks in Belgrade
that one of the priorities of the state union’s foreign policy was
admission to the Partnership for Peace programme.
RADIO YUGOSLAVIA: PRESS REVIEW, APR 9
Marek Novitzki, the ombudsman for
Kosovo-Metohija stated that the situation in the province in the field of
human rights was below every minimum, quote local press. Novitzki stated
that Serbs were not safe, had no freedom of move, neither other conditions
for a normal life, and human rights of other minority communities in
Kosmet were imperilled, too.
More News
Available on our:
KOSOVO DAILY
NEWS LIST (KDN)
KDN Archive
This newsletter is available on our
ERP KIM Web-site:
/erpkim10apr03.html
SERBS PROTEST IN GRACANICA: FOR SERBIA - NO TO INDEPENDENT KOSOVO
SERBS OF CENTRAL KOSOVO PEACEFULLY
PROTEST AGAINST TRANSFER OF UNMIK POWERS
TOP
BETA News Agency
April 9, 2003
(PHOTO BETA, NO -
INDEPENDENT KOSOVO!!! - Gracanica Apr 9, 2003)
 GRACANICA
-- Wednesday – Over a thousand Kosovo Serbs took to the streets of Granica
today in protest over Michael Steiner’s decision to transfer UNMIK powers
to Kosovo’s temporary institutions.
UNMIK governor Steiner began the process of transferring authority
yesterday, insisting that key departments would remain under his command
and that the handover of powers would have no bearing on Kosovo’s final
status.
The protestors, calling for "Serbia, not independent Kosovo", brought
traffic to a standstill on the city’s main street before dispersing
without incident.
Milan Ivanovic, leader of the Serb National Council of northern Kosovo,
requested that Steiner maintain consistent implementation of UN Resolution
1244, rather than transferring these powers.
Insisting that the transfer would see Serbs "left at the mercy of Albanian
extremists" Ivanovic said:
"The Serb people live in a concentration camp, while Steiner sends false
reports on the security situation in this region to the Security Council.
"Instead of transferring powers, we request the return of our army and
police."
Calling to Belgrade for support, Ivanovic continued: "I'm asking the state
of Serbia-Montenegro to courageously support the guidelines defined by
late Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, because Kosovo is state issue number
one".
Rada Trajkovic, Kosovo Serb Return Coalition MP, explained that the
protests were: "no one’s political promotion, rather they are aimed at
preventing this territory from becoming independent.
"We have gathered here to say 'N0' to Steiner, who’s not counting on any
Serb reactions."
TOP
MESSAGES
FROM PROTEST IN GRACANICA
The Serbs will not accept
the status of a national minority in their own country
-
No Serb will live in an
independent state of Kosovo
TOP
ERP KIM
Info-Service
GRACANICA, April 9, 2003
(PHOTO BETA, Milan
Ivanovic speaks at today's gathering in Gracanica)
 From
this gathering here in Gracanica, we wish to send the following message to
the domestic and global public:
No Serb will live in an independent state of Kosovo.
In Kosovo and Metohija the human rights of Serbs and other non-Albanian
communities are being grossly violated. Sadly, this is being done in the
presence of those whom we expect to offer us their protection.
That is why here today we demand the following:
- That displaced and expelled persons from Kosovo and Metohija be enabled
to return.
- That the fate of persons kidnapped and missing since the arrival of KFOR
and the UN Mission to Kosovo and Metohija be revealed.
- That the decisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the
Kumanovo Agreement be honored and that, pursuant to this, Serbian police
forces and the Serbia-Montenegro Army be enabled to return.
- We demand respect for our human rights as defined by internationally
recognized charters and conventions, including:
the right to life;
the right to freedom of movement;
the right to own and make use of private property;
the right to education;
the right to health protection;
the right to work and employment.
- We reject the transfer of authorities to ethnically pure, Albanian
institutions where we cannot realize our rights and we will consider any
such decision unbinding for the Serb people.
- That it is time for Return Coalition deputies and municipal assembly
representatives to leave the institutions where their role is purely to
serve as a decoration for the interests of the Albanian community and the
justification of the UN Mission.
- That the formation of Serb municipalities be enabled.
- That the agreement on decentralization be realized.
- That the employed leave the institutions which as of today are Albanian
because we cannot physically go to them, let alone realize any of our
rights in them.
The Serbs will not accept the status of a national minority in their own
country.
Citizens' Assembly, Gracanica
MESSAGE
TO STATE OFFICIALS OF SERBIA AND SERBIA-MONTENEGRO
Continue directives of premier Djindjic - Insist on full implementation of
Resolution 1244
ERP KIM
Info-Service
Gracanica, April 9, 2003
From state officials of Serbia and the Union of Serbia and Montenegro we
demand:
That the Serbian Government continue directives for Kosovo and Metohija
established by the deceased premier, Dr. Zoran Djindjic.
That they insist more vigorously on the realization and full
implementation of Resolution 1244, as well as all other valid documents on
Kosovo and Metohija.
That the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro
take energetic steps before the Security Council to prevent the violation
of Resolution 1244 and the transfer of authorities of the Special Envoy of
the Secretary-General to provisional institutions of Kosovo and Metohija,
and that it initiate proceedings before the Security Council for the
replacement of Mr. Steiner.
We warn that if this call of the conscience remains "a lone voice crying
in the wilderness", the Serb community retains the right to consider the
act of transfer of authorities to provisional institutions of Kosovo and
Metohija nonbinding. We will express our dissent using all democratic
means, including the holding of public protest gatherings in all locations
in Kosovo and Metohija.
Citizens' Assembly, Gracanica
TOP
BISHOP
ARTEMIJE SUPPORTS AND WELCOMES PROTEST GATHERING IN GRACANICA
I wholeheartedly support protest gatherings in K. Mitrovica and
Gracanica as well as protests soon to be held in other parts of Kosovo and
Metohija. I appeal to Serbs throughout the Province to express their
demands peacefully and with dignity, persisting in their just battle for
their rights and for freedom
TOP
ERP KIM Info-Service
DECANI, April 9, 2003
(PHOTO: Bishop Artemije: Serbian Orthodox
Church supports its people)
 Bishop
Artemije, the chairman of the Serb National Council (SNC) of Kosovo and
Metohija, who was not available to attend today's protest gathering in
Gracanica due to religious duties, sent a message of support for the
determination of the Serbs of Kosovo and Metohija to protest against the
pro-Albanian policies of UNMIK chief Michael Steiner. Bishop Artemije made
a statement for the Raska-Prizren Info Service in Visoki Decani Monastery
with the following message:
"This protest gathering in Gracanica today shows the firm determination of
the Serb people in Kosovo and Metohija to use democratic means to fight
for a free and dignified life, and a society in which the human rights of
all citizens will be honored regardless of their ethnicity. Serbs are in
favor of cooperation with everyone who is working on fulfilling Resolution
1244; however, they can support policies which lead to the disappearance
of the Serbs and the creation of an ethnically pure, Albanian Kosovo,"
said Bishop Artemije.
"The support of the people for the position of the SNC of Kosovo and
Metohija and the SNC of Northern Kosovo, clearly demonstrated at protests
in Kosovska Mitrovica and today in Gracanica, clearly show the prevalent
disposition among Serbs in all parts of the Province. This is also the
clearest message to representatives of the Povratak (Return) Coalition and
the Belgrade authorities that under these conditions it is no longer
possible to participate in the work of institutions which are not working
on implementing Resolution 1244 and the creation of a multiethnic society
but instead on the creation of an independent Kosovo in which there is no
future for Serbs and other non-Albanians.
"At the same time, by their intention to continue protests throughout
Kosovo and Metohija, the SNC of Kosovo and Metohija and the SNC of
Northern Kosovo are determined to insist on the implementation of the same
policies throughout Kosovo and Metohija. The Serbs' democratic fight for
rights does not mean a division of the Province because it should remain
as a whole within Serbia. Demands for proclamation of an independent
Kosovo and Metohija are calls for changes to the international borders of
Serbia and Montenegro and represent a dangerous threat to peace and
stability in the Balkans and in Europe. That is why I wholeheartedly
support protest gatherings in Kosovska Mitrovica and Gracanica as well as
protests soon to be held in other parts of Kosovo and Metohija. I appeal
to Serbs throughout the Province to express their demands peacefully and
with dignity, persisting in their just battle for their rights and for
freedom," said Bishop Artemije in a statement for the ERP Info Service at
Visoki Decani Monastery.
TOP
SERBS OF
CENTRAL KOSOVO DECISIVELY AGAINST STEINER'S POLICY
PEACEFUL PROTEST OF SERBS AGAINST TRANSFER OF UNMIK AUTHORITIES
TOP
KIM Radio
GRACANICA, April 9, 2003
(photo BETA, from the Gracanica protest, APR 9, 2003)
 More
than a thousand Serbs from central Kosovo gathered today in the center of
Gracanica to express their protest against the policies of UNMIK chief
Michael Steiner and his decision to transfer authorities to Kosovo
institutions.
First to address those present was the head of the Serb National Council
of Northern Kosovo, Milan Ivanovic. Ivanovic repeated that after four
years of international presence in Kosovo, the Serb people is still in
exodus. At a time when not one condition for the normal life of Serbs -
the right to work, the right to return by displaced persons, security and
freedom of movement, and revealing the fate of the kidnapped and missing -
has been met, UNMIK chief Michael Steiner is transferring authorities to
Kosovo institutions and aiding the creation of an independent Kosovo, said
Ivanovic. "He turned over the legislative, executive and judicial
government to the Albanians; the only thing left is to create an Albanian
army under the guise of multiethnicity and recognize an independent
Kosovo."
From international representatives we demand full implementation of
Security Council Resolution 1244, especially the part relating to the
return of our army and police in Serb settlements in the Province.
Ivanovic emphasized that the Kosovo Police Service and the Kosovo
Protection Corps can never protect and defend Serbs. Before local
elections were held Steiner promised the Serbs decentralization which has
yet to be implemented. Therefore the Serbs, not only of northern Kosovo
but throughout Kosovo and Metohija, will organize their own elections
where they will elect their own government representatives, said Milan
Ivanovic.
An appeal was sent from the gathering to all Serbs to leave UNMIK's
municipal governments and to Return (Povratak) Coalition deputies to leave
the Kosovo Parliament. It was also emphasized that official state organs
of Serbia and Montenegro need to act more decisively before the
international community in demanding the resolution of the problem of the
south Serbian province, because every delay serves to benefit the
Albanians who desire an independent Kosovo.
 The
vice-chairwoman of the Serb National Council for Central Kosovo, Rada
Trajkovic, emphasized at today's meeting that this is no time for
political marketing. Serbs will hold their own elections throughout Kosovo
where people will elect their leaders and people whom they trust. Today we
are here to say that in Europe and in the Balkans Serbs are being killed
simply for being Serbs, emphasized Trajkovic. Telegrams of support were
read at the gathering from the Association of Students from Kosovo and
Metohija and the Home Threshold (Kucni Prag) Association of Displaced
Serbs in Nis. Alluding to the alleged relationship between Michael Steiner
and his possible marriage with an Albanian woman, one telegram stated that
the UNMIK chief cannot give his Albanian in-laws land which is not his to
give. The protest gathering took place without incident. New meetings have
been scheduled for tomorrow in Leposavic and in one week in Kosovsko
Pomoravlje.
The protest gathering in Gracanica
was attended by almost all representatives of international offices in
Pristina, as well as representatives of KFOR, international and domestic
media. The protest gathering concluded with the lighting of candles in the
church of Gracanica Monastery which for the last four years has been a
symbol of Serb resistance against ethnic cleansing and home in a free and
dignified life (ERP KIM Info Service).
TOP
MASKED PERSONS FIRE
AT POLICE IN VICINITY OF PEC
A
military group called the Albanian National Army (AKSH) have claimed, on
its website as well as in some handouts they delivered in different Kosova
areas, that its members are active in Kosovo too.
TOP
KOSOVALIVE (K/Albanian News Agency)
PRISTINA, APRIL 08
PRISTINA, April 08, 2003 (KosovaLive) – A group of seven or eight masked
and armed persons responded with fire to police yesterday about midnight
in the vicinity of Pec. The incident occurred when the police went to
investigate the establishment of an illegal checkpoint that citizens had
reported.
Police spokesperson, Derek Chappell, specified that the event occurred
yesterday at about 11:30pm in a village near Pec. "Police received a
report of 6 or 7 armed and masked men on a road in a rural area of the
Peja Region. Officers were able to arrive on the scene very quickly," said
Chappell.
According to him, the suspects fled when they saw the police vehicles.
"Despite numerous shots fired by the suspects, officers pursued them
across fields for approximately one kilometer. Unfortunately, the gunmen
were able to escape in the darkness," he said.
Police said they are still looking for these suspects and that they will
arrest them when they locate them.
"We do not know exactly what these men were planning to do late at night
on an empty road. Perhaps they were bandits. Perhaps they planned to
conduct an illegal checkpoint. Perhaps this handful of people thinks of
themselves as a "secret army". Whatever they were planning to do was
illegal and was stopped by the police before it started", said Chappell.
The KPS and UNMIK police that went to the scene are not sure whether the
bandits were wearing military uniforms or not. According to Chappell, the
police noticed that they were wearing dark clothes, but they did not
notice any identifying insignias.
A military group called the Albanian National Army (AKSH) have claimed, on
its website as well as in some handouts they delivered in different Kosova
areas, that its members are active in Kosovo too.
UNMIK spokesperson, Simon Haselock, said, however, that it is not
difficult for some men to establish a checkpoint and to stop and check 4
or 5 vehicles in order to "incite rumors among the population and to make
an impression that there is something more significant happening than
there really is".
Also KFOR officials said that their investigative services have no
information of militarily organized groups acting here, as the AKSH
claims.
"The fact that some armed men put on masks and stopped vehicles does not
necessarily show the existence of armed factions," said Haselock.
During the past weeks, KFOR has arrested at least four people who
"threaten the peace and security in Kosovo". They gave no details,
however, regarding on what legal grounds the people, that are being
detained at the Bondsteel military base, have been arrested. (f.osmani)
===============
MEDIA MONITORING REPORT FROM K/ALBANIAN PRESS, 9 APR:
MASKED PEOPLE
EXCHANGE FIRE WITH POLICE IN RZNIC, DECANI
Armed people have exchanged fire on Monday evening with the international
police and KPS. They responded to calls of some people who informed them
of operations of people with masks in their village. The incident happened
in Pec region, but international police gave no other details about the
place. While the international police in Pristina talked according to the
formula ‘no name, no place’, police in Pec made known that the village
where police had to intervene was Rznic, 8 km from Decani. It was said
that the KPS were 40 meters away from the masked people but police still
does not know their identity. KFOR, Spanish police special unit, security
team and other forces went to the scene on Monday evening.
One day after
this event, the international police or KFOR could not identify these
people or find their possible connections with any illegal organisation.
"Police officers were able to react quickly at the scene and the suspected
escaped as soon as they saw the police coming," UNMIK police spokesperson
Derek Chappell, said. According to him, despite many shootings coming from
the suspects, police officers have followed them for almost one km in the
field. "Unfortunately, they managed to escape in the dark. We are still
looking for these suspects and we will arrest them," he added. No
casualties were reported. "We don’t know precisely what these people
intended to do late at night in an empty street. Perhaps they were
gangsters, perhaps they intended to set up an illegal checkpoint; perhaps
this fist of people think that this is "a secret army." Whatever they had
planned to do, they were prevented to do it by the police," he added. KFOR
officials, who continuously say that they take security very seriously,
say that they consider these as "criminal acts" but know nothing about the
motives that lead people to take such ways. "We do not know anything about
the motives because we have not caught them,"
KFOR
spokesperson Garry Bannister-Green said yesterday. For the moment, KFOR is
detaining four people in the American camp ‘Bondsteel’ with the
justification that "they are threat to the safe and secure environment."
"Because of security and their families, we will not give any specific
detail about what they are accused of, or any personal detail about them,
he said. (All K-wide broadcasters, newspapers, primary source Zeri & TV
21)
FROM OFFICIAL POLICE REPORTS:
ARMED & MASKED MEN
Last night at about 23:00h, police received a report of 6 or 7 armed and
masked men on a road in a rural area of Pec/Peja Region. Officers were
able to respond to the scene very quickly and the suspects fled when they
saw the police vehicles. Despite numerous shots fired by the suspects,
officers pursued them across the fields for approximately one kilometre.
Unfortunately, they were able to escape in the darkness. We are still
looking for these suspects and we will arrest them when we locate them.
We do not know exactly what these men were planning to do late at night on
an empty road. Perhaps they were bandits. Perhaps they planned to conduct
an illegal checkpoint. Perhaps this handful of people thinks it is a
"secret army". Whatever they were planning to do was illegal and was
stopped by the police before it started.
================
Rznic village, Decani -
07/04 - 2230 hrs. A male informed Police that he saw about ten
unidentified masked men wearing military uniform and armed with AK 47
rifles blocking the road. Police responded to the scene and suspects on
sighting the Police team fired several shots in the air and escaped. No
injury reported.
================
KOHA
DITORE ON APPEARANCE OF ARMED AND MASKED ALBANIAN EXTREMISTS IN DECANI
MUNICIPALITY
KOHA
DITORE, Pristina daily in Albanian (Front Page)
April 03,
2003
The
sickness of his four-year nephew made Nezir from the village of Llukë,
Decan, to travel to a neighbouring village at 3 a clock in the morning. He
never experienced what his co-villagers spoke about the way he had to
travel. "They were masked and uniformed. They were five and were armed,"
said Nezir. Masked people stopped the car with which they were travelling.
"They just asked me who I am and where we are going. I told that that we
were going to see a doctor and then they left us." […]
Even though there are not many cases reported at the police station in
Decan, residents of the villages of Lluke, Pozhare, Lumbardh…speak with
low voices about meeting with uniformed and masked people, especially
during the last two-three weeks. Local government and political parties in
Decan say that there is no need for masked people, but they do not exclude
the possibility that they came from political groups. A source close to
the Albanian National Army said that there is no need for them to appear
in this region. "It has been said in Decan that masked and uniformed
people have started to appear. Also, I have information that these people
did not make evil things. I have never met them," said Ibrahim Selmanaj,
the president of Decan municipality. "However, the fact itself that they
are masked is not ok. I see no need for their existence," said Selmanaj.
The police are very limited in giving any information because of
investigations. "We are aware that masked people terrorise people," said
Bobby Baeker, the chief of investigation unit at the police station in
Decan. "The thing is that we posses more unofficial information than
direct ones as it was the case of last week when these people stopped and
identified a person. People do not report much cases," said Bob
Richardson, the chief of Peja regional police.
TOP
FIRST CHARGES AGAINST ANA
MEMBERS
It is also the first time that the international officials affirm the
existence and activity of ANA (Albanian National Army) in Kosovo,
naturally through a court, although so far UNMIK police and KFOR
representatives denied to have proof on ANA existence in Kosovo
TOP
KOHA
DITORE, Pristina daily in Albanian (Front Page)
April 09,
2003
The international prosecutor accuses Naser Azemin, Gazmend Zeqirin and
Feriz Deliun from municipality of Vitia, of terrorist activity within
Albanian National Army known as ANA.
The three accused are charged with being members or leaders of ANA, which
is qualified as armed extremist group. Such nature of ANA is confirmed by
ANA general regulation, which was found at one of accused and the list
with 38 names.
It is the first time that in the courts in Kosovo a charge is raised
against ANA suspicious members. It is also the first time that the
international officials affirm the existence and activity of ANA in
Kosovo, naturally through a court, although so far UNMIK police and KFOR
representatives denied to have proof on ANA existence in Kosovo.
TOP
TWO
ALBANIANS ATTACK SERB IN GORAZDEVAC WITH KNIFE AND INFLICT FACIAL INJURIES
After a brief conversation one of the two Albanians suddenly jabbed at
Svetislav Simonovic with a knife, wounding him in the face. The Albanians
immediately fled the scene in their vehicle
TOP
ERP KIM Info Service
Pec, April 8, 2003
Last night, April 7, at 21:45 Svetislav Simonovic (40), a Serb man from
the village of Gorazdevac in Pec municipality was attacked by two
Albanians with a knife, wounding him in the face. After receiving first
aid in the primary medical care facility in Gorazdevac, Simonovic is
recovering and not in life-threatening danger. The attack was also
confirmed by the UNMIK police in today's report which gives, however, no
information regarding the ethnicity of the victim and the attackers, nor
other details regarding the incident.
According to local Serb sources in Gorazdevac Simonovic was returning home
via the main road at approximately 21:30 when a car stopped beside him.
Inside were two Albanian men who said they were Elektrokosovo workers and
began to ask questions regarding purported problems with the nearby
electrical distribution station. After a brief conversation one of the two
Albanians suddenly jabbed at Simonovic with a knife, wounding him in the
face. The Albanians immediately fled the scene in their vehicle. The
Simonovic family reported the incident to UNMIK police and KFOR.
The ERP KIM Info Service has learned that today a meeting was held in
Gorazdevac where local Serbs from the village expressed great concern as a
result of this most recent attack. Albanians have unchecked freedom of
movement along the main road which passes through the village even though
Serbs have not been able to leave the immediate area of the village in
safety for the past four years.
According to unconfirmed reports the two attackers were taken to the
police station in Pec and released after brief questioning. An UNMIK
representative informed local Serbs they can file a court complaint.
=====
From the UNMIK police report of April 8:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
Gorazdevac village, Pec - 07/04 - 2145 hrs. A male informed Police that he
was assaulted and stabbed in the face by two known males. Victim conveyed
to the hospital and treated. No arrest made.
TOP
NEW
HOPE FOR DISPLACED PERSONS FROM KOSOVO AND METOHIJA
RETURNS IN SPRING -
Well thought
out and organized return to village of Novake near Prizren should serve as
a model for all of Kosovo and Metohija says Nenad Radosavljevic
TOP
Politika
Daily, Belgrade
April 6, 2003
by Stana Ristic
"The return of 62 Serb families to the village of Novake near Prizren
should serve as a model for all of Kosovo and Metohija. There was good
preparation and good organization of returns in Novake. The first
returnees, a total of 40, came in early spring. They have been housed in
the rebuilt school building. An electrical distribution station has been
built and they have electricity. The first fields have been plowed and
sown. The houses under construction should be finished in June. That's
when the first families are expected to move in. In fall the children
would start school. This would be the first year of sustainable returns in
Novake," says Nenad Radosavljevic, advisor to UN special representative
Michael Steiner for returns.
What's new about Novake returns
Funds for returns to Novake in the amount of one million and three hundred
thousand euros came from the German government. The location was carefully
selected. The village has 450 hectares [1,125 acres] of very fertile land
which can be irrigated. There are vineyards which are neglected but can be
restored. Albanian Catholics, who are not extremely disposed toward the
Serbs, live in the surrounding villages.
It is interesting, according to Radosavljevic, that the neighboring
Albanians, former good neighbors of the farmers of Novake, lent the
tractors to plow the first fields in Novake region. A German unit of KFOR
ensured that the farmers' safety was at the necessary level. A German
construction company was hired to build 62 houses in two months. The first
returnees will be among those employed in the construction work. According
to Radosavljevic, these are chiefly young and healthy people. They have
the will and energy. They know what they want and they want to work. They
will receive wages from the German company for their work on building
houses. This is very important. From the very first days of their return,
these people begin to live from their own work. This kind of return makes
sense.
The returnees also have a van to go to Strpce for shopping. Even in
Prizren the atmosphere is more normal than in other urban centers in
Kosovo and Metohija. Muslims, Goranis and Turks are all living here... It
is not unusual for Serbian to be spoken.... German KFOR units announced
the return of Serbs to Novake to their neighbors as early as last year.
The Germans made it clear, as they know how to do, what would happen - and
it did. There were no unpleasant surprises.
In Radosavljevic's opinion, the Novake return project has a real chance of
success.
The sooner, the better
Not far from Prizren, in the Zupa Valley, return projects are planned for
Gornje Selo, Musnikovo, Sredska and the surrounding settlements. Recently
Michael Steiner and associates visited the town of Prizren and the
surrounding area. For the first time Steiner stated publicly that Serbs
have every right to return where they lived prior to 1999. There are many
factors on which Serb returns to Kosovo and Metohija depend but the most
important is the attitude of KFOR and UNMIK. Steiner's statement in
Prizren and KFOR's engagement in the village of Novake, says
Radosavljevic, should serve as confirmation of the intent to make the
return process better organized than before, to increase the numbers of
people returning and to make it sustainable.
By its nature the return process is complex and involves the participation
of UNMIK, KFOR, donors and NGO's as the organizers and in some places the
executors of the project, as well as municipal commissions, regional and
main task groups which approve the realization of the project. At the last
meeting of the main task group 12 projects were proposed but only three
were accepted. These were two projects for Roma returns and one for Serb
returns, to Novo Selo near Vucitrn.
Based on this, says Radosavljevic, it would be easy to conclude that the
work of the main task group for returns is not very effective. However, he
reminds us, the process is being worked out and the meetings of the main
task group are held, in principle, once every two weeks. At the next
meeting, more than 20 new projects throughout Kosovo and Metohija will be
presented to the members of the task group. It's important, says
Radosavljevic, that viable projects are approved at the meetings of the
main task group, that existing problems are pointed out and that "those
responsible are empowered to resolve them" instead of the programs being
delayed due to bizarre and easily resolved problems.
Radosavljevic cites the example of the program for returns to the villages
of Siga, Brestovik and Ljevos funded by the Italian government. Now there
is supposedly a dilemma whether the money should be "directed" to UNMIK so
it can choose the construction companies which are to build houses and
infrastructure in these villages, or whether it will go through NGO's, or
whether the Italians themselves will engage the contractors.
Of course, funds are necessary to realize the return process. It was said
that after the November donors' meeting in Brussels that at least 32
million euros will be spend this year on returns.
It should be added that this year will be the first in a new cycle of
return programs to be realized with funds approved by the U.S. Congress.
It is expected to approve, in addition to the existing five million
dollars, an additional eight. However, the U.S. is advocating so-called
"spontaneous individual returns". This approach, in Radosavljevic's
opinion, needs to be adjusted to concrete conditions in Kosovo and
Metohija, and the money invested in programs which can realistically be
realized in a reasonable period. This will be discussed and agreed upon
with NGO's and other organizations implementing programs using funds from
the U.S. Congress.
TOP
BALKAN
LEADERS IN BELGRADE PLEDGE TO WORK TOGETHER ON THEIR COMMON PATH TOWARDS
EU
The leaders
underlined that the regional stability and cooperation have been
consolidated and advanced, and stress the need of respecting the
principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful solution of
all the disputes. The Declaration points to the importance of respect of
Dayton-Paris agreement and the Resolutions 1244 and 1345 of the United
Nations Security Council that have been estimated as documents of vital
relevance for the stability in the region.
TOP
Radio
Yugoslavia
BELGRADE, April 9, 2003
(photo: Balkan leaders
trace new road towards Euro-Atlantic integrations)
 The
Sixth Summit of the Process of Cooperation of South-Eastern Europe, at
which the leaders of Balkan countries are to have talks on the promotion
of cooperation in the region, has begun in Belgrade. The summir is
attended by heads of states or governments of eight Process member-states
and by representatives of the EU, OSCE, NATO and the Stability Pact for
South-Eastern Europe. Serbia and Montenegro President Svetozar Marovic
said in his opening address that the summit was the best confirmation of
the progress achieved in the region, but that there was much else to do on
the course of South-Eastern Europe towards Euro-Atlantic integrations. The
Belgrade meeting rounds off the one-year chairmanship of Serbia and
Montenegro over the Cooperation Process and the Balkan leaders are to
enact the Belgrade declaration, the text of which has been harmonized
these days.
The chiefs of states or governments of the countries of the Process of
Cooperation in the South-Eastern Europe, adopted at the end of their
summit in Belgrade, a Declaration in which they point out to the necessity
of fight against the organized crime for preservation of peace and
stability in the region. The participants of the summit welcomed the
efforts of the government of Serbia to continue the reform process. They
underline that the regional stability and cooperation have been
consolidated and advanced, and stress the need of respecting the
principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful solution of
all the disputes. The Declaration points to the importance of respect of
Dayton-Paris agreement and the Resolutions 1244 and 1345 of the United
Nations Security Council that have been estimated as documents of vital
relevance for the stability in the region. The document insists also on
the necessity of full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, including
arranging that all the indictees for war crimes are obliged to face the
justice.
 The
historical process of unification of Europe cannot be finalized until all
countries of the Balkans are not admitted into the European Union without
any conditionalities - declared the President of Serbia and Montenegro,
Svetozar Marovic, after the closing of the Belgrade summit of chiefs of
states or governments of the countreis of the region. Marovic pointed out
that this gathering represented a strong incentive for the continuation of
cooperation in joint efforts for an early association with the European
integrations. The Chair of the European Union, Greek Prime Minister Costas
Tsimitis stressed the importance of fight against the organized crime
adding that the Balkan countries had to make an additional effort in order
to achieve the standards necessary for the membership in the Union.
TOP
SERBIA -
MONTENEGRO: STATE PRIORITY ADMISSION TO THE PARNERSHIP FOR PEACE PROGRAM
ERP KIM info service subarticle
TOP
Radio
Yugoslavia
April 9,
2003
Serbia and Montenegro Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic and the personal
envoy of the NATO Secretary General, Gunther Altenburg, emphasized in
talks in Belgrade that one of the priorities of the state union’s foreign
policy was admission to the Partnership for Peace programme. As announced,
Svilanovic and Altenburg concluded that admission of Serbia and Montenegro
to the Partnership for Peace programme would help the stabilization of the
situation in the region.
TOP
RADIO YUGOSLAVIA: PRESS REPORT (KOSOVO AND METOHIJA)
TOP
Radio
Yugoslavia
April 9,
2003
All local media report today about the forming in Kosovo-Metohija of the
Council for the Transfer of Competences from UNMIK onto Kosmet
Institutions, in spite of the opposition by minority Serbs. More in the
Press Review.
DANAS:
TRANSFER OF AUTHORITIES COMMENCED
The DANAS daily writes that the Council for the transfer of some
competences from UNMIK onto provisional Kosovo institutions, met yesterday
in Pristina, which marked the official beginning of the process of
granting wider competences to the Kosovo government. New competences
transferred onto Kosovo institutions encompass economy and economic
activities, while special rights in the field of foreign affairs and
security remain in the competence of UNMIK Head Michael Steiner.
POLITIKA:
NO SERB MINISTERS IN THE COUNCIL FOR TRANSFER OF AUTHORITIES
On this occasion the POLITIKA daily quotes that the Council for the
Transfer of Competences consists of 7 representatives from both UNMIK and
the Government of Kosovo. There are no Serbian ministers in the Council,
as they stated they did not wish to contribute to the sliding of Kosovo
towards independence by taking part in that body, and added that in
present circumstances, competences were de facto being transferred onto
Albanians.
GLAS:
BELGRADE ANNOUNCES APPEAL TO THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL
Under the title BELGRADE ANNOUNCES APPEAL TO THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL,
today’s GLAS daily writes that the Government of Serbia will
address a request to the world organization to make an early analysis of
the events in Kosovo- Metohija and return the current processes within the
scope of the UN Resolution 1244. The daily quotes that in this moment
there are no conditions for the transfer of competences onto Kosmet
institutions, because the process of the return of Serbs and
non-Albanians, expelled after the arrival of the international peace
mission in June 1999, has not been realized yet. Also, neither safety nor
freedom of move have been secured for minority national communities, and
provisional institutions which are to take over additional competences,
are neither competent nor multi-ethnic, emphasize Kosmet Serbs.
NOVICKI:
HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION BELOW EVERY MINIMUM
In favour of this is also the statement of Marek Novitzki, the ombudsman
for Kosovo-Metohija, who stated that the situation in the province in the
field of human rights was below every minimum, quote local press. Novitzki
stated that Serbs were not safe, had no freedom of move, neither other
conditions for a normal life, and human rights of other minority
communities in Kosmet were imperilled, too. The Ombudsman emphasized that
the responsibility for such situation was on the UN Mission in Kosmet and
the provisional provincial institutions. The admission of Serbia and
Montenegro into the Council of Europe, made Kosovo a territorial part of
this international association, said Novitzki, assessing that until the
final solution of the status of Kosovo-Metohija, the filed of human rights
remains, primarily, the obligation of UNMIK.
ALBANIANS
ATTACK SERB IN GORAZDEVAC:
The press also writes about the new act of violence in Kosovo-Metohija,
where, in the Serb village of Gorazdevac, in the vicinity of Pec, a group
of Albanians attacked Svetislav Simonovic and stubbed him with a knife. He
was given medical assistance by doctors of the Italian KFOR whose troops
secure the village, and they detected he had been stubbed 5 times. After
that, the villagers gathered in the center of that Serb enclave in the
Municipality of Pec, in order to protest against the attack on their
fellow villager.
At the same time, dailies write that on the occasion of the decision of
UNMIK Head on the transfer of competences onto provisional Kosovo
institutions, Kosovo Serbs announced a massive protest to be held today in
Gracanica.
TOP
ERP KIM
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