[ALBSA-Info] {QIKSH «ALBEUROPA»} NEWS: KosovaLive, 2 February 2001

[Wolfgang Plarre]

KosovaLive, 2 February 2001
http://www.kosovalive.com/english/latest.htm

News Edition - February 2 

KFOR ARRESTED TWO MORE ALBANIANS  SUSPECTED OF BEING UCPMB MEMBERS

Prishtina, Feb. 2 (KosovaLive)
KFOR soldiers arrested two Albanians on Thursday as they tried to cross
the Kosova-Serbia border illegally, said KFOR spokesman Steven Shappell
on Friday. The men were stopped in the vicinity of the village of
Karaqeva e Eperme.
    According to Shappell, the two individuals were under suspicion of
being members of the Liberation Army for Presheva, Medvegje and Bujanoc
(UCPMB).
    Shappell stated that, after their arrest, the men were taken to the
prison at the American Camp Bondsteel near Ferizaj. The incident is
under investigation.
    KFOR spokesman Richard Kussak told KosovaLive that a total of 75
Albanians have been arrested attempting to cross the Kosova-Serbia
border illegally. They are being held in detention at Camp Bondsteel,
while the investigations into their cases are still ongoing. (bf)

ALBANIAN PARLAIMENT: CHANGES IN SERBIAN POWER HAVE NOT CHANGED STAND
TOWARD KOSOVA

Tirana, Feb. 02 (KosovaLive)
The Albanian Parliament expressed great concern Thursday about the
situation in Kosova. During a plenary session, representatives of the
Commission for Foreign Policy of the Albanian Assembly stated that "the
intransigent policy of Belgrade and its secret service is particularly
evident in Mitrovica and the Presheva Valley, where massive
displacements of Albanians are being seen. Many other issues that remain
without answers, such as the release of prisoners and accounting for the
3,400 missing Albanians, make the situation even more difficult."
    The Commission for Foreign Policy also said that "there is reason
for thinking that the change of government in Belgrade is not bringing
the expected changes to the Serb stand toward Kosova. This declaration
emphasizes that the U.N. must end the division of Mitrovica in
accordance with the 1244 U.N. Resolution, which insures that the Kosovar
Albanians return to their homes and remain free within their homes.
    "Military and paramilitary forces should be removed from the
Presheva Valley immediately. This area should be under the observation
of international human rights organizations, which should recognize the
Albanians right of local governance, based on the standards for
minorities, as the only way to peace." (ap)

INSECURITY PUSHES FOREIGN INVESTORS AWAY, SAYS AMERICAN DIPLOMAT MARESCA

Prishtina, Feb. 2 (KosovaLive)
Kosova has excellent businessmen and good products, which could be sold
outside of the region, but work is needed in this direction so that the
products can be offered for sale, U.S. Ambassador John Maresca told
KosovaLive during his five-day visit to Kosova.
    The former advisor for international corporations said that the aim
of his visit was to get as close as possible to Kosovar businesspeople,
in order to determine the possibilities for cooperating with foreign
businesses.
    Ambassador Maresca said that he met with many Albanian
businesspeople, as well as with representatives of foreign offices in
Kosova and with UNMIK officials during his visit.
    "With each of the businessmen and others that I met, I was satisfied
with their ideas," he said, adding that Kosova has a hard-working
population and good leaders.
    According to the ambassador, an issue that most certainly needs a
solution is the security issue. "It is important that we have security
here, because news such as the news from Mitrovica drives away foreign
investors," Maresca said.
    He added that Kosova is now facing many problems. "One of Kosova's
main problems is the lack of widespread acceptance of the banking system
in Kosova, which needs a lot of work. Moreover, a way must be found to
foster cooperation between foreign and local public organizations. Above
everything, there must the rule of law in Kosova, as the absence of law
drives investors away from Kosova," Maresca said. (bf)

THREE ALBANIANS INJURED BY AN EXPLOSION IN VITIA

Prishtina, Feb. 2 (KosovaLive)
Three Albanians were injured in an explosion in the town of Vitia
Thursday, in a building abandoned by the Serbs, according to a statement
by KFOR spokesman Steven Shappel on Friday.
    Shappel said that two women were injured and a young boy's ear drum
was damaged by the noise from the explosiion. Shappel added that the
injured were sent to the Vitia hospital for treatment.
    American KFOR soldiers arrested four people in relation to the
incident, but it was reported that all four were released after a
preliminary investigation. (bf)

SUFFICIENT ELECTRICITY IS BEING PRODUCED BUT THE PROBLEM LIES IN
DISTRIBUTION, SAYS KEK

Prishtina, Feb. 2 (KosovaLive)
Kosova Electrical Company authorities said on Friday that the
electricity supply remains the same in Kosova.
    "Both power stations are working and 240 megawatts are being
imported from Bulgaria. Another 35 megawatts of electricity are being
produced at the power station of Ujemani. Load-shedding remains
unchanged when the generators are overloaded by consumers' use of power,
whereas load-shedding decreases with the decrease in overload," KEK's
Director of Information Fadil Lepaja told KosovaLive.
    According to Lepaja, approximately 700 megawatts of electricity are
available in Kosova at present, but the obstacle to distribution of the
power lies with the damaged generators of the Kosova B power station.
"Even if there is enough electricity, adequate distribution cannot take
place until the generators are repaired," said Lapaja. (au) 


Friday's Press Review

Western diplomatic circles told Zeri that after the visit of Kosova's
Head Administrator Hans Haekkerup to the U.S. and his meetings with high
U.S. officials, he was convinced that Kosova must hold the elections as
soon as possible. On his return from the United States, Hekkerup had a
diplomatic tour to Western European countries where the American rush
was substituted with a tardiness and caution concerning the holding of
the general elections. Therefore, if America suggested to Haekkerup that
the elections should be held promptly, he received a message of caution
and discomfort.
The main reason for the discomfort of Western Europe, writes Zeri's
publisher and editor-in-chief, Blerim Shala, relates to the conclusions
that the forming of a strong administration of the Kosovars in all
levels, will no doubt, clear the road toward Kosova's prompt
independence. This makes Kosova's thoroughly meaningful democratization
and the genuine administration exclude not only Serbia but also the West
regarding Kosova's position on its final status. Another concern for the
West is the present situation of Kostunica and the new Serb
administration created after the incidents in October of last year.
Therefore, some European capitals estimate that Kostunica's position
should not be weakened or damaged in the coming months. The prompt
holding of Kosova's general elections and Montenegro's eventual
referendum for defining the Serb-Montenegro relations, are analyzed as
serious blows perhaps irreparable for Kostunica who is often in Belgrade
compared to Gorbachov in the 1988-1991 period of the Soviet Union,
losing the state (Soviet Union) while trying to reform the central
authority in Moscow.
It is important to say, writes Shala, that this particular position of
the main Western European countries, is in fact, in contradiction with
the 1244 U.N. Security Council Resolution and the principles of the G8
(seven industrial countries + Russia), approved in Tokyo last year.
According to the Tokyo principles and the 1244 U.N. Resolution, the
creation of a democratic authority in Kosova cannot be conditioned by
the regime in Belgrade and beside the notifying of Belgrade, UNMIK has
no obligation in even consulting with Belgrade on the progress of the
process, which does not address the issue of Kosova's final status.
While the West hesitates to support June as the date for the general
elections, the U.S., respectively its Ambassador to the U.N., Richard
Holbrooke, gives signs that the issue of Kosova's final status must also
be hurried up. Holbrooke was the first to initiate the idea of an
international conference regarding Kosova's long-term status. Those who
are acquainted with Holbrooke's unordinary diplomacy, say that beside
other matters, the American Ambassador intended to remind the West that
the Kosovar issue cannot be solved through the regime in Belgrade and
that the matter cannot be left aside or ignored, as it is a source of
constant tensions in the region.

Koha Ditore, on the other hand, comments on what its editor-in-chief
Baton Haxhiu calls "Clashes of the two illusions in Mitrovica." He
writes that the international community cannot have two solutions for
the same problem. Prison for the members of the Liberation Army of
Presheva, Medvegje and Bujanoc (UCPMB) and tolerance for the Serb
soldiers in Mitrovica. The Americans finish their job, whereas the
French forces trick the political process. This is the worst message for
the tense situation, the future and stability of the region. Therefore,
the same solution is needed for both situations - demilitarization and
inter-communication in the political process of the solution. But
Presheva was neglected this time. What should be done regarding
Mitrovica?
Firstly what should be done is the forming of multinational troops for
Mitrovica. This is the answer for the Albanians and Serbs in both sides
of Mitrovica. It is a serious problem fighting two created realities on
both sides of the Iber River and two other illusions created because of
the institutional vacuum in Kosova since Kouchner left Kosova.
The first Albanian illusion is the immediate departure of Serbs and the
immediate control of Kosova by the Albanian majority in Mitrovica, while
the second Serb illusion is to re-establish Serb authority in Kosova,
meaning Serb police and army and the failure of peace mission. None can
be achieved at the moment. Both illusions have the same common
denominator against them - the 1244 U.N. Resolution.

An idea for the solution of the problem in Northern Mitrovica should be
found. All the Serbs in the Northern part of Mitrovica who are not from
the North should go back to their houses in Serbia or within Kosova. All
the Albanians and others that are from the North of Mitrovica and who
are scattered within Kosova and abroad, should return to their homes,
considers Haxhiu. We should start with an idea of tolerance and strategy
for Mitrovica.


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