From mentor at alb-net.com Mon Aug 5 06:53:33 2002 From: mentor at alb-net.com (Mentor Cana) Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2002 06:53:33 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [NYC-L] [Kcc-News] KOSOVO BRACED FOR ECONOMIC DOWNTURN Message-ID: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> READ & DISTRIBUTE FURTHER <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- IWPR'S BALKAN CRISIS REPORT, No. 354, July 31, 2002 ****************** VISIT IWPR ON-LINE: www.iwpr.net **************** KOSOVO BRACED FOR ECONOMIC DOWNTURN As the situation in Kosovo stabilises international organisations are going elsewhere leaving unemployment in their wake By Nehat Islami in Pristina Edmond Syla, a 24-year-old Kosovo Albanian from Pristina, recently lost his job with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, UNMIK, as a result of cost-cutting measures. The Pristina resident, who had worked as a driver for the largest UN mission in the world for two years, heard the news on July 16. There is little hope that he will get a more work soon as he joins an estimated four thousand local and foreign employees let go by such international organisations. One after the other, NGOs are shutting up shop in the province - the World Food Programme, among the area's biggest donors, closed its Pristina office in June. Such groups are one of the primary sources of employment and consumer spending in Kosovo and there are fears the closures and sackings will leave the local economy in tatters. The departure of Serb forces from Kosovo in June 1999 and its new status as an international protectorate under UNMIK control saw more than one thousand non-governmental organisations pouring in and providing employment for 50,000 locals. UN administrator in Kosovo Michael Steiner estimates that during this period overseas donors have pumped over two billion euros into the province. However, as the situation stabilises and attention turns to new conflicts emerging around the world, some international organisations are leaving or devolving work to local groups. It's estimated that some 3,000 people in the NGO sector will lose their jobs by the end of the year. The new fiscal year, which begins in July, will see 61 million US dollars slashed from UNMIK's annual budget, which last year stood at over five times that amount, according to the institution's finance department. The 40,000 KFOR soldiers from 38 countries who have proved a powerful consumer force in Kosovo are also set to see their number substantially reduced. Commanders have spoken of rationalisations - and its already been announced that the Bondsteel base in the south-east of protectorate is to lose 8,000 servicemen. UNMIK spokesperson Susan Manuel says the reduction in the administration's workforce would affect all areas of Kosovo, with a 15 per cent cut by the end of September. Of the 900 OSCE employees present in 1999, spokesperson Svin Lindholm says only slightly more than 400 now remain. Further drastic lay-offs will follow the province's local elections, expected in autumn, say informed sources. Probably one of the only sectors witnessing an increase in employment is Kosovo's multi-ethnic police force, which currently numbers around 5000. The force works alongside UNMIK's international police, and in exceptional circumstances KFOR, but is gradually gaining more independence. Otherwise, there is widespread gloom surrounding the departure of foreigners with local experts claiming unemployment has already topped 57 per cent. Economic giants during the time of former Yugoslavia such as the Trepca metallurgic company and the local textile industry, which used to employ around 30,000 people, are still not in operation. Those employed in the state sector, meanwhile, receive an average monthly salary of only 150 euros per month, forcing many to take on two jobs. Directly hit by the NGO cutbacks are workers like interpreters, drivers, security guards and the like, but they've also worried small business owners such as restaurateurs, hotel operators, landlords and taxi drivers, with many already feeling the consequences. Gani Sopi has lived well for the last two years renting his Pristina house to foreigners. But despite halving the monthly rent to 1500 euros, it now lies empty like many others in cities throughout Kosovo. Ramiz Muharremi from Prizren told IWPR that his salary as an interpreter for an NGO allowed him to support his family and save something for the repair of the family house damaged during the war. However, things have changed drastically since his job was declared "surplus to requirements" this spring and he is now a seller at a vegetable market, flicking futilely through newspapers each day for jobs requiring foreign language skills. Urosevac, a town in southern Kosovo, which was at one time an attractive business centre, saw its economy largely destroyed during the conflict. It underwent something of a revival when around 5,000 of its residents were employed at Bondsteel, but now many of them could lose their jobs. Philosophical, the father of a worker at the base told IWPR, "It has fed half the town in a direct and indirect way. We will be grateful for it until the end of our lives." Gezim Murati, an economics graduate from Pec, says the rationalisation hitting the protectorate was only to be expected once it began to stabilise. He believes there will be a tough period ahead, exacerbated by the international administration's delay in introducing privatisation that could stimulate growth. As aid levels decrease, the question also remains whether Kosovo will succeed in attracting foreign investment, with one of the major preconditions being a stable political and security situation. Some hope that Albanians from the diaspora might start investing in the local economy. Ismail Kastrati, president of Kosovo's chamber of commerce, warns that if money doesn't start coming in soon there could be social unrest. "The world should give us its support by opening credits for small and middle size businesses which would create additional income and generate new jobs," he appealed. Nehat Islami is IWPR's representative in Kosovo ______________________________________________________________ If you wish to unsubscribe, send a blank message to: kcc-news-unsubscribe at alb-net.com , or visit KCC-NEWS's page at: http://www.alb-net.com/mailman/listinfo/kcc-news From mentor at alb-net.com Fri Aug 16 15:29:54 2002 From: mentor at alb-net.com (Mentor Cana) Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2002 15:29:54 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [NYC-L] [Kcc-News] NAAC, Disturbed by UNMIK Bias, Calls for Calm (fwd) Message-ID: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> READ & DISTRIBUTE FURTHER <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- National Albanian American Council 2021 L Street, N.W., Suite 402, Washington, DC 20036 481 8th Avenue, Suite 922, New York, NY 10001 Brigada e Krajishtes, No. 8, 38000 Prishtina, Kosova Telephone: (202) 466-6900 Fax: (202) 466-5593 Web: http://www.naac.org Email: naac at naac.org ________________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release: August 15, 2002 Contact: Valbona Sherifi (202) 466-6900 PRESS RELEASE NAAC, Disturbed by UNMIK Bias, Calls for Calm Washington, DC, August 15, 2002: The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) issued the following statement regarding the recent developments in Kosova. The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) is deeply disturbed by the recent events in Kosova and the undeniable pattern of bias displayed by UNMIK against Albanian Kosovars. NAAC fears that UNMIK is succumbing to the pressures of those nations that allied themselves with the aggressors during the recent wars and who are attempting to discredit Kosova and her institutions' rightful claim to independence. Over the last two months the United Nations Mission in Kosova (UNMIK) has engaged in a rash of arrests of former Kosova Liberation Army leaders totaling nearly sixty in all. Most recently, the campaign was intensified through a series of arrests culminating in the public arrest of one of the principle former KLA figures and the indictment of a prominent Kosovar politician for "endangering the safety of others." These actions by UNMIK are taking place at a time when Serb war criminals, responsible for engaging in genocide, ethnic cleansing, murder and rape, are allowed to openly stroll the streets of northern Mitrovica, a Kosovar region which falls under UNMIK jurisdiction pursuant to U.N. Resolution 1244. Furthermore, UNMIK permits some of these same criminals to defiantly thwart UNMIK authority and control access to Mitrovica, through the establishment of their own "check-point controls" on the Iber River Bridge. This situation has existed for over three years and continues to be a principal cause of destabilization in Kosova. NAAC calls on UNMIK to carry a fair and just process and become even handed in its prosecution of suspected criminals. "We support the arrest and prosecution of any individual suspected of crime, particularly a war crime. However, UNMIK has demonstrated a strong bias with a clear pattern of arrests of Albanian leaders in Kosova. An indictment against an individual for endangerment in the face of war criminals walking freely in Mitrovica demonstrates poor prioritization. Furthermore, the removal of detainees to a prison in Serbian controlled Mitrovica is not only ill conceived, but an open insult to all those who fought for freedom, including NATO forces and Albanians everywhere." stated Executive Director Martin Vulaj. The recent arrests have resulted in the people of Decan and other areas taking to the streets in protest, which led to injuries to both Kosovars and UNMIK police. Kosovars have a proud tradition of peaceful protest. NAAC supports the right to protest, but calls for calm and for the Kosovars to engage their leaders and utilize their institutions to reach a resolution of the present situation. NAAC further urges the United States Government to utilize its influence as a credible broker to pressure UNMIK to display fairness and restraint. ** The National Albanian American Council ("NAAC") is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocating for Albanians and promoting peace and economic development in the Balkans by fostering democratic policy, promoting respect for human rights, and conducting educational and developmental programs. For more information on the National Albanian American Council please visit us on the web at www.naac.org ______________________________________________________________ If you wish to unsubscribe, send a blank message to: kcc-news-unsubscribe at alb-net.com , or visit KCC-NEWS's page at: http://www.alb-net.com/mailman/listinfo/kcc-news From besnik at alb-net.com Tue Aug 20 16:05:05 2002 From: besnik at alb-net.com (Besnik Pula) Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2002 16:05:05 -0400 Subject: [NYC-L] Buyrum Party, Sep. 1st, 2002 | www.buyrum.net In-Reply-To: <000c01c24737$59489ea0$007b6c42@nyc.rr.com> Message-ID: Dear sirs and madams, Summer is almost over, and our crew is back together once again after our long journeys, adventures & successful parties in Prishtina, Ulqin, Dubrovnik and even Madrid. The Buyrum crew has now regrouped to kick off the new season with new parties and fresh music September 1st, the night before Labor Day, from 9pm til late late. All of you who have been to our parties, you know what the deal is. Here's what we got: On the Floor: INK & NOKI plus the undisputed dj KAYA bring you fine beats n' grooves. Upstairs Saloone: dj GENTI spins ethnic sounds along with our guest dj NELA who'll bring you albanian tunes to keep your feet movin' and your bellies shakin'. Visuals by CACA 18 to enter, 21 to drink $10 on our reduced list, $15 at the door. To be on our reduced list, e-mail us your full name before 5pm on Sunday the 1st at info at buyrum.net Check out our flyer @ www.buyrum.net and stay tuned for more info and our upcoming CD release party, SOON. -------------- next part -------------- HTML attachment scrubbed and removed From jeton at hotmail.com Wed Aug 21 03:16:41 2002 From: jeton at hotmail.com (Jeton Ademaj) Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 03:16:41 -0400 Subject: [NYC-L] thur aug 22nd 11pm Message-ID: hey all pardon the spam, here's the latest public outcry from SMILE, my band with Daniel Carter, Mike Pride and Jean DeBasse Cour (aka etc.) SMILE Thursday, August 22nd at 11pm Knitting Factory Soundstage 74 Leonard Street, NYC 212 219 3006 www.knittingfactory.com $7 here's the knit blurb: "Once upon a midnight dreary, I spied The Mineshaft's window clearly, Coltrane and Sabbath, battle-weary, groped Chuck D, then all were cheery." SMILE is Jeton Ademaj : voice, guitar, qifteli, etc. Daniel Carter : wind intruments Jean DeBasse Cour : electronics, bass Mike Pride : drums, reeds, voice the name SMILE is a rip-off ("homage") of Timothy Leary's cybernetic acronym (with the i sporting a superscript of 2, as in "I squared": *S*pace *M*igration *I*ntelligence *Increase* *L*ife *E*xtension ...which I find an awesomely useful mnemonic algorithm for decoding the better chunk of politics, religion and art (cap 'em all if u like), although i move the superscript over to the "L", as in: *S*pace *M*igration *I*ntelligence *L*ife *L*ove *E*xhaltation ...bcuz "intelligence...increase" was redundant, LOVE was missing and Exhaltation is SO much more totalistic than "Extension". So there u have it, a useful motto. may it be fruitful and multiply across the minds and hearts of people everywhere, an Ur-meme... anyway, we offer intense free improv, metallic disco, a coupla songs and some poesy. Last time around Daniel got on vocals and smoked ! (creatively... and i, pot-headedly ;). So come on out Thursday nite and get yer groove on freaky-stylee. A good time will be had, with sweet weirdness n some shade thrown in. peace JA _________________________________________________________________ Join the world?s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com