[Prizren-l] News Summary-30 October

[info at balkan-info.net]

The following is a summary of international news and information related from Southeast Europe and carried on the Balkan Information Exchange Web site.  For more information, click here: http://www.balkan-info.com.



Kosovo Vote Goes Smoothly, LDK In Lead	
Pristina- More than 80 percent of Kosovo’s citizens voted in the 28 October municipal elections, in what international officials deemed a successful and largely calm day at the polls, wire services reported. The Kosovo Democratic League (LDK), led by Ibrahim Rugova, said they were ahead in 17 of 18 municipalities, citing unofficial results after 70 percent of the vote was counted. Kosovo Serbs boycotted the polls, claiming the elections were undemocratic because Serbs and other Kosovo minorities “don't have conditions to live safely, let alone vote,” Kosovo Serb leader Oliver Ivanovic said, AP reported.  In a statement,  Yugoslav President Kostunica agreed, calling the elections invalid. (DPA, AFP, AP – 30/10/00)


Yugoslav Authorities Will Pardon Political Prisoners
Belgrade- Yugoslav authorities are planning to pardon and  release all political prisoners in a move meant to symbolise the break from the rule of Slobodan Milosevic, Reuters reported, citing the state-run Tanjug news agency.  “Amnesty should mark a discontinuity with the previous repressive regime and the beginning of a period of confidence our society is entering,” Belgrade University law professor Stevan Lilic said, according to Tanjug.  (Reuters, Tanjug – 29/10/00)


Balkan Leaders Call For More Change In Yugoslavia
Sofia- Balkan leaders issued a statement demanding the new Yugoslav authorities continue efforts to move towards democracy, Reuters reported.  “We, the prime ministers of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Macedonia and Romania…expect that a genuine change in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will remove the political system that former president (Slobodan) Milosevic has created,” joint statement said, according to Reuters.  The leaders also urged for the restoration of rights of minorities in Yugoslavia.  (Reuters – 29/10/00)


Kosovo Serbs Stone French Peacekeepers
Pristina- Kosovo Serbs stoned French gendarmes taking part in an anti-crime sweep in the central Kosovo village of Priluzje, Reuters reported.  “The gendarmes began a search operation in the village with the intent to detain an individual for suspected criminal behaviour.  Some Serbs gathered and threw stones, which injured two French soldiers,” KFOR spokesman Major Steven Shappell said, according to Reuters.  (Reuters – 29/10/00)


Bulgarian Muslims Choose New Mufti
Sofia- Bulgarian Muslims elected Selim Mumun Mehmed as the new mufti, or head cleric, according to AFP. Mehmed said his priorities would be religious education and employment for Muslims.  “The problem with the Bulgarian Muslims is that they do not know their religion,” Mehmed said, according to AFP.  (AFP – 28/10/00)


Council Of Europe Praises Kosovo Elections
Strasbourg- The Council of Europe applauded the large turnout in the municipal elections in Kosovo, AFP reported.  “The very high turn-out was a great sign for democracy in Kosovo, with queues throughout the day in polling stations,” the Council of Europe said in a statement, according to AFP.  (AFP – 29/10/00)


Montenegro Will Not Stop Yugoslavia U.N. Entry
Podgorica- Montenegro said it would not block efforts by the international community to have the Yugoslav federation rejoin the United Nations, AP reported. (AP – 29/10/00)


Montenegro To Create Independent Central Bank 
Bologna- In an effort to assume complete control over its monetary policy, Montenegro is setting up a central bank that will be independent from Serbia, Reuters reported.  “The government has already prepared a bill on the central bank.  Over the next ten days, parliament will discuss the proposal and after that we expect the bill to be approved.  We don’t expect any delays,” Montenegrin Finance Minister Miroslav Ivanisevic said, according to Reuters.  (Reuters – 28/10/00) 


SPO Threatens To End Participation in Government
Belgrade- The Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO) suspended its participation in the interim Serbian government and said it would end its work in the cabinet unless the head of the secret service, the chief prosecutor and the chairman of the supreme court resigned,  DPA reported (DPA – 28/10/00)


Bulgaria Makes Progress Towards EU Membership
Sofia- Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov said his country should end EU membership negotiations by 2006, noting Bulgaria’s biggest challenges remain poverty and economic growth, Reuters reported.  Kostov, speaking at an international forum on European enlargement, said Bulgaria has made great strides in bolstering the security of its borders.  (Reuters – 27/10/00)