EULEX takes over

The EU's role is to oversee the running of the police, the courts and the customs service in Kosovo.
When it is at its full strength in a few months it will have almost 2,000 international staff.
They are taking over many of the duties from the United Nation's mission in Kosovo, Unmik.
It means that after almost a decade in charge, the UN is leaving and will only retain a small political role.
The new EU officials with their big blue and yellow armbands now have a visible presence in Kosovo's capital.
Serb opposition
The deployment started bright and early on Tuesday morning.
In Gracanica, the Serb-dominated town in central Kosovo, police officers from the EU mission met their counterparts.
The visit at the regional police station didn't last long, but it was symbolic.

Eulex has been opposed by many Kosovo Serbs.
But a handshake between the Serb police commander and an EU official sent out a signal that the Kosovo Serb police officers are willing to work with the new mission.

Albanian apprehension
Meanwhile some ethnic Albanians are not happy with the way that it will operate, they believe that too many concessions have been made to Serbia.
A couple of protests were held in Pristina in the run up to the official launch.

Outside the old UN headquarters there is graffiti that says "Eulex - Made in Serbia".
This mission is the biggest ever deployed by the EU.

People from both sides want to see tangible results that improve their standard of living.

EU to operate 'all over Kosovo'

The EU's police and justice mission will start deploying throughout Kosovo on 9 December, including to Serb-controlled areas, EU officials say.
Under the plan, approved by the UN Security Council, nearly 2,000 EU police, justice and customs officials will take over UN duties in Kosovo.
But the UN mission - called Unmik - will retain a political role.
The EU's "Eulex" mission was supposed to start earlier. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February.
Several thousand Kosovo Albanians demonstrated in the capital Pristina against the Eulex deployment on Tuesday - the day it was originally scheduled to start.
Protesters held banners saying "Kosovo in the EU, not under the EU" and "Eulex made in Serbia".

Kosovo 'to work' with EU mission

Both Serbia and Kosovo have agreed to co-operate with a new EU mission due to take over in Kosovo - though Kosovo still has objections, the UN head says.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report that he had instructed UN staff to prepare to hand over to the EU.

The six-point plan, which Kosovo complains was agreed by the EU and Serbia behind its back, would keep police, customs and courts in the Serb-run areas under UN management.
Serbia had objected to the EU mission having any role, until the plan was altered to keep the UN in Serb areas.

The UN unfortunately has not recognised Kosovo's independence yet, which was declared in February and has since been recognised by around 50 nations, including most, but not all, EU states.
Serbia still regards Kosovo as one of its provinces - so Western diplomats have welcomed what they say is enough agreement for the EU to deploy.
Kosovo's population is 90% Albanian, with a minority of Serbs, who mainly occupy northern Kosovo, bordering Serbia, and some other areas.

Germans held in Kosovo over blast

A Kosovan judge has ordered three Germans suspected of throwing an explosive device at the EU headquarters in Pristina to be held for 30 days.
The three reportedly deny involvement in the attack on 14 November, saying they were detained while investigating it themselves.
Windows in the glass-fronted building were shattered but nobody was hurt.
German and Kosovo media report that the men are German intelligence agents but officials in Berlin refuse to comment.
Lawyers for the detainees say the prosecution is seeking terrorism charges that carry a maximum 20-year sentence.
A spokesman for the German foreign ministry in Berlin confirmed that three Germans had been arrested on Thursday, but declined to make any further comment as an investigation was under way.

The EU's "Blue Building" in Pristina is a glass-plated cube
The German weekly Der Spiegel said the men worked for the German intelligence agency BND, and that they told investigators they had been examining the scene of the explosion, but had not been involved in it.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February after nine years under UN stewardship and is recognised by more than 50 countries, including Germany.
Four days before the bomb attack, Kosovo's Albanian majority rejected an agreement between the UN and Serbia on the deployment of the much-delayed EU police and justice mission Eulex.

Kosova welcomes all the displaced people

Today, Kjartan Björnsson, ECLO Chargé d'Affaires a.i. together with Kosovo’s
Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and UNDP Resident Representative Frode
Mauring launched the Return and Reintegration in Kosovo project, at the
premises of the Ministry for Communities and Return.

Speaking at the occasion, Prime Minister Thaçi said: "I invite all the displaced persons, especially the Serbian ones, to return. Kosovo is a homeland for all,and I assure you we are creating the security conditions and an opportunity for a better life with the help of our international partners.”

The European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo contributed with €3.3 million for this project in close partnership with the Ministry for Communities and Return who contributed €1.1 million. This Project will be implemented by UNDP, participating with a €0.4 million contribution. Since 2003, the European Commission has allocated over €30 million for minority communities throughout Kosovo and this project is part of the extensive programme to support the returns in Kosovo.

EU Commission proposes feasibility study for Kosova

Pristina, 5 November 2008

Today, the European Commission adopted its annual strategy paper for the EU’s
enlargement policy. The European Commission proposes to conduct a feasibility
study to evaluate how Kosovo can best take advantage of regional and European
integration. The Commission also proposes to intensify the regular policy and
technical dialogue between Kosovo and the Commission. In its progress report the
Commission finds that some progress has been made in addressing key European
Partnership priorities but key challenges remain.
In its report, the Commission analyses Kosovo's progress over the past year.
Overall stability has been maintained and Kosovo continued to actively cooperate with the
wider international community, the European Union in general and the European Commission
in the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process Tracking Mechanism.
The new constitution is in line with European standards and a considerable amount of key
legislation has been adopted. Kosovo continued to participate actively in regional cooperation
initiatives in areas such as energy, transport and trade. The government finalised a Mid-Term
Expenditure Framework covering the years up to 2011, which was the basis for the successful
Donors' Conference. Some progress was made in the approximation with European standards,
particularly in the areas of customs, free movement of goods, the environment and agriculture.

There is no turning back

As we and our many international supporters have noted, the question of Kosovo’s independence is settled and irreversible. While we respect the right of the UNGA to make this referral, this decision will not help efforts to promote long-term stability in Kosovo and the region.
Close to 50 countries, including most EU and NATO members, as well as the entire G-7 and important states from every part of the world, have recognized Kosovo. We are confident more will follow over time, and that this referral to the ICJ will not hamper countries from assessing Kosovo’s continuing progress and deciding to recognize. We have already seen practical measures, even from countries that do not recognize Kosovo formally, to accept our passport and find ways to accommodate the reality of an independent Kosovo.
We intend to take an active part in presenting our case before the ICJ, and we expect that its deliberations will be fair and impartial. We also believe that our positions will be vindicated.
Whatever the court may eventually say regarding the question presented to it, however, we will pursue development and progress in an independent Kosovo, in tandem with our international partners and friends. We have begun the process of seeking membership in the IMF and World Bank, and we will actively pursue further bilateral recognitions through diplomatic activity and active international outreach from various sectors of Kosovo society.

The President of Kosova

commie rust

Eri,

True! I might have some commie rust...but certainly I dont have a anicient religious prejudices and stereotypes developed in my character...and trust me that I have been in your shoes and read lots of religious books and that is excatly why I started to widen my knowledge about other philosophies...as religion to me is a philosophie or a way to live...

I didnt win and that was not my intention. But I oppose very much reporting ireal facts and disseminating false arguments...I dont want to make a big thing out of it now. You were wrong and that's all. We can debate even privately so we dont bother others with such things...
A.

Kosova being recognized all over

The governments of Montenegro and Macedonia have formally recognised Kosovo as independent following its secession from Serbia in February.
It means that, apart from Serbia, only Bosnia-Hercegovina among ex-Yugoslav republics has yet to recognise Kosovo.
Serbia reacted angrily, expelling the Montenegrin and Macedonian ambassadors.

Macedonia's Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki said his government approved the move after parliament adopted a resolution by an overwhelming majority to make the recommendation.

The small country of only two million inhabitants, of which 90% are Albanian, has often appeared isolated in the western Balkans.

We fought so we could live in peace !!

By Mr Eri

Eri the dictator

Dear Mr. Eri,

You sound like a dictator! In fact even worse...dictators all the time refer to human rights, democracy and the ruling of the majority. In fact, you misinterpret a lot of facts and you avoid recognising real situations on the ground...you can not be a good reporter unless you see things from a special angle...not as muslim or christian, not even as an atheist...but you have to know that there are some moral principles that first of all religion is a very individual issue...and can not be imposed...therefore no matter what people build; churches or mosques, you can not make people think differently nor more religious. Especially not in Kosovo where there is a lack of Islam tradition and experience as such...I was not grown up with the voice of Mullah in the morning nor in the evening...and i dont feel that there is something wrong with that... Once someone called Albin "a embrional dictator!" which is very much aplicable for you also...a possible future Ahmedinnejad...but as you know many fish eggs dont survive to the surface...even if they do...they are still fish...

You defamate facts. You did say 'tens of students are being expelled', and 'there is lack of freedom of religion'! Seems to me that you have no idea about the freedom of religion...cuz freedomo of religion is 'freedom to choose' and that is excatly why it is not 'liberty of religion'...if you know what I mean...

You can be as muslim as you want and practice religion as long and as much as you want until it comes to my rights as citizen...where you dont have right nor freedom of your religion to impose me something...this is a golden rule; moral and legal, that would be applied everywhere and by any kind of court...

best,
A.

Political Religion

Ertan,

I dont feel much like rebuttling with you but i want to asure you something; In Kosovo, most of the people are not muslim as such, as the percentage of people who respect 5 pillars of Islam is very small, and because of political reasons.

I just can not stand people who read only one book in their entire life even if that is muslim book or christian or jewish.

The problem remains evident that many people can not practice religion as they would like to but this number is not majority but a small minority of people who would like to live in a lifestyle like in Iran and I am sorry but this is not possible. Not because I dont want nor because Governmnet doesnt want but because of many other factors that neither Kosovo can decide upon.

As for my information, I want to tell you that I dont only get information from newspapers, but I read newspapers. I get informations before they get published in the newspapers...than when the news is for everybody...is no longer a news to me...but I am from Skenderaj and I know that you are lying. Lying is very punishable in Islam as you are aware I hope.

Let us discuss here conflict problems rather than discuss about religion freedom that is more available in Kosovo than in Arabia where people are beaten up by Religion Police.

The concept of freedom of religion is very oftenly misunderstood and misinterpreted by people in the forementioned context. Nor Government or any other agency is obliged by any kind of law to provide you with a mosque in your neighbourhood...but you should go wherever the mosque is...your freedom ends where my freedom starts...this is a golden rule...

True muslim would go to school even without a scarf cover...because of simple reason: IT is more important to go to school than to have the scarf...also by Quran...the first word which came down to the Prophet was "Read, Learn, Study"...and in a much later stage the coverface thing was invented....

A.

8 reaction point

Dear Ertan,

1. Islam is NOT the official religion of Kosova. I want to remind you that Kosova has a constitution that declares no official religion.

2. It is not tens of people being expelled. It hasne reach ten yet to be considered tens.

3. Kosovo is not seeking Independence anymore from Serbia but is trying to get as many recognitions as possible. The independence of Kosova is no longer a question...

4. Skenderaj had 4 or 6 mosques before the war while many organisations related to Islamic countries builded mosques after the war to try and impact the lack of strong religious feelings among the population.

5.The school has not been brought down unlawfully because there was a lawful decision of the Municipality of Prishtina that promulgated that.

6. Kosovo Government is not neither anti-islamic nor anti-democratic. It was elected and it has never done something to oppose religion of the people of Kosova. In fact the Gov. of Kosova considers this as personal matter and this is guaranteed by the constitution...

7. Cathedral of Kosova is not an imposed cathedral. It was the will of a statesman. No matter whether I like it or not, majority of the people have voted for him...

8. Freedom of religion is not far behind for muslim community in Kosova. Where do you live? There are tens of mosques that even interrupt Governmental meetings with overloudness of the prayers. Freedom of religion means "Freedom to choose and practice" not freedom to kill anyone who is not like you... has anyone ever forced you to abandon muslim religion?

*Most of your interviewees have been under age when they can decide themselves. Have you asked their parents for interviewing them? If not, you have commited a crime and crime is a serious thing in a civil state, but I seriously doubt that you have done these interviews and these things have really happend in Skenderaj!

Best,
abihox

Letter to Andrea!

Dear Andrea,

I know that you might think that I was generalizing all serbs in regard to Karadzic's case and I was prejudicing based on typical Balkans stereotyping. I also know and understand your position as Andrea and also as Serb. I named the article as 'letter to a serb' because of simple reasons without any prejudice to you as serb eventhough I mentioned your name and commented on your writting only because of geographical reasons and I was impressed with the enthusiasm presented and 'justification' you used to build up the argument.

Andrea,

I want to thank you for the constructive comments in your response. I belive that you are right.

Lets talk more on this...

best,

Muslims - the most discriminated in Kosovo: "Where is that Democracy"?!

The anti-hijab (anti-headscarf) drive in several European countries has reached the Muslim-majority province of Kosovo after tens of high schools expelled girls throughout Kosova for insisting on putting on the headscarf.

For instance, The "Hamez Jashari" high school expelled Fatmire Jashari and Valbona Kabashi on September 14, the second day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.The "Anton Ceta" high school followed suit and kicked out Mihane Veliu on the same day for also wearing the Muslim headscarf.
The girls donned the hijab just before the start of the school year on September 3, becoming the first in Skenderaj to abide by the Islamic dress code.







Skenderaj's 70,000 population are all Muslims and the city is home to 14 mosques. The two schools are the only high schools in the city.Islam is the official religion of UN-administered Kosovo, which is seeking independence from Serbia, with Muslims making up more than 95 percent of the population.



Many other cases have occurred lately in the town of Besianë where more and more girls are being expelled from schools because of their belief and morals while many girls go half-naked in schools alongside without being adviced the opposite, let alone kicked out of schools.

Destroying Schools to Build Imposed Cathedrals

Lack of democracy and human rights in Kosova has taken shape immediately after the war in Kosova where the government has been exerting a lot of pressure upon and ignorance towards the Islamic Community in Kosova and the recent illegal and undemocratic initiative to destroy and put down the city high school in the center of the capital city of Prishtina in order to build up an imposed cathedral instead.



This school which survived during Milosevic's atrocious operations, has recently been brought down in order to unlawfully and unscrupulously build a cathedral which in fact will serve as a document and an object of the undemocratic and anti-islamic government of Kosova and the negligent UN mission in Kosova.











Hey, government..., leave our schools alone !!

France - the first of the firsts

France became the first European Union nation to recognise Kosovo after US President George W. Bush recognised Kosovo's declaration of independence, saying:"The Kosovars are now independent."

Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign minister, made the announcement after he and his 26 EU counterparts adopted a joint statement underlining the bloc's long-standing position that the province's secession from Serbia does not set a precedent for territorial disputes elsewhere in Europe or beyond.

Mr Kouchner said that President Nicolas Sarkozy had written to the president of Kosovo to convey France's official recognition. "It's the end of the Balkan troubles. I hope it's over. And now we need reconciliation, even now I know that will take a long time," he told a news conference.

Kosova - a New Country

KOSOVA - A New Country

I’m sure everyone of you heard about the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo. I got online and searched for informations and pictures about Kosovo. Reading some historical references I found out about how Tito included Kosovo in Yugoslavia.

After Tito died, in 1981 Albanians started fighting Serbians for their “rightful” country. They even asked for unification with Albania. In 1992 the first president of Kosovo was elected. His name was Ibrahim Rugova and he was the one who started building the republic of Kosovo. People had access to their own churches, hospitals, schools and many more but the republic had no army until 1997 when UCK (Ushtria Çlirimtare e Kosovës), the Kosovo Liberation Army started fighting Serbians. Their main goal was to obtain independence of Kosovo no matter what, even if people were killed during the process.

The result? Tens of thousands of refugees fleeing Kosovo are describing horrifying stories of Serb atrocities

More than 10.000 Albanians were murdered and many more were forced to move out of Kosovo, in order to survive. Later Slobodan Milosevici was accused by the International Criminal Tribunal on the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. Slobodan was 64 and died of a heart attack in his cell while waiting for the verdict.

MOREOVER

Martti Ahtisaari, a UN emissary was sent to Serbia to find the ideal solution regarding the future of Kosovo.
In 2006 the president of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova died. Fatmir Sejdiu took his place and soon after Albanians and Serbians had begun negotiations.

In 2007 emissary Martti Ahtisaari, presented the Ahtisaari Plan.

Russia, having the right of veto, pleaded for Serbia and blocked the Ahtisaari Plan. United States, Russia, France, England, Germany and Italy sent an American, a Russian and an European to try to get to an agreement between Albanians and Serbians but the negotiations failed.
On February 17, 2008 authorities from Kosovo announced their unilateral declaration of independence. “Russia’s parliament passed a motion Monday condemning Kosovo’s declaration of independence, which means a loss of 15 percent of Serbia’s territory. Serbia ordered home its ambassadors in the U.S., France and Turkey as rebukes for recognizing the tiny new nation of 2 million people.”

"WE FOUGHT SO WE COULD LIVE IN PEACE"

Letter to a Serb

Dear Andrea,







As you know already, Serbia hasnt been in such position because of Karadzic, but Serbia protected and hid him, therefore it was in such position. He was sheltered, given false documents, and may be even guarded by the authorities in Serbia. Who else can provide such services except for the State authorities?



Beside this, during my last stay in Belgrade, I was shocked how he was preceived among the youth as hero and savior of serbianism...and serbian nation from 'turks'...(Bosnians and Albanians that are moslem). I was disgusted and I feld bad for understanding serbian chit-chats between pro european/ against Karadzic discussions in Belgrade with a group of young students...



"Look where are we because of him" and "ali naravno on je heroj ali to ne smemo da kazemo" was the kind of conversation that a Law student was making thinking that I have no idea what he is talking about! A law student to make such comment... and you expect to have a fair and good judges tomorrow...



I am just wondering how people belive that he was hidding? In modern age of technology, you can not really hide more than for hours...can you Andrea hide somewhere in Belegrade where nobody recognises you without the support of those who are suppose to hunt for you?



Andrea,

I am not asking you to withdraw your comment. I am asking you as colleague to do a fair report on what people think really about Karadzic in Serbia...as journalist or reporter. Beside this, do not take this as personal.

beach in saranda

The so called "Monastery Beach". According to legend, this is the place where monks used to wash their clothes and so on during the ruling of Ali Pashe Tepelena...

great place....amazing

This is a typical village of South Albania...with small grey colour houses and a lot of olive trees sorrounding houses...this village is caclled 'Kardhiq' and it is very beautiful place with nice and hospitable people...

The second picture is the village of 'Mashkullore' famous for the resistance against Greece occupation between World Wars...

While the third photo I dont remember the name of the village but it was very beautiful to see it...

photos from Albania

This is a small monastery in central Albania. I ve never been inside...but i have heared that it has amazing icons...

A place of ethnic, religious and racial tolerance !!

Come and see and make sure !!

Trip to Albania

Veni, Vidi, Vici, is an old latin proverb that would be appropriate to tell in these moments after a long trip throughout Albanian mountaines and seaside sneaky roads. Starting from Central Kosova to the west, in the border with Albania, an old man with moustache western movie cowboy looking asked us..."where are you guys going?".

In the so called border station, we were asked for some king of document with photo to show the identity. No passports needed. Two same flags were waving in two border stations between Kosovo and Albania. You can speak the same language also...with a little dialect. You can also smoke cigarettes in the Albania albanian side since the border police were doing so...with his cigarette but in his lips and yellowed teeth, he gave a fake smile saying 'welcome to albania brother'.

The ongling road constructions were cutting the old sneaky road that was used for hundreds of years. One of the guys in the car was so afraid of brooks and walleys along the road..."what a bad road!" he indicated several times.

I was astonished with the progress on the road reconstruction. The road was not bad, except for the fact that was not very comfortable.

There was no machiatto, no cappucino and no expresso. Hmmm how can they live without it? The closest solution was to have either Turkish or Greek coffee, but the problem was that both greek and turkish coffee were cooked in the same place. The cups were dividing them.

After few hundred kilometers of drive throughout beautiful landscape, hills and mountains of Central Albania, we entered in a different living style, quiet influenced by the Greek. The South Albania is mostly orthodox religion and with a strong diaspora in Greece.

Beautiful mediterranian villages with small gardens for each house, these villages look like they were designed only for modeling for photos. Small but functional houses with flat roofs and grey coloured are strangly located next to each other creating a mediterranian abstract mosaic that attracts every tourists eye. Very warm and hospital people...

Saranda was the destination achieved only after 630 kilometers of drive throughout albanian lands...a place located in the south of Albania in the Ionian (alb: Jon) seacoast. Mediterranian vegetation like black peper, bananas and huge olive tree fields are the first image that comes up in this beautiful panorama. Then comes the sea...deep, blue, clean, and highly salty.

more stories and photos comming soon...

Kosova Independent - At Last

Celebrations taking place throughout Kosova. 2 milion people celebrated the great day. The sky got lighted and fireworks sparkled and flashed mesmerizing the viewers.

The day of hope, the day of a new beginning and new opportunities.

" We fought so we could live in peace "

Viva Kosova !!

Photos

Guys,

Speaking of photography, let me tell you couple of words...I think that Photoblogging is becoming more and more attractive therefore we should be able to know more about that. This has a lot to do with the concept of citizen journalism and media.

for example; photos and videos from your cell phones...we all have good cellphones nowadays and for example I can do very good videos and photos with my cell phone...therefore we should do citizen reporting with photos and videos.

I have seen also many media now include 'citizen jounalism' in their programmes and it is very interesting how they impact the situation.

Big media like BBC and CNN have these kind of upgraded way of reporting the news...

Lets do something in this regard...shall we?

This is a pic published in a daily newspaper in Kosova also. I have done this for a special feature story on the 'Jashari Family', and celebrations of the national days...2 yrs ago...

Photos

Well, I have to tell you guys that I am a professional photographer also. I have done a course on photography and worked couple of months as photographer. Some photos that I like are already published in daily newspapers in Kosovo. But the three that I published couple of months ago are in the following web site...http://dardamedia.com/art/main.php?g2_itemId=4430

Please feel free to comment and ask...

A.

Intro...

Dear Everobody,

I think I wrote this long time ago but i published in my own blog...and now here we are...

By way of intro...I am Abit and I was born in 1982 in Central Kosova. I have a BA in Political Science and an MA in Journalism and Communication.

Currently I am working for UNDP Kosova and until now I holded some positions with the National Assembly of Kosova, Office on Missing Persons and Forensics, Danish Refugee Council, UNDP, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Internal Affairs in Kosova.

I also participated in many seminars on 'transitional justice', 'european integration' etc. As part of my academic background, I participated in several researches in KOsova through international Universities such as: University of Oslo, University of Canberra, University of Vaxjo, etc.

So far, I have participated in three different PhD programmes as professional researcher to help with guidlines for the cultural context of Kosova.

I hope that sharing experiences in this forum will increase my knowledge about different experiences around the globe about different problems.

Kindest Regards. A.

information

guys shall we start rolling this blog??? C mon lets rock and roll....who likes more bob dylan and who likes more the beatles? this is a conflictuos discussion and we shall agree on somethign...at least for a table tennis game...as they say...A.

Some never learn the lesson

Some nations never learn the lesson. More than 600 years ago, in a battle with the Balkans armies lead by Tsar Lazar, the Ottoman empire occupied the whole Western Balkans after one of the final famous battles- the Battle of Kosova, defeating primarily serbs on the 28th of June. This was the point when Serbia ended up under Ottoman empire for next 500 years...After hundreds of years, this myth was well presented as serb victory over the orient.

On the 28th of June 2008 there is a proclamation that the Kosovo Serbs want to inagurate their parliament in the South of Kosova and I think that some nations never learn the lesson...

The real question here is that: what does it take to a nation to learn a lesson...

Some of the important events that took place in this particular date are:

1. 1389 - Ottoman and Balkans armies fight in the Battle of Kosova oppening the way for Ottoman conquest of Southeastern Europe
2. 1914 - Gavrillo Princip assasinates Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophia- the casus belli for the start of the First World War
3. 1989 - Slobodan Milosevic celebrates the 600th anniversary of the 'victory' over Ottoman Empire
4. 2006 - Montenegro, formerly part of Serbia/Yugoslavia admitted a seat in the UN.
5. 2008 - Inaguration of a parlament of serbs in Kosova...

Another 'sucess' for serbia...

Kosovo presents itself to the world

By: Nicola Sessa

An anthem, a Constitution, and embassies overseas. But Belgrade objects

Piece by piece Kosovo is preparing its presentation to the world. Last week its national anthem was approved; Sunday the Constitution came into force, and President Fatmir Sejdiu signed the first package of laws instituting the State Department, the Defense Department, and the Army, which may be employed in international peacekeeping missions. Finally, last week the go-ahead for the opening of the first 9 Kosovan embassies abroad.

Pristina sings “Europe”. President Sejdiu made the announcement in person. For the first time Pristina will have diplomatic missions overseas: USA, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Albania. The announcement did not give the date when the embassies will be operative, but the act in itself, the publication of the law instituting the foreign missions, is an important step for Kosovo, as its first official act on the international stage. June 11th, as noted, Parliament also approved the national anthem. This eliminates the institutional embarrassment for the fact that Kosovans, at the salient moments of their public life, sang the Albanese anthem. The composer, Kosovan musician Mehdi Menxhiqi, won a contest sponsored by the Parliament. The Ahtisaari Plan, which took its name from the Finnish negotiator, provided strict limits for the composition of the anthem, which could not be shorter than thirty seconds, or longer than sixty. It has no words, only music, and the title is "Europa". The message sent by the Kosovans is clear. However, not everyone is happy: the opposition parties pointed out that the ruling majority tends to choose its country’s symbols, which will belong to all Kosovans forever, without a serious political debate. That was the case with the flag, and now is the same with the anthem. The presence of many Albanese flags, many more than the Kosovan ones, demonstrates the poor reception of the banner, whose six yellow stars represent the multiethnic character of the nation. In clubs and in the streets, strong nationalists consider the six stars a symbol of the Albanese Diaspora.

The Constitution of Kosovo. The draft was presented to Parliament, and approved by the same, April 9th of this year. The President of the Constitutional Commission, Hajredin Kuçi, vice-premier and right arm of Hashim Thaçi, the current Kosovan Premier, hosted the event. Although there has been no official passage of power, since June 15th all powers are in the hands of the sovereign people of the Republic of Kosovo. During the brief official ceremony broadcast on national television channels, President Sejdiu performed his first formal act by signing the first package of laws previously approved by the Parliament: Kosovo now has, for the first time, a Department of Defense, an army and a State Department. Up until Saturday June 14th, only the head of the Unmik administration, the U.N.’s mission in Kosovo, could make laws. The Constitution became valid four months after the unilateral declaration of independence last February 17th. Hajredin Kuçi repeatedly thanked the international figures who contributed to the preparation of the document in his presentation of the Constitution, and declared that it took inspiration from many constitutions, but particularly from the constitution of the United States.

The text consists of 162 Articles divided in 14 Paragraphs. In the Founding Principals, there are elements that clearly denote the future of the country: Article 3 eliminates the fear of “Greater Albania”. Unification with any other State (read Albania) or part of one (read Macedonia, Montenegro) will be forbidden, as well as annexation of territories belonging to other sovereign States (read Preshevo - Serbia). Following the imprint of the Ahtisaari Plan, the multiethnic composition of the nation was treated with close attention: the Albanese and the Serbian languages enjoy equal dignity as official languages, while Turkish, Bosnian and Rom will have that status on a local level only. The proclamation of a secular State, the introduction of the protection of the environment among the first articles of the Constitution, and the recognition of freedom of sexual orientation, which goes well beyond gender equality, demonstrate a very modern approach. The constituents even feel the necessity of specifying that there will be only one currency (therefore the use of the Serbian dinaro becomes officially illegal), and the opposition to the death penalty, but above all the prohibition of commerce in human beings (sic!), as well as the right to not participate in medical-scientific experiments without personal consent.

The entire Paragraph III is the transcription of the standards imposed by the Unmik for the protection of minorities; minorities enjoy a broad range of rights relative to education, the possibility of financing for the protection and transmission of their culture, and quotas reserved for them within the public administration.

In spite of the firm denial of Belgrade and Mitrovica, in spite of the uncertainty as to who will be the executors of the Basic Law, it is impossible to deny the efforts made to make this complex ethno system at least livable, a system that would provoke shivers in even the most seasoned democracy.

The Atmosphere in Belgrade. Serbian President Boris Tadic declared that, for the Serbs who live in Kosovo, that paper has no legal value. Belgrade cannot recognize an Albanese State within its borders, and admonishes the international community as to the grave consequences that a similar act could have. The Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon, sent a letter last week which enflamed Boris Tadic and the opposition in Serbia: it informed them of the imminent withdrawal of the UN mission in Kosovo in favor of the European Eulex mission which would take its place. The Serbian Minister for Kosovo and Metohija (Kosmet), Slobodan Samardzic, announced Belgrade’s response to the political activity in Pristina: on June 28th, the Serbian Parliament of Kosmet will take office in Mitrovica. There is no choice but to wait and see what else will emerge from the Serbian and Kosovar “false bottom box”.

(taken from: http://www.peacereporter.net/dettaglio_articolo.php?idc=0&idart=11438 )

burned books

Burning books was one of the most popular scenes in the movies representing fascist time and Nazi crimes of the second world war. Imagine, we have only seen it in TV... but not all of us...



Lately, in the beggining of the XXIst century, a war took place in a small country called Kosovo and the same tactics were applied. Burning land politics, burning books, chasing people outside borders and destroying their identity (documents) and killing thousends of men and women...



The latest damage evaluation in the town of Skenderaj, Kosovo for burned books during the war in 1998/1999 is an estimation that 48.091 books were burned in public libraries throughout a region populated with only 70, 000 inhabitants. This means that from each inhabitant was burned more than 0.7 book that was available in public libraries.

Kosovothanksyou

I know that this might sound and like as a propaganda article or announcement but in fact it only shows the transparency and developments of a newborn state and democracy. Please visit this web page and you will see numbers and states taht recognised Kosovo.

www.kosovothanksyou.com

Best,
A.

A word or two about where I come from

Belgrade - the old white town

Belgrade (Beograd) is the capital of Serbia, and has a population of 2 million . It is situated in South-Eastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It has a very long tradition, and it’s one of the oldest cities in Europe. Its history lasts for 7,000 years. The area around two great rivers, the Sava and the Danube has been inhabited far back in palaeolithic period. One of the most important settlements and cultural sites of the prehistoric period is Vinca, near Belgrad. The oldest known name of Belgrade is Singidunum which means city fortress. When Slavs crossed Danube and defeated Byzantine Empire in the 7th century, they settled here. Built of stone, the city that emerged overlooking the waters was called the White city. From the 17th to 19th century, in other languages, Belgrade was called Alba Graeca, Alba Bulgarica, Bello Grado, Nandor Alba, Griechisch Weissenburg, Castelbianc etc. It’s Serbian capital from 1403 AD. In medieval times, it was in the possession of Byzantine, Frankish, Bulgarian, Hungarian and Serbian rulers, until it was conquered by the Ottomans in 1521.

Belgrade is the largest city in the territory of the former Yugoslavia and a home to many ethnicities. Throughout the history it was an importan crossroad where East meets West, Europe meets Middle East, Christianity meets Islam...It is often said, we built a house in the middle of the road. Serbs of the Orthodox Christian religion are making the majority of population, nearly 90 %. The official language is Serbian and among foreign languages, english is very used.
There are too many exquisit monuments in this town and it would last forever to tell you about them, so I choose my two favourites. The most important monument is Kalemegdan Fortress, it stands on the hill overlooking the river Sava. It was gradually built from the 1st to the 18th century as a huge fortified defense complex. Nowadays it’s a specific museum of Belgrade history.
Second, is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world situated in Belgrade. Preparation for the construction started in 1894 and is built at the place where in 1594 Sinnan Pasha had the holy relics of Saint Sava burned.
Belgrade is also called the city of nightlife. Many clubs are open until dawn and could be found throughout the city. Most recognizable are barges (in Serbian - splavovi) spread along the banks of the Sava and Danube Rivers. Unfotunatelly, I live near them so my nights are sleepless because of a very loud music. This city hosts many annual cultural events, including FEST (Belgrade Film Festival), BITEF (Belgrade Theatre Festival), BELEF (Belgrade Summer Festival), BEMUS (Belgrade Music Festival), Belgrade Book Fair, and the Belgrade Beer Festival. In 2008, it hosted Eurovision song contest.
During the history this city rose and fell. Many times it was bombed and ruined,but his spirit never died. We all follow that spirit and it kept us all together in harsh times. I hope I made somekind of picture about this city for you, for a better understanding, and hopefully soon will write more. At the end, here are some pictures of Kalemegdan Fortress and Saint Sava church which could be found on www.belgrade-serbia.com and www.belgradeeye.com

Cheers,

Andrea

Balkans vs. Scandinavia

Guys,



I ve got to share this with you...



I got back from Stockholm recently and I am amazed how nice and well all communities, ethnicities and nationalities live. I happend to arrive on the Swedish National Day which was celebrated mostly by the 'others' than Swedish.



Mexican food, Turkish Music, Kurdish Dance, with a mixture of different kind of flags (including one of my country) characterised this happening. The swedish people was enjoying the freedom and great performances by the others in their country. There was Turkish Doners and Swedish Ice creams too...



Everyone was happy to have Swedish flag stickers

hi

Dear Everobody,

I am being a little late with my posting due to some travellings that i was doing lately. I was in Stockholm for an official trip and I enjoyed a lot.By way of intro...I am Abit and I was born in 1982 in Central Kosova.

I have a BA in Political Science and an MA in Journalism and Communication. Currently I am working for UNDP Kosova and until now I holded some positions with the National Assembly of Kosova, Office on Missing Persons and Forensics, Danish Refugee Council, UNDP, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Internal Affairs in Kosova.I also participated in many seminars on 'transitional justice', 'european integration' etc.

As part of my academic background, I participated in several researches in KOsova through international Universities such as: University of Oslo, University of Canberra, University of Vaxjo, etc. So far, I have participated in three different PhD programmes as professional researcher to help with guidlines for the cultural context of Kosova.

I hope that sharing experiences in this forum will increase my knowledge about different experiences around the globe about different problems.

Kindest Regards.
A.

Hello everybody

Dear friends,

My name is Andrea Colak and I am coming from Belgrade, Serbia. I am last year student at Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade and I intend to specialize in International Law and international relations.

Meanwhile I am also an active member of a very young organization called KRIO that deals with youth and sustainable development. Currently, I am involved in activities concerning project proposal writing.

Serbia has been passing through many difficulties in the last two decades. The 90s were very difficult period for my country, starting from disintegration of Socialistic Federative Republic of Yugoslavia,which resulted with conflicts in Balkan region, through UN sanctions and bombing in 1999.

In 2001, Serbia started process of democratization. It has made a progress, but unfortunately, not enough. In addition, we are still bearing pressure from our, not so far, past.

One of the biggest Serbia’s issues is resolving the status of Kosovo. In 2008, the Assembly of Kosovo declared Kosovo's independence. It provoced negative reactions in Serbia and political conflicts, but also attracted a lot of world’s attention. I think it is important to share information as much as possible and to try to observe conflicts from other perspective than ours. It is also important to learn from our mistakes,and to learn how to be committed to peace. If we are committed to peace we need to be committed to applying the same principles in our own lives and in our own communities that we are asking others to adhere to at this time. Principles of respect, understanding, non-violence and peacekeeping are crucial and we need to do everything that is in our power to ensure those.

Im looking forward to work with YAC team.

Best wishesh and regards,

Andrea

Personal Presentation

Dear Everybody

My name is Ertan Bikliqi and I am surely very glad to be in this midst where I hope will gain knowledge and information through discussions and activities. I work as an English Teacher in a Secondary School and English courses in Prishtina, the capital of the newborn state of Kosova, ex-Yugoslavia. I also am an active member of youth initiative for peace and development, Hope Fellowships Program - American Albanian National Council. We had quite a hard time during the Milosevic's atrocious rule upon Kosova where many people where killed and almost all the houses burnt and nearly all the popullation were made to leave their country until NATO military intervention. I hope we can share fruitful knowledge, experience and advice towards peacebuilding throughout the world God willing.

Best wishes and regards

Ertan Bikliqi
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