Kosovo: Meeting of the Mitrovica Focus Group, 19 April 2006

This was an attempt to bring together the north Kosovo Serbian community with the Pristina diplomatic community to reengage on practical issues of local concern.  Not all of the internationals felt comfortable doing this on their own.  The Americans did not feel safe even going into the north.  The meeting was held in our UNMIK Mitrovica HQ.  (I did not draft these minutes.) 

UNMIK Participants: Gerard Gallucci, RR Mitrovica; Andrei Efimov, SPA Mitrovica; Detlef Beisiegel, MR Leposavic; Jean-Luc Sintes, MR Zubin Potok; Alex Melbourne, OIC MR Zvecan, michail Krasnoshchekov, PAO/SRSG, Svetlana Pencheva , PED, Mitrovica, LtCol. Noel Joyce, Senior MLO Mitrovica, Lt.Col. LeMarec, KFOR.

Serbian participants: Momir Kaslovic, Head of regional CCK, Srbrolujb Milenkovic, Chairperson of UAM Advisory Board, Dragisa Milovic, MAP Zvecan, Slavisa Ristic, MAP Zubin Potok; Velimir Bojovic, MAP Leposavic

Participants of International Liaison offices: Zoltan Balazs, Deputy Head of Office, Hungary; Ruairi O’Connel, Deputy Head of Mission, Bristish office; Ann-Sofie Nilsson, Head of office, Sweden; Gloria Di Luca, Deputy head of office, Italy; Wim Peeters, Head of Mission, Belgium; Margriet Struijf, Head of Office, Netherland; Sergey Bazdnikin, Head of Chancery, Russuan Federation; Yvana Enzler, Head of Mission, Swiss LO; Wolfgang Koeth, EC Office; T. Kirk McBride, Chief Political and economic Affairs, USA; Heidi Hakone L Barrachina, PO, US Office, Eugen Wollfarth, Head of German LO, Pierri Johan Kuan, Norweegian LO, Rodolphe Richard, Deputy head French LO, Christos Tzavaras, Head of Greek LO, Christian Siegl, Deputy Head of Austrian LO.

The Regional Representative of Mitrovica Mr. Gerard Gallucci welcome international participants at the first part (without locals) of the meeting of the Mitrovica Focus Group (MFG). He said that the MFG is seen as continuation of the initiative “Friends of Mitrovica” that commenced in early 2004. The MFG is a group with focus on Mitrovica region, the stickiest problem of Kosovo and it is good to see international stakeholders with an interest what the international community can do to keep the place calm and peaceful. MFG is not focused specifically on the north. The next meeting hopefully will embrace all six MAPs of the region. The CA in Mitrovica has been developing relationship with the three northern municipalities and UAM and keeping the relationship with Albanian from the south part of the region. CA is seeking to develop relationship of engaging them positively with the International Community and even offer them some solutions related to the every day problems of local communities. The population in the region has problems with insufficient drinking water usage, and K-Serbs and K-Albanians have found it possible to meet and talk to each other to address this issue. We want your engagement and financial support and we are particularly interested in dialogue between northerners and the international community.Our concern is how to hold the north, which we find to work with us. Serbia might advise them to cease cooperation as it happened with Education. We find it important to give the northerners opportunity to be heard, listening has had positive effect, a focus helping them with a practical concern. They have been advice to keep politics to a minimum when coming here. They will be bringing with them a list of priority quick impact projects of most immediate impact. (QIP). The international community is a good listener and a positive partner.

At the second part of the meeting K-Serbs joined it. The RR gives the floor to K-Serbian participants for brief presentations:

Miomir Kasalovic, Head of Regional CCK. He welcomes participants in his name and on behalf of Sanda Raskovic-Ivic. He presented issues in his opinion comprising the biggest burden for the population in Northern Kosovo:

• Internally displaced persons ( IDPs). There is no adequate accommodation for them and we would like to provide such for everyone.
  • Roma IDPs. It’s one of the huge burdens, for which we need to find solution.
• Employment. It is much needed for IDPs, to have jobs and provide incomes for their families. The CCK is doing as much as possible, but its recourses are rather limited.
• Infrastructure. The road network is in worse state than in 1999. Even what we had has been damaged by heavy KFOR vehicles. We want to improve the road network and to have investments in the road infrastructure

These problems are problems of all ethnicities. I am not going to count everything else we miss and need, but let us start from the basic issues.

Dragisa Milovic, MAP, Zvecan. He welcomes participants. He is MAP of a municipality with 17,000 populations. All problems which have been mentioned by Mr. Kasalovic are common for all northern municipalities. For the first time we stay around the table with people who are willing to help us. More attention has been paid until now to the Albanian community.

• Infrastructure. If you have visited northern municipalities you should have seen the condition of roads there. The infrastructure needs to be improved. The municipality has put efforts but its resources are strongly insufficient.

• IDPs. There are 4,000 IDPs for which only the municipality takes care. Not much has been done for providing decent conditions for IDPs. We fully support new UNMIK approach that allows people to choose to live where they feel comfortable.
• Employment. There is 3,000 unemployed in the municipality, many of them former Trepca workers. We see the solution in opening mines and creation of small and medium size enterprises with 10-50 employees. There are good conditions in the municipality for stock breeding, fruit production, and tourism. Municipality Zvecan has prepared projects and can offer solutions for all these.
• Tourism. Favourable conditions for tourism stay with Banjska mineral spa, where 5,000 people were coming yearly for treatment and rehabilitation till 1999
• Sports facilities. There are not such facilities in the northern part of Kosovo and they are much needed especially for the young generations. To keep young people away from drugs we need to offer them employment, jobs and alternative activities.
• Available experts in all fields. We have experts in all fields who are currently unemployed. What is needed -- a little support and chance to do what they can. We have relevant projects and you may wish to look at them.

Salvias Rustic, MAP Cubin Pothook. He thanks for the opportunity to talk to internationals on practical matters without touching upon politics. If we succeed to solve problems of people for their every day life we shall solve also the political problems. I am MAP of North-West municipality, which had just 10,000 populations till 1999, now the number is much bigger due to many Dips that settled there from other places like Croatia and Bosnia. There is one KA village in the municipality Qabra with 1,200 inhabitants. Zubin Potok had its economic development till 1999. It has resources for pure drinking water for half of Kosovo population. It has plans for development of tourism: we have the lake and the mountain Mokra Gora. There is a hydro station and electric energy is produced in the municipality. The problems in Zubin Potok are:

• Unemployed young people-key problem of the municipality. We want Zubuin Potok to get help in opening new jobs.
• We need a Health House (polyclinic) to improve health care and for emergency cases of patients, because the hospital in North Mitrovica is very far.
• Problems with local road infrastructure. There 64 villages in Zubin Potok in the mountains. Their connection with roads is very bad. In past years some roads have been damaged by heavy KFOR vehicles. The state of streets within Zubin Potok is similar and we need to improve this.
• We need 100 accommodations for IDPs and vulnerable families and individuals.

Velimir Bojovic , MAP Leposavic. The problems in my municipality are the same like mentioned by my colleagues. Leposavic has 20,000 inhabitants. There are 3 Albanian villages, factory for small metal parts in Lesak, “ Parva petiletka” factory in Leposavic, and factory “ Hrast”. Trepca is operational only in Leposavic, where there are two mines. In the past there were several thousand workers in Trepca, but today only 520. Problems we are facing in Leposavic:

• Some problems are related to Belgrade’s policy.Raw materials are imported from Serbia and final products are exported back to Serbia, so custom duties are paid twice.
• There are very good resources for cattle breeding, fruit and berry production, people are interested to work in this field. However, there is no equipment for storage and also credits with favourable conditions are needed.
• There are excellent conditions for tourism. Nothing has been yet constructed on the southern part of Kopaonik Mountain and there are 200 days of snow there, favourable for winter sports.
• There is a spa which waters are favourable for skin diseases near Socanica in the village Kievcice, Elernska reka.
• Other needs are new schools, kindergarten and sports facilities. Leposavic has very good achievements in sports and we would like to provide opportunities for our young generations.
• We have completed the Strategic development plan for Leposavic- (the Development Agenda under mitrovica Initiative project).
• Unemployment levels exceed 3,000. there are experts in all fields. We need minimum conditions and credits to generate income.

Srbroljub Milenkovic, UAM. He welcomes participants. What are needed in the north are 200 accommodations and 1,000 jobs. Our share of municipal capital investment is 10,000 only and we cannot do much with it. The northern part of Mitrovica comprises 1/5 and there are approximately 20,000 inhabitants of which 5,000 IDPs from all over Kosovo. The northern part of Mitrovica is highly multiethnic with Albanians, Turks, Bosnjaks and Gorani living there. However, all economy after 1999 has remained in the south. All facilities such as Cultural centre and sports facilities have been built in the south and there is nothing in the north. In the same time we need these strongly. We also need schools, especially secondary, a Trade centre, green market and kiosk market in order to create favourable conditions for trade and create new jobs. We cannot do much because of very limited budget: for capital investments this year we have only 10 000Euro. These all are important for creating working places. We have very good experience with EAR which funded 2 million heating plant located in the north bur providing heating for both parts of Mitrovica. Under existing financial conditions we even cannot order technical design of a project. Just imagine we will spend all our money for design but afterwards fail to generate donors’ support for its realization.

Representative of EU informed the meeting that the Union committed for 2006 10,5 million Euro for Mitrovica and Zvecan and is prepared to provide 7 million Euro for infrastructure projects in Kosovo. He advised MAPs to consider best options to join these projects. However, he reminded that in accordance with EU rules all proposed projects should contribute to EU integration of Kosovo and for multiethnic links.

MAP Zvecan assured that there will be full transparency and control over donated money. He also stressed that infrastructure definitely relates to all communities.

Momir Kasalovic, asked by RR to provide assessment of political situation, said that there are a lot of concerns on K-Serbian side. Regarding security (explosions during last four days), regarding statements about independence of diplomats representing important countries, regarding lack of returns, regarding “double standards” applied by IC for different communities. It is all unacceptable for K-Serbs. However, they are trying their best to maintain contacts with IC in order to decrease tension (the last meeting was with Frank Wisner). Especially good understanding exists on regional level in Mitrovica.

Kosovo: November 30, 2007 Meeting of the Task Force on the Mitrovica Area

In April 2007, the EU began to ready for assuming its role in a "post-independent" Kosovo and sent its EU Planning Team (EUPT) to begin coordinating with UNMIK on its plans to take our place.  Here follows the minutes of the fifth meeting of the Mitrovica Task Force to continue EU "coordination" with the United Nations.  I don't seem to have any record of follow up meetings, if any occurred.  But I do have a copy of the OSCE report (a 62 page document) and it can be found here.

Minutes of the Task Force on the Mitrovica Area meeting

30 November 2007

Paricipants: Gallucci, Efimov (both UNMIK), Santillan-Luzuriaga, Butchart Livingson, Strohal (all OSCE), Stadler, Boura, Battista, Carver (all ICO PT), Guehenneux, (KFOR), Zuuccarini (EUPT), Thornton (US Office)

OSCE Preview of Report on Parallel Structures: observed the difficulty in obtaining accurate information from such structures. Noted that approximately 50 individuals serve as “bridge watchers,” who can be reinforced by another 50-250 people at any time. Also noted the dilemma of double jeopardy given the parallel courts and the questionable validity of documents issued by such courts.

Financial Flows: UNMIK estimated that 85 million euros in dinars come across the administrative border from Serbia to finance salaries, pensions, and parallel institutions in the north. Any clampdown on transfers would have to cover the entire border, not just the gates. If the IC were to seize cash transfers, it would have to consider having a distribution network established to allocate the funds to legitimate recipients. Otherwise, potential for unrest (fueled by hard-line propaganda) would increase. Worth exploring a dialogue with Belgrade on how the boycott of PISG is working.

Hospital: Run under Serbia’s Ministry of Health; likely no K/A’s on staff; has refused funding from Pristina; no formal professional ties with K/A medical personnel; not secure for K/A’s to travel to hospital although a few cases of emergency treatment of K/A’s are known; likewise for IC personnel; IC should consider ensuring that medical imports from Serbia are exempted from taxes at border.

University: New rector told UNMIK he is open to dialogue; rector does not appear to be working toward accreditation of diplomas; university budget approx. 12 million euros (no financial links to Pristina); serves 5,000-8,000 students, including in K/S enclaves south of the Ibar (many of these students study in the enclaves and travel to Mitrovica just for exams); university leadership refers to institution as “University of Pristina in Mitrovica” (consensus was that this should be acceptable and downplayed as an issue); some ethnic Albanians from Montenegro enrolled; encourage European Commission to find ways to link the Mitrovica and Pristina universities via Brussels (possible if election of rector of Mitrovica U. meets Bologna standards). OSCE noted that legitimate election of rector only requirement for accreditation. UNMIK will raise informally with Mitrovica U. issue of Bosniaks with PISG diplomas seeking enrollment in Mitrovica U.

General Conclusion: Attempts to dismantle parallel institutions in the early stages of settlement implementation could prove counterproductive.

Next meeting: Thursday, 7 December, 11:00 a.m., ICO PT Office, Pristina

Kosovo: November 23, 2007 Meeting of the Task Force on the Mitrovica Area

In April 2007, the EU began to ready for assuming its role in a "post-independent" Kosovo and sent its EU Planning Team (EUPT) to begin coordinating with UNMIK on its plans to take our place.  Here follows the minutes of the fourth meeting of the Mitrovica Task Force to continue EU "coordination" with the United Nations. (Note:  Compare the comments on the courthouse and parallel institutions to what actually happened after the unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence in 2008. For example, the courthouse debacle and my congressional testimony from 2011.)

   

November 23, 2006

Minutes of the Task Force on the Mitrovica Area meeting

Participants: Gallucci, Efimov (both UNMIK), Chevrir (UNMIK – CIVPOL), Irvine, Simion (UNMIK - DOJ), Daca, Strohal (both OSCE), Stadler, Boura, Carver (all ICO PT), Denis, Moerman (KFOR), Svensson, Lukits (both EUPT)

TF reviewed the Mitrovica Court and the Mitrovica Detention Center. UNMIK noted the repatriation of prisoners agreement between Serbia and Kosovo and the possibility that Serbia might not continue implementation of it after status. UNMIK – DOJ noted that individuals were transferred in armored personnel carriers to the Detention Center and described times when KFOR had to intercede to ensure that the vehicle (surrounded by hostile crowd) could proceed. UNMIK noted ethnic mix of staff and prisoners and that 4 of the 5 “Category A” prisoners were ethnic Albanians. The TF noted no major ethnicity-related problems among staff members (staff cohesion remained intact even through March 2004 riots). There are no IC prison guards. Prison guards (KCS) are unarmed; a Special Police Unit (SPU) is responsible for perimeter security. KFOR noted its contingency plan for evacuation of the Detention Center personnel and prisoners should situation so warrant and said it could develop similar plans for the Court. They also noted that all the evacuation plans follow the certain priority listings. EUPT noted it had plans for internal security of Detention Center. The TF noted that in the case of the overall K/S boycott of the status settlement, the Serb members of KCS would follow it. If the Court and Detention Center remain in the North as mixed institutions, the challenges for transition would be: security of the facilities and transportation of the local staff.

UNMIK raised a problem of previous lack of 24/7 security at the Mitrovica Regional Court (serious implications for evidence & records). Currently private security firm provides night-time coverage (KPS or other providing day-time coverage). UNMIK noted that UNMIK Criminal Court has no effective “parallel” rival. Parallel civil courts, however, continue to exist. IC/PISG may want to review the salaries policy as a mean of discouraging staff from accepting salaries from Serbia.

Discussion turned to the general issue of parallel structures. UNMIK noted two scenarios: (1) parallel structures openly declare themselves Serbian institutions and (2) parallel structures continue to operate as “open secrets.” In second scenario, best case could be establishing a dialogue between Pristina and local parallel structures. If this is not possible, IC should have dialogue with parallel structures. Establishing contact with these structures’ personnel is critical in eventually obtaining records and convincing personnel to shift to central institutions.

ICO PT reviewed its concept for ICO in Mitrovica (ICOM), plans for staffing and monitoring settlement with possible use of corrective powers. ICO PT emphasized openness to suggestions and criticism and urged formal and informal dialogue with other IC actors. UNMIK stressed ICOM’s role as facilitating settlement implementation. Discussion turned to supporting dialogue between ethnic groups, among Kosovo Serbs, and between Kosovo Serbs and Belgrade. OSCE noted its and various NGO outreach plans in this regard.

TF agreed to review: (1) Mitrovica Hospital, (2) Mitrovica University, (3) financial flows, and potentially also the ICO-OSCE cooperation at its next meeting, Thursday, November 30, at 11:00 a.m. at the ICO PT office in Pristina. TF also agreed to review infrastructure (including utilities) and related economic issues at a meeting on Thursday, December 7, at 11:00 a.m. at the ICO PT office in Pristina. Specific agendas will be distributed ahead of those meetings.

Kosovo: November 16, 2007 Meeting of the Task Force on the Mitrovica Area

In April 2007, the EU began to ready for assuming its role in a "post-independent" Kosovo and sent its EU Planning Team (EUPT) to begin coordinating with UNMIK on its plans to take our place.  Here follows the minutes of the third meeting of the Mitrovica Task Force to continue EU "coordination" with the United Nations. (Note: HPD refers to the Housing and Property Directorate and handled KPA issues in Mitrovica.)

 

November 16, 2006

Minutes of the Task Force on the Mitrovica Area meeting (3)

Participants: Gallucci, Efimov (both UNMIK), Butchart Livingston (OSCE), Boura, Carver, Stadler (all ICO PT), Zuccarini (EUPT), Guehenneux, Denis (KFOR), Urny (UN Police)

Guests: Nunan (HPD Mitrovica), Rolando (DOJ), Oliver (UNMIK)

UNMIK noted the large potential problem of 6 – 7.000 K/A wanting/trying to return to N. Mitrovica and also assessed that there will be likely about 2.000 K/A living in the north once the settlement, with potential adjustments of municipal boundaries, is implemented. A very close link to the property issue was noted. Several participants stressed that K/S living in the north would conversely not return/move to the south after settlement implementation.

KPA outlined the Administration and Repossession property programs. So far, there have been 1250 claims by K/A for their properties in the north, whereas one fifth of those are destroyed houses. KPA stressed that its policy is to avoid evicting IDPs and ensuring that no one is rendered homeless as a result of eviction. The CCK agreed to evictions as long as people were not put out on the streets.

UNMIK and KPA emphasized that the stock of housing is not sustainable given the demand for repossession, particularly in light of further sales of property ethnic Albanians claim. High prices (under market conditions) of such properties were noted. A few ways of helping prevent this phenomenon from becoming a major problem are: (1) to promote a few returns of ethnic Albanians to the north (ex. Doctors’ Valley); (2) to create a plan for gradual addressing this issue over time (1 year and beyond); and (3) to fund an international housing agency/program from the donors’ conference to help provide additional housing. All those should be accompanied with effective dialogue and explanations to both sides: K/A and K/S. CCK’s efforts to add to the housing stock should not be prevented. KPA also outlined its rental and social housing scheme, noting that rents for properties in northern Mitrovica were necessarily below market value and should remain so in any similar future program. Security assurances, linked to the repossession of property and potential returns, should be addressed accordingly.

Participants noted the need to address housing for the Roma community. While UNDP is to cover the Roma Mahala project (in cooperation with the municipality), the Osterode camp, currently managed by UNMIK DCA, will need to be taken over (future local municipality issue?, with ensured funding?).

Participants noted problems with cadastral records and the insufficient capacity to adjudicate property claims.

There has been no privatization in the North, where the Trepca complex remains the main issue. UNMIK, as the protector of Trepca against creditors, turned reluctant to prolong such approach which causes unrest among K/A and K/S. Participants noted the lack of clarity regarding ownership, PISG’s determination to decide about the administration of the complex and whether Trepca would be liquidated (Supreme Court to handle the case!).

Related issues that will need to be addressed (preferably by the Kosovo Government) include:

• Pensions for Trepca workers – who pays them (PISG, CCK?),
• necessity of maintaining the pension and salary system,
• dealing with the claims for unpaid salaries / pensions (cca. 18.000 claims at municipal courts),
• Similar complaints from elsewhere, f. ex. dismissed workers in Obiliq/c,
• Discriminatory provisions for participation in privatization for K/S workers (in 3 last years almost no K/S allowed to work),
• Access to the courts to file in complaints.

The TF will meet November 23 at 11:00 a.m. at the ICO PT Office in Pristina* to discuss (1) Penal Management in the north; (2) the ICO PT’s concept of the ICO and its mission in the region, including regarding (a) the functioning of municipalities and (b) Issues that the Joint Board could address, inter alia, to foster inter-ethnic cooperation.

* The venue of the next meeting has been changed meanwhile; the next meeting on 23 Nov will take place in Mitrovica.