As the Haradinaj trial wraps up, prosecutors have asked for a sentence of 25 years for Ramush and his other two co-defendants...this kind of busts up the rumor that he had been released but there still may be some truth to the rumormill that politicians are interfering with the International Criminal Court. With closing statements due to conclude in the next week or two, signs have popped up all over Pristina saying "Ramush we need you here now". I've been trying to get a good photo but normally there is a stoplight or power pole in the way of a clear shot from the car.
Living in Kosovo is often interesting and sometimes it is difficult to wrap your head around the Kosovar way of thinking. Those of us who have lived here some time have lots of experiences and stories we can take back with us to tell our grandchildren later on about "when I was with the UN in Kosovo back in..."! I'm reminded of this today due to a rather funny experience that one of my colleagues had this morning. The power is always an interesting...phenomenon (guess that is the right way to put it!)...in Pristina. Often a phase (there are three phases in most houses) will go out either due to wiring problems or KEK shutting it off for repairs. Today one of the phases in my friend's flat was off so he went to go check the fuse box which is normally the first thing you have to check in Kosovo when there is something wrong with the power. Often the fuses will blow because the power level dips. Anyways, when my friend gets to the fuse box he discovered that someone had actually stolen the fuse along with the holder! (how wild is that to steal a fuse from someone???)
It's a phenomenon (my word for the day I guess!) that'd I'd like to call Kosovo Kleptomania. Basically if it isn't too big or bolted down, eventually someone will come along and steal it. At the UN Mission HQ, building maintenance had to move a light and replace another because someone was coming each and every night and stealing the light bulb. They ended up moving one light closer to the ceiling so someone couldn't stand on a chair and reach it...and the other one had to be replaced with an encased florescent bulb! Other things like toilet paper, air fresheners, and paper towels also regularly disappear from the UN bathrooms. I remember when I brought a couple nice air fresheners to our office because the bathrooms were smelly...the cleaning staff asked me if it was alright to lock them up over the weekend because they were afraid someone would come take them. Eventually they were left out and disappeared...
Kosovo Related News...
- Discrimination rife in Kosovo, this article takes a look at basically homeless or very poor families in Kosovo and how they cope
- Serbia's Radicals change image
- Serbians hold pre-election rally in Mitrovica for Radical leader
- Thaci says Serbs welcome in Kosovo following independence (and promises independence soon!)
- Thaci to address UN Security Council
- Serbia responds to Ruecker report on Standards
- Russia warns Kosovo if it declares independence it will never become a member of the UN
- Vermont watches Kosovo independence, state wants to secede from the US and hopes Kosovo will show them the way (how wild is that???)
- Kosovo independence would not contribute to Balkan stability according to a political scientist
- SRSG sings praises on freedom of movement while remaining evasive on investigation...
