KEK To Cut Power

An announcement has come out from KFOR that the Kosovo Electric Company (KEK) is planning on cutting the power to Gracanica from 0600 – 2359 hours every day.  The timing of the electricity cut to one of the largest Serbian enclaves comes right before the Vidovdan (St. Vitus) celebrations and the anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo Polje.  KEK is hoping to settle the issue of outstanding bills not paid since 1999 and a possible collective settlement of 26 Euros/month per household but given the timing one can’t help but wonder if someone needs a “KEK in the @$$” for taking a decision to cut off the power right before such significant celebrations!

Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon of the UN has addressed the UN Security Council on the situation in Kosovo.  The report was complimentary to the EULEX mission and their reaching operational capacity in April.  The Kosovo government on the other hand did not seem to be presented in a very positive light with the divisions still remaining between the communities.  The full report can be read online through the UN Security Council reports.

MTCowgirl’s Kosovo News

• Serbia convicts four Serb police of war crimes in Kosovo
• Serbia complains to UN about property rights in Kosovo
• Kosovo to hold municipal elections on 15 November
• NATO approves downsizing of KFOR
• Kosovo not doing enough to prevent human traficking
• Czech Republic donates equipment to Kosovo police

MTCowgirl’s Interesting News/Articles

• Amnesty International blasts human rights in Kosovo following war
• Five reasons why Arab countries should recognize Kosovo
• Death threats published against Kosovo BIRN staff
• Abused, driven out, and poisioned: plight of Kosovo’s Romas

KFOR Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary

KFOR (Kosovo Force) marked 10 years in Kosovo today with a celebration in the Pristina camp of Film City.  The KFOR commander pledged to continue supporting Kosovo despite the talks of troop reductions and the suggestion of pull-out (which was decided against).

UNMIK continues to downsize with approximately 300 staff leaving at the end of June bringing the total number of staff to approximately 500 by 1 July 2009.  The UN Security Council is set to discuss Kosovo on 17 July as the 1244 resolution still remains in place requiring the UN to maintain a mission, albeit much smaller, in Kosovo.

MTCowgirl’s Kosovo News

• Kosovo joins three international organizations
• Kosovo president to soon pick senior KSF (Army) commanders
• Municipal elections likely in November
• KSF to be operational in September

MTCowgirl’s Interesting News/Articles

• Unemployment a major problem in Kosovo
• Flight of Kosovo minorities
• Free press threatened in Kosovo
• Survey: Kosovo has lowest level of corruption in Balkans
• Challenges and Unexpectedness: EULEX in Kosovo