Oink Update!

Is it poetic justice? The first confirmed case of swine flu in Kosovo is a national who temporarily works in the UK and returned home for holidays.  So rather than the numerous internationals working for organizations in Kosovo bringing the “thousands of diseases” into Kosovo as recently claimed by the local media it actually has been a Kosovar working abroad that has brought the virus.

With Macedonia soon joining the white zone for Schengen visa, there is a possibility that Kosovars would be required to apply for a visa to enter the southerly neighbor.  Macedonia would receive instruction from the European Commission and would likely act on its advice in regards to travel of citizens of Kosovo and Albania who still require visas to travel within Europe.

MTCowgirl’s Kosovo News

• Kosovo demands law & order in the North
• European Commission allocates funds for Kosovo municipalities
• Kosovo let down by failing judiciary
• OSCE will not monitor upcoming Kosovo elections

MTCowgirl’s Interesting News/Articles

• Kosovo man beaten to cleanse soul
• Why Kosovo is not the heart of Serbia
• Bloggers debate IMF/WB acceptance of Kosovo

Oink, Oink!

Smokey and I are back home in Pristina after a short-break home in Las Vegas and the doggy-prison (kennel).  As usual, Smokey got tossed in the bathtub and was washed immediately as he usually doesn’t smell great (ok, he reeks something terrible!) when he gets home but they do take fairly good care of my puppy when I can’t

Journalism is a word that could be used loosely when talking about news in Kosovo.  The latest laughable article found warns the locals in Kosovo about the dangers of associating with the international community because we evidently are carrying swine flu.  I’m sure there was strong factual evidence behind the claims so all I have to say is “oink, oink” )

In other news, a demonstration outside the government building by the veterans of the KLA (Kosovo Liberation Army) turned violent when protestors lobbed Molotov cocktails and explosive devices across the fence.  Traffic downtown was also disrupted due to a sit-down protest by members of the KLA in the middle of one of the busiest roads (Pristina-Podujevo).

Kosovo politicians are under the impression that they will be able to join the UN within the next five years.  However considering the fact that to-date even Palestine has not been able to join as a full-member due to regional politics, it is unlikely that it will happen unless Serbia acknowledges Kosovo’s independence.  But according to some Kosovo government officials, Serbia may soon recognize Kosovo and even urge the UN to close its mission…but again, that’s journalism in Kosovo

MTCowgirl’s Kosovo News

• Kosovo to join UN in next five years
• Kosovo submits second independence legality statement
• EULEX announces return of judges to northern Kosovo
• Kosovo to build power plant to produce 2000MW