Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day :)  Kosovo shopkeepers were busy this year as the local population swarmed onto the streets to celebrate and purchase gifts for loved ones in a previously little celebrated holiday.  Some attribute the change to a new ability of the local population to purchase goods that were before considered very luxury.
The power situation has been pretty rough in Kosovo over the past several days.  In fact despite promises for 24/7 power after the elections and new promises for constant power following independence, Kosovo's government declared an energy crisis and KEK is warning that it will cost taxpayers 2 million euros to import enough power for five days.  People living in Pristina can expect to have 4 on: 2 off or even 3:3 when the situation is dire...surrounding towns will be slightly worse off...and villages can expect to have around a total of 4 hours of power each day.

Lately the news makes my head spin in regards to Kosovo's independence declaration.  There are so many conflicting reports about what will actually take place this Sunday.  Will it be an intent to declare or an actual declaration...at this point, I really can't tell and anyone who reads the news as I do is probably just as confused about what is going on.  The UN has issued a warning to staff to be vigilant and to not take part in any celebrations in their official capacity and Serbia's PM has asked Kosovo Serbs to stay put and reaffirmed that Belgrade will never recognize the declaration. Meanwhile, some Serbs in the north are ready for a fight should Kosovo try to rein in north of the Ibar river. Russia is saying that any recognition of Kosovo's independence will violate international law, is illegal, and hopes to call an emergency session of the UN Security Council in the next few days.

Other Kosovo News...

• Despite obstacles, Kosovo can only go up, according to an article in Reuters regarding Kosovo's post-indepedence economy
• Greek Minister says Europe still divided on Kosovo
• EU in countdown to launching EUMIK mission (I don't know if this will the the actual name but it's a catchy one that Vetevendosje came up with and plastered all over the stoplights in Pristina...Jo EUMIK, meaning No, EUMIK!)
• EUMIK is due to start deployment on 17 February

Ticking of the Clock

It seems that the clock is ticking on Kosovo's independence.  It is expected that Kosovo's parliament will sign a declaration of intent to declare independence on 17 February.  The actual declaration is due to take place in early March.  The timing of the decision is interesting as it looks to be set to take place right before the meeting of the EU and on Sunday which would give more than 100 countries a chance to recognize Kosovo's independence before the UN in NY woke up and Russia could call an emergency session of the Security Council to block the move.  There are fears that jovial mobs of Albanians celebrating may attack fleeing, angry, and scared Serb communities who are expected to make a mass exodus from Kosovo following independence despite Kosovo PM's assurances and pretty speeches about how Kosovo Serbs should stay.  This may not be the actual case but don't think there won't be any celebrations because there will be a big party in Pristina with a fireworks display and while not frequently admitted, lots and lots of celebratory gunfire!

Serbia is protesting the expected recognition and already Serbian hardliners are lashing out in anger against an art exhibit of a Kosovo Albanian in Belgrade.  Hardliners clashed with police and the exhibit was closed.  Additionally an explosion rocked a Slovenian owned shopping center resulting in material damages, no injuries and a second threat was called into another Slovenian center.  Some Serbs are calling for a boycott of Slovenian products due to the recent Slovenian takeover of the EU presidency and the support the organization has been giving to Kosovo's independence.

Kosovo Serb politicians are also torn about what to think about the possible EU mission to Kosovo.  Rival factions have differing opinions from boycott to welcoming the mission.  Meanwhile it appears that the recently elected government of Serbia could collapse due to the loss of Kosovo and infighting about the SAA pact with the EU which is supposed to be considered a separate issue but in the minds of the people difficult to distinguish.

Other Kosovo News...

• As Albanians complain about poor education, minorities face even more struggles with education in Kosovo
• Independence moves spur fear on the streets for Serbs in Kosovo

MTCowgirl's Interesting Articles/Commentary...

• Kosovo boxers hope for independence so they can compete in Beijing Olympics
• Yugoslav memories preserved in Kosovo mental hospital
• Will Kosovo's independence spur other pro-self rule provinces - debate from both sides of the argument on Helium
• One concert in Kosovo not to miss
• Kosovo is ready, Hashim Thaci publishes commentary in the International Herald Tribune

Pristina Municipality Begins Culling Dogs

Pristina Municipality in conjunction with Hortikultura started a culling campaign against stray dogs at midnight on 29 January.  The campaign is expected to last several nights and an estimated 700 dogs in Pristina municipality are expected to be killed.  It's very sad that the local government doesn't invest money in the dog shelter located near the airport.  I would think it would be a much more humane and effective way to deal with the stray problem in Kosovo.

MTCowgirl's Interesting Articles/Commentary...

• There Goes Kosovo, commentary from American Spectator
• Rapping with a proud Albanian, a look at the Kosovo music industry
• Warning light on Kosovo, commentary from the Washington Times
• Kosovo Underworld Rising...an interesting article on criminal groups in Kosovo
• Promoting the Birth of a Supremacist State

Other Kosovo News...

• Albin Kurti detained (again) for failing to show up for trial
• Thaci says Kosovo has a "prevention plan" for independence
• UN Secretary-General says Kosovo is EU issue
• Thaci says independence "within days" of Serbian elections...(wait, didn't he say something about just days last week???  I think I want to become a bookie and take bets on when Kosovo will declare independence.  The person who correctly guesses would win a lot but I'd make a killing on all the wrong predictions!).  He also says that Kosovo won't wait for independence
• Justice has failed in Kosovo according to Amnesty International

Wrapping Up the Clothing & Toy Drive

Yesterday, Dj Vegas & Friends wrapped up the Charity Clothing & Toy Drive in Vitina.  Overall, going out and being involved in the distribution of the aid was very rewarding and sometimes frustrating.  I have great respect for people that work on programs for sustainability or distribute aid on a regular basis.  Be on the lookout for Christmas in July with Dj Vegas & Friends because if the UN continues through the summer, I'm planning on striking out again with food, clothing, and toys for vulnerable children in Kosovo!  And a special thank you to everyone who went out with me to distribute!!!

MTCowgirl's Interesting Articles...

• Journey Around the Balkans, a Euroblog from a BBC News reporter
• Kosovo dentist wanted on fraud charges in Canada
• Balkans on the Mend, commentary from Guardian Unlimited

Other Kosovo News...

• Kosovo readies for economic blockade
• Bulgaria will not immediately recognize Kosovo's independence
• UN Secretary-General unsure about EU Mission

Independence Within Days???

Both Kosovo's PM Thaci and President Sedjiu have been in the media saying that Kosovo's declaration of independence will happen within days.  Meanwhile NATO has boosted its troops levels in anticipation of the declaration and the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) has prepared an operational plan called Operation Status.
The EU is debating whether or not Marija Serifovic, winner of last year's Eurovision Song Contest, will be allowed to continue as an EU intercultural ambassador due to her alleged ties to Serbian ultranationalists.

Russia has stated that it will not send troops as a show of force should Kosovo unilaterally declare independence.

The EU is considering sending the first batch of police officers to Kosovo before independence is declared (better do it quick though if it will be within days!) however due to objections by Cyprus the plan may not be approved.  Next week the EU is to take a decision about where or not to sign an accord with Serbia for EU accession.

Explosion in Dragodan

Last night around 1930 CET there was an explosion in Dragodan that injured four people in a dispute between two Albanian families.  I actually heard the explosion as I was going into the house after dinner but I didn't think it was anywhere close...perhaps the sound was muffled by the other buildings.  Shooting was also reported in the area and AK-47 rounds found at the scene.  According to a friend, the explosion was towards the bottom of Dragodan but on the left side (going up) rather than the right side of the hill where most of the offices and houses are located.  It seems that it was a busy weekend for KPS because in two unrelated incidents two officers were assaulted in the Pristina region when intervening between feuding families.
This weekend was the first round of elections in Serbia and this morning the ultra-nationalists lead the polls.  Serbia's electoral commission also confirmed the official ban of UK and US observers from election monitoring.

MTCowgirl's Interesting Articles

• George Clooney & Sharon Stone against Kosovo Independence (ah, that settles it then!  George has spoken!)
• In fact, Richard Gere & Sean Connery also joined opposition to Kosovo's independence after the initial article!
• Land of paradoxes and surprises, a short informal guide to visiting Kosovo
• Independent Kosovo not a world menace, commentary from the Indiana Statesman
• Kosovo Film debuts at Utah film festival
• Kosovo Independence, the least bad option

Other Kosovo News

• Serbia: Pride vs. Progress, a view from Forbes
• New UN prosecutor, fresh approach?  A look at what the new UN war crimes prosecutor might need to do...
• OSCE Mission in Kosovo to close if independence declared...
• Albania:  We don't want Kosovo...Albanian PM says that division has created two different Albanian realities
• Kosovo Government considering to privatize KEK

Charity Quiz Night!

Dj Vegas & Friends at the Phoenix Bar - 8:30pm!!! Charity Quiz tonight to raise money for Dj Vegas' Charity Clothing & Toy Drive!!!
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

MTCowgirl's Interesting Articles...

• 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...