Vetevendosje Strikes Again

The Self-Determination Group (Vetevendosje) struck out at EULEX yesterday, damaging 26 vehicles and injuring three KPS officers.  Many of the vehicles were overturned and nearly all had their windows smashed out in the Pristina municipal parking (of course there are signs everywhere saying that the Pristina Municipality is not responsible for damage caused to vehicles while in the lot…but somehow this rates up a little higher than a hit&run fender bender in a parking lot in my book!).  The EULEX police spokesperson quickly condemned the attack saying that while the organization supports the democratic right to demonstrate the act of criminal damage is unacceptable.  Vetevendosje gave the reasoning of the recent signing of a cooperation agreement on organized crime between the Serbian Ministry of Interior and EULEX for the criminal damage.  It has been quite some time since Vetevendosje organized a demonstration like this and the first time that the group has attacked EULEX.  As usual, Vetevendosje later alleged police brutality and stated that one of its members was being treated in the local hospital.  Rumor has it that KPS initially did not want to intervene to stop the destruction of the vehicles but finally did so on the insistence of EULEX management.

In a separate and unrelated demonstration in the North, EULEX police clashed with demonstrators protesting the rebuilding of Albanian houses in the north of Kosovo.  Daily protests continue over the rights of Albanians to rebuild in the north of the Ibar where a Serbian majority resides.

MTCowgirl’s Kosovo News

• Kosovo elections without cameras
• US Ambassador to Kosovo presents credentials
• Miss Kosovo places third in Miss Universe Pagent

Is KFOR On Its Way Out?

There has been numerous rumors and stories on the proposed downsizing of NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) over the past year.  Recently it has been reported that a total withdrawal of KFOR may occur within the next four years.  The rumors of a downsizing of KFOR by the beginning of next year has been confirmed and the force is due to be reduced to 10,000, a reduction of some 4000 troops.  Speculation is that with increasing pressure to provide more troops in areas such as Afghanistan, NATO could take troops withdrawn from Kosovo and transfer them to other conflict areas.

MTCowgirl’s Kosovo News

• UNDP provides grant money for regional safe-houses
• OSCE will not organize local Kosovo elections
• European Commission looks to boost agriculture in Kosovo
• Serbian families return to western Kosovo

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

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

Good Eats

While it has been around for a while, I recently discovered Liburnia Restaurant behind Procredit Bank off UCK Street.  Rumored to have the best pizza in town, the menu was fairly impressive and I thoroughly enjoyed the broccoli and cheese dish!  Open just for a couple of months, Geba Bar is a new sushi and sashimi bar in Dardania.  The interior is modern and swanky with a two large aquariums embedded in the front of the bar.  Unfortunately for those that don’t like raw fish, Geba currently does not offer any cooked items.

The nightlife in Pristina is grand as always.  Karaoke has seemed to go mainstream now with several new locations to belt out your favorite tunes.  Both new sushi bars (Geba & Sushi Bar) offer karaoke whenever a customer has an urge and 212 Club in Pejton is hosting karaoke nights on Thursdays starting at 11pm.  Unfortunately rumor has it that the former place to go for karaoke, Tokyo, no longer has a system and is trying to cater to a more upscale dinner crowd.  I haven’t been for a while but there was always a good crowd up there on the weekends so hopefully the party crowd will move on to the new places!  There is usually a group that gather up at Pacific Rim in Dragodan on Wednesday evenings for cocktails and karaoke which is often good fun   In addition to the new karaoke options, a few other recently discovered places to hang out include Dubliner Irish Bar (near the Grand Hotel) and Why Not Bar (Pejton near Bill Clinton).  Why Not Bar features a fantastic live band on the weekends and Dubliner has an authentic dark pub-ish feel to it.

But alas, Kosovo is not all fun and games so on to the news!!!

MTCowgirl’s Kosovo News

• Kosovo invited to join IMF
• Kosovo Ministry of Education evacuated over bomb threat, not the same as last week!
• Kosovo Serbs sign deal on electricity
• Kosovo opposition demands election date