On Friday, the 23 year-old brother of Ramush Haradinaj was shot and killed in a reported "clan" dispute in Peja/Pec. The Hague temporarily released Ramush to attend the funeral. The Haradinaj family has an interesting history with this generation of brothers. Two were killed during the fighting in 1999, another has been convicted of murder, and now this incident and the arrest of Ramush. Movement to Peja/Pec was restricted until this afternoon due to the shooting death and possible security risks to international staff traveling in the region.
There was an explosion in Pristina last night near the Illira Hotel. There aren't many details right now but the explosion is reportedly near one of the political party offices (ORA). The attack was targeted at the political party of Veton Surroi, a publisher of one of the local newspaper (I think Koha Ditore). Three children were injured in the blast as I believe the party's office was located in the ground level of an apartment block. The children were living on the second floor of the building and luckily not seriously injured.
Monday, April 18, 2005
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Criminal Animals
Today an elderly Serbian couple (ages 71 and 73) was attacked by assistants who beat and stabbed them in an apparent ethnically motivated attack. The couple, Mr. & Mrs. Vucic, were attacked outside their home about 50kms outside Pristina. They were taken to the hospital in Mitrovica where they were treated for broken bones and stab wounds. One is still in critical condition and the other is recovering. All I can think is what kind of criminal animal would attack an elderly couple in such a brutal manner and for what reason?
While it has been recognized that progress is being made in minority rights and freedom of movement, this establishment of order seems to be bothersome to some groups. Attacks on minorities have increased to almost one per day in recent weeks. These groups do not seem to want an independent, democratic, or orderly Kosovo. They are probably relishing in the criminal freedom of an interim administration and some incompetence on the part of the local government to realize the grave threat the groups pose to the democratic process.
While it has been recognized that progress is being made in minority rights and freedom of movement, this establishment of order seems to be bothersome to some groups. Attacks on minorities have increased to almost one per day in recent weeks. These groups do not seem to want an independent, democratic, or orderly Kosovo. They are probably relishing in the criminal freedom of an interim administration and some incompetence on the part of the local government to realize the grave threat the groups pose to the democratic process.
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Trip to Brezovica
Actually, it was last weekend that I took a trip to Brezovica but I didn't get a chance to write about the interesting trip :) I've always heard about how beautiful it is up at the ski resort at Brezovica. A misconception is that the mountain is called Brezovica but it is actually the name of the village located at the base. The mountain is really called Sara but if you tell someone you're going to Sara they probably wouldn't know where you were going :)
A friend invited me to go up to Brezovica with him last weekend to visit a breeder of the famous Sharr Mountain dogs. The dogs are mammoth in size with a coat of shaggy fur, a head the size of a lion, and a bark with the bass of James Earl Jones. On the way, we passed the KFOR checkpoint and were stopped about five minutes later by a group of young Serbian men between 15-21 years-old. They were dressed in normal clothing but with some sort of fur shawls and many had masks (traditional or ski masks). They demanded that we pay money to continue on the road. A KPS vehicle was leaving the group when we pulled up...and now I wonder if they paid the fee to pass as the group effectively stopped all traffic on both sides of the road by sheer number on the road. My friend refused to pay and ended up being called a SOB by some drunk kid but we eventually passed after a verbal challenge to get out of the car and fight the drunk youngster...and then probably all of his drunken friends after that :-P
Then we reached Brezovica and discovered that someone came up with the idea to charge a fee to enter what they now classify as a "National Park". The fee was five euros but when informed that we were in a KFOR vehicle, the price went down to a "just pay two or three and you can go". My friend didn't want to pay so the attendant started complaining that the international organizations weren't paying but we passed after a moment. Passing through Brezovica, I noticed many destroyed houses. I was informed that they were Albanian homes that were burnt down in last March's violence...which was interesting because you didn't hear much about the Albanians losing property last March
When we got the resort, the sheer number of people and vehicles astounded me. If all those private vehicles paid five euros, the attendant made a couple hundred euros that day! Naturally, I got some pictures at the resort :) If you happen to visit the resort, I recommend stopping by Pizzaria Tina for a fantastic pizza :)
A friend invited me to go up to Brezovica with him last weekend to visit a breeder of the famous Sharr Mountain dogs. The dogs are mammoth in size with a coat of shaggy fur, a head the size of a lion, and a bark with the bass of James Earl Jones. On the way, we passed the KFOR checkpoint and were stopped about five minutes later by a group of young Serbian men between 15-21 years-old. They were dressed in normal clothing but with some sort of fur shawls and many had masks (traditional or ski masks). They demanded that we pay money to continue on the road. A KPS vehicle was leaving the group when we pulled up...and now I wonder if they paid the fee to pass as the group effectively stopped all traffic on both sides of the road by sheer number on the road. My friend refused to pay and ended up being called a SOB by some drunk kid but we eventually passed after a verbal challenge to get out of the car and fight the drunk youngster...and then probably all of his drunken friends after that :-P
Then we reached Brezovica and discovered that someone came up with the idea to charge a fee to enter what they now classify as a "National Park". The fee was five euros but when informed that we were in a KFOR vehicle, the price went down to a "just pay two or three and you can go". My friend didn't want to pay so the attendant started complaining that the international organizations weren't paying but we passed after a moment. Passing through Brezovica, I noticed many destroyed houses. I was informed that they were Albanian homes that were burnt down in last March's violence...which was interesting because you didn't hear much about the Albanians losing property last March
When we got the resort, the sheer number of people and vehicles astounded me. If all those private vehicles paid five euros, the attendant made a couple hundred euros that day! Naturally, I got some pictures at the resort :) If you happen to visit the resort, I recommend stopping by Pizzaria Tina for a fantastic pizza :)
Thursday, March 17, 2005
One Year Anniversary of Riots
Today was marked with commemorations and memorials of last year's March 17 riots and violence. We were informed that there was to be a commemoration in Gracanica around 1200 CET and then we started getting advisories of other memorials being held in other villages this afternoon. The only disturbing event of today was a bomb threat against the municipal building in Peja/Pec.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Hell in a Handbasket
1030 CET: Security has informed us that KFOR will be making a series of controlled explosions in the vicinity of this morning's incident. I suppose that means that they found more bombs. Reports are that the first explosion came from a garbage dumpster while Rugova's vehicle was passing.
0820 CET: An explosion broke the morning commute today near King Casino in Pristina. The target appears to be President Rugova whose vehicle was damaged in the explosion. Fortunately no one was injured but windows in nearby buildings were blown out. The EU Foreign Policy Advisor, Javier Solano, arrived yesterday and Rugova was on his way for a meeting with him. Details are sketchy right now but as more emerges I'll post more.
There was no demonstration in Pristina yesterday but a village of Serbs did protest the power situation by walking to Obilic. Lately the power is being cutoff to Serbian areas (although Kosovo Electric Company-KEK says that it is not them just the equipment) and KEK is stating that they will not repair the problems until the bills are paid. Of course, I have a problem with that statement because I have never received a power bill for the past three and half years I've been in my flat. I wouldn't mind paying if they sent me a bill :-P I've heard that rather than punish individuals, KEK collectively punishes the people living in apartment blocks or villages by leaving the power off until 75-80% of the inhabitants pay their bills.
I emailed some of my friends and family this morning as the news of this morning's incident will no doubt reach the news in the US. I called home when Haradinaj was arrested too just to assure my folks that I was doing okay. One of the worst parts of being in the mission is having loved ones worry about me and whether I am safe when things happen. I do remember though in March when I called dad to tell him everything was okay and he asked "is something going on?" *hehe* I guess sometimes things that are big here aren't so important in the rest of the world. But trying to blow up the President is fairly big so I'm sure it'll be in the news :-P
0820 CET: An explosion broke the morning commute today near King Casino in Pristina. The target appears to be President Rugova whose vehicle was damaged in the explosion. Fortunately no one was injured but windows in nearby buildings were blown out. The EU Foreign Policy Advisor, Javier Solano, arrived yesterday and Rugova was on his way for a meeting with him. Details are sketchy right now but as more emerges I'll post more.
There was no demonstration in Pristina yesterday but a village of Serbs did protest the power situation by walking to Obilic. Lately the power is being cutoff to Serbian areas (although Kosovo Electric Company-KEK says that it is not them just the equipment) and KEK is stating that they will not repair the problems until the bills are paid. Of course, I have a problem with that statement because I have never received a power bill for the past three and half years I've been in my flat. I wouldn't mind paying if they sent me a bill :-P I've heard that rather than punish individuals, KEK collectively punishes the people living in apartment blocks or villages by leaving the power off until 75-80% of the inhabitants pay their bills.
I emailed some of my friends and family this morning as the news of this morning's incident will no doubt reach the news in the US. I called home when Haradinaj was arrested too just to assure my folks that I was doing okay. One of the worst parts of being in the mission is having loved ones worry about me and whether I am safe when things happen. I do remember though in March when I called dad to tell him everything was okay and he asked "is something going on?" *hehe* I guess sometimes things that are big here aren't so important in the rest of the world. But trying to blow up the President is fairly big so I'm sure it'll be in the news :-P
Friday, March 11, 2005
Attack in Pristina
At approximately 2330 CET, two hand grenades were thrown into the area below the Sports Center where some of the Police&Justice have offices. Two civilian vehicles and one UN vehicle were damaged and one civilian was injured. There still is not much information on who was responsible for the attack but I've heard a rumor that it was related to Pristina Mafia rather than the indictment against Haradinaj.
There was to be a peaceful demonstration on Monday in Pristina but after the incident, it was cancelled. If people decide to demonstrate anyway, I am certain that there will be zero-tolerance on the part of the police for any troublemakers.
Movement to Peja/Pec is still restricted and no international staff are allowed to go out after 1900 until sunrise.
There was to be a peaceful demonstration on Monday in Pristina but after the incident, it was cancelled. If people decide to demonstrate anyway, I am certain that there will be zero-tolerance on the part of the police for any troublemakers.
Movement to Peja/Pec is still restricted and no international staff are allowed to go out after 1900 until sunrise.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
All Calm for Now
1230 CET: It has been announced that there is a peaceful demonstration in Decani, Peja/Pec Region. Security very clearly stated that it was in control of the police.
1130CET: Our movement is still restricted in the Peja/Pec region but that is probably due to the fact that on the 7th of March two hand grenades were thrown at UN vehicles (one Coca-Cola and one white) and a bus of Serbs was stoned.
If you can remember back to mid-January where a Nigerian police officer was killed in a car bomb explosion in Prizren, I heard something interesting yesterday from a colleague about it. Reportedly, the bomb was placed by the ANA (Albanian National Army) who has said that they are specifically targeting black and Asian persons. I've heard little about the ANA except that it is a radical group. I'm not sure of their intentions for operating in Kosovo but I'm definitely going to look into it.
Smokey is still caring for his little puppies. They have doubled in size but still can slip through the fence for his kennel. I'm not sure if they are the same two that I saw in January because they are both dark (sort of a bad mix of black, white, and brown I think.) I have not seen the adorable brown puppy I took pictures of before. I think maybe it was not lucky enough to survive the winter and/or crossing the road. I still have not gotten over the amount of road-kill on the road between Pristina and Gracanica. There always seems to be at least one dog or cat on the road every day.
1130CET: Our movement is still restricted in the Peja/Pec region but that is probably due to the fact that on the 7th of March two hand grenades were thrown at UN vehicles (one Coca-Cola and one white) and a bus of Serbs was stoned.
If you can remember back to mid-January where a Nigerian police officer was killed in a car bomb explosion in Prizren, I heard something interesting yesterday from a colleague about it. Reportedly, the bomb was placed by the ANA (Albanian National Army) who has said that they are specifically targeting black and Asian persons. I've heard little about the ANA except that it is a radical group. I'm not sure of their intentions for operating in Kosovo but I'm definitely going to look into it.
Smokey is still caring for his little puppies. They have doubled in size but still can slip through the fence for his kennel. I'm not sure if they are the same two that I saw in January because they are both dark (sort of a bad mix of black, white, and brown I think.) I have not seen the adorable brown puppy I took pictures of before. I think maybe it was not lucky enough to survive the winter and/or crossing the road. I still have not gotten over the amount of road-kill on the road between Pristina and Gracanica. There always seems to be at least one dog or cat on the road every day.
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