The political and social stability in Kosovo has been a lovely surprise during the last year. The hope of the citizens that the independence will come within 2006 has conditioned society to bring under control itself, even though the Kosovo’s population is going throughout difficult times (i.e. high level of unemployment, extreme poverty, the corruption of government’s officials and so on). In contrast to previous years, September has begun without education sector labor strikes; expressions of citizens’ anger about the government’s unnecessary spending on the interests of the officials are being delayed. Simply said, the status’ issue has determined a political and social stability in Kosovo.
The Ahtisaari’s decision to delay the settlement of Kosovo status for March has jeopardized this stability. In a report for Kosovo, International Crisis Group (ICG) says that the Kosovo final status process risks breaking down the longer a decision is pushed back into 2007. “Kosovo’s relative stability over the past year should not encourage the international community to imagine it has the luxury of waiting. The Contact Group must at minimum deliver timely endorsement of the settlement package that UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari should present before January’s end, and the UN Security Council must pass a resolution superseding 1244 to allow UNMIK to transfer its responsibilities to Kosovo’s government and pave the way for new international bodies being readied by the EU.” (International Crisis Group Europe Report No. 177, November 2006).
The reaction on the delay of Kosovo status settlement, were dissatisfied; the citizens and all political parties were disappointed. However, the politicians immediately called the citizens to act with maturity. “Kosovo Negotiations Team has called on the people of Kosovo to behave with dignity since the delay will not affect the substance aimed by the Kosovars for an independent and sovereign state” (Koha Ditore, November 11, 2006).
Even political parties were disappointed with Ahttisari’s decision to delay the settlement of Kosovo status. In this context, the daily Koha Ditore, reports about the statement issued by the Leading Council of the third biggest political party in Kosovo, AAK. “The statement says that the Kosovo Assembly should declare the independence of Kosovo and that the Team of Unity must dissolve.” (Koha Ditore, November 13, 2006).
On the other hand, the Kosovo government, which represents the coalition between LDK and AAK warned that “In case of indefinite postponements of status, the Government of Kosovo reserves the right to support any parliamentary initiative that aims at implementing the will of the Kosovo people” (Koha Ditore, November 11, 2006).
The Vetëvendosja movement reacted in interesting way. “Glauk Konjufca from the Vetëvendosja movement said that the postponement or no postponement of status was always a secondary issue for the movement. Vetëvendosja is interested in the content of the status package which, according to Konjufca, will be a substantial autonomy; in contrast to this, we will do everything that is possible in order to realize our national objectives” (Epoka e Re, November 11, 2006).
The delay of Kosovo status settlement presents a risky act; this will be shown, in the most visible way, through the violent demonstrations which have been organized in Prishtina, on November 28, 2006, by Vetëvendosja movement. “Protestors threw stones and solid ink bottles at Assembly, Government, and UNMIK and smashed window glasses. UNMIK Police used tear gas when protestors started to tear down walls against UNMIK HQ in Pristina.” (Kosova Sot, November 29, 2006).
Vandal celebration of Vetëvendosja, reports Koha Ditore on the front page. “Despite vandalism during the protest the only measure taken by the police was tear gas in front of UNMIK HQ and there have been no arrests. The international police had to protect the UN HQ in Kosovo with teargas after the attempt of the demonstrators to remove the concrete barricades around UNMIK’s main building.” (Koha Ditore, November 29, 2006).
The police warned participants of the demonstration organized by Vetëvendosja after they removed one of the barricades which surround the UNMIK building. However the protesters continued with their attempts to remove another barricade while the police tried to stop them. “The protesters started throwing stones and forced the police behind the concrete barricade to use teargas to disperse the protesters. Vetëvendosja movement had called for a nationwide peaceful protest with the motto “Against Negotiating Team, for protection of Kosovo”. Some thousands of citizens and political parties responded to their call.” (Koha Ditore, November 29, 2006).
The leader of Vetëvendosja movement, Albin Kurti was very angry on politicians during demonstrations. “These institutions do not represent our will because our will is not negotiating with Serbia,” Albin Kurti told the gathered crowd. He said the leaders of Kosovo are “trading independence”. “The activists of Vetëvendosja movement will now start to peacefully throw bottles of red paint at these institutions,” Kurti said.” (KTV, November 28, 2006).
On the aftermath of the violent protests, the leader of Vetëvendosja Movement said that every thing has gone in a way it was planned. Koha Ditore, on November 30, 2006 quoted Vetëvendosja leader Albin Kurti as saying that the protest went according to the scenario.
The protests organised by Vetëvendosja were violent and according to the international mission it threatened the lives of international staff members. “The police reacted only when the life threat happened and this happened in UNMIK headquarters.” (Iliria Post, November 30, 2006).
The Government of Kosovo also reacted saying that the Vetëvendosja protest has went beyond the limits of a peaceful demonstration. “The Government said that such acts of violence against government buildings were unacceptable and intolerable.” (Express, November 30, 2006).
In a press conference, organized by Vetëvendosja movement, Kurti sounded very threatening. “The Vetëvendosja leader said the protest on Flag Day was peaceful and he announced that the future demonstrations of the Movement would be even more powerful ‘in order to bring the situation to normal’.” (Express, November 30, 2006).
The Ahtisaari’s decision to delay the settlement of Kosovo status for March has jeopardized this stability. In a report for Kosovo, International Crisis Group (ICG) says that the Kosovo final status process risks breaking down the longer a decision is pushed back into 2007. “Kosovo’s relative stability over the past year should not encourage the international community to imagine it has the luxury of waiting. The Contact Group must at minimum deliver timely endorsement of the settlement package that UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari should present before January’s end, and the UN Security Council must pass a resolution superseding 1244 to allow UNMIK to transfer its responsibilities to Kosovo’s government and pave the way for new international bodies being readied by the EU.” (International Crisis Group Europe Report No. 177, November 2006).
The reaction on the delay of Kosovo status settlement, were dissatisfied; the citizens and all political parties were disappointed. However, the politicians immediately called the citizens to act with maturity. “Kosovo Negotiations Team has called on the people of Kosovo to behave with dignity since the delay will not affect the substance aimed by the Kosovars for an independent and sovereign state” (Koha Ditore, November 11, 2006).
Even political parties were disappointed with Ahttisari’s decision to delay the settlement of Kosovo status. In this context, the daily Koha Ditore, reports about the statement issued by the Leading Council of the third biggest political party in Kosovo, AAK. “The statement says that the Kosovo Assembly should declare the independence of Kosovo and that the Team of Unity must dissolve.” (Koha Ditore, November 13, 2006).
On the other hand, the Kosovo government, which represents the coalition between LDK and AAK warned that “In case of indefinite postponements of status, the Government of Kosovo reserves the right to support any parliamentary initiative that aims at implementing the will of the Kosovo people” (Koha Ditore, November 11, 2006).
The Vetëvendosja movement reacted in interesting way. “Glauk Konjufca from the Vetëvendosja movement said that the postponement or no postponement of status was always a secondary issue for the movement. Vetëvendosja is interested in the content of the status package which, according to Konjufca, will be a substantial autonomy; in contrast to this, we will do everything that is possible in order to realize our national objectives” (Epoka e Re, November 11, 2006).
The delay of Kosovo status settlement presents a risky act; this will be shown, in the most visible way, through the violent demonstrations which have been organized in Prishtina, on November 28, 2006, by Vetëvendosja movement. “Protestors threw stones and solid ink bottles at Assembly, Government, and UNMIK and smashed window glasses. UNMIK Police used tear gas when protestors started to tear down walls against UNMIK HQ in Pristina.” (Kosova Sot, November 29, 2006).
Vandal celebration of Vetëvendosja, reports Koha Ditore on the front page. “Despite vandalism during the protest the only measure taken by the police was tear gas in front of UNMIK HQ and there have been no arrests. The international police had to protect the UN HQ in Kosovo with teargas after the attempt of the demonstrators to remove the concrete barricades around UNMIK’s main building.” (Koha Ditore, November 29, 2006).
The police warned participants of the demonstration organized by Vetëvendosja after they removed one of the barricades which surround the UNMIK building. However the protesters continued with their attempts to remove another barricade while the police tried to stop them. “The protesters started throwing stones and forced the police behind the concrete barricade to use teargas to disperse the protesters. Vetëvendosja movement had called for a nationwide peaceful protest with the motto “Against Negotiating Team, for protection of Kosovo”. Some thousands of citizens and political parties responded to their call.” (Koha Ditore, November 29, 2006).
The leader of Vetëvendosja movement, Albin Kurti was very angry on politicians during demonstrations. “These institutions do not represent our will because our will is not negotiating with Serbia,” Albin Kurti told the gathered crowd. He said the leaders of Kosovo are “trading independence”. “The activists of Vetëvendosja movement will now start to peacefully throw bottles of red paint at these institutions,” Kurti said.” (KTV, November 28, 2006).
On the aftermath of the violent protests, the leader of Vetëvendosja Movement said that every thing has gone in a way it was planned. Koha Ditore, on November 30, 2006 quoted Vetëvendosja leader Albin Kurti as saying that the protest went according to the scenario.
The protests organised by Vetëvendosja were violent and according to the international mission it threatened the lives of international staff members. “The police reacted only when the life threat happened and this happened in UNMIK headquarters.” (Iliria Post, November 30, 2006).
The Government of Kosovo also reacted saying that the Vetëvendosja protest has went beyond the limits of a peaceful demonstration. “The Government said that such acts of violence against government buildings were unacceptable and intolerable.” (Express, November 30, 2006).
In a press conference, organized by Vetëvendosja movement, Kurti sounded very threatening. “The Vetëvendosja leader said the protest on Flag Day was peaceful and he announced that the future demonstrations of the Movement would be even more powerful ‘in order to bring the situation to normal’.” (Express, November 30, 2006).
To end with, the postponement of the Kosovo status settlement has put in danger the social and political stability in the country. Kosovo was already threatened by a lot of troubles; the settlement of Kosovo status was considered as a beginning of resolving of the existing problems. The protests, organized by Vetëvendosja movement, illustrate the fragility of the peace in the country; they show that the stability in Kosovo is a very relative concept.
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