Prishtina [Pristina], 19 May: With the motto Decentralization - Another Name for Division of Kosova [Kosovo], the members of the Kosova Action Network [KAN] protested today for an hour against the decentralization before Kosova's status is resolved.
While the Kosova Assembly has initiated a debate on decentralization, the KAN activists have displayed a map, warning "how Kosova would look after decentralization".
Shkelzen Gashi, an activist from the KAN said that following after last year's riots the Serbian government has imposed decentralization project to UNMIK [UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo], which has accepted it in principle.
According to him, this project was accepted by the three largest political parties (LDK [Democratic League of Kosovo], PDK [Democratic Party of Kosovo], AAK [Alliance for the Future of Kosovo]) in July 2004, when the draft document was prepared during Bajram Rexhepi's government.
The project made now by Local Government Minister Lutfi Haziri is based on that document, only the pilot municipalities have been added to that.
"The aim of this project is secession of one-third of Kosova's territory," said Gashi.
According to Gashi, Serbia has two plans. The first one is to keep its sovereignty over Kosova, and if this doesn't work then they will apply the alternative plan for secession of one third of Kosova's territory.
"Ten municipal units will be created according the government plan. Of those, six belong to Serbs, two to other minorities and two others to Albanians. The question is if we represent minority here. If we represent 90 per cent or only 10 per cent of the population," said Gashi.
KAN activists say that draft document and decentralization plan is similar to the Serbian government's plan, with very small differences.
Source: KosovaLive web site, Pristina, in English 19 May 05
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3 comments:
KAN should give it up. Decentralization is necessary and good. Not to give too much power or fractionalize Kosova, but to ensure that Kosova is less susceptible to dictatorship, and to involve the rest of Kosova -- not just Prishtina -- in meaningful governance of the nation.
In all honesty KAN does have a point.
And the word is "devolution" and not "decentralisation".
Kosova was one and should remain one teritory.
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