Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe MISSION IN KOSOVO Democratisation. Municipal Profile: Vitina/Viti.

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1 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe MISSION IN KOSOVO Democratisation Municipal Profile: Vitina/Viti 15 March 2000 Leposavic Leposaviq Zubin Potok Zubin Potok Zvecan Zvecan Kosovska Mitrovica Mitrovice Pec Peje Decani Decan Istok Istog Klina Kline Srbica Skenderaj Vucitrn Vushtrri Obilic Obiliq Glogovac Kosovo Polje Gllogoc Fushe Kosove Podujevo Podujeve Lipljan Lipjan Pristina Prishtine Novo Brdo Novo Berde Kosovska Kamenica Kamenica Djakovica Gjakove Orahovac Rahovec Suva Reka Suhareke Stimlje Shtime Urosevac Ferizaj VITINA VITI Gnjilane Gjilani Prizren Prizren Strpce Shterpce Kacanik Kacaniku Gora Dragashi Map of Kosovo, produced by the HCIC GIS Unit March Boundaries or place names do not imply official recognition by UNMIK or the OSCE.

2 Table of Contents 1. Introduction...3 Table 1.1: Ethnic Composition, Including Internally Displaced People (IDPs) Civil Administration Political Parties...4 Table 3.1: Political Parties Local and International NGOs...4 Table 4.1: Local NGOs... 5 Table 4.2: International NGOs Other Civilian International Presence...5 Table 5.1: The Four Pillars Religion and Places of Worship...5 Table 6.1: Main Religious Leaders Media...6 Table 7.1: List of Major Newspaper, TV/Radio Stations, etc Judicial System...6 Table 8.1: Main Judges Municipal Court... 7 Table 8.1: Main Judges Minor Offences Court Police, Civil Protection, and Military Presence...7 Table 9.1: Police, Civil Protection, and Military Presence Economics...7 Table 10.1: Major Employers in the Region Infrastructure Social Services, Health, and Education...8 Appendix: Map of the Municipality This document may be multiplied and freely circulated, but should not be quoted without stating the source. 2

3 1. Introduction Vitina/Viti municipality lies south of Pristina/Prishtine with its southern region bordering the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The municipalities of Urosevac and Gnjilane border the west and east sides respectively. While the central area of Vitina municipality is flat or rolling, its northern and southern areas are mountainous. The municipality has an area of approximately 300 square kilometres with the Binacka Morava River running through its central valley. The municipality of Vitina contains villages that are purely Kosovo Albanian (most villages) or purely Kosovo Serb (Vrbovac, Grncan, Klokot), as well as seven villages that have mixed populations (e.g. Mogila and Binac). While the overall ratio of Kosovo Albanians to Kosovo Serbs in Vitina municipality has not changed drastically since the war, in some villages the change has been considerable. For instance, until March 1999, Serb inhabitants outnumbered Kosovo Albanians by roughly two to one in the town of Vitina/Viti. Presently in Vitina town, the ratio of Kosovo Albanians to Kosovo Serbs is more than four to one. Vitina municipality also contains Catholic Kosovo Albanians who primarily live in the villages of Binac/Binaq, Gornja Stubla/Stubell e Eperme, Kabas/Kabash and Letnica/Letnice. There is also a small Croatian population living in Letnica/Letnice. Large numbers of IDPs, coming primarily from the Drenica regions of western Kosovo and from Kacanik municipality, are also present in Vitina municipality. Table 1.1: Ethnic Composition, Including Internally Displaced People (IDPs) Population K-Albanians K-Serbs Croats Roma Total Number % Number % Number % Number % Number , , ,681 Feb , ,763 Source: UNHCR Updated progress report for Gnjilane AoR - 24/02/2000 and UNHCR Location and Figures of Minorities in Gnjilane AoR 12/01/ Civil Administration At the end of July 1999, a self-styled administration led by PPDK was set up in order to form a temporary administrative structure until the UN was established. By the end of October, the self-styled administration had taken control of public utilities, the fire service and some garbage collection services. According to the local UN Civil Administration, by December 1999 the self-appointed administration had ceased to provide municipal services. The UN Civil Administration (UNCA) began its work in the municipality in August From August until December, the UN Civil Administration worked alongside the parallel administration. While the UNMIK deadline of 31 January 2000 to disband parallel administrative structures has passed, the municipal administrative structure envisioned by UNMIK has yet to be established in Vitina municipality. Negotiations continue between the UN Civil Administrator and political parties in Vitina municipality concerning the formation of both the Municipal Council and the Administrative Board. 3

4 3. Political Parties There are currently nine political parties in Vitina municipality. Eight parties represent Kosovo Albanians and one represents Kosovo Serbs. The most influential parties are the Party of Democratic Progress in Kosovo (PPDK), the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo (LKCK), and the United Democratic Movement (LBD). The main leader of the PPDK, Mr. Xhevat Bislimi, was the former President of the self-styled Administrative Board in Vitina and is considered to be a skilled politician. Mr. Samet Dalipi, representing the LDK in the municipality, is a chemist by profession and currently works for the International Rescue Committee in Gnjilane. He is straightforward in his professional/political dealings and is very popular among his constituency. The popularity and influence of the LDK in Vitina is said partly to be due to Mr. Dalipi s personality. The LKCK is represented by Mr. Selami Neziri, a former KLA commander in Vitina. While his current role is that of political party representative, his background is primarily military. The LBD s chief representative in Vitina is Ismail Bafijari, who is considered to be very competent and is able to exert considerable influence over his party as well as the social structure within the municipality. The LBD seems to have relatively more support in Vitina than in other municipalities in Kosovo. Table 3.1: Political Parties Party Regional Party Leader Kosovo-wide Leader LDK (Democratic League of Kosovo) Samet Dalipi Ibrahim Rugova PPDK (Party for Democratic Progress in Kosovo) Xhevat Bislimi Hashim Thaqi LKCK (Nat. Movement for the Liberation of K.) Selami Neziri Sabit Gashi LBD (United Democratic Movement) Ismail Bafijari Rexhep Qosja PLK (Liberal Party of Kosovo) Ismajl Bekteshi Gjergj Dedaj PRK (Republican Party of Kosovo) Kadrush Murtezi Feti Grapci PSDK (Party of Social Democracy in Kosovo) Hamzi Ramizi Luljeta Pula PSHDK (Alb. Christian Dem. Party of Kosovo) Alush Sinani Mark Krasniqi SPS (Socialist Party of Serbia) Nenad Kojic Zivorad Igic 4. Local and International NGOs The international NGOs working in Vitina are primarily involved in humanitarian projects. Many of the projects focus on the rebuilding of schools, maintaining and repairing water systems and supplying fuel to farms, public works, and the fire department. In addition to the many projects focusing on schools, fuel, and water, there exist a few distinctive projects as well. These consist of a community shelter project that provides housing for up to 250 IDPs, distribution of aid to needy Kosovars and the refurbishment of the Viti Agriculture Co-operative. 4

5 Table 4.1: Local NGOs Name Main focus Regional Leader Kosovo-wide Leader Mother Theresa Society Humanitarian Dr. Feti Hetemi Don Lush Gjergji Table 4.2: International NGOs Name Main focus Regional Leader Caritas Humanitarian Julia Paluo Feed the Children International Humanitarian, physical rehab. Mel Barton Intl Comm of Red Cross/American RC Humanitarian, water Paul Federspiel Intl Comm of Red Cross/Finnish RC Health, physical rehabilitation Teri Heinasmaki IPSIA/ICS ACLI Inst. for Peace, Physical rehabilitation Alex Carmignani Dev./Italian Consortium of Solidarity Swiss Agency for Dev. and Co-operation Water, sanitation Philippe Genoud International Rescue Committee Shelter John Mason Oxfam Kosovo Women s Initiative Denise Nichols 5. Other Civilian International Presence Although the UN Civil Administration (UNCA) as mentioned began working in the municipality in August 1999, UNCA international staff has so far resided mainly in Gnjilane. As of 1 April 2000, however, UNCA international staff members are required to both work and reside in Vitina municipality. OSCE arrived in Vitina in October Its staff has resided and worked in Vitina since this time. UNHCR has been providing humanitarian aid in the municipality since June 1999 but has no formal presence in the area. Rather, UNHCR is represented by its implementing partner, CARE International, which works with two secondary distribution partners: Mother Theresa Society and an orthodox church network. Table 5.1: The Four Pillars Name Number of staff Contact Person Title Contact Number (nat.+int.) UN Civil Adm. 6 int., 4 nat. Gilles Dubuc UN Administrator OSCE 5 int., 20 nat. Mailis Eerola- Head of Field (sat) UNHCR 1 (not based in Vitina) EU Not present Evans Office Andreas Recchia Field Officer (Gnjilane) / Religion and Places of Worship The predominant religion in Vitina municipality is Islam. Throughout Vitina there exist 25 mosques. Of the 25 mosques, three were burned during the war. In addition, in two villages (Donja Slatina and Mogila) other buildings serve as mosques. Vitina also has a population of Catholic Albanians as well as Orthodox Serbs. These populations are served by six Catholic churches and six Orthodox churches. 5

6 The three main religious leaders are quite influential in the community. Xhevdet Ismajl is the leading Imam and serves as the President of the Islamic Council. Dragan Kojic, the senior Orthodox Bishop of Vitina municipality, is the primary representative of the Serbian community in the area. Don Lush Gjergji, representative for the Catholic community is a well-known priest and National President of the Mother Theresa Society. He is also an author and public personality in the area. In addition, Gjergji Lush has been a leader of the pacifist movement in Kosovo for many years and serves as an advisor to Mr. Ibrahim Rugova. Table 6.1: Main Religious Leaders Name and Place Xhevdet Ismajl Dragan Kojic Don Lush Gjergji Source: KFOR Civil Affairs Vitina and OSCE Field Office Vitina Religious Organisation Islamic Council Orthodox Church Catholic Church 7. Media There is one radio station, Radio Iliria, in the municipality of Vitina. Radio Iliria was established in the beginning of November and employs four journalists and two technicians. It also has correspondents based in New York, Germany, and Switzerland and in Kosovo in the cities of Gnjilane and Urosevac/Ferizaj. It endeavours to provide accurate and independent information as well as to elevate the arts and culture. As of October 1999, this radio station was financed solely by personal funds, but it has since been searching for outside funding. Table 7.1: List of Major Newspaper, TV/Radio Stations, etc. Name of media Type of Media Editor/Correspondent Ethnic Affiliation (newspaper, radio, etc.) Radio Iliria Radio Ismail Bekteshi Kosovo Albanian 8. Judicial System The judicial system in Vitina municipality consists of two courts: the Municipal Court and the Minor Offences Court. The Municipal Court consists of four judges while the Minor Offences Court has five judges. Until late February, all judgeships were filled by appointed judges. As of the writing of this report, however, one judge from the Municipal Court as well as one judge from the Minor Offences Court resigned for personal reasons. All judges appointed to Vitina courts are Albanian since no Serbian judges applied. To date, all court cases for Vitina municipality are being handled in Gnjilane since the court building in Vitina is currently occupied by KFOR. According to the President of the District Court in Gnjilane, if this situation continues, more judges appointed to the courts in Vitina will resign. KFOR has informed the President of the District Court that the court building in Vitina will be ready for occupancy by Vitina courts in early March. 6

7 Table 8.1: Main Judges Municipal Court Name Title Ethnicity Mr. Syleman Sallahu Judge Kosovo Albanian Mr. Xhavit Haziri Judge Kosovo Albanian Mr. Hajriz Lubishtani Judge Kosovo Albanian Source: Interview with President of District Court Gnjilane Table 8.1: Main Judges Minor Offences Court Name Title Ethnicity Mr. Ibrahim Idrizi Judge (President) Kosovo Albanian Mr. Skender Shefkiu Judge Kosovo Albanian Mr. Ramadan Sylejmani Judge Kosovo Albanian Mr. Naser Maliqi Judge Kosovo Albanian Source: Interview with President of District Court Gnjilane 9. Police, Civil Protection, and Military Presence UN Civil Police have good relations with the local community but feel that they would have a more positive impact in the municipality if they were provided with more police officers and additional organisational support. A further 10 police officers have been requested in addition to office equipment, interpreters and vehicles. UN Civil Police currently have two Kosovo Police Service (KPS) members on staff and are expecting more in the near future. The American KFOR contingent is well respected in the community and has a good working relationship with the UN Civil Police. Local residents, representing all ethnic groups, are generally co-operative with KFOR. While KFOR has imposed an 18:00 curfew, this is due not only to inter-ethnic strife but also to criminal acts among Kosovo Albanians. The TMK (Kosovo Protection Corps) has not been established in the municipality, since UNMIK has not yet provided authorisation for such a presence. Table 9.1: Police, Civil Protection, and Military Presence Name Local Commander Number of Police Officers, Soldiers, etc. Ethnic Composition, Nationality KPS N/A 2 Albanian UN Civil Police Burkhard Plichta 25 GER/USA/ZIM/PAK /GHA/IND TMK Not present KFOR Maj. Reitz (Civil Affairs) N/A (security reasons) American 10. Economics In general, the municipality of Vitina is economically depressed. It is estimated that unemployment stands at 85% 90%. However, it should also be noted that this area is rural and agrarian and hence, the current unemployment rates might not accurately reflect true employment levels. Currently, most private businesses are owned and operated by Kosovo Albanians. Public services are also operated primarily by Kosovo Albanians. Both private 7

8 businesses and public services are small in terms of number of employees. The largest business employer in the municipality is the Klokot Bottling Plant and Spa, which employs fewer than 200 people. In addition to local employers, UNMIK, KFOR and International Organisations serve as major employers in the area. Table 10.1: Major Employers in the Region Employer Service/Products Production Number of Workforce on going? Vinex Metal works Yes 115 Health House (incl. Health care Yes 138 Ambulanta) Electro Kosovo Electricity Yes 15 Kosovka Textiles Yes 10 PTT Post Office Yes 9 Universal Public service/works Yes 31 Klokot Bottling Plant & Spa Mineral water & spa Yes 181 Source: KFOR Civil Affairs Vitina and OSCE Field Office Vitina 11. Infrastructure The roads in the municipality range from good to poor. The main roads leading into most villages are paved and narrow. Secondary roads are nearly all dirt roads. There is no rail line. During the war, approximately 5% of Albanian houses were burned (255 houses). After the war, the burning of Serbian houses took place. Around 230 houses were burned which account for approximately 20% of all Serbian houses. 1 Many of the Serb homes purchased by Kosovo Albanians after the war are now being burned by other Kosovo Albanians. It has been alleged that criminal elements are committing these acts of arson in retaliation for not being awarded these homes as the spoils of war. The quality of the water in Vitina municipality is very poor due to a high level of bacteria. It is recommended that bottled water be used for both drinking and washing. There are about 2,800 phones in the municipality. The electricity situation in Vitina has improved recently with approximately 16 hours of power provided per day. Part of this improvement is the result of power lines having been repaired in northern and southern Vitina. 12. Social Services, Health, and Education UNMIK has a Centre for Social Work that works in close collaboration with UNHCR, CARE International, International Red Cross, and IPSIA-ACLI to provide those in need with food, social services and assistance with reconstruction. Currently, however, there is no provision for either pensions or unemployment benefits. 1 Source: KFOR Civil Affairs, Vitina 8

9 UNMIK also established an Emergency Program for health care on 1 November The program is designed to last six months at which time a more permanent social system for health care will be put into place. By working in co-ordination with local institutions, UNMIK has targeted and provides assistance to the following vulnerable categories: 70+ years old, the handicapped, and single-headed households. There exists one primary medical facility called the Health House, which is located in Vitina town. The Health House is primarily a basic health care outpatient clinic. However, it also contains a few hospital beds for longer-term care and provides gynaecological care. Villages in the municipality are provided basic health care and first aid by 12 ambulanta (small clinics). Two ambulanta serve Kosovo Serb areas while the others serve the remaining Kosovo Albanian areas. With regard to education, the municipality of Vitina has 17 primary schools, 2 high schools and one kindergarten. From September to December 1999, UNMIK provided stipends to teachers and other school staff. As of 1 January 2000, UNMIK established a salary system for this group, which allows for a wider range of pay grades as well as higher salaries for school employees. 9

10 VITINA \ VITIA Kisno Polje Gumnishte Kishnapole Donje Slakovce Sllakove I Ulet Gornje Slakovce Sllakove e Eperme Mahala e Fuses Mahala e Fuses Kravarica Rahovica Kravarice Rahovica Balance Ballance Devaja Mirosavlje Zlatare Trpeza Devaje Zitinje Mirosale Zllatare Terpeze Zhiti Cernica Cernice Vrapcic Vrapciq Partes Partesh Gornji Livoc Livoci i Eperme Donje Kusce Donje Kusce Malisevo Malisheve Gjilani Donji Livoc Livor I Ulet Velekince Veleknice Pasjane Donja Budriga Pasjan Donja Budriga Vladovo Vlastica Nosalje Vladovo Novo Selo Vlastica Nosale Tankosic Novoselle Tankosiq Radivojce Ciflak Radivojce cifllak Gornja Budrika Donje Ramnjane Butrike e Eperme Zegra Klokot Ramjan Zheger Kllokot Pozaranje Gornja Slatina Pozharan Sllatine e Eperme Ribnik Donja Slatina Rimnik Gjelbine Adzini Trstenik Djelekare Adzini Trestenik Cerkez Sadovina Gjylekare Mogila Seliste Sadovine e cerkezeve Donja Stubla VITINA Mogille Selishte Demirovci Stubell e Poshtme Demirofc VITIA Jerli Sadovina Vrbovac Grncar Mali Goden Veliki Goden Pumpa Horun Ravniste Sadovine e Jerlive Urbofc Gerncare Goden Goden i Madh Pumpa Horun Ramnishte Gastica Mahala VITINA Gornja Stubla Llashtice Drobes Grmovo VITI Stubell e Eperme Muadzir Mahala Drobesh Belograce Podgorce Germove Sadovine e Muhaxhereve Vrban Belograce Podgorc Vrnavokolo Urban Kabas Vernakolle Gusica Kabash Begunce Gushice Vrnez Jasar Begunce Binac Jashar Smira Letnica Vernez Binaq Smire Letnice Ljubiste Lupishte Ukork Mahala Petrinovii Ukork Mahala Petrinovii Sasare Buzovik Shashare Buzovik Dabedi Mahala Stagovo Dabedi Mahala Stagove Runjevo Runjeve Drenova Glava Drenushe Mijak Mijak Becelar Becelar Debelde Debullde Kacaniku Kacanik KACANIK KACANIK Bob Bob Places Gajre Gajre Ivaja Ivaje Laniste Llanishte Urban Area Municipality boundary Djurdjev Dol Djurdjev Dol Railway Two Lane One Lane Nikovce Korbulic Nikofc Korbuliq Ljac Mala Vrtolnica Ljac Mala Seasonal Vertomice Drobnjak Dromak Palivodenica Necavce The boundaries and names shown on this map do Palaj not imply Necafc official recognition by the OSCE kilometers 5 HCIC GIS Unit, Kosovo, Pristina, 09 March