Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe MISSION IN KOSOVO Democratisation. Municipal Profile: Suva Reka/Suhareke.

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1 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe MISSION IN KOSOVO Democratisation Municipal Profile: Suva Reka/Suhareke 10 March 2000 Leposavic Leposaviq Pec Peje Decani Decan Istok Istog Zubin Potok Zubin Potok Klina Kline Zvecan Zvecan Srbica Skenderaj Glogovac Gllogoc Kosovska Mitrovica Mitrovice Vucitrn Vushtrri Obilic Obiliq Kosovo Polje Fushe Kosove Lipljan Lipjan Podujevo Podujeve 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: Area and Population...3 Table 1.1: Ethnic Composition, Including IDPs Civil Administration...3 Table 2.1: UN-Appointed Municipal Administrative Board Political Parties...4 Table 3.1: Political Parties Local and International NGOs...5 Table 4.1: Main Local NGOs... 5 Table 4.2: Main International NGOs Other Civilian International Presence...6 Table 5.1: The Four Pillars Religion and Places of Worship...6 Table 6.1: Main Religious Leaders... 7 Table 6.2: Major Mosques, Churches, etc Media...7 Table 7.1: List of Major Newspaper, TV/Radio Stations, etc Judicial System...7 Table 8.1: Main Judges Police, Civil Protection, and Military Presence...8 Table 9.1: Police and Military Presence Economics Major Employers in the Region Infrastructure Social Services, Health, and Education...9 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: Area and Population Located in south-central Kosovo, Suva Reka lies astride the main highway between Prizren and Pristina. The municipality is comprised of 42 villages plus the town of Suva Reka. 1 Suva Reka was the scene of one of the most notorious Serb atrocities during the 1999 conflict, the killing of 52 members of the extended Berisha family. In the post-conflict period Suva Reka has been notable for the continuing high level of LDK influence in local affairs and municipal government. This stands in stark contrast to other Kosovo municipalities. An estimated 90% of houses throughout the municipality suffered some form of damage, if not destruction, during the conflict. Others were burned in the immediate post-conflict period, as Suva Reka s small Serb population joined the exodus of JNA and VJ forces. Suva Reka s pre-conflict population of approximately 87,000 included roughly 500 Serbs and a handful of Roma. Very few, if any, Serbs remain, though approximately 35 Roma families have stayed on, in Suva Reka town and the villages of Gelance, Trrnje, and Leshan. Approximately 2000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) are believed to be present in the municipalitiy. 2 Table 1.1: Ethnic Composition, Including IDPs Population K-Albanians K-Serbs Roma Number % Number % Number % January , App January , App Source: UN Public information office, Prizren 2. Civil Administration Suva Reka was the first municipality in Kosovo in which the parallel structure appointed by the Thaci government was dismantled by the UN. This occurred on 8 October 1999 when newly-arrived UN Administrator Roberto Valent forced out Mayor Haki Gashi. In a subsequent action on 18 January 2000 Valent took control of the remaining office occupied by Thaci-appointed officials. Valent and UNCA Deputy Administrator Rachid Arfi received death threats, and Valent was physically assaulted, during the latter incident. Valent s relative success in exerting the UN s authority in Suva Reka stems from a combination of factors. First and foremost, Valent, experienced in post-conflict civil administration, is not easily steamrolled by the PPDK 3 and other political parties sympathetic to the previous Thaci government. Suva Reka remains an LDK stronghold, as confirmed by OSCE village-level field research conducted in late Finally, local LDK leaders were active in the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) and can therefore lay claim to continued legitimacy in the UNMIK era. 1 Part of Suva Reka belongs to a municipality, Malishevo, which existed previously and which the UN Civil Administration may again officially restore. All figures here correspond as far as possible to the UN-recognised area of Suva Reka, although the accuracy of secondary sources cannot be guaranteed. 2 Source: UN Public Information Office, Prizren, and HCIC GIS Unit, Pristina, November Political party acronyms are written out in table

4 As of late February 2000, Suva Reka s 13 member Administrative Board included 6 LDK members, 2 from PPK, 2 independents, and 1 whose party affiliation is unknown. The lone PPDK member (former Mayor Gashi) has thus far refused to accept the vice presidency offered to him by Valent. Six of the Valent-appointed Board members were members of the Thaci-appointed municipal government. Despite four weeks of intensive negotiations with Suva Reka s six political parties, a Municipal Council had not yet been formed. It is hoped that a Municipal Council comprising an even balance between LDK/NDSH and the PPDK/LKCK/PPK/ UNIKOMB bloc, along with 2-4 independents, will be formed by early March. Table 2.1: UN-Appointed Municipal Administrative Board Name Function Party-affiliation Roberto Valent UN Municipal Administrator None Halit Berisha Vice President Independent Bali Muharremi Vice President LDK Haki Gashi Vice President PPDK Kimete Berisha Chief of Staff/Secretary PPK Minir Zekolli General Administration LDK Agim Zenelaj Finance and Economy LDK Halil Morina Culture and Spot LDK Avdulla Elshani Property and Surveying Independent Ragip Zekolli Education LDK Ramush Hajdari Urbanism PPK Sadri Emrullahu Civil Defense Unknown Sali Asllanaj Health and Social Policy LDK Note: Haki Gashi has not taken up his duties as Vice President, due to a lack of a final agreement between PPDK and UN Municipal Administrator Valent. 3. Political Parties As of late February 2000 seven political parties are active within the municipality. These are LDK, LKCK, PPDK, PPK, NDSH, UNIKOMB, and LBD 4. While LBD, LPK and PNDSH (Demo-Christians) began organizing activities early in 2000, they have yet to hold a municipal assembly or elect a municipality-wide presidency. In interviews conducted in mid-february 2000, only LDK claimed to have party branches in all 42 villages. PPK had the next highest number, with 10. PPDK has only 3 village branches, though the party claims to have picked up the pace of its organizing. LDK President Uke Bytyqi claimed that a member registration drive due to be completed in March 2000 would reveal 20-22,000 members among an estimated electorate of 30,000. Though this estimate seems inflated, it is likely that LDK has the highest level of support in the municipality. Beyond that, it is hard to know, even vaguely, what level of support the other parties enjoy. Despite its insistent demands with respect to the Administrative Board and Municipal Council, PPDK may have little real support. Village-level contacts by KFOR soldiers suggest this to be the case. Only the local elections scheduled for autumn 2000 will sort out the situation. Bujar Bukoshi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosova headed by Ibrahim Rugova is from Bukosh village, which lies within the municipality. 4 Again, acronyms are spelled out in table

5 Table 3.1: Political Parties Party Regional Party Kosovo-wide Leader Leader LDK (Democratic League of Kosovo) Uke Bytyqi Ibrahim Rugova PNDSH (Alb. National Dem. Party) Jashar Bajraktari Rexhep Abdullahu PPDK (Part of Democratic Progress in Kosovo) Isuf Krasniqi Hashim Thaci LKCK (Nat. Movement for the Liberation of K.) Skender Basha Sabit Gashi UNIKOMB (Alb. Unification Party) Haxhi Mamaj Afrim Morina (from Suva Reka) PPK (Parliamentary Party of Kosovo) Rexkep Manxhuka Bajram Kosumi 4. Local and International NGOs Local NGOs: In addition to the well-known NGOs such as Mother Teresa, the Kosovo Red Cross and Handikos, several new NGOs and organisations have recently started to spread (see list below). International NGOs: Only two international NGOs are currently based in Suva Reka: ADAB (Associatione per le donne dell Area dei Balcani) an Italian NGO working closely with the Centre for Protection of Women and Children, a local NGO, and ASBO (Austrian Samariters) who are based at the Austrian KFOR. All the other international NGOs are operating from Prizren. Several international NGOs, including CRS (Catholic Relief Services) and MALTESER, work as implementing partners for the UNHCR. CARE, Humanitarian Carco Carriers (HCC), Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Relief International, Action Medeor, International Rescue Committee (IRC), Tear Fund, Help, Diakonie, and World Vision are planning to start several projects in the spring. Many other international NGOs are planning to work in Suva Reka as this municipality has been severely destroyed. An list of these NGOs will be issued by UNHCR at the end of March. Table 4.1: Main Local NGOs Name Main focus Regional Leader Kosovo-wide Leader Mother Theresa Society Humanitarian Nezir Shala Don Lush Gjergji Kosovo Red Cross Humanitarian Rexhep Kuci (President) Jusuf Dedushaj Sevdije Hoxha (acting Director) Handikos Work with Rexhep Kuci Halit Ferizi handicapped persons Liria Women NGO Qamile Ramadani Nazife Jonuzi Center for Protection of Women NGO Mihrije Suka Sevdie Ahmeti Women and Children Shpresa Jone Humanitarian Muhamet Shala Sadik Shala REB (Agricultural Recovery) Agriculture Dev. Bexhet Basha Bexhet Basha Dielli I Liris Humanitarian Qemajl Sherif Bytyqi N/A Bytyqi Humanitarian Xhelal Bytyqi N/A Bereqeti Humanitarian Islamic Halim Shehu N/A NGO Committee for protection of Human Rights Skender Bytyci Pajazit Nushi Human Rights & Freedoms Source: Field research 5

6 Table 4.2: Main International NGOs Name Main focus Contact person CRS (Catholic Relief Services) Food distribution Kathleen Moynihan MALTESER, German NGO Women Programs Conrad Graf von Hoyos ADAB, Italian NGO Women Programs Nicoletta Franchini ASBO Austrian Samariters Health, Reconstruction Markus Haase Belgian Redcross Reconstruction Ivan Lanotte OXFAM Water Leo Mc Gillarray Source: UNHCR Document 5. Other Civilian International Presence OSCE s FO Suva Reka staff began its inaugural round of meetings with local civic, political, military and religious leaders on 11 January As of late February, however, the field office s 5 international and 3 local staff still operated out of the RC Prizren building, while awaiting HQ s final approval of a proposed field office site. UNCA Valent arrived in early October He is currently assisted by a Deputy, two Civil Affairs officers and one UNV. An EU municipal finance official who arrived in early February was subsequently reassigned to the UN s regional headquarters in Prizren. UNHCR has no office in the municipality. Also the ICRC, WFP and UNICEF are active in the Municipality, although they operate from Prizren. Several national agencies are operating or planning to operate in this area: GTZ (German Agency for Reconstruction and Development), a German national agency, is UNHCR partner for the distribution of roofing kits. The American development agency USAID and the German civil protection agancy THW (Technisches Hilfswerk) are planning to start programs as well as. Table 5.1: The Four Pillars Name Number of staff Contact Person Title Contact Number (nat.+int.) UN Civil Adm. 8 (includes 3 local) Roberto Valent Administrator OSCE 8 (includes 3 local) Max Seelhofer Head of FO UNHCR PRIZREN Charlotte Bjerregaard EU PRIZREN Hilde Knotten 6. Religion and Places of Worship The predominant religion in Suva Reka is Islam. There are also a number of Orthodox churches and one Catholic Church. The municipality includes 19 mosques, of which 15 were heavily damaged or destroyed during the conflict. All four of the Orthodox churches were destroyed after Yugoslav troops quit the area. As a result, there is no need for KFOR protection at this time. The Catholic Church also suffered some damage. Although the Imam and the Priest play an important role in the society, there are no signs of political influence within the religious community. The local Islamic Council has been asked by UN Administrator Valent to appoint a Council member to the new Municipal Council, as a non-political party representative. 6

7 Table 6.1: Main Religious Leaders Name Mehdi Hoxha Muhamet Paqarizi Don Pren Kola Source: Field research Religious Organisation Chair of municipal Islamic Council Imam of Suva Reka main Mosque Catholic priest, Sallagrazhd village Table 6.2: Major Mosques, Churches, etc. Name and Place Type of Building (Mosque, Orth. Church ) Main Mosque, Suva Reka Mosque Orthodox Church and Monastery, Mushtishti Orthodox Church Catholic Church, Sallagrazhd Catholic Church Source: Field research 7. Media There are no local newspapers in Suva Reka. 6 correspondents are writing for the major newspapers based in Pristina. One local radio station based next to the Civil- Military Co-ordination (CIMIC) offices of the Austrian KFOR is broadcasting every day between and Table 7.1: List of Major Newspaper, TV/Radio Stations, etc. Name of media Type of Media Editor/Correspondent Ethnic Affiliation (newspaper, radio, etc.) Koha Ditore Newspaper Fadil Bytyqi Kosovo Albanian Kosova Sot Newspaper Rasim Thaqi Kosovo Albanian Zeri Newspaper Osman Voci Kosovo Albanian Rilindja Newspaper Refki Reshitaj Kosovo Albanian Bota Sot Newspaper Ragip Sylaj Kosovo Albanian Voice of Suva Reka Radio Station Refki Reshitaj Kosovo Albanian 8. Judicial System Eleven judges were appointed on 10 January 2000, 5 for the Municipal Court, 6 for the Minor Offense Court. The court building was extensively looted during the war, with nearly all equipment stolen. As a result, the courts lack almost all-basic working materials. Table 8.1: Main Judges Name Title Ethnicity Jashar Kabashi President, Municipal Court (MC) Kosovo Albanian Sahit Bibaj Judge, MC Kosovo Albanian Durak Buzhala Judge, MC Kosovo Albanian Avdi Gashi Judge, MC Kosovo Albanian Sadik Kuqi Judge, MC Kosovo Albanian Murtez Jahaj President, Minor Offense Court Kosovo Albanian Lirije Kafexholli Judge, MOC Kosovo Albanian Bajram Kryeziu Judge, MOC Kosovo Albanian Nuredin Abazi Judge, MOC Kosovo Albanian Sehad Haliti Judge, MOC Kosovo Albanian Durmish Berisha Judge, MOC Kosovo Albanian Source: Survey of Courts in Kosovo, OSCE Rule of Law Division; 4 February

8 9. Police, Civil Protection, and Military Presence UNMIK Civil Police currently has 37 officers from the USA, Nigeria, Ghana, Malaysia, Austria and Germany. Two members of the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) are being trained by UNMIK Civil Police. The Kosovo Protection Corps (TMK) is present in Suva Reka with different units stationed in three different locations: in the village of Sellagrazhde, in the Balkan Hotel in Suva Reka town, and in a building located behind the UN Municipal Building of Suva Reka. A training course configured by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and implemented by KFOR, which includes first aid, mountain rescue drills and emergency reaction should start soon. The final number of TMK members present in Suva Reka Municipality after the training should be of approximately 211. An Austrian KFOR contingent (450 Austrian soldiers) and a Dutch contingent (120 soldiers) are responsible for the security in Suva Reka municipality. With the Austrian contingent a Swiss company of approximately 140 military personnel is on duty. Associated to the Austrian KFOR there is also a group of approximately 40 Slovak soldiers. The relationship of KFOR with the local population seems to be good and they are well respected in the community. Table 9.1: Police and Military Presence Name Local Commander Number of Police Ethnic Composition, Officers, Soldiers, etc. Nationality KPS Edwin Probst 2 Kosovo Albanian KPC/TMK Mr. Halimi, Skender Hocha, Gezim Hazrolli 211 Kosovo Albanian UN Civil Police Edwin Probst 37 USA, Nigeria, Ghana, Malaysia, KFOR: AUCON/KFOR SWISSCOY SLOVCON Dutch/KFOR Source: UNMIK Police, KFOR Lt.Col. Hans Tomaschitz Lt. Col. Brun Major Jurkenik Lt.Col. Maenen Austria, Germany Austrian Swiss Slovak Dutch 10. Economics Suva Reka s pre-conflict industry has been dominated by two firms, the Balkan Rubber Factory and OBI/Kosovavera. Being socially-owned enterprises (owned mainly by the workers of the plants), both firms now nominally operate under UNMIK supervision. Balkan produced rubber belts for industrial use and employed approximately 1,800 workers, including 1,500 ethnic Albanian and 300 Serbs, before the war. Although the plant was largely spared destruction during the conflict, some capital equipment was looted from the premises. Balkan s new managers are struggling to restart production, but are burdened by large outstanding debts. Balkan has nevertheless secured a minor contract with the local German KFOR for vehicle belt production. 8

9 OBI/Kosovavera is a combined soft-drink and wine producer. The soft drink side is a subsidiary of the Belgrade Cadbury-Schweppes unit, itself a subsidiary of Cadbury- Schweppes of Great Britain. As a result, significant ownership issues are entailed in any effort to reach production, marketing and credit agreements with prospective customers and lenders outside of Kosovo. Similar politically knotty issues have hampered the wine producing arm s attempt to market its wine in Germany. The would-be customer requires a label indicating Yugoslavia as the country of origin, while OBI/Kosovavera managers insist on Kosova. Unemployment figures are currently unavailable. They would be unreliable in any case, due to the prevalence of unreported income. Small-scale enterprises including auto repair shops, furniture making, lumber production, metalworking and restaurants have sprung up rapidly in the post-conflict period, lending some vitality to this sector. However, it is likely that the largest income in the year 2000 will be derived from small-scale agriculture Major Employers in the Region Employer Service/Products Production on Number of Workforce going? UN Interim Government Yes 1200 Balkan Rubber Factory Tires, rubber belts Yes (limited) App. 500 OBI/Kosovavera Soft drinks, wine Yes (limited) Unavailable Source: Interview with UNCA Roberto Valent; field research 11. Infrastructure A poor and still deteriorating infrastructure is the most obvious problem confronting the municipality. Most immediately apparent to the visitor is the appalling condition of the main road through Suva Reka town. On the worst days it can take an hour to transit the 2 kilometres through the town centre. Complete reconstruction will be an urgent priority in the spring. Less apparent is the continuing lack of electricity. While the situation improved for much of Kosovo in January 2000, it is still common for Suva Reka to have 4 or fewer hours of electricity per day. While telephone service has recently been restored, it is still very limited and usable only for calls within Suva Reka. Because of the presence of Austrian KFOR troops, cellular phone users with Austrian chips can use their phones as long as they are in close proximity to the town centre. As for domestic water, many homes in Suva Reka town have had no running water for a period since autumn of As mentioned in the Introduction, housing stock was gravely impacted during the conflict, with up to 90% of all homes suffering some form of damage. 12. Social Services, Health, and Education As in all municipalities of Kosovo an Emergency Social Welfare Assistance Program has been started by UNMIK. Stipends have been paid to pensioners and other disadvantaged groups from the beginning of March. The UNMIK-supported Centre of Social Work of Suva Reka has started to become active and tries to co-ordinate all activities in the municipality that deal with social problems. 9

10 There is one large Health Centre in Suva Reka town including an obstetric/gynaecologic clinic. The director is Mr. Sali Asllanaj. 10 small ambulantes (clinics) are located in the municipality. Emergency ambulances are currently being organised by UNMIK and the international NGO ASBO. A total of 23 primary schools can be found in Suva Reka municipality. Two secondary schools are located in Suva Reka town as well as a small medical school, which is a branch of the one in Prizren. Most of the schools have been severely damaged. 10 primary schools have been fully destroyed. Most of the schools have no water, no functioning toilets and most of them need basic writing instruments and paper. Source: UN Fact Sheet 10

11 SUVA REKA \ SUHAREKA Vlaski Drenovac Berisa Drenoc Berishat Nekovce Nekoc Trpeza Banjica Rusinovce Terpeze Skorosnik Bajice Rusinoc Crni Lug Shkoroshnik Ljubizda Novo Selo Carralluke Novoselle Divljaka Lubizhde Ladrovac Divjake Sedlare Lipovica Lladroc Sedllar Metovii Mirusa Blinaje Klecka Mirushe Metovii Klecke Minol Minol MALISHEVE Krajmirovce Senik Crnovrana MALISEVO Kroimire Senik Salihovii Jovic Ladrovic Gurbardh Salihovii Burim Lladroviq Javor Petrastica Veseljovic Javor Veseljovic Pjetershtice Bogi Bogi Banja Karacica Dragobilje Gajrak Banje Belanica Guncat Duga Karacice Crnoljevo Bellanice Gumcat Dragobil Gajrak Duge Carraleve Ostrozub Moralija Luznica Astrazup Marali Madjare Luzhnice Maxhare Goric Tumicina Kravoserija Gurishte Tumiqine Kravasari Rance Dukoj Rance Janciste Duke Jancishte Nisor Milanovic Blace Pagarusa Nishor Shkoze Bllace Pagarushe Grejcevce Grejcefc Bajdan Mahala Redevic Mahala Kostrce Bajdan Mahala Topilo Redevic Mahala Kosterc Dulje Topille Duhel Cajdrak cajdrak Dragacina Semetiste Dragaqine Semitishte Slapuzane Dobrodeljane Laniste Vrsevce Slapuzhan Doberdolan Llanishte Vershec Pecane Zociste Pecan Papaz Zocishte Stara Vucina Movljane Papaz Opterusa Samodraza Stravuqine Movlan Opterushe Samodrezhe Gornja Krusica SUVA REKA REKA Recane Krushice e Eperme Rastane Studencane SUHAREKE Donja Krusica Rashtan Reqan Retimlje Krushice e Ulet Studencan Reti Budakovo SUHAREKE Kosanci Siroko Budakove Neprebiste Kosaniq Shiroke Neprebishte Bukos Sopina Bukosh Mamusa Sopine Donji Retimlje Mamushe Vranic Trnje Reti e Ulte Toplicane Terrnje Lesane Vraniq Toplicane Leshane Savrovo Dubrava Popovljane Savrove Dubrave Popovlan Medvece Djinovce Medvec Gjinofc Dvorane Selograzde Dvoran Sellograzhde Macitevo Smac Novake Meciteve Malesi e Re Zojic Smac Geljance Zojiq Gelac Musutiste Mushtishte Veleza Donja Srbica Gornja Srbica Caparce Nova Sumadija Velezhe Skenderaj i Ulte Skenderaj i Eperm Ceparce Grejkovce Malesi e Re Grejkoc Delovce Ljutoglav Dellofc Bukos II Lutogllave Bukosh II Places Trepetnica Spinadija Vrelo Muzljak Trepetice Shpinadi Landovica Vrelle Muzljak Urban Area Landovice Korisa Municipality boundary Korishe Kabas Petrovo Selo Atmadja Kabash Petrove Ljubizda Vrbestica Atmagje Railway Lubizhde (ORAHOVAC) RAHOVEC Two Lane One Lane Seasonal Dusanovo Dushanove Grncare PRIZREN Grencare The boundaries and names shown on this map do POSLISHTE not imply official recognition by the OSCE Skorobiste Romaje Dojnice Dojnice kilometers HCIC GIS Unit, Kosovo, Pristina, 07 March 2000 Vrbestica Verbeshtice Shterpce Brezovica Jazince Brezovice 11