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

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1 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe MISSION IN KOSOVO Democratisation Municipal Profile: Podujevo/Podujevë 17 April 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 PODUJEVO PODUJEVE Kosovo Polje Fushe Kosove 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 IDPs Civil Administration...3 Table 2.1: UN-Appointed Municipal Council...3 Table 2.2: UN-Appointed Administrative Board Political Parties...5 Table 3.1: Political Parties Local and International NGOs...5 Table 4.1: Local NGOs based in Podujevo Other Civilian International Presence...6 Table 5.1: The Four Pillars Religion, Places of Worship, and Cultural Institutions Media...6 Table 7.1: List of Major Newspapers, TV/Radio Stations, etc Judicial System...7 Table 8.1: Judges of Municipal Court...7 Table 8.2: Judges of Minor Offences Court Police, Civil Protection, and Military Presence...7 Table 9.1: Police, Civil Protection, 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 Podujevo/Podujevë municipality is in the north-east corner of Kosovo, north of Pristina with a size of 633 km 2. The Lap/Llap hills west of the town of Podujevo/Podujevë were a Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) stronghold. The total number of villages within the municipality is 78, including the town of Podujevo/Podujevë. In early March 1999 the Mayor of Podujevo estimated the number of Kosovo Serbs in the municipality to be around 1,650, of whom half were in Podujevo town. According to the Mother Theresa Society, a local NGO, at that time there were already 33,000 IDPs in the municipality (the current figure is estimated at around 1,000). The current population of the municipality, which is about 99% Kosovo Albanian, amounts to approximately 117,000 persons including the approximately 35,000 inhabitants of Podujevo town. There are only two elderly Kosovo Serbs living in Podujevo town, whereas approximately 40 Kosovo Serbs live in a small enclave under KFOR protection. Podujevo hosts a Roma-Ashkaelia minority, which is located in Podujevo town and its surrounding areas. According to local Ashkaelia representatives, there has been no discrimination directed towards them and the minority considers itself as an integral part of the existing Kosovo Albanian population of Podujevo municipality. Table 1.1: Ethnic Composition, Including IDPs Population K-Albanians K-Serbs Ashkaelia Total Number % Number % Number % Number % 1991 census 89,290 98,1 1, , March , , , Current population 116, ~ , Source: 1991 census data; Kosovo/Kosova: As Seen As Told. OSCE Human Rights Report, Volume 1, p. 299.; UNMIK 2. Civil Administration The UN Administrator appointed members of the Municipal Council on 18 December The Council members (listed below) consist of representatives of the political parties as well as representatives of so-called professional groups. The Municipal Council aims to reflect the current political make-up of Podujevo municipality: the Party of Democratic Progress in Kosovo (PPDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) have two representatives each, whereas the other parties have one representative. The role of the professional interest groups, such as the Mother Theresa Society, the Lawyer s Association and the Women s Forum, is to advise the political representatives by participating actively in the work of the Council. Table 2.1: UN-Appointed Municipal Council Name Function Party-affiliation/ representation Siegfried Brenke UN Municipal Administrator None Sylejman Gashi Local Municipal Representative PPDK Agim M. Kikaj LDK Representative LDK Skender Rr. Gashi LDK Representative LDK Fatmir Humolli LKÇK Representative LKÇK Ali Podvorica PNDSH Representative PNDSH Naim Fetahu PPDK Representative PPDK Naim Kadriu PPDK Representative PPDK 3

4 Ali Lahu PPK Representative PPK Shaban Krasniqi PSDK Representative PSDK Nazmi Halimi * PSHDK Representative PSHDK Jusuf Ejupi UNIKOMB Representative UNIKOMB Agim Hyseini Minority Group Representative Hashkali Community Qasim Musa Local NGO Representative (Humanitarian) Mother Theresa Aziz Podvorica Representative of Professional Group Lawyer s Association Jusuf Azemi Representative of Professional Group Trade Unions Lumnje Kajtazi Representative of Women Women s Group Ilaz Maliqi Representative of Youth None * Mr. Halimi resigned on 2 March. New PSHDK representative to be appointed. The Municipal Council in March 2000 agreed with the idea of forming a civil administration structure of seven departments, under which there are several directorates. After long discussions among the political parties, the UN Administrator, and the OSCE, the Municipal Council on 6 April 2000 endorsed the UN Administrator s proposal for department heads. One week later, and after consultations with the new department heads, the UN Administrator also appointed the directors of the directorates. The Municipal Administrative Board (the UN Administrator plus the directors of departments and directorates) was thus formed. Table 2.2: UN-Appointed Administrative Board Name Function Party-affiliation Siegfried Brenke UN Municipal Administrator None S. Gashi President PPDK A. Veliu Vice-President LDK I. Begolli Secretary UNIKOMB H. Shala Director, General Administration Department PSHDK Haif Mehmeti Director, Personnel, Serv. Directorate PSHDK Tahir Sahiti Director, Legal Affairs Directorate PPDK Selim Haziri Director, KPC-Liason Off. Directorate - E. Visoka Director, Fiscal and Economic Affairs Department LDK Mehmet Gashi Director, Budget, Finance Directorate LDK Fadi Hodolli Director, Public Enterprises Directorate LDK Isak Mehmeti Director, Industrial Econ. Directorate LDK Dr. M. Avdiu Director, Social Affairs, Housing and Health Department PPDK Hatixhe Jakubi Director, Social Policy Directorate - Ramadan Salihi Director, Housing Directorate - Dr. Thaci Director, Health Directorate LDK S. Bulliqi Director, Education, Culture, and Sports Department LDK Bajram Blaku Director, Education Directorate PPDK Neschmi Balaj Director, Culture Directorate LDK Shahin Sfihta Director, Youth Directorate PPDK I. Hyseni Director, Reconstruction and Urban Development Department PPDK Daut Retkoceri Director, Urban Development Directorate LKCK Sefqet Maloku Director, Cadastre Directorate LDK Ismet Namani Director, Transport Directorate PPDK B. Ajeti Director, Regional Development, Agriculture, and Environ. Depart. PPDK Ismet Fejzullahu Director, Village Development Directorate PPDK Isak Racovica Director, Agriculture Directorate - Rasim Fejza Director, Environment Directorate LDK A. Ahmeti Director, Public Relations and Democratisation Department LDK Bajram Berami Director, Public Relations Directorate PPDK Ejup Babatinca Director, Democratisation Directorate LDK Haxhere Murati Director, Statistics Directorate PPDK 4

5 3. Political Parties Nine political parties are currently active in the Podujevo area. These include PPDK, LDK, LKÇK, PSDK (two branches), PShDK, PPK, UNIKOMB, PNDSH and PLK 1. Most political parties in Podujevo follow essentially the political platform of PPDK, except for PShDK, which co-operates closely with the LDK. Due to the absence of major ethnic problems in Podujevo, the differences between the political parties are playing an important role in the daily life and discussions of people. The OSCE plans to open a Political Party Service Centre in the near future, which will be highly welcomed by most political parties. Podujevo municipality has traditionally been dominated by the LDK. However, the PPDK has rapidly gained new supporters and power, and it has established a solid position in the municipality. The amount of PPDK sub-branches within the municipality is growing steadily. In addition, PPDK is heavily represented in all municipal organs. The appointment procedure of school directors in Podujevo municipality has raised several complaints, since PPDK has been accused on several occasions of intimidating teachers and school directors that support the LDK. Besides the PPDK and LDK, the National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo (LKCK) is holding a significant amount of power in the municipality. LKCK seems to co-ordinate its actions with PPDK and has been organising demonstrations in the Podujevo area on several occasions. Table 3.1: Political Parties Party Leader of Municipal Party Branch Kosovo-wide Leader PPDK (Party of Democr. Progress in Kosovo) Naim Fetahu Hashim Thaqi LDK (Democratic League of Kosovo) Ilaz Pireva Ibrahim Rugova LKÇK (Nat. Movement for the Lib. of Kosovo) Fatmir Humolli Sabit Gashi PSDK (Social Democratic Party of Kosovo)* Shaban Krasniqi Kaqusha Jaskari PShDK (Albanian Christian Democratic Party) Nazmi Halimi Marq Krasniqi PNDSH (Albanian National Democratic Party) Ali Podvorica Rexhep Abdullahu PPK (Parliamentary Party of Kosovo) Ali Lahu Bajram Kosumi UNIKOMB (Albanian Unification Party) Jusuf Ejupi Ukshin Hoti PLK (Liberal Party of Kosovo) Hasan Pervetica Gjergi Dedaj *In addition, the other PSDK faction existing in Kosovo (led by Ms. Luljeta Pula) has been identified in Podujevo. It is represented at the local level by Mr. Gani Koliqi, although this faction is not currently active in the municipality. 4. Local and International NGOs All international NGOs working in Podujevo are based in Pristina. These include CARE, Mercy Corps, ADRA, Action Against Hunger, International Medical Corps, European Perspective, Malteser, American Aid, Cap Anamur, World Vision, Feed the Children International, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Their work in Podujevo is concentrated on material aid and on assisting traumatised persons through various training programs. Several NGO s have closed down their branches in the municipality (e.g. CARE) and most of them are currently reducing their activities. The most active local NGOs in the municipality are the Mother Theresa Society, Women in Action, and New Alternativa, all of which are represented in the Municipal Council. The president of the Mother Theresa Society officially has no party affiliation. The president of 1 Acronyms are spelled out in the table below (table 3.1). 5

6 Women in Action also has no party-affiliation. However, the representatives of the Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms seem to follow the PPDK political party line. Table 4.1: Local NGOs based in Podujevo Name Main focus Regional Leader Kosovo-wide Leader Mother Theresa Society Humanitarian Qasim Musa Don Lush Gjergji Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms Human Rights Fehmi Blakqori Pajazit Nusmi Women in Action Rehabilitation and Igballe Hakiqi Igballe Hakiqi (WA)/Femrat ne Veprim Training (FV) Handikos Handicapped people Gane Jashari Halit Ferizi New Alternativa Youth Fazli Veliu Fazli Veliu Democratic Hope Minority/Human Rights (Ashkaelia) Agim Hyseini Agim Hyseini 5. Other Civilian International Presence The first UN Administrator arrived in August The OSCE Field Office became operational on 15 th September The UNHCR operates out of Pristina. The only governmental agency in Podujevo is the UK Department for International Development (DFID), which has helped establish a garbage dump site in the outskirts of Podujevo. Table 5.1: The Four Pillars Name Number of staff Contact Person Title Contact Number UN Civil 4 international, Siegfried Brenke UN CA Adm. 1 local (in Pristina) OSCE 4 international, Olavi von Director of the Sat.phone 24 locals Konow Field Office UNHCR 1 international (not based in Podujevo) Petia Ventova Field Officer ext EU Not present 6. Religion, Places of Worship, and Cultural Institutions Islam is virtually the only currently practised religion in Podujevo, given the population structure. Very few Orthodox Christians (Kosovo Serbs) remain. In addition, there was until recently a Christian evangelistic group in the municipality, but due to threats and intimidation it has left the municipality. Within the municipal area, there are between mosques and, as a reminder to the former presence of Kosovo Serbs, two orthodox churches. One of these churches has been burnt down, while the other one is protected by KFOR. There is no Cultural Centre or other cultural institution in the municipality. 7. Media 6

7 For the time being, there are no local radio/tv stations in Podujevo. There is, however, a project proposal submitted by the local Rilindja correspondent, Fazli Veliu, to the OSCE Department of Media Affairs, which aims at establishing a local radio station in Podujevo. There is also a local periodical, ALBI, in town, which has published two issues so far, mostly describing local developments, personalities, and issues. Table 7.1: List of Major Newspapers, TV/Radio Stations, etc. Name of media Type of Media Correspondent Ethnic Affiliation ALBI Local periodical Hasan Pervetica Kosovo Albanian (monthly) Rilindja Newspaper Fazli Veliu Kosovo Albanian Koha Ditore Newspaper Sylejman Blaku Kosovo Albanian 8. Judicial System Podujevo has a Municipal Court and a Minor Offences Court. All appointed judges are Kosovo Albanian. Although the judges were appointed already in December 1999, the courts have still not started their work since no support staff has been employed yet and since some necessary equipment (typewriters, etc.) is still missing. Table 8.1: Judges of Municipal Court Name Title Ethnicity Aziz Podvorica President of municipal court Kosovo Albanian Muharrem Sadiku Judge Kosovo Albanian Rexhep Fusha Judge Kosovo Albanian Bedri Krasniqi Judge Kosovo Albanian Shaban Ganiu Judge Kosovo Albanian Source: UN Civil Administration Table 8.2: Judges of Minor Offences Court Name Title Ethnicity Sahit Sylejmani President of minor offences court Kosovo Albanian Behxhet Muciqi Judge Kosovo Albanian Mehemet Emini Judge Kosovo Albanian Jakup Llugaliu Judge Kosovo Albanian Xhevat Beqolli Judge Kosovo Albanian Sabit Citaku Judge Kosovo Albanian Source: UN Civil Administration 9. Police, Civil Protection, and Military Presence KFOR (The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards) is well respected in Podujevo and has good relations with the local population as well as excellent co-operation with UNMIK Police and the other international organisations present. UNMIK Police is still considered understaffed in Podujevo area, although they are aided by 14 Kosovo Police Service (KPS) officers. Podujevo being practically mono-ethnic is a rather quiet area and therefore policing is easier than in other municipalities. The crime rate is considered low. The Kosovo Protection Corps (TMK) are well respected in the community, and they perform a variety of functions in the community, such as for instance reconstructing playgrounds near schools. 7

8 Table 9.1: Police, Civil Protection, and Military Presence Name Local Commander Number of Police Ethnic Composition, Officers, Soldiers, etc. Nationality KPS Wayne Wilson 14 Kosovo Albanian KPC/TMK Nasser Hyseini 129 Kosovo Albanian Semi Revqui (engineers) (incl. 66 engineers) UN Civil Police Wayne Wilson (USA) 36 International KFOR Lt Col A M Phillips 850 British Source: KFOR, UNMIK, CIVPOL 10. Economics Besides KFOR, UN Civil Administration and the OSCE, the largest employer in town is a company called FAN, which produces metallic items used for reconstruction and employs almost 400 employees. However, all industries in the region have been suffering from the lack of electricity, which is also why the Brick Factory 8 Nentory was not working for a long time, although it is now back up and running. Most enterprises are considered state owned, although it is not clear who currently is in charge of these industries (UN Civil Administration is at the moment not taking an active role in running these enterprises). The workforce is entirely Kosovo Albanian. The enterprises keep regular accounts. Due to the absence of a banking system, all enterprises depend on cash transactions for their day-to-day business activities. There are moreover several agricultural co-operatives. The UN Administrator is conducting a survey among the estimated 8000 farmers in the municipality in order to identify their needs and plans for the future. The results are expected in May 2000 as part of a comprehensive database. Probably the biggest problem the municipality faces is the high unemployment rate. For the time being, many people try to get by with trading on markets, and children as young as seven years old are selling tobacco, peanuts and lighters. Regrettably, also the more wealthy local inhabitants tend to invest in trade rather than in the production or service branches. Gas stations are popping up everywhere between Podujevo and Pristina. Investment into the existing enterprises and into new production facilities would thus be highly welcomed Major Employers in the Region Employer Service/Products Production Number of Workforce on going? FAPOL Plastic material No 138 FAN Metal for reconstruct. Partly Nentory Brick and block Yes 130 Ekonomara Wood and forestry Yes Nentory Wood, windows, Yes 75 doors and furniture Source: UNMIK 11. Infrastructure Podujevo is one of the municipalities with the highest rate of damaged houses (for categories III to V: 7,6 %). Next to the high unemployment rate, the issue of reconstruction tops the 8

9 municipal agenda. With great concern, the municipality is looking at the expected big number of returning people from other countries within the next months. The roads from Pristina to Podujevo are in relatively good condition. Within Podujevo, KFOR is undertaking efforts to improve the road conditions, which today are already above standards in Kosovo. Podujevo town has set itself the goal to become the Ecological Town of Kosovo. In April 2000, in a co-ordinated project by different groups together with UNMIK, a clean-up initiative will commence along the Lap River. A garbage collection system is being put into effect and drainage systems will be cleared. In addition, recreational areas in the town centre will be revived. Telecommunication is theoretically possible by landline telephones. Mobile telephones however will not work since there is no related infrastructure for the time being. The electricity situation is similar to the rest of Kosovo and depends on the two major power stations in Kosovo, which have a tendency to break down quite often. The water supply in the municipality is quite good, and the water is generally considered potable. 12. Social Services, Health, and Education According to UNMIK, approx individuals are depending on the social security system. They have applied for Social Emergency Assistance. Of those, about 90% have collected their allowance. In addition, the Mother Theresa Society is claiming to feed 50,000 individuals. Podujevo town has one hospital (incl. dental clinic, emergency clinic, maternity clinic, general hospital), staffed with 51 doctors, 121 nurses and approx. 60 other personnel. Within the municipality, there are in additional about 16 ambulantas (clinics located outside of the main town). Future problems are seen on one hand in the lack of qualified personnel at the hospital (5 specialists) and on the other hand in the malnutrition of children, which could lead to a spread of diseases. In the Podujevo area, there are 61 school buildings, of which 31 schools are functional (28 primary schools and 3 secondary schools). The total number of pupils is about 18,000. In the near future, the UN Administrator would like to involve schools into the so-called ecological program. In that way the schools would become a focal point for the development of the municipality by reaching through them also the pupils families, thus helping to spread the ecological knowledge. Schools would become an instrument of public information and campaign. 9