"Trepca" and "Political Pollution"

AIM Pristina, September 20, 2000

Despite alarming test results of French and Danish military laboratories KFOR soldiers did not complain of air pollution in Zvecane. It turned out that the lead concentration in air was 100 times higher than the allowed limits. Danish soldiers were even advised to plan having children (if they so wanted) only a year after they return home.

Is this problem truly so alarming!? Although those well versed in the Kosovo situation mentioned air pollution and worn-out machinery in the Zvecane smeltery, French and Danish claims were treated with reservation. Namely, they were even inclined to think that the whole fuss was made so as to mask something bigger, something that would have much greater effects than air purification for the removal of millimicron lead particles.

The capacity of the Zvecane smeltery is 70 thousand tons of lead annually, although it is believed that it operated with only one third of its installed capacity. The supply of concentrates became a problem because the smeltery could use only the flotation from Leposavici and several mines in the northern parts of Kosovo, as well as Serbia.

However, this question is beset with political problems. "UNMIK and KFOR have lost control over the Zvecane smeltery. The Serbs rule all underground resources and technical potentials, while the Albanians are not allowed to work in Trepca", told us Aziz Abrashi, President of the Governing Board of this conglomerate, appointed by the workers. "Trepca is useless. It's only good for a museum", said the Civil Administrator Bernard Kouchner.

But, something that no one expected had happened. KFOR intervened with a view to handing over the Zvecane smeltery to UNMIK. During the incident a number of people was injured. "We talked to the Serbs on several occasions, but they refused to accept the Agreement", said Allan Pierson, who is heading the fourth UNMIK pillar, answering the question whether the use of army in "liberating" production facilities was common practice.

This UNMIK's action was highly dangerous, although everything ended without much problems and despite the fact that a number of Serbs is still occasionally protesting and demanding UNMIK's withdrawal from Zvecane. "I suspect that the whole operation was carried out in coordination with the Belgrade regime", said Oliver Ivanovic, leader of the Serbian National Council for Northern Mitrovica. However, Belgrade's reactions to this problem were rather reserved even when 13 businessmen and political leaders from Serbia were denied entry to Kosovo. Among them was Novak Bijelic, Trepca's General Manager, who was appointed to this position at the time of Serbian administration in Kosovo, i.e. Trepca's "transformation" into a shareholding company.

The Albanians welcomed this operation of KFOR, not so much as an opportunity for the economic consolidation of Trepca, but rather as a courageous political move. "This is a lesson to Serbs", people commented KFOR's intervention in Zvecane. However, KFOR's operation was announced. Those who carefully followed the developments surrounding Trepca, starting with the statement of the President of the Independent Miners' Trade Unions, could see that something was cooking. "Three foreign companies, the American "Morrison", the Swedish "Boliden" and the French "Eramet" are engaged in the elaboration of projects for the revival of the one-time Kosovo economic giant. Preparatory work was to start on September 1, with the engagement of 2,000 workers. UNMIK has secured DM 30 million for that purpose", said the Trade Unions President Bahri Shabani, three weeks before KFOR's intervention in Zvecane, at the very source of pollution.

Mr.Shabani was wrong on several points, although his claim that the work will start on September 1, proved to be correct in certain respect. In other words, there is no real work, but, nevertheless, it can be said that something is being done. Namely, possibilities for the reactivation of "Trepca" are being explored and analysed. UNMIK has anticipated a three-stage rehabilitation process of "Trepca" with the participation of Swedish, French and American firms.

Bernard Sallmon, Kouchner's economic advisor in Kosovo, told us that the first stage would include the preparation of assessments and ensuring of financing for the second stage. "As far as the first stage is concerned, it is nearly completed. Workers of "Stari trg" have kept the installations is good repair, and for the time being we have secured US S 16 million. Many elements have been specified in the second stage, mostly with the negotiating and signing of US S 16 million worth investment projects, as well as concerning the management of "Trepca". In this stage, we can expect additional 2,000 job-openings, as well as undertaking of measures for the purification of the atmosphere, for the protection of property, preparation of emergency plans and conclusion of preparations for the third stage. Finally, we shall invite offers from all possible investors, conclude management contracts and organise production", said Mr.Sallmon.

"I think that US S 16 million is not enough for the implementation of the planned project. According to our calculations, at least US S 30 million or even more, is needed for Trepca to restart its operation as an industrial complex and for it to adjust to the international standards. With US S 16 million worth investment it will be very difficult for Trepca to start operating with full capacity, including the preparation of preventive measure for the protection of human environment", stated Shyqyri Kelmendi, mining and metallurgy expert.

Although UNMIK's future orientation regarding "Trepca" is still unknown, it is nevertheless clear that the entire programme is based on the investigation of its current state after which priorities and financing methods will be determined.

According to UNMIK, the management of "Trepca" will be formed in a transparent way and will include members of Trepca's Board and UNMIK's working group. On the other hand, Trade and Industry Department will specify the composition of the consortium. Trepca's Board will be composed of both Albanians and Serbs. They will work together, while the smeltery will employ only Serbs until the Serbs and Albanians "decide to live together", told us UNMIK officials. There is no information whether UNMIK has already started negotiations on the formation of this Board with Serbs and Albanians. Reporting from a meeting of Serbian workers of the Zvecane smeltery, the Belgrade news Agency "Beta" informed that the Serbian Government has appointed mining engineer Stevan Bozovic as its representative in negotiations with the "international community".

At a meeting with Serbian workers who protested over the closing down of the smeltery, in accordance with Kouchner's statement from his press conference, Bozovic promised that Albanians would not work in the smeltery. "Only Serbs will be working in Zvecane", said Kouchner adding that Serbian and Albanian workers would not be working together, until they decide otherwise. On the other hand, sources close to UNMIK claim that lists of Trepca's Governing Board members and management team of this conglomerate have already been prepared.

UNMIK is on the top of that list with Jan Bergstrom as Project Manager, while Paul McKie would be appointed General Manager of the Mines. The only local name mentioned is that of Burhan Kavaja, as inspector in charge of the mine safety, which is the function he held some 25 years ago. This will not be the end of Trepca's story. The main job is to get it started, but that will not resolve the property issues. At this stage, UNMIK doesn't want to deal with that hot potato. On the other hand, however, a veil was soon thrown over the story on environmental pollution. True, there are no lead particles flying in the air over Mitrovica and Zvecane. Only sparks are flying from political circles in Mitrovica and Zvecane.

AIM Pristina,

Ibrahim Rexhepi