Constitution of the Assembly of Kosovo - Just an Empty Promise?

AIM Pristina, 30 May, 1998

The question of constitution of the assembly of Kosovo, ever since 1992, has been the question which caused heated discussions among political subjects in Kosovo. This assembly was not constituted even after two postponements or twice prolonged mandates, and then, six years after the first elections, on 22 March this year, Ibrahim Rugova organised new parliamentary and presidential elections. However, the assembly of Kosovo still has not been constituted, even two months after the elections. This question was open before the beginning of talks between negotiating delegations nominated by the leaders of Kosovo Albanians Ibrahim Riugova and president of FRY Slobodan Milosevic.

Consituting of the assembly of Kosovo was very persistently and resolutely demanded by the closest associates of Dr Rugova from the Democratic League of Kosovo, but also from parliamentary parties close to the DSK, such as Christian Democrats of Marko Krasniqi, Liberals of Xherxh Dedaj, and even a few members of the advisory group G-15. Personages from former leadership of the DSK who have founded the "New Democratic party" (New Democratic League of Kosovo), Hydajet Hyseni, Mehmet Hajrizi, etc., and leaders of the most powerful opposition party (Parliamentary Party of Kosovo) like Adem Demaqi and Bajram Kosumi, have continuously put the question of constitution of the parliament claiming that this was necessary, and then opposed new elections and finally refused to take part in them. And while everybody expected that all the parties which had won seats in the parliament would succumb to the will of Mr Rugova, it turned out that his closest associates were the ones who demanded urgent constitution of the parliament. This is explained by the latest developments in Kosovo, especially after the meeting of Rugova with Milosevic, which are not only acquiring tragic proportions but also causing confusion on the political scene and in Kosovo public in general. Political leaders seek salvation from the present situation in intervention of the international community, but prior to that in constituting of the parliament of Kosovo which would, they say, decide about directions of further development of politics in Kosovo.

Naim Jerlou, for example, vice-president of the DSK, after the meeting of Rugova with Milosevic, stressed that the assembly of Kosovo would very soon be constituted because this was a "necessity". Similar was concluded by the Main Board of the DSK at its previous session, and president Rugova kept repeating the "magic word" - "soon" at every press conference since 22 March. From the meeting held on 18 May, the main board of the DSK issued a statement for the public in which it claimed that it had "obliged presidency of the DSK to carry out the final preparations for constituting assembly of the parliament, to be held as soon as possible". Sources close to the DSK claim that the discussion was sharp and critical. The same source adds that "there is no chance for its constitution in the near future, because it is necessary to nominate the candidate for the chairman of the assembly, and as concerning the party (DSK) to nominate the head of the parliamentary group (of deputies), which is the duty of the main board and which could have been done at the session held on 18 May".

On the other hand, a few members of G-15, at the meeting held on 21 May, a day before the talks between Pristina and Belgrade, demanded that the parliament be the decision-maker in the negotiations. Esad Stavileci, a reputable lawyer, did not accept to be in the negotiating team of the leader of Kosovo Albanians Ibrahim Rugov, demanding that only the status of Kosovo be discussed with Milosevic's delegation, and that the platform of Kosovo and each possible agreement be adopted by the parliament of Kosovo. It is understandable that in the situation prevailing in Kosovo, members of the negotiating group do not wish to assume responsibility for the talks, or possible unsatisfactory agreements that may be reached, and that is why they wish the main responsibility to be assumed by those elected by the will of the citizens in the elections.

Be what may, at the time when Rugova seems to have lost the trust of his closest associates, the situation in Kosovo is becoming more and more dramatic, because Pristina is gradually losing connections with regions of Kosovo stricken by armed conflicts and it is gradually losing control of political parties in that region. Protagonists on the political scene justified the need for constituting the parliament by the argument that this highest institution of Kosovo Albanians should "define stands concerning the situation in the field and activities of state and political subjects". On the other hand, local analysts assess, further postponement of constituting of the assembly may contribute to further loss of confidence in the political leadership of the citizens of Kosovo, but especially of those who are in the regions under police siege and as a result they will continue with self-organizing in defence of their homes and personal dignity. That they still believe in institutions in Kosovo is best illustrated by the great response of citizens in the elections on 22 March, but such confidence cannot be maintained with internal policy such as the one pursued by the political leadership of Kosovo. Therefore, connnoisseurs of conditions in Kosovo warn, confidence could be preserved and the situation could be controlled by state institutions only in the case they are constituted and operational. Regardless of the attitude of the international community (which seem to play a part in decision-making in the sense whether conditions were created for organizing the parliament or not), it seems that the need for its constitution is becoming more and more obvious, because of relieving tensions on the political scene of Kosovo or more precisely for internal needs.

But, all things considered, the question of constituting the assembly will remain open. It seems that Kosovo Albanians will have to wait for a long time for the "convenient moment" for promises to be kept...

AIM Pristina

Rahman PACARIZI