Hogg In Kosovo

In the past few years, the initiative was passed from London to Paris and Athens, Washington and Moscow, then London again and so on in a vicious circle. Just as the Americans and Russians had exhausted all their peace missions, the British entered the scene. After the great powers' foreign ministers met in London, British Foreign Secretary Douglas Hogg embarked on his tour of the Balkans, explaining, persuading and sounding possible global solutions of the crises, which will probably be discussed at the upcoming summit of the big powers. Special emphasis is given to the fact that Hogg visited Kosovo after Belgrade. Even though Hogg underscored that the main goal of his tour was to help find a solution for Bosnia, he is aware of the fact that Kosovo is not just another stop on the road. World factors realize now that Kosovo is the key to a solution in the Balkans and that it is potentially even more explosive than Bosnia. This is why they wish to include Kosovo, as much as possible, in a ``global plan'' aimed at resolving the crisis in the former Yugoslavia. Hogg's visit to Kosovo has important political implications. First of all, world diplomacy has made it clear to Serbia that the question of Kosovo is of international importance, and not just ``an internal Serbian problem,'' as claimed by the regime which refused to prolong the CSCE's stay in Yugoslavia. Secondly, Hogg, returned, in a way, Ibrahim Rugova's visit, thus singling him out as the leading representative of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. During his European tour last year, Rugova met with Hogg and they exchanged views on the situation in Kosovo. According to some speculations, which are probably not groundless, it is highly possible that French Foreign Minister Alain Juppet will visit Kosovo. This internationalization of the Kosovo issue and the ensuring of a legitimate position for ethnic Albanian negotiators, is being put in a framework acceptable to Serbia.

Hogg reiterated three key points in Belgrade and Kosovo in the international approach to Kosovo, which was formulated last year in Washington by the superpowers; first, that Kosovo is part of Serbia; second, that a change of borders is unacceptable, and third, that Kosovo must have broad territorial, political and cultural autonomy.

During his talks with Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, Hogg informed him of these principles, and as has been learned, received assurances that they were acceptable to Serbia. Milosevic allegedly said that the project urging broader autonomy for Kosovo, such as it had in 1974, would not be problematic. Hogg's optimism after his talks with Milosevic must have dampened somewhat after meeting with Rugova in Pristina, since the ethnic Albanian side remained firmly with its stand that Kosovo must be accepted as an independent and neutral state. They gave assurances that they would accept all serious dialogue on the issue if conducted in the presence of foreign mediators. Naturally, insisting on finding a solution for Kosovo within the framework of Serbia, was not well received by ethnic Albanians. They were not surprised by it, and do not regard it as a final and irrevocable decision. There are ethnic Albanians who claim that if the 1974 Constitution is really taken as the basis of the solution, then it gives great possibilities for the gradual realization of Kosovo's status as a republic and later an independent Kosovo.

In Pristina Hogg met with local Serb representatives of authority and a group of ethnic Albanian political figures who are believed to be more moderate. Hogg had informal talks over lunch with Veton Suroi (former politician, currently editorinchief of Pristinabased weekly ``Koha''), Azem Vlasi (Kosovo Communist cadre in Socialist Yugoslavia, arrested after Milosevic came to power, currently works as a lawyer) Gazmenda Pula. Adem Demaqi (most famous political prisoner and human rights activist) was in Italy at the time, and was prevented from attending the lunch. There are speculations in Kosovo over Hogg's gesture, and whether this group of moderates is closer to the superpowers' concept of Kosovo's autonomy within Serbia. However, there was no talk on the subject. On the other hand, Demaqi gave an interview to TV Tirana in Italy (carried by the ethnic Albanian daily ``Bujku'') in which he criticized the Democratic Alliance of Kosovo and its leader Rugova, ``because of their wrong and indecisive policy.'' Demaqi believes that it is necessary to negotiate with the Serbs and he leaves the door open for compromise. Demaqi's problem, however, lies in the fact that he is politically uncommitted, just like the other moderates who met with Hogg. They don't have mandates or sufficient influence to negotiate in the name of Kosovo. Rugova and his party have the final say and influence in Kosovo, so that it need not be expected that some other options concerning Kosovo will become topical in the near future. The course taken by the Democratic Alliance might change at the party's upcoming congress. But, even though there are factions fighting for power, all analyses show that Rugova will hold on to his leading position and that there won't be any significant changes either with regard to goals or strategy pursued by ethnic Albanians. This includes the mode of negotiations with Serbia. The Pristinabased weekly ``Koha'' which is edited by Veton Suroi, said in its latest number that secret Serbianethnic Albanian negotiations have allegedly been scheduled for the end of the month. The Belgrade daily ``Borba'' also speculates on the same subject, and carries the names of the Serbian negotiating team. ``Koha'' claims that the Serbian team will be headed by ruling Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) ideologue Mihajlo Markovic and Federal vicePM Zeljko Simic, while ``Borba'' claims that former RTV Serbia director turned businesman Dusan Mitevic, who is close to Milosevic (or rather to his wifeed. note), will be the man. Mitevic originates from Kosovo and is very well connected with Kosovo's new Communist leaders. However, all these speculations must be regarded warily. They are part of the psychological preparations ahead of negotiations, which for the moment, are not in sight. A lot of time will pass before serious negotiations get under way.

Banning the DSK

Milos Simovic, the Head of the Kosovo District, wants to ban the Democratic Alliance of Kosovo headed by Ibrahim Rugova. Simovic says that the party is not registered and aims its activities against the laws and the constitution of the Republic of Serbia. This has been tolerated for four years, but ``it's high time that a demand is put to the Serbian institutions to ban it.''

British Foreign Office Minister Douglas Hogg got the credit for determining ``the right moment.'' According to Simovic, Hogg was surprised that one unregistered party could survive so long while working against the country where it exists.

On the other hand, Simovic finds it only natural to demand the banning of the biggest party of Kosovo Albanians and simultaneously appeal to the very same Albanians to ``be constructive,'' take part in the elections and participate in the government.