http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2931322,00.html
Deutsche Welle
November 18, 2007
Former Rebel Leader Vows to Bring Independence to
Kosovo
Thaci said he would declare independence for Kosovo
after UN talks ended on Dec. 10
-The elections were marred by a record low turnout of
45 percent, which was attributed to disillusionment of
voters not only just by the elusive sovereignty, but
by everyday issues which include huge unemployment,
poverty and even regular power blackouts.
-"Turnout was low because people are depressed," said
analyst Berat Buzhala of the daily Kosovo Express.
"This is about the economic situation - no water, no
electricity, no jobs."
A coalition of Kosovo's two largest ethnic Albanian
parties and call for independence from Serbia appeared
to be the result of elections held in the province
ahead of more talks with UN envoys.
The former Kosovo Albanian guerrilla leader Hashim
Thaci declared victory Sunday, Nov. 18, in Kosovo's
parliamentary polls and immediately repeated the
promise that independence from Serbia is coming
shortly.
"A new era is starting," Thaci said early Sunday. "The
citizens of Kosovo have sent a message to the world
that we are a democratic country and society."
Thaci said the polls showed the province was ready for
independence from Serbia -- a view that regularly
receives high support among Kosovo's majority ethnic
Albanian population.
The vote was held just days before an important set of
negotiations in Brussels to decide the future status
of the southern Serbian province, whose independence
Belgrade's fiercely opposes. Chances of a
breakthrough, however, are slim.
"I don't think anyone is that hopeful of a
breakthrough on Tuesday," one diplomat told Reuters,
adding that EU members would in try to overcome
national differences on whether to recognize any
future Kosovo independence claim.
Thaci's Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has collected
35 percent of the votes, according to unofficial
figures, sweeping President Fatmir Sejdiu's Democratic
League of Kosovo (LDK) from power.
LDK, the largest party in the province, formed 18
years ago by the late creator of the Kosovo Albanian
independence movement Ibrahim Rugova, was punished by
voters and collected only 22 percent of the votes.
LDK is, however, expected to remain in power as the
junior partner in a grand coalition, as Albanian
leaders will want to forge a strong government quickly
in time for the end of a round of UN-sponsored talks
on Kosovo's status with Serbia on Dec. 10.
Albanian politicians are united in the view that
Kosovo must become independent immediately and their
compatriots, who make up 90 percent of the 2 million
Kosovars, think the same.
Low voter turnout
The newcomer Alliance New Kosovo (AKR), founded by
millionaire businessman Behgjet Pacolli in 2006, came
in third with 12 percent of the votes and may also
figure in a future coalition.
The elections were marred by a record low turnout of
45 percent, which was attributed to disillusionment of
voters not only just by the elusive sovereignty, but
by everyday issues which include huge unemployment,
poverty and even regular power blackouts.
"Turnout was low because people are depressed," said
analyst Berat Buzhala of the daily Kosovo Express.
"This is about the economic situation - no water, no
electricity, no jobs."
Ethnic Serb boycott
Saturday's poll, which included voting for 30
municipal assemblies and mayors, was also marked by
the comprehensive boycott by the provinces 120,000
ethnic Serbs. Nearly all of them followed Belgrade's
orders and kept away from polling stations. Many fear
they would be driven out of an independent Kosovo.
....
Saturday's elections were the third since a UN
administration and a NATO peacekeeping force assumed
control over Kosovo in mid-1999.
Serbian News Network - SNN
[email protected]
http://www.antic.org/
