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08 06 2007 The resolution of Kosovo's final status was the topic of this week's Life in Kosovo TV debate show. In essence, the debate discussed whether the development of every sector in Kosovo is related to the political status process, and if Kosovo could have developed more during the last eight years after the Kosovo war.
The show was broadcast live on Radio Television of Kosovo, RTK, and the audience had the chance to address questions to the following panelists:
David Blunt - head of the British liaison office in Pristina; Ardian Gjini - environment minister; Avni Arifi- advisor to the prime minister; Dukagjin Gorani - political analyst; Berat Buzhala - chief editor of the daily newspaper Express.
During the TV debate two extreme views about Kosovo's current situation, its future political status and its development were stated. There was hardly any common ground between the representatives of the government and its critics.
Kosovo, a former province of Serbia, should be granted internationally-monitored independence, according to a UN plan for Kosovo drafted by special envoy Martti Ahtisaari. The proposal is supported by the US and EU member countries of the UN Security Council, but it has been blocked by Russia, a permanent member of the council.
The debate discussed how much effort and money, from Kosovars and internationals, have been invested in Kosovo since 1999 and if everything, every development of every sector in Kosovo is related or depends on Kosovo's political status.
Panelists also discussed whether Kosovo could have developed more during the last eight years if the institutions had worked more effectively.
Gorani said that Kosovo has lost eight years, by focusing only on political status and turning it into the main issue. He also explained that he doesn't believe that education, health and infrastructure depends on status.
"Nothing depends on it. We cannot depend on the declarations that come from government," he said. "We still have to focus on education and other important issues.
"This government made people believe that there is no life without a defined status."
Gjini argued with him and explained that most issues are really dependent on the definition of Kosovo's status.
"Foreign investments depend very much on status," he said. "This government has worked hard in every respect. So no one can say that it hasn't!"
Gjini said that everyone in Kosovo, meaning every inhabitant, bears responsibility for this current state in which Kosovo is - not only the government.
During the debate, panelists in the studio stated their opinions about French president Nicholas Sarkozy's proposal to delay the Security Council vote on the Kosovo resolution for six months, which was made at the G 8 summit in Germany. The proposal depressed many here.
Blunt said that he is aware that people are very upset and frustrated, "Diplomacy needs time."
Buzhala, who observed the summit in Germany, explained how the Sarkozy proposal came about.
"This was a tactical proposal that Sarkozy made, in order to give Russia more time to approve and not to veto the resolution, when it will be voted on in the Security Council," said Buzhala.
Blunt said that he is sorry that the G 8 summit didn't come to an agreement on Kosovo.
"It is very important for you to understand, that diplomacy will continue, but it needs time," he said.
Over the last few years, Kosovo leaders and international officials have made statements about when final status would be determined. The fact that these have all been inaccurate has undermined Kosovars' faith in their representatives.
Gjini said that it's not useful to speculate when the resolution will be voted on in the UN Security Council, or when Kosovo will become independent, because it confuses and frustrates people.
Asked if Kosovo would declare unilateral independence, Arifi said that Kosovo trusts its international partners and a quick solution through a UN Security Council resolution based on the Ahtisaari plan.
Blunt said that people living in Kosovo should have patience and also cooperate with the international community. "There is a light at the end of the 'status tunnel' - you just have to be patient," said Blunt.
During the debate, BIRN broadcast a field report about people's feelings and opinions about Kosovo's final status and about Russia threatening to veto the resolution, which would define Kosovo's status.
Over 150 people phoned up with questions during the show, some of which were read out on air.
Life in Kosovo, a BIRN-organised TV debate, is moderated by BIRN Kosovo Director Jeta Xharra and is broadcast on Kosovo's National Television, RTK, every Friday beginning at 20.15.
At the beginning of 2010 BIRN network published Digging Deeper - A Guide for Investigative Journalists in the Balkans, written in cooperation with Sheila Coronel, Director of the Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism and professor of professional practice at Columbia University, New York.
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