The Weakest Link of Kosovo's Democracy - KFOS

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report was published is that the irregularities occurred earlier. In those days there was
no law and no well developed banking system. Scrutinizing these reasons give the
conclusion that these arguments are irrelevant for three reasons:
- The gravity of committed acts includes penal cases which are not
limited by statutory limitation.
- During the period when most of the irregularities occurred there was
a functional banking system in Kosovo and a law to regulate public
finances as well as public procurement, and
- The main part of the irregularities was performed when the emergency
period was over, which means that during the period in question
there was administrative capacity available to fight the cases which is
elementary.
The indifference of unMIK and KTA
The OIOS investigators have concluded that from the beginning of 2005 the focus of
the high leadership in UNMIK has turned away from the fight against corruption. Years
ago it was clearly seen that corruption had run out of control in Kosovo, which is shown
by Task Force and from external audits, and still the leaders of the Mission hesitate to
take action. The Kosovo media continue to report on irregularities at the Airport but the
opinion of UNMIK, KTA and Kosovo officials remains as before: no serious measures
against misuse. This lack of action/reaction, a Kosovo expert calls a mystery which
undoubtedly will be unveiled one day.
The international officials in KTA have not been far from the opinion voiced by the BoD
and even the chairman of the board, Salihaj, concerning the accusations raised by Task
Force. The fact that no measures are taken against the accused persons are based on
the statement that there was no law.
In addition, Jessen Petersen gave a heavy blow to the hopes that the UN report on irregularities
at the Airport would open the door to fight corruption in public enterprises.
Petersen has contested most of the recommendations for disciplinary measures on the
basis that the conditions are difficult in peacekeeping missions. Be that as it may, he
also refused to admit that corruption is a broad and all encompassing phenomenon at
the Airport. Of course he ignored the report for a long time although local media reported
in detail about the reports issued by his own organization. Finally he had to deal
with the report but only after it had turned into a scandal in the international media.
Immediately after Reuter published the report the head of UNMIK reacted and called
the OIOS report unsubstantiated.
In a press conference the head of Pillar IV of UNMIK, Joachim Rücker, defended the
construction of a hotel near the Airport in spite of the fact that this is not in accordance
with the Master Plan. In a press conference, defending the non-transparent agreement
made with one of the owners, he said that the Master Plan is of a dynamic nature and
should be changed. This is in total contradiction to the reasons why master plans exist.
They are made for the very purpose of avoiding sporadic constructions which cause
problems to the development of the airport infrastructure.