Summary of the Week 80

Another week directed toward the goal — yet we haven’t moved from the starting point. Just when it seems we are on the verge of a solution, a new crossroads appears, slowing the progress. In the meantime, desires and promises have become intertwined, as have criticism and praise, culprits and victims. Too much for one week.

Vote counting and new elections have overlapped. Previous promises and the next campaign. In the struggle for what analysts call the greatest pan-Albanian leader, indifference toward the fate of the accused war criminals has merged with the glorification of their deeds.

This week, kings and prime ministers have crossed paths. Real and caretaker mandates. Realities and promises that will never be fulfilled.

Allies and critics in one place. Complaints and warnings. Expected statements have been joined by those we hadn’t heard before — including reminders, even from those who had not previously addressed it, such as the French representative in the UN Security Council, that the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities (CSM) must be formed.

“Still, I think that was just a phrasing,” said security expert Nikola Vujinovic. “To be honest, it was the phrasing of a diplomat trying to find something different to say, to stand apart from the rest so the messages wouldn’t be unanimous,” he commented.

Unanimous and unhidden — the messages meant to intimidate are inseparably linked with actions meant to show force. They intertwine, converge, and persist — this week in graffiti written in Dobrotin, and earlier in Pristina’s political maneuvers.

“The ultimate goal of Kosovo Albanians is to take over churches and monasteries regardless of what official scholarship has to say about it,” said historian Aleksandar Gudžic.

Louder than what science or law might say is often what the authorities think. Louder than justice is often what the public expects. That’s why the roles of the accused and the victims often meet, intertwine, and reverse.

Lawyer Nebojsa Vlajic said that many legal proceedings are difficult to understand:

“Instead of trials being conducted against those who caused the incidents, those who were injured in them are the ones sitting in the dock.”

Many almost found themselves “defendants” under a new definition starting November 1 — as foreigners. The rules, unclear interpretations, and premature enforcement all became mixed together. Still, a resolution, at least temporary, came through postponement.

“Nothing changes until January 15,” explained Veon Elshani, Deputy Director of the Kosovo Police for the North Region. He added: “But we will start a public campaign to inform the people…”

For the obligations the law set for this week, there are no more delays. Yet until the very last second, it remains unknown who clashed with whom — and who resisted whose promises.