Kosovo Leader Weighed Down by Old Cabinet

Author: Brikenda Rexhepi
Source: BIRN Serbia

International observers and local politicians in Kosovo have given a guarded welcome to the new prime minister Agim Ceku, despite disappointment that he has been unable to make changes to the widely criticised cabinet of his predecessor.

Ceku, former head of the Kosovo Protection Corps, KPC, won praise from international officials after taking over on March 10 for pledging to move things forward.

The head of the United Nations administration in Kosovo, UNMIK, Soren Jessen Petersen, said he had already "proved to be a good working partner for UNMIK .and for the international community."

Kosovar Albanians respect his personality, hoping his advent will strengthen the negotiating team in talks on Kosovo's final status in Vienna.

However, the news that his predecessor Bajram Kosumi's cabinet will survive virtually intact, in spite of complaints of inefficiency and corruption, brought criticism from those who expected a reshuffle.

Ceku's decision to retain the old ministerial team, apart from the former deputy prime minister, Adem Salihaj, was a matter of practical politics.

The coalition partners in his government, the Democratic League of Kosovo, LDK, and Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, AAK, refused to change their ministers.

Ceku made clear his disappointment with this, remarking that his "possibilities [as premier] differ from [his] wishes".

The Kosovo media recorded the outcome as a setback for Ceku. "First Defeat of the General" was the headline in one newspaper.

However, Ceku emerged from this bruising encounter with one consolation. The coalition parties conceded that he may dismiss those ministers he finds unsatisfactory after three months.

Ceku left no doubt in people's minds that he intends to use this provision, if need be.

"All ministers are in a test," he has said.
"Their work will be analysed and evaluated after 100 days."

Ceku took office at a crucial time, with status talks underway and international pressure growing on Kosovo to show results in implementing a set of UN standards of good governance.

These mostly concern transparency in government, the fight against corruption and treatment of ethnic minorities - especially the largest minority, the Serbs.

Another challenge is the need to work on plans and strategies to further Kosovo's European integration.

Ilir Dugolli, an independent political analyst who formerly worked as an advisor to Ceku, said the failure to sweep out the old ministers was a blow.

"I doubt the possibility to achieve progress, considering the cabinet was not changed", he said.

"It puts the prime minister on unfavourable terrain," he added. "The daily compromises [he will have to make] with parties and ministers may marginalise what should be his long-term priorities."

Dugolli concluded, "Dealing with some ministers who now have an irreparably negative image will be a challenge."

Opposition parties made the same point, condemning the premier for failing to start afresh.

Vlora Citaku, of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, the largest opposition party in Kosovo, said the changes in government were cosmetic.

"This was a good opportunity for the government to refrain from the politics of failure, mismanagement and corruption but it didn't happen," Citaku told Balkan Insight.

Teuta Sahatqia, vice-president of the second main opposition party, the centrist ORA, said the inefficiency of the last government not only reflected Kosumi's inability but that of his ministers, too.

"Ceku inherited the same cabinet and with all respect for the general's personality, he doesn't own a magic wand to transform unsuccessful ministers into successful ones," she said.

One area where he can count on broad cross-party support, however, is on the final status negotiations.

As prime minister, Ceku joins the six member "unity team" representing Kosovo in the talks.

His colleagues are Kosovo's acting president, Fatmir Sejdiu, the speaker of parliament, Kole Berisha, the heads of two opposition parties, Hashim Thaqi of the PDK and Veton Surroi of ORA, and coordinator Blerim Shala.

Teuta Sahatqia, of ORA, said Ceku's reputation for personal integrity would make him a more effective factor in the negotiations than his predecessor.

Dugolli agreed, saying it was well known that the "unity team" was far from united and suffered from "sore relations among some of its members". The new prime minister now had an opportunity to start on a fresh basis, he said.

On March 21, on his first trip abroad as premier, Ceku visited Vienna and Brussels where he met, among others, the UN special envoy on Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari of Finland.

Ahtisaari's spokesperson, Hua Jihang, told Balkan Insight that the envoy warned the new leader not to lose a moment.

According to Jihang, Ahtisaari said that "time is running against the process and more improvements are needed" over issues such as the security of ethnic minorities and their re-integration with the majority.

Ceku has already pledged to make minority rights, including those of Kosovo's Serbs, a priority.

He repeated this in Brussels, his next stop after Vienna, where he promised EU officials that he would reach out to the territory's embittered and fearful Serb minority.

"We are very clear about wanting Serbs to stay in Kosovo, to be equal, to be free, to be secure and to love Kosovo and make it home," he said.

With the next round of status talks scheduled to start on April 3, Ceku said he wanted to send a signal to the Serbs that his government aimed to bring its treatment of minorities into line with EU standards.

Brikenda Rexhepi is a journalist with the daily Koha Ditore and a contributor to Balkan Insight.
Balkan Insight is BIRN's online publication.