Daily: No aid for Kosovo due to IMF deal violation

And so it begins.
The beginning of the end.

Of course it's only campaigning, Agim, but it speaks volumes about the wretchedly unsophisticated society you live in: these wild claims wouldn't win votes in an African village, let alone a modern European country. Has no one in Kosovo spotted that there's a global financial crisis? Has it occurred to anybody that you don't actually make anything - those citizens who aren't employed selling coffee and pizza to foreigners work in the internationally-funded public sector, yet your electorate is prepared to believe Thaci can bump your salaries up 50%.

And that bit of electoral bullshit just cost you EUR 20m. Well done, children.

I hope Thaci stands up to the IMF, his people need those raises. Don't forget that the IMF has nearly always been wrong in its economic "advice"
(DimTuc, 7 December 2010 13:45)

Be sure, Thaci's people (buddies) don't need those raises! They already benefit from the corruption, job positions in public companies and/or public expenses that, what a surprise, often go to befriended companies. Or do you mean the people of Kosovo?

YAAAAAYYYY

DimTuc

IMF can be accused of being ruthless, but "wrong all the time"? I kinda doubt that. If that was the case, countries would not be lining up to deal with the fund.

I think IMF makes for the perfect scapegoat. It enables/forces lame governments to implement unpopular but necessary reforms, while claiming that "it wasn't us, IMF made us do it."

As far as Thaci's promises go, you can't pay people with money you don't have. It's really that simple.

You also lose credibility if you don't stick to agreements.

I don't know what Kosovo Albanians think of Thaci, but personally I've been allergic to him since I read about the German secret service assessment of his direct involvement in trafficking in the 90s. I have to admit though, I'm not very familiar with politics in Kosovo...so I may be wrong.

"No Soup for You" Pristina. Ouch! Looks like the Snake went a little to far this time with his exaggerations (lies). Just like the "Immediate 100 Recognitions" after the Albanian's UDI, the "Promised Salary Increases" can go in same dust bin of the Freak Show called Kosova. Hashim Pinocchio is fun to watch though, but where is Geppetto Fatmir?

This is not surprising
If Thaci and CO run the show in Pristina you will get these kind of things,
Ones a Criminal always a criminal.

Kosovo can't even handle a IMF membership. It saya a lot where this fake state is going.

It's only election campaing. All politicians promise you the world, but once elected the reality is totally different. I remember when Miloshevic was telling Serbs if they move/locate t Kosova they will eat with golden spoon, but there was no golden spoon ONLY bloodshed!?
Therefore, Thaci or Mustafa(Mustafa promised 100%) can promise 30-50% increase, but will not be able to do it.

It is amazing how EU is playing hard with Kosova for 20 million € while for the same non-discipline in public finances together with the IMF gives Greece 100 billion € (that is a Greek gets 10.000 euros for every 10euro that a gets a Kosovar) and to Macedonia, Bosnia and Montenegro hundreds of millions.

It is amazing how EU is playing hard with Kosova for 20 million € while for the same non-discipline in public finances together with the IMF gives Greece 100 billion € (that is a Greek gets 10.000 euros for every 10euro that a gets a Kosovar) and to Macedonia, Bosnia and Montenegro hundreds of millions.
(ben, 7 December 2010 15:51)

Kosovo is a Serbian province ruled by UN and EU. Countries like Greece are independent states.

I think it is logical that different rules apply to states on the one hand and UN/EU ruled provinces on the other hand?
Don't you agree on that?

@DimTuc: YOu wrote the misleading sentence "I hope Thaci stands up to the IMF, HIS people"...

"What a depressed economy like Kosovo needs is some initial cash in ordinary people's hands to stimulate small businesses into producing, and allow an economy to start developing, not more IMF horror depression-creating economics."
(DimTuc, 7 December 2010 16:56)

Well, 'initial cash'? How much donor money has Kosovo received so far? How much has been spend on great street project, needed or not? What percentage of this money went immediately to corrupt politicians or their buddies? I agree, Kosovo needs some businesses that produce things, maybe even export. How can it be that Kosovo's main export product is scrap metal? it surely won't help to raise public expenses.

"Just like the "Immediate 100 Recognitions" after the Albanian's UDI"...
(winston, 7 December 2010 16:55)
Please add the visa-free travelling to the EU - of course only for the voters of Thaci.

This is ridiculous and is hard to believe this report. What politicians claim during an election campaign is not a law. There is no way that the aid was cut because Thaci said this and Thaci said that. If the aid was truly cut there are plenty of other reasons that have more ground; bad implementation of previous loans, administrative adjustments, budget cuts in overall IMF and EU budget etc etc.

Thaci and anyone else does not make the law. Its an entire government and parliament in Pristina that are responsible for ratifying and implementing laws of this kind.
Please enough with this pathetic propaganda.

Amer
====

The IMF agreement does allow for increasing public sector wages for the next year...by up to 7%. That's actually quite a hike....but 30%-50%? That is definitely irresponsible.

Also on the topic of stimulating the economy. Kosovo's economy has structural problems, not cyclical ones. Correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I know, Kosovo has bad infrastructure, weak institutions and a corrupt government, pretty much the cocktail from hell as far as small businesses are concerned.

Since Kosovo does not produce much at the moment, any of these salary raises would probably go into buying imported goods, so while the money goes right back out the window to others, the Kosovo government will be saddled with the debt it took to raise these salaries.

I understand that we all want to live large, but you can't put the cart before the horse.

Top: "Thaci's people don't need those raises."

Article: "he said that wages will be increased in public services, education, justice and health by 30 to 50 percent next year"

so teachers and health workers are "Thaci's people" and don't deserve raises? Who knows then maybe they may also choose not to stay and work in Kosovo.

Ment: "you can't make promises with money you don't have."

Whatever. He said 30 to 50 percent in election promsies. So maybe it'll be more like 30 than 50. Ambit claims followed by compromises are the art of the game.

But just remember that whenever the IMF brings in the austerity packages, by destroying people's buying power they drive the spiral ever further downward. look at Thailand the rest of southeast Asia after the 1997 crisis. Actually, Malaysia survived much better by thumbing its nose at the IMF.

What a depressed economy like Kosovo needs is some initial cash in ordinary people's hands to stimulate small businesses into producing, and allow an economy to start developing, not more IMF horror depression-creating economics.

Sugar coat it whichever way you like, but the money is running out. I have been saying this for over 12 months now and finally the facts are coming to light.
If you think 2010 was hard wait till 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

"What a depressed economy like Kosovo needs is some initial cash in ordinary people's hands to stimulate small businesses into producing, and allow an economy to start developing, not more IMF horror depression-creating economics.
(DimTuc, 7 December 2010 16:56) "

I'm inclined to agree, based on South Korea's experience. The international community used to refuse to fund certain projects that they considered unnecessary, but that the Koreans insisted on funding themselves. I don't know the details, but at least one (a cross-country highway) turned out to be necessary for the country's rapid growth. At the time, South Korea wasn't a UN member either. I'd like to think Thaci has been talking to the Koreans and not just making campaign promises. All these international reports point out that one problem with the justice system in Kosovo is the low pay of judges and prosecutors, who can make a lot more in the private system, and improving education is a crucial low-term investment for every country, so I hope he can find some way to manage raises - if not 50% in one year - while keeping the IMF quiet. If he can do this, he's easily worth re-electing, no matter what you may think of his past.

It is unfair to cheer or laugh for someone's misfortune - that can happen with anyone. This is a misfortune and I agree with DimTuc regarding IMF.

It will not take long and the wages of Kosova will be higher than those of Serbia, if not already.

Kosova is in better hands now than it was before under the regime of Serbia.

Only going forward!

The Eagle
(The Eagle)

You sure you have been following whats going on? http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/archives/seerecon/kdc/social.pdf

In 2 years there hasn't even been a more progress. Wake up.

I hope Thaci stands up to the IMF, his people need those raises. Don't forget that the IMF has nearly always been wrong in its economic "advice"

It will not take long and the wages of Kosova will be higher than those of Serbia, if not already.

Kosova is in better hands now than it was before under the regime of Serbia.

Only going forward!

The Eagle

Ment hit the nail right on the head!Enuff said!

You sure you have been following whats going on? [link]

In 2 years there hasn't even been a more progress. Wake up.
(trudsaam, 8 December 2010 21:02)

Oh, look who's talking. It took Serbia over 120 years to make a slight over zero progress, while you laugh at Kosovo.

It's only election campaing. All politicians promise you the world, but once elected the reality is totally different. I remember when Miloshevic was telling Serbs if they move/locate t Kosova they will eat with golden spoon, but there was no golden spoon ONLY bloodshed!?
Therefore, Thaci or Mustafa(Mustafa promised 100%) can promise 30-50% increase, but will not be able to do it.

I hope Thaci stands up to the IMF, his people need those raises. Don't forget that the IMF has nearly always been wrong in its economic "advice"

This is ridiculous and is hard to believe this report. What politicians claim during an election campaign is not a law. There is no way that the aid was cut because Thaci said this and Thaci said that. If the aid was truly cut there are plenty of other reasons that have more ground; bad implementation of previous loans, administrative adjustments, budget cuts in overall IMF and EU budget etc etc.

Thaci and anyone else does not make the law. Its an entire government and parliament in Pristina that are responsible for ratifying and implementing laws of this kind.
Please enough with this pathetic propaganda.

And so it begins.
The beginning of the end.

Top: "Thaci's people don't need those raises."

Article: "he said that wages will be increased in public services, education, justice and health by 30 to 50 percent next year"

so teachers and health workers are "Thaci's people" and don't deserve raises? Who knows then maybe they may also choose not to stay and work in Kosovo.

Ment: "you can't make promises with money you don't have."

Whatever. He said 30 to 50 percent in election promsies. So maybe it'll be more like 30 than 50. Ambit claims followed by compromises are the art of the game.

But just remember that whenever the IMF brings in the austerity packages, by destroying people's buying power they drive the spiral ever further downward. look at Thailand the rest of southeast Asia after the 1997 crisis. Actually, Malaysia survived much better by thumbing its nose at the IMF.

What a depressed economy like Kosovo needs is some initial cash in ordinary people's hands to stimulate small businesses into producing, and allow an economy to start developing, not more IMF horror depression-creating economics.

It is amazing how EU is playing hard with Kosova for 20 million € while for the same non-discipline in public finances together with the IMF gives Greece 100 billion € (that is a Greek gets 10.000 euros for every 10euro that a gets a Kosovar) and to Macedonia, Bosnia and Montenegro hundreds of millions.
(ben, 7 December 2010 15:51)

Kosovo is a Serbian province ruled by UN and EU. Countries like Greece are independent states.

I think it is logical that different rules apply to states on the one hand and UN/EU ruled provinces on the other hand?
Don't you agree on that?

It is amazing how EU is playing hard with Kosova for 20 million € while for the same non-discipline in public finances together with the IMF gives Greece 100 billion € (that is a Greek gets 10.000 euros for every 10euro that a gets a Kosovar) and to Macedonia, Bosnia and Montenegro hundreds of millions.

"No Soup for You" Pristina. Ouch! Looks like the Snake went a little to far this time with his exaggerations (lies). Just like the "Immediate 100 Recognitions" after the Albanian's UDI, the "Promised Salary Increases" can go in same dust bin of the Freak Show called Kosova. Hashim Pinocchio is fun to watch though, but where is Geppetto Fatmir?

This is not surprising
If Thaci and CO run the show in Pristina you will get these kind of things,
Ones a Criminal always a criminal.

Kosovo can't even handle a IMF membership. It saya a lot where this fake state is going.

Of course it's only campaigning, Agim, but it speaks volumes about the wretchedly unsophisticated society you live in: these wild claims wouldn't win votes in an African village, let alone a modern European country. Has no one in Kosovo spotted that there's a global financial crisis? Has it occurred to anybody that you don't actually make anything - those citizens who aren't employed selling coffee and pizza to foreigners work in the internationally-funded public sector, yet your electorate is prepared to believe Thaci can bump your salaries up 50%.

And that bit of electoral bullshit just cost you EUR 20m. Well done, children.

@DimTuc: YOu wrote the misleading sentence "I hope Thaci stands up to the IMF, HIS people"...

"What a depressed economy like Kosovo needs is some initial cash in ordinary people's hands to stimulate small businesses into producing, and allow an economy to start developing, not more IMF horror depression-creating economics."
(DimTuc, 7 December 2010 16:56)

Well, 'initial cash'? How much donor money has Kosovo received so far? How much has been spend on great street project, needed or not? What percentage of this money went immediately to corrupt politicians or their buddies? I agree, Kosovo needs some businesses that produce things, maybe even export. How can it be that Kosovo's main export product is scrap metal? it surely won't help to raise public expenses.

"Just like the "Immediate 100 Recognitions" after the Albanian's UDI"...
(winston, 7 December 2010 16:55)
Please add the visa-free travelling to the EU - of course only for the voters of Thaci.

"What a depressed economy like Kosovo needs is some initial cash in ordinary people's hands to stimulate small businesses into producing, and allow an economy to start developing, not more IMF horror depression-creating economics.
(DimTuc, 7 December 2010 16:56) "

I'm inclined to agree, based on South Korea's experience. The international community used to refuse to fund certain projects that they considered unnecessary, but that the Koreans insisted on funding themselves. I don't know the details, but at least one (a cross-country highway) turned out to be necessary for the country's rapid growth. At the time, South Korea wasn't a UN member either. I'd like to think Thaci has been talking to the Koreans and not just making campaign promises. All these international reports point out that one problem with the justice system in Kosovo is the low pay of judges and prosecutors, who can make a lot more in the private system, and improving education is a crucial low-term investment for every country, so I hope he can find some way to manage raises - if not 50% in one year - while keeping the IMF quiet. If he can do this, he's easily worth re-electing, no matter what you may think of his past.

It will not take long and the wages of Kosova will be higher than those of Serbia, if not already.

Kosova is in better hands now than it was before under the regime of Serbia.

Only going forward!

The Eagle

Ment hit the nail right on the head!Enuff said!

YAAAAAYYYY

I hope Thaci stands up to the IMF, his people need those raises. Don't forget that the IMF has nearly always been wrong in its economic "advice"
(DimTuc, 7 December 2010 13:45)

Be sure, Thaci's people (buddies) don't need those raises! They already benefit from the corruption, job positions in public companies and/or public expenses that, what a surprise, often go to befriended companies. Or do you mean the people of Kosovo?

It is unfair to cheer or laugh for someone's misfortune - that can happen with anyone. This is a misfortune and I agree with DimTuc regarding IMF.

Amer
====

The IMF agreement does allow for increasing public sector wages for the next year...by up to 7%. That's actually quite a hike....but 30%-50%? That is definitely irresponsible.

Also on the topic of stimulating the economy. Kosovo's economy has structural problems, not cyclical ones. Correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I know, Kosovo has bad infrastructure, weak institutions and a corrupt government, pretty much the cocktail from hell as far as small businesses are concerned.

Since Kosovo does not produce much at the moment, any of these salary raises would probably go into buying imported goods, so while the money goes right back out the window to others, the Kosovo government will be saddled with the debt it took to raise these salaries.

I understand that we all want to live large, but you can't put the cart before the horse.

DimTuc

IMF can be accused of being ruthless, but "wrong all the time"? I kinda doubt that. If that was the case, countries would not be lining up to deal with the fund.

I think IMF makes for the perfect scapegoat. It enables/forces lame governments to implement unpopular but necessary reforms, while claiming that "it wasn't us, IMF made us do it."

As far as Thaci's promises go, you can't pay people with money you don't have. It's really that simple.

You also lose credibility if you don't stick to agreements.

I don't know what Kosovo Albanians think of Thaci, but personally I've been allergic to him since I read about the German secret service assessment of his direct involvement in trafficking in the 90s. I have to admit though, I'm not very familiar with politics in Kosovo...so I may be wrong.

Sugar coat it whichever way you like, but the money is running out. I have been saying this for over 12 months now and finally the facts are coming to light.
If you think 2010 was hard wait till 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

It will not take long and the wages of Kosova will be higher than those of Serbia, if not already.

Kosova is in better hands now than it was before under the regime of Serbia.

Only going forward!

The Eagle
(The Eagle)

You sure you have been following whats going on? http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/archives/seerecon/kdc/social.pdf

In 2 years there hasn't even been a more progress. Wake up.

You sure you have been following whats going on? [link]

In 2 years there hasn't even been a more progress. Wake up.
(trudsaam, 8 December 2010 21:02)

Oh, look who's talking. It took Serbia over 120 years to make a slight over zero progress, while you laugh at Kosovo.