2012, vol. 1, no. 1

The full articles of this number can be found in the paperback format

Original Article
Alienation of the Institution of the Assembly!

Florian Dushi

Abstract
Kosovo does not have any emphasized experience related to development and operation of independent state institutions. Development of power in Kosovo, which derives directly from the votes of citizens, happened only after the end of the conflict in 1999, respectively after the installation of the mission of SC of UN – UNMIK and organization of first elections in 2000. But since the establishment of first institutions until now some interventions were noticed, and those interventions, for a country with long tradition but even for Kosovo are not common and are unconstitutional. In Kosovo the most visible and most pronounced interventions happened in the work of legislature, Assembly, initially by the mission of UNMIK and later by the Government itself. Therefore, Kosovo Assembly as the highest legislative and representative body as it was originally intended with the Constitutional Framework and later with the Constitution of Republic of Kosovo, not rarely did not have the possibility to fulfill its constitutional and legal functions.

Original Article
Organized Crime as an Influential Factor in Political Processes – Case Study of North Kosovo

Fatmir Qollakaj

Abstract

Safety is a constitutional category in State Law, which requires state agencies and institutions to fulfill this obligation to the citizens for whom safety is a fundamental right which is inalienable. The extent to which is possible today to meet this constitutional obligation to the citizens and at what level of quality is a relative issue considering the fact that challenging safety factors are increasing continuously and safety is becoming more unstable. Thus increasingly we are witnesses of an imposed state, from, the challenging factors for safety where the organized crime which is one of the fundamental factors for safety. It is manifested as an important and influential factor, that dictates the rhythm and determines the physiognomy of the political life in state and region wide. As a real reflection and contextual overview of this issue we take into consideration the situation in northern Kosovo, which both in the legal, political and security aspect shows a complex and specific whole where the organized crime is manifested as a strong link between local and political power- symbiosis concerned as crime – local political structure dictates the rhythm, dynamics, volume of state agreements between R. Kosovo and Serbia on the issue of a final solution of the unsolved issues between them. Analyzed from the security point of view and criminology perspective, organized crime attempts, responds towards conservation of the “existing situation” where the state of Kosovo authorities in our concrete case did not have access, nor have they been able to exercise jurisdiction in the territory of Kosovo, recognized internationally as a state by more than ninety countries.

Keywords: safety, organized crime, the State Law

Original Article
The Serbian Propaganda in Dick Marty’s Report

Hasan Saliu

Abstract

This paper is a research into the propaganda used by states as part of their policy to achieve the effects of the foreign policy. The interior propaganda is briefly mentioned in terms of interpreting the notion of propaganda because the scope of this paper aims to focus on the Serbian propaganda against Albanians: a propaganda that addresses the local opinion, but first of all the foreign one. In this context, there is a shift in time, the return of the Serbian propaganda at a time when Albanians are giving their efforts to establishing their nation-state. The paper is intended only to present the more extreme examples from both the past and the present, and not to stop the continuation of this propaganda. Its purpose is to liaise with the latest propaganda campaign intended to demonize Albanians.

Keywords: propaganda, political communication, media, political effect, demonization of the enemy, Dick Marty, the Government of Serbia etc.

Original Article
Types of prisons and labour camps and the position of convicted persons in Albania during the communist dictatorship

Rexhep Gashi

Abstract

This article is an analysis of the types of prisons and labour camps, their structure and organization as well as the position of convicted persons while serving the punishment of imprisonment in Albania during the communist dictatorship period. During this time-period and up to the triumph of democracy in Albania (1944-1991) a large number of prisons and labour camps functioned and operated for the serving of punishment for a large number of convicted persons, the majority part of whom where political prisoners. The large number of prisoners during this time-period as well as of prisons and labour camps was most of all a consequence of cruel punitive policy lead by the Albanian communist state, which as such was directed solely against the opposers of the communist regime. In this line, a well deserved place will be allocated to the organization of prisons and labour camps, the purpose of punishment with imprisonment and the position of convicted persons while serving their punishment. The scope of this article is to separately shed light upon the types and purpose of establishment of prisons and labour camps, the harsh positions of convicted persons, the limitation of their rights and inhuman treatment during the monist Albanian state period.

KeyWords: Albania, prisons, communist dictatorship, labour camps, torture, political prisoners.

Original Article
Coinciding concerns, Stavileci and Kadare, a comparative analysis

Venera Llunji

Abstract

Apology of the Albanian Issue written by Masar Stavileci1 and The Disagreement written by Ismail Kadare2 are two works written in different space and time, and different circumstances, but which correspond with each other for the serious concerns raised about the Albanian people. While the first author (Stavileci) raises concerns about erosion from the outside and from the inside as a result of the lack of coordination of internal major interests, the second author (Kadare) raises concerns about the “erosion” within the Albanians themselves. Stavileci, writing during the pre-war time in Kosovo (1999), raises concerns about the damage to the national development, spiritual, moral and psychological pan-Albanian development, as a result not only of foreign chauvinistic assaults, but also of the oligarchy and the inability of the Albanian political and intellectual class who, in dramatic conditions and situations of our people were to exceed themselves, thus leaving behind them narrow and small- minded political interests and bring together the divided Albanian nation; while, Kadare (2010) raises concerns about the consequences of some individuals eroding the identity and values of the Albanian soul. Although written in various times and various geopolitical circumstances, both works meet with the concerns they raise: the preservation and strengthening of physical and spiritual Albanian integrity.

Keywords: Albanian, nationalism, integration, coordination, Stavileci, Kadare.

Original Article
Reform of Public Administration in Kosovo

Mirlinda Batalli

Abstract

The reform of public administration in Kosovo is a crucial part of the state-building. With the administrative reform, the government aims to modernize its public administration, to strengthen its capacities and to make it more efficient and accountable. Post-conflict period in Kosovo since 1999 when begins the building of the new public administration in Kosovo until the start of the reform in administration represents a relatively challenging period for Kosovo. The reform of public administration in Kosovo is manifested in two ways: first, in relation to its own development structure and, second, in relation to the functions it performs, effects of its work and services that offers to institutions and citizens. Implementation of e-government in the public administration in Kosovo enables all categories of government fast services, at any time and from any distance, in order to fulfill citizens’ daily requirements. Electronic governance modernizes the administration and creates an efficient and responsible management at all levels of the administration. Through enabling of electronic services to citizens, Kosovo will be part of e-Europe.

Keywords: Reform, public administration, E-government.

Original Article
The ballad of the walled up woman in Albanian studies

Olimbi VELAJ

Abstract

In the Albanian folklore, the ballad of the walled up woman is one of the oldest and best known ballads. It’s motive is to sacrifice a young woman in the foundations of a castle, a bridge, or another object that is important for ethnicity. The spread of this motive crosses the Balkan borders. Albanian neighbors, because of the most favorable circumstances like historical, geopolitical and other, have collected and published their songs half a century ago, and with them the options of the ballad for the walled up woman. Collections and Albanian version publications have been always at a disadvantage because of being fewer and not exhibited in a good way in the European literature of that time. In studies conducted in recent decades by philologists and Albanian scholars of folklore this ballad is estimated especially for the variants about the fortress of Shkodra. In this review the aim is to note how this ballad has been studied since the time of its collection until today, how has documentation evolved and what progress was made in collection of variants and in their interpretation. We refer also to researchers and schools which influenced me more.

Keywords: ballad, immurement, variants, studies, folklore, Albanian, castle, Balkan, interpretation, scholars, literature

Original Article
The Banking and Credit System and its Impact on Economic Development

Refik Kryeziu

Abstract

The banking system in Republic of Kosovo is new. The functioning of this system began one year after the war. Approximately 90% of bank assets primarily belong to the foreign capital. Apart from the Central Bank there are also 8 commercial banks operating in Kosovo, and only two of them are with domestic capital. The required products for a financial institution to fulfill the main conditions for being a bank are deposits and credit operations, as well as other products and services which have recently increased. Functioning of the banking system has been characterized by a rapid development of deposits and credits. While at the end of the year 2000 the amount of client deposits was 93 million Euros, at the end of 2010 the growth of deposits marked a value of 1. 952 billion Euros. At the end of 2000 the amount of the allowed loans for individuals and businesses reached the amount of 3 million Euros, while in December of 2010, we have an amount of 1. 439 billion Euro. In Kosovo’s banks during 2006 and 2007 the bad loans were at a level of 4.1%, in 2008 there was a recession of 3.3%, in 2009 it was 4.3 %, and in the first half of 2010 the percentage of entire loans was 4.5 %. The interest rates for loans are extremely high in comparison to commercial banks in the region and beyond. The banking system is poor; the demands for loans and other bank services are huge.

Keywords: Banking system, Central Bank, bank products, deposits, loans, interest rates.

Original Article
Significance of globalization in economic development, Case of Kosovo

Vjollca V.Hasani

Abstract

Globalization has become one of the most commonly used words in every context, the official international discourse and non-official in the context of ‘interdependence’ and the nation’s economy. ‘Globalization’ has evolved over time, and has become more significant since the end of the Cold War and the rapid release of emerging economies. Globalization is not just a contemporary phenomenon. According to Chanda, “It has worked in silence for thousands of years without being given a name.” Indeed, globalization processes are constantly evolving, driven by economic aspirations of millions around the globe; while more people become involved, globalization will occur faster. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of globalization, defined in the integration of economic activities, mainly through markets, the economic viability and global competitiveness in the sector towards the European Union. Globalization has opened new opportunities for a broad development worldwide. However, it is not being developed equally because some districts are being integrated into the global economy quicker than others with evidence of rapid growth and reduced poverty. For consistency purpose, a conceptually coherent analytical framework was used throughout the study. The study consists of a literature review and assessment of factors leading to globalization.

Keywords: Globalization, international markets, the competitiveness of EU markets, global growth in emerging economies.

Thesis is peer review journal published by AAB College