Returnee says life impossible for Serbs in
Kosovo capital
BBC Monitoring European. London: Feb 8, 2006. pg. 1
Text of report in English by Belgrade-based Radio B92 text website on 8
February
Pristina , 8 February: Zoran Stanisic, a refugee who has returned to Pristina,
said that he cannot live in his own apartment, is constantly being robbed, and
cannot reopen his business.
After fleeing almost seven years ago, Stanisic, along with his mother, moved
back to Pristina five months ago. Before the war, Zoran, an economist and
electrical engineer, was the owner of a successful private company in Pristina.
He said that he has been riddled with problems and obstructions in trying to
reopen his business and rehire his old associates, who are all of varying
nationalities.
"I've found both my business and living places broken in to. I alerted the
Kosovo police, which came 15 minutes after the fact. Since I am one of the few
Serbs living in Pristina, it's funny that this is the second time this month
that someone has probably tried to send us a message," Stanisic said.
Stanisic said that he trusted the promises of the international community, the
Kosovo Government and the Return Ministry, that the minimum conditions of normal
living would be given to him, which encouraged him to return to Pristina.
"When winter came, we had nothing, so we were forced to temporarily get out of
the way, and wait to see whether their promises would be fulfilled or not. It
looks as if there is nothing for Serbs in this city, and Serbs are ordained to
live in enclaves, concentration camps, and behind barbed wire," Stanisic said.
Until 1999, about 40,000 Serbs lived in Pristina. There are currently 150 living
there now. Zoran Stanisic is now living in Gracanica, because, as he stated, he
cannot live in his Pristina apartment.
Credit: Radio B92 text website, Belgrade, in
English 0941 8 Feb 06
Radio B92 text website, Belgrade, in English 0941 8 Feb 06/BBCMonitoring/(c) BBC
Posted for Fair Use only.