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Working together all of us can bring a prosperous world
to the children! "HELP
THE CHILDREN"
Electronic
Newsletter of
The Children's Human Rights Centre of Albania - (CRCA) Financed by UK Department for International Development
Humanitarian Office (DFID) This Electronic Newsletter is received by more than 350
Albanian and Foreign NGO's, international organisations and agencies,
state bodies, donors individuals and other partners of CRCA. If you
would like to publish your news, reports, announcements, invitations or
other documents concerning children's rights or issues, please contact
with CRCA. # 79 - 03/04/2000
#1 - 19/05/1999 IN
THIS ISSUE: ************************************************************************************************************** - INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY EXCEEDS 1. 8 BILLION EURO
TARGET FOR SOUTH EAST EUROPE "QUICK-START" PACKAGE ************************************************************************************************************** - CHAIRMEN'S CONCLUSIONS REGIONAL FUNDING CONFERENCE FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE ************************************************************************************************************** - KOSOVAN
CHILDREN - The story of Gene and Ilir ************************************************************************************************************** - OVERVIEW OF
CRCA ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER ************************************************************************************************************** INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY EXCEEDS1.
8 BILLION EURO TARGET FOR
SOUTH
EAST EUROPE "QUICK-START" PACKAGE
Brussels March 30, 2000 - On the concluding
day of the Regional Funding Conference for South East Europe, 47 countries
and 36 international organisations exceeded their goal to fully finance a
comprehensive "Quick-Start" package of 1.8 billion Euros for
regional projects and initiatives in South East Europe over the next 12
months. More than 2.4 billion Euros has been pledged
or committed today for projects aimed at developing infrastructure;
promoting private sector development; supporting policy and institutional
reforms and encouraging democratisation, reconciliation and security. This
extra funding will help accelerate the preparation and implementation of
projects and initiatives in the "near-term" package.
Jointly chaired by European Commissioner for External Relations,
Chris Patten, and President of the World Bank, James Wolfensohn, in close
association with the Special Co-ordinator for the Stability Pact, Bodo
Hombach, the Conference stressed the importance of a joint commitment on
the part of the countries of the region to a stronger and sustained effort
to reform their societies and economies; and on the part of the
international community to the establishment of a credible and predictable
path to integration in European and global
structures. The Conference has significantly advanced both
objectives. The countries of the region have indicated
their commitment to ambitious plans for reform; and the international
community has reciprocated by announcing today not just pledges of funds
but also the rapid launch of highly visible projects that will make a real
difference to people's lives in the near future.
Today the Conference pledged support for
specific regional projects. Examples include: · Albania Water Project · Montenegro Transport Rehabilitation Project · Regional Trade and Transport Facilitation
Project · Bosnia and Herzegovina Power
Interconnection Project · Blace Border Crossing (Kosovo/FYR
Macedonia) · Bosnia and Herzegovina Demobilisation
Project (to facilitate the
reintegration into civilian society of demobilised soldiers) · Regional Mine Awareness Campaign · Feasibility Study for the Development of a Regional TV Network The importance of rapid implementation of the
many projects and initiatives prepared within the framework of the
Stability Pact was stressed by many participants. In particular the
adoption of the Investment Compact and the Anti-corruption initiative was
welcomed, and the adoption of the Media Charter by the countries of South
East Europe was encouraged. The Conference participants renewed their
commitment to a long-term partnership to build a brighter future for all
the people of South East Europe, and pledged to work together with
determination to achieve peace, prosperity and stability in the region. For further information on reconstruction and
development in South East Europe , Please visit the European Commission/World
Bank website at http://www.seerecon.org Information Source: World Bank, Tirana CHAIRMEN'S
CONCLUSIONS
REGIONAL
FUNDING CONFERENCE FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
Brussels, March 29-30, 2000
Representatives of 47 countries and 36 international institutions
met yesterday and today in Brussels, on the occasion of the Regional
Funding Conference for South Eastern Europe.
The Conference was organized by the European Commission and the
World Bank, in close association with the Special Coordinator of the
Stability Pact, to support the goals of the Stability Pact and to promote
reform and cooperation in the region.
The first day of the conference was held at ministerial level, and
was co-chaired by Mr. Christopher Patten, European Commissioner for
External Relations, and by Mr. James Wolfensohn, President of the World
Bank. The Stability Pact was represented by the Special Coordinator
Mr. Bodo Hombach. Mr. Javier
Solana, Secretary General of the European Union Council and High
Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, also
participated. Mr. Seixas da
Costa, Minister of State for European Affairs of Portugal represented the
European Union Presidency, and Mr. Elmar Brok, Chairman of the Committee
on Foreign Affairs addressed the Conference on behalf of Ms. Fontaine,
President of the European Parliament.
Representatives of the beneficiary countries included Mr. Paskai
Milo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania; Mr. Jadranko Prlic, Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Mr. Muravey Radev, Minister
of Finance of Bulgaria; Mr. Tonino Picula, Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Croatia; Mr. Alexandar Dimitrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; and Mr. Eugen Dijmarescu, State Secretary
for Foreign Affairs of Romania. Mr.
Branko Lukovac, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, and Mr. Bernard
Kouchner, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United
Nations in Kosovo, were also in attendance.
The second day was at technical level, and was co-chaired by Ms.
Catherine Day, Deputy Director General for External Relations in the
European Commission, and Mr. Johannes Linn, Vice President for Europe and
Central Asia in the World Bank.
The Conference reaffirmed the commitment of the countries of the
region and the partners of the Stability Pact to work together for peace,
stability and prosperity in South Eastern Europe.
It was noted that progress in this direction has already been made,
but that achieving success will require a long-term commitment, on the
part of the countries of the region, to reform and cooperation and, on the
part of the international community, to establish a clear path for
integration in European and global structures, and to provide financial
and technical assistance in support of reforms.
The Conference discussed a comprehensive quick start package of
regional projects and initiatives developed within the framework of the
Stability Pact, and additional to country-specific donor programs.
These regional projects and initiatives - whose implementation will
start during the next twelve months - aim at developing infrastructure,
promoting private sector development, supporting policy and institutional
reforms, encouraging democratization, reconciliation and security, and
supporting the return of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Donors and financial institutions pledged or committed more than
EURO 2.4 billion, thereby fully financing the quick start package of EURO
1.8 billion presented to the Conference, as well as providing financing to
accelerate the preparation and implementation of projects and initiatives
in the near term package (i.e. that can be implemented over the next two
to three years).
Mr. Patten, in his opening remarks, stressed the importance for the
people of South Eastern Europe to learn again to live together in peace,
as the people of Western Europe had done fifty years ago.
He also reiterated the commitment of the European Union to
integrate the countries of South Eastern Europe into the European
mainstream through the European Union's Stabilization and Association
process. Mr. Patten noted
that the commitment of the European Union to support South Eastern Europe
was directly linked to their commitment to implement reform.
Mr. Wolfensohn emphasized the need for rapid action - both on
reform and on implementation of regional projects and initiatives - to
make a visible difference in the lives of the people of South Eastern
Europe. He noted also that -
as stressed in the Regional Strategy Paper prepared by the World Bank -
progress toward trade liberalization and private sector development,
improving governance and fighting corruption, and strengthening social
cohesion will be necessary together with the development of
infrastructure. Mr.
Wolfensohn also stressed that the countries of the region cannot overcome
alone the great challenges they face, and that strong international
partnership was necessary to support their endeavors.
Mr. Hombach stressed that the Stability Pact is a partnership for
long-term development, and that the quick start package of regional
projects and initiatives presented to the Conference was a first step
toward this objective. He
stressed that the preparation of the regional projects and initiatives had
already led to increased cooperation among the countries of South Eastern
Europe, and that their implementation would further this objective.
The representatives of the countries of South Eastern Europe
reported on progress with their reforms since the Sarajevo summit, and
reaffirmed specific commitments to consolidate the rule of law, fight
corruption, create the enabling environment
for private sector development, reduce trade barriers, and promote
democracy, human rights, and free media.
Many participants echoed these views, emphasizing again that the
Stability Pact is a long-term partnership for peace and prosperity, which
requires that both the countries of South Eastern Europe and their
partners live up to their commitments.
Numerous speakers underlined that the development of infrastructure
and a vibrant private sector must be accompanied by the consolidation of
democratic institutions, the firm establishment of the rule of law, and
the strengthening of social cohesion.
Many participants also stressed the importance to overcome the
underlying causes of tension and consolidate stability, by addressing the
issues of war-displaced persons, minorities, and unemployed in the region.
The need for the Stability Pact to monitor progress and report on
achievements was also emphasized.
The importance of rapid implementation of the many projects and
initiatives prepared within the framework of the Stability Pact was
stressed by many participants. In
particular, the adoption of the Investment Compact and the Anti-Corruption
Initiative was welcomed, and the adoption of the Media Charter by the
countries of South Eastern Europe was encouraged by participants.
The Conference welcomed the work done by the European Investment
Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to prepare
the quick start packages of regional infrastructure and private sector
development projects respectively. They
noted that their implementation will produce important benefits beyond
national borders, and will be an important contribution toward integration
- in transport, energy, telecommunication - among the countries of the
region and with Europe. The Conference expressed particular
appreciation for the regional approach taken toward the special challenges
of South Eastern Europe, which are regional in nature and need to be
addressed in a concerted fashion.
Speakers also emphasized the importance of liberalization and
facilitation of trade between the countries of South Eastern Europe and
with the European Union. Participants
indicated that deepening of international trade should replace over time
reliance on foreign aid, and welcomed the intention of the European
Commission to develop specific proposals for trade liberalization vis-à-vis
South Eastern Europe in the near future.
The Conference also welcomed the work initiated by the Working
Group of Regional Trade Cooperation
established under Stability Pact Working Table II.
Participants noted the importance of consolidating stability in
Kosovo and supporting the development of Montenegro, and welcomed their
inclusion in the quick start packages.
Participants also expressed the hope that conditions will soon be
fulfilled allowing Serbia to participate in the regional development
process and to receive the full support of the donor community.
Recognizing that the achievement of peace, stability and prosperity
in South Eastern Europe requires a long-term partnership, participants
discussed the need for effective follow up to the Conference.
It was agreed that progress in the implementation of regional
projects and initiatives will be monitored, and that additional projects
and initiatives with strong regional benefits will be developed, within
the framework of the Stability Pact, through its Working Tables in
cooperation with the international financial institutions and the European
Commission, and with the continued involvement of the High Level Steering
Group in view of its role in donor coordination. Information Source: World Bank, Tirana KOSOVAN
CHILDREN - The story of Gene and Ilir
Gene is fifteen years old, his brother Ilir is
twelve. They have witnessed unimaginable tragedy in the Balkans conflict,
a conflict in which children are bearing the brunt of a war being waged by
adults. Ilir and Gene's childhood began in Kosovo's
capital, Pristina. They lived with their parents and baby brother in a new
suburb and enjoyed the genteel calm, which allows children to be children.
Their lives were ripped apart one afternoon when shells began to rain down
on the suburb from Serbian military units. Fleeing for their lives, Ilir,
Gene and their family made the hazardous journey to the other side of the
city. Terrified, they fled only in the clothes they stood up in. The family was unable to find an empty house
that had been cleared by the police. The boys set out in the unfamiliar
surroundings of a strange part of town to find food for their baby brother
who was crying with hunger, Only then did the fill horror for the children
of Kosovo unfold. The boys turned a street corner and came
across a crowd of people. The police were evacuating the area. Ilir and
Gene got caught up in the confusion and found themselves being taken to
Pristina's train station where they were held overnight. Alone, afraid and
confused, the boys boarded a train. The distress and anxiety of being
separated from their parents was almost intolerable. But this was to be
the beginning of the extent to which the boys were to carry the weight of
the crisis tearing families apart in the Balkans Crisis. Ilir and Gene
were held for five days in Blace, the "valley of hell", with
tens of thousands of other refugees, they had no possessions, were without
proper shoes and desperately afraid. They might be shot, they would
probably never see their family again. The boys were sent to the refugee camp in
Bojane, currently being run by British Nato troops. They have lost their
family, they have nothing and do not know what will happen next, They miss
school and their friends. The boys have been registered by Save the
Children and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The
urgent aim is to try to reunite them with their parents. This task is
enormous and could take a long time. Save the Children is drawing on its
years of expertise in family tracing and is acting as quickly as possible
to help children like Ilir and Gene. April 1999 Information Source: Save the Children UK Overview
of Electronic Newsletter
This Electronic
Newsletter is prepared by S.Thornton Barkley and Altin Hazizaj
of The Children's Human Rights Centre of Albania - CRCA. The opinions
expressed in this electronic publication do not necessarily represent the
policies or opinions of the CRCA.
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