Jean-Hubert Lebet is known for his clear words. The Swiss Ambassador in Kosovo, rejects, for example, border changes in the Balkans, decided. In the last few months, the presidents of Kosovo and Serbia have brought a territory exchange as a solution to the conflict in the game. Live not criticized the European Union because it removes the visa obligation for Kosovo citizens, although the Balkan country has fulfilled all the conditions. On Wednesday, the Ambassador gave a speech in the small town of Skenderaj, where a Switzerland-funded water supply project was inaugurated.
What said Lebet, was an unusually sharp attack against the corruption rampant in Kosovo, against the misuse of public funds, and against the bloated public administration. Clearly has so far not spoken a Swiss Diplomat in Kosovo. It is not normal that Switzerland alimentiere such projects support, while the government from the Budget of the country, wrong war veterans with pensions, the Ambassador said, mutatis mutandis. It is normal for Kosovo to have three times more officials than the neighboring States. And it is normal that the Kosovars would have to emigrate to feed their families. Present at the inauguration ceremony, politicians and Parliament President Kadri Veseli, who lived in the 90s in Switzerland and during the war, the “secret service chief” of the Kosovo guerilla force KLA ascent were local.
Switzerland is a leading donor country in the water sector in Kosovo. Since the end of the war in 1999, more than 20 projects were supported financially. The drinking water access of the population could be increased thanks to Swiss aid, from 47 percent to 90 percent. The Confederation has issued about 50 million Swiss francs. But you will not make forever development aid , warned Ambassador Lebet.
In social media will Live to be celebrated as a Hero
For war veterans, the Kosovar government loose power annually, the equivalent of about 65 million Swiss francs. Are provided in the current state budget, only 4.4 million Swiss francs for the supply of water. “Obviously, the leaders are of the opinion that we can live without water but not without the lies of the fighters,” says Agron Demi from the Institute CAP.
The speech of Ambassador Lebet, was received by all the Kosovar media. In the social media, he is already celebrated as a Hero and praised, as also in Kosovo, the majority of citizens want nothing more than a functioning state. Of these, Kosovo is far away. About 20’000 of war veterans wrongly receive moderate pensions. A Prosecutor, an indictment of the fraudsters prepared, it was severely threatened and had to flee to the United States. Government chief Ramush Haradinaj referred to him as a “thief” who had fled during the liberation struggle in Macedonia. After the war, Haradinaj had claimed, in his Region of Dukagjin in the West of Kosovo, more than 6,000 fighters had been under his command. Now he talks of 30’000 fighters.
Currently, about 40’000 of the war in Kosovo veterans a pension, almost 70’000 have requested such. Including people who were in 1999 in the kindergarten age. According to reliable sources, members of the Kosovo liberation army, or UCK, not more than 15’000. The miraculous multiplication of the veterans of the war costs to the poor state of much, but this bait and the parties to mobilize their electorate. Presumably, the Swiss Ambassador in front of all these false fighters in mind for his speech, he held, of all places, in Skenderaj, the home town of chief of state Hashim Thaci had. With his criticism of Jean-Hubert Lebet, who was previously Ambassador in Romania, is not alone. Also British and American diplomats are increasingly losing patience with the political class of Kosovo, which is highly permeated by corruption and other misdeeds.
(editing Tamedia)
Created: 28.03.2019, 11:52 PM
