Ex-NATO general Clark eyes Kosovo coal

[rex362]

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Retired US army General Wesley Clark, who led the NATO campaign to drive Serbian forces out of Kosovo 13 years ago, is now hoping to dig deep to tap the territory's coal resources.

His company Envidity, which focuses on clean energy, has applied for a licence to explore in Kosovo and produce synthetic fuel if significant coal deposits can be found.

The Canadian company, of which Clark is chairman, said if the exploration was successful it could eventually produce up to 15.9 million litres (100,000 barrels) a day of high-quality synthetic diesel fuel.

Endivity estimates the Pristina government could benefit to the tune of 300 million euros, which it said was one fifth of its current revenue. Kosovo's known lignite or brown coal reserves are estimated at up to 14 billion tonnes.

A spokesman for the ministry for economic development, Gezim Baxhaku, said the application was being reviewed.

Clark led the NATO air war that ousted Serbian forces loyal to then strongman Slobodan Milosevic who fought against independence-seeking ethnic Albanian guerrillas in the 1998-1999 conflict.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008, a move recognised by some 90 countries including the US and a majority of EU members but not Serbia.

[uz]

Well there you go , except this was happening for a long time already, he just wants to be able to declare taxes now.

[rex362]

better him than the greeks or france

its not like giving away gazprom for a song and dance

[uz]

oh I don't know, how about the Albanians??? How is it that Kosovo is THE richest region in Europe, ressource-wise yet, considered one of the worlds poorest "countries"? How long are they going to be fooling you.

[rex362]

kosova was mined for its riches since ancient times and then the Romans

thats what northern kosova is all about ....we all know that

trepce made many serbs rich and lined the pockets of milosevic


its simply our turn now ....simple as that

[uz]

that's the thing, its NOT your-turn, otherwise the situation wouldn't be what it is. What was it again.... Kosovo being the 9th poorest "country" in the world right behind sub-saharan African countries with a mortality death rate at 30 years old. Over there deceases, aids is so rampant that 15 is considered middle-age, where rounded up kids to be thrown in rebellions is a norm, how the fuck is that possible for Kosovo to be in that rank.

simple as that.

[uz]

Albright Firm Eyes Kosovo's Contested State Telecom

Kosovo is preparing to sell a majority stake in its state-owned post and telecom company PTK, a deal that could yield as much as €600 million ($753 million) for Europe’s newest and poorest country.

The bidding, set to begin next month, has attracted interest from European and Turkish phone operators, as well as from an investment company headed by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who was a major backer of Kosovo in its war against Serbia. Already, however, the sale process has been clouded by corruption allegations, legal challenges, and the death of the state privatization agency’s chief, Dino Asanaj. In June, his body was found in his apartment in Kosovo’s capital city of Pristina, with 11 stab wounds. Authorities say he committed suicide.

Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, is an economic basket case. National unemployment stands near 45 percent, and per capita income hovers around $7,000, the lowest in Europe. The International Monetary Fund this year approved a $134 million bailout for the country and urged its government to raise more money by selling a stake in profitable PTK. “We expect big impacts on the economy and the telecommunication sector on the one hand, and at the same time we want to signal foreign investors that Kosovo is an attractive country to invest and do business [in],” Economy Minister Besim Beqaj says.
---

Kosovo authorities have said the stress of investigation led Asanaj to kill himself. That finding is “unbelievable,” says William Bartlett, a senior researcher at the London School of Economics who has advised the European Commission and international organizations in Kosovo. “Kosovo is a lawless place,” Bartlett says.

Serbia is contesting the PTK privatization, arguing that former Serbian employees of the company have a legal claim on its assets. On Aug. 23, Serbia announced it would file lawsuits before international courts to block investors from buying stakes in the company. “As in any asset sale, rights of former and current employees also must be respected,” including claims by Serbs who fled Kosovo during the war that began in 1999, says Aleksandar Vulin, the head of Serbia’s agency for Kosovo affairs. “The move should serve as a warning to foreign investors who want to acquire assets there.”

www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-08-30/albright-firm-eyes-kosovos-contested-state-telecom

[bowandarrow]

Hey ex-NATO general...You have Clark eyes LOL

[uz]

Aug 31, 2012 18:08:57 GMT -5 emperorcry123 said:

7000 dollars per capita... hahah even serbia aint that high...

Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, is an economic basket case. National unemployment stands near 45 percent, and per capita income hovers around $7,000, the lowest in Europe

[uz]

Aug 31, 2012 18:35:50 GMT -5 emperorcry123 said:

wolfram doesnt work for me right now but maybe in cia world factbook you can find out...

its more about 5000 6000 serbia and kosova much lower...

according to the CIA factbook, Serbia was higher than 10 000 in 2010.