Newsroom
OSCE regrets imminent closure of Kosovo "Media House"
PRISTINA 1 August 2000
PRISTINA, 1 August 2000 - Following an assessment by the United Nations Fire Marshall's Office which concluded that the Pristina-based "Media House" tower block is not safe enough to be used and presents a major safety hazard which could lead to loss of life or injury due to fire or electrocution, the building will have to be vacated and closed within the next few days. The OSCE Mission in Kosovo greatly regrets this development.
An assessment carried out by engineers from the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo to see whether individual meters could be installed in the building, discovered that the building's electrical wiring system was in serious need of a complete overhaul due to years of neglect and lack of maintenance.
Since the building has now been deemed unsafe by the UN Fire Marshall's Office, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo has decided to return all rent-cum-maintenance fees collected to date back to those tenants who paid them. The OSCE will also do its utmost to help the media tenants of the tower block find alternative accommodation in Pristina, especially those who have paid their electricity bills, so that they can continue their important task of informing the public.
The details have yet to be worked out but OSCE hopes to provide a relocation package for those tenants on the basis of the space they occupied in the Rilindja building. While no guarantees can be given, the OSCE will also endeavour to attract new donor support for the media. However, the responsibility for finding alternative accommodation cannot remain that of the OSCE alone. The media outlets in the Rilindja Building are independent entities and must also make an effort to find new working space.
As was announced earlier, the failure by tenants to pay outstanding electricity bills is an issue the OSCE has been dealing with for several months but is not linked in any way to the Fire Marshall's conclusion. However, it must be made clear that the non-payment of electricity bills and rent is a very unsatisfactory situation regardless of this current development.
Despite this setback, the OSCE is determined to continue assisting Kosovo's media under its mandate to create the conditions for the development of free and independent media.
For further information, contact OSCE Spokesperson Roland BlessTel: (+381-38) 500-162 or satphone: 871-762-009-948 ext. 260 / mobile: (+389-70) 250-576 / email: press@omik.org//www.osce.org/kosovo/
An assessment carried out by engineers from the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo to see whether individual meters could be installed in the building, discovered that the building's electrical wiring system was in serious need of a complete overhaul due to years of neglect and lack of maintenance.
Since the building has now been deemed unsafe by the UN Fire Marshall's Office, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo has decided to return all rent-cum-maintenance fees collected to date back to those tenants who paid them. The OSCE will also do its utmost to help the media tenants of the tower block find alternative accommodation in Pristina, especially those who have paid their electricity bills, so that they can continue their important task of informing the public.
The details have yet to be worked out but OSCE hopes to provide a relocation package for those tenants on the basis of the space they occupied in the Rilindja building. While no guarantees can be given, the OSCE will also endeavour to attract new donor support for the media. However, the responsibility for finding alternative accommodation cannot remain that of the OSCE alone. The media outlets in the Rilindja Building are independent entities and must also make an effort to find new working space.
As was announced earlier, the failure by tenants to pay outstanding electricity bills is an issue the OSCE has been dealing with for several months but is not linked in any way to the Fire Marshall's conclusion. However, it must be made clear that the non-payment of electricity bills and rent is a very unsatisfactory situation regardless of this current development.
Despite this setback, the OSCE is determined to continue assisting Kosovo's media under its mandate to create the conditions for the development of free and independent media.
For further information, contact OSCE Spokesperson Roland BlessTel: (+381-38) 500-162 or satphone: 871-762-009-948 ext. 260 / mobile: (+389-70) 250-576 / email: press@omik.org//www.osce.org/kosovo/