Story of a failed return effort

B92, Belgrade February 08, 2006 10:40

 

PRISTINA -- Wednesday - 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.