UNMIK/PR/488
Mrs. Leme Xhema will lead PTK as its Director General, beginning on 1 March 2001. She is the first woman in the history of Kosovo to assume this position.
The Department of Post and Telecommunications placed an advertisement in the local newspapers on 8 December 2000 announcing the vacancy, based upon the required profile for the PTK Director General in light of the changing needs of PTK in the current environment. Five candidates answered the public job vacancy announcement for the position of Director General of PTK.
The Department of Post and Telecommunications engaged the services of an international management consulting firm, Management Partners, to review the qualifications of the candidates. On 24 January, the management consultant performed an assessment of the five candidates, with the assistance of three observers from PTK and UNMIK. The candidates participated in an “assessment center” which is a mechanism used internationally to give an opportunity, within a limited time period, to create situations where the reaction of the candidates under stress can be observed and their strengths and weaknesses assessed. Special care was given during the interviews to such profiles as future orientation, leadership, social competence, helicopter view and stress management.
Of the five applicants, three were invited to participate in the final hearing before the Co-Heads of the Department of Post and Telecommunications on 25 January. Based upon the profile of the candidate recommended by the international consultant and the required profile for the Director General of PTK, a decision was taken to appoint Mrs. Leme Xhema as the new PTK Director General. Her term will begin on 1 March for a period of twelve months. When Mrs. Xhema was asked about her major goals for the public enterprise, she responded “[t]he creation of a working atmosphere within PTK that will help the employees heal the deep wounds of war and to restore a non-discriminatory approach to PTK customers is absolutely essential and will be, along with restoring and augmenting PTK services, the increase of efficiency and profitability of PTK, my utmost concern”. Ms. Xhema previously served 17 years as a finance manager in a large corporation.
The Department of Post and Telecommunications and UNMIK extend their full appreciation for the valuable services of Mr. Gezim Pula, outgoing PTK Director General, who has served the interests of PTK in a highly professional manner during his term.
IAC Discusses Mitrovica, Kosovo Police Service
The Interim Administrative Council today discussed security and the situation in Mitrovica, which members agreed had calmed down since the declaration of 1 February, signed by Kosovo Albanian community leaders, UNMIK and KFOR.
Mr. Kole Berisha, representing the LDK, urged action on the recommendations contained in the declaration. COMKFOR General Cabigiosu and UNMIK Police Commissioner Christopher Albiston pointed out that the presence of KFOR and UNMIK Police, as well as that of the Kosovo Police Service, had been increased immediately in Mitrovica, as the declaration had advised.
Following the meeting, SRSG Hans Haekkerup told media that UNMIK was actively trying to create conditions for further fulfillment of the declaration.
In the IAC, he called on members to demonstrate patience, understanding and support during this period. He also said it was important that Kosovo Serbs understand that they would not be forced out of Mitrovica, but should eventually enjoy security in a united city.
UNMIK Police Commissioner Christopher Albiston described the security situation in general and the progress in creating the Kosovo Police Service. IAC member Hashim Thaci said that the KPS in its recruitment had discriminated against members of the former Kosovo Liberation Army, contrary to the 1999 agreement on KLA transformation.
The SRSG said the matter would be looked into, and that in general, there was satisfaction with the work of the KPS and with the progress that has been made.