Progress to Date

2. TV Kosovo has been transmitting a daily two hour information program since 19 September 1999 using the building and equipment of the former TV-Pristina. The transmissions have been financed until June 2000 with DM 1 million from the Swiss Government, DM 4.75 million from The Netherlands and DM 1.9 million from Norway.

3. Radio Kosovo has been transmitting its programs since 1 November 1999 from the facilities of the former Radio Pristina. It currently has a 24 hour FM program on one frequency and uses a second FM frequency for its minority language programs. The Albanian language program is also transmitted via medium wave. Radio Kosovo has been financed with DM 281,000 from France in 1999, DM 480,000 from The Netherlands and DM 142,500 from the UK.

4. In partnership with donors, the department of Media Affairs has also been involved in the development of the Media House, also known as the Rilindja Building. which aims to provide a safe and relatively inexpensive workplace for a variety of media-related outlets, and thus to ensure a diverse and pluralist choice in print and broadcasting media. The Media House has received DM 468,000 from the UK for start-up rehabilitation.

5. In addition, the reconstruction of the terrestrial transmitting network has so far been financed by DM 95,000 from OSCE for the clearance of the sites, DM 380,000 for the construction of transmission masts from USAID, and DM 950,000 for the repair of two generators from KFOR.

Previous donor funding provided for Media Affairs (DM million) (*US$1 = 1.9DM)

Project	Donor	Amount*
Emergency transmission of TV Kosovo by satellite	Switzerland	1.00
	Netherlands	4.75
	Norway	1.90
Radio Kosovo	France	0.28
	Netherlands	0.48
	UK	0.14
Media House	UK	0.47
Transmission network	OSCE	0.09
	USAID	0.38
	KFOR	0.95
Total		10.44

Priorities

6. Further work is required on reconstruction of broadcasting infrastructure and development of media in Kosovo. Additional donor funding has been provided this year by the US, UK and Japan for various projects. However, another DM 9 million is required for the three activities described below. To date only DM 430,000, for Media House renovation work, has been identified for these projects.

Description	2000
Rehabilitation of the Media House	3.3
Reconstruction of Terrestrial Broadcasting	1.1
Rehabilitation of Radio TV Kosovo Buildings	1.8
Recurrent costs (per year)	2.8
Total	9.0

Media House

7. Funds are required to ameliorate the working conditions for the tenants of the Media House by providing and repairing the dysfunctional basic utility systems, such as heating, electricity, water and communications, and the replacement and repair of the elevators. To date the UK has committed funding for refurbishment of the elevators.

Rehabilitation of Main Broadcasting Transmission Sites

8. The two main broadcasting transmission sites - on Mt. Golesh (Pristina) and Mt. Cviljen (Prizren) - were destroyed during the NATO campaign in 1999. Rehabilitation of the two sites is vital to re-establishing full terrestrial broadcasting throughout the province. UNMIK and OSCE are about to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the management of the broadcasting transmission sites. KFOR will provide security. The US and the UK have committed themselves to construct the transmission masts at the sites and the Japanese government, through the UNDP, will supply transmission equipment for three TV and seven radio frequencies on Mt Golesh and Mt Cviljen with a microwave link from Pristina to the two mountains. In addition, the Japanese government will supply a generator to each site.

9. The sites will, however, also need further rehabilitation including:

at Mt Golesh

• rehabilitation of 20kv power line from Pristina Airport to the radar site on Mt. Golesh
• rehabilitation of the building housing transmission equipment, including new electrical wiring, new roof, heating, accommodation for technicians and servicing of generators

at Mt Cviljen

• mine clearance of the electricity lines leading to the site
• repair of electricity lines
• installation of a 20kv transformer
• rehabilitation of the road leading to the site
• concrete bases and three containers to house transmission equipment.

10. In addition, technical assistance is required to develop technical options for the full restoration of the terrestrial broadcasting network.

Radio and TV Kosovo (RTK) Buildings

11. RTK has carried out basic renovations on the buildings used by Radio Kosovo and TV-Kosovo, which were both vandalised during the conflict. The Japanese government, through UNDP, will re-equip two studios and provide new transmission equipment for the television service. Both buildings however need extensive renovations in order to provide the RTK staff with a proper work environment. Renovations will also enable RTK to rent out office space to provide some income. Development of the Media House (rehabilitation of the Rilindja Building)

Recurring Costs