Nov. 20, 2008
According to latest available details, Bulgarian trucks carrying the highly toxic chemical compound dimethyl sulphate remain detained in an industrial park in Shukovc, a neighbourhood on the periphery of Mitrovica, north Kosovo. The controversy, dating back to June 1, has resulted in the firing of two senior public officials, as well as a letter from the prime minister to concerned and angry citizens that they remain calm and understanding until the chemical cargo is either safely stored or destroyed.
The three trucks in question, under investigation for carrying false documentation, were en route from Iran to a Kosovo company with an alleged shipment of car fuel. They arrived in Kosovo through FYR Macedonia. The trucks and their then-unidentified cargo remained in limbo at the border neutral zone for a number of days until several Macedonian police and border authorities requested medical assistance for "coughing, headaches and increased blood pressure," Balkan Insight reported on June 5. Kosovar authorities later allowed the trucks entry from the Macedonian border, but decided to send them back to Iran; neighbouring countries, however, subsequently refused to allow the trucks to make a return trip through their territory while still carrying toxic materials.
Tensions between the two countries were relieved somewhat when the trucks were moved north from the border to Mitrovica, where they have remained since, as of late August; but in late July Balkan Insight wrote that residents "have held daily protests against the government's decision to store the trucks in the area." The Kosovo Police Service has confirmed police intervention in the protests, while residents claim that their health is being undermined on a daily basis.
Alleged inability to deal with the matter has meanwhile cost two public officials their jobs-namely, Director of Customs Naim Huruglica, and Permanent Environment Ministry Secretary Muhamet Aliu.
On August 13, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci attempted to diffuse the volatile situation, writing on the Website of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo: "According to information received, such materials have been brought into Kosovo without difficulty in previous years, thus endangering the life and security of the citizens of Kosovo. This incident continues to be under investigation and the government expects the appropriate authorities to do their work [...]. Meanwhile, the Government of Kosovo has taken the decision that the 'dimethyl sulphate' will be destroyed in a safe and transparent manner. The entire process of destroying this substance has already begun and will be done under rigorous safety measures protecting the biological environment."
More recently, the Kosovo government announced that a taxpayer-funded tender would be announced for destruction of the harmful substance, the destruction site being Trepca-Mitrovica. The destruction process allegedly got underway in August, but local news reported that KFOR personnel ordered a stop to the proceedings.
