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Carolina Watchman
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v|v!.,ii oi the watchman - l"cf ption.per year two dollars — payable in ! ?', nce li if not paid in advance two dollars | a anv cis will be charged ! a 1,1 nt $| for the first and 25 cts a ■insertion court orders chirged j .. higher than these rates a liberal deduc • i those who advertise by the year jjtf.r "** the i:jilor must !"' f'"m ii;,id /■':"/// scott's weekly pap r a singular circumstance jm hp year 18*20 the writer residing in .#___— count nn i was requested by j ' riend to assist him in harvesting his ' there were some ten hands employ f'j in the field in the evening saturday tane 22d 1820 about an hour before ggt we quit work and went to the hou<t mr it , our boss requested us be seated lor a short time while he v0_ld go to a near neighbor's to hire an itional number of harvest hands for the next monday's work i had left my re8t in the forenoon where we had work a near g river and i requested mr p io bring it with him on ins return which he promised to do it began to r0u ate and i commenced looking for sir k even before he had time to return j'lie boose stood on an eminence and all the timber and even the stumps were oil the land there was a full view for half 8 mile in tl direction where he went — r;un 1 looked for him and did not see bim ' remained however a minute where he stood and on looking again . ] '. nly w ithin about 100 feet of me in 0pen space appeared mr 11 but oh how changed he appeared as writhing in nam is body slightly inclined on the left his eyes rolled upwards his counte nance assumed a deathlike hue his chest beavedi and a convulsion shook his whole | frame ! i stood riveted to the spot unable to stir his wife perceived me and was alarmed at my wild appearance she saw thai 1 was looking intently at some object close at hand and on looking in the direction ve saw nothing ! she how ever caused me to look away and at that moment he vanished from my sight ! alarmed 1 went into the house and en quired if mr li had returned i went j also to the barn and made the same en quiry hut in each case was answered in lhe negative in about twenty minutes mr it was seen about 80 rods off in the direction he had went leisurely coming along toward the house when he ar rived i asked him if he had come straight home from mr g.'s and he answered that he had 1 i elated the whole affair to a near fiiend who desired me to say noth ing about it she believed that his death was near and that it was made known to me by his apparation appearing to me in that manner on the next monday j the hands myself with them returned to the field and were all engaged in cradling and binding rye for mr r he appeared unusually cheerful but the~recollection of bis awful countenance made me any thing but cheerful there was a man of our company who was a professed deist ; and his whole talk was something about j backsliders nnd the sins of religion he ! professed to be also an atheist and deni ed all future rewards and punishments — ! he kept up a laugh occasionally amongst j the hands lhat day about three o'clock j p m mr r came to us with some re freshments of which wc partook and again commenced work 1 was binding after mr r we had gone about 20 rods i when the atheist made some big speech and i raised my head to see if mr r was laughing at it as i could feel nothing but disgust for him or his blasphemous ex pressions i perceived that r smiled for a moment and then resumed his cradling hestruckonce with the cradle and drew j it around again the cradle fell from his j hands and there before me stood the same i form in reality whose apparition i had j seer on saturday evening ! he stood writhing for a minute and ihen dropt to the ground on his left side i called for help lt came ; but the king ot terrors had imprinted his seal upon his palid countenance ; convulsions and cramp held : his bod for a short time ; antl then his | soul left its clay tenement for the land of spirits lt was my lot to acquaint his af fectionate young wife with the sad ac count that the husband of her youth was no more ! when 1 arrived at their dwell ing the task was too great for me and i passed to the garden lo acquaint his aged father of the sad account mrs r per ceived me and seeing my wild looks ! asked me if her husband was not dead ! with suppressed emotion 1 answered in the affirmative she swooned away antl sank senseless to the floor soon the harvest hands made their appearance bearing the lifeless body of mr r but where was this boasted atheist — ' hen mr r breathed his last in our arms this boasting scoffer ran into the woods raving crazy ! he remained in that situation some time and never re turned to his right mind entirely we consigned to the earth the remains of our beloved friend on the 25th of june 1s2g i do not make these statements for the marvelous every word is strictly and . literally true many of the persons who were at the burial are yet alive the deist john l is gone to his last account the image of my fiiend henry r is yet vivid in my mind as when present in death or in his apparition he appeared to me those who were acquainted with these facts will readily recognize the wri ter and know that he is yet alive n from thi choctaw nation we have received among our exchanges j two papers the " advocate and the " inlelli j gencer published in the choctaw nation — they give evidence of the happy progress al ready made in the civilization of lhe indian — the elections which were recently held are ! said to have passed ofi without disorder of any sort and temperance was observed throughout the school examinations also took place a short time since they are described as having giv en unusual satisfaction while they would have been creditable to children ofthe same age and , term of schooling in any of the states the carolina watchman j j bruner ) > " keep a check upon ___ vour editor 6c proprietor ) rulers ( new series do this and llbertv is safe < gen i harrison ( volume vii number 15 salisbury n c thursday august 2 1850 take a lead in any measures or ev.-u to recom ! mend any ihing as til to be adopted by the peo ! pie their whole duty was confined lo what they might be able to perform subordinate to the wishes of the people iu this mailer il was evidently contemplated lhal ihey were lo act ! as lhe agents nf lhe inhabitants and not as of i ficers of this government it must be recol lected that the only government then existing in lhe territory was a quasi military govern ment and as congress had made no provision for lhe establishment of any formoi civil gov i ernment and as the piesident doubtless be j lieved thai under these circumstances lhe peo \ pie had a righl to frame a government for ihem ; selves and submit it lo congress for its appro val the order was a direction tbat lhe then ex isling military government should nol stand in the way of the accomplishment of lhe wishes i of the people nor thwart those wishes if the i people entei tained them for the establishment | ofa free popular republican civil government ! for their own protection and benefit this is evidently the whole purpose and object of the order the military officer in command and | his associates were american citizens ac quainted wiib the torms of civil and popular proceedings and it was expected lhat ihey j would aid lhe inhabitants of the territory by i their advice and assistance in iheir proceed ■ings for establishing a government of their i own there is no room lo suppose thai col ( munroe an officer as much distinguished for ' prudence and discretion as for gallant conduct in arms meant to act or did acl olherwise than in entire subordination and subserviency lolhe will of lhe people among whom he was placed he was not au'horizt'd to do nor do i under ) stand him as intending to do any thing whale '■ver in bis military character nor to represent in any way the wishes of the execuiive gov ernment of the united slates to judge intelligently and fairly of these transactions we must recall to our recollection ; lhe circumstances of the case as they then ex istcd previous lo the war with mexico which j commenced in may 1846 and received lhe : sanction of congress on the 13th of lhal month 1 lhe territory of mexi o formed a department ( or stale of ihe mexican republic and was go verned by her laws general kearny acting j under orders from this government invaded ! ibis department with an armed force ; the co vernor tied al his approach and the troops un ' der bis command dispersed ; and gen kearny i entered santa fe lhe capital on lhe lsih of j august lr*4g and took possession of lhe ter ritory in lhe name of lhe united states on | the jjd of that month he issued a proclama i lion to the inhabitants staling tbo fact lhal be j had laken possession of sania fe al lhe head i of his troops and announcing his intention to hold the department with its original bound aries on both sides of the del norte and under the name of new mexico by that proclamation he promised to protect the inhab itants of new mexico in their persons and pro perty against their indian enemies and all oth ers and assured them lhat the uniied states intended to provide for them a free government where the people would be called upon lo ex ercise lhe rights of freemen in electing iheir own representatives lo the territorial legi | lature on lhe same day he established a ter ! rilorial constitution by an organic law which j provided for executive legislative and judicial j departments of lhe government defined the right of suffrage and provided for trial by jury and the same lime established a code of laws this constitution declared lhat " the country herelofore known as new mexico shall be known hereafter and designated as the terri lory of new mexico in the united slates of america and the members of the lower house ofthe legislature were apportioned among the counties established by the decree of the de partment of new mexico of june 17 1*^44 ; which counties it is understood included all the territory over which texas has lately attempt ed to organize counties and establish her own jurisdiction on the j2d of decembei 1946 a copy of this constitution and code xvas trans mitled by president polk lo lhe house of re presentatives in pursuance of a call on him by tbat body in lhe message transmitting the constitution he says that " portions of il purport to establish and organize a permanent territo rial government over the territory and to im part to its inhabitants political rights which un der the constitution ofthe united states can be enjoyed permanently only by citizens of lhe u stales these have not been approved and re cognised by rne such organized regulations as have been e.-tablished in any of tbe conquer ed territories f>r the security of our conquest for the preservation of order for the protection of ihe rights o the inhabitants and for depriv ing the enemy ol the advantages of these ter rilories while the military possession of ihem by lhe forces of the united slates continues will be recognised and approval near four have now elapsed since lhe quasi military go vernment was established by military authori ty and received with the exceptions mentioned the approval of piesident polk in lhe mean lime a treaty of peace has been concluded wiih mexico by which a boundary line was estab lished tbat left this territory wiihin tbe united states by treaty what we had before acquired by conquest the treaty in perfect accord ance wiih the proclamation ol general kear ny declared that the mexicans remaining in ibis territory should be incorporated into lhe union of lhe united states and be admitted at the proper time to be judged of by lhe con gress of the united states ) to the enjoyment of all the rights of citizens ol ibe united states according lo the principles ol the constitution ;" and in the mean lime •• should be maintained and protected in the free enjoyment of iheir lib iy and property and cured in tie ve ever cise of their religion without restriction thus it wiil be perceived that ihe authority of the united states over new mexico was the result of conquest ; and the possession beld of it in the first p'a<-e was of course a military posset sion the treaty added lhe liile by cession to lhe already existing liile by successful achieve ments in arms with the peace here arose a natural expectation lhat as early as possible there would come a civil government to super sede the military but uni il some such form • of government should come into exis'priee it was matter of absolute necessity thai ibe mili tary government should continue as otherwise the country must fall into absolute anarchy — and this h*ts been tiie course generally in the practice of civilized nations when coloaies or territories have beerjacquired by war and their acquisition confirmed by treaty the military government th rel re existing in new mexico al lhe date r.f i • order , i*-i ed ther ofinevii tide n c ssity i • t as much a .!:.-! ihe « ' <; vf*r m»"t ofihe united su - - -*'••'-- ibewijiol the people the late p mi lenl ha i adopted ihe opinion that it was justifiable in the people of the territory under ibe circumstances io loim great business on a small capital ! it is astonishing that ali the brjtlies with which we are acquainted in nature when analysed are found to be composed of so few elements the following table of elementary substances was prepared about ten years ago by an eminent chemist in this state it might be useful to the readers ofthe watchman and especially school teachers to preserve it for reference catalogue of substances connected with chemistry with some of their properties 6}c four inidonderable i,r_ilts i nomenclature n use among chemists wasfram * ° i ed by several distinguished french chemists and was done g firbt published in may 1786 i'"5 . • 5 ! it was formed on the supposition that oxygen is the electricity a • . . , _ .... ." . . " ** . v _ ,;.' 3 only principle of acidification and is so formed that the magiictibin ■<• "~*> j name shall describe the character of the substance nam there are 53 elementary substances j ed thus " . a substance with which oxygen chlorine c are 1st class contains 5 name discoverer near spe'c gravity fusingr point -. j • i j u . r * j • i " » i , ■_., r r n i , -". y ,,, amy ± "*"'& * " , united m a less decree than to form an acid is known all of which are elec oxygen gas priestly 1/74 1.111 by farenh ts . b . ... '., _, , tro negative chlorine gas scheele 1771 2.5 scale by a name that terminates in ide as an oxide chlo i iodine court is 1812 4.94 ride iodide c bromine balard 1826 3 when the substance contains a larger portion of the | flknown n0t d'stinclly combining ingredients than the lowest the greek adjec j the other 48 are elec tives answering to first second third are added — as tr . positive protoxide deutoxide tritoxide proto-chloride deuto 1st class contains 6 hydrogen gas cavendish 1766 0.694 chloride dtc which are inflamma nitrogen gas rutherford 1772 0.9722 the highest degree of combination is known by the ble or acidiliable sulphur known to ancients 1.99 lso /-,,-■n z j t • , v phosphorus brandt 1669 1.714 99 greek preposition per pre-fixed,-as per-oxide per carbon known to ancients infusible chlonde per-iodide boron davy 1807 2 ditto the various kinds of acids are designated by the i ,,,, ,, . r mw a i i.i i . i i • j a m name of the base of that acid — as sulphuric from sul the other 48 are metals which are divided into 3 classes phur phosphoric from phosphorous 1st class contains 3 potassium davy 1807 86 150 the degree of acidification is known by the termina alkaline metals sodium davy 1807 97 200 tion of the name : lithium arfwedson 1818 the name of the weaker acids ends in ous as sul 2d class contains 10 phnrous nitrous earthy metals burmm davy 1807 r ", . 4 . . . . " . . . strontium davy 1807 1 1 he name of the stronger ends in ic as sulphuric allium davy 1807 nitric magnesium davy 1807 when a degree of acidification between these or a,,"mi,,m wohler 1828 above one or the other is designated the greek prepo 1 siliciuin davy ... ,. , , t ~. " , . _ ' glucinum wohler 1828 s n ?"' under — r the latin sut under — and su zirconiuin davy per over are prefixed — as upo or sub-sulphuric less | yttrium wohler 1828 than sulphuric : super-sulphuric more than sulphuric ! thorinum berzelius 1829 the various salts are known by prefixing the name 3d class contains 30 of the combining acid to the name of the base as sul oxidable metals of gold known to ancients 19.30 5237 b which 12 are malle | silver known to ancients 10.45 4717 phate of potash nitrate of potash able | copper known to ancients 8.9 4587 the degree in which the acid is combined is known j tin known to ancients 7.29 442 by the termination of the name of the combining acid i cadmium stroineyer 1818 8.6 , m _ * j e j i j ■". .. ' w , } ' v m i no in thus a salt formed from an acid whose name ends in i piatmum wood 1741 21.47 23,127 i lead known to ancients 11.35 612 ous 8 known by a name ending m ite as nitrite of j zinc alchemists 6.9 680 potash iron known to ancients 7.7 21,637 a salt fo rmed from an acid whose name ends in ic fe w0nst?dt on 1 2°'577 is known by a name ending in ate-txs sulphate soda palladium ] wollaston 1803 11.8 xt t . mercury when frozen or nitrate potash at 40 below zero 13.6 40 — | when the salt contains an excess of acid the latin 13 are brittle antimony alchemists 6.70 809 adverb bis or bi is prefixed — as bi-sulphate bi-phos arsenic brandt 1733 8.35 phate bismuth alchemists 9.83 476 in some books the prepositions sub super are pre cerium heisinger 1804 fixed — as sub-sulphate super-carbonate chromium vauipielin 1797 5.90 ' when two solid substances unite the compound is ! cobalt brandt 1733 8.6 17,977 known by a name ending with uret — as sulphuret of i columbium hatchett 1802 5.6 iron carburet of iron manganese gahn 1774 8 21,877 when a solid inflammable substance unites with an i molybdenum muller 1782 8.6 23,127 inflammable gas it is said to be uretted — as sulphuret : tellurium muller 1782 6.11 620 ted hydrogen carburetted hydrogen i tungsten delhuyart 1781 17.4 23,127 in both these cases the adverb bis or bi is prefixed to titanium gregor 1781 23,127 denote a larger portion of the combining ingredients — ! uranium klaproth 1730 9 23,127 as bi-sulphuret bi-carburet and bi-carburetted hy the other 5 are but | rhodium wollaston 1803 23,127 drogen little known i iridium descotils 1803 15.68 23,127 | osmium tennant 1803 23,127 . wodanium larnpidius 1817 10.65 i selenium | berzelius 1818 4.3 about 220 an amateur fowl breeder the editor of the lynn bay stale has been buymg fancy eggs of some one in hoston at a big figure which did'nt turn out what he expected ; and so he con cludes that the hen fever is a great hum ; bug ! sarved him right ; he bought what were said to be cochin china eggs and ; after waiting patiently over four weeks he found six ducks in his hatching coop : one morning so much for his foresight ' edness this is not half so bad as the case ofj one of his neighbors however who paid i a round price for half a dozen choice eggs ' queer looking — speckled eggs — small — round outlandish " eggs — which he felt certain would produce rare chickens and which he was very cautious in setting un der his very best hen at the end of a fortnight he was star tied at the breakfast-table to hear his fa ' vorite hen screaming " bloody murder from within the coop ! he rushed to the | rescue raised the box-lid and found his j hen on the nest but in a frightful pertur i bation — struggling yelling and cackling most vociferously he spoke to her kindly and softly ; he | would fain appease and quiet her ; for , there was great danger lest in her excite | ment and struggles she should destroy the favorite eggs — those rare eggs which had i cost him so much money and trouble — j but soft words were vain his best hen continued to scream and he raised her from her nest to ascertain the cause of i her trouble more critically his aston ' ishment was instantaneous but immense j and his surprise found vent in the brief but expressive exclamation — " turkles — by thunder !" such was the fact the poor innocent poultry fancier was the victim of mis | placed confidence the party who sold , him them eggs had sold the buyer shock ingly ! and instead of a brood of pure ; cochin chinas he found that his favorite \ hen had batched half a dozen mud turtles all of whom upon breaking their shells seized upon the flesh of the poor fowl and had well nigh destroyed her life before they could be " choked off !" he has giv i en up the chicken trade and has since gone into the dwarf pear business ! from the washington republic of saturday arrest of runaways an affair was brought to light in our city yes ' terday to which much attention was attracted the principal actor in it is general chaplin of new york a gentleman of fifty lo sixty years of age somewhat widely known as the editor ofa paper called chaplin s portfolio publish ed at albany he has been for some time a resident of this cilv actinir as correspondent of his own paper and perhaps doing other wri f ling and attending to other business as the ' means of gelling along on thursday night it was known by a cer j lain portion of the police that he was about to i depart from washington on that night with some fugitive slaves in a carriage ; and the route he was lo lake was also known ac cordingly while a good lookout was kept up here in the city captain goddard with seven officers look their position a little beyond the , district line in maryland near the place of f p blair esq about six miles from the city here they quietly awaited until half-past j eleven o'clock when the sound of a heavy car riage was heard and the voice of a merry dri ver who sang cheerily as he passed over the road this was lhe object of their pursuit ; and when il had come quite up to them the night being very dark and cloudy captain goddard dextereously pushed a fence rail be tween the spokes of lhe hind wheels and at the same moment smiihey and cox seized the bri dles ol lhe horses an exclamation of surprise from the inmates was instantly followed by he discharge of a pistol by the driver chaplin i which as is believed sent a ball through the hat of mr smiihey who held lhe near horse ! general c plied his whip fiercely and his fine j spirited horses would have bounded off had the i wheels not been " chocked officers davis | and handy now pulled general chaplin from the driver's seat during this operation the inmates ofthe car riage two servant men belonging to the hon . r toombs and the hon a stephens of geor gia respectively were carrying on a severe battle wiih the beseigers around them dis charging no less lhan eleven balls from revolv ; ers of formidable calibre nor were the rest j of the outsiders idle the night as we have ! remarked was very dark ; the half-captured j driver fought to the last only ceasing when the j last limb was pinioned ; and lhe fear of shoot ing each other rendered the police in a meas j ure powerless they nevertheless returned ! shol for shot as long as the firing from within was continued at one mompnt capt goddard approached the carriage door and a pistol flashed near enough lo his face to scortch his left eyebrow for this he returned two shots both of which are believed to have taken effect though nol mortally one of them lodged in the watch of the fighting negro who belongs i to mr stephens ; the other made a flesh wound in the same negros back while this was going on one ofthe beseig ing party stooped to undo the trace chains and detach the horses and mr toombs's man hav ing discharged his last shot leaped from the front of ihe carriage upon this officer's back j as the blood in his tracks evinced he has not yet been caught the capture was now complete ; and upon ascertaining lhe extent of the damages all were amazed lhat so little was done a flesh wound in the arm ol mr butts a bullet bole through mr smiihey's hat a singed eyebrow on the part of capt goddard and a scratched j face for mr cox are all the disasters sustain ed by the captors the captives fared a little worse gen chaplin had his head bruised mr stephens's man the two wounds already described and mr toombs's man has not re ported himself to the surgeon the two captives were yesterday committed to prison by capt goddard to await their tri als and it is understood that in the slate ofj maryland gen c after having atoned to the laws of the district will be required lo an swer the charge of a murderous assault a j mulatto man named warner harris residing in lhe first ward was also committed lo pris on as an aider and abettor in this transaction sticking to one's rights old stories very often have a forcible appli : cation to present times the following anec j dote we met with lately in an exchange paper j " how is it john that you bring the wagon home in such a condition " i broke it driving over a stump " where " back in the woods half a mile or so " but why did you run against the stump ? — ' could't you see how to drive straight ?" '- 1 did drive straight sir and that is the ve | ry reason that i drove over it the stump was directly in the middle ofthe road " why then did you not go round it ?" ■■because sir the slump bad no right in the middle of lhe road and i had a right in il true john the stump ought not to have ! been in the road but i wonder that you were : so foolish as not to consider that it was there and that it was stronger than your wagon " why father do you think lhat i am always going to yield up my rights ? not i ; i am de ■termined to stick up to ihem come what will j " but what is the use john of standing up lo rights when you only get a greater wrong by so doing " i shall stand up for them at all hazards : " well john all i have to say is this : here after you must furnish your own wagon in the political world there is a very large ugly stump placed directly in the middle of the high road over which our great legislative wa gon has to pass what is worse loo some of | our southern fellow-cilizens helped the north to place the stump exactly in its present posi tion or rather to dig away the earth which had previously hidden it these very same politi i cians now insist in driving directly over the stump because it is in the middle of the road it being one of their undoubted rights to use ; lhat portion of the highway liule care they whether the wagon is broken or not in the passage — they insist on iheir rights at all haz ards would it not be proper for them to re fleet upon the agency they had in giving the ■stump iis present position before the put in i practice iheir threats to break the wagon upon it merely because ihose who helped them to i put it ihere fancying it a great improve j ment to the highway will not assist in its re ! moval ? there is one thing very certain ; the people j who own the vehicles that travel over this road i will take very good care that their rash drivers in fulure -* furnish their own wagons — natch ez courier texas boundary question in our last we gave president fillmore's message to congress in relation to affairs be tween texas and new mexico we subjoin here the letter of mr bell governor ol texas ! to the president and mr secretary webster's i answer thereto executive department austin texas june 14 1350 sir : by authority of lhe legislature of j texas the execuiive of the slate in february j lasi dispatched a special commissioner with ; full power and instructions to extend the civil j jurisdiction of this stale over the unorganized counties of el paso worth presidio and san i la fe situated upon its noilh-western limits that commissioner has reported to me in an ; official form lhat the military officers employed in lhe service of the united states stationed at santa fe interposed adversely with lhe in habitants to the fulfilment of his object by em ploying iheir influence in favor of the establish ment of a separate state government east of the rio grande and within the rightful limits of the slate of texas i transmit lo you here with the proclamation of colonel john munroe acling under lhe orders of the government of the uniied states under the designation of ci vil and military governor of lhe territory of new mexico i have very respectfully to request that your excellency will cause me lo be informed at your earliest possible convenirnce whether or not this officer has acted in this milter under lhe orders cf his government and whether his proclamation meets with lhe approbation ofthe president of the uniied slates ? with assurances of distinguished consider ation i have the honor to be your excellency's most obedient servant p h bell to his excellency z taylor presidenl of the united slates department of state washington august 5 1850 sir : a letter addressed by you to the late president of lhe united states and dated on the 14th of june last has since his lamented decease been transferred to the hands of his successor by whom i am directed to transmit to you the following answer in that letter you say that by the authority of the legislature of texas the executive of lhal state in february last dispatched a special commissioner with full power and instructions to extend the civil jurisdiction of lhat stale over the unorganized counties of el paso worth presidio and sania fe situated upon its northwestern limits ; and lhat lhe commis sioner has reported to you in an official form that the military officers employed in the service of the united states stationed at santa fe in terposed adversely with the inhabitants lo the fulfilment of his object by employing their in fluence in favor of the establishment ofa sep arate stale government eastof the rio grande and within the rightful limits of the slate of texas you also transmit a copy of the pro clamation of colonel john munroe acting un der the orders of the government of the uni ted states under the designation of civil and | military governor of the territory of new ] j mexico and respectfully request the president j to cause you to be informed whether or not this j officer has acted in this mailer under the or | ders of his government and whether his proc lamation meets with he approval of lhe presi dent of the united states ? in the events which have occurred i hardly know whether your excellency would natural ly expect an answer to this lelter from him — his predecessor in office to whom it was ad j dressed and under whose authority and direc tion the proclamation of col munroe was is j sued is no more and at this time thai proc , lamation whatever may be regarded as its true character has ceased to have influence or ef fect the meeting of the people of new mex ico by their representatives which it invited is understood to have taken place although ' this government has as yel received no official | information of it partaking however in the ! fullest degree in hat high respect which ' the executive government of lhe uniied states j always entertains towards lhe governors and i the governments of lhe stales the president thinks it bis duty nevertheless to manifest thai , teeling of respect by acknowledging and an ! swering your letter and this duly let me as 1 sure your excellency has been so long delayed : only by uncontrollable circumstances and is i now performed at the earliest practicable mo ment after the appointment of those heads of departments and iheir acceptance of office ! wiih whom it is usual on important occasions for lhe presidenl of the uniied states to advise in answer therefore to your first interroga tory viz whether colonel munroe in issuing ! the proclamation referred to acted under the orders of ihis government i have the honor lo ! state that col monroe's proclamation appears to have been issued in pursuance or in conse quence of an order or lelter of instruction given by the late secretary of war under the ' authority of the late president to lieut colo nel mccall of this order which bears dale i on lhe 19th of november 1849 your ex ! cellency was undoubtedly informed at the dale ! of your letter a full and accurate copy how ever is attached to this communication col mccall is therein instructed that if ihe people of mexico for whom congress had provided no government should manifest a wi3h lo lake any steps lo establish a government for them selves and apply for admission into the union it would be his duly and the duty of other i with whom he was associated nol to thwart ! but to advance iheir wishes this order does i not appear to authorize any exertion of milita ! rv authority or of any official or even person i al interference lo control or affect iu any way • the primary action of the people in the forma j tion of a government nor to permit any such j interference by subordinate officer col mc call and his associates were not called upon to
Object Description
|Carolina Watchman
|The Carolina Watchman
|Technical Metadata
|Image was scanned by OCLC at the Preservation Service Center in Bethlehem, PA. Archivial image is an 8-bit greyscale tiff that was scanned from microfilm at 400 dpi. The original file size was
|J. J. Bruner Editor and Proprietor
|Date Digital
|J. J. Bruner
|United States, North Carolina, Rowan County, Salisbury
|Digital Format
|Project Subject
|State Archives of North Carolina Historic Newspaper Archive
|The Thursday, August 22, 1850 issue of the Carolina Watchman a weekly and semi weekly newspaper from Salisbury, North Carolina
|OCLC number
|Carolina Watchman
|The Carolina Watchman
|Technical Metadata
|Image was scanned by OCLC at the Preservation Service Center in Bethlehem, PA. Archivial image is an 8-bit greyscale tiff that was scanned from microfilm at 400 dpi. The original file size was 4846955 Bytes
|J. J. Bruner Editor and Proprietor
|Date Digital
|J. J. Bruner
|United States, North Carolina, Rowan County, Salisbury
|Digital Format
|Project Subject
|State Archives of North Carolina Historic Newspaper Archive
|The Thursday, August 22, 1850 issue of the Carolina Watchman a weekly and semi weekly newspaper from Salisbury, North Carolina
v|v!.,ii oi the watchman - l"cf ption.per year two dollars — payable in ! ?', nce li if not paid in advance two dollars | a anv cis will be charged ! a 1,1 nt $| for the first and 25 cts a ■insertion court orders chirged j .. higher than these rates a liberal deduc • i those who advertise by the year jjtf.r "** the i:jilor must !"' f'"m ii;,id /■':"/// scott's weekly pap r a singular circumstance jm hp year 18*20 the writer residing in .#___— count nn i was requested by j ' riend to assist him in harvesting his ' there were some ten hands employ f'j in the field in the evening saturday tane 22d 1820 about an hour before ggt we quit work and went to the hou


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Office 365 has been selected as our new email and calendaring service. This cloud-based service provides many enhancements over our existing email and calendaring system. ITS has created a website to provide information on Office 365, it's implementation, the email migration process and training opportunities.
We will continue to add information to this website as well as blog posts to the Washburn Technology blog (http://blog.washburn.edu/technology/) to keep you informed and assist in the effective implementation and use of this new service.
Over the next three months, ITS will be implementing Office 365 for Washburn University and the Washburn Institute of Technology. A 3rd party vendor with experience migrating educational institutions to Office 365 is being selected to assist in this initiative.
All faculty, staff and student email will be migrated to Office 365. Our intended timeline is to migrate most of ITS to the new service later this month. We are seeking early adopters to migrate in mid-November and who are willing to assist faculty and staff in their departments during the final implementation. The final implementation is scheduled for early January, 2014 before classes begin. That said, we have been collecting critical dates for different units and departments and we are planning to work around these events.
I'm sure you have lots of questions and we will work to answer all of them in the coming weeks. For example, your email address will not change. You can continue to use Thunderbird, although we believe you will have a much better experience if you move to Outlook. And support for mobile devices is seamless which is a big enhancement when you consider managing calendars.
Look for more messages on Office 365 implementation, demonstration and training opportunities.

subset: commoncrawl


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DNA Nanowires
Published on
DNA is a relatively inexpensive and ubiquitous material that can be used as a scaffold for constructing nanowires. Our research focuses on the manufacturing of DNA-templated, magnetic nanowires. This is accomplished by synthesizing positively-charged metal nanoparticles that self-assemble along the contours of λ-phage DNA. This self-assembly is achieved through electrostatic interactions between positively-charged metal particles and negatively-charged DNA strands. Three types of magnetic particles were prepared: iron oxide (Fe¬2O3), cobalt iron oxide (CoFe2O3), and manganese iron oxide (MnFe2O¬¬¬3). These particles were then characterized with ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-VIS) and Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Moreover, DNA coated with Fe2O3 was analyzed by means of UV-VIS. It was determined through IR that the manufactured particles had a positive charge, which is absolutely necessary if they are to be used to coat negatively-charged DNA strands. Additionally, UV-VIS analyses gave insight into how the particles coat the DNA; when too many magnetic particles were allowed to interact with the DNA, the quality and evenness of coating actually decreased. Future studies will include the fabrication of DNA coated with each type of particle, as well as characterization of the nanowires.
Advisor: Albena Ivanisevic, Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Cite this work
Researchers should cite this work as follows:
EE Building, Room 118


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For the second-straight contest Southeastern found itself playing bonus basketball, however Thursday's outcome was not as positive as the last trip to OT as the Savage Storm fell to Arkansas-Monticello on the road, 74-67, in Monticello, Ark.
The loss drops SE to 11-9 on the season overall and 7-7 in Great American Conference play heading into a Saturday meeting with Southern Arkansas at 4 p.m. in Magnolia, Ark.
After retaking the lead midway through the second half, the Storm led for the majority of the half before finding itself down by two with 56 seconds left.
Steven Kohli would knot the game at 62-62 on a layup off the feed from Quinton Threadgill with 33 seconds on the clock.
UAM would hold for the final shot, and after missing a jumper with two seconds left were bailed out when Andis Malahovskis was called for a foul on AJ Calhoun with one second remaining.
Fortunately for SE, Calhoun would miss both free throws to send the game to overtime.
The Boll Weevils scored first on a Ramon Mejia three, but SE answered with a pair of free throws by Kohli to make the score 65-64.
UAM, however, would use an 8-0 run that ate up 2:45 on the clock and left the Storm trailing 73-64 with 33 seconds left.
James Harris would connect on a three pointer with 20 seconds to play and UAM would add another point via free throw to set the final of 74-67.
"I thought we played sound," said head coach Kelly Green, "But we had too many turnovers, especially the ones that were unforced. You have to give them credit defensively."
"I think we took some ill-advised shots in overtime," he continued," And they took advantage with buckets on the other end."
Despite coming out on the losing end, Southeastern got a pair of double-double performances from Kohli and Mateus Oliveira.
Kohli posted a team-best 17 points and pulled down 10 boards, while Oliveira tallied 11 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
James Harris reached double-figures in points with 13, including three three-pointers, while Chris Roussell pitched in 11.
Roussell and Threadgill each finished with four assists, while Oliveira chipped in three blocked shots.
SE shot 50.0 percent from the field through regulation, but finished the night at 45.5 percent for the game after going 1-for-7 in the overtime session.
UAM held the edge in points off turnovers, 24-10, and second chance points, 11-4, while the Storm did fare slightly better in the paint with a 26-22 advantage.
Southeastern scored the first four points of the game, but could not extend the lead beyond four points with the Weevils eventually tying the score at 13-13 with 9:29 to play in the half.
UAM would then gain the lead, pushing out to as many as 11 points over the final 8:24 of the half before SE closed the deficit to 35-28 at halftime.
The Storm slowly chipped away at the halftime deficit, finally tying the game at 41-41 on a pair of Kohli free throws with 12:10 to play in regulation.
A Harris steal and fastbreak bucket put Southeastern back in front where it would hold the lead until a pair of UAM free throws with 8:06 remaining briefly put the Weevils up 50-49.
SE would answer with seven-straight points and take its largest lead of the game at 56-50 with 6:57 remaining.
UAM would tie the game once with 2:27 to play and would take the lead with less than a minute to play setting up Kohli's game-tying bucket.


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Barry's Bay, Combermere, Wilno - each of our three population centres is a unique community with recreation facilities, schools, festivities and churches that form the basis of community life. Residents enjoy the comfort of small-town living along with the security of excellent health and education services. It's time you visited the Madawaska Valley to see if you, too, will stay for a lifetime.
Vision Statement
Madawaska Valley is a healthy, growing, and culturally-rich community which values the contribution that residents and business owners make towards providing affordable and accessible amenities and an unparalleled quality of life.
Mission Statement
The Township of Madawaska Valley develops mindful, prudent, and community-driven policy that ensures a safe, clean, and secure environment, a well-maintained infrastructure system and community assets, and a climate of acceptance, transparency, and responsible growth. We pursue progress with careful consideration of short and long-term implications so that the integrity and character of our Township, its assets, natural amenities, and people of all ages, rural or urban, are upheld.
Material on this website is available in an alternate format upon request. For more information or to make a request please contact the municipal office.


text:
Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW), a nonprofit organization dedicated to working in and advocating for Wissahickon Valley Park, has elected three new members to its board of directors:
Christine Bamberger, of Mt. Airy, is co-owner of Best Nest, a home-staging company, and a previous board member of FOW in 2007, when she served on the Development Committee. As a member of the Garden Club of Philadelphia, she worked with a group of volunteers to restore Houston Meadow in Wissahickon Valley Park. She also co-chaired the 2013 Moonlight and Roses Gala at the Morris Arboretum.
David Dannenberg, a resident of Mt. Airy and a faculty member at the Crefeld School, has served on the board of directors of several organizations and was recognized as one of "50 Good Neighbors" upon the 50th anniversary of West Mt. Airy Neighbors. During his previous term of service on FOW's board from 2002 to 2011, he worked on the Sustainable Trails Initiative (STI), and the Oversight, Advocacy, and Conservation Committees.
Chris McCausland, of Lafayette Hill, works as a farmer at Erdenheim Farm in Whitemarsh Township. After attending college in South Carolina, he joined the Marine Corps and served in Iraq with the 6th Engineer Support Battalion. Today he works on his family's farm as a livestock manager. Before joining FOW's board, he served on its Conservation Committee.


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Why don't Muslims build non-licensed mosques?
Youseef Sidhom | 28 November 2010
Giza governorate officials have vociferously cast the blame for the recent riots in Talbiya and Umraniya on the Copts. The Copts, they said, are fully to blame for violating the terms of the building permit for a social services building and converting part of it into a church. The claim is misleading and embodies an uneven situation embraced by our officials and exploited every time they are in a position to blame. .. More
The Failed Promise of Multiculturalism in Canada
Others | 28 November 2010
Forty years ago, then prime minister Pierre Trudeau created a policy — multiculturalism — that allowed immigrants to become Canadians by integrating into our culture without abandoning their own. He was trying to differentiate between Canadian integration and American assimilation (the melting pot)... More
Quest for beauty turns ugly
Youseef Sidhom | 21 November 2010
Visitors to Downtown Cairo these days are bound to notice that the facades of the buildings overlooking the main streets are being given a new coat of paint. The walls are painted in a creamy hue of beige while the wooden elements such as the shutters are painted in dark brown. It is not clear, however, who or what authority is in charge of the task; no sign is there to indicate that information. Some passers-by may vaguely recall a State-sponsored project to conserve the architectural heritage of special districts in Cairo among which, undoubtedly, Downtown Cairo stands out for the large collection of characteristic buildings it houses... More
The Wrong Way to Combat 'Islamophobia'
Others | 21 November 2010
This month, member states of the United Nations will vote on what has become an annual resolution, "On Combating Defamation of Religions," put forward by the Organization of the Islamic Conference, a group of 57 states with large Islamic populations. The resolution condemns what it calls "defamation of religions" — a vague notion that can perhaps best be described as a form of expression that offends another's religious sensibilities — and urges countries to enact laws that prohibit such forms of expression. The resolutions are part of a larger and dangerous campaign to create a global blasphemy law to combat what Muslim leaders refer to as "Islamophobia.".. More
Would we go to Israel?
Others | 14 November 2010
It's hard for an Arab to find a safe place to visit in the region... except for the state our demagogues continue to call 'the alleged entity.'.. More
Towards full citizenship rights
Youseef Sidhom | 14 November 2010
In any election process, the relation between voters and candidates is one of reciprocal interest. Candidates are after the voters' votes, and voters are after representatives who would adequately represent them, demand their rights and present their grievances and demands to the legislative council concerned. Voters thus expect candidates' campaigns to address their interests and demands, and to secure full citizenship rights for future generations... More
For a new parliament
Youseef Sidhom | 7 November 2010
Last week saw candidates lining up for the upcoming elections for the People's Assembly (PA), the lower house of Egypt's Parliament. In a few days the candidate lists should be completed and all candidates, whether partisan or independent, should be set to campaign for Egyptians' votes. Balloting is scheduled for the 28th of this month... More
How to Approach Islamic Militancy in the West
Others | 7 November 2010
Did journalist Juan Williams, who was fired recently by NPR (National Public Radio), show unacceptable insensitivity or unforgivable stupidity when he expressed anxiety about Muslim airplane passengers during an interview with conservative TV host Bill O'Reilly? Free speech shouldn't guarantee immunity from the standards of basic decency, but Williams's comments were hardly a firing offense. We would all be better off -- Muslim Americans first and foremost -- if we could have a more open discussion about Islam, Islamic militancy and what Muslims, here and abroad, think it means to be Muslim... More
Demolish your home
Youseef Sidhom | 31 October 2010
In the Egyptian housing domain, private capital usually prefers to invest in high end housing where the profits are high and the return on investment quick. In a few cases investors may opt for housing for the middle class, but the poorer classes have to depend on the State for their housing. Affordable housing for the needy requires special urban and economic planning which involves State subsidy or long-term financing only possible through the State... More
Muslim Brotherhood Declares War
Others | 31 October 2010
on America; Will America Notice? This is one of those obscure Middle East events of the utmost significance that is ignored by the Western mass media, especially because they happen in Arabic, not English; by Western governments, because they don't fit their policies; and by experts, because they don't mesh with their preconceptions... More
Egypt Cuts a Deal: Christians Fed to Muslim 'Lions'
Others | 24 October 2010
A prominent Egyptian, Muhammad Salim al-Awwa, ex-secretary general of the International Union for Muslim Scholars, appeared on Al Jazeera on September 15, and, in a wild tirade, accused the Copts of "stocking arms and ammunition in their churches and monasteries" — arms imported from Israel, no less, as "Israel is in the heart of the Coptic Cause" — and "preparing to wage war against Muslims.".. More
To rectify sectarianism
Youseef Sidhom | 24 October 2010
The sectarian hostilities which broke out last month in the wake of the war of words between Islamic and Coptic scholars had the resounding effect of alerting—and alarming—Egyptians to the deplorable quagmire the homeland is steadily sinking into where Islamic Coptic relations are concerned. The pile-up of disturbing sectarian incidents and bitterness has long been placed on hold on all levels—the .. More
From the heart of a Muslim -
Others | 18 October 2010
I was born a Muslim and lived all my life as a follower of Islam. After the barbaric terrorist attacks done by the hands of my fellow Muslims everywhere on this globe, and after the too many violent acts by Islamists in many parts of the world, I feel responsible as a Muslim and as a human being, to speak out and tell the truth to protect the world and Muslims as well from a coming catastrophe and war of civilizations... More
Enough is enough
Youseef Sidhom | 17 October 2010
I applaud the Supreme Judiciary Council's (SJC) recent decision to ban reporting on or broadcast of court proceedings on any media channel. The SJC also banned the disclosure of details of investigations and trials before a ruling is issued. The initiative is an attempt to rebuild public confidence in the fairness of the Egyptian judiciary, an issue which has too long been placed on hold. It also serves to avoid any mix-up inflicted upon public opinion because of the divergent views of the media regarding a trial... More
Egypt: in the grip of self destruction or growth pains
Others | 17 October 2010
The human body contains a defence mechanism against disease-causing organisms: that mechanism is the immune system. The immune system is composed of cells circulating in the blood called the T-cells. There are different types of T-cells, including—among others—T-helper cells and Natural Killer (N-K) cells. .. More
What the Muslims in America can do
Others | 11 October 2010
You may get a hundred different answers from a hundred American Muslims about what it means to be an American Muslim. The controversial Islamic center near ground zero, while pouring salt in a yet widely open national wound, did begin to awaken us to the yet unfought war of ideas within the "House of Islam." Many of us reform-minded Muslims have been waging that war of ideas for most of our adult life, long before 9/11. But time has shown that we cannot wage this battle alone. .. More
Talking about identity
Youseef Sidhom | 10 October 2010
With his typical wisdom Pope Shenouda III extinguished the flames of sectarianism which flared last month in the wake of the bitter verbal exchange between the Islamic scholar and lawyer Mohamed Selim al-Awa and Secretary-General of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Church Anba Bishoi. The media capitalised on the incident and, what began as a war of words, threatened to turn into full-scale sectarian .. More
Mideast Synod Takes up a Long List of Problems
Others | 10 October 2010
The Kingdom of Jordan is usually considered to be one of the most Christian-friendly countries in the Middle East but, according to a Catholic News Service report this week, even there Chaldean Catholic refugees from Iraq are being forbidden to work... More
Tremors in the investment market
Youseef Sidhom | 3 October 2010
I am in no way opposed to exposing corruption or reforming whatever aftermath it may bring. But I am opposed to trifling with the stability of the community or jeopardising economic development. Given the slow and stumbling political reform, economic reform remains our only chance to rescue the needy and underprivileged, and give them hope for a better tomorrow... More
Egypt's Reformers Find Little to Unite Them
Others | 3 October 2010
In an already tumultuous election year, which has seen frustrated Egyptians take to the streets in protest over everything from low wages to police brutality, the country's most prominent reform activist is attempting to stage what could be its largest political demonstration yet... More
Germany Will Become Islamic State, Says Chancellor Merkel
Others | 26 September 2010
Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Germans have failed to grasp how Muslim immigration has transformed their country and will have to come to terms with more mosques than churches throughout the countryside, according to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung daily... More


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Kosovo's achievements after Independence
Marigona Dragusha- Miss Universe 2009 (2nd runner-up)
Dragusha won her national title, Miss Universe Kosovo, on April 4, 2009. Besides her native Albanian language, Marigona speaks Spanish, in which she announced on air before the Miss Universe pageant: she learned the language entirely from watching Spanish-speaking "novelas" (soap operas).Before Marigona, Zana Krasniqi, Miss Universe Kosovo 2007, who was included to the top ten finalist last year. She got 6th place in last year Miss Universe pageant. A lot of people said that she will make to the top 10 like what Zana did last year.
Majlinda Kelmendi represent Kosovo -winner of gold medal
Region: Peja, Kosovo
Born: 1991
Discipline: Judo
Career highlights: Gold medal, 2009 World Junior Championships, Paris
The first thing that strikes you is her modesty. Unimposing and mild-mannered, Majlinda Kelmendi shows none of the bravado that might be expected from a junior world champion athlete. But at 19, this young Kosovan judoka - or judo player - carries the sporting dream of her nation. After winning gold at the junior world judo championship in Paris last year, she has her sights set on representing Kosovo at the London Olympics in 2012. But international politics is standing in the way. Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in February 2008, an act rejected by Belgrade and not sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council because of opposition from Russia and China. Its autonomy has been recognised by 69 countries to date, not enough to gain membership of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). If Kosovo fails to be affiliated to the body by 2012, Kelmendi will have to explore other options, like competing as an independent athlete for the IOC, which has happened in past games. As she takes a break from her intensive training session, Kelmendi tells me how she would feel if she succeeds in becoming the first Olympic athlete to represent the Republic of Kosovo. "I would be the happiest person in the world", she says. "We are a new state so it would be a perfect chance to show the world that in Kosovo are a lot of young people who really can do good things. "We talk in the modern, brightly lit judo hall in her hometown of Peja - or Pec as it is called in Serbian - nestled beneath the mountains of western Kosovo. The facility was built by Driton Kuka, Kelmendi's coach, who says he spotted her potential early on.
"From the beginning I saw in Majlinda something that the others didn't have," he explains. "She's ambitious, very brave and a real fighter."The walls of the sports hall are adorned with framed photographs of Kelmendi's sporting success, which, Driton believes, inspires other athletes."For all judo players, Majlinda is some kind of hero", he reflects. "In her they can see somebody that is really special for them. "Sport has given new opportunities to this small Kosovan community, as it tries to move on from the devastating war of the 1990s. The conflict was the culmination of years of tension in the province, in the southern part of Serbia and populated by an ethnic Albanian majority and Serb minority. As separatist insurgency grew in Kosovo, Belgrade sent in its troops.
Click to play
Besim Hasani, Chairman of the Kosovan Olympic Committee.
With hundreds of thousands fleeing the province and reports of mass ethnic cleansing, Nato called it a humanitarian catastrophe and, in March 1999, began a 78-day bombing campaign of Serbia and Montenegro, then called Yugoslavia.After the ceasefire, Kosovo was placed under UN administration. Nine years later, the province declared independence.Today, calm has largely returned to this rural territory but the diplomatic wranglings continue. In his cramped office in the capital, Pristina, the chairman of the Kosovo Olympic Committee, Besim Hasani, tries to forge contacts with the IOC to lobby for Kosovo's cause.Behind him, the Kosovo Olympic Committee sign rests against the wall, as if waiting in hope to be proudly nailed up one day."My dream is to see Kosovo at the Olympic Games", he tells me. "And after that, if I die, it's okay for me."I ask whether any Kosovan athletes might still compete for Serbia if Kosovo's attempts at membership of the IOC are unsuccessful. He pauses, staring straight ahead: "Never. Never."It may be over a decade since the war ended but the wounds remain raw here and the two communities - Albanian and Serb - are still deeply segregated.Down the road, various other young sporting hopefuls are training in the local municipal centre, its ageing concrete rooms brought alive by the echo of table-tennis balls and rows of punch-bags.A group of young boxers crowd around one towering figure, Aziz Sallihu, the only Kosovo-born Olympian, who brought home a boxing bronze for the then Yugoslavia in 1984.
"The world must do something for these athletes," he tells me as his young proteges practise their moves."They might train for years and then not get to compete at the Olympics and it's not their fault. If they can't take part in international competitions, we might lose this generation of sportsmen."After training and afternoon school, Kelmendi helps her mother to prepare the energy-filled evening meal at home, a short walk from the judo hall. The house is filled with her medals and trophies as well as family albums stuffed with local press clippings about her sporting success."I'm sure that if I did not train judo I would be nobody, especially in Kosovo," says Kelmendi, her modesty never fading. "I just want to make my coach and my family proud of me."She is certainly the pride of Kosovo. But this determined athlete will not stop at that.She will keep fighting until she walks into the stadium in London clutching what she hopes is a Kosovo flag. World Class-Majlinda Kelmendi is one of the athletes being tracked for World Class 2012 in partnership with the British Council.
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About KOSOVO
Flag of Kosovo
Official Name: Republic of Kosovo
Area: 10,887 square kilometers (4,203 square miles), slightly smaller than Connecticut.
Capital: Pristina.
Terrain: Varied.
Climate: Temperate.
Nationality: Adjective--Kosovo national.
Population (July 2010 est.): 1.8 million.
Ethnic groups: 88% ethnic Albanians, 7% ethnic Serbs, 5% other (Bosniak, Gorani, Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian, Turk).
Religion: The majority ethnic Albanian population, as well as the Bosniak, Gorani, and Turkish communities, and some of the Roma/Ashkalia/Egyptian communities are adherents of Islam. The ethnic Serb population is largely Serb Orthodox. Approximately 3% of ethnic Albanians are Roman Catholic.
Languages: Albanian (official), Serbian (official), Bosnian and Turkish (official only in municipalities of Prizren, Pec, Dragas, Pristina, and Gnjilane where significant numbers of these minorities reside).
Education: Adult literacy rates (2007 est.): 91.9% (men 96.6%, women 87.5%). Enrollment (2003 est.)--96% of children ages 7-15 enrolled in primary school.
Health: Infant mortality rate--23.7/1,000. Total fertility rate, births per woman (2003 est.)--2.9. Life expectancy (2003 est.)--75 years.
Type: Republic.
Constitution: The Kosovo Assembly approved the constitution on April 9, 2008. It came into force on June 15, 2008.
Branches: Executive--president (head of state); prime minister (head of government). Legislative--unicameral Assembly (120 seats, 4-year terms; 100 seats generally elected, 10 seats reserved for ethnic Serbs, 10 seats reserved for other ethnic minorities). Judicial--Supreme Court.
Subdivisions: 38 municipalities.
Political parties: Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo (PShDK) [Marjan DEMAJ]; Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) [Ramush HARADINAJ]; Alliance of Independent Social Democrats of Kosovo and Metohija (SDSKIM) [Ljubisa ZIVIC]; Bosniak Vakat Coalition (DSV) [Sadik IDRIZI]; Citizens' Initiative of Gora (GIG) [Murselj HALJILJI]; Democratic League of Dardania (LDD) [Nexhat DACI]; Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) [Fatmir SEJDIU]; Democratic Party of Ashkali of Kosovo (PDAK) [Sabit RAHMANI]; Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) [Hashim THACI]; Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party (KDTP) [Mahir YAGCILAR]; New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo (IRDK) [Xhevdet NEZIRAJ]; New Democratic Party (ND) [Branislav GRBIC]; New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) [Behgjet PACOLLI]; Socialist Party of Kosovo (PSK) [Ilaz KADOLLI] ; Serb National Party (SNS) [Mihailo SCEPANOVIC]; Serbian Kosovo and Metohija Party (SKMS) [Dragisa MIRIC]; United Roma Party of Kosovo (PREBK) [Haxhi Zylfi MERXHA]; Democratic Action Party (SDA) [Numan BALIC]; Independent Liberal Party (SLS) [Slobodan PETROVIC]; Serbian National Council of Northern Kosovo and Metohija (SNV) [Milan IVANOVIC]; Democratic Party of Bosniaks [Dzezair MURATI]; Serbian Democratic Party of Kosovo and Metohija (SDS KiM) [Slavisa PETKOVIC]; Social Democratic Party of Kosovo (PSDK) [Agim CEKU].
Suffrage: Universal at age 18.
Elections: Last parliamentary elections were held in November 2007; municipal-level elections were held in November 2009 and June 2010. Next parliamentary election expected to be held in 2011.
GDP (International Monetary Fund (IMF), 2010 estimate): $5.4 billion.
GDP (Kosovo Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), 2010 estimate): $7.5 billion.
Per capita GDP (IMF, 2010 estimate): $2,750.
Per capita GDP (Kosovo MEF, 2010 estimate): $3,750.
GDP growth rate (IMF, 2010 projection): 3.5%.
GDP growth rate (Kosovo MEF, 2010 projection): 4.8%.
CPI inflation rate (Kosovo MEF, 2010): 1%.
Investment (2010): 35% of GDP.
GDP composition by sector (2009 est.): Agriculture 13%, industry 22%, services 65%.
Agriculture: Products--fruits and vegetables (potatoes, berries), wheat, corn, wine, beef.
Industry: Mineral mining, energy, telecommunications, forestry, agriculture, metal processing, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances.
Income and employment (2010): 45% of the Kosovo labor force is unemployed; 30% of Kosovo's citizens live below the poverty line, and 13% live in extreme poverty.
Kosovo has been inhabited since the Neolithic Era. During the medieval period, Kosovo was the center of the Serbian empire and saw the construction of many important Serb religious sites, including many architecturally significant Serbian Orthodox monasteries. It was the site of a 14th-century battle in which invading Ottoman Turks defeated an army led by Serbian Prince Lazar.
The Ottomans ruled Kosovo for more than four centuries, until Serbia reacquired the territory during the First Balkan War in 1912-13. First partitioned in 1913 between Serbia and Montenegro, Kosovo was then incorporated into the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later named Yugoslavia) after World War I. During World War II, parts of Kosovo were absorbed into Italian-occupied Albania. After the Italian capitulation, Nazi Germany assumed control over Kosovo until Tito's Yugoslav Partisans entered at the end of the war.
After World War II, Kosovo became an autonomous province of Serbia in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (S.F.R.Y.). The 1974 Yugoslav Constitution gave Kosovo (along with Vojvodina) the status of a Socialist Autonomous Province within Serbia. As such, it possessed nearly equal rights as the six constituent Socialist Republics of the S.F.R.Y. In 1981, riots broke out and were violently suppressed after Kosovo Albanians demonstrated to demand that Kosovo be granted full Republic status.
The Kosovo Conflict and NATO Intervention
In the late 1980s, Slobodan Milosevic propelled himself to power in Belgrade by exploiting Serbian nationalism and the question of Kosovo. In 1989, he eliminated Kosovo's autonomy and imposed direct rule from Belgrade. Belgrade ordered the firing of most ethnic Albanian state employees, whose jobs were then assumed by Serbs.
In response, Kosovo Albanian leaders began a peaceful resistance movement in the early 1990s, led by Ibrahim Rugova. They established a parallel government funded mainly by the Albanian diaspora. When this movement failed to yield results, an armed resistance emerged in 1997 in the form of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). The KLA's main goal was to secure the independence of Kosovo.
In late 1998, Milosevic unleashed a brutal police and military campaign against the KLA, which included widespread atrocities against civilians. As Milosevic's ethnic cleansing campaign progressed, over 800,000 ethnic Albanians were forced from their homes in Kosovo. Intense international mediation efforts led to the Rambouillet Accords, which called for Kosovo autonomy and the insertion of NATO troops to preserve the peace. Milosevic's failure to agree to the Rambouillet Accords triggered a NATO military campaign to halt the violence in Kosovo. This campaign consisted primarily of aerial bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (F.R.Y.), including Belgrade, and continued from March through June 1999. After 78 days, Milosevic capitulated. Shortly thereafter, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1244 (1999), which suspended Belgrade's governance over Kosovo, established the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), and authorized a NATO peacekeeping force. Resolution 1244 also envisioned a political process designed to determine Kosovo's future status.
As ethnic Albanians returned to their homes, elements of the KLA conducted reprisal killings and abductions of ethnic Serbs, Roma, and, to a limited extent, other minorities in Kosovo. Thousands of ethnic Serbs, Roma, and other minorities fled from their homes during the latter half of 1999, and many remain displaced.
Kosovo Under UN Administration
The UN established the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), under the control of a Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG). In 2001, UNMIK promulgated a constitutional framework that provided for the establishment of Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG).
Under UNMIK's guidance, Kosovo established new institutions (both at the municipal and central levels), held free elections, and established a multi-ethnic Kosovo Police Service (KPS). The KLA was demobilized, with many of its members incorporated into the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC), a civilian emergency services organization. UNMIK gradually turned over more governing competencies to local authorities.
In March 2004, Kosovo experienced its worst inter-ethnic violence since the Kosovo war. The unrest in 2004 was sparked by a series of minor events that soon cascaded into large-scale riots. Kosovo Serb communities and Serbian Orthodox churches were targeted in the violence.
In October 2004, Kosovo held elections for the second 3-year term of the Kosovo Assembly. For the first time, Kosovo's own Central Election Commission administered these elections, under Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) guidance. The main ethnic Albanian political parties were the same as in the 2001 elections, but with the addition of the new party ORA, led by Veton Surroi, and two new Kosovo Serb parties: the Serbian List for Kosovo and Metohija (SLKM) led by Oliver Ivanovic, and the Citizens Initiative of Serbia led by Slavisa Petkovic. In contrast to the previous Kosovo Government, this election produced a "narrow" coalition of two parties, the LDK and AAK. The December 3, 2004 inaugural session of the Kosovo Assembly re-elected Ibrahim Rugova as President and Ramush Haradinaj as Prime Minister.
In March 2005, Haradinaj resigned as Prime Minister after he was indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); Haradinaj voluntarily surrendered to authorities and traveled to The Hague to face charges. (Haradinaj was acquitted of all charges on April 3, 2008. In October 2009, ICTY's Office of the Prosecutor sought to appeal the acquittal; on July 21, 2010, the ICTY ordered a partial re-trial.) The Kosovo Assembly subsequently elected Bajram Kosumi (AAK) as Prime Minister; Kosumi's resignation in March 2006 led to his replacement by Agim Ceku. After President Rugova's death in January 2006, he was succeeded by Fatmir Sejdiu.
Kosovo's Status Process
After six years of international administration, Kosovo Albanian authorities continued to press the international community to begin a process to define Kosovo's future status.
In 2005, a UN envoy, Norwegian diplomat Kai Eide, was appointed to review progress in Kosovo. Eide reported that there was no advantage to be gained by further delaying a future status process.
In November 2005, the Contact Group (France, Germany, Italy, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) produced a set of "Guiding Principles" for the resolution of Kosovo's future status. Some key principles included: no return to the situation prior to 1999, no changes in Kosovo's borders, and no partition or union of Kosovo with a neighboring state. The Contact Group later said that Kosovo's future status had to be acceptable to the people of Kosovo.
The Ahtisaari Process
In November 2005, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan appointed Martti Ahtisaari, former president of Finland, to lead a future status process. Special Envoy Ahtisaari's diplomatic efforts addressed a broad range of issues important to Kosovo's future, including decentralizing local government, protecting cultural and religious heritage in Kosovo, economic issues, and safeguarding the rights of minorities. Over the course of 2006 and early 2007, Ahtisaari brought together officials from Belgrade and Pristina to discuss these practical issues and the question of status itself.
Ahtisaari subsequently developed a comprehensive proposal for Kosovo's future status, which set forth a series of recommendations on Kosovo's democratic governance and substantial protections for minorities. Ahtisaari also recommended that Kosovo become independent, subject to a period of international supervision. He proposed that a new International Civilian Office (ICO) be established to supervise Kosovo's implementation of its obligations under the Ahtisaari Plan. A European Union (EU)-led rule of law mission (subsequently named EULEX) would also be deployed to focus on the police and justice sector, while a NATO-led stabilization force would continue to provide for a safe and secure environment. Pristina accepted the Ahtisaari recommendations, but Belgrade rejected them.
On April 3, 2007, Ahtisaari presented his plan to the UN Security Council. Due to Russian opposition, the Security Council could not reach agreement on a new Security Council resolution that would pave the way for the implementation of the Ahtisaari recommendations.
After several months of inconclusive discussions in the Security Council, the Contact Group agreed to support a new period of intensive engagement to try to find an agreement between Belgrade and Pristina on Kosovo's status. A "Troika" of representatives from the European Union, the Russian Federation, and the United States began this effort in August 2007. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asked them to report on their efforts no later than December 10, 2007. The German ambassador to the United Kingdom, Wolfgang Ischinger, represented the EU; Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko represented the Russian Federation; and Ambassador Frank Wisner represented the United States.
After an intense series of Troika-led negotiations, including a high-level conference in Baden, Austria, the Troika's mandate ended in December 2007 without an agreement between the parties. In its final report, the Troika explained that it had explored with the parties every realistic option for an agreement, but that it was not possible to find a mutually acceptable outcome.
Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008. In its declaration of independence, Kosovo committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Ahtisaari Plan, to embrace multi-ethnicity as a fundamental principle of good governance, and to welcome a period of international supervision.
The United States formally recognized Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state on February 18, 2008. As of July 2010, 69 countries had recognized Kosovo's independence, including 22 of 27 EU member states, all of its neighbors (except Serbia), and other states from the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
Shortly after independence, a number of states established an International Steering Group (ISG) for Kosovo that appointed Dutch diplomat Pieter Feith as Kosovo's first International Civilian Representative (ICR). Feith is also the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Kosovo.
As part of its commitment to the Ahtisaari Plan, the Kosovo Government rapidly enacted after independence laws on minority protection, decentralization, special protection zones for Serb cultural and religious sites, local self-government, and municipal boundaries.
The Kosovo Assembly approved a constitution in April 2008, which entered into force on June 15, 2008. ICR Feith certified that the constitution was in accordance with the Ahtisaari Plan. At the time of certification, ICR Feith also congratulated Kosovo on a modern constitution that "provides comprehensive rights for members of communities as well as effective guarantees for the protection of the national, linguistic and religious identity of all communities." More information on the role of the ICO in Kosovo can be found at: http://www.ico-kos.org/.
Post Independence
In 2008, the North Atlantic Council authorized NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) to initiate Ahtisaari-recommended tasks to supervise the dissolution of the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC) and to supervise and support the stand-up of a multi-ethnic, civilian-controlled Kosovo Security Force (KSF). KFOR coordinates with EULEX and the Kosovo Police as third responder to security events as well as with other international institutions to support the development of a stable, unitary, democratic, multi-ethnic, and secure Kosovo. U.S. KFOR's area of responsibility encompasses a number of significant Kosovo Serb enclaves in eastern Kosovo. It has made a concerted effort to build confidence in local communities, supporting local infrastructure improvements such as building a new community center and reaching out to local leaders in person and on Serb radio and TV.
The KPC was deactivated on January 20, 2009, and officially dissolved on June 14, 2009. The KSF was activated on January 21, 2009, with Lt. General Sylejman Selimi as the commander and the selection of 1,400 KPC members to join the KSF. KFOR has now begun the process of organizing, training, and equipping the new force, as well as recruiting multi-ethnic personnel to join the KSF. The KSF and its ministry reached initial operating capability in September 2009.
On December 9, 2008, the EU rule of law mission, EULEX, reached initial operating capability by deploying more than 1,000 police, judges, prosecutors, and customs officers throughout Kosovo. As EULEX ramped up, UNMIK ended its police role in Kosovo and scaled back its presence drastically, as directed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. EULEX reached full operational capability in April 2009.
In 2009, NATO decided to begin downsizing KFOR, following a conditions-based assessment of an improved security and political situation in Kosovo. KFOR completed the first phase of downsizing in early 2010, which brings troop levels to approximately 10,000. Additional downsizing will be based on NATO's assessment of political and security conditions on the ground.
In October 2008, Serbia requested an International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence. Written briefs were presented by 36 countries in April 2009 and by 14 countries in July 2009, with oral statements offered in December 2009. The ICJ will release the advisory opinion on July 22, 2010.
On June 15, 2008, Kosovo's constitution came into force. Under the constitution, the President of Kosovo is the head of state and serves a term of 5 years with the right to one re-election. The Prime Minister is the head of government and is elected by the Kosovo Assembly.
The unicameral Kosovo Assembly consists of 120 seats, 10 of which are reserved for ethnic Serbs, and 10 for other minorities (4 seats for the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities [RAE], 3 seats for the Bosniak community, 2 seats for the Turkish community, and 1 seat for the Gorani community). Three of the remaining 100 seats are also held by minority members (for a total of 13). All members serve 4-year terms. Jakup Krasniqi (PDK) is President of the Assembly.
The main political parties in Kosovo include the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), formerly led by Ibrahim Rugova and now led by Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu; Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), led by Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci; the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), led by former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj; the New Kosovo Alliance, led by businessman Behgjet Pacolli; and the Democratic League of Dardania (LDD), led by former Speaker of the Assembly Nexhat Daci. Kosovo under UNMIK administration held its first parliamentary elections in November 2001. After significant political wrangling, politicians agreed to establish a coalition government in March 2002, with Bajram Rexhepi (PDK) as Prime Minister and Ibrahim Rugova (LDK) as President. In the same year, the Kosovo Assembly began to function and pass its first laws. Beginning in 2003, UNMIK began transferring governing competencies to these ministries.
On November 17, 2007, Kosovo held parliamentary and municipal elections. These elections were deemed free and fair by international observers. The PDK won 34.3% of the vote, the LDK won 22.6%, the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) won 12.3%, the Democratic League of Dardania (LDD) won 10%, and the AAK won 9.6%. Smaller minority parties also made some small gains. These elections led to a coalition between the LDK and the PDK and to the nomination of Hashim Thaci as Prime Minister of Kosovo. Under pressure from Belgrade, most Kosovo Serbs boycotted the vote.
In June 2008, UN Secretary General Ban decided to "reconfigure" UNMIK and reduce the size of the UN presence in Kosovo, effectively ending the UN's role as administrator of Kosovo and welcoming EU deployment of its rule of law mission (EULEX). As Ban stated in his report to the Security Council, "UNMIK will no longer be able to perform effectively the vast majority of its tasks as an international administration." The EU has gradually assumed increasing responsibility in the areas of policing, justice, and customs throughout Kosovo.
The Kosovo judicial system started adapting to the new legal charter on June 15, 2008. Supreme Court judges and prosecutors, district court judges, and municipal courts judges already appointed by the SRSG will continue to serve in their posts until the expiry of their appointment. Following the December 2008 transfer of rule of law functions to the Government of Kosovo, the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) has proposed to the President of Kosovo candidates for appointment or reappointment as judges and prosecutors.
Kosovo administered its first elections since independence on November 15, 2009. These local elections were held in 36 municipalities, including one expanded and three new Serb-majority municipalities established under the decentralization process of the Ahtisaari plan. International observers from the EU, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the ICO agreed the elections were conducted largely in accordance with international standards and that the irregularities that took place were insufficient to affect the outcome of the poll. Voter turnout was the highest since 2002, including in majority ethnic-Serb communities south of the River Ibar. However, voter participation in northern Kosovo was extremely low, with Kosovo Serb communities boycotting the elections. For the first time, Kosovo authorities in the Central Election Commission certified the election results, rather than the pre-independence practice whereby UNMIK certified results. In June 2010, the municipality of Partesh held its first mayoral election, which drew more than 65% of eligible Kosovo Serb voters. There is one remaining Serb-majority municipality to be established through the decentralization process--North Mitrovica. The North Mitrovica Municipal Preparation Team is currently working under the supervision of the ICO to prepare the municipality for elections and formal establishment.
Principal Government Officials
President--Fatmir Sejdiu (since February 2006)
Prime Minister--Hashim Thaci (since January 2008)
Foreign Minister--Skender Hyseni
Ambassador to United States--Avni Spahiu
Consul General--Arta Rama
Kosovo's economy has shown significant progress since the conflict of the 1990s; it is, however, still dependent on the international community and the diaspora for financial and technical assistance. Remittances from the diaspora, located mainly in Germany, Switzerland, and the Nordic countries, account for about 13%-15% of GDP and donor-financed activities and aid for another 7.5% of GDP.
Kosovo's citizens are the poorest in Europe, with an average annual per capita income of approximately $2,750. With roughly 45% of the population unemployed, migration and black market activity are key concerns. Most of Kosovo's population lives in rural towns outside of the capital, Pristina. Inefficient, near-subsistence farming is common, the result of small plots, limited mechanization, and lack of technical expertise.
With international assistance, the privatization of Kosovo's socially-owned enterprises (SOEs) has generated around U.S. $515 million since 2004. According to the Privatization Agency of Kosovo, more than 9,000 local and foreign investors have expressed interest in the privatization process. Kosovo's two largest exporters are privatized companies: Ferronikeli (nickel) and M & Sillosi LLC (flour). Technical assistance to the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) has helped improve procedures for billings and collections, increased revenues, strengthened internal accounting procedures and controls, and rationalized budgeting and investment planning. The installation of bulk meters at the sub-station level is facilitating greater accountability for collection performance at the district level. The U.S. Government is cooperating with the Ministry for Energy and Mines and the World Bank to prepare a commercial tender for a new generation and mining project, to include construction of a new power plant ("New Kosovo", formerly titled "Kosovo C") and the development of a coal mine for the New Kosovo plant and the two existing power plants. Privatization of the distribution and supply divisions of KEK is also planned.
Economic growth is largely driven by the private sector, mostly small-scale retail businesses. The official currency of Kosovo is the Euro, but the Serbian dinar is also used in northern Kosovo and other areas where ethnic Serbs predominate. Kosovo's use of the Euro has helped keep inflation low. Kosovo has so far maintained a budget surplus as a result of efficient value added tax (VAT) collection at the borders and inefficient budget execution. In order to help integrate Kosovo into regional economic structures, UNMIK signed (on behalf of Kosovo) its accession to the Central Europe Free Trade Area (CEFTA) in 2006. However, Serbia and Bosnia have refused to recognize Kosovo's customs stamp or extend reduced tariff privileges for Kosovo products under CEFTA.
In December 2008, Kosovo was designated as a beneficiary country under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. Under this program, a wide range of products Kosovo might seek to export are eligible for duty-free entry to the United States. Current Kosovo exports that are eligible for GSP benefits include wood products, charcoal, and dried fruits. Other main exports include mineral products, base metals, leather products, machinery, and appliances. Kosovo's main export partners are Italy, Albania, Macedonia, and Greece. Imports include live animals and animal products, fruits and vegetables and related products, minerals, base materials, machinery, appliances and electrical equipment, textiles and related products, wood and wood products, stone, ceramic and glass products, and chemical products. The country's main import partners are the EU, Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Albania. On July 11, 2008, representatives from 37 countries and 16 international organizations met in Brussels for a donors conference, pledging approximately $1.9 billion (including $400 million from the United States), in support of the socio-economic reform priorities Kosovo has expressed through its Medium-Term Expenditure Framework for 2008-11.
On June 29, 2009, Kosovo formally joined the global financial system when President Sejdiu and Prime Minister Thaci signed the articles of agreement for entry into the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). A total of 109 states supported Kosovo's membership. Since that time Kosovo has begun servicing its share of the former Yugoslavia's World Bank and IMF debt.
Trade and Industry
Kosovo has been laying the foundations of a market-oriented economy for the past 10 years but is still struggling to develop viable and productive domestic industries. Kosovo has one of the lowest export/import rates in the region. In 2009, Kosovo imported $2.3 billion in goods and services and exported only $238 million, resulting in a trade deficit of approximately 42% of Kosovo's GDP. This deficit is largely financed through foreign assistance and remittances from Kosovo's diaspora. Kosovo's leading industries are mining, energy, and telecommunications.
Agricultural land comprises 53% of Kosovo's total land area and forests 41%. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization, 741,316 acres of land are under cultivation and 444,789 acres are upland pasture. The majority of agricultural land is privately owned (80%), providing subsistence farming for individual households. Although Kosovo's agricultural sector is generally characterized by small farms, low productivity, and the absence of advisory services, agriculture contributes around 19% of Kosovo's overall GDP. Agriculture is the largest employment sector in Kosovo, providing jobs for approximately 16.5% of the population, primarily on an informal basis. The agricultural sector also accounts for 16% of total export value and remains an important creator of national wealth, although Kosovo is still an importer of many agricultural products, which accounted for 24.4% of overall imports ($537.5 million) in 2007. Forestry in Kosovo is minimal; wood-processing and wood products (flooring and furniture) are industry contributors, although not yet in significant numbers.
The Government of Kosovo appointed Skender Hyseni as its first foreign minister. In October 2008, Kosovo opened an embassy in Washington, DC. Kosovo has 21 diplomatic missions and 13 consular posts worldwide. In June 2009, Kosovo joined the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
The United States and Kosovo established diplomatic relations on February 18, 2008. Christopher W. Dell arrived in Pristina in August 2009 as the second U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo. President Barack Obama received the letter of credence for Kosovo's first ambassador to the United States, Avni Spahiu, in November 2009.
The United States continues to contribute troops to the Kosovo Force (KFOR) and staff to the ICO and EULEX missions. The United States remains committed to working with the Government of Kosovo and our international partners to strengthen Kosovo's institutions, rule of law, and economy and build a democratic, law-abiding, multi-ethnic, tolerant, and prosperous country. Kosovo was designated as a beneficiary developing country under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. Kosovo also receives similar duty-free benefits for exports to EU and CEFTA countries.
From FY 1999 up to and including FY 2009, the United States has allocated approximately $1.4 billion for reconstruction, capacity-building, and humanitarian assistance. This includes assistance funds to meet U.S. commitments to support the UNMIK and OSCE in Kosovo. U.S. assistance in Kosovo continues to help private enterprise grow and to support good governance by strengthening civil society, economic institutions, and political processes, especially targeting minority communities.
Principal Embassy Officials
Ambassador--Christopher W. Dell
Deputy Chief of Mission--Michael Murphy
Chief of Political/Economic Section--John Ginkel
Economic/Commercial Officer--Lane Darnell Bahl
Management Officer--Gertrude Bagley
Public Affairs Officer--Emilia Puma
Defense Attache--Col. John McDevitt
USAID Mission Director--Patricia Rader
Embassy website: http://pristina.usembassy.gov/index.html


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There is currently no available "Beginner" label. The following is the default level label: Seated in his library, playing the cello, is Edward (1828-1911) Hitchcock of Amherst, Massachusetts. The photograph by the Allen sisters highlights one of Mr. Hitchcock's talents inherited from his father, Edward Hitchcock (1793-1864). The son also inherited a love of science and, like his father, taught at Amherst College.
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Edward Hitchcock (1828-1911)
Hitchcock Family Phonograph
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