KOSOVO: 2008 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000390 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR, EUR/SCE, EEB/CBA - HGOETHERT AND KBUTLER, USDOC FOR 4232/ITA/MAC/EUR/OEERIS/SSAVICH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC EINV KIDE OPIC PGOV KV SUBJECT: KOSOVO: 2008 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND EXPROPRIATION CLAIMS REF: STATE 43784 ¶1. (U) This is the first submission of the Report on Investment Disputes and Expropriations Claims for Kosovo. ¶2. (U) Begin text: U.S. Embassy Pristina is unaware of any ongoing investment disputes, property disputes or expropriations involving a U.S. citizen against the Government of Kosovo. The resolution of residential, agricultural and commercial property rights remains a serious and contentious issue in Kosovo. A large number of property records were lost or destroyed during the last conflict in 1998-1999, making determination of rightful ownership for the majority of properties complex at best. There have been cases of up to 20 ownership claims to a single property, presenting a variety of ownership documents as proof. The Kosovo Property Agency (KPA),formerly the Housing and Property Directorate (HPD),has been tasked with adjudicating residential property disputes from March 23, 1989 to October 13, 1999, and working toward resolution of agricultural and commercial property claims. Until the disputes are resolved, no new properties can be registered with the agency. In the meantime, property sales and transfers are ongoing, further complicating the resolution process. Kosovo's municipal courts reported they are not aware of any case involving the property of U.S. citizens or U.S. corporations that has been nationalized, expropriated or otherwise seized without appropriate compensation or arbitration. End text. YAZDGERDI