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Musliu, Jeton. (September 21, 2011). Living Under the Shadow of Death. Gazeta Jeta në Kosovë. Retrieved from http://gazetajnk.com/?cid=1,978,39

“Living Under the Shadow of Death” is a newspaper article that was published in the local newspaper, Jeta në Kosovë, just over a year ago. It was written by the acclaimed, Pristina-based journalist, Jeton Musliu. It was originally written and published in Albanian language; however, this review is of the version that was translated to English language. Musliu has written and worked for several different newspapers and new companies, covering stories in both Pristina and other parts of the Balkans. He has also traveled to other European countries to research and work on various news stories and articles. In this particular article, Musliu focused on the village and villagers of Dardhishtë, which is near to Obiliq, another fairly small village, outside of Pristina and very close to the KEK power plants. 

In the article, Jeton Musliu focuses on the deadly amounts of pollution that are emitted by the KEK coal-fired power plant, known as Kosovo A. This power plant is very old and outdated and it was built long before safety regulations were considered to be a serious concern. The plant was supposed to be closed down between 2015 and 2017, so that Kosovo could begin to work towards the European Union’s standards and limits on Carbon emissions. However, according to this article, this idea of closing down Kosovo A power plant has “unofficially” been rejected, and KEK plans to keep the plant open until 2025. Musliu chose to visit the village of Dardhishtë and talk with the people who live there for this story because they are the people who are most endangered and most harmfully affected by the use of the coal-fired power plant and by KEK’s negligent activities and decisions. Many if not most, of these villagers include KEK employees and their families, which is one reason why they live within clear sight of the plant. Doctor Musli Mehaj, a specialist at the Institute of Medicine of Labor, believes Dardhishtë to be the most dangerous place to live in relation to the Kosovo A power plant. He says that they see between 200 and 300 patients a day, mostly KEK employees and their families, all suffering from repertory problems, and some with other illnesses as well. Of all of Kosovo, Dardhishtë has the highest rate of people who are affected by cancer. The issues of extreme air pollution, discussed in this article are very important because they are having deadly effects on the people living in villages near to the power plant. If the Kosovo A power plant is not closed down, the terribly polluted air will continue causing disease and death. This article is also something to consider in regards to the push to build a new coal-fired power plant in the corresponding area.  

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Nelsen, A. Greens alarmed as EU lobbies for Kosovo coal plant | EurActiv.EurActiv | European Union Information Website (EU and Europe). Retrieved September 20, 2011, from http://www.euractiv.com/climate-environment/greens-alarmed-eu-lobbies-kosovo-coal-plant-news-507494

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