After the “compromise” of Serbia, pressure on Pristina

• After the “compromise” of Serbia, pressure on Pristina (Koha Ditore)
• EU against the use of force in the north (dailies)
• Around 40 Albanian families moved out of Three Towers (Koha Ditore)
• Local elections, later (Zëri)
• Serbs from the north ignore Bogdanovic (Epoka e Re)
• Demarcation solves border problems (Koha Ditore)
• 30 days detention for Mark Kashnjeti (dailies)
• Beqiri accuses internationals (Epoka e Re)


Kosovo Media Highlights


After the “compromise” of Serbia, pressure on Pristina (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that international community is expecting the Kosovo Government to agree for Serbia to hold parliamentary and presidential elections in Serb-dominated areas in Kosovo. Pressure on the Kosovo Government will be stepped up after the publication of Serb Government decision not to hold local elections.

Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi has confirmed for Koha Ditore the discussions with internationals but he said that Kosovo Government has certain conditions in order to allow such elections. According to him, the organizing of such elections should be according to international standards. “We have discussed about this issue and we have provided possible criteria for those to be with the Government’s consent and according to the standards in which elections are held in other countries citizens who have dual citizenship”, said Kuçi and not commented any more about it.

The newspaper has reported days ago that the OSCE mission in Kosovo has been presented with a ‘specific’ request. Powerful states in consultation with Belgrade and Pristina authorities are trying to leave the OSCE to organize the process of holding parliamentary and presidential elections of Serbia in Kosovo in the areas with Serb majority. At the same time, the OSCE has also been requested to organize local elections in three and a half municipalities in the north: Zvecan, Leposavic, Zubin Potok and the north Mitrovica municipality, which is expected to be created based on the Ahtisaari Plan.

EU against the use of force in the north (dailies)
EU representatives and international analysts have evaluated as counterproductive and in discordance with European principles the growing requests in the Kosovar political scene urging for use of force in north Mitrovica to establish rule of law. They said that latest “tensions and provocation” in the Kosovo-Serbia relations were in contradiction to the “spirit of the dialogue” between both parties.

In a statement to Radio Free Europe, Maja Kocijancic, Spokeswoman of EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, emphasized the need for restraint, while calling on Pristina and Belgrade to act responsibly in cooperation with international community. Use of force, according to her, should be rejected as a tool for the solution of problems. “Of course that the use of force will not contribute to the situation, it would not improve it and would not calm it down. We want both sides to refrain, act responsibly and continue cooperation with international community”, said Kocijancic.

Around 40 Albanian families moved out of Three Towers (Koha Ditore)
The paper reports that about 40 Albanian families living in the Three Towers complex in north Mitrovica have moved out of their flats due to recent incidents in the area. The residents spoke to KTV and said that they don’t feel safe in a situation where Kosovo institutions are unable to protect them and in fact even suggest self-defence.

Local elections, later (Zëri)
The paper writes that few weeks have passed since UNMIK chief Farid Zarif told Serb government that UN SC Resolution 1244 does not permit holding of local elections in Kosovo and only few days since Belgrade conceded to the assessment but now Serbian officials have made it clear to Kosovo and international community that they will not give up the intention of setting up local authorities in Kosovo.

Head of the Serbian delegation in talks with Kosovo, Borko Stefanovic, is quoted as saying that the decision not to hold local elections in Kosovo does not mean the Serb government has given up on its structures in Kosovo. At the same time, Serbian Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanovic said that after elections take place, Belgrade will send another request to UNMIK regarding local elections.

UNMIK has no clear answer on whether Zarif’s “No” is final. UNMIK’s press office merely stated that conditions should be prepared for all communities to elect their leaders through democratic processes.

Serbs from the north ignore Bogdanovic (Epoka e Re)
Mitrovica Mayor from Serb parallel structures Krstimir Pantic said no one takes seriously statements by the Serbian Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanovic regarding the decision not to organise local elections in Kosovo. Pantic said Serbian elections will take place in all municipalities of Kosovo where security aspects permit such an undertaking. “With regards to the north, I am certain they will be held in the municipalities of Zveçan and Zubin Potok,” Pantic is quoted.

Demarcation solves border problems (Koha Ditore)
The paper carries reactions to the statement of the head of the Serb army Ljubisa Dikovic who said that the presence of the members of Kosovo Police along “the administrative line” is a threat to security. Furthermore, he also stated that only KFOR can guarantee security in Kosovo and not local authorities.

Kosovo Police Spokesperson Baki Kelani rejected allegations. “In no way does the presence of the Kosovo police poses insecurity. On the contrary, it provides full security for all citizens or residents living along the border strip,” he said.

Security analyst Nuredin Ibishi said Dikovic’s statement presents a threat and element for new conflicts. “Not establishing borders in the function of demarcation is a permanent danger that these conflicts could be exaggerated,” Ibishi noted.

30 days detention for Mark Kashnjeti (dailies)
Under the request of the War Crimes Prosecution in Belgrade, Kosovo Albanian Mark Kashnjeti has been issued a detention period of 30 days. Kashnjeti is accused of having committed war crimes against Serb population whilst a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army. However, the Council for Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms rejected claims that Kashnjeti was a member of the KLA and called on local and international authorities to press for his release. Kashnjeti’s family members also claim he was never part of KLA.

Beqiri accuses internationals (Epoka e Re)
Epoka e Re reports that the head of LDK Parliamentary Group, Ismet Beqiri, has criticized Thaçi-led Government for not fulfilling constitutional obligations in the north. In an interview for the paper, Beqiri also accused international community which, according to him, is silent in face of the crime in the north and also is hesitating to cooperate with national institutions to end anarchy there.

“International community was silent towards many actions and organized crime in the north. It has been silent towards the functioning of illegal and criminal parallel structures supported by the Serb Government. Without a doubt one part of the blame and responsibility for this situation has also the Kosovo Government”, said Beqiri.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page
• After Serbia’s “compromise”, pressure on Pristina
• Post-war wound of Driton Hajdari costs the state €3,240 a year
• Around 40 families moved out of Three Towers
• Families threaten to bring 55 unidentified bodies to the Government

Other headlines
• Demarcation solves border problems (2)
• Haxhinasto calls for calm in Skopje, lowering of tensions in Mitrovica (3)
• Campaign for candidate, indicator of parties’ images (4)
• EU, against force in the north (4)
• KSF minister and commander meet head of Croatian Armed Forces (6)
• 30 days detention for Mark Kashnjeti (6)
• LDK: Thaçi government documents mismanagement of public money (7)

Zëri

Front page
• Force, no alternative
• Energy scandal continues
• Local elections, later!
• Grabovci ignored
• Recognitions, misaligned strategy

Other headlines
• Krasniqi: We have entered dialogue unprepared (2)
• Tahiri visits Croatia (2)
• Çeku received head of Croatian army (2)
• International law will be respected (4)
• Thirty days detention for Mark Kashnjeti (4)
• Haxhinasto: Tensions to decrease (4)
• Albania-Kosovo interconnection line, fierce debate at Albanian Parliament (6)
• Germans concerned over “energy highway” (7)

Kosova Sot

Front page
• France supports talks on the north of Kosovo
• Several internationals and Kosovars could become millionaires
• EU, against use of force in the north
• Editorial: Ferizaj’s test

Other headlines
• Limaj’s return strengthens PDK group (2)
• Head of Serbian army accuses Kosovo Police (2)
• Auditing tender for Assembly annulled (3)
• 30 days detention for Mark Kashnjeti (4)
• Tahiri promises improvement of Croats’ position (4)
• Croatia offers training and education for KSF (4)
• Serbs organise elections in three municipalities (4)
• Burst of fire on the car of a Serb (13)

Epoka e Re

Front page
• Beqiri accuses internationals of being silent before the crime in the north
• Kuçi: All legal means to be used in the north
• EU against the use of force in the north
• Croatia supports membership of KSF in NATO
• Dialogue based on Ahtisaari document

Other headlines
• Tahiri: The dialogue Pristina-Belgrade to be continued (2)
• Tadic: International law will be respected (2)
• Jeremic: Agreements with Kosovo should be respected (2)
• Serbs in the north disregard Bogdanovic (3)
• Haxhinasto: Refrain from tensioning of the situation in the north (3)
• Dialogue based on the document of Ahtisaari (7)
• Kusari-Lila: Government respects the law (9)

Express

Front page
• Throwing millions
• Together in crime
• Heated up for Ferizaj

Other headlines
• Members of Jericho band: Euro-fascism towards the Kosovars (3)
• Bulgaria threatens Serbia with veto (4)
• Krasniqi: We have entered the dialogue unprepared (5)
• Haxhinasto requests to lower the tensions in north of Kosovo (6)
• Forget the violence (6)
• Letter to the President (9)
Bota Sot

Front page
• In the future Albanians to enter American Congress
• Over eight million euros for official trips of Thaçi’s ministers
• Croatia, support for the integration of KSF in NATO

Other headlines
• In Çaber a hail of bullets in the vehicle of a Serb extortionist (3)
• Haxhinasto: Increase of tensions does not serve anyone (2)
• Serbs are not giving up from holding of elections in Kosovo (3)
• Kuçi: Be aware when you travelling through Serbia (3)
• Deputy Prime Minister on official visit to Croatia (7)
• Kosovo police committed to fight organized crime (7)
• OEK, appeal to institutions of Republic of Kosovo (9)