Ahtisaari: Forget change of borders

• Ahtisaari: Forget change of borders (Koha Ditore – front page)
• End of supervised independence, new chapter in Balkans (dailies)
• ICO leaves, three more missions remain (Zëri – front page )
• Albanian, Kosovar FMs join forces in lobbying campaign (Zëri – page 5)
• Engage for dialogue (Express – page 6)
• Barricade in north of symbolic, political value (Koha Ditore – page 2)
• De Marnhac requests political solution for north (Epoka e Re – page 5)
• Nigeria has not recognized Kosovo (Express – front page)
• Prosecution investigates payment of lawyer Khan by Fatmir Limaj (dailies)
• Kuçi: RTS ‘evidence’, Belgrade propaganda (Koha Ditore – front page)
• Kandic: Witness testimony not authentic (Epoka e Re – page 11)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Ahtisaari: Forget change of borders (Koha Ditore – front page)
Martti Ahtisaari, international facilitator who proposed Kosovo’s independence as a solution for the status, is happy with the phase of the end of supervised independence for Kosovo and says now a new phase that calls for more local engagement begins.

In an exclusive interview for Koha Ditore carried out at the Finnish Embassy in Pristina, Ahtisaari did not hesitate to expresses his disappointment with the five European states that still have not recognized the independence of Kosovo – Greece, Spain, Romania, Slovakia, and Cyprus. He adds that Serbia should also recognize Kosovo as a state because there is no turning back.

Ahtisaari agrees that there is lot of work to be done, especially in northern Kosovo, and that not everything has been done, but he insists that that state building is a continuous process and that Kosovo has achieved a lot in the four and a half years since it has been declared a state – even more than expected. Ahtisaari says that attention should be focused on state institutions that have assumed full responsibility for the next phase of state building.

End of supervised independence, new chapter in Balkans (dailies)
Foreign diplomats gathered for the International Conference on the end of Kosovo’s supervised independence, which was organized in Pristina. The conference included a video address by former US President Bill Clinton who in 1999 had given the green light for airstrikes against Serbia.

Clinton expressed his delight with achievements in Kosovo and the end of supervised independence. “The end of supervised independence is a significant step and an extraordinary opportunity to define your role in the region, Europe and the world. While you face challenges and possibilities from outside, including the European Union, United Nations and Serbia, and internal challenges of state building with more opportunities and joint benefits for all, I hope you know that you have many friends who wish you well,” said Clinton.

The Conference was lead by President Atifete Jahjaga, Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and outgoing head of ICO, Pieter Feith. However, according to Koha Ditore, it was the speech from the former UN status envoy Martti Ahtisaari that raised the greatest interest from the participants. He said that peace between Kosovo and Serbia cannot only be reached by signing an agreement but by changing the approach of the people and leadership from both sides. He said that now that a new chapter is opening for Kosovo, it could serve in improving relations between countries in the region.

“Peace doesn’t mean Kosovo and Serbia forgetting of the past but accepting that their future can be different. This is a lesson for international diplomacy that true success cannot be found in the negotiations room or in signing of agreement. It can be found in behavior of the people, ministers officials and eternal neighbours,” said former Finnish President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

ICO leaves, three more missions remain (Zëri – front page )
Political analysts and the Parliamentary opposition are quick to argue against the enthusiasm of the representatives of Kosovo institutions regarding a new phase beginning after the end of supervised independence for Kosovo.

The opposition and analysts say that on 10 September the ICO’s supervision over the implementation of the Comprehensive Status Proposal was concluded, however this does not mean the end of international supervision of independence. They add that three important international missions have remained in Kosovo: UNMIK, KFOR and EULEX - all with status-neutral positions.

“Kosovo will get another international mission, which will supervise the implementation of the ‘Z4 Plan’ for Kosovo Serbs. Therefore, the celebration of this event was an attempt to fool Kosovo citizens on the eve of painful concessions that Kosovo’s political representatives will make next spring,” said political analyst Shkelzen Gashi.

Albanian, Kosovar FMs join forces in lobbying campaign (Zëri – page 5)
Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj and Albania’s Foreign Minister Edmond Panariti said Tuesday in Pristina that the governments of both countries decided to launch a powerful lobbying campaign to secure more recognitions for Kosovo’s independence. “As ministers, we are determined to push forward a very aggressive and dynamic lobbying campaign and we thank the minister for his visits in different countries, where he publicly and officially presented the request for these countries to recognize Kosovo,” Hoxhaj said.

Engage for dialogue (Express – page 6)
EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton stated that Kosovo and leaders from Serbia should be engaged in the process of the dialogue. She said that talks should help people and a solution for the tense situation should be found. Ashton requested that Pristina and Belgrade be committed towards the continuation of dialogue. “When I met with Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, President Nikolic and lately with Prime Minister Dacic, I have said that I will engage myself to push the dialogue forward, but they need to be committed to find ways through which they will help the people, the lives of which are getting difficult every day, because of continuous tensions and challenges in that area,” said Ashton.

Barricade in north of symbolic, political value (Koha Ditore – page 2)
The new KFOR commander, Volker Halbauer, who is leading an international military mission for the first time will face special challenges in northern Kosovo. He did not provide a solution for the problem but noted that the barricade near the Iber River is a “physical obstacle” with symbolic and political value. “I cannot see what will happen with the future, but only what happened until now in Mitrovica. There has been a lot of comparing where it was and where it is now. Especially thanks to the cooperation between all parties, it achieved a lot for the security of citizens, except of a physical obstacle,” stated Halbauer.

De Marnhac requests political solution for north (Epoka e Re – page 5)
Chief of the European mission in Kosovo, EULEX, Xavier Bout de Marnhac, requested that Kosovo institutions work on finding a political solution for the north, otherwise tensions will continue and violence will not be avoidable.

Marnhac expressed readiness as the chief of EULEX, as long as his mandate is prolonged, to transfer as many additional rule of law responsibilities as possible to the institutions of Kosovo. According to him, there is potential among both locals and internationals to do more than was has been done so far. “So, we should work for the north, since the responsibility for international and Pristina, is mixed. I hope and strongly appeal for a political approach that would make a solution,” said de Marnhac.

Nigeria has not recognized Kosovo (Express – front page)
Nigerian Foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru dismissed reports that his country has recognized Kosovo’s independence. “We have not taken any decision on this,” said Ashiru in a telephone conversation with Express. Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister Behgjet Pacolli who first announced the recognition from Nigeria, reacted to this news by accusing the paper of not speaking to the Nigerian minister at all.

Prosecution investigates payment of lawyer Khan by Fatmir Limaj (dailies)
The defense of those accused of war crimes has become involved in corruption. It is believed that Karim Khan, a lawyer from London, was paid about one million Euros during the Kleçka trial. The source of this funding is considered suspicious by German prosecutor Johannes Picke, who focused on the investigations for money laundering by Endrit Shala, Fatmir Limaj and his two brothers, Demir and Florim Limaj.

Former Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, Fatmir Limaj, was questioned on Tuesday by a EULEX prosecutor regarding these investigations. According to the lawyer, Tahir Rrecaj, his client did not answer any of the questions because the deadline for investigations expired.

Kuçi: RTS ‘evidence’, Belgrade propaganda (Koha Ditore – front page)
Representatives of the institutions of Kosovo and Albania assessed the witness testimony of an individual who spoke for The Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) about organ trafficking done by KLA during the war of 1998-1999 as propaganda of Belgrade. This story aired in many international agencies, a day after Serbia’s war crimes prosecutor, Vladimir Vukçevic, stated publicly that he has a witness who is suspected to have participated in organ trafficking of Serb prisoners by former KLA members. Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hajredin Kuçi, said Tuesday that this is propaganda that comes from Serbia. “You know that we have given full support to the Task Force for this case, to find the truth. Any other simulation has only political motives,” said Kuçi.

Kandic: Witness testimony not authentic (Epoka e Re – page 11)
Head of the Humanitarian Law Center Natasa Kandic said that publishing the testimony of a protected witness who claims to have taken part in the extraction of organs from kidnapped Serbs is unacceptable and not authentic. “The prosecution is disturbing the opinion and families of missing persons by running such a recording,” Kandic told Serbian media. She said she believed the testimony was made public by the Serbia’s war crimes prosecution for political motives and the witness’s story is not credible.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page
• Ahtisaari: Changing of borders should be forgotten
• Plan for integration of the north, unknown to the Assembly
• End of Kosovo’s supervision, a new chapter for the Balkans
• Kuçi: RTS ‘evidence’, Belgrade’s propaganda
• Serbia’s entrance in RWE, an opportunity lost for Kosovo
• Prosecution investigates payment of Kharim Khan by Fatmir Limaj

Other headlines
• Halbauer: Barricade in the north with symbolic and political value (page 2)
• Jahjaga, Kuçi highly appreciate Malcolm’s contribution to Kosovo (page 5)
• Jahjaga sends telegram to Obama on September 11 (page 5)

Zëri

Front page
• ICO leaves, three more missions remain
• Ahtisaari: EU to open its doors to Kosovo
• Constitutional amendments on “shelves”
• Clinton: End of supervision, a crucial step
• Serbian prosecution “finds” an Albanian witness
• Gashi: The army of abusers of the state
• Investors request financial report of PTK

Other headlines
• KFOR seven more years in Kosovo (page 2)
• Russia: Kosovo still a quasi-state (page 2)
• Limaj in the prosecution again (page 4)
• Challenge for Kosovo after phase of supervised independence (page 4)
• They join forces in a lobbying campaign (page 5)
• Halbauer: Barricades are a political issue (page 6)

Kosova Sot

Front page
• Kosova Sot, 52% of the market
• EU to accept Kosovo
• Editorial: 14 years

Other headlines
• Implementation of the Package in the north requested (page 2)
• Clinton: End of supervision, significant step (page 2)
• Ashton calls for engagement from Thaçi, Nikolic and Dacic (page 2)
• Wisner awarded Hasan Prishtina Prize (page 2)
• Kadriu: 14 years together (page 3)
• Kandic: Serb prosecution not a serious institution (page 21)
• Limaj reports to the prosecution again (page 21)
• Halbauer: Barricade on Ibër, political connotation (page 22)
• KFOR: Ridiculous and unserious statements from Serb leaders (page 22)
• After end of supervised independence, pamphlets in Zubin Potok (page 22)

Epoka e Re

Front page
• Prosecutor tried to question Limaj illegally
• Clinton: I will always be on Kosovo’s side
• Ahtisaari: EU to accept Kosovo
• Jakup Krasniqi: There is no more Ahtisaari’s plan

Other headlines
• Jahjaga: American population found power to overcome the big loss (page 2)
• Thaçi: Universal values of freedom were attacked on 11 September (page 2)
• Ashton: Kosovo-Serbian dialogue requires determination (page 2)
• Removal of supervision will not impact the north (page 3)
• Malcolm honored with “Honoris Causa” prize (page 3)
• De Marnhac requests political solution for the north (page 5)
• Rugova family values Pacolli’s role (page 6)
• PTK ready for tender (page 8)
• Kandic: witness testimony not authentic (page 11)

Express

Front page
• Limaj again to the Prosecutor
• Recognize Kosovo
• Tender opened for privatization of PTK
• Nigeria did not recognized Kosovo

Other headlines
• They are announcing big lobbying (page 4)
• Moscow: Kosovo quasi-state (page 5)
• Vulin: Serbia ready for the dialogue (page 6)
• Engage for the dialogue (page 6)
• Ahtisaari for the north (page 6)
• Malcolm honoured (page 9)

Bota Sot

Front page
• Is politics involved in investigations against Limaj
• Clinton: I will always be on your side
• Mrs Rugova: House of the former president Rugova open for Kosovo friends
• Kosovo, “closed chapter” and “open chapter”

Other headlines
• Jahjaga to Obama: God bless you and the American people (page 2)
• Schlumberger to head OSCE in Kosovo (page 2)
• Kurir: Independent but under NATO’s control (page 3)
• President Jahjaga met historian Noel Malcolm (page 4)
• Hoxhaj: Germany among Kosovo’s key strategic partners (page 4)
• Krasniqi: Problem of the north to be resolved through Ahtisaari plan (page 7)
• Together on lobbying campaign for recognition of Kosovo (page 7)