Ban Ki-moon requests dialogue for the north

• Ban Ki-moon requests dialogue for the north (dailies)
• Vetëvendosje activists paint UNFAIR slogan at UNMIK HQ (dailies)
• Belgrade doesn’t allow Ban to fly to Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
• Thaçi rejects Belgrade’s role in dialogue for the north (Koha Ditore)
• Changes in government, Thaçi President and Haradinaj PM (Koha Ditore)
• Dell receives the medal “Ibrahim Rugova” (Koha Ditore)
• Skopje wants Muslim Macedonians in Kosovo Constitution (Koha Ditore)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Ban Ki-moon requests dialogue for the north (dailies)
The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, has requested that Pristina and Belgrade engage in dialogue that would lead to a peaceful solution of the issues that concern the north of Kosovo.

The situation beyond the River Ibër was one of the main concerns that the UN Secretary-General expressed during his short addressing to the media, upon his arrival in Kosovo.

Compared to his visit to Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Serbia, Ban Ki-moon was careful on not having any state element during his visit in Kosovo, which is recognized only by half of the UN member states and is not yet a member of the UN. Ban did not appear at joint press conferences with Kosovo leaders, did not accept questions from the journalists and he made his addresses to the media in an open space at the airport. A picture of the President of Kosovo was taken at the press conference room, reports Koha Ditore.

However, the President managed to take a picture with some state elements in the background, by greeting the UN Secretary General in front of the Declaration of Independence, reports this daily. After meeting with the President, Ban also met with the governing cabinet and with Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi. Both meetings at the Adem Jashari airport were held at the zone, which in international language is classified as “Neutral zone.”

The Presidency of Kosovo shared a press release that during the meeting with Ban, the President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga expressed appreciation for his personal engagement for Kosovo and for the democratic processes of the country. She values the work and help of the UN mission in Kosovo, UNMIK, especially in the period of rebuilding, transition, and state building.

Jahjaga assessed that dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade is the best way to normalize the relations in the region and establish policies of the good neighborhood. She added that Serbia should implement the reached agreements in the dialogue mediated by the EU. Speaking about the north, Jahjaga said that that there is no other alternative but to dissolve the illegal and criminal structures in the three municipalities of the north of Kosovo.

The UN SG stated that he has come to Kosovo to visit UNMIK. According to Ban, the remaining UN mission, due to the Resolution 1244, is changing because of the changes in the region and Balkans. He said that the European Union has taken over the initiative for the political developments in the region, and that the UN supports this. “I expect engagement from Kosovo leaders for normalization of the relation with Belgrade, including the same sincerity and determination that I have requested from the Serbian leaders,” said Ban. He appealed to all parties to intensify their work on the issue of the missing persons, and stressed that the UN mission will continue to have a significant role.

Secretary Ban used this address to the media to express condolences for the death of the internationally known poet Ali Podrimja. Ban appealed for a dialogue with the north even a day earlier in Belgrade, where he received the support of the Serbian leaders, while President Nikolic invited the UN to have a role in this dialogue.

Kosovo Prime Minister Thaçi, said that the UN cannot be part of the dialogue. At a press conference for the media, after the meeting with the UN SG, Thaçi said that the UN cannot have a role in such process. “The UN cannot participate on this issue, when the technical dialogue is concerned that has started two year ago with Serbia,” said Thaçi.

“We have just concluded the meeting with the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon. It was an extraordinarily important visit, I can even say historic, for the Republic of Kosovo. It is a visit that for the first time is happening by a UN Secretary General in the independent state of Kosovo. It is a clear message of the support for Kosovo,” said Thaçi. He added that the UN SG said that he acknowledges and respects the new reality in Kosovo and that he values and supports the aspirations of Kosovo population. Thaçi said that Kosovo’s lack of membership in the UN was not the reason why Ban did not accept to meet at the institutions.

“I am on my way to Brussels, therefore it was a technical issue and facilitating for me personally,” said Thaçi. He said that he has requested from the UN SG that the role of the UNMIK office in the north of Mitrovica be adopted by strengthening the Administrative Office of the Government of Kosovo.

During his visit to Kosovo, the United Nations Secretary General also visited the Monastery in Deçan and buildings of cultural and religious heritage in Prizren.

Under the headline “Ban avoids the flag, but not Adem,” Zëri reports that the Office of the President of Kosovo sent the media a picture from Jahjaga’s meeting with Ban which showed above the UN chief’s head the declaration of Kosovo’s independence and the picture of KLA commander-in-chief Adem Jashari.

Bota Sot reports on the front page that in his meetings with Kosovo leaders, Ban has ignored the symbols and independence of Kosovo. The paper runs a picture from the meeting between the UN chief and Kosovo President Jahjaga and notes that Serbian-made cookies were on the table instead of the Kosovo flag.

The paper’s editor-in-chief Bajrush Morina writes, “by agreeing to meet and take pictures with UN chief Ban Ki-moon without the symbols of the state of Kosovo, the President and Prime Minister openly showed they are not capable of defending their state even in Pristina and let alone in New York or Brussels!”

Under the leading headline “Kosovo 99,” Express reports that “Ban arrived in Kosovo on Tuesday and preferred to meet political leaders at the airport instead of in state institutions. Ban visited religious sites, met priests and imams and talked about the successes of UNMIK. Five years after the declaration of independence, the United Nations still views Kosovo as their protectorate.”

Vetëvendosje activists paint UNFAIR slogan at UNMIK HQ (dailies)
Several dailies report that while the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was holding meetings at Pristina Airport, activists of the Vetëvendosje Movement painted “UNFAIR” slogan on the walls of UNMIK headquarters. The action was in the series of numerous protests and slogans from the political movement led by Albin Kurti against UNMIK and the UN’s approach vis-a-vis Kosovo. A police spokesman said police intervened and removed the activists from the site and that no arrests were made.

Belgrade doesn’t allow Ban to fly to Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that on Monday Serbian officials made promises for cooperation and a constructive spirit but on Tuesday they showed the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon their true colours regarding Kosovo. Ban boarded his private plane in Belgrade but after waiting 45 minutes, Serbian authorities did not give him the international code to fly to Pristina.

Despite diplomatic insistence, Serbian authorities did not change their position and the UN chief was forced to fly to Macedonia first and then to Pristina Airport. Diplomatic sources confirmed the information to the paper.

Thaçi rejects Belgrade’s role in dialogue for the north (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi travelled on Tuesday to Brussels, insisting that he would not accept the involvement of Belgrade officials in the dialogue for the solution of the issue of northern Kosovo. He mentioned conditions for restarting the dialogue with Serbia and aspects of technical interstate.

In a press conference at the Pristina International Airport, Prime Minister Thaçi said that the technical dialogue with Serbia and the announced dialogue for the solution of the issue of the north are separate issues. “We have discussed technical issues with other neighboring countries, and not only with Serbia. Therefore, it is in the interest of Kosovo, but also of Serbia and the entire region, to have a normalization of interstate relations, as well of the state of Kosovo and of Serbia,” said Thaçi. Internal dialogue is another issue, said Thaçi, and added that it will happen “between legitimate Kosovo institutions and the citizens in the north.”

Changes in government, Thaçi President and Haradinaj PM (Koha Ditore)
A source close to Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi told the paper that a coalition between the PDK and AAK could be formed if not in autumn this year then after parliamentary elections, which would take place after presidential elections. The source said the coalition will be possible only if both political parties give up on some of their red lines.

“The Prime Minister could create room for Haradinaj to replace him in the new mandate under the condition that Thaçi becomes president. Therefore, Thaçi would announce Haradinaj as prime minister-designate to form the new government. Thaçi wants presidential elections to be held on the same day with parliamentary elections so that he can secure the post of president and leave nothing to chance,” the source added.

Dell receives the medal “Ibrahim Rugova” (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that American Ambassador Christopher Dell will not leave Kosovo empty handed. President Atifete Jahjaga, who came at the head of the state while coming out from his “envelope”, has taken care to give him the medal which carries along the order for peace, democracy and humanity.

Dell accepted that for an American diplomat it is a privilege to work in Kosovo and he explained why: “There is no other country in the world where the United States are welcomed as warmly and sincerely as in this state, where a person can be a representative of a state, but it will also feel the love of the people of that state in which is accredited,” said Ambassador Dell.

Skopje wants Muslim Macedonians in Kosovo Constitution (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that also officially Macedonian President, Georgi Ivanov, has requested from the state of Kosovo that the Muslim Macedonians who live in Gora, be recognized as constitutional category. The request was made through an official letter, which has been sent to President Atifete Jahjaga.

Sources inside the cabinet of Jahjaga told the newspaper that President Ivanov requested that about 30 thousand citizens who are Muslim Macedonians be included as constitutional category. But this request did not receive a positive response from President Jahjaga. “We have responded and we have said that we don’t have the final results from the population census and we have not registered this community as such,” said the source, adding that the issue came up before three months.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page
• Ban Ki-moon requests dialogue for the north
• Thaçi excludes the role of Belgrade in dialogue for the north
• Skopje requests Muslim Macedonians be included in Constitution of Kosovo
• Ali Podrimja’s death was natural

Other headlines
• Ban believes in religious leaders building peace, harmony among people (2)
• Changes in Government, Thaçi President, Haradinaj PM (5)
• Dell receives “Ibrahim Rugova” medal (5)
• Revitalization of “Kosova B” made by private sector (6)
• Wienner Zeitung: Serbia is returning to Milosevic’s era (8)

Zëri

Front page
• Hit and run!
• Ban avoids the flag, but not Adem
• Çollaku: Thaçi’s guerilla absence

Other headlines
• Jahjaga decorates Dell (2)
• Thaçi: Nikolic should handle the Pashalik of Belgrade (2)
• Thaçi: Current government is the best (5)
• Vetëvendosje reacts by painting UNFAIR on UNMIK walls (5)
• Ivanovic disappointed with Nikolic (6)

Kosova Sot

Front page
• PDK wants a serious partner instead of AKR
• Editorial: Second failure of QKUK
• Ban calls for dialogue on north
• Thaçi rejects the UN

Other headlines
• Dell awarded Ibrahim Rugova medal (4)
• Report on July 25th police operation (4)
• EU: Level of representation in Kosovo-Serbia dialogue to be raised (4)

Epoka e Re

Front page
• Dell, the great American friend of Kosovo
• Thaçi says to Nikolic: I will lead the battle
• Ban requests dialogue for the north
• Thaçi against inclusion of UN in technical dialogue

Other headlines
• Topalli meets Kosovo Assembly Commission for European Integration (2)
• Action of 25 July (un)successful (3)
• Zymberi was shot from close distance, not by snipers (3)
• Vetëvendosje: UNFAIR (5)
• Serbia returns to Milosevic (5)
• Kuçi: The strong ones will be hit (7)
• Different opinions on motorway (9)

Express

Front page
• Kosovo 99
• Ali Podrimja died from dehydration
• Decoration for Dell

Other headlines
• Stefanovic: Talks through the Assembly (4)
• Wiener Zeitung: Serbia is going towards the path of Milosevic (5)
• Thaçi interprets the dialogue (5)
• Vulin: Office for the Serbs of Kosovo (6)
• The law against the powerful ones (8)

Bota Sot

Front page
• Ban Ki-moon ignores symbols, independence of Kosovo!
• Bujar Nishani sworn in as President of Republic of Albania
• UNFAIR welcome slogan for Ban Ki-moon
• Tadic proposes four-point plan, which means Kosovo independence

Other headlines
• Impacts of the intervention of 25 July in north of Kosovo (2)
• Ambassador Dell decorated with order... (Ibrahim Rugova) (3)
• Wiener Zeitung: Serbia returns to Milosevic (3)
• Bogdanovic sees danger from Kosovo special forces (3)
• President and PM photographed with Ban without Kosovo flag (4)
• Vetëvendosje: Why are we against UNMIK? (4)
• In the technical dialogue, there is no place for UN (6)
• OSCE: every individual to be guaranteed access to civil registry (7)