EULEX and Tribunal to be voted on as a package

• EULEX and Tribunal to be voted on as a package (Koha)
• Tribunal postpones elections (Lajm)
• Demolli: Kosovo does not have the power to reject the Tribunal (Epoka e Re)
• Tahiri: Parliament to adopt special court for war crimes (Tribuna)
• Smuggling blossoms in the north (Zeri)
• Hopes fade for visa liberalization (Lajm)
• Nushi: Works in Rudnica will shed light on fate of missing (Bota Press)
• Norway offers millions for Kosovo, but with conditions (Kosova Sot)


EULEX and Tribunal to be voted on as a package (Koha)

The paper reports on the front page that President Atifete Jahjaga will call on the European Union to establish a special court that will try people for crimes allegedly committed in 1998-1999 by the former Kosovo Liberation Army and highlighted in Dick Marty’s report. Jahjaga will make the request without needing approval from parliament.

The paper further notes that the court will be established with the same instruments that will secure an additional mandate for the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). This will be done through an exchange of letters between President Jahjaga and EU High Representative Catherine Ashton. The draft letters have already been finalized.

On Monday morning, EU Special Representative in Kosovo Samuel Zbogar informed representatives of institutions and leaders of political parties about the content of the letters. Following the exchange, the letters will be voted on in parliament, as the ratification of an international agreement.

Tribunal postpones elections (Lajm)

In a front-page report, the paper quotes political analysts in Pristina as saying that the war crimes tribunal is a done deal. Analysts believe that parliament will vote in favor of the establishment of the tribunal; otherwise the issue will go to the United Nations Security Council.

Analysts further argue that the mandate of EULEX, the war crimes tribunal and the dismissal of parliament are closely linked; therefore, they believe that decisions on these matters will lead to the postponement of parliamentary elections until September.

Ardian Arifaj, political analyst, said the establishment of the tribunal will damage Kosovo’s image. He also said that pressure from international officials on local politicians is pointless.

Demolli: Kosovo does not have the power to reject the Tribunal (Epoka e Re)

In an interview for the paper, LDK senior official and former Minister of Justice Haki Demolli said Kosovo institutions lack the power to reject the tribunal for war crimes allegedly committed in Kosovo.

“I don’t believe Kosovo has the power to reject this institution,” Demolli said. “If the judicial system in Kosovo would have been more efficient in the fight against corruption and organized crime, then the international community would have certainly trusted Kosovo to address war crimes allegations.”

Tahiri: Parliament to adopt special court for war crimes (Tribuna)

In an interview for the paper, Ramush Tahiri, political analyst, said parliament should not be dismissed without completing several tasks first. Tahiri said he expects parliament will decide: on the mandate of EULEX, on the special court for war crimes in Kosovo, the new law on elections, constitutional amendments for the establishment of the Armed Forces of Kosovo, and the extension of reserved seats for minority communities in parliament.

“All our international friends are advising us to establish a special court that will operate according to the laws of the Republic of Kosovo and which would investigate war crimes in Kosovo, but with a special witness protection system. I expect parliament will adopt the establishment of this court,” Tahiri was quoted as saying.

Smuggling blossoms in the north (Zeri)

In a front-page report, the paper notes that Milojko Radisavljevic, also known as Babudovac, who lives in Zubin Potok, is believed to be northern Kosovo’s “smuggling boss.” Radisavljevic is supplying all gas stations in northern Mitrovica via a side road called G32. According to the paper, on a daily basis, 10-20 vehicles with oil products enter northern Kosovo through this illegal channel.

A customs officer working in Bërnjak, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed for the paper that Radisavljevic is smuggling oil products in the north. The customs officer also said that Kosovo police and customs are all aware of Radisavljevic’s activities but they do not dare stop and confiscate his goods.

V. Djordjevic, a smuggler from Zubin Potok, told the paper that he is a close partner of Radisavljevic. “When I operate they know this and they disappear; they know that I don’t want to see them on the streets,” Djordjevic said referring to Kosovo police and customs officers in northern Mitrovica. He also said that he and Radisavljevic have their own people in police and customs “who prepare the terrain”.

Hopes fade for visa liberalization (Lajm)

European Commissioner for Internal Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom is losing hope that visa liberalization for Kosovo citizens could happen this year. Malmstrom, who has the final say as to whether Kosovo has fulfilled the conditions for liberalization, has told the Deputies of the European Parliament, Tanja Fajon and Ulrike Lunacek, that liberalization can happen only when Kosovo authorities fulfill all conditions in the visa liberalization guide. Both Lunacek and Fajon requested last month that the European Commission accelerate the procedure and recommend the removal of the visa regime for Kosovo citizens this year. However, Cecilia Malmstrom warns that the visa liberalization process is based on merit and not deadlines.

Nushi: Works in Rudnica will shed light on fate of missing (Bota Press)

On Monday, excavations started in a mass grave in Rashka, Serbia, where it is suspected that bodies of Albanians killed during the war in Kosovo were dumped. Delegations from Kosovo and Serbia have met in Pristina to discuss next steps related to the excavations in Rudnica, in the municipality of Rashka. The Serbian Prosecution claims that at least 250 victims of the war in Kosovo were dumped in Rashka. According to the Prosecution, bodies of Albanians were transported here during the withdrawal of Serb forces from Kosovo in June 1999, by special Serbian police units. The head of the working group for missing persons, Lina Milner, said that also in the area of Rudnica, there will be a search for a second mass grave, containing the bodies of Kosovo Albanians.

Norway offers millions for Kosovo, but with conditions (Kosova Sot)

Lack of transparency, lack of accountability and inefficiency are three elements that are strangling the judiciary system in Kosovo today. The Norwegian Ambassador in Kosovo, Jan Braathu, offered to support an Information Management System project, to help with files for courts and the prosecution. He also requested that the heads of courts and prosecutions be dedicated to their work and change the image of the judiciary and prosecution. The Norwegian diplomat threatened to withdraw financing of the second phase of the project if the first phase fails.

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• Dick Marty