Head of PAK, Dino Asanaj, stabbed to death

• Head of PAK, Dino Asanaj, stabbed to death (dailies)
• EU does not believe liberalization of visas will happen before 2014 (dailies)
• Draft law to end supervised independence approved (Koha Ditore)
• Cliff: Ahtisaari’s package, the only path towards EU (dailies)
• Nikolic: EU promised me it will never request recognition of Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
• Cooper returns his efforts to the dialogue (Koha Ditore)
• Thaçi dismisses Gashi from deputy minister post (dailies)
• Legislators demand Mimoza Kusari-Lila’s dismissal (Koha Ditore, Zëri)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Head of PAK, Dino Asanaj, stabbed to death (dailies)
Chairman of the Privatisation Agency of Kosovo Board, Dino Asanaj, died yesterday after being stabbed in his private office in Hajvalia. After the stabbing Asanaj was rushed to the hospital but passed away shortly thereafter despite attempts to save his life. Kosovo Police have not yet detained anyone in relation to the murder.

Koha Ditore writes on the front page that it is not yet clear whether Asanaj was killed or committed suicide because there are reports Police found a letter in his office accusing prominent businessman Remzi Ejupi and Zëri newspaper and entrepreneur Abdurrahman Konjufca of destroying his life and that of his family. “I decided to enforce the law by acting this way,” Asanaj is reported to have written in his letter. Ejupi and Konjufca had accused Asanaj in a series of articles published in Zëri of asking for money from them while head of PAK. However, Koha Ditore goes on to say that Asanaj’s autopsy seems to rule out the possibility of suicide. “At least seven stab wounds have been noted in Asanaj’s body,” a reliable source told the paper.

Local and international officials have condemned Asanaj’s killing and called on law-enforcement authorities to find authors of the crime as soon as possible.


EU does not believe liberalization of visas will happen before 2014 (dailies)
The European Commission has finally submitted the roadmap for liberalization of visas to Kosovo. This roadmap lays out the conditions to attain the removal of visas for traveling within EU countries of the Schengen zone. This document was submitted on Thursday to the Minister for European Integration, Vlora Çitaku, by the Commissioner for EU Internal Affairs, Cecilia Molstrom. Officials from the Government of Kosovo expressed optimism that they will fulfill the required criteria without any problem. However there were no predictions about the deadlines by the EU. Malstrom stated that everything will depend on the manner that Kosovo fulfills the criteria.

Draft law to end supervised independence approved (Koha Ditore)
The Commission for the Amendment of the Constitution of Kosovo endorsed Thursday in principal, without any vote against, the draft law for the changes and supplementation of 22 laws that concern the conclusion of the international supervision of the independence of Kosovo, which were sponsored by the International Civilian Office and the Government of Kosovo. Head of the Commission, Arsim Bajrami, considered the endorsement of the draft law which concludes the supervision of Kosovo’s independence, as a major success. “Only four years after the declaration of independence, Kosovo is gaining full independence, as well as complete responsibility to move forward the process of consolidation of the state,” said Bajrami.

Cliff: Ahtisaari’s package, the only path towards the EU (dailies)
British Ambassador Ian Cliff is quoted as saying that full implementation of Ahtisaari’s package and laws deriving from this document is the only way for Kosovo to move ahead on its European integration process. “Ahtisaari’s Plan is based on EU criteria and standards but without its implementation there can be no meaningful independence,” said Cliff in a debate in Deçan. He added that the EU has sent clear messages to Serbia to dissolve parallel structures in the north.

Nikolic: EU promised me it will never request recognition of Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Until yesterday, newly elected Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic was considered a person of the past, however on Thursday this changed. In Brussels he met senior officials of the European Union, all the time treated with the honor of a statesman. Nikolic visited Brussels only three days after his inauguration as the President of Serbia, in the capital of Europe he received support for Serbia’s goal to attain EU membership. He was also told that the dialogue with Kosovo has to continue. Nikolic met with the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and later with the EU President Herman van Rompy and President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Baroso. It is reported that Ashton was heard saying to Robert Cooper: “Robert could you please come because I do not know how he looks.” After the meetings, Nikolic stated he “understood that the EU will never request recognition of Kosovo by Serbia.” He also stated that the dialogue with Kosovo will be entrusted to the Prime Minister of Serbia.

Cooper returns his efforts to the dialogue (Koha Ditore)
The European Union facilitator of the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, Robert Cooper, is expected to return his efforts to the technical dialogue between the two parties after a month-long interruption. Cooper will visit Serbia next week and likely Kosovo. Sources of Koha Ditore informed that the visit to Belgrade was set during the Serbia’s President Tomislav Nikolic visit with the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton. The daily reports that with whom Cooper will meet in Belgrade, since Borislav Stefanovic might not head the negotiation team after the creation of the new Government in Serbia, is unknown.

Thaçi dismisses Gashi from deputy minister post (dailies)
Soon after news broke that Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi appointed former mayor of Skenderaj, Ramadan Gashi, accused of several criminal acts, to the post of Justice Deputy Minister, Thaçi decided to dismiss him. “Mr. Gashi is relieved of his duty because of the indictment raised against him by the State Prosecution,” reads a statement issued by Prime Minister’s Office. Koha Ditore however adds that the same measure was not taken against Deputy Finance Minister Astrit Haraqia who also is indicted for misuse of official duty.

Legislators demand Mimoza Kusari-Lila’s dismissal (Koha Ditore, Zëri)
Papers report that members of the ruling coalition accused Trade and Industry Minister Mimoza Kusari-Lila of imposing tax on cement from Albania for personal gains, specfically to favour Sharrcem cement. Assembly members even threatened that if the decision is not revoked, they will demand Kusari-Lila’s dismissal by initiating a motion in the Kosovo Assembly.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page
• Murder or suicide of Asanaj being investigated
• EU doesn’t believe visa liberalization will happen before 2014
• Thaçi dismisses Gashi but not Haraqia
• Kusari-Lila risks dismissal over SharrCem

Other headlines
• Draft law ending supervision of independence approved (2)
• Politics condemns Dino Asanaj’s killing (3)
• Osmani: Deceit with recognitions damages state interest (4)
• Government with full competencies over budget (4)
• Nikolic: EU promised me it will never request recognition of Kosovo (5)
• Cooper returns to dialogue efforts (5)
• EULEX downsizes but increase in number of judges and prosecutors expected(6)
• Cliff: Ahtisaari’s Package, the only way towards EU (8)

Zëri

Front page
• Visa dialogue to begin now
• Dino Asanaj passed away, didn’t survive wounds
• Cooper, visit for dialogue two
• Excavations in Zhilivoda begin
• Mesic: Kosovo should move ahead, whether Serbia wants this or not

Other headlines
• Kosovo is condition for Serbia (2)
• Petition for square in Mitrovica (2)
• Serbia will never recognize Kosovo (2)
• MPs threaten Mimoza (3)
• Thaçi dismisses deputy minister Ramadan Gashi (4)
• Jahjaga and Thaçi hail EU’s decision (4)
• Companies that import goods with UNMIK/Kosovo labels fined (6)

Kosova Sot

Front page
• Dino Asanaj, head of PAK, stabbed to death
• Pacolli denies war
• Kosovo received roadmap
• Editorial: Another scandal by the deputy prime minister

Other headlines
• Opposition doubts implementation of criteria (2)
• Justice deputy minister dismissed after indictment raised (4)
• Government sets priorities for visa liberalization (4)
• Nikolic suggests prime minister to talk to Kosovo (4)
• Jahjaga visits Iowa (4)
• End of Package (4)
• Kusari-Lila’s dismissal requested (6)