NATO does not want to complete EULEX duties

• NATO does not want to complete EULEX duties (Koha Ditore)
• Journalists protest against clampdown on freedom of speech (dailies)
• Krasniqi: EULEX parade (Express)
• Rexhepi calls on KFOR and EULEX to meet their obligations (dailies)
• Turkey supports Kosovo’s security (dailies)
• PDK: Çohu is fabricating (dailies)

Kosovo Media Highlights

NATO does not want to complete EULEX duties (Koha Ditore)
It appears that NATO has gotten tired of EULEX failures in Kosovo, especially in the northern part, to the extent that the Secretary General of the Alliance, Anders Fought Rasmussen, decided on Monday to say publicly what NATO diplomats have been saying privately for a long time: NATO is being put in position to deal with problems that are not of a military nature. Speaking Monday at a session of the Committee for Foreign Policies of the European Parliament, Rasmussen said that the lack of EULEX resources is having strong affects on NATO. “I am very much concerned with the EU mission, EULEX, lack of resources. This in practice has strong implications for NATO, because our mission, KFOR, is put in a position to take over responsibilities and duties that were not foreseen, especially in the northern part,” said Rasmussen. He went on to say that he believes that close cooperation will redefine duties appropriately.

Journalists protest against clampdown on freedom of speech (dailies)
Dailies report journalists protested on Monday in front of the Assembly of Kosovo against the endorsement of articles 37 and 38 of the country’s new Penal Code. The journalists held 15 minutes of silence to symbolically demonstrate their muzzling as a result of the “intensions” of the state. Afterwards they said “let them stop the games.” The leader of the Association of Kosovo Professional Journalists, Arben Ahmeti, said that voting for of such a code is shameful, adding that it would not be a surprise if the President did the same thing.


Krasniqi: EULEX parade (Express)
Express reports that Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi, during a lecture at the private university Universum harshly criticized the European rule of law mission in Kosovo, EULEX. Known for his frequent criticism of international institutions in Kosovo, Krasniqi called EULEX a mission which performed more of a show on the rule of law than it contributed to strengthening it. According to Krasniqi, EULEX could have done much more for the rule of law other than holding a parade. “I am disappointed with EULEX in Kosovo,” said Krasniqi.

Rexhepi calls on KFOR and EULEX to meet their obligations (dailies)
Several dailies quote Kosovo’s Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi as saying that KFOR and EULEX must meet their obligations and not allow Serbian politicians to enter Kosovo’s territory through alternate routes. Rexhepi commented on the recent arrests by Serbian authorities, saying that special units of Kosovo Police could have also arrested members of the Serbian MUP if they wanted to. “If we wanted this, our special units not once but on several occasions could have arrested members of the Serbian MUP,” Rexhepi added.

Turkey supports Kosovo’s security (dailies)
All dailies cover yesterday’s visit by the Turkish Interior Affairs Minister Naim Shahin to Kosovo, highlighting his promise to his Kosovar counterpart, Bajram Rexhepi, that Turkey will support the development of the Kosovo Police, through training of helicopter pilots. “Turkey is ready to assist with the promotion of new staff. We talked with Minister Rexhepi about training members of the Kosovo Police, especially in the field of preparing staff for helicopter flights,” Shahin was quoted as saying.

PDK: Çohu is fabricating (dailies)
Several hours after anti-corruption NGO Çohu published a report accusing the Government of Kosovo of giving tenders to its associate companies to the amount of €100 million, the Kosovo Democratic Party (PDK) reacted. It qualified the report as a fabrication and added that it would file a lawsuit against the organization. “The Kosovo Democratic Party encourages civil society to contribute to processes to the state and to contribute to the fight against negative phenomenon, but we must do so while respecting the law and by addressing information to the relevant authorities and not by making fabrications in order to get funds,” read the PDK reaction.

Çohu issued an immediate reaction to the PDK’s statement, saying that the latter issued its reaction even without reading Çohu’s report. Çohu said it would start distributing its investigative report and will also submit it to the Special Prosecution of Kosovo, the Kosovo Assembly, the PDK and to other parties. Zëri quotes Çohu leaders as saying that they’re not afraid of the PDK indictment, “because facts are on our side”.


Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page
• NATO doesn’t want EULEX’s duties
• Turkey feels it’s its duty to help Kosovo
• Ferizaj 2012: Campaign of promises and accusations
• “Bansko Plan” of economic development revived
• “Kosovo protects author” with campaigns not laws

Other headlines
• Reporters, protest against repression of free speech (2)
• Rexhepi calls on KFOR and EULEX to implement their tasks (3)
• PDK reacts: Çohu is insinuating (6)
• Çohu: PDK to explain allegation of insinuation (6)

Zëri

Front page
• Mustafi hides facts about his ‘mates’
• EULEX failed in police theft case
• Turkey gives support to Kosovo security
• Rasmussen, concerned with EULEX

Other headlines
• Krasniqi visits Turkey (2)
• Krasniqi: I am disappointed with EULEX (4)
• Reporters protest: We were betrayed by the Government (5)
• Campaign for Ferizaj sets off (5)
• Çohu encourages PDK to sue it (6)
• Advices in vain (7)

Kosova Sot

Front page
• Millionaire NGOs should be investigated
• Change the code
• EULEX with insufficient resources
• Privatization made 75,000 workers jobless
• Editorial: Censorship

Other headlines
• Operational plan against Serbian elections (2)
• Report about 100 millions ends in prosecution (2)
• Rrecaj doesn’t expect indictment against Limaj (4)
• Hoxhaj talks to Zbogar about integration (4)
• Protest against terrorism (4)
• Criticism about reduction of troops in Kosovo (4)
• Barricaders beat up an Albanian who hit a Serb with his car (13)
• Election campaign opens in Ferizaj (14)

Express

Front page
• They are going for Ferizaj
• They don’t accept blackmail
• Difficulty with diplomas
• They hope for the President

Other headlines
• Krasniqi visits Turkey (4)
• Serbs can only choose the Ahtisaari Plan (4)
• Hoxhaj and Zbogar discuss integration (5)
• Kosovo and Turkey together for European future (6)
• EULEX parade (6)
• Rasmussen concerned about EULEX (6)
• Firing shots in Mitrovica (8)
• Kosovo rich in gold (10)


Bota Sot

Front page
• Prime Minister Thaçi and Behxhet Shala from CDHRF with modern houses
• Whistles of journalists in the “deaf ears” of the man in power
• Eight candidates in race for one year mandate for mayor

Other headlines
• Kosovo police and EULEX are patrolling together in the north (2)
• Albanian attempts to cross the barricades, causes accident and attack by Serbs (3)
• Welcome for Turkish Interior Minister Idriz Naim Sahin (3)
• APJK requests President not to sign the Penal Code (4)
• UBT and UNIDCEF conduct joint projects (6)
• The state of Kosovo is threatened from outside and inside (7)
• We have an operational plan against local elections of Serbia (8)
• Minister Makolli visits Italy (9)
• Head of Kosovo Assembly to visit Turkey (9)
• The Head of Kosovo Assembly Krasniqi holds a lecture at the University College Universum (11)