Thaçi saves Kusari-Lila from dismissal

• Thaçi saves Kusari-Lila from dismissal (Koha Ditore)
• Mustafa: Dell and Thaçi did not keep their word (Koha Ditore)
• Isufi: No request yet for a coalition with PDK (Epoka e Re)
• Solution, within Ahtisaari plan (Express)
• Fitou: France doesn’t support new plan for the north (Kosova Sot)
• Pacolli: Jeremic like Hitler (Zëri)
• Kuçi: EULEX will not be included in the Constitution (Koha Ditore)
• Brussels waiting for the Serbian Government (Zëri)
• A different Cyprus (Zëri)
• Bërnjak border crossing closed after two unexploded grenades found (Koha)
• Government reports to EC on Stabilization/Association Process (Zëri)
• Policemen are innocent (Express)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Thaçi saves Kusari-Lila from dismissal (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports on the front page that a motion presented at the Kosovo Assembly to dismiss Mimoza Kusari-Lila from the post of Minister of Trade and Industry failed as a result of lack of quorum. The paper notes that Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi contributed directly to the lack of quorum by taking his MPs out of the assembly session. Also the “compromise” solution achieved between parliamentary groups for the annulment of the decision for the customs tax for the import of cement, did not come up for voting. “They fooled us very badly. In the morning they came and asked us not to request the discharge of the minister, but only the annulment of the decision and in some way we agreed. However, we saw that they betrayed us, because when the issue for our request for the annulment of the decision came up, all the deputies of the position left the session, which caused the session not to have enough quorum to vote on the annulment for the decision,” told the newspaper deputies of opposition in anonymity conditions.

Mustafa: Dell and Thaçi did not keep their word (Koha Ditore)
In an interview for Koha Ditore, the leader of the biggest opposition party, Isa Mustafa, said he does not consider the US Ambassador Christopher Dell and the Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi to be people who keep their words. The daily reports that the reason behind this is that, according to Mustafa, neither of them respected the agreement reached in April last year, in order to overpass the institutional crisis created in the country, after Behxhet Pacolli left the Presidency. “We cannot sit and make an agreement, and then deceive each other. The agreement was reached and now we have to give very strong justifications why someone does not implement the agreement,” said Mustafa. The agreement foresaw that the elections should be held six month after the constitutional changes came into power. Until tat time, police officer Atifete Jahjaga was nominated for President, however everything changed at the end of last week, when the Constitutional Court issued a notification that the premature interruption of the presidential mandate is anti-constitutional. “I can add that during the reach of this agreement, which lasted two days at the residence of the US Ambassador Christopher Dell, the Constitution of Kosovo and other laws were considered. There were experts and professionals of the US Embassy, who were always holding the Constitution in their hands,” said Mustafa. He added that mistakes were not made at that time because it was in the interest of the country to overcome the crisis. “It is not my habit to change my words, and neither the conditions with which LDK agreed,” said Mustafa.

Isufi: No request yet for a coalition with PDK (Epoka e Re)
In a front-page interview for Epoka e Re, AAK deputy leader Ahmet Isufi said recent ideas for a ruling coalition between the AAK and PDK are only speculation. Isufi said so far there is no request for a joint government with the PDK and that even if such a request were to be made, the AAK would not agree to join the government. “This government deserves to be attacked or its weak points found so that it can either correct itself or make way for others,” he added. Asked to comment on a KIPRED report stating that a coalition between the two parties is almost certain, Isufi said the report was speculation by people who have remained unemployed.

Solution, within Ahtisaari plan (Express)
Express reports that after the statement by NATO Secretary General that Kosovo should be courageous to find a solution for the north of Kosovo, the Government of Kosovo and opposition political parties stated that there is no other solution except for the one that derives from Ahtisaari’s Plan. “The Prime Minister has stated clearly yesterday that there will be no division, no other status for the north of Kosovo and that there will be only the possibility of implementing Ahtisaari’s Package, Constitution and Kosovo laws,” said Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi.

Fitou: France doesn’t support new plan for the north (Kosova Sot)
French Ambassador to Kosovo Jean Francois Fitou said in an interview for the paper that his country is against the idea of a new plan being drafted to address the situation in the north. “Solution for the north is not to talk about what doesn’t exist but begin to talk only about what exists. So, begin to see what are the services and guarantees offered to the citizens of the north by the comprehensive plan,” said Fitou. He however noted that there is no magic solution for resolving problems in the north and that consistent efforts are needed to prove to the Serb citizens there that they can also enjoy administrative services in the north.

Pacolli: Jeremic like Hitler (Zëri)
Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister Behxhet Pacolli reacted to a statement by former Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic who said that Kosovo would join the United Nations “over his dead body”. Pacolli told reporters in Pristina that Jeremic’s action resembles Hitler’s nationalistic actions. “This is a pathetic, chauvinistic, intimidating statement which resembles Hitler’s statements. The moral obligation of the chairman of the UN General Assembly is to be biased, to be in line with the UN charter that promotes peace throughout the world. This statement however shows that he will not act this way,” Pacolli said.

Kuçi: EULEX will not be included in the Constitution (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that Deputy Prime Minister, Hajredin Kuçi, assured the deputies of the Kosovo Assembly on Thursday that the EULEX mission will not be involved as a constitutional category. For the continuation of the mandate of this mission, Kuçi stated that the Kosovo Assembly will decide, as they have two thirds of the votes. Kuçi rejected the Government’s acceptance that EULEX be included as a constitutional category despite Brussels having made a request to the Kosovo Government. “Government did not accept that EULEX to be included in the constitution. There have been these kinds of requests in Brussels. We have negotiated for the exchange of letters between the President and [EU High Representative Catherine] Ashton. The end of supervised independence means the change of judicial structure of international missions”, said Kuçi.

Brussels waiting for the Serbian Government (Zëri)
The EU High Representative Spokesperson for Catherine Ashton, Maja Kocijancic, is quoted saying that Brussels is waiting for the formation of the new Serbian Government so that dialogue with Pristina can resume. “Immediately after, we will contact the two sides to see when and how the dialogue will continue,” said Kocijancic. She did not rule out the possibility of talks being raised to a more senior level. “We will see how the dialogue goes,” Kocijancic added.

A different Cyprus (Zëri)
According to the paper, the Cypriot diplomacy has been sending positive signals to Kosovo and claiming that there is no reason for panic because of the country’s six-month EU presidency. A senior Kosovo Government official told the paper that it is very likely Kosovo will get a positive mark on the feasibility study, which would then pave the way for negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. “Balkans are a priority for the six-month policy during our EU presidency. Despite our national position on Kosovo, we will act as Europeans in this aspect,” said the Spokesperson of the Cypriot EU Presidency, Nikos Christosdoulides.

Kosovo authorities, however, have reason for concern, especially since the EU is presided by Cyprus, which has not recognized the independence of Kosovo.

Bërnjak border crossing closed after two unexploded grenades found (Koha)
Koha Ditore reports that the Bërnjak border crossing point, in northern Kosovo, was closed for two hours on Thursday after two unexploded hand grenades were found in the area. EULEX spokeswoman Irina Gudeljevic told Serbian news agency Tanjug that the grenades were set on fire and then traffic was restored. The two grenades were found between the Gazivoda Lake and the concrete walls that serve as protection for EULEX and KFOR staff at this crossing point. Ten days ago, two bombs were thrown at the site and one of them went off, which injured a KFOR soldier.

Government reports to EC on Stabilization/Association Process (Zëri)
Representatives of the European Commission in Pristina will meet today with members of the Kosovo Government to discuss information EU officials have on rule of law, human rights, minority protection, and Kosovo’s economic opportunities. The meeting is part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

Prior to every meeting with the government, EC officials meet with civil society representatives. The third meeting with civil society organizations was held on Thursday, focusing on human rights, minority protection, rule of law, freedom of expression, economic challenges, and relations between NGOs and the government.

“The European Union highly appreciates the contribution of civil society to the process of European integration. For us, civil society is a key partner and the EU Office strongly includes civil society in the Stabilisation and Association Process through consultations before every meeting in the SAP dialogue. We find these forums very important given the importance of local non-governmental organizations and we encourage the government to do the same,” said EC representative Samuel Zbogar in a press release.

Policemen are innocent (Express)
Express reports that when Kosovo police officers were assaulted with stones and bottles during an incident in Vidovdan last month, none of them had violated any laws. This was the conclusion of an investigation conducted by the Kosovo Police Inspectorate together with a Kosovo prosecutor and EULEX prosecutor about the incident in Merdare on 28 June. The police inspectorate will conduct another investigation for the eventual administrative violations for the case of Vidovdan.


Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page
• Thaçi saved Kusari-Lila from dismissal
• Mustafa: Dell and Thaçi did not keep their word
• Kuçi: EULEX not included in the Constitution
• Law on VAT begins implementation with 25-days delay

Other headlines
• Grenades in Bërnjak close border crossing (3)
• EULEX arrests four Albanians in Kroi i Vitakut (3)
• OSCE and SEEMO condemn attack against Halil Matoshi (5)
• KEK rejects allegations of Sharrcem (7)

Zëri

Front page
• A different Cyprus
• Diplomatic ‘traders’ of Kosovo
• EULEX not included in the Constitution
• Mimoza nearing surrender

Other headlines
• Government to report to EC about SAA (2)
• Opening of consulate in Strasbourg expected (2)
• OSCE condemns attack against Matoshi (2)
• Rexhepi: Fight against crime a priority (2)
• Justice obstructers under the investigations’ scrutiny (4)
• Pacolli: Jeremic like Hitler (4)
• Brussels waiting for the Serbian government (5)
• KEK: Sharrcem not telling the truth (7)
• Opposition asks for solution for the north (8)

Kosova Sot

Front page
• France doesn’t support a new plan for the north
• Assembly powerless, cement tax remains
• A new invitation for EULEX
• Deficit with Bosnia, €28 million
• Editorial: Surrender over cement

Other headlines
• Kosovo, soon with general consulate in Strasbourg (2)
• Çitaku to ask Thaçi to reconfigure Government (2)
• Feasibility study being discussed (3)
• Serbia has stolen Danube-Preshevo-Thessaloniki project (3)
• Dacic: We are hostage to Kosovo (3)
• Two grenades block border point in Bërnjak (3)
• EULEX arrested four suspects (13)

Epoka e Re

Front page
• Isufi: We do not have a request for coalition with PDK
• The tenth Croatian contingent arrived in Kosovo
• They request Mimoza’s resignation
• EULEX will not be a constitutional category

Other headlines
• Germany requests from Dacic to implement the agreement (2)
• Serbia aims for EU without recognizing Kosovo (2)
• Serbs of the north request UN defense (3)
• Kosovo will soon purchase its embassy building in Washington (5)
• Kosovo can soon become part of MCC agenda (3)
• Soon police attachés will be sent out as well (7)
• Kosovo at the Fund of Central and Eastern Europe (8)
• Limaj: The decision was hastened (9)

Express

Front page
• Jahjaga precedent
• The innocent police officers
• Pacolli a missionary?
• They nail Mimoza

Other headlines
• Consulate in Strasbourg (4)
• Jeremic like Hitler (5)
• Solution within Ahtisaari’s Package (5)
• Vlora’s warnings (6)
• Meets NGOs (6)
• Grand passes to PAK (10)

Bota Sot

Front page
• Minister Mimoza Lila-Kusari stands behind a criminal group!
• EULEX will not be included in Constitution, promises Kuçi
• In north of Mitrovica EULEX disturbs Albanians



Other headlines
• General Drews visits Istog (3)
• Grenades in Brnjak closed border point (4)
• Zbogar: EU recognizes civil society contribution in integration process (7)
• EULEX is not entering in the Constitution, promises Kuçi (8)
• EULEX arrested suspected in the murder case in Kroi i Vitakut (10)