The north to be protected by the state not the residents

• The north to be protected by the state not the residents (Koha Ditore)
• A “northern citizen” is requested for negotiations (Zëri)
• Kuçi announces another 25 July (Koha Ditore)
• We will not speak to Belgrade (Express)
• Mitrovica: Albanians take up arms on self-defense (Kosova Sot)
• Jahjaga: Events in the north, unacceptable for Kosovo (dailies)
• Sparkes: We are doing as much as we can (Koha Ditore)
• Zbogar: Basic dialogue with northern Serbs, Serbia could be involved (Koha)
• Kurti expresses to Rasmussen concern over situation in the north (dailies)
• Nikolic campaigns in Mitrovica (Zëri)
• Bogdanovic: OSCE to assist in holding elections in Kosovo (Epoka)
• Kukan calls for release of Hasan Abazi (dailies)
• Net over the Government (Express)


Kosovo Media Highlights


The north to be protected by the state not the residents (Koha Ditore)
The call of the Mitrovica mayor Avni Kastrati to the Albanian residents in the north to protect their own doorsteps is being considered as scandalous by Kosovo Assembly leadership. Both the members of the ruling as well as opposition parties said the citizens are not obliged to organise themselves against possible terrorist attacks but the institutions should provide security as set forth in the Constitution.

Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi said local and international mechanisms are responsible for guaranteeing security in every corner of Kosovo. “The security should be provided by the institutions of Kosovo,” said Krasniqi.

Head of the Vetëvendosje parliamentary group Visar Ymeri said that Kastrati’s appeal goes to show that local institutions are not ready to take over responsibilities for resolving the situation in the north. “The statement of the mayor is scandalous,” noted Ymeri. At the same time, head of LDK group Ismet Beqiri said the Government of Kosovo is behaving completely irresponsible in face of recent developments in the north.

A “northern citizen” is requested for negotiations (Zëri)
Zëri reports that until September or November this year, if Pristina’s request is accepted, local elections will be held in northern Kosovo that would bring new municipal leaders who would be acceptable for negotiations for that part of Kosovo. Citing sources in the Kosovo Government, the paper reports that the OSCE is discussing ways to find a formula for organizing elections that would result in “northern citizens” for negotiations with Pristina.

“First, the new municipality of Mitrovica North must be established, according to the Ahtisaari Package, and then hold elections with respect to Kosovo laws and rules, but without saying that these elections are being held according to the package which suggested independence as the final status of Kosovo. Concrete results are expected in September-November this year, if everything goes to plan,” a senior government official told the paper.

Kuçi announces another 25 July (Koha Ditore)
Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi is quoted as saying that actions similar to those on 25 July will be necessary to establish rule of law in the north of Kosovo. He said delays in the intervention were caused so as to make sure to differentiate between citizens and criminals. “Action of 25 July will be necessary but not desirable for the Government of Kosovo,” said Kuçi in an interview for KTV.

We will not speak to Belgrade (Express)
Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi said after a meeting with Albanian representatives of Preshevo Valley that the Government of Kosovo will not discuss with Belgrade its internal affairs. He did not rule out the possibility of talking to the leaders and the Serbs in the north but rejected any solution that would go above Ahtisaari’s package. “Government of Kosovo has expressed readiness to talk to its citizens that have a concern. But this means that we will have an approach for implementing Ahtisaari’s package, Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo but no dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia on Kosovo’s internal issues,” said Kuçi.

Mitrovica: Albanians take up arms on self-defense (Kosova Sot)
Based on a Top Channel story, Kosova Sot reports that that a day after the message of Mitrovica mayor, Avni Kastrati, that Albanians in the north should defend themselves from armed Serbs, it appears that they have understood self-defense as the only alternative. They appeared armed up to teeth, sending messages against the Government but refused to face the cameras fearing that their arms would be confiscated.

Jahjaga: Events in the north, unacceptable for Kosovo (dailies)
Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga said that there will never be room for anarchy in the free Kosovo. “We have to jointly oppose the violence that is destroying our future and progress. Last weekend’s events in Mitrovica that took the life of one Kosovo citizen and injured his family, are unacceptable,” said Jahjaga. She made the comments at a meeting with Albanian and Serb women entrepreneurs in Shtërpce.

Sparkes: We are doing as much as we can (Koha Ditore)
Five days of investigation have not been sufficient for Kosovo Police and EULEX to find at least the motive behind the attack on Haradinaj family where Selver Haradinaj was killed. EULEX deputy chief, Andy Sparkes admitted in a short discussion for Koha Ditore the limitations that this mission has on the movement in the north due to the barricades set by the local population there. “It is not that we are not helping. But the obstacles that we have in the north are well-known. We cannot move the way we would like to. We have expressed our concern regarding offering the rule of law. But we are doing as much as we can,” said Sparkes.

Zbogar: Basic dialogue with northern Serbs, Serbia could be involved (Koha)
Koha Ditore reports that the EU Special Envoy and Chief of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, has admitted that he is concerned with the recent incidents and tensions in the north and at the Kosovo-Serbian border and appealed to all parties to refrain from heated rhetoric in order to find an acceptable solution for integration of the north and relaxing of Pristina – Belgrade relations with a rational approach.

“I consider that basic dialogue between Kosovo Government and people that live in the north should take place, because the solution can be found in this manner. Of course Serbia as a country that has its people and citizens in the north of Kosovo will be included in a way, in all likelihood, but I do not know, this issue belongs to Kosovo. However, primary discussions should be organized within Kosovo,” said Zbogar.

Kurti expresses to Rasmussen concern over situation in the north (dailies)
Vetëvendosje leader Albin Kurti has written a letter to NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen expressing his deep concern over the drastic worsening of the situation in the north of Kosovo. Kurti said that Albanian residents in the north have no institutional support and that “they are at the mercy of illegal structures of Belgrade which continue to use force to intimidate Albanians into fleeing their homes”. “KFOR is still responsible for providing a safe environment for all the people of Kosovo. Therefore we call on you through this letter to undertake immediate measures to station KFOR troops to prevent further incidents,” the letter reads.

Nikolic campaigns in Mitrovica (Zëri)
Zëri reports that Tomislav Nikolic, leader of the Serbian Progress Party, held an election rally in Mitrovica yesterday saying that Kosovo will always remain part of Serbia, “until the last Serb is walking this earth”. Nikolic accused Serbian President Boris Tadic of using Borislav Stefanovic to reach agreements in Brussels that are highly detrimental for Serbs.

Bogdanovic: OSCE to assist in holding elections in Kosovo (Epoka e Re)
Epoka e Re reports that in an interview for Serbian media, the Serbian Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanovic said parliamentarian and presidential elections must be held all over Kosovo and that Serbia will call on the OSCE to monitor these elections. According to Bogdanovic, the OSCE would only have to monitor the elections and not determine the number of polling stations and other criteria.

“We have agreed that it would be bad to hold elections only in the north. This would be a bad message for the international community who is obliged to help us organize elections throughout Kosovo, in Pristina too, because someone could rightfully conclude that Pristina wants Kosovo to be divided,” Bogdanovic added.

Kukan calls for release of Hasan Abazi (dailies)
Several dailies report that Eduard Kukan, chairman of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo, has sent a letter to Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, calling for the immediate release of Hasan Abazi, leader of the Kosovo Miners Union. The latter was arrested by Serbian authorities in Koncul on March 28th. “The individual freedoms of people should not be put at risk over political problems,” Kukan wrote in his letter. “We express deep regret that such steps are being made at the time of the election campaign in Serbia.”

Net over the Government (Express)
Based on sources close to Kosovo Special Prosecution, Express reports that at least four senior officials of Kosovo Government are expected to be arrested very soon. According to this daily, ministers and at least one deputy minister are suspected of corruption and abuse of the official duty. “We expect arrest of four officials,” said to this daily an international prosecutor. He added that he cannot mention any of the names, but that the arrest concerns senior officials. The U.S. Ambassador Christopher Dell and ICO chief Pieter Feith, have already pointed their fingers at the Government, says this daily.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page
• The north should be protected by the state, not by the residents
• Zbogar: Basic dialogue between Government and northern Serbs, Serbia can be involved
• Jahjaga: Events in the north, unacceptable for Kosovo
• Sparkes: We’re doing all we can
• The government is willing to reduce policy taxes for Presevo residents
• Kukan and Kacin call on Serbia to release Hasan Abazi

Other headlines
• Kuçi anticipates another “July 25th” in the north (3)
• Kurti conveys to Rasmussen concern over deteriorating situation in the north (4)
• Residents of the north call on institutions to act urgently (4)

Zëri

Front page
• “A northern citizen” is requested for negotiations
• No motion of trust on Thaçi
• Zbogar concerned about situation in the north
• LDK accuses itself
• Institutions must defend homes

Other headlines
• Kuçi anticipates actions in the north (2)
• Belgrade conditions Kosovo Serbs (2)
• No room for anarchy in Kosovo (4)
• Former KLA guerilla threaten (4)
• MIA criticizes KFOR for lack of action (5)


Kosova Sot

Front page
• Chamber of Lawyers violated the Constitution
• Editorial: A fistful of people are keeping us hostage
• Mitrovica, Albanians get weapons for self-defense
• Five people questioned in Mustafi case
• 261 officials hide their wealth

Other headlines
• Another 21 bills processed to the Assembly (2)
• Quiet at the Assembly, the debate on the north fails (3)
• Jahjaga starts meetings, “we won’t allow anarchy” (3)
• Thaçi informs Ban Ki-moon about situation in Mitrovica (4)
• Serbia calls on OSCE to monitor elections in Kosovo (4)

Epoka e Re

Front page
• Against the anarchy in the north
• Zbogar: The issue of the north should be resolved with local Serbs
• KLA veterans threaten
• Mitrovica, Albanians take up arms on self-defense

Other headlines
• Kukan and Kacin have requested release of the trade unionist (2)
• Bogdanovic: OSCE should help on elections in Kosovo (2)
• Nikolic: Kosovo is part of Serbia (2)
• Haliti and Miletic represent Kosovo at NATO Parliamentary Assembly (4)
• Against anarchy in the north (4)
• Lauka: Borders are untouchable (4)
• Kurti writes to Rasmussen and Drews (5)
• Jahjaga allocates 5,000 euros for Haradinaj family (5)
• No extraordinary session for the north (6)
• Kosovo like countries of the region (9)
• Kosovo remains outside (9)

Express

Front page
• Net over the Government
• Ramë Suzuki
• The north, as usual

Other headlines
• Kurti writes to NATO (4)
• The north moves the President (5)
• We don’t talk to Belgrade (5)
• Zbogar: Government to talk with local Serbs (5)
• Without permission in the north (6)
• Arrest for revenge (6)
• They deny corruption (10)

Bota Sot

Front page
• Can the doorstep be protected empty-handed?!
• Don’t play with the borders of Republic of Kosovo
• Deputy Minister Petrit Selimi and 261 other officials are hiding their assets
• There will be no Assembly discussion on the north without PM Thaçi

Other headlines
• President Jahjaga meeting with security structures (2)
• Kosovo offers help to the eastern Kosovo (3)
• Kukan and Kacin request the release of Hasan Abazi (3)
• Kosovo Government announces another 25 July in north of Kosovo (4)
• They are requesting protection from the state or self-protection (6)
• Zbogar: The issue of the north should be solved inside Kosovo (7)
• Former US President Clinton confirms support for Kosovo (7)
• Jahjaga: There will be no place for anarchy, but for rule of law (7)
• One strategy for the protection and security of Albanians in the north (10)
• Police: The reports in the Zëri newspaper not true (12)