War of crimes and organ trafficking
contained in the Council of Europe

• Williamson’s report a heavy burden for Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
• Lunacek: KLA fought for independence and against Milosevic (dailies)
• 67 MPs present comments to Constitutional Court (Botapress)
• US: Less religious tolerance in Kosovo (Bota Sot)
• Rakic: Removal of barricades, not squares, discussed in Brussels (Tribuna)
• Borchardt: Border management one of Roadmap’s conditions (Bota Sot)
• Exhumations in Raska begin next week (Botapress)

Williamson’s report a heavy burden for Kosovo (Koha Ditore)

Reactions continued yesterday after the lead prosecutor of the EU Special Investigative Task Force (SITF), Clint Williamson, presented the results of investigations into allegations of war crimes and organ trafficking contained in the Council of Europe (CoE) report authored by the Swiss senator Dick Marty. Officials from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) wished to refrain from commenting on the report saying they only saw what was in the media. “We think it is a general report as was expected and has opened certain areas in which a number of indictments are anticipated”, said LDK’s Kujtim Shala, adding that the party is ready to assist in establishing the special court and enabling it to function as an independent body. At the same time, Vetevendosje said Williamson’s report contains many political and prejudiced elements as well as logical contradictions. “In legal proceedings, it is very important to establish the time and place of the criminal act as this element forms the basis of the criminal prosecution. On one hand, the SITF mandate is said to consist of post-war crimes to complement the ICTY, but on the other hand, the statement refers to 1998-1999 war crimes for which ‘elements of the KLA’ are accused”, wrote Vetevendosje. According to the office of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, Williamson and his team did an outstanding job. “We are now in the process of setting up a team of judges that will work in this court once there is a new government in place in Pristina”, said Ashton’s spokesperson Maja Kocijancic.

Lunacek: KLA fought for independence and against Milosevic (dailies)

The European Parliament Rapporteur for Kosovo, Ulrike Lunacek, said the charges of alleged crimes against humanity committed by KLA leaders have been hampering inter-regional relations for years and added that the report of the EU Special Investigative Task Force (SITF) lead prosecutor, Clint Williamson, will reveal who is accountable for these acts. Lunacek appealed to the EU to establish the special court as soon as possible, to deal with the claims and raise charges against suspected individuals. She emphasized that it is good that the report talks about “indictments against individuals” and not against the entire Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), which fought for the independence of Kosovo and against the violence of the Slobodan Milosevic regime. 

67 MPs present comments to Constitutional Court (Botapress)

MPs from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), Vetevendosje Movement and communities represented in Kosovo Assembly, transmitted to the Constitutional Court their comments — in connection with the claim by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) that the election of the Assembly Speaker had been conducted in an unconstitutional manner. Speaking for 67 MPs, Kujtim Shala said PDK’s claim was not well-grounded and expressed faith in the Constitutional Court. He said MPs will respect the Court’s decision, which they expect to be impartial. 

US: Less religious tolerance in Kosovo (Bota Sot)

The US Government’s 2013 report on religious rights and freedom throughout the world says that Kosovo’s government, Constitution and policy in general, have respected religious freedom. However, hatred and anti-Semitic language among religious preachers have increased. The report mentions Kosovo imams Shefqet Krasniqi, Irfan Salihu and Enes Rama among those that use hate language and adds that the election of Mufti Naim Ternava for a third mandate was manipulated. 

Rakic: Removal of barricades, not squares, discussed in Brussels (Tribuna)

Officials of the Mitrovica North municipality continue to insist that the cadastral border between the northern and southern municipalities of Mitrovica, as defined by the Ahtisaari Package, gives them the right to make decisions about constructing a square and bridge. In recent talks in Brussels, there was agreement to remove the barricades on the River Iber/Ibar, but not the square built on the bridge’s perimeter, said Mitrovica North Mayor Goran Rakic.

Borchardt: Border management one Roadmap’s conditions (Bota Sot)

EULEX head Bernd Borchardt visited the National Center for Border Management (NCBM), where he was welcomed by NCBM Coordinator Samir Krasniqi, the Minister of Internal Affairs, officials from Kosovo Customs and Kosovo Police, and EULEX advisors. During the visit, the NCBM Coordinator informed Borchardt about the critical role of the NCBM in securing Kosovo’s borders. Borchardt reiterated the importance of a fully operational NCBM. He said:  “Strengthening the capacity of the National Center for Border Management is one of the conditions in the Visa Liberalization Roadmap, and it has been strongly supported not only  by our Mission, but also by our international partners.” 

Exhumations in Raska begin next week (Botapress)

The Working Group on Missing Persons stated that exhumations in Rudnica, Raska, will resume next week. The news was announced after a meeting in Pristina between delegations from Pristina and Belgrade, with facilitation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Exhumations in Rudnica were suspended by Belgrade because of a lack of funds. It is suspected that there is a mass grave at the site containing the remains of 300 Albanians killed and missing during the conflict in Kosovo.
 

/Shqiptarja.com

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• Dick Marty