Main Stories 26 March 2008

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  • 10 Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs Offices in Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
  • Rossin: The Serbian document is not in line with the Resolution 1244 (dailies)
  • Thaçi and Sejdiu refuse Belgrade’s plans (dailies)
  • For a decisive UNMIK in cases of the Serbian Plan and Gallucci (Zëri)
  • UN Secretariat refuses Gallucci’s resignation (Express)
  • Russia’s interest for UNMIK to remain in Kosovo and that OSCE mission changes its mandate (Zëri)
  • Pristina Airport director, procurement official and the owner of a private company arrested (dailies)
  • Holbrooke: Serbia irreversibly lost Kosovo (Zëri)
  • Thaçi against the help of Russia for Kosovo Serbs through Belgrade(Zëri)
  • Trajkovic sees the Samardzic proposal as recognition of Kosovo (Zëri)

Kosovo Media Highlights

10 Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs Offices in Kosovo (Koha Ditore)

In the United Nations’ dossier, about parallel structures in Kosovo, there are 10 offices, which Belgrade and the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs have functioning in Kosovo reports Koha Ditore.

Eight are in Mitrovica, while two others are in Central Kosovo. The dossier that “Koha Ditore” has, UNMIK’s intelligence office informs that there are four offices or buildings in Mitrovica where the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs operates.

Meanwhile for the first time the presence of police stations has been documented and illustrated, which are not under the command of internationals or Kosovans, but under the command of the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In the dossier for the security in Kosovo, UNMIK’s intelligence office illustrates all the results of its work that has been put together to send to the United Nations Headquarters, with the request to get instructions what UNMIK should do with these institutions.

Rossin: The Serbian document is not in line with the Resolution 1244 (dailies)

UNMIK’ still hasn’t received any answer from New York, after a week of discussing Samardzic’s document for Kosovo. UNMIK Deputy Chief Larry Rossin confirmed that an answer from New York is still being waited for.

“After I received the letter from Samardzic, I sent it to New York and afterwards we discussed some of its elements, but we haven’t got any answer by now and I can not say anything more” Koha Ditore quotes Rossin as saying, denying the possibility that the Serbian plan will serve as a cooperation document between UNMIK and Serbia.

“The plan can be a basis for discussions with Belgrade, but a lot of parts of the plan are not in line with Resolution 1244, based on what UNMIK acts in Kosovo” Koha Ditore quotes Rossin as saying.

Rossin in addition didn’t want to comment on the accusations of UNMIK Regional Mitrovica Gerard Galluci saying that UNMIK spokesperson has already said that this is an internal issue of UNMIK. Meanwhile UNMIK spokesperson for Mitrovica Gyorgy Kakuk said yesterday that Galluci took some days off, for vacation (he will continue to be International Administrator in Mitrovica) Zëri quoted Kakuk as saying.

Thaçi and Sejdiu refuse Belgrade’s plans (dailies)

Two main leaders of the Kosovo institutions, Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi assessed on Tuesday as unimportant the non-serious different proposals that come from Belgrade about Kosovo’s partition.

Even Thaçi, clearly more nervous than previous times, gave a message to the media to not lose time with such proposals and not to give them any space, since they are unacceptable and can not be implemented in Kosovo.

“In Belgrade everyone can write articles or plans. But everything that comes from Belgrade to harm Kosovo, will not even be discussed, and I ask you not to lose time neither minutes in the media to present harmful opinions for Kosovo,” Thaçi is quoted as saying.

Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu admitted that UNMIK has informed Kosovo institutions about the proposal it has received from Serbia about Kosovo’s partition.

“We did not have any real discussion on this, because it was not addressed to us. Whenever, for any such tentative proposal, our response will be this: We treat Kosovo as integral,” Kosovo President Fatmir Sejidu is quoted as saying.

Former Head of the Kosovo delegation for Viennatalks, Lutfi Haziri, said that Samaradzic’s plan was refused twice in the Vienna Talks.

“This plan wants to create the Bosnian model in Kosovo, an internal partition, where Kosovo would escalate institutionally, non-functional in terms of exercising responsibility. The plans wants to displace the population and create a situation in Kosovo where Albanians live in one part and Serbs the other, while there will be two parliaments, two governments,” Zëri quotes Lutfi Haziri as saying.

For a decisive UNMIK in cases of the Serbian Plan and Gallucci (Zëri)

Zëri runs an opinion piece by the editorial office regarding what it calls the two most distinctive problems of the last couple of days in Kosovo: the Serbian Plan for Kosovo and Gerard Gallucci.

According to the paper’s editorial office, UNMIK should officially and as soon as possible turn down the plan of Slobodan Samardzic “because it has become a source of various interpretations and has resulted in tense situations.”

In the case of Gerard Gallucci, the editorial office notes that “things seem to have taken on an irreversible course, because after the letter that Gallucci sent to a number of international addresses, and copied the Serb leaders from the north Marko Jaksic and Milan Ivanovic, in full contravention to the policy of UNMIK, one cannot see how Gallucci can continue cooperation with the local government in Mitrovica and with the UNMIK leadership in Pristina.”

UN Secretariat refuses Gallucci’s resignation (Express)

Express reports that the rebellious international administrator of Mitrovica, Gerard Gallucci, will return to Kosovo on Wednesday to resume his ordinary duties in the town that has turned into an arena of clashes over the option of partition.

According to the paper, the Secretariat of the United Nations has convinced Gallucci to withdraw his resignation. “Gallucci submitted his resignation through email, but the UN Secretariat has convinced him to withdraw his resignation,” unnamed international sources in Pristina told the paper.

“Gallucci’s resignation was discussed in several offices of the Department for Peacekeeping Operations in New York and they applied pressure on him to withdraw his resignation,” added the sources.

In the meantime, senior international officials believe that the Gallucci Case cannot be closed so easily.

Russia’s interest for UNMIK to remain in Kosovo and that OSCE mission changes its mandate (Zëri)

Russia’s support for Serbia’s plan of Prime Minister Kostunica, and Minister Samardzic, for Kosovo’s partition, is of special interest for Russia, which from the Western point of view, is understandable, reports Zëri.

Official Moscow has refused Ahtisaari’s proposal, in which OSCE and UNMIK finish their mandates and leave Kosovo after the transition period. In addition, Moscow has refused to participate in the ICO and EULEX and therefore is out of the internationalstructures that will be supervising Ahtisaari’s package implementation.

As in UNMIK (through the UN, where Russia is one of the five permanent members) same also at OSCE (where Russia plays an important role), Moscow has real influence, therefore through UNMIK and OSCE, Russian and Serbia can have influence in the political and security developments in Kosovo, writes Zëri.

Because of this, it’s not surprising at all that Moscow is interested in the Serbian Plan and UNMIK’s further presence in Kosovo and to change the mandate of OSCE.

Pristina Airport director, procurement official and the owner of a private company arrested (dailies)

The police arrested on Tuesday the managing director of the PristinaInternationalAirport and the Chief of Airport Procurement office, Vlora Ferizi, accused of misusing their official duty.

In connection to this case, Petrol Company owner, Shkëlzen Jusaj was also arrested.

Investigations and arrests were made by the KPS Economic Crime Department and Corruption.

“The first suspect was arrested under the suspicion that it misused its official duty,” KPS spokesperson Veton Elshani is quoted as saying adding that the other official from the Airport was arrested under the suspicion that it has committed criminal offences.

Petrol Company owner, Shkëlzen Jusaj was arrested suspected for committing criminal offence of fraud and helping in criminal offences, report the papers.

Holbrooke: Serbia irreversibly lost Kosovo (Zëri)

The story regarding the status of Kosovo in the U.S. has ended with the recognition of Kosovo’s independence. There are no possibilities to review the U.S. position and everyone knows that. Serbia and Kosovo sooner or later shall start to cooperate, besides all in the economic plan, because that is a natural issue, and it is matter of time when the things will be normalized,” the paper quoted former U.S. Envoy for the Balkans Richard Holbrooke as saying for the Belgrade media.

Former U.S envoy for the Balkans Richard Holbrooke said that U.S. was never in any conflict or contest with the Serb nation, but against the regime of Slobodan Milosevic, whose victim were Serbs. He also added that it is important for the Serbs to remain in Kosovo and also it is important for EULEX to act in the entire Kosovo, the article reads.

Thaçi against the help of Russia for Kosovo Serbs through Belgrade(Zëri)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi opposed the idea of Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow should send convoys with aid for the Serbs in Kosovo coordinated by Serbia’s government. The head of Kosovo government, Thaçi, called on Russia to negotiate with Pristina if they want that aid to arrive in a right destination.

“In any circumstances Kosovo is independent, sovereign and it has its own legitimate institutions. Serb in Kosovo are Kosovo citizens and as such part of the democratic and legal institutions of Kosovo, and it is normal that everything shall go through the legitimate institutions of Kosovo, after agreements that might be achieved,” Thaçi said.

Trajkovic sees the proposal of Samardzic as recognition of Kosovo (Zëri)

Vice President if the Serb National Council, Rada Trajkovic, considers that behind the offer of Samardzic addressed to UNMIK in reality is hidden the recognition of independence of Kosovo in the current borders, and the offer of Kosovo Albanians to talk for the north of Kosovo.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page

  • 10 offices of the Serbian Interior Ministry in Kosovo
  • Three arrested in relation to oil tenders in the airport
  • Thaçi and Sejdiu refuse Belgrade’s plans
  • Rossin: Serb document is not in accordance with Resolution 1244
  • Calmy Rey will inaugurate Swiss Embassy in Kosovo
  • Skopje ready to start talks on demarcation
  • Government selects representatives for the KTA Board

Other headlines

  • Against concessions for the recognition of the state (4)
  • Krasniqi: It’s not a privilege to be an advisor (4)
  • Two more members of Faton Hajrizi and Burim Basha group arrested (5)
  • European liberals support Kosovo’s integration into EU (6)
  • Ponos: American arms for Kosovo are not a threat (6)
  • Marnhac: It is up to Serbs to decide to return to institutions (7)
  • Hegarty: Kosovo Security Force sooner or later (8)
  • Arsic: Mitrovica Serbs are working only for themselves (9)
  • Serb-mania in the north of Kosovo, harmful (9)
  • Hugo Chavez: Imperialist America, through Kosovo, damages Russia (9)
  • The state of thanks (10)

Zëri

Front page

  • Kostunica, in cooperation with Moscow, offers functional partition of Kosovo
  • Editorial: Medicine and politics
  • Dino Hasanaj proposed KTA Board deputy president, Slobodan Petrovic, a member
  • Sejdiu and Thaçi refute Samardzic’s plan, UNMIK does not close the door
  • Holbrooke: Serbia has lost Kosovo irreversibly
  • Samardzic’s plan has been refused twice in Vienna talks, says Haziri
  • Kosovo with the example of two Koreas, will enter the UN
  • Two more suspects for Dubrava Prison escape arrested

Other headlines

  • Russia’s interest for UNMIK to remain in Kosovoand for the OSCE mission to amend its mandate (2)
  • For a determined UNMIK in the cases of the “Serb plan” and administrator Gallucci (3)
  • Thaçi against Russia’s aid for Kosovo Serbs through Belgrade (3)
  • Rossin does not comment his encounter with Jerry Gallucci (3)
  • Kosovo expects unconditioned recognition by Macedonia (4)
  • Airport director and official and the owner of a private company arrested (5)
  • “Çohu”: Dino should not be in KTA Board, because he has shares in IPKO (4)
  • Two more suspects arrested in Malisheva and Istog, arms and ammunition confiscated (5)
  • Sejdiu: We expect numerous recognitions of Kosovo after BucharestSummit (6)
  • Now is the time to start and build the state of Kosovo, Wokalel says (6)
  • Serbia is trying to violate Kosovo’s territorial integrity, says official Berlin (6)
  • Kostunica says he will run contests with countries that have recognized Kosovo (7)
  • Rada Trajkovic sees Samardzic’s proposal for UNMIK as recognition of Kosovo (7)
  • Ivanovic calls Samardzic’s newest plan on Kosovo unreal (7)
  • Chavez: USA has made Kosovo independent to hamper Russia’s strengthening in the world (9)
  • Around 2,000 Serbs protest against Kosovo’s independence (8)
  • Kosovo will make no concessions on independence, says Krasniqi (9)
  • One thousand American troops will come to Kosovo as a regular rotation, says General Davoren (8)

Kosova Sot

Front page

  • Afrim Haziri, Vlora Ferizi and Shkëlzen Jusaj handcuffed
  • Editorial: Champions of corruption
  • Price of power to rise, KEK ‘refreshes itself’
  • Constitution, after “Albanian”, KSF enters
  • Korean formula for Kosovo’s entrance into the UN
  • Dino Hasanaj and Fadil Ferati experts of the coalition in KTA Board

Other headlines

  • Recognize us without conditions! (2)
  • LDK, without official candidate for the Foreign Minister (3)
  • Assembly to convene on 28 March, debate on tenders postponed (3)
  • Kosovo’s territory – untouchable (4)
  • Rossin: UNMIK has received no answer from New York (4)
  • Kacin, satisfied with the rhythm of recognition (4)
  • Hoolbrooke: USA in the same positions (4)
  • Judah: Samardzic wants partition of Kosovo (4)
  • Number of the arrested people reaches 23 (9)
  • Davoren: 1,000 U.S. troops, part of the rotation (10)
  • Rossin interested where UNMIK can be helped (10)

Epoka e Re

Front page

  • Airport shaken
  • Holbrooke: Serbia has lost Kosovo, it can lose Europe as well
  • Sejdiu and Thaçi do not accept partition
  • No concessions for the recognition of the state

Other headlines

  • Kostunica: Our priority – Kosovo, not EU (2)
  • Jeremic: Super powers are imposing Kosovo’s independence (2)
  • Czech postponed the recognition of Kosovo’s independence (2)
  • Medvedev: Russia objects to NATO expansion (3)
  • 1,000 U.S. troops are part of the regular rotation (6)
  • KFOR remains committed to stability and security (6)
  • Around 2,000 Serbs protest against Kosovo’s independence (9)

Express

Front page

  • A pleasant journey
  • Rivalry whistles
  • They sober up
  • Gallucci’s resignation refused
  • Serb proposal, ground for talks

Other headlines

  • Editorial: Kosovo, Serbia’s Achilles heel (2)
  • Czech postpones recognition timeframe (4)
  • They hope on unconditioned recognition (5)
  • The explosive north (4)
  • Kosovo in Serb elections (5)
  • Regular rotation (6)
  • Three more arrested (6)
Lajm

Front page

  • Under the clutches of businesses
  • Serb plans for partition are in vain
  • Citizens’ remarks ignored
  • Announced arrests
  • He does not intend to withdraw

Other headlines

  • Recognition by Macedonia a done job (2)
  • Schwarzenberg: Czech should recognize Kosovo by 2 April (2)
  • Korean formula for admission in the UN (3)
  • Fried: NATO will continue to maintain peace in Kosovo (3)
  • American soldiers in Bondsteel, not in Mitrovica (3)
  • Serb police to respect Kosovo’s borders (4)
  • Ivanovic criticizes Samardzic for developments in Kosovo (4)
  • Supply of Kosovo with arms is not a threat for Serbia (4)
  • Serbs protest against NATO (5)
  • Support for corruption by Prime Minister Thaçi (9)
  • Mexhoani innocent (10)
  • Arrests on Dubrava case continue (10)
Bota Sot

Front page

  • Independent Kosovo turns down Serb medieval dreams
  • Wokalek, Germany’s first Ambassador to Kosovo!
  • Airport director and two other officials suspected of corruption arrested
  • Catch the thieves, who are the thieves?
  • The notion Albanian inserted in the constitution of Kosovo
  • NATO will continue to maintain peace in Kosovo

Other headlines

  • In Mitrovica – a stable situation and under control by security authorities (4)
  • Czech will recognize Kosovo’s independence on 2 April (4)
  • Assembly will not discuss public procurement report (4)
  • Kosovo will have its own defense force (7)
  • Marnhac: Help me to help you! (7)
  • Kosovo’s partition can generate a new crisis in Kosovo (7)
InfoPress

Front page

  • ‘Serb letters’ worthless
  • Airport boss arrested
  • Ibar [River], the flashpoint
  • Without conditions
  • Korean formula for Kosovo?

Other headlines

  • Against territorial concession (2)
  • Editorial: Kosovo’s army (2)
  • UNMIK welcomes Russian initiative (4)
  • Kostunica: Our priority is Kosovo, not EU (4)
  • Chavez: USA is misusing Kosovo (4)
  • Proposal, autonomy for Serbs (5)

Belgrade Media Highlights

  • Rossin: Possible discussion on Samardzic’s suggestion (Tanjug/Beta)
  • Ivanko: UNMIK will help Russia in delivery of humanitarian aid (Tanjug)
  • Haggerty: KFOR remains main security factor in Kosovo (RTS)
  • Czech Government without consensus on Kosovo (RTS)
  • Alexey II: Dangerous idea of “great Albania” (Tanjug)
  • Ponos: Inappropriate and damaging move of Washington (RTS)
  • Kosovo Serbs asking for termination of relations with Albania (Tanjug)
  • Judiciary workers still protesting in Kosovska Mitrovica (RTS)
  • Judah: Samardzic proposal sort of partition (Tanjug)

Rossin: Possible discussion on Samardzic’s suggestion (Tanjug/Beta)

Deputy UNMIK Head Larry Rossin has stated that the proposal of Serbian Minister for Kosovo Slobodan Samardzic might be the base for a discussion between Serbian Government representatives and the UN Mission. Rossin said that the suggestion of official Belgrade has been passed to the UN in New York, and instructions are awaited from there. Rossin mentioned, nevertheless, that many parts of that plan are in discord with UNMIK’s mandate.