Civil Defence Suspected of Carrying out Terrorist Attack (Koha Ditore)

Main Stories 10 April 2012

·  “Civil Defence” suspected of carrying out terrorist attack (Koha Ditore)

·  Bajram’s jokes! (Zëri)

·  Dell does not exclude the possibility of the dialogue for the north (Koha)

·  Tahiri: The north does not exist (Express)

·  KFOR temporarily suspends plan to block alternative roads (Koha Ditore)

·  UNMIK condemns the violent attack at the “Three Towers” (Koha Ditore)

·  Vetëvendosje: Government, accomplice in orchestrated incidents (dailies)

·  ANA: Take measures in the north (Zëri)

Kosovo Media Highlights

“Civil Defence” suspected of carrying out terrorist attack (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore quotes sources close to the investigation into the blast in north Mitrovica as saying that the so-called “Civil Defence” organization led by Jovica Lazarevic and Desimir Janicijevic are behind the attack that left one Albanian man dead and wounded others of the same family.

Although there are no concrete results in the investigation, preliminary information suggests that this was a well-prepared attack against the Haradinaj family.

Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi said the situation in the north is calmer now with police patrolling the area. Rexhepi said the attack has been classified as a terrorist act based on the way it was carried out. “First the intention to kill as many people as possible; second the method and the means used. According to legislation, these fulfill the criteria of a terrorist act,” said Rexhepi.

Bajram’s jokes! (Zëri)

The container set up by the Kosovo Police in the ‘Three Towers’ neighbourhood of north Mitrovica lasted only five minutes before rebel Serbs demolished it and chased away the two police officers stationed there under the order of the Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi, writes the paper. The two police officers were sent to the north to guarantee security to the Albanian residents there.

Kosovo Police could not confirm whether there will be fresh attempts to set up another container as the same spot. Spokesperson Besim Hoti said such ‘static check-points’ were set up in other locations as well.

Dell does not exclude the possibility of dialogue for the north (Koha)

The US Ambassador in Kosovo, Christopher Dell, has not excluded the possibility of dialogue on the north to take place this year. In an interview for RTK, Dell said that serious observation of the situation in the north will happen before elections in Kosovo. He also said that much will depend on the new government in Serbia when it comes to the north.

Dell excluded the possibility of some special status or some other kind of autonomy for the north to resolve the problem there. The Kosovo Government and the US do not support such solutions, he said. A dialogue between the Government of Kosovo and Serb citizens that live in the north, on the conditions of their lives, is needed in order for them to feel as comfortable as possible in the Republic of Kosovo.

Tahiri: The north does not exist (Express)

The Kosovo Government has not publicly admitted to date that it will discuss the north with Belgrade. Despite the current situation there, Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri made a strange statement for Express on Monday, stating that the issue of the north does not exist. “I have said it earlier for the media that the issue of the north does not exist, and it is not good for it to be mentioned in the media. What does exist is the challenge of Serb integration in the north. Ahtisaari’s Plan is a plan within the Constitution of Kosovo, and we are obliged to implement it,” said Tahiri adding that there will be no political discussion with Serbia on the issue of the north. “The Government of the Republic of Kosovo made it very clear that there will be no discussions with Serbia, this is a closed chapter, and we have also clearly expressed our engagements as a Government for complete integration of the Serb community in the northern part of Kosovo and we have the support of the relevant international factor on this,” said Tahiri.

KFOR temporarily suspends plan to block alternative roads (Koha Ditore)

The killing of Selver Haradinaj in north Mitrovica has led to the deterioration of the security situation in the area and as a result of this KFOR has decided to temporarily suspend plans to close alternative roads which enable entry into Serbia from Kosovo without going through border checks. “We are waiting and watching developments,” said KFOR Spokesman Dan Harvey.

International sources told the paper that the recent events have underscored the need to dissolve Serbian parallel structures and begin the dialogue on the north.

UNMIK condemns the violent attack at the “Three Towers” (Koha Ditore)

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Kosovo, Farid Zarif, harshly condemned the bomb attack that happened on Sunday morning at “Three Towers” in the north of Mitrovica. “The 38 year old man, Mr. Selver Haradinaj, father of four children was killed by the blast and his two children were injured. We express condolences to the Haradinaj family. Our minds and prayers are with them,” says Zarif’s reaction. “This act of violence should be condemned by everyone. And all should cooperate closely with the investigation taking place to make sure that perpetrator(s) is brought in front of the justice. Such acts of violence cannot and should not be tolerated. Such acts only threaten peace and stability in Kosovo. I appeal to all citizens to remain calm and to let the respective authorities do their job,” said Zarif.

Vetëvendosje: Government accomplice in orchestrated incidents (dailies)

The Vetëvendosje Movement has issued a press statement reacting to the attacks in the north of Mitrovica and called on the Kosovo Government an accomplice in, as it said, the orchestrated incidents to hold an extraordinary session of the Kosovo Assembly. “The deployment of only two police officers in the ‘Three Towers’ neighbourhood demonstrate the lack of responsibility, operational plan and seriousness of the Interior Ministry,” reads the statement. Vetëvendosje considers that such an insufficient intervention from the Kosovo Government only serves Serbia’s plans.

ANA: Take measures in the north (Zëri)

The Albanian National Army in a statement signed by Col Sokol Deliu said that it will review the decision not to act in Kosovo after the attack against the Haradinaj family in north Mitrovica. “We reiterate that ANA doesn’t operate in Kosovo and Albania but we will now reconsider this regarding Kosovo,” reads the communiqué.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page

·  “Civil Defence” suspected of carrying out terrorist blast

·  Two former culture ministers risk eight years in prison

·  Dell does not rule out possibility of dialogue on the north

·  Campaign in Ferizaj – from sub-branches to Facebook

Other headlines

·  Vetëvendosje: Government, accomplice in orchestrated incidents (2)

·  UNMIK condemns violent attack at ‘Three Towers’ (2)

·  KFOR temporarily suspends plan to block alternative roads (3)

·  OSCE condemns violence in Mitrovica (3)

·  Construction of memorial for Koshare Battle begins (5)

·  Several kilometer long lines in Merdare (5)

Zëri

Front page

·  Bajram’s jokes!

·  Dell: No status for the north

·  ANA: Take measures in the north

·  Anti-corruption, what is that?

Other headlines

·  Constitution to stretch throughout Kosovo (2)

·  Dialogue continues in summer (2)

·  OSCE condemns violence in Mitrovica (2)

·  Pograjc, KFOR’s deputy commander (2)

·  Kuçi: Constitution has become like a ‘carpet’ (4)

·  Ferizaj, barometer for national elections (5)

·  Government contributed to incidents in Mitrovica (8)

·  Messages of unity in Koshare Battle (8)

Kosova Sot

Front page

·  Incidents in the north continue

·  Farmers deceived as well

·  Adventures with Constitution

·  Corruption in business, distracts foreign investors

Other headlines

·  Dacic denies blocking of the alternative roads (2)

·  Albanian students react on the north (2)

·  Tensions in the north favor the dialogue (3)

·  Dell: The north might be in the agenda this year (4)

·  Clashes over election zones holds hostage reform (4)

·  A few more months for Jahjaga (5)

·  Constitution, a historic act (5)

Epoka e Re

Front page

·  Government says yes to discussions on the north

·  A container demolished, the static police point remains

·  Violated slightly and seriously, not implemented in the north

Other headlines

·  Stefanovic: Dialogue continues in summer (2)

·  Dacic: Serbian gendarmerie does not block the road (2)

·  Topi: Cooperation with Kosovo institutions increases (2)

·  Vllasi: To Kosovo, it is not important who wins in Serbia (2)

·  Proud about the war (3)

·  Qosja: Do not touch the national hymn (3)

·  Police and customs remain under EULEX loop (5)

·  Krasniqi: Let us contribute on strengthening of the state (6)

· “Civil Defence” suspected of carrying out terrorist attack (Koha Ditore)

· Bajram’s jokes! (Zëri)

· Dell does not exclude the possibility of the dialogue for the north (Koha)

· Tahiri: The north does not exist (Express)

· KFOR temporarily suspends plan for block alternative roads (Koha Ditore)

· UNMIK condemns the violent attack at the “Three Towers” (Koha Ditore)

· Vetëvendosje: Government, accomplice in orchestrated incidents (dailies)

· ANA: Take measures in the north (Zëri)

Express

Front page

·  The north is killing

·  They are not doing their job

Other headlines

·  Blerim Shala: Kosovar political irresponsibility (3)

·  Roberts: Divide Kosovo (4)

·  They support Sejdiu in Facebook (5)

·  Campaign with Kosovo (5)

·  Four years of constitution (5)

·  Serwer: Pristina has the will to discuss the north (6)

·  Integrate communities (6)

Bota Sot

Front page

·  Dell does not reject the possibility of the dialogue for the north

·  The north “cold war” of Kosovo, Albanians facing Serb gangs

Other headlines

·  AKR condemns the terrorist attack towards Haradinaj family in Mitrovica (2)

·  Slovenian Pograjc will be appointed as KFOR Deputy Commander (3)

·  Constitution should be deployed in the entire territory of Kosovo (4)

·  Message of Jakup Krasniqi in the day of constitution (6)

·  Dacic: Don’t make alternate roads close to KFOR (7)

·  Who is ruling the fuel trade in Kosovo (9)

·  Kosovo police and Customs remain again under monitoring of EULEX (11)

·  OSCE condemns violence in the north (11)

·  Tensions in Mitrovica, Serbs attack Albanian journalists (11)

Disclaimer

This media summary consists of selected local media articles for the information of UN personnel. The public distribution of this media summary is a courtesy service extended by UNMIK on the understanding that the choice of articles translated is exclusive, and the contents do not represent anything other than a selection of articles likely to be of interest to a United Nations readership. The inclusion of articles in this summary does not imply endorsement by UNMIK.