Main Stories 24March 2011

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  • Isa Mustafa justifies Pacolli’s violation of the Constitution (Koha)
  • Thaçi: Census, most important process after independence (dailies)
  • Veterans request removal of executive competencies from EULEX (dailies)
  • Thaçi does not comment on EULEX arrests (Zëri)
  • Cameron: Dialogue, an important moment for Kosovo (Express)
  • Pack: Pristina has misunderstood the dialogue (dailies)
  • Tahiri: AAK, part of dialogue (Epoka e Re)
  • Surroi: Kosovo has sidestepped from European integrations path (dailies)
  • Pacolli begins two-day visit to Macedonia (dailies)
  • Putin: Serbia, the best collaborator of Russia (Koha)
  • Feith: Decentralization is ongoing (dailies)
  • The Government does not consider IMF about the budget issue (Koha)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Isa Mustafa justifies Pacolli’s violation of the Constitution (Koha)

Koha Ditore reports on the front page that LDK leader Isa Mustafa used Behxhet Pacolli’s language on Wednesday. Mustafa namely blamed Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi for the fact that Pacolli violated the Constitution by voting for the government several minutes after he was elected President. This in fact was the essence of Mustafa’s justification for not supporting the AAK initiative to denounce Pacolli at the Constitutional Court.

“The voting process was a performance-related problem of the assembly session for which the Assembly Speaker is responsible because he needs to watch who is voting and who is not,” opposition leader Isa Mustafa said on Wednesday. He added that Krasniqi should have told Pacolli to either sit in the president’s chair or go to his office, “because you are no longer a member of the Kosovo Assembly, therefore, you cannot vote.”

Thaçi: Census, most important process after independence (dailies)

All dailies report that Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi has called on all citizens of Kosovo to positively respond to the census process, saying that it is the most important process after the declaration of independence. At a government meeting, Thaçi told his ministers that all preparations have been made to launch the process. Dailies note that the census is scheduled to begin on April 1st and will last two weeks. Kosovo has not conducted a census in over two decades and consequently there are no exact data about the number of the population.

Thaçi also said that with the census, Kosovo will meet one of its constitutional and legal obligations and also a requirement that stems from the Progress Report of the European Commission. He also said that the process would be monitored by international observers.

Veterans request removal of executive competencies from EULEX (dailies)

One of the front-page stories in all dailies this morning are the peaceful protests that has started at the same time in 26 Kosovo centers and which lasted for half an hour, where tens of thousands of people requested that all KLA fighters be released and not prosecuted. “Our war is holy,” said one banner which protesters held in their hands in opposition to EULEX charges against former KLA members for alleged war crimes. Protesters also demanded the removal of executive competencies of EULEX.

Express reports that during the protest in Decan, unknown persons broke into the offices of the War Veterans’ Association and stole only a hard disk from one of the computers. Abdyl Mushkolaj, leader of the War Veterans Association for Dukagjin was quoted as saying, “EULEX did this”.

Thaçi does not comment on EULEX arrests (Zëri)

Zëri reports that Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi did not say a single word about the recent arrest of former KLA members and the arrest warrant against MP Fatmir Limaj. After the government meeting yesterday, Thaçi avoided comments on the matter. The paper recalls that the government recently issued a statement about the arrest of former KLA members.

Cameron: Dialogue, an important moment for Kosovo (Express)

British Prime Minister David Cameron has congratulated Hashim Thaçi on his re-election as Prime Minister of Kosovo and expressed readiness to further the cooperation between Great Britain and Kosovo.

“Kosovo’s future is in integration in Europe and NATO. I express my readiness to further cooperation between our governments, by working closely on important reforms that are required to achieve this goal,” Cameron said.

The British Prime Minister also stressed the importance of dialogue between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia, facilitated by the European Union, saying that it is an important moment for Kosovo.

Pack: Pristina has misunderstood the dialogue (dailies)

European Parliament member Doris Pack said the technical dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade has been misunderstood by the Kosovo side by associating technical with political issues. She also said it is hypothetical to expect the end of dialogue will result in Serbia recognizing Kosovo. “Technical dialogue is one thing and Pristina would have to be pleased if it achieves necessary results. Other issues have to be resolved in time, step by step,” said Pack.

Tahiri: AAK, part of dialogue (Epoka e Re)

In an interview for the paper, head of the Kosovo delegation for talks with Serbia Edita Tahiri said that she has began preparations to include in the team experts from opposition parties and civil society. Tahiri said she already sent invitations to LDK, Vetëvendosje and AAK and so far only the AAK has positively replied to her initiative. She said AAK’s Daut Haradinaj has expressed, in principle, readiness to have his party represented in the team. “AAK has well-prepared people on different fields,” said noted.

Surroi: Kosovo has sidestepped from European integrations path (dailies)

Head of the Foreign Policy Club Veton Surroi in a lecture before the students of American University in Kosovo said that start of dialogue with Serbia is not helping Kosovo get closer to the EU. He said Kosovo has sidestepped from the path towards European integrations and is even having a setback in the process. “The Government has told us it will ask Ms. Ashton to explain what Kosovo will get out of this dialogue. Ms. Ashton said yesterday that Serbia gains the candidate status but the Kosovo issue was not mentioned at all,” said Surroi.

Pacolli begins two-day visit to Macedonia (dailies)

President of Kosovo Behgjet Pacolli began yesterday his first visit to Macedonia in the new capacity. In the meeting with Macedonian President Georgi Ivanov, Pacolli discussed the freedom of movement between citizens of the two countries, economic cooperation, interethnic relations and also signed an agreement on agriculture cooperation. “Macedonia has made a great progress in the field of integrations, Kosovo is in the right path towards Europe and we expect support from Macedonia,” said Pacolli. Kosovo President laid flowers at the monument of the Macedonian hero Goce Delcev as well as at the monument of the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastriot Skënderbeu. Pacolli is to continue his visit today by visiting Tetovo and major business companies in the country.

Putin: Serbia, the best collaborator of Russia (Koha)

Koha Ditore reports that during his visit to Belgrade, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was asked on two separate occasions about Kosovo, but in both cases he avoided comments. Together with a large delegation of businessman and state officials, Russian Prime Minister has stayed in Belgrade and has expressed support for Serbia and especially for economic projects. In a press conference in the afternoon, Russian Prime Minister has avoided the topic about Kosovo after the speech of Serbia President, Boris Tadic he did not say a word in connection with Kosovo. Serb journalists insisted Putin should say something about this issue; however he gave only general statements.

“Russia will be the best collaborator of Serbia and the reasons are clear and they are clarified with our relationship. We evaluate Resolution 1244. It is a sovereign solution how Serbia will develop the relations inside its country and every talk is more positive than the war,” said Putin while commenting on talks between Kosovo and Serbia.

Feith: Decentralization is ongoing (dailies)

Koha Ditore reports that the lack of results in northern Kosovo has not discouraged ICO chief Pieter Feith, the person who supervises the implementation of the Ahtisaari Package and the process of decentralization. Feith said decentralization should continue to be a priority of the Government of Kosovo so that citizens in the north can be assured that it is a good process.

“The best way to convince them that decentralization is a good process is to show them the achievements of a successful decentralization south of Ibër as an attractive model of a modern Kosovo,” Feith was quoted as saying after yesterday’s meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Group on Decentralization.

The Government does not consider IMF about the budget issue (Koha)

Koha Ditore reports that the Government of Kosovo is insisting that the budget should be approved along with the salary raise, regardless of disagreements with the International Monetary Fund on the matter. Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi said Kosovo is an independent state and that no one can dictate when a certain law should or should be not approved. Kuçi also said that the issue of salary raises will be discussed at the assembly session where MPs will also give their suggestions about the Kosovo budget.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page

  • Isa Mustafa justifies Pacolli’s constitutional violation
  • 12 years later: NATO won the war, Kosovo has yet to build the state
  • Thaçi: Census, the most important process after independence
  • Ivanov and Pacolli talk about movement with ID cards
  • Committee: Inclusion of PTK strategy in budget package is anti-constitutional
  • Putin: Serbia is Russia’s best collaborator

Other headlines

  • Veterans call for EULEX to be stripped from executive competencies (2)
  • Surroi: Kosovo has sidestepped from path of European integration (4)
  • Feith: Decentralization continues (5)
  • Government has lobbied to the opposition about the budget (9)
  • Maliqi: EU is looking for formula to integrate Serbia without recognizing Kosovo (11)

Zëri

Front page

  • A donation of €6 million at risk
  • Thaçi calls on the Assembly to adopt the budget
  • LDK at point zero
  • Protesters demand release of liberators

Other headlines

  • Pristina has misunderstood dialogue (2)
  • Thaçi does not comment on EULEX arrests (2)
  • Surroi: Kosovo does not get anything from talks (2)
  • Diplomatic relations with Malaysia (2)
  • Cameron confirms Britain’s support for Kosovo (4)
  • Talks for movement of citizens with ID cards (5)

Kosova Sot

Front page

  • Nontransparent millions
  • Mustafa justifies himself
  • Thaçi doesn’t comment on Limaj and arrests
  • Dell: What did we try for then and now?
  • Editorial: 12 years on, state at crossroads

Other headlines

  • Agreement on European agenda (2)
  • Government asks for the vote for budget (3)
  • Tadic-Putin meeting extended because of Kosovo (4)
  • Diplomatic relations with Malaysia established (4)
  • UK supports reforms in the Republic of Kosovo (4)
  • Krasniqi engaged for rights of communities (4)
  • Dialogue not related to visas (4)
  • Ivanov refused Pacolli’s request for travel with IDs (5)
  • Freedom for liberators demanded in all cities (16)
  • EULEX justice and that of Kosovo to be careful! (16)

Epoka e Re

Front page

  • AAK, part of dialogue
  • Pacolli strengthens state relations with Macedonia
  • Dell: What did we try for then and now?
  • Mustafa: AAK has not made official request
  • EULEX turns 26 cities against it

Other headlines

  • Pack: Pristina has misunderstood technical dialogue (2)
  • Amado: Pristina-Belgrade dialogue affects regional stability (2)
  • Cameron: Dialogue, important for Kosovo (2)
  • Austrian minister Spindelegger visits Kosovo (2)
  • NATO thanked (3)
  • Feith: Decentralisation, there is still work to be done (8)
  • An official in Brussels to coordinate works of two ministries (8)

Express

Front page

  • On their feet for “Çelik”
  • Speaks like Pacolli
  • “The secret pact” Pacolli-Mustafa

Other headlines

  • Dell: Remembering 24 March 1999: What were our efforts then and now? (2)
  • Shkullaku: (2)
  • Dialogue, an important moment for Kosovo (4)
  • Kosovo will not benefit anything from the discussions (5)
  • First technical dialogue (6)
  • Decentralization is not over (6)
  • Strategic partner (6)
  • Putin supports the dialogue (6)
  • Work at Limaj’s (9)
  • They don’t ask FMN (10)

Lajm

Front page

  • Squares filled
  • What were our efforts then and now?
  • Calls citizens on census
  • Stopping the ethnic cleansing

Other headlines

  • Kosovo’s European agenda (2)
  • Kosovo-Croatia cooperation broadens (2)
  • Cameroon congratulates Thaçi (3)
  • Decentralization, a principal of democratic world (3)
  • Pacolli requests free movement (4)
  • Pack: Technical issues should be resolved (7)

Bota Sot

Front page

  • EULEX is staining the war values of righteous war of KLA
  • LDK recognizes President Pacolli as President of Kosovo
  • In rememberance of 24 March 1999: About what we concentrated our effort then and now?

Other headlines

  • Deputy Prime Minister Kuçi denais the clash Government-Limaj (2)
  • Population census, a process which fulfils constitution obligations (4)
  • EULEX cannot request from deputies to violate the constitution (4)
  • Prime Minister, Cameron thanks Thaçi (4)
  • Kosovo and Turkey deepen the cooperation in the field of education (6)
  • Prime Minister of Malaysia congratulates Thaçi (6)
  • AAK remembers 24 March 1998 (6)
  • Pack: Kosovo is misunderstanding technical dialogue (7)
  • Hoxhaj: Movement without visas soon to be reality (9)
  • Pacolli: 24 March – opened path to Kosovo’s liberty and independence (10)

Infopress

Front page

  • The people defend liberators
  • AAK did not invited as
  • Oposition does not vote for the budget

Other headlines

  • Government revealed a secret of AKI (3)
  • Ready to meet with tadic (3)
  • EULEX with Serb policy (4)
  • Arrests for political balances (4)
  • EULEX as UNMIK (5)
  • Remembering 24 March ‘99: About what we concentrated our effort then and now? (9)
  • Serbs are integrating in the education system (12)
  • Putin supports the dialogue Pristina – Belgrade (14)

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.