Main Stories 15 July 2011

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  • Assembly does not stop discussions with Serbia (dailies)
  • Feith: Creation of the municipality in the north of Mitrovica, depends on Belgrade (Koha Ditore)
  • Krasniqi says that he is not concerned about his and Limaj’s fate (Koha Ditore)
  • Thaçi: I do not listen to Feith (Koha Ditore)
  • Sparkes: Even Thaçi if we had evidence (Zëri)
  • EU supports EULEX on immunity issue (dailies)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Assembly does not stop discussions with Serbia(dailies)

Dailies report that discussions with Serbia will not be suspended, and the three reached agreements will be implemented, because the Assembly of Kosovo did not consider the motion of the three opposition parties, the Democratic League (LDK) of Kosovo, Vetëvendosje and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), that requested this. Dailies report that Thursday’s extraordinary session at Kosovo’s Assembly was full of tensions, and the motion was not passed because the parliamentary majority voted against it. At the end of the debate, 46 deputies voted against, 37 were for and two abstained. Dailies received this information from Vetëvendosje deputy Glauk Konjuvca because the broadcasting of the session was stopped and media were not allowed to follow the entire session, reports Koha Ditore.

Chief of LDK parliamentary Group, Ismet Beqiri, who submitted the motion on behalf of the three parties, said that if the Government insists that the agreements are reached among the two countries, then they should be submitted to the Assembly for ratification. “As far as the agreements are concerned, we also have to stress that our opinion is that with these conclusions, Serbia creates advantage and benefits, while we risk our sovereignty,” said Beqiri.

Feith: Creation of the municipality in the north of Mitrovica, depends on Belgrade (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that the chief of the International Civilian Office in Kosovo, Pieter Feith, admitted on Thursday that the establishment of the municipality in north Mitrovica cannot be reached without Belgrade’s support. At the press conference, after the meeting of the International Steering Group on decentralization, speaking about the challenges on creation of the northern municipality, Feith said that only Belgrade can convince the Serb community in the north to accept decentralization.

“We should be realistic that there are concerns and there are limitations, but we have to work on the resistance in the north, and this will take us time,” said Feith.

Krasniqi says that he is not concerned about his and Limaj’s fate (Koha Ditore)

After returning from his visit tothe European Parliamentarians in Brussels, Assembly Chairperson Jakup Krasniqiresponded to the U.S. Ambassador Christopher Dell, saying that he is not concerned about his or Fatmir Limaj’s fate, but that he wants order and law to rule in Kosovo, adding that he is not defending his friend. “I do not want to prejudge anything, but I can say one thing, that what I am doing is defense of the rule of law, and I do not deal much with concerns of personal fates, such as mine or Fatmir’s,” said Krasniqi.

Zëri reports on its front page that Krasniqi’s message to the U.S. Ambassador Christopher Dell was that the population can push him down, not somebody else.

Thaçi: I do not listen to Feith (Koha Ditore)

In the second part of his interview for Koha Ditore, Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi reportedly said that interference of the supervisor of Kosovo’s independence, Pieter Feith, on the nomination of Governor was unnecessary. Thaçi spoke extensively about his relations with Feith, saying that the letter should seek the answer on why Kosovo’s Special Prosecution wanted to investigate him, “at the house he works for” not elsewhere. Thaçi admitted he did not agree with Feith’s approach in certain cases, just as Feith did not agree with his. Finally he added that his duty is not to listen to Feith but to govern the country.

Sparkes: Even Thaçi if we had evidence (Zëri)

On the second part of his interview for Zëri, EULEX Deputy Chief Andy Sparkes, said that there is a possibility that an American will lead the EULEX investigating team on Dick Marty’s accusations. According to Sparkes, all the accusations will be investigated, not only those for human trafficking, but also those for organized crime. However Marty has not submitted any evidence yet.

Asked whether EULEX has investigated Mr. Thaçi, Sparkes said that according to his knowledge, Thaçi has not been investigated, however this does not mean that he cannot be investigated. “If we have evidence against Mr. Thaçi, on any accusation, he will be investigated since he is not immune. No one has immunity from investigations,” Sparkes said.

EU supports EULEX on immunity issue (dailies)

Dailies report that the Special Representative of the European Union in Kosovo, Fernando Gentilini, said in an exclusive announcement for Telegraf that Kosovo needs clarification regarding the issue of immunity of Kosovo deputies. “The European Union supports the rule of law and this is all. I have discussed this issue with the Assembly Chairperson, whom I met this week. The intention of this meeting with Mr. Krasniqi was to clarify that the EU fully supports EULEX work, including on this issue. There should not be any misunderstanding on this,” said Gentilini.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page

  • Assembly does not stop discussions with Serbia
  • Thaçi: I do not listen to Feith
  • Feith: Creation of the municipality in the north depends on Belgrade
  • Stopped by Albanian police based on Serbian warrant to arrest

Other headlines

  • Krasniqi says that he is not concerned about his or Limaj’s fate (2)
  • ICO closes regional office in Gjilan (3)
  • Minister Buja denies his involvement on the increase of the number of students (6)
  • Kosovo Government gives to Debellde 330 thousand euros as a compensation for their lands (6)
  • Seeking recovery (10)

Zëri

Front page

  • Jakup to Dell: Population can bring me down
  • Sparkes: Even Thaçi if we have evidence
  • Shaip Muja under investigation
  • Assembly rejects opposition, dialogue continues

Other headlines

  • Decentralization of the north, under Belgrade’s mercy (2)
  • Finland supports Kosovo (2)
  • Kuçi receives support in Brussels (2)
  • KSF marches in Holland (2)
  • Second “knockdown” for Mimoza (6)
  • Kosovo Tax Administration collects 122.2 million euros (7)
  • Stealers of the votes amnestied (9)
  • Constitutional changes start (9)

Kosova Sot

Front page

  • Agreements spark clash between government and opposition
  • Krasniqi: Citizens determine the fate of those who deal with politics
  • Freedom of movement, ready for implementation of conclusions
  • A sign of hope from Brussels

Other headlines

  • ICO: Creation of new municipality in Mitrovica, a priority (2)
  • Hoxhaj in Brussels: Serbia should give up (2)
  • France celebrates National Day (2)
  • Gentilini: EU supports EULEX on immunity issue (3)
  • KDI: Unnecessary confusion on immunity issue (3)
  • Jahjaga: Friendship with Germany, unshakable (4)
  • Kuçi requests equal treatment on integration process (4)
  • LDK: Government is defending corruption affairs (4)

Epoka e Re

Front page

  • Krasniqi speaks on behalf of the vote of the sovereign
  • Ferati: Just an idea on the north
  • Thaçi “Spies”: Ismet Beqiri worked for PDK and against Isa Mustafa in 2007
  • Assembly says yes to the dialogue once again

Other headlines

  • EU supports EULEX on immunity issue (2)
  • Feith sees Belgrade a partner on overcoming the situation in the north (5)
  • ICO shuts down the offices in Pristina, Prizren, Peja and Gjilan (5)
  • Kuçi presents Kosovo achievements in Brussels (6)
  • LDK: Government is defending corruption affairs (6)
  • 122 million euros (9)

Express

Front page

  • Dialogue does not stop
  • Secret company
  • On the way towards suspicions
  • Citizens decide

Other headlines

  • Bunguri: EU’s wrong approach (2)
  • Supports removal of visas for Kosovo (4)
  • Producer of crisis (5)
  • Opposition: Immunity is a PDK issue (6)
  • Supports EULEX request (6)
  • Debellde compensated by the Government (7)
  • KSF in Holland (8)

Bota Sot

Front page

  • Friendship with America more valuable than Jakup’s anger
  • Prosecution free to investigate deputies
  • Hashim Thaçi clashes with Vetëvendosje, LDK and AAK

Other headlines

  • Engagement for Mitrovica’s new municipality (2)
  • Adriatic countries united in one forum (2)
  • Jakup Krasniqi does not give in easily (4)
  • Nait Hasani soon in Vetëvendosje (5)
  • Kuçi meets Pierre Mirel (6)
  • Northern Mitrovica still out of Kosovo Tax Administration control (10)

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.