Restructuring Raises Temperatures in LDK (Koha Ditore)

Restructuring Raises Temperatures in LDK (Koha Ditore)

Main Stories 31 March 2010

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  • Restructuring ‘raises temperatures’ in LDK (Koha Ditore)
  • Steinberg: Kosovo independence is a factor of stability in the region (dailies)
  • De Kermabon seeks another mandate with EULEX (Koha Ditore)
  • Kouchner: EU membership for Kosovo and Bosnia uncertain (Epoka e Re)
  • ICJ does not set deadline on Kosovo issue (dailies)
  • PDK heads right (Zëri)
  • Ferati to have own office in the north (Zëri)
  • European Commission neutral on Kosovo status (dailies)
  • Ilir Dugolli, candidate for Minister of Integration (Express)
  • Ahmeti dismissed from Police Director-General position (Express/Epoka e Re)
  • Protesters demand release of persons convicted in Hajra case (dailies)
  • Five Roma families sell apartments in the south and return to camps (Koha Ditore)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Restructuring ‘raises temperatures’ in LDK (Koha Ditore)

LDK officials have said that the government restructuring process will raise temperatures at the party headquarters today when the presidency will meet to reach a definite decision on the reconfiguration of its ministers. The daily adds that LDK officials have even officially admitted that three of their ministers face dismissal. The new ministers to be appointed include Haki Demolli (Ministry of Justice), Bujar Bukoshi (Ministry of Health) and Lutfi Haziri (Ministry of Culture).

Current Justice Minister Nekibe Kelmendi has said that she was informed of her dismissal. “Someone from the Presidency told me that it would be better to resign than to be dismissed,” said Kelmendi, adding that she refused to submit her resignation as she did not commit any wrongdoing.

Steinberg: Kosovo independence is a factor of stability in the region (dailies)

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg has said that the independence of Kosovo supports regional stability, and that Kosovo has made extraordinary progress in the first two years of independence. Steinberg said that despite difficulties in relations between Pristina and Belgrade, there are possibilities for working pragmatically on a range of problems.

De Kermabon seeks another mandate with EULEX (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that French General Yves De Kermabon would willingly lead the European Mission rule of law mission in Kosovo through another mandate, despite the challenges faced by the mission since its deployment. The daily reports that De Kermabon expressed his will to remain as head of the EULEX mission after June, when his current mandate officially expires. “Yves De Kermabon has expressed his readiness to remain as head of mission after 14 June 2010. However, the duration of heads of the missions’ mandates is related to joint actions, that are now called decisions of the Council,” said EULEX spokesperson Karin Lindmal.

Kouchner: EU membership for Kosovo and Bosnia uncertain (Epoka e Re)

Epoka e Re reports that French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has questioned whether Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are ready to become members of the European Union. “We do not want a repetition of Cyprus; respectively, acceptance of a divided country,” Sarajevo media quotes Kouchner as saying on Tuesday during a meeting of eight industrialized countries in Quebec, Canada. He added that the European Union must insist that Bosnia and Herzegovina remain one country.

ICJ does set deadline on Kosovo issue (dailies)

Dailies report that International Court of Justice (ICJ) officials announced that the Court has not set a timeframe regarding its advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo’s declaration of independence. ICJ officials told the BBC that there would not be any delay, but that the date on which the decision would be delivered has not been set. They added that the judges would decide on a date after they concluded their assessment of the respective parties’ testimonies. They also noted that the Court would not rush with the decision.

PDK heads right (Zëri)

According to sources, Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi’s PDK is undergoing an identity crisis regarding its political orientation. Despite the fact that the party has leaned more towards left-wing parties in the past, this course now appears to have changed. Sources within the PDK told the daily that the party has now initiated contacts with European right-wing parties so that it can gain membership into the right-wing bloc.

Ferati to have own office in the north (Zëri)

Local Government Minister Sadri Ferati is reported to have prepared a strategy of his own on the integration of northern Kosovo in spite of Prime Minister Thaçi’s opposition. The daily reports that Ferati aims to open a special office in northern Mitrovica which would be tasked with facilitating the process for the creation of the new North Mitrovica municipality. “His goal is to open an office that would be called the Ministry’s Office for the North, and which would coordinate activities for the establishment of the new North Mitrovica municipality,” a source said, adding that the working groups established by the Government to implement its strategy for the north would subsequently report to the Ministry of Local Government and Administration.

European Commission neutral on Kosovo status (dailies)

Several dailies report that EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle has said that the European Commission is neutral on the issue of Kosovo’s status, but added that there is a clear European perspective for Serbia and Kosovo. “Cooperation in the region and relations between Serbia and Kosovo are very important. Regional cooperation is crucial for the Stabilization Association Agreement, and it must be effective,” Füle is quoted as saying.

Ilir Dugolli, candidate for Minister of Integration (Express)

Citing a Kosova Press report, Express reports that Kosovo Ambassador to Belgium Ilir Dugolli has received an offer from the Government to head the Ministry of European Integration, which is soon expected to be established. When contacted by KosovaPress, Dugolli neither confirmed nor denied the information, and said he is not allowed to talk to the Kosovo media. He added that all inquiries should be forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ahmeti dismissed from Police Director-General position (Express/Epoka e Re)

Express reports that Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi has decided to dismiss Sheremet Ahmeti from the position of Kosovo Police Director-General, and that neither Ahmeti nor Interior Affairs Minister Zenun Pajaziti were aware of Thaçi’s decision. Unnamed sources told Express that Thaçi would announce his decision along with other changes in his government. “He [Thaçi] has not met with Ahmeti because he does not have to. The Constitution allows the Prime Minister to appoint and dismiss the Police Director-General,” the source noted. When asked to comment on the issue, Ahmeti said that he continues to perform his duties, and will do so he receives different official information.

On the same issue, Epoka e Re reports that despite constant rumours of Ahmeti’s dismissal, sources in the government have said that at present, this is not true and is purely media speculation.

Protesters demand release of persons convicted in Hajra case (dailies)

A protest held yesterday in front of the Government Building is reported to have gathered hundreds of citizens who demanded the release of three former KLA members convicted of killing the Hajra family. The protesters claimed that the court’s decision was unjust and is not supported by evidence. The protest lasted one hour after, which the protesters peacefully dispersed.

Five Roma families sell apartments in the south and return to camps (Koha Ditore)

The daily reports that several Roma families who obtained apartments in the Roma Mahalla area in southern Mitrovica are selling their apartments and moving back to the northern part of the city. Roma Mahalla representative Qazim Gushani said that the families are selling their apartments and returning to the camps in the north, hoping to again benefit from a charity project. Mitrovica municipality officials have said that the Roma families are not entitled to sell their apartments in the south, as they only have user rights to the property.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page

  • Restructuring ‘raises temperatures’ in LDK
  • Steinberg: Kosovo independence is a factor of stability
  • De Kermabon seeks another mandate in EULEX
  • Assembly may seek responsibility from Kurti

Other headlines

  • Bajrami: The freedom of freedom of speech (3)
  • Guttenberg: ICJ must resolve matters (4)
  • Daci: Thaçi Government is a government of tenders (4)
  • Protest for release of those convicted of Hajra family murders (5)

Zëri

Front page

  • Restructuring, loading…
  • Ferati to have own office in the north
  • Independent Kosovo is a factor of stability in the region
  • EULEX reports to locals
  • PDK aims right
  • Editorial: Loan sharks

Other headlines

  • De Kermabon seeks another two years with EULEX (2)
  • Kouchner: We do not want another Cyprus in the EU (2)
  • Guttenberg: Kosovo mission deserves more attention (2)
  • ICJ does not set date of ruling on independence (3)
  • Protest in Pristina for release of former KLA combatants (4)

Kosova Sot

Front page

  • Constitutional Court made a mistake, legislators announce debate
  • Thaçi announces positive changes to the Government
  • Krasniqi: Assembly may seek accountability from Kurti
  • Assembly not supervising Government
  • Editorial: Ahead of a new government

Other headlines

  • Kouchner questions Kosovo and Bosnia’s EU membership (2)
  • ICJ: There will be no postponement on Kosovo ruling (2)
  • Kleçka and Divjaka, special interest zones (3)
  • Sejdiu presents Manaj family with “Medal of Freedom” (4)
  • Füle: European perspective for Kosovo and Serbia (4)
  • De Kermabon wants two more years to make EULEX effective (4)
  • Salihaj: 500,000 people lose out from stop to Swiss pensions (4)
  • Protests in Pristina for release of persons convicted in Hajra case (4)
  • Haxha: Unlicensed operators impair sale of Kosovo Telecom (7)

Epoka e Re

Front page

  • Changes are useful
  • Sheremet Ahmeti dismissed?
  • 10 February events to be debated at Assembly on 8 April
  • Thaçi: Affirmation in the Government to continue every day

Other headlines

  • Steinberg: Kosovo independence has stabilized the region (2)
  • Füle: Kosovo has a clear European perspective (2)
  • Kouchner: Kosovo and Bosnia not certain to join EU (2)
  • Return of Serbs to their property is a good message (3)
  • Demaçi: EULEX, do not remind us of Serb courts! (6)

Express

Front page

  • Operation concluded
  • LDK’s word
  • Steinberg comes for dialogue

Other headlines

  • Election campaign begins in Istog (4)
  • Guttenberg: Mission deserves more attention (5)
  • Ilir Dugolli, candidate for integration minister (5)
  • EC neutral on Kosovo (6)
  • Justice for fighters (7)
  • Ready to disconnect (11)

Lajm

Front page

  • Coalition partners do not speak about restructuring
  • Justice for freedom fighters
  • No improvement in social situation
  • Çamëria is not forgotten

Other headlines

  • Two more years to be efficient (2)
  • Steinberg to visit Kosovo (2)
  • Ivanov calls Topi (2)
  • Guttenberg visits German soldiers in Prizren (2)
  • Thaçi: Conditions for return of displaced have been created (3)
  • Kouchner: We do not want a new Cyprus in EU (3)
  • ICJ does not set a deadline (3)
  • Assembly session on Albin Kurti on 8 April (4)
  • Problem in the north regarding electricity bills (7)

Bota Sot

Front page

  • ICJ will not delay its decision, Pristina expects response in July
  • Restructuring fever does not end
  • Assembly to debate Kurti case on 8 April

Other headlines

  • Editorial: Dependent analysts at “independent” media (2)
  • Ahmet Shala in Istanbul (2)
  • Slovenian Embassy begins to issue visas in Pristina (4)
  • “The week of the Assembly” in Gracanica on Friday (3)
  • Stenberg: Kosovo’s independence is a factor of stability in the region (4)
  • Sakajeva: Tunnels of “the futuristic war” (5)
  • Calls for immediate release of those convicted in Hajra case (7)

InfoPress

Front page

  • Three months without recognitions
  • Independence is a factor of stability
  • Two more years as head of EULEX?
  • Calls for release of liberators
  • Police ready to secure borders

Other headlines

  • Kouchner: We do not want another Cyprus in EU (2)
  • Slovenian Embassy issues visas in Pristina (2)
  • Divjakë and Kleçkë, special zones (3)
  • Pre-election campaign for Istog mayor begins (3)
  • Kurti case at Assembly on 8 April (5)
  • Illegal operators harm sale of PTK (6)
  • Minister Rasic promises support for PTK trade unionists (7)

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.

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