Main Stories 12 November 2012

  • Thaçi: I will meet Dacic, even in Belgrade (Koha Ditore)
  • Dialogue not without removal of parallel structures (Koha Ditore)
  • They expect Thaçi to brief them (Zëri)
  • Reforms, not dialogue, lead Kosovo towards EU (Koha Ditore)
  • Daci: German – French model is best (Epoka e Re)
  • Ahmeti: Great risk from Kosovo’s eventual partition (Zëri)
  • Former Serbian MUP in Istog wounded (dailies)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Thaçi: I will meet Dacic, even in Belgrade (Koha Ditore – front page)

In an interview for Zagreb-based weekly Jutarnji List, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi said he is confident that Kosovo will be integrated in the European Union and NATO, and that Serbia will accept the reality of the independent state of Kosovo.

“We were at war with another regime. Things have changed, Dacic has changed too, so has Tomislav Nikolic, who was a Serb government official at the time of war. They are now in the power and they have the legitimacy of their people and the international community, the same I have, therefore I will always talk with them,” Thaçi said. When asked if he would go to Belgrade, he said, “yes if it is necessary.”

Dialogue not without removal of parallel structures (Koha Ditore – page 3)

According to Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi, the dialogue for normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia cannot move forward without removing Serb parallel structures from Kosovo and implementing the agreements reached thus far. Kuçi said that the Kosovo Government will present this position at the next meeting in Brussels, which has been scheduled for 10 December.

Kuçi said Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi is ready to travel to Brussels whenever the EU requires. “When the EU makes such a request we are ready to respond. The topics are: implementing agreementsalready reached, withdrawing illegal security structures, and other issues that we will discuss with the EU,” Kuçisaid. “We will introduce topics that will be harmonized with the EU; however, complyingwith agreements reached so far and removing illegal parallel structures are preconditions for moving forward,” he added.

They expect Thaçi to brief them (Zëri – front page)

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi is expected to resume briefing institution heads and opposition leaders - except Vetëvendosje - about his second meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacicthis week. It is not yet known yet if Thaçi will brief Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi, whom he ignored after his first meeting with Dacic.

“I believe by the end of this week, [Thaçi] will go before Parliament to inform MPs about his second meeting with Serbia’s Prime Minister Ivica Dacic,” PDK parliamentary group chief Adem Grabovci told the paper.

Meanwhile, Vetëvendosje representatives argue that meetings between Thaçi and Dacic serve only to pave way to the real topic of dialogue – the northern part of Kosovo: “The Prime Minister won’t address this topic in Parliament. Rather, he will mention other topics - like the highway, the implementation of allegedly technical issues by Serbia - leaving the impression that there is readiness to normalize relations between the two countries.”

Reforms, not dialogue, lead Kosovo towards EU (Koha Ditore – page 3)

As far as normalizing relations between Pristina and Belgrade is being emphasized – a precondition for advancing of the European agenda of both countries – the European Union continues to insist that all countries implement reforms and fulfill rule of law criteria if they wish to be part of this mechanism. Even though the emphasis is on improving relations between Pristina and Belgrade, European diplomats in Kosovo said that there will be no EU for Kosovo until the requested reforms are implemented. According to integration experts, dialogue with the Serb side is a “super priority.”

Daci: German – French model is best (Epoka e Re – front page)

Nexhat Daci, leader of the Democratic League of Dardania (LDD), said he is against the idea of applying the German-German model for relations between Kosovo and Serbia, arguing that this implies that Kosovo will one day be in a union with Serbia.

“The ‘two Germanys’ model would be disastrous as this project would mean that Kosovo would one day be in a union with Serbia. This project should not be applied for the normalization of relations between our countries. I favor the German–French model, rather than the German–German model, but we should not forget that the German–French model includesFrance takinglarge parts of Germany for itself. I am more in favor of international opinions; a formula needs to be found inside the Ahtisaari Plan, which would provide more possibilities,” Daci elaborated.

Ahmeti: Great risk from Kosovo’s eventual partition (Zëri – page 2)

Ali Ahmeti, leader of the Democratic Union for Integration and former leader of the Albanian guerrilla army in Macedonia, said that the crisis of conflicts can return to the Balkans in case there are no investments in peace and trust. “A concrete example in this respect is the sensitive issue of Kosovo. If Kosovo’s borders are changed and if one part of Kosovo breaks away, this will pose a great threat, because no one can guarantee that there won’t be a domino effect,” Ahmeti added.

Former Serbian MUP in Istog wounded (dailies)

Several dailies report that Momir Pantic, former member of the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs, was wounded by an unknown attacker while driving on the Peja-Mitrovica road. Pantic received light bodily injuries from the gunfire. Serbian media reported that Pantic was a member of MUP in the municipality of Istog until March 1999 and he is now living in Kraljevo, Serbia. According to Express, Pantic was head of the Serbian MUP for the Istog region.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page

  • Thaçi: I would go to meet Dacic even in Belgrade
  • Kuçi: Dialogue cannot move forward without removal of illegal structures
  • Government and EULEX impede works at squares according to project
  • Appeal on institutions to monitor Academy
  • Shops under Gran make business, PAK “does not know” who owns them

Other headlines

  • Odile Perrot, Kosovo’s Council of Honor in Toulouse (page 2)
  • It is reforms and not the dialogue that move Kosovo towards EU (page 3)
  • Sami Lushtaku, Vlora’s “Citizen of honor” (page 4)
  • Some time enemies, now friends (page 5)
  • Former MUP official in Istog, Momir Pantic, injured by firearm (page 5)

Zëri

Front page

  • They expect Thaçi’s reporting
  • Tahiri: Serbia has recognized Kosovo’s integrity
  • Cases from the north, a challenge for the Appeals Court
  • PDK’s budget

Other headlines

  • Cufaj: Is platform required? (page 2)
  • Ahtisari’s Package should be respected (page 2)
  • They accepted independence in the middle of Belgrade (page 2)
  • Ahmeti: If Kosovo divides, the danger is major (page 2)
  • “Filtering” of veterans starts this week (page 4)
  • Thaçi: I guarantee that there will be no division (page 4)
  • Dacic: We will implement agreements (page 4)
  • Without reforms, there is no EU even after five centuries (page 5)
  • Banks; downfall (page 7)
  • Instead of Government, opposition is falling (page 8)

Kosova Sot

Front page

  • People without merits in the judiciary are awarded with positions
  • Editorial: Rightist parties, a leftist people
  • Thaçi: Serbia is playing with fire
  • No consensus on election lists
  • Kuçi refuses to discuss scandals in the judiciary

Other headlines

  • Implementation of IBM agreement, de jure recognition of Kosovo (page 2)
  • Vojvodina might ask for independence from Serbia (page 2)
  • Blerim Rexha nominated for head of KPA (page 3)
  • They accept Kosovo’s independence in the middle of Belgrade (page 3)

Epoka e Re

Front page

  • Daci: German-French model is the best
  • Krasniqi: Do not go outside the Ahtisaari Package
  • LDK criticizes the government about the budget

Other headlines

  • Third meeting late next month (page 2)
  • Ahmeti: Danger from Kosovo’s partition (page 2)
  • Forget about Kosovo’s partition (page 3)
  • Momir Pantic wounded (page 7)
  • Free trade negotiations with EU to start by end of the year? (page 8)

Express

Front page

  • LDK doesn’t request accountability?
  • They are not keeping their promises

Other headlines

  • Nikolic is insulting victims (page 4)
  • Serb Organization: Arrest those who recognize independence (page 5)
  • Veseli was with as (page 5)
  • Odile Perrot, Consul of honor in Toulouse (page 6)
  • Next meeting in December (page 6)
  • Former head of MUP wounded (page 7)
  • Institutions passive in fighting corruption (page 9)

Bota Sot

Front page

  • The coalition is comprised from civilized political parties, and not from a “KLA government”
  • The next meeting Thaçi- Dacic beginning of December
  • EU myth or reality for Kosovo Albanians

Other headlines

  • Thaçi: I am tired telling that there is no division of Kosovo (page 3)
  • Kosovo without reforms – even not after 500 years in the EU (page 4)
  • Guraziu: Kosovo has own model, doesn’t need ‘two Germanys’ (page 5)
  • They are shooting with firing guns towards Albanian houses (page 6)
  • Krasniqi: Outside Ahtisaari Package more damage than benefit (page 6)
  • Odile Perrot, consul of honour of Kosovo in Toulouse (page 7)
  • Thaçi nominates the man of PDK for the head of KPA (page 9)
  • Words and only words in the fight against corruption (page 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.