Main Stories 10 November

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  • UN-EU-Serbia agreement reached for EULEX deployment? (Zëri)
  • Thaçi and Sejdiu meet Quint and EU representatives (dailies)
  • Institutions are silent, opposition alarmed over EU-Belgrade agreement
  • Brussels unsatisfied with UNMIK chief Zannier (Zëri)
  • Who is this Ladley? – the late question of Western diplomacy (Zëri)
  • Editorial: Two strategic mistakes of the European Union (Zëri)
  • Jones: EULEX in the entire Kosovo territory within two months (Koha)
  • Kadriu does not need UNMIK permission to rebuild his house (dailies)

Kosovo Media Highlights

UN-EU-Serbia agreement reached for EULEX deployment? (Zëri)

Citing unnamed Western diplomatic sources, Zëri reports in its leading story that representatives of UNMIK/UN and the European Union have reached an agreement in principle with the Serbian Government on the modalities of EULEX’s deployment in Kosovo, and on cooperation between Belgrade and UNMIK on the six areas specified by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The paper reports that Serbian President Boris Tadic and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic were successful in connecting the results of their dialogue with the UN and UNMIK representatives with the talks on EULEX’s deployment which are being held with EU authorities.

The same sources told the paper that the agreement is filled with ambiguities which can be interpreted differently by the stakeholders: UNMIK and UN, the European Union (ICO and EULEX), Kosovo and Serbia. In general, it is expected that the agreement will become a source of major disagreements that will make even more difficult the implementation of Martti Ahtisaari’s package and may even block it completely.

In a separate article on the same issue, Zëri carries the full content of the agreement between UNMIK and the Serbian Government for cooperation on Ban Ki-moon’s six areas.

Thaçi and Sejdiu meet Quint and EU representatives (dailies)

The papers report that President Sejdiu and Prime Minister Thaçi met yesterday with Quint and EU representatives over the six points proposed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The meeting continued late into the evening, but despite the insistence of the media, the local institutions issued no information about the content of the talks.

According to Zëri, a representative of French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner attended the meeting in the capacity of EU representative. The paper also quotes unofficial sources as saying that Kosovar representatives expressed major disagreements over Ban Ki-moon’s points. The talks are expected to resume today (Monday).

Under the headline Quint pressure over the six points - Pristina doesn't give up, Koha Ditorereports that Quint representatives and EU representative Eric Chevalier for several hours applied pressure on Kosovar leaders to find a compromise over the six points. According to unnamed sources, Kosovo leaders have not yielded. “The Kosovar side was decided not to change their position and to respect the Constitution of Kosovo,” said the source.

The same sources added that the attempt was meant to reach an agreement one day before the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers.

Epoka e Re reports on the front page that no agreement was reached in last night’s meeting and that talks will resume today.

Institutions are silent, opposition alarmed over EU-Belgrade agreement

Zëri reports that three days after Pierre Mirel said the EU has agreed with Belgrade’s terms for the deployment of EULEX and after Pieter Feith’s position that Mirel’s comments do not represent the official position of the EU, there has been no statement yet from the Office of the Prime Minister of Kosovo on what seems to be a backstage agreement over Kosovo. Meanwhile, the opposition criticizes the Government of Kosovo for being irresponsible toward these developments.

Brussels unsatisfied with UNMIK chief Zannier (Zëri)

Zëri reports that within the leadership of the European Union, including EU High Representative Javier Solana, there is growing dissatisfaction with the EU’s choices of staff in Kosovo, especially with Lamberto Zannier, the chief of the reconfigured UNMIK, who is seen as responsible for the Ladley affair. “However, it seems that now is too late to correct the mistakes that have emerged from this process,” the paper adds.

Who is this Ladley? – the late question of Western diplomacy (Zëri)

“Who is this Ladley? What is he doing in Belgrade?” According to Zëri, these were recently the two most frequent questions asked in Western diplomatic circles in Pristina, as well as in Brussels, Washington and other capitals, after the information that Ladley arrived in Pristina with an agreement with the Serbian Government on behalf of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The paper notes that Ladley’s first step, a lack of coordination between the UN and EU, has led to Serbia having the initiative the whole time and that the best versions of the agreement between UNMIK, the UN and the Serbian Government, would create problems for Kosovars and internationals.

Editorial: Two strategic mistakes of the European Union (Zëri)

The paper carries an opinion piece by the editorial office which talks about the European Union’s two strategic mistakes during talks about the deployment of EULEX in Kosovo. “First, Brussels agreed that Serbia would not pay any consequences in its EU agenda if it rejects the deployment of EULEX in Kosovo. Second, Brussels did not reject the connection between the fate of EULEX and the fate of talks between Serbia and UNMIK,” the paper argues.

Jones: EULEX in the entire Kosovo territory within two months (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditorereports that the U.S.administration believes that EULEX will deploy in the entire Kosovo territory by the end of this year or at latest by mid-January 2009, and believes thatEULEX does not expect any resistance during its deployment in territories inhabited by Serbs. In an interview Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Stuart Jones gave to Koha Ditore, he said the U.S.is active in the process of reconfiguration of the international presence in Kosovo and that it hopes that Serbs would welcome EULEX. He did notreveal any details on how this going to be achieved, but said that talks are being held between many parties. The daily also quotes Jones as saying that he doesn’t expect any changes inU.S. policy towards Kosovo following Obama’s election as president.

Kadriu does not need UNMIK permission to rebuild his house (dailies)

Most of the dailies use the words ‘media spectacle’ to describe yesterday’s press conference in Suhadoll. Koha Ditore quotes UNMIK Spokesperson Alexander Ivanko as saying that Kadriu does not need UNMIK permission to rebuild his house, but that there is concern about his security. However, UNMIK police have been stopping him for two weeks and he was even arrested, according to this daily. Troubles began two weeks ago when a group of Serbs attacked the workers that were rebuilding Kadriu’s house.

“UNMIK says that it is protecting Kadriu because they have information that Serb paramilitaries could threaten him, and as you know he was not allowed to work. Ali was arrested without any legal grounds, without the order of a prosecutor, and we intend to appeal,” Kadriu’s lawyer Tomë Gashi is quoted as saying.

Ivanko said that SRSG Zannier is informed of the case and is in direct contact with the Mitrovica Mayor. “We are making efforts to find the best possible way for Kadriu to start work and return to live in his house, because it is his right,” said Ivanko, adding that it will not be easy to resolve the issue. Asked about the 120 other families, Ivanko said that we will try to resolve this problem for now, then we will see about the others, reports Koha Ditore.

Main Stories 09 November 2008

  • Brussels has really reached agreement with Belgrade (Koha Ditore)
  • President’s Office: Elections after four years (Koha Ditore)
  • Government keeps silent vis-à-vis EU contradictions (Koha Ditore)
  • UN must investigate the Serbian genocide in Kosovo (Express)

Brussels has really reached agreement with Belgrade (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reported on Sunday that Pierre Mirel might have told the truth in his statement in Belgrade. Brussels has really agreed with Belgrade, although not with New York about the deployment of EULEX in Kosovo, the paper adds.

Unnamed diplomatic sources in Brussels told the paper that Mirrel did not lie when he stated in Belgrade that the EU has agreed with Belgrade’s terms for the deployment of EULEX in Kosovo.

The same sources also said that the main problem on this issue is between EU countries which makes the deployment of EULEX without the explicit permission from the UN and Belgrade more difficult.

President’s Office: Elections after four years (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reported that the dream of Ramush Haradinaj to become Prime Minister of Kosovo in autumn 2009 has been dashed by the Office of the President of Kosovo, which has stated that the next parliamentary elections would be held after four years.

“Local elections will be held around November next year according to schedule, whereas national elections will be held after four years as foreseen in the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo because the mandate of Assembly members is four years,” is the position of the Office of the President.

A senior international source told Koha Ditore that international officials in Pristina, namely the ICO, would most probably agree with whatever Kosovar authorities decide on the issue of elections.

Government keeps silent vis-à-vis EU contradictions (Koha Ditore)

The paper reported that the Government of theRepublic of Kosovo has chosen silence instead of reaction over the EU contradictions on the deployment of EULEX. For two days, the government has nothad any comment on the statements about an ‘agreement’ with Serbia for the mandate of this mission. The director for the western Balkans at the European Commission’s Directorate General for enlargement, Pierre Mirel, stated on Friday that the European Union has accepted all the conditions of Serbia for the deployment of EULEX.

UN must investigate the Serbian genocide in Kosovo (Express)

Express reported on Sunday that the deputy chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Aleksandër Biberaj has called on the United Nations to investigate the Serbian genocide committed in Kosovo. Biberaj and a delegation of the Council of Europe held a meeting with Francis Deng, UN special advisor for Genocide Issues and Mass Crimes.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page

  • Jones: EULEX in entire Kosovo in two months
  • Quint does not exert pressure on six points – Pristina does not give up
  • Kadriu does not need an UNMIK permit for reconstruction
  • Kosovo recognizes all diplomas obtained abroad
  • “Kosova e Re” remains “Kosova C”?

Other headlines

  • Extra minus of the week: The truth on EULEX (2)
  • Minus: Alush’s license (2)
  • Pristina waiting for Brussels’s official stance (3)
  • Tadic: EULEX can be deployed according to Serbia’s conditions (3)
  • The leader of the SDA branch in Leposavic may be extradited to Serbia (3)
  • PSD: The ultimate time for the rule of law (4)
  • Who is guilty for EULEX problems? (10)

Zëri

Front page

  • UN-European Union-Serbia agreement for the deployment of EULEX in Kosovo is reached?
  • Editorial: For details and the essence
  • What does UNMIK-Serb Government agreement contain for cooperation on Ban Ki-moon‘s six points?
  • Editorial: Two strategic mistakes of EU
  • Institutions keep silent, opposition alarmedover EU-Belgrade agreement
  • LDK is not expected to select its CEO this week either
  • Sheremet Ahmeti – director, Riza Shillova – deputy director of Kosovo Police

Other headlines

  • “Who is this Ladley”– a late question of western diplomacy (2)
  • Brussels unsatisfied with UNMIK chief Zannier (3)
  • Minister Skënder Hyseni takes part in the UN Security Council meeting (4)
  • Thaçi and Sejdiu meet Quint and EU representatives on Ban’s points (4)
  • European Union welcomes additional deployment of EULEX (6)
  • Tadic: EULEX, under Serbia’s conditions (6)
  • Jeremic demands all Serbia’s conditions to be met (5)
  • Kostunica accuses the government of cheating citizens (6)
  • Serbian Ministry has opened the agriculture and rural development office in Kosovo (6)
  • If Zharku is not back this week, an international arrest warden to be issued for him (7)
  • PSD criticizes government for the estimation it made to European Commission report on Kosovo (8)
  • Ali Kadriu is not being allowed to work in his house, says lawyer Gashi (11)

Kosova Sot

Front page

  • The Trust, losses continue
  • Editorial: When irresponsibility has no end
  • Opposition, this is how we win on the ground
  • State protocol, draft sheds light into

Other headlines

  • Hyseni, speech is ready for Tuesday meeting (2)
  • Biberaj calls on the UN to investigate Serb genocide in Kosovo (2)
  • Brussels claims to have accepted Serbia’s conditions on EULEX (2)
  • Jeremic warns Ban on the report (2)
  • Decentralization, after the campaign new municipalities (4)
  • Haradinaj, we will establish the new government next year (8)
  • Gashi, Ali should be permitted to build his house (8)

Epoka e Re

Front page

  • Pristina does not give up
  • Pacolli, Daci and Haradinaj try to get together
  • The state is being damaged
  • What is being recommended to Thaçi government on corruption?

Other headlines

  • EULEX, operational in December (2)
  • Minister Hyseni traveled to New York (2)
  • Serbs want a guarantee “in paper” (5)
  • Ivanko: Ali Kadriu has the right to return to his house (6)

Express

Front page

  • Post-independence topics closed
  • The last Mohican
  • Arrested police officers released

Other headlines

  • Save LDK if you can (3)
  • A fast solution (4)
  • A done agreement (5)
  • Interpellation on the report (6)
  • PSD criticizes on delays (6)
  • A spectacle with misfortune (8)
Lajm

Front page

  • A speculation
  • First the law, then privatization
  • Once more on constitution
  • Daily politics
  • Minister, prosecutor as well!

Other headlines

  • Kosovo diplomacy, late (2)
  • Haradinaj: Talks with Belgrade, dangerous (3)
  • PSD criticizes government on the estimation of EC report (3)
  • For Kosovo, EULEX acceptable according to Ahtisaari plan (3)
  • UN to investigate Serb genocide in Kosovo (4)
  • Pajaziti: Fight against corruption, a priority of the government (5)
  • A spectacle in Ali Kadriu’s yard (10)
Bota Sot

Front page

  • Files, a “bunker” that should be opened!
  • Minister Hyseni takes part in the Security Council meeting
  • UNMIK “eats its words”, says it did not prevent Ali Kadriu’sreturn
  • Assembly to discuss urgently EULEX deployment in Kosovo
  • The delay in establishing Intelligence Agency, in Kosovo’s detriment

Other headlines

  • Don’t joke with us! (4)
  • USA, an irreplaceable ally of Kosovo (5)
  • Government spokesperson denies PSD accusations (5)
  • Haradinaj: Kosovo should present itself and not be a pawn of the others (13)
InfoPress

Front page

  • KEK advised by lawbreakers
  • Justice, a hostage of nepotism
  • EULEX waiting for New York
  • Diplomatic activity to increase

Other headlines

  • Double conditioning (2)
  • EU Council of Ministers (2)
  • Minister Hyseni in the Security Council (2)
  • EULEX creates independent Kosovo (5)

Belgrade Media Update

Monday, 10 November 2008

  • EU Council of Ministers on EULEX on Monday (Tanjug)
  • Tadic: EULEX only with UN guarantees (Tanjug)
  • Mihajlovic: EULEX only with UN approval (Tanjug)
  • Koha Ditore: Brussels and Belgrade have really reached an agreement (Beta)

Sunday, 09 November 2008

  • Tadic: On international presence in Kosovo only with the UN (RTS)
  • Mirell: EU accepts conditions of Belgrade for EULEX (Beta)
  • Postponement of work of EULEX if no agreement is reached in SC (Tanjug)
  • Neutrality unacceptable for Kosovo Albanians (Beta)
  • Kostunica:Government likely to accept EULEX (Tanjug)
  • Djelic on EULEX (Politika)

Monday, 10 November 2008

EU Council of Ministers on EULEX on Monday (Tanjug)

The EU Council of Ministers is to announce on Monday the commencement of work of the EULEX mission in Kosovo for early December, Tanjug learns from sources in the cabinet of High Representative Javier Solana. EU foreign ministers will greet the preparations of EULEX, including the current deployment of mission members, which will enable it to reach its original operative capacity in early December. EULEX will number between 1,300 and 1,500 members- policemen, judges, prosecutors and customs officers. The number will suffice for the beginning of its work and full operative capacity will be reached a little later, when the mission numbers 1,800, the sources state.

Tadic: EULEX only with UN guarantees (Tanjug)

Serbian President Boris Tadic said that Serbia would not agree to the deployment of EULEX in Kosovo until it receives firm guarantees that its conditions for the reconfiguration of the international presence in the province are accepted in their entirety. Tadic underlined that its was extremely important for Serbia that the EU adheres to UNSCR 1244, as the highest international act on Kosovo and the guarantee of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia. He said that he was convinced that Serbia with its precise requests regarding EULEX has excluded the possibility of the deployment of the EULEX mission as being interpreted as its giving up on Kosovo.

Mihajlovic: EULEX only with UN approval (Tanjug)

Director of the Serbian government’s Office of Media Relations Milivoje Mihajlovic said that for the Serbian government the EU mission in Kosovo was acceptable only with UN approval. The government’s position is clear, EULEX can come to Kosovo only if it has approval of the UN. This means that EULEX would work according to UNSCR 1244, and not Ahtisaari’s plan, which means that there is no independent Kosovo, said Mihajlovic. It is clear to all that there can be no independent Kosovo without a decision by Serbia, and Serbia will never pass such a decision, assessed Mihajlovic.

Koha Ditore: Brussels and Belgrade have really reached an agreement (Beta)

The EU has really reached an agreement with Belgrade on EULEX deployment in Kosovo, writes Koha Ditore, referring to sources in Brussels. Diplomatic sources said that the Director for Western Balkans in European Commission’s DG Enlargement, Pierre Mirrel had two days ago been truthful when he said that the EU had accepted Belgrade’s conditions, even though he did not have authorization to discuss this mission. EULEX is being authorized by Javier Solana who is working on behalf of the EU Council. The European Commission, for which Mirrel works, influences EULEX only in terms of the budget, which must also be approved by the European parliament.