Main Stories
23 October 2012
 Pristina engulfed in protests and violence (dailies)
 Vetëvendosje announces another protest (Bota Sot – page 2)
 Thaçi: Vetëvendosje in accordance with independence opponents (Koha
Ditore – front page)
 They step up the pressure (Express – front page)
 Thaçi briefs Mustafa and Shala on his meeting with Dacic (dailies)
 Hoxhaj: We will discuss the north only with citizens there (Koha Ditore – front
page)
 UNMIK gave away Deçan’s land to the Monastery (Zëri/Kosova Sot)
 Non-recognising countries, block NATO’s decision on KSF (Koha Ditore –
front page)
 EC hails green light for start of negotiations with Kosovo (Koha Ditore – page
6)
 Kacin: Serbia is not asked to recognize Kosovo (Express – page 6)
Kosovo Media Highlights
Pristina engulfed in protests and violence (dailies)
Papers report that the protest of Vetëvendosje against the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue
started yesterday in the morning and during the day it turned into a clash between
protesters and police. Police arrested 63 protesters, among which also several MPs
from Vetëvendosje Movement who accused police for use of violence. Over 30
persons sought medical help.
In the late evening hours Vetëvendosje announced that it will continue with a peaceful
demonstration at the same place where it faced the police since 11:00 hrs in the
morning at the Mother Theresa square.
Vetëvendosje in a statement to the media expressed determination to continue with
protests and also called for the release of the 58 arrested protesters.
Leader of Vetëvendosje, Albin Kurti, who on Monday for more than 8 hours
continuously led the protest in rejection of the dialogue Kosovo-Serbia, at the end of
the protest after 16:00 hrs, evaluated that they have won first battle. “We will organize
also other protests and demonstrations against political dialogue of Kosovo with
Serbia, which is being called normalization of relations with Serbia”, said Kurti.
Vetëvendosje announces another protest (Bota Sot – page 2)
The paper reports that Vetëvendosje Movement has announced it will stage another
protest today at 11.00hrs under the motto “Against Government violence and police
brutality” demanding release of its activists arrested in yesterday’s protest. “This
demonstration will be a democratic manifestation against the violence of the police
state expressed in the most brutal way possible,” said a statement issued by the
Movement.
Thaçi: Vetëvendosje in accordance with independence opponents (Koha Ditore –
front page)
Koha Ditore reports that Kosovo Government held extraordinary meeting on Monday
led by Hashim Thaçi focusing on latest developments in Kosovo. Thaçi mentioned
approval of resolution for normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia,
which he evaluated as a “step towards European future of Kosovo”. “This process has
started after receiving the roadmap for visa liberalization, after the finalization of
supervised independence and after the compilation of the European Commission
Feasibility Study document”, said Thaçi.
According to the press communiqué released by Government, Thaçi said that the
Vetëvendosje protest was an “isolated act” and stressed that these are “relapses of
earlier objections against the talks in Rambouillet, against international
administration, against Ahtisaari Plan”. He noted that “these voices and these
individuals” are in accordance with the agenda of Kosovo independence opponents.
They step up the pressure (Express – front page)
Express reports on the front page that British Foreign Secretary William Hague will
visit Kosovo this Thursday while US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will stay in
Kosovo on 30-31 October. According to the paper, Clinton could be accompanied by
European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton. All three leaders are expected
to encourage Albanians and Serbs to reach a historic agreement through high-level
political talks.
An American diplomat, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the paper that the
meeting between Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and his Serbian counterpart, Ivica
Dacic, is a sign that parties are in the mood to reach an agreement for normalizing
relations. “This in fact will be the goal of Secretary Clinton’s visit: to encourage the
parties to reach a historic compromise,” he said.
The US diplomat also said that Secretary Clinton would deliver a clear message both
in Pristina and Belgrade. “The Secretary will reiterate Washington’s position that talks
with Serbia do not impact the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of
Kosovo,” he added.
Thaçi briefs Mustafa and Shala on his meeting with Dacic (dailies)
Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi had separate meetings yesterday with
opposition leaders from AAK and LDK. A statement issued by PM Thaçi’s office
states that AAK deputy leader Blerim Shala was briefed on the start of the dialogue
with Serbia and “it was a joint conclusion that the process for normalizing relations
between the state of Kosovo and Serbia should continue”.
Later in the day, Thaçi met with LDK leader Isa Mustafa and both are reported to
have agreed on the need to continue dialogue with Serbia.
Hoxhaj: We will discuss the north only with citizens there (Koha Ditore – front
page)
Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj ruled out the possibility of the north of Kosovo being
granted substantial autonomy as being suggested by certain international officials.
“Those who propose autonomy for three and a half municipalities in the north of
Kosovo have either not read Ahtisaari’s Package or have bad intentions. There can be
no two types of Serb community living in Kosovo, ordinary Serbs and privileged
Serbs,” Hoxhaj told the paper.
He added that the Government of Kosovo will never discuss with Serbia its internal
arrangement. “These ideas are unacceptable for the Government of Kosovo,” stressed
Hoxhaj and added that the Government is nevertheless ready to begin an internal
dialogue with Serb citizens in the north but pointed out that any solution will have to
be within the framework of the Kosovo Constitution and Ahtisaari’s package.
UNMIK gave away Deçan’s land to the Monastery (Zëri/Kosova Sot)
Zëri reports on page eight that around 25 hectares of land belonging to two Deçanbased enterprises could very easily be given away to the Deçan Monastery. The
transfer of real estate – which has caused great concern among Deçan residents and
wider – can happen as a result of a trial that started several years ago and which is
seen by many people as a political process.
The paper notes that everything started in 1993, when the former Slloga enterprise,
currently Illiria, decided to give away to Deçan Monastery a property it was
administering forcefully. This continued in 1997 when the Serbian Government,
through another decision, decided to give away to Deçan Monastery a part of Apiko
company.
“Both decisions were in opposition to the legislation of the time and even in
opposition with Serbia’s discriminatory laws,” said a lawyer who is representing
Deçan municipality in a trial that is going on at the Special Chamber of the Supreme
Court of Kosovo.
Meanwhile, the Special Chamber recently made a decision removing Deçan
municipality as a stakeholder in the process with the excuse that the property was
administered by the Kosovo Trust Agency. UNMIK representatives, who represented
the former KTA in the process, instead of protecting the interests of the enterprises,
decided to go against them by reaching an agreement with the monastery. “This is the
biggest violation because UNMIK is not the holder of rights and obligations of the
former KTA, as these were transferred to the current Kosovo Privatization Agency. In
fact, speaking on behalf of the KTA and in opposition with all applicable laws,
UNMIK decided to give away the lands of these two properties, thus continuing what
the Serbian regime had initiated in 1993 and 1997,” said another lawyer involved in
the trial.
On the same issue, Kosova Sot reports on page fourteen that members of Deçan
Municipal Assembly have categorically opposed the agreement between the former
Kosovo Trust Agency and the Deçan Monastery, approved by UNMIK, which gave
away 23 hectares of land to the monastery. Municipal assembly members want the
Kosovo Parliament to address the issue and for a competent court to annul the
decision.
Non-recognising countries, block NATO’s decision on KSF (Koha Ditore – front
page)
Kosovo Security Force (KSF) is unable to become independent due to the absence of a
political decision from NATO saying that the force has reached its full operational
capacity. The decision that would pave way for Kosovo institutions to decide on
upgrading the KSF current status into an armed force is not being taken because of
four NATO member states that have not recognized independence of Kosovo, writes
the paper.
Late last year, KFOR sent a report to NATO where it concluded that KSF has met all
technical criteria to become independent but the Alliance has not reached the political
decision as yet. The problem, according to paper’s sources, is finding a way to phrase
the decision of the NATO Council. “Since NATO has four member countries that do
not recognize Kosovo as a state, the Alliance cannot give any formulation which could
be understood as some kind of support for a military force,” said an unnamed senior
official from Brussels.
EC hails green light for start of negotiations with Kosovo (Koha Ditore – page 6)
European Commission said in a press release that it has hailed the decision of the EU
Council to authorize the start of negotiations with Kosovo on a framework agreement
that enables Kosovo to take part in EU programmes. “This is a welcomed step which
brings Kosovo a step closer to benefiting from EU programmes like the other
countries in the Western Balkans,” Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele is quoted
as saying.
Kacin: Serbia is not asked to recognize Kosovo (Express – page 6)
Express reports on page six that European Parliament’s rapporteur Jelko Kacin said
on Monday that no one is asking Serbia to recognize Kosovo but rather to normalize
relations with Pristina. “Full normalization of relations and guarantees that Serbia and
Kosovo will not block one another on their path toward the European Union,” Kacin
said during his speech at the Economic Summit in Belgrade.
Kacin hailed the first meeting between Kosovo Prime Minister Thaçi and Serbian
Prime Minister Dacic. He said he hopes high-level political talks will be held soon and
will produce concrete results.
Kosovo Press Headlines
Koha Ditore
Front page
 Protests and violence in Pristina
 Thaçi: Vetëvendosje, in line with agenda of opponents of independence
 Hoxhaj: We will talk about the north only with citizens there
 Construction of energy highway between Kosovo and Albania fails
 Non-recognizing countries block NATO decision on KSF
Other headlines
 PDK and AAK: Dialogue does not damage the state (2)
 Jahjaga supports Thaçi – Dacic meeting (2)
 PDK chairmanship gives unanimous support to Thaçi (2)
 Thaçi briefs Isa Mustafa and Blerim Shala (2)
 Degert: Serbia not in the EU, without resolving Kosovo issue (4)
 Vujanovic supports Kosovo – Serbia dialogue (4)
 EC welcomes green light for negotiations with Kosovo (6)
 Kacin: Serbia is not asked to recognize Kosovo (6)
 Serbia’s Foreign Minister welcomed with protests in Albania (7)
 Robelli: Acta est fabula (10)
Zëri
Front page
 Protest and violence against dialogue
 Thaçi says Vetëvendosje is an isolated voice
 UNMIK gives away Deçan’s land to the Monastery
 Xharra: The baton of the regime
 Government without platform for talks
 Mimoza suspends Sherifi
Other headlines
 Talks are not damaging for Kosovo (2)
 Jahjaga supports Hodzic (2)
 Mrkic welcomed with “Kosovo is Albania” banner (2)
 EC welcomes green light for negotiations (3)
 Thaçi briefs leaders on meeting with Dacic (5)
 Thaçi meets Quint ambassadors (5)
 Gallucci: Dialogue will reach a dead-end! (8)
Kosova Sot
Front page
 Tens of police and protesters injured, 63 arrested
 They want a platform
 The Board doesn’t dare dismiss Qerimi
 Bllaca asked for €20,000 to find Shaban Syla’s nephew
 Eid-Al-Addha to be celebrated on Friday
 Editorial: The cause
Other headlines
 Jahjaga supports Thaçi (2)
 Mustafa and Shala in favour of dialogue (2)
 EC to negotiate with Kosovo framework agreements (4)
 Hodzic briefs Jahjaga on the office in the north (4)
 Serbian FM received with protests in Tirana (4)
 Kacin: Normalisation not recognition asked from Serbia (4)
 Woman to be empowered in business (5)
 Tender for interconnection Albania-Kosovo line annulled (7)
Epoka e Re
Front page
 Thaçi briefs factors, Vetëvendosje resorts to violence
 Haliti: Talks do not damage Kosovo
Other headlines
 Kosovo’s inclusion in EU programmes authorized (2)
 Reeker: Western Balkans, Obama’s priority (2)
 Serbia not in the EU without resolving Kosovo’s issue (2)
 Kacin: Recognition of Kosovo not asked from Serbia (2)
 AK: Kosovo is Albania (3)
 Germany hails Thaçi-Dacic meeting (3)
Express
Front page
 Confrontations in the square
 They step up the pressure
 Zharku is not going in jail
Other headlines
 Germany welcomes the meeting (4)
 The office in the north is functioning (5)
 He informs everyone (5)
 Kacin: Recognition of Kosovo not asked to Serbia (6)
 EU allows negotiations with Kosovo (6)
 Disturbing firing shots (8)
Bota Sot
Front page
 Firing shots disturbs citizens in the north
 Police state facing attempts for “coup d'état” of Vetëvendosje
 Thaçi “reports” to the president and informs LDK and AAK for the meeting
with Dacic
Other headlines
 Talks are not damaging Kosovo, but they make it European (2)
 Among injured, also one German citizen (2)
 Vetëvendosje announces protests for Tuesday (2)
 Balkans remains one of priorities of Obama (3)
 Vetëvendosje goals in accordance with voices of independence opponents (5)
 Jahjaga values the work of Administrative Office (7)
 New border crossing point between Kosovo and Macedonia (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.