Main Stories
20 May 2010
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EU happy with EULEX investigations (Koha Ditore)
Somalia recognizes independence of Kosovo (dailies)
We decide (Express)
EULEX chief Yves de Kermabon visits Jashari family (Express)
EULEX controls VIPs (Zëri)
KFOR attacked in the north (dailies)
War Veterans: EULEX becoming unacceptable and intolerable (dailies)
ICG calls for fight against corruption and for rule of law (dailies)
CEC still cannot organize elections without internationals (Koha Ditore)
Worlik: The U.S. opposes division of Kosovo (Epoka e Re)
Rupnik: Serbia not in EU without a solution for Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo Media Highlights
EU happy with EULEX investigations (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that in a discussion which had the members of the European
Union in the committee for the Balkans (COWEB) about the situation in Kosovo, in
the presence of the EU Special Representative, Peter Feith, it says that many countries
have welcomed the growth of EULEX activities in the investigation of “high level
cases of corruption and organized crime” and those for war crimes, calling these
actions as the right step to help Kosovo to enforce rule and law and to fight negative
phenomenon’s. At the same time in the meeting has been emphasized that is important
that in Kosovo the Kosovo authorities to understand seriously this activity of EULEX
and to cooperate with EULEX. EU sources rejected once again accusations for the
“interference in politics” in the case of EULEX investigation in Ministry of Transport
as of in other investigations. “Persecutors are fully independent in their work and there
is no political influence in any case. We reject these accusations and we don’t
understand at all the meaning of these accusations. Kosovo authorities including the
government should restrain from such statements and to allow investigators,
persecutors and EULEX judges same as the local judges that independently without
political influence to do their job”, said an EU diplomat for Koha Ditore. In Brussels
also this time have repeated that “this is the right time two years after the deployment
in Kosovo, EULEX has to prove itself before the Kosovo and European public,
showing concrete results in the fight against serious crimes, corruption and organized
crime”.
Somalia recognizes independence of Kosovo (dailies)
Dailies report that Somalia became the 69 country to have recognized the independent
state of Kosovo, with the decision that this African state have announced on 19 may,
announced Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “With a diplomatic note to the
Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs, exactly posted for the Minister Skënder Hyseni
who is staying in New York, Foreign Ministry of Republic of Somalia confirms the
decision of the government of this country for recognition of Kosovo as independent
and sovereign state”, says in the announcement. In the diplomatic note it says that the
decision has been taken on the bases of official request for recognition signed from the
President of Republic of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu. Government of Somalia also
expresses themselves aware for the vital contribution that Republic of Kosovo has
given for the stability and peaceful coexistence in the Balkans.
We decide (Express)
Express reports that UNMIK chief Lamberto Zannier has prevented Kosovo
institutions from holding the meeting of the CEFTA sub-committee which was
supposed to be held in Pristina. The SRSG sent a letter to Kosovo institutions
notifying them that the meeting cannot be held if the Kosovar side is presented as an
official representative of state. The letter was sent to the Ministry of Trade and
Industry on May 13th calling on them to cancel the planned meeting.
Unnamed sources told Express that this created tensions in the already aggravated
relations with CEFTA member states that still haven’t recognized Kosovo’s
independence. It is also said that Zannier has criticized MTI officials for unilateral
initiatives adding that UNMIK, as a signatory of the agreement, should be asked about
such meetings.
“Everything was ready and all member states confirmed their participation. But
UNMIK said the meeting should be cancelled,” said the source.
The paper further notes that although he is ignored by Kosovo leaders, it seems that
Zannier has become a serious obstacle for relations between Kosovo institutions and
regional countries, especially when it comes to agreements signed by SRSGs in
Kosovo.
UNMIK spokesman Russell Geekie told the paper that UNMIK was initially in favour
of holding the meeting in Pristina and notified the CEFTA Secretariat that it was
willing to facilitate the meeting and the implementation of the agreement.
“However, early in the month, UNMIK realized that it cannot secure a meeting that
would be status neutral and in line with CEFTA rules. Therefore, it was forced to
inform the Trade and Industry Ministry that the mission cannot facilitate the meeting,”
Geekie said. He added that UNMIK is willing to assist in organizing future meetings
and in the implementation of CEFTA.
EULEX chief Yves de Kermabon visits Jashari family (Express)
Express reports that after his meeting with the police commander in Skenderaj,
EULEX chief Yves de Kermabon held another meeting which was kept secret from
the public. De Kermabon namely paid a visit to the family of the former KLA General
Commander Adem Jashari. EULEX officials confirmed the meeting only after they
were asked about it. “Yes, he visited the Jashari family but there was nothing special.
It was just a meeting,” said EULEX spokeswoman Kristina Herodes.
The paper also contacted Murat Jashari, one of the leading members of the Jashari
family, about the meeting with Kermabon. “Mr. De Kermabon met with me, as
representative of the Jashari family, and we talked about Kosovo and for the good of
Kosovo,” Jashari said.
EULEX controls VIPs (Zëri)
Zëri reports in one of the front-page stories that EULEX customs officers at Pristina
Airport ran a detailed check of the luggage belonging to Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi
and four of his ministers on Wednesday. Thaçi and the ministers were on their way for
an official visit to Turkey. EULEX officials did not disclose details about the unusual
customs check, but did say that it was a regular procedure.
KFOR attacked in the north (dailies)
Dailies report Serb unknown extremists groups have attacked an office of KFOR
Danish soldiers in Zubin Potok, northern Kosovo. Dailies report that there were no
casualties, however the attackers left a threatening note for the contingent. Koha
Ditore quotes international reliable sources as saying that the fist suspects are a group
controlled from Serbia, and that the attack has a political background. This daily has
also published the threatening note and the emergent report of the police on this
incident. The letter says that this has happened to them due to their open pro-Albanian
position, for supporting their institutions and for being against the Serb nation
remaining in Kosovo. “Our further actions depend exclusively on you,” says this
letter.
War Veterans: EULEX becoming unacceptable and intolerable (dailies)
Dailies report that hundreds of Prizren citizens and those from area have protested on
Wednesday h the “Shatërvan” square against the latest arrests and raids of KLA
members from the side of EULEX under the suspicion that they have committed
crimes during the war. Smail Elezi, Deputy Head of the Organization of War Veterans
of KLA in his speech before the protesters said that “The century war the international
organizations are treating it as a crime, while those who make the war are being
considered criminals”. He called this approach as wrong approach from the side of
EULEX, adding that with those acts EULEX is becoming unacceptable and
intolerable for the people of Kosovo.
ICG calls for fight against corruption and for rule of law (dailies)
Dailies report that the Kosovo government, EULEX mission and international
community have to work in the fight against corruption, to approve judicial reforms,
to accept more judges and persecutors and to improve the training, says in the newest
report of ICG for Kosovo. “The government has done some positive changes but did
not show political readiness for the creation of a strong and independent judicial
system”, emphasized the Director of ISG for Balkans Marko Prelec.
CEC still cannot organize elections without internationals (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that International monitors of the European Network of Election
Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO), exempt few positive evaluations for the
organization of elections from CEC they also gave negative evaluations for this
institution for which have recommended many changes in the elections system. The
ENEMO monitors have evaluated that the elections for municipal assemblies and for
the mayors have fulfilled many from international standards, but it has mentioned that
the quite complex political situation have made impossible the participation of the
voters in some specific areas. In this report have been presented the main difficulties
of these elections which as it is mentioned in the report has to do with the drafting of
the voters list. As another issue has been mentioned the undetermined stance of
Election Commission for Complaints and Appeals ECCA which according to the
report has created unclear situations ion connection of re-voting possibilities in
municipalities of Prizren, Gjilan and Lipjan.
Worlik: The U.S. opposes division of Kosovo (Epoka e Re)
Epoka e Re reports that the U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, Mary Worlik, said that
America has a clear message that it will not support new discussions on the status of
Kosovo and that it is against division of Kosovo, but it does not lobby against Serbia’s
attempts for the debate to take place at the United Nations. “On the other hand, the
U.S. strongly encourage Pristina – Belgrade discussions on practical issues, such as
strengthening of electricity, telephony, customs, judiciary,” said the Ambassador for
Serbian media.
Worlik marked Serbia’s constructive role on the package of challenges on Bosnia,
positive relations with Albania and for the contribution on the war against crime at
regional level.
Rupnik: Serbia not in EU without a solution for Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that in an interview for the Radio Free Europe, Jacquec Rupnik,
from the Institute of Political Studies in Paris, supported the statement of the U.S.
Deputy Secretary of State Philip Gordon, who said that he doesn’t see how Serbia can
enter EU without normalizing relations with Kosovo. “Philip Gordon is right. By the
end, it will be impossible for Serbia to join the European Union without accepting
Kosovo’s candidature for membership. Brussels will not allow repetition of Cyprus
scenario,” said Rupnik.
Rupnik said that in one hand Serbia opposes independence of Kosovo, which is in
opposition with the policy of the majority of EU countries, however on the other hand,
official Belgrade does not undermine the rule of law that is within the EULEX
mandate, “which is a welcomed compromise.”
Kosovo Press Headlines
Koha Ditore
Front page
 EU satisfied with EULEX investigations
 Somalia, 68th country to recognize Kosovo’s independence
 KFOR Danish troops in northern Kosovo under attack
 CEC cannot organize elections without internationals
 ICJ too calls for fight against corruption and for rule of law
 Government starts removing procurement chiefs
Other headlines
 Prime Minister Thaçi travels to Turkey (2)
 Slovenia in favour of dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade (2)
 Rupnik: Serbia not in the EU without a solution for Kosovo (2)
 Secretary Rasmussen to visit Kosovo on Friday (2)
 Sejdiu lobbies for recognition of state of Kosovo (3)
 LDD calls on law enforcement bodies to stop Serbian elections (5)
 War Veterans: EULEX becoming unacceptable and intolerable (7)
Zëri
Front page
 Government officials at risk from new building
 Promises of new recognitions
 Somalia recognizes Kosovo’s independence
 EULEX controls VIPs
 PTK remains without 20-million platform
Other headlines
 MFA receives invitation for Sarajevo Summit (2)
 Liht: No talks before ICJ (2)
 LDD: This government has put Kosovo’s fate at stake (2)
 Thaçi visits Turkey (3)
 Rasmussen to visit Kosovo tomorrow (3)
 Hyseni lobbies in New York (4)
 Giffoni: Issue of status is closed (4)
 ICJ: Kosovo to fight corruption (5)
Kosova Sot
Front page
 Reforms can save the economy
 Editorial: Determination needed for the north
 Sejdiu: Come and invest in Kosovo
 Somalia recognizes us
Other headlines
 Meeting to be held this week on Rashka grave (2)
 Another tender in CEC (2)
 Kermabon: Excellent with the Government! (3)
 Kosovo receives invitation for Sarajevo Summit (3)
 NATO chief to visit Kosovo on Friday (4)
Lajm
Front page
 Somalia decided
 Routine visit
Other headlines
 Attacked the apartment of Danish soldiers (2)
 Giffoni: Kosovo status completed (2)
 Slovenia supports talks Pristina-belgrade (3)
 Mass grave in Raska to be opened after few months (5)
Bota Sot
Front page
 Mister Kermabon why do you fear from Albanians?
Other headlines
 Somalia recognized Republic of Kosovo (3)
 Rupnik: Serbia not in the EU without a solution for Kosovo (4)
 Sejdiu:Respect the request fror the recognition of Kosovo (4)
 Giffoni: issue of Kosovo status completed (7)
 Kosovo to be represented as a state without UNMIK (8)
 ENEMO: Elections achieved many standards (9)
Infopress
Front page
 On the road to BERZh
Other headlines
 Exhumations in Raska as soon as possible (2)
 Former Rilindja building, Elevators dangareous (3)
 Somalia recognized independence of Kosovo (3)
 Kosovo is looking toward the future (4)
 Elections of international standards (4)
 Established the unenployed party (5)
 Kosovo with new law for health (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.