Thaci: I was far from the war front (Tribuna)
Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, in an interview for Euro News, admitted that his role in the liberation war was not on the front lines. Asked if he had killed someone or if he ordered someone to be killed, Thaci said, “I was far from the war front. My war was political. We defeated Serbia together with the international community and this was a great victory”.
Asked about Dick Marty’s allegations for organs trade, Thaci said, “I never gave any order that would violate international laws. We violated Milosevic’s laws which were discriminatory. As far as accusations for organs trade are concerned, the first time I heard about them was in Dick Marty’s report. I will never believe that a KLA soldier took organs of civilians. This is a science fiction story that I cannot believe. No one can believe it”.
Thaci said one of his most difficult moments was when he signed the agreement with Serbia, saying that Kosovo and Serbia are not used to living in peace. Thaci was also asked to comment on high-level corruption, and he said that Kosovo achieved progress in combating such phenomena.
Court agreement – Serb head of court, Albanian chief prosecutor (Koha)
Citing reliable sources, the paper reports that according to the agreement on the basic court in northern Mitrovica – which is close to being finalised – the head of the court will be a Serb, while the post of chief prosecutor will belong to an Albanian. The court will serve seven municipalities and its ethnic structure will be 60 percent Albanian and 40 percent Serb. Government officials in Pristina neither denied nor confirmed if this agreed by prime ministers Thaci and Dacic in Brussels. Legal analysts in Pristina meanwhile argue that such an agreement would violate the constitutional principle of Kosovo that reflects the ethnic structure in the judiciary system.
Cliff: Forget reform, organise elections without manipulations (Koha)
On Thursday, British Ambassador in Kosovo, Ian Cliff, participated at a conference organised by “Democracy in Action” on the experiences of the 2013 elections. He stated that it is already too late for reforms on elections in Kosovo. “It is true that the international community claimed that there should be a reform before the general elections, however this has not happened in these three years. And, it is too late now. I think that it is good now to forget reform and organise good elections, determined to prevent manipulations,” said Cliff.
Zbogar: You decide on elections (Kosova Sot)
The head of the EU in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, said political leaders are the ones to decide if there is a need to organise early elections, or to set a date on early elections. “To us, it is important for the institutions to functions during that time, because there are many issued that we have to deal with and that are related to Kosovo’s European agenda. Therefore, Kosovo institutions should be functional,” said Zbogar.
Asked about the relations between Kosovo and the EU, Zbogar said that he believes that negotiations on the Stabilisation Association Agreement will conclude this spring. “We are currently discussing the future mandate of EULEX with our Kosovo partners. There were serious discussions by member states on the issue during this week and I hope that they will come up with a proposal by the beginning of March,” said Zbogar.
Grabovci: AAK’s initiative, good for PDK (Bota Press)
The head of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) parliamentary group, Adem Grabovci, said that Alliance for Future of Kosovo (AAK)’s initiative to bring down the Government will have a positive outcome for the ruling coalition. He said despite all efforts, PDK will remain in power until 2018. “PDK will secure another four-year mandate on governing the territory and achieving extraordinary changes in the field of economic development,” Grabovci said.
Ivanovic wants to be transferred to Mitrovica (Koha)
Managers at the Kosovo Correctional Service Department said on Thursday that Oliver Ivanovic requested to be transferred from the detention center in Pristina to Mitrovica. EULEX confirmed the request. Ivanovic claims he does not feel safe after media reports about his alleged involvement in crimes against Albanians. Ivanovic, who ran for mayor of northern Mitrovica, was arrested two weeks ago on charges of war crimes in 1999 and postwar crimes in northern Mitrovica.
“The court received Oliver Ivanovic’s defense attorney’s request to transfer him to the detention center in Mitrovica. The court has decided, but the decision needs to be sent to the parties before it can be made public,” EULEX said.
Senavicius murder suspect “saved” by Serbia’s candidate status (Tribuna)
The individual suspected for the killing of EULEX customs officer Andrius Senavicius is believed to have stayed in the north of Kosovo last December. The suspect, whose name is known to the paper, was identified based on investigations of the Kosovo Special Prosecution.
The suspect was about to be arrested, adds the paper, were it not for Brussels and Belgrade’s interference. EU officials asked for more time before the arrest operation is carried out, fearing that the action would “cast a black shadow” on the imminent report of the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Catherine Ashton, about the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.
Furthermore, the EU was concerned that once the identity of the suspect was revealed, Serbia would lose its chance of gaining EU candidate status. The suspect is said to be a member of Serbia’s state apparatus and close to one of the north’s leaders.
Pacolli could run for prime minister (Epoka e Re)
In an interview for the paper, Behxhet Pacolli, leader of the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR), did not rule out his possible candidacy for Prime Minister in the next parliamentary elections. “The candidacy for the post of prime minister is not entirely up to me. The steering committee of the party decides. I was never against their will,” he said.
Pacolli said AKR is ready and has the necessary capacities to run the next government. “The AKR is preparing a big surprise for the people of Kosovo. Our political offer will go beyond the normal parameters of the current political landscape,” Pacolli added.
