EU diplomats: Thaci should accept that someone else has majority (Koha)
The paper reports on the front page that EU diplomats in Brussels are worried with the insistence of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) to remain in power or to go to early elections and they believe that such an approach is damaging for Kosovo’s mid-term and long-term interests. Senior EU diplomats told the paper that the EU has decided not to interfere in the forming of the new government and to leave it up to Kosovars to find a solution. “I don’t know if it is good or bad for Kosovo when very few people in the EU are interested about what is happening there. Some countries don’t want to interfere, while others are simply not interested. There are so many problems in the world and within the EU that very few people have the time and energy to deal with Kosovo’s political games,” an EU diplomat in Brussels told the paper. “At some point, Thaci and the PDK need to realize that they don’t have the majority in the Assembly and that the majority has been secured by someone else. In the democratic world, the government is formed by those with the majority in the Assembly”. Another EU diplomat said: “It seems that the PDK now understands that we don’t think that new elections would be a good solution for Kosovo at this point.”
Coalition’s two conditions for Vetevendosje (Tribuna)
On the front page, the paper reports that the three-party bloc – Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Alliance for Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) – have not accepted the two key conditions put forth by Vetevendosje regarding dialogue with Belgrade and privatization process. Sources told the paper that following consultations with international officials, the bloc told Vetevendosje that it should give up on its demand to lead dialogue with Belgrade and review of agreements reached so far and that it should also not insist on stopping privatization process. If Vetevendosje accepts these conditions, the three-party bloc will be ready to sign a coalition agreement with it. Vetevendosje’s inclusion is seen as useful to create a more stable and efficient government, sources added.
Williamson in Kosovo today? (Tribuna)
The paper claims to have learnt that the lead prosecutor for the EU Special Investigative Task Force (SITF), Clint Williamson, is expected to arrive in Kosovo today and meet outgoing Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci. Different sources said that Williamson will present the findings of his investigation into the war crime and organised crime allegations contained in the January 2011 Council of Europe (CoE) report of Senator Dick Marty on 28 July. It is believed that Williamson will present the report during a press conference in Brussels although there are officials who insist he should do this from Pristina.
Williamson will announce his findings in due time (Koha)
Clint Williamson, head of the Special Investigations Task Force that has investigated allegations made in Dick Marty’s report, will not present any of his findings to Kosovo authorities during his visit to Pristina on Monday. Kosovo government officials are saying that this is a routine visit by Williamson, while local media have recently reported that Williamson’s investigations will result in several indictments. Joao Sousa, SITF spokesman, told the paper: “We are aware about recent media reports but they contain rumors and speculation and we will not comment on them. Our investigations are ongoing and we will announce our findings in due time”.
Serbs to protest today in Zubin Potok (Lajm)
Serbs from Zubin Potok have announced they will stage a protest today at 11:00 hours under the slogan “We are all the same, whose turn is now”. The residents are accusing EULEX of violating fundamental human rights. Mayor of Zubin Potok, Stevan Vulovic, said for Tanjug that while he was away, Kosovo Police tried last week to hand over to him an invitation for a court session from an EULEX prosecutor. A similar invitation from EULEX was also made to the former mayor of Zubin Potok, Slavisa Ristic, who was also not at home. EULEX did not say what are Vulovic and Ristic suspected for, report Serb media.
No visas this year (Lajm)
The paper quotes EU integration experts in Pristina as saying that no positive remarks are expected from the next report of the European Commission regarding visa liberalization for Kosovo. They stated that among other things, the political situation in Kosovo and the process of forming new institutions of the European Union will influence this process.
