CEC: Serbia’s elections in Kosovo are not legitimate
(TV21)
Serbia’s announcement that it will also organize voting in Kosovo for its presidential elections scheduled for 02 April, has once again put institutions in Prishtinë/Pristina to test. While the Government still has not taken a decision for this, in the Central Elections Commission (CEC) say that Serbian elections are not legitimate, whereas, according to political analysts, Kosovo does not have a mechanism for hindering these elections, which as always, are facilitated by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE.
While the Serbian Election Commission has decided to also hold Serbian parliamentary elections in Kosovo too, Government of Kosovo still has not come out with a decision whether it will allow holding of these elections, or not.
Faton Abdullahu, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa’s media advisor, did not want to talk more until the executive does not take a decision on this issue. However, he said that they will decide about this next week.
But, to the CEC in Kosovo, these elections are illegitimate.
“Serbia’s elections in the territory of Kosovo do not exist for us an institution. We are an institution that organizes elections of the Republic of Kosovo. This is rather a political issue, an issue of the institutions how they will approach holding of elections and what response they will give to them; however, to the CEC, these elections do not exist in any case, and we have no authority or competence over them,” said CEC chairperson, Valdete Daka.
Based on the previous Serbian elections in Kosovo, the OSCE enabled their holding. This international institution will act the same with the 02 April elections, too. At the OSCE did not accept to speak in front of cameras, but, through a written response, they admitted that they are working in this regard.
“As you are aware, Serbia’s presidential elections have been scheduled for 02 April, and we are working on this matter. We will make consultations with the parties, hoping to achieve a positive result, and we will act in line with results of these consultations,” the OSCE stated.
The political scientist, Ramush Tahiri, considers holding of these elections without the agreement of CECs of two countries as an action beyond Kosovo’s control.
“There is no agreement between the Central Elections Commission of Kosovo and Central Elections Commission of Serbia, because Serbia does not accept Kosovo authorities as state authorities and Serbia does this through the OSCE, and the OSCE usually organizes the elections. Through its Police and UNMIK Police, Kosovo only oversees the welfare of elections, however, it has no other control, be them the elections lists, verification of election lists, or anything else,” Tahiri said.
At the CEC say do not have any kind of requests or contact with anyone regarding holding of Serbian elections in Kosovo.
“We have no information, no contact, or any request from anyone regarding Serbia’s elections,” Daka underlined.
Tahiri said that to Serbia these elections in Kosovo are completely legitimate, but he expresses his sorrow that not even 17 years after since the end of the war Kosovo does not have a mechanism to act in these cases.
“From the Serbian side, these are legitimate. From the Serbian side they even seem legal, because they communicate with the OSCE. What is our misfortune, or let me say our deficiency for many years now, there are 17 years since the liberation and Kosovo independence, but Kosovo has not managed to identify a mechanism how it will be acted in this case. These elections do not have any impact on Kosovo, aside from the opinion it creates among a part of the citizens, because Kosovo has agreed to have double-citizenship, and it has also agreed to have let us say a double legitimacy or legality in this matter,” Tahiri ended.
One of the runners for the Serbian President post, current Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, announced that he will also campaign in Kosovo. In the last Serbian elections, OSCE also enabled Kosovo Serbs to vote by calling it a ballot collection, and not opening of polling stations.
Opposition parties against Serbian elections in Kosovo
(RTK2)
Kosovo opposition reacted against holding of Serbian presidential elections scheduled for 02 April in Kosovo. They stress that Serbian elections in Kosovo should not be held by any means, although the Serbian Central Elections Commission has announced opening of 90 polling stations in Kosovo.
Deputy Minister of Local Government Administration and advisor to Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, Bajram Gecaj, said that Kosovo Government will take a stance regarding holding of Serbian elections in Kosovo next week.
“Kosovo Government still does not have a stance regarding holding of Serbian elections in Kosovo, but I believe that it will bring a decision next week,” Gecaj said.
However, opposition has called on the Government not to allow holding of Serbian presidential elections in Kosovo.
LDK MP Vjosa Osmani said that Kosovo Constitution and laws do not allow holding of elections of other states in the territory of Kosovo. She underlined that Kosovo Serbs who have Serbian citizenship should be allowed to vote only through the Serbia’s Liaison Office in Prishtinë/Pristina.
Osmani also said that Kosovo authorities should not allow the meeting of Serbian presidential candidate, Aleksandar Vucic, in Kosovo because this would aggravate interethnic relations.
At the Vetëvendosje Movement say that in case Kosovo Government would respect the Constitution, it would not allow organisation of Serbian elections in its territory by any means.
Vetëvendosje MP Rexhep Selimi said that when Kosovo Serbs with Serbian citizenship are in question then they are enabled to vote in all forms, but when it comes to votes of Kosovo citizens living abroad, then they are only eligible to by-mail voting.
Mustafa: Army only in coordination with internationals
(RTK2)
Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, stated that Kosovo Army can only be established in coordination with the international friends.
This statement of Prime Minister and the LDK chairman, Isa Mustafa, is in contradiction with the recent statements of President Hashim Thaçi that Kosovo will establish its Army regardless of opposition by the United States of America and NATO.
Regarding PM Mustafa’s statement, the PDK MP Shukri Buja said that Government is obliged to submit Thaçi’s draft law on Kosovo Security Force to the Assembly of Kosovo.
Certain media report that this is the first major public clash of governing partners that might result with breakdown of the ruling coalition and early elections.
Reçiça: Belgrade aimed to destabilise Kosovo and region
(TV21)
Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle regarding suspension of talks with Serbia, Chairman of the Assembly Committee for Foreign Policy, Elmi Reçica, stated that recently Belgrade took a series of decisions that aimed at destabilisation not only of Kosovo, but also of the region.
Vucic: I can visit Kosovo even without Kosovo Government’s permission
(All monitored broadcasters, RTK&TV21)
Candidate for Serbian President of the governing coalition, Aleksandar Vucic, said he wants to visit Kosovo during his election campaign.
Furthermore, Vucic said he can do this even without the permission of Kosovo Government, but he thinks this would not make sense, and he does not want to trigger problems for Kosovo Serbs.
Vucic returned once again to the issue of Kosovo Army, RTK1 reported. He commented the draft law on Kosovo Security Force initiated by President Hashim Thaçi.
“I do not understand why the Kosovo President is insisting and rushing this much on establishment of the so-called Army,” Vucic said, while adding that he wants continuation of dialogue with Kosovo in Brussels.
Bus with Kosovo citizens attacked in Serbia
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21&RTK1)
Unknown persons attacked a bus of Vienna-Prishtinë/Pristina line in Krusevac of Serbia; however, except the material damage, there were no human injuries.
Owner of the bus company has confirmed the attack. Quoting the same owner, TV21 reported that this is not the first that buses of this company were attacked in Serbia.
Kosovo Minister of Foreign Affairs, Enver Hoxhaj, condemned the attack against the bus transporting passengers from Kosovo which was passing through Serbia.
“I strongly condemn the vandal attacks against citizens of Kosovo travelling to Serbia. These attacks are becoming systematic and nobody is being punished,” Hoxhaj wrote on Twitter.
Mustafa: Over 40.000 new jobs created
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, said that Government has created over 40.000 jobs over the last two years.
Through his Facebook account, PM Mustafa also stressed that Kosovo has secured financial sustainability and stable fiscal and economic growth of over 4 per cent in 2015 and 2016. He pledged that this growth will be even higher in the following years.
Hashim Thaçi – Foreigners not against establishment of Kosovo Army
(Summary of Slobodno Srpski show)
Kosovo President, Hashim Thaçi, was hosted in Slobodno Srpski show aired on Sunday evening. In a longer interview with this show, President Thaçi spoke establishment of Kosovo Army, Association of Serb Majority Municipalities, fight against corruption, Demarcation, Serbian presidential elections, and many other issues.
Speaking of the fight against corruption, as one of the conditions for visa liberalization of Kosovo, Thaçi said that Kosovo is an example in the region when it comes to the fight against high level corruption and crime. He stressed that deputy prime ministers, ministers, MPs, deputy ministers and mayors were among the arrested persons. He also underlined that fight against corruption and organized crime is constant and that it should be divided on ethnic, political or religious grounds.
Asked if there is any cooperation with Belgrade regarding organized crime and corruption, Thaçi responded: “We are aware that organized crime does not recognize borders, nationality, or politics. They cooperate with each other, whether they are Albanians, Serbs, Croats, Montenegrins or Macedonians. I am talking about our region, but also the changes have occurred because the institutions are co-operating now, the state of Kosovo with Serbia and other countries in the region.”
He stressed that contacts with Serbia in this regard are mainly kept through the EU Office and EULEX, but there are also direct contacts at the joint interest of two countries. Thaçi also said that he is among those who appreciate the work of EULEX, despite the failures and weaknesses.
“Kosovo and European institutions do not compete among themselves; they are not contradictory to one another. They complement each other, but we are an independent and sovereign state, and now after the last agreement which we have reached with the EU institutions, the competences of executive character have moved to the local authorities, therefore we will further strengthen institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, while EULEX and the European mechanisms will have the role as in all Western Balkan countries, so through advice, suggestions, and consultations that are needed. It is of significance that this is being worked in a European spirit, and I think it is time for local institutions to be at the forefront and to carry out the tasks that belong to them, for what they have elected and invited,” Thaçi said.
Asked if this means that EULEX has to go home, Thaçi said departure of EULEX is not a battle of Kosovo institutions, but they are rather committed to close cooperation and mutual complementation.
Speaking of demarcation with Montenegro, President Thaçi underlined that this issue is in the hands of Kosovo Assembly Members, and that it is now clear that there will no visa abolishment without ratification of this demarcation. According to him, if demarcation will be voted than Kosovo citizens will be able to move freely in Europe this year.
He could tell exactly as when the transformation of Kosovo Security Force to Armed Force will happen, but he emphasized that it will not be directed against Srpska List, Serbian state, or any other neighbouring country, but it will rather serve to peace in the region and people living Kosovo.
He insisted that foreigners are not against the transformation of KSF to the Kosovo Armed Force, but that there is only a difference as to whether this should be done through amendments to the Constitution or through law.
Thaçi also stressed that establishment of Kosovo Army will not mean departure of KFOR Mission from Kosovo.
“Under no circumstances! The role and mandate of KFOR is determined with Resolution 1244, determined with the President Ahtisaari’s Comprehensive Proposal of 2007. KFOR’s role is irreplaceable. KSF transformation into Kosovo Armed Force will not have any implications on KFOR mandate, something I clearly indicated in the letter sent to NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, so there is no need for any kind of concern or dilemma in this aspect,” Thaçi said, while he highlighted that this process started in partnership with the internationals.
He stressed that they will insist on moving ahead with the constitutional changes, and if case they do not succeed than they will move to Plan B, implying change of KSF mandate through law. He also announced that this will happen quite soon.
Asked why Kosovo Serbs are against the Army, Thaçi responded: “No. Kosovo Serbs are not against the Army of Kosovo. In fact, Serbia is against the Army of Kosovo, and it influences Kosovo Serbs.”
President Thaçi said he had individually discussed the Army issue with Srpska List MPs, considering them responsible, correct and constructive persons. He considers that Serb community in Kosovo should not become the victim of different political turmoil between Prishtinë/Pristina and Belgrade
He considers that establishment of the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities is hostage to boycott of Serb MPs who, in a way, disregard establishment of the Association.
“The Government has made its decisions. We strongly supported this, and we will respect the Brussels Agreement, we will also respect the Constitutional Court’s opinion, but Serbs should participate in the Commission, they should be sitting there to give advice, suggestions and views. The Association cannot be established by boycotting institutions,” he underlined.
He insisted that establishment of the Association could have started three-four months ago, but the Government is hostage to boycott of Serb ministers.
“They are officially part of Kosovo; they receive their salaries from the Government of Kosovo, but they do not participate in decision-making. I think this is not fair, not correct, so I invite colleagues and friends, as I know many of them for a long time, to correctly understand things that are in the interest of the country, in the interest of all Kosovo citizens, to get depoliticized and not only look at this ethnic relationship, but to also see the common interest,” he continued.
Returning to the issue of issue of Kosovo Army, Thaçi said that Kosovo Serbs should not take KSF transformation to KAF with fear or concern, saying that this Force will be theirs as much of the Albanians. He highlighted that KSF will not make any moves without coordination with NATO during its activities, considering this very fair and correct.
Speaking of the Serbian train issue, Thaçi said that he feels sorry that Serbs in the north are manipulated and are being kept under unnecessary tension. He also said that Serbia is making plans for annexing or dividing Kosovo according to the model that Russia used with Crimea.
Commenting organization of Serbian presidential elections in Kosovo, and if Serbian citizens with residence in Kosovo should be enabled to vote in these elections, Thaçi said: “We will act responsibly in this regard. We understand the will of the citizens of dual citizenship. At the same time, we respect the Constitution and our laws. We respect the will of the citizens of Kosovo with Serbian nationality, but we will make decisions at the right time and in line with the circumstances.”
Asked if the OSCE will be able to organize them as in the earlier years, Thaçi underlined that it will be acted responsibly, by fully respecting the laws of an independent state, as well as ‘sensitivity of Serbian nationality citizens.’
Commenting the Kosovo Assembly Resolution on suspension of talks with Belgrade until Ramush Haradinaj is returned to Kosovo, he insisted that the Resolution must be respected by all Kosovo institutions and that French judiciary should not take a politically-influenced decision. He believes that Haradinaj will soon return to political and institutional life in Kosovo.
Asked to comment the 13th anniversary of March 2004 riots in Kosovo, and the fact that institutions still haven’t identified the perpetrators or those who give orders which resulted with demolition of churches, burning of houses and that 19 people were murdered, Kosovo President said: “There were murdered Albanians and Serbs, there was harm on the side of the Albanians and the side of Serbs, there were wounded people from all sides, it was an evil for all citizens of Kosovo. I emphasize that these events have severely damaged the reputation, the present and the future of Kosovo was severely damaged. It was an ugly and shameful act for all. All of us must work in order for such things to never happen again, because it does not benefit anyone. There were arrested people, and people who got convicted.”
He said that they will not allow these things to happen again.
Asked about his initiative for establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and what it will concretely do, Kosovo President said: “The Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be a Commission that will work for the truth. It will not replace justice. It will work on interethnic reconciliation in Kosovo. It will not replace the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. It will be a hard-labour process, but I am convinced that we will succeed. People will feel free; it will send the best message of living together in Kosovo, the message of understanding and good neighbourliness. It is a very human act. It will be above politics.”
Responding to the question regarding his visits to Serbian areas, namely to monuments, where he laid flowers, such in Gorazhdevc, Stara Gracka and Hoca e Madhe, Thaçi said that people who committed the crimes should face justice.
“Those individuals who have committed crimes against children in Gorazhdevc, those individuals who have committed crimes, or we can freely say, the massacre in the Stara Gracka of Lipjan/Lipljane, should face justice, without distinction. We will be uncompromising, in this respect. People have the right to seek justice, they have the right to work on truth,” he said.
Thaçi said that the also feels responsible that murders of Serbs after 1999 were not identified and stressed that they will be processed.
“Of course, we all have a responsibility to work until the last moments of our lives to shed light on the truth. Justice may delay, but it prevails, sooner or later,” he continued.
President Thaçi also said he supports the initiative of Kosovo journalist associations in Kosovo and the OSCE to establish the Commission that would deal with the cases murdered and missing journalists in Kosovo.
“Unfortunately, 13 journalists have been killed in Kosovo in the period 1998 and 1999. Some of them are Albanians, some Serbs. The truth about the murder of the journalists must be revealed. I support any initiative, and I personally initiated establishment of a group of investigative journalists who would work with the authorities of UNMIK, EULEX and Kosovo so that, case by case, they shed light on the fate of the missing, kidnapped or murdered journalists, and I think that is a very human thing and politically responsible. Therefore, I will continue to support this initiative. I am not part of regional initiatives. This is my personal idea and project to work with professional investigative Kosovo journalists, together with the Kosovo legislation bodies,” President Thaçi concluded.
