PM’s Press Office feels sorry about journalists’ ignorance

(KTV)

A question about demarcation and the lack of US support to a new version of demarcation, made Prime Minister Haradinaj to burst with accusations and serious insults against journalists, calling them uneducated.

This provoked reaction by the community of journalists in Kosovo. Chairman of the Kosovo Journalists Association (AGK) Shkëlqim Hysenaj said that such a conduct by Prime Minister represented an insult for journalists.

Hysenaj called this a bad signal which does not ensure cooperation between the Government and journalists.

Another accusation against journalists was issued later on by Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday. It was Prime Minister’s Public Relations Office, which, just like Prime Minister Haradinaj, called journalists ignorant. At least, this is what says in its statement to the media.

Amongst other things, the statement reads as follows:

“This afternoon we received a letter from AGK, which considered Prime Minister Haradinaj’s appeal to some journalists to be more professional and better educated, as insult to journalists and media.

All what Mr Haradinaj demanded from some journalists was professionalism and ethics, nothing more.

We feel sorry if someone, due to their ignorance or intentionally, came up with such inaccurate qualifications.

Prime Minister Haradinaj and his Cabinet started their work by being more open to the media and journalists than any other previous government, and they will continue doing so until the end of the mandate.

Our transparency should be sufficient that certain journalists and media in turn be fair and professional in relation with Prime Minister Haradinaj and his Government.”

Minister Rikalo accused of war torture

(KTV)

Minister of Agriculture in the Government of Kosovo, Nenad Rikalo, is accused of torturing Prishtinë/Pristina citizens during the wartime.

Residents of the building in Kurriz, Dardania, told KTV about the tortures that, according to them, were committed by Rikalo. They say that he was always armed and wearing a uniform.

Although almost two decades have past, Fexhrije Beqiri can still remember the face of Nenad Rikalo, who has been appointed Minister of Agriculture in Ramush Haradinaj’s Government.

Beqiri family has lived on seventh floor of the building in Kurriz, Dardania for several decades. Nenad Rikalo also lived on the same floor, in apartment 45.

All what Ms Beqiri can remember of Rikalo, who then was young, is torture and mistreatment against Albanian residents.

Her son Festim remembers very well two torture scenes committed by Rikalo, one of them included pointing weapon against his deceased father.

On each floor of the building there are residents who remember the horror they experienced by the entire Rikalo family.

Those who agreed to speak said they remembered to have seen Rikalo always in uniform.

The residents were shocked when they saw Rikalo listed as one of ministers of the new Government, and they demand his dismissal as soon as possible.

Rikalo did not answer KTV telephone calls, so that he could respond to the accusations.

In the meantime, Vetëvendosje MP Albulena Haxhiu requests urgent investigations against the Serb minister Nenad Rikalo, KTV portal reported late on Wednesday evening.

Through Facebook, the AKR’s Organisational Secretary Rrahim Pacolli has also called on Prime Minister Haradinaj to dismiss Minister of Agriculture Nenad Rikalo.

He also called on State Prosecution to act, following the accusations against Rikalo for mistreatment of Dardania residents in Prishtinë/Pristina.

It will be difficult for new Government to adopt laws

(KTV)

It will be difficult for Government to adopt laws, even when only 61 votes are necessary, Assembly performance monitors stated.

Abstention of a Nisma MP to vote for Haradinaj Government reduced the number of the Government Coalition MPs down to 60. Furthermore, the Nisma MP Zafir Berisha has made it clear that after 100 days of Haradinaj Government, he will vote for overthrowing the Government.

Berisha says he will give 100 days to Haradinaj Government, and if it is not proved efficient, he will vote for overthrowing it.

Valmir Ismajli, Assembly performance monitor, believes that the Government will be facing a strong opposition in the Assembly, namely VV and LDK.

According to Ismajli, it will be difficult for the Government to have laws passed in the Assembly, even when only 61 votes are necessary.

AKR, which joined the Government Coalition, won 4 MPs, but presently the political entity is represented in the Assembly only by two MPs. Upon joining the Government, Behgjet Pacolli quit his MP seat, which has been taken over by Imet Rrahmani of LDK, whilst Korab Sejdiu quit AKR to proceed as an independent MP.

Thaçi: Demarcation with Montenegro a matter of Kosovo

(RTK1)

In an interview with the Voice of America, Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi spoke about the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

He spoke about the future of Kosovo-Serbia talks that are expected to enter a new phase.

“There is no alternative – good neighbourhood relations must triumph. It is in the interest of the two countries and of the region, as well as in the interest of the international community investments, because peace between Kosovo and Serbia implies peace and stability for the entire region and launching of a safe prosperity. Both countries should be winners, but first and foremost the Euro Atlantic values should win. I hope that a new chapter will be opened in the dialogue between the states of Kosovo and Serbia. This should be the final phase which will imply Kosovo’s safe future in joining the United Nations Organisation,” Thaçi said.

He also spoke about demarcation with Montenegro, visa liberalisation, and other processes in Kosovo.

Thaçi stressed that it was important to continue with the agenda of the previous Government, so that Kosovo can advocate for conclusion of the visa liberalisation process.

“Demarcation is no longer a bilateral issue between the two countries; instead, it is an issue of Kosovars themselves who should take their decision in the Assembly of Kosovo. All leaders should move beyond their own interests or interests of their parties, in order to come up with the right decision, so that demarcation can pass, and that immediately the prosperity of visa liberalisation for Kosovo can be opened,” Thaçi concluded. 

Serb community member to run in Skenderaj/Srbica elections

(KTV)

It is anticipated that Skenderaj/Srbica, like never before, will have a municipal councillor from Serb minority community in its Assembly.

It is the already certified 24-year-old Milos Kovacevic, a resident of Banjë village, who says that Serbs in this municipality are underrepresented, which has pushed him to run for municipal councillor where he aims to seek equal rights for all. Kovacevic believes that he will get sufficient number of votes to join this journey for two reasons.

The first one, according to him, is that so far no one from the Serb community has run for this post, and the second, because he enjoys support of 200 residents of the village and those outside it.

His neighbours did not give any statement regarding Kovacevic’s candidacy for councillor in Skenderaj/Srbica Municipal Assembly, but they say that they will strongly support him because he is very clever.

Kovacevic holds number 57 and he is a member of “Civic Initiative – Oliver Ivanovic.” He said that Kosovo means everything to him, that he would not make differences between citizens, and in case he wins, he will work for all.

Haradinaj promises to solve problems to non-majority communities

(KTV)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj received on Wednesday representatives of non-majority communities, Danush Ademi of the Democratic Ashkali Party of Kosovo (PDAK) and Albert Kinolli of United Roma Party of Kosovo (PREBK).

Representatives of these communities, who are Members of the Assembly of Kosovo at the same time, congratulated Haradinaj for the new post, and promised him a close co-operation in meeting the state agenda.

Haradinaj told them that he will look into demands and problems faced by these communities and jointly find adequate solutions. “You will not be alone, we will work together,” Prime Minister Haradinaj promised them.

CEC approves replacement of MPs

(Klan Kosova)

The Central Elections Commission (CEC) has approved recommendation of Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi for replacement of Kosovo Assembly Members.

The MPs that have released the seats at the Assembly after taking over posts in the Government are replaced by candidates on the line on the certified list for parliamentary elections by the same political entity.

Consequently, Nait Hasani will replace Ramush Haradinaj, Fadil Beka will replace Fatmir Limaj, Enver Hoti will replace Enver Hoxhaj, Gani Dreshaj will replace Rrustem Berisha, and Bekë Berisha will replace Pal Lekaj.

In the meantime, Behgjet Pacolli will be replaced by Imet Rrahmani as the next candidate on the line in the list certified by the LDK-AKR political entity.