Pavel: Kosovo has the right to army
(All monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
Kosovo has the right to have its army. This is what General Petr Pavel said, at the conclusion of the NATO Military Committee meeting in Tirana.
According to Pavel, every country has the right to have its army.
Pavel spoke at the meeting of NATO’s general chiefs of staff, who discussed security affairs in the Western Balkans. In the meeting it was said that NATO pursues an open door policy for accession of the Western Balkan countries, as well.
“The Army should be established in line with Kosovo’s Constitution and laws, and this is one of the recommendations made by NATO’s Secretary General. We are not claiming that Kosovo does not have the right to have its army, but it should happen in line with the Constitutional timelines and obligations,” Pavel said.
According to General Pavel, in order for the Western Balkan countries, including Kosovo, to join NATO, they must achieve evident results in defence.
The Military Committee presented its recommendations on engagement of the NATO Countries in fighting terrorism, the initiative for building defence capacities in Iraq, as well as about the KFOR status in Kosovo.
Berisha: No agreement between Kosovo and Serbia on Kosovo Army
(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
Minister of Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) Rrustem Berisha told GazetaExpress that no agreement between Kosovo and Serbia has been reached regarding the establishment of Kosovo Army.
Stressing that it is not at his responsibility to comment statement of the NATO official [Petr Pavel], Berisha said that a governmental team to discuss establishment of Kosovo Armed Force with everyone will be created.
According to him, they will also work on convincing MPs of Srpska List that establishment of Kosovo Army is at the interest of all.
In the meantime, in an interview with RTK1 Nisma MP Haxhi Shala considered the statement of Petr Pavel, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, as good news and a signal that Kosovo has the right to establish its Army as soon as possible.
Asked if the issue of Kosovo Army should be discussed with Serbia, as the Minister of KSF Berisha stated, MP Shala said he considers that no Kosovo issues should be discussed with Serbia, but in this case, support of international factor is needed in order to put pressure on Serbia not to impede Srpska List MPs from voting Kosovo Army.
Vujicic expects Srpska List MP to vote for Kosovo Army
(Klan Kosova)
Head of the Union of Montenegrins in Kosovo Slobodan Vujicic expects that Srpska List MPs will soon vote for establishment of Kosovo Army through constitutional amendments.
According to him, Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) currently does not differ from armies of other countries, except its name.
He also mentioned participation of Serbs in KSF which, according to him, is a reality that should not be kept secret from citizens of Serbia.
Kosovo Government reacts against Serbian documentary
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
The Kosovo Government finds Serbian Government’s documentary against Kosovo’s admission to UNESCO as low, racist, and unprecedented.
“Projecting before UNESCO Member Country ambassadors of the documentary with insulting content for Kosovo, as part of the campaign against Kosovo’s admission in this important international organisation, is a continuous effort to denigrate the State of Kosovo,” the Government’s press release reads.
Kosovo Government’s press release can be read at: http://www.kryeministri-ks.net/?page=2,9,6974
Zafir Berisha calls on VV and LDK to collect 60 votes for bringing Government down
(TV21)
Zafir Berisha, a Nisma MP who has been decertified to run for mayor of Prizren, called on VV and LDK to collect 60 votes for bringing down the Haradinaj Government. Berisha promised that if those two political parties collect 60 votes, he would provide the vote 61 for bringing down the Government.
A reaction to Berisha’s statement came from his colleague from Nisma, MP Milaim Zeka. Zeka said that Berisha was infected by Hashim Thaçi. Zeka added that the Government cannot be brought down just because Berisha is angry with Valdete Daka and CEC, after they decertified him to run from Prizren mayor.
At the same time, Zeka advised Berisha not to turn his fight against Haradinaj Government into something personal.
Jewish Community reacts to VV candidate statement
(RTK1)
The anti-Semitic statement of the Vetëvendosje (VV) candidate for the mayor of Rahovec/Orahovac, Visar Korenica, incited reactions by the Jewish Community Bet Israel Kosova.
In a statement, the Jewish Community expressed its concerns about the hate speech promoted by Korenica.
“Inciting hate speech remains unacceptable for us, and it undermines democratic values of the Republic of Kosovo, which, in the fundament of its Constitution promotes a multi-ethnic society, and clearly celebrates cultural and religious diversity,” the Jewish Community’s statement reads.
The Jewish community called on the VV leadership to distance themselves from the language of their candidate, while believing that Korenica case represents an isolated example in Kosovo.
VV officials have not responded to the request of the Jewish community.
On 29 July, Visar Korenica shared a link from Haaretz newspaper, which reported that the Israeli Police threw gas grenades against Muslim crowd in the vicinity of a mosque in Jerusalem.
Korenica commented on this post, saying that the nation of Israel will sooner or later vanish from the earth.
“Cowards – Your nation sooner or later will be vanished from the earth, as it happened with many other alike,” Korenica wrote on 29 July. His post is not visible any more.
Meanwhile, Korenica reacted to what he called the media that intend to influence the local election campaign in Rahovec/Orahovac municipality. Explaining his earlier reaction on Facebook, Korenica reemphasised that he condemned every crime of the Israeli State against the Palestinian people
“While I am against crimes of the Israeli State, I am not against the Jewish people; thus I am not an anti-Semitic, as they are trying to blot my character,” Korenica wrote.
He expressed his regret, in case someone was insulted.
Strong promises of new Minister of Interior
(KTV)
The new Minister of Interior Flamur Sefaj says that the Kosovo Government and his Ministry are working intensively for Kosovo’s accession to INTERPOL.
Although he did not provide many details, minister Sefaj says that it will be announced on 27th September, when the General Assembly will convene in Beijing.
Minister Sefaj said that he has submitted the Government Programme.
He pledged to fight organised crime, corruption, and to ensure rule of law in the entire Kosovo territory.
Sefaj also pledged to ensure more traffic safety, which, according to him, depends on many factors. Amongst other things, he said that the Police urgently needs health insurance and fresh blood.
KJC ready to start work in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north on 17 October
(Klan Kosova)
Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) is ready to start work in the court in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north on 17 October. Over fifty percent of 48 judges and the rest of administrative staff that will work at this court belong to Serb community.
The building of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north Basic Court was ready to start work earlier, but political issues between Kosovo and Serbia, and not technical issues, were the reason for non-operation of this court.
