Rexhepi: When lives are at stake, ROSU will not wait for coordination (dailies)
Koha Ditore reports that Kosovo Special Police Unit ROSU on Thursday morning has not intervened but remained in a state of readiness in the vicinity of Kroi i Vitakut in north Mitrovica where Serbs have again forcibly opposed construction of Albanian houses in this neighborhood. As a result, the works have been temporarily suspended.
Kosovo Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi said that ROSU intervenes without coordination with KFOR and EULEX only in cases when lives of citizens are endangered. “As long as KFOR and EULEX make the security assessment that it should not be intervened, we will coordinate with them. Operational special units can intervene in uncoordinated way only in cases when the lives of citizens are endangered. In those cases we do not wait for coordination”, said Minister Rexhepi. He promised that the construction of houses will continue.
On Thursday, one Albanian worker was injured while eight members of Kosovo Police refused to implement orders from the higher chain of command and they are expected to be subject of an internal investigation.
UNMIK doesn’t comment the Government’s statements (Koha Ditore)
The paper writes that the UN Mission in Kosovo has been reserved in commenting the latest developments in the north or the statement of Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi that UNMIK will receive the right answer. “We are investigating everything that is happening and we are consulting facts. It would be premature for us to make conclusive statements this stage. UNMIK promotes the right of all persons to return to their homes in Kosovo, according to applicable laws. We are concerned with recent threats to security,” said UNMIK Spokesperson Olivier Salgado.
Assembly of Kosovo doesn’t consider situation in the north concerning (dailies)
Majority parties represented at the Kosovo Assembly did not see it reasonable to have an urgent session to debate the situation in the north. The request for such a session was made by Vetëvendosje but the MPs rejected the idea claiming they do not yet have sufficient information about what is happening in the north of Kosovo.
“I think this is an urgent matter that needs to be discussed and in this case the Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi should report to us on the situation in the north,” said Vetëvendosje’s Liburn Aliu. However, head of the PDK parliamentary group Adem Grabovci said it is impossible for Rexhepi to be present at the Assembly as he is following the situation from up-close. “I have precise information that Minister is on the ground and the situation is under control,” he said.
Blerim Shala appointed coordinator for the dialogue (dailies)
President of Republic of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, has appointed AAK principal deputy leader Blerim Shala political coordinator for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, papers report. “President of Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, based on the Constitution of Republic of Kosovo, article 83 and article 64 point 2 and point 4, has appointed Mr. Blerim Shala, political coordinator in the dialogue for normalization of relations between Republic of Kosovo and Republic of Serbia”, says a press release issued from the Office of Kosovo President.
Kurti says Shala is ready for compromises (Bota Sot)
Vetëvendosje leader Albin Kurti in a press conference commented on the recent news of AAK deputy leader Blerim Shala being appointed political coordinator for Pristina-Belgrade dialogue and said that he is a person who not so long ago expressed his readiness for compromises with Serbia.
Speaking about the situation in the north, Vetëvendosje MP Liburn Aliu said the political dialogue between Thaçi and Dacic has encouraged Serbia to step up its activity in the north.
They do not renegotiate (Express)
The Government of Kosovo does not accept to renegotiate the Integrated Border Management agreement with Serbia. Unlike Belgrade officials who initiated some modifications of IBM in Brussels, Kosovars request its implementation in preciseness according to the compromise reached in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels.
Radio Free Europe reported that Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi had said that Kosovo expects implementation of the agreement in the beginning of December, according to the authentic interpretation of the European Union.
However, the so-called deputy mayor of Zveçan municipality, Dobrosav Dobric, does not agree with this and he did not exclude the possibility of establishing barricades. “The four municipalities are completely united. We will object to setting of the border that even Nazis could not set. We request to discuss with the President and Prime Minister. It is better to tell us that they do not want us in Serbia that to speak that they are against independence and that this is all for our benefit,” said Dobric.
Fitou: Institutions to avoid provocations in the north (dailies)
Koha Ditore reports that French Ambassador in Kosovo, Jean Francois Fitou, has justified the lack of intervention from the Kosovo Police, KFOR and EULEX to prevent the simulation exercise of organization Mitrovica Civil Protection in the north Mitrovica last Sunday.
“Kosovo institutions should be congratulated and people in general for refusing confrontation with Serb citizens there. This does not have to do at all with the fear of Kosovo because its borders are untouchable. It is an attempt of Kosovo Government to integrate peacefully the population of the north in local institutions”, said Fitou in a press conference. “Confrontation should be avoided despite all possible provocations: Kosovo has earned international reputation while demonstrating patience in the north,” the French diplomat added.
Reforms unblocked (Epoka e Re)
A member of the committee for constitutional amendments, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Epoka e Re that the blockade of constitutional and election reforms is coming to an end. The legislation committee of the Kosovo Parliament is namely expected to take over competencies from the constitutional amendment committee and from the committee for amending the election law.
“Constitutional amendments and the bill on elections are expected to be transferred to the Legislation Committee in order to end the several-months long blockade of constitutional and election reforms,” said the source.
Zbogar: Kosovo in the secure path towards EU (Express)
Head of the Office of the European Union in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, stated on Thursday that Kosovo is on the right path towards EU. “Kosovo is moving with confident steps towards the European Union. We, together with the institutions of Kosovo, are working for the integration of this country in Europe, because Kosovo is Europe and it belongs there,” said Zbogar. He made this comment during a visit in Peja together with EULEX chief, Xavier de Marnhac, where they met with municipality leadership and discussed the current security situation in that part.
Belgrade to show restraint if Haradinaj is released (Epoka e Re)
Epoka e Re reports that British Ambassador to Belgrade, Michael Davenport, said he was surprised with the verdict on former Croat generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markac, but added that the ICTY decision must be respected.
Davenport said Serbia should not abandon the process of talks with Kosovo, if the ICTY makes a similar verdict in the case of Ramush Haradinaj, former commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army. Davenport made these remarks during a meeting with the Speaker of Serbian Parliament, Nebojsa Stefanovic.
Some Serbian officials said Belgrade should abandon talks with Pristina and ambitions to join the European Union if The Hague Tribunal decides to release Haradinaj and his associates.
Presidency disputes Albin (Express)
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, has replied to the leader of Vetëvendosje movement, Albin Kurti, by saying that in order to be legitimate, the protest organized by this movement should have respect for the regulations set by law. The president has divided her response in seven paragraphs, by giving an answer to each problem raised by Kurti in a previous letter to her. “In order to be legitimate and legal, the protests should be informed on time to competent bodies and respect conditions determined by the law adopted at the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo,” says part of her response.
