Kosovo Serbs react to announcement for demolishing Orthodox Church
(TV21 & KTV)
Kosovo Serbs reacted to the announcement of Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Dardan Gashi for demolishing Orthodox Church which is located at the University of Prishtina campus. The mayor of Gracanica/Graçanicë Branimir Stojanovic considers that Minister Gashi’s statement is an attempt to intimidate Serbs who live in Kosovo. According to Stojanovic, this is a message that there is no room for Serbs in Prishtinë/Pristina.
According to the new Gracanica/Graçanicë mayor, such a decision may not be taken without permission of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
KTV quoted Stojanovic as saying that he has sent a letter of protest to embassies in Prishtinë/Pristina, EULEX, KFOR, and to the OSCE.
Government approves decision on EULEX and Special Court
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Besides EULEX’s mandate, Kosovo Assembly members in Wednesday’s session will discuss setting up Special Court for alleged KLA crimes. On Tuesday, Government adopted Draft Law on Ratifying Agreement for extending EULEX’s mandate, which includes setting up Special Court for KLA war crimes.
Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi did not provide details on setting up Special Court. Regarding EULEX, it was said that its mandate will be extended until 15 June 2016, but it was not specified how long will be mandate of the Special Investigative Task Force. However, Kuçi stated that this agreement ensures mandate and independence to the Taskforce.
US and EU encourage Assembly to ratify Special Court
(Most monitored broadcasters, Klan Kosova)
“The US Embassy is encouraged by the Government of Kosovo’s approval today of the ratification law on the Exchange of Letters between President Jahjaga and Baroness Ashton,” reads a letter issued by the U.S. Embassy in Prishtinë/Pristina:
According to the US Embassy, Special Court’s set up is the best option for closing this chapter of Kosovo’s history.
The European Union Special Representative in Kosovo Samuel Zbogar and the EU Member States represented in Kosovo welcomed the Kosovo Government’s decision today to approve the draft law on ratification of the Exchange of Letters between President Jahjaga and Baroness Ashton.
Through a press release issued, they called on Members of the Assembly to approve this law which will support the transitioning of EULEX’s mandate, and will set up a Special Court.
“We firmly believe that such a decision needs to be taken to pave the way to a better, European future for Kosovo and its citizens,” reads the statement issued by the EU Office in Kosovo.
Thaçi calls for establishment of Armed Forces
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi keeps calling on Kosovo MPs to vote in favour of transformation of Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) into Armed Forces. He is afraid that a postponement will bring later consequences.
AAK also is afraid of the postponement, while LDK does not believe that the transformation will happen during this mandate.
Vetëvendosje Movement (VV) considers that the Assembly should by no means accept condition of Serb MPs for conditioning their voting in favour of KSF transformation as an exchange for extending reserved seats.
Internal Affairs Committee criticises Police Inspectorate
(KTV)
Members of the Assembly Committee for Internal Affairs and Security are not pleased with performance of the Kosovo Police Inspectorate. The Committee members addressed a lot of criticism to the Inspectorate, saying that it is not dealing with those police officers who are involved in criminal affairs.
On the other hand, Police Inspectorate managers refuted the allegations, saying that they have accomplished their tasks with responsibility. Director of the Inspectorate Fitim Shishani called on everybody to report facts about involvement of police officers in crimes or for various ethical violations.
The Committee members also criticised the Inspectorate for not implementing recommendations that were made to this institution. However, Shishani said that he received recommendations only last week.
