Thaci: We are following the constitutional path (Epoka e Re)
Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister of Kosovo and leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), says in an interview for the paper that according to the Constitution of Kosovo and the 8 June elections the majority in parliament belongs to the PDK and its coalition partners. Thaci said the only way to overcome the challenge of establishing the Assembly is for the PDK candidate to be elected President of the Assembly on 12 September. He said the political deadlock can be resolved if political leaders start respecting the elections outcome and the decisions of the Constitutional Court. “The PDK, as a state-forming party, has always worked in line with parliamentary rules, the legal framework and constitutional timelines. We have never insulted, made personal politics or blackmailed the country for the sake of our own interests. Kosovo could have had the Assembly President and the government were it not for a blocking and anti-constitutional agreement between parties that have lost the elections,” he added.
Thaci said the new government would need to have broad political representation. “This is our natural objective because Kosovo needs unification and not division caused by the egos of political leaders,” he said.
Thaci also said he would not give up on the post of Prime Minister, arguing that “the votes of the people have tasked him with leading the country in the new development phase”.
Thaci also commented on the arrest of people suspected of involvement in terrorist activities, saying that this phenomenon comes as a result of influence by foreign organizations and fundamentalist propaganda through social networks and communication technology. “Every attempt to score political points from these arrests and this delicate matter would be a great irresponsibility that goes against our state interests. The state of Kosovo will show no mercy against those that threaten the European ideals of the absolute majority of Kosovars,” Thaci added.
Mustafa: Bloc won’t split even if we go into new elections (Gazeta Blic)
Isa Mustafa, leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), said today that the opposition coalition consisting of the LDK, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), will not split even if Kosovo goes into new parliamentary elections. Mustafa’s statement comes after some media reported that Mustafa allegedly said the bloc would split if he does not become President of the Assembly of Kosovo. “The LDK-AAK-NISMA coalition will not split, but the country risks going into new elections. We will win again. LDK, AAK and NISMA have the support of the majority of MPs. PDK and its coalition partners have not proved they have the majority. If someone thinks that MPs are forced to vote only for the PDK candidate, this would mean that democracy in Kosovo has died. However, the way things are going, it would be no surprise if the Constitutional Court takes on the role of Ayatollah, elects the President of Assembly, and declare itself the highest body in Kosovo,” Mustafa writes on his Facebook account.
Jacobson: Political forces need to solve political deadlock (Kosovapress)
In an interview for Voice of America, the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Tracey Ann Jacobson said Kosovo’s political forces need to break the political deadlock without any interference from other countries. Jacobson also commented on Islamic radicalism saying that authorities are seriously addressing the threat and also called on the government and society of Kosovo to confront this phenomenon. Asked about the special court that will address allegations of crimes committed by members of the former Kosovo Liberation Army, Jacobson said she cannot comment on ongoing investigations, but added that Kosovo would have to go through the process and close this chapter.
Krasniqi: Vetevendosje in government for sake of civic legitimacy (RTK)
Jakup Krasniqi, former Kosovo Assembly President and chairman of the National Council of the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), writes on his Facebook account that it is in Kosovo’s interest to have substantial changes in governance, which according to him, cannot be achieved by entering into a coalition with Hashim Thaci, leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo. Krasniqi argues that the inclusion of the Vetevendosje Movement in the coalition with the LDK, AAK and NISMA would guarantee a stable government and increase the civic legitimacy of the majority in parliament. Krasniqi also notes that new elections are not the best solution because they can lead to another political deadlock. “Kosovo needs new institutions. LAN, Vetevendosje and minority communities must form the coalition government. This is the best solution,” Krasniqi writes.
Conditioned elections (Tribuna)
In a front-page article, the paper reports that political parties have one week to end the political deadlock and that during this period they won’t be able to count on the intervention of international officials in Pristina. International sources told the paper that powerful Western countries that helped the creation of the state of Kosovo, prefer to allow political parties to explore all constitutional ways to break the political deadlock. The same sources said Western allies would be willing to interfere only after the constitutive session of the Assembly. If the Assembly does not become functional, only two options would remain: a broad-based government without NISMA and the Vetevendosje Movement, or new parliamentary elections.
Central Election Commission ready for elections (Zeri)
Kosovo’s Central Election Commission is ready to organize new parliamentary elections in autumn this year if leaders of political parties fail to create new institutions, the Assembly and the Government. CEC spokesman Valmir Elezi said organizing two elections within a short period of time would be a big challenge, but not impossible.
Indictments ready against 23 Albanians!? (Tribuna)
Citing a source who preferred to remain anonymous told Belgrade-based Blic daily newspaper that the first indictments resulting from Clint Williamson’s investigations are ready against 23 Albanians, including 11 former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army. “12 Albanians are accused of killing Serbs and associates of Ibrahim Rugova’s LDK. KLA leaders will be accused for command responsibility for the years 1999-2001,” the source said. He also claimed that KLA leaders would be accused of organs trade, which reportedly involved a doctor from Fushe Kruje, Albania. The source, who according to Blic is from Pristina, said there was a “clinic” in Fushe Kruje where organs harvesting was conducted. “The indictments will determine who will form the new government, Hashim Thaci or Ramush Haradinaj,” the source added.
UN tribunal overturns ruling backing whistleblower (Associated Press, dailies)
The United Nations Appeals Tribunal has overturned a ruling in favor of a whistleblower who accused senior colleagues of retaliating after he alleged corruption in the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. James Wasserstrom is an American who was the lead anti-corruption officer at the Kosovo Mission in 2007. He says the decision issued last weekend demonstrates that neither Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon nor the U.N. Ethics Office have “a credible interest beyond words in protecting the brave individuals who come forward after witnessing wrongdoing”. The U.N.’s Staff Union in Geneva said the tribunal’s 2-1 decision, which cannot be appealed, exposes the shortcomings of the U.N.’s whistleblower protection system. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Friday reaffirmed the secretary-general’s “strong support” for the work of the Ethics Office, which supports the appeals tribunal’s judgment.
