PM Mustafa announce changes in his governing cabinet
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Talking about the statement of Serb minister at Kosovo Government Aleksandar Jablanovic and the situation that developed after recent violent protests, the Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa announced sooner changes in his governing cabinet.
According to Mustafa, after the statements that Jablanovic made, his further stay at minister’s post would neither be at his own interest.
“This issue has been hyperbolized and over-politicized by the political parties for their certain goals. But, since the protest has escalated twice and citizens have expressed their dissatisfaction through protest, this will neither impact positively in the relations between Albanian and Serb communities, and his stay at the ministry would not be at the interest of Jablanovic himself,” Mustafa said during a visit to Rahovec/Orahovac.
“Changes will come,” Mustafa underlined, without specifying the time when these changes will happen.
On the other hand, opposition did not manage to persuade Prime Minister Isa Mustafa to come to the interpellation about Jablanovic’s dismissal during an extraordinary session that they asked for Tuesday.
Opposition strongly criticized Prime Minister’s unwillingness to report and face the facts of Assembly MPs, a day prior to Wednesday’s protest.
Nonetheless, Mustafa accepted to report to Assembly MPs on Thursday’s regular session, that is a day after the next protest.
Minister Hyseni justifies police behavior in recent protest
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Interior minister Skender Hyseni reported to Kosovo Assembly committee about the violence exercised by the police and protesters in front of Government’s building in last week’s protest.
He considers that police intervention was necessary to disperse the crowd. Hyseni said that ultimatum given by Vetëvendosje representatives was unacceptable and it aggravated the situation further.
Minister Hyseni refuted the claims that he used police for political purposes, while he strongly criticized Vetëvendosje Movement for not announcing the protest to the police.
“I would rather seek asylum in Siberia than give political orders to Kosovo Police,” minister Hyseni emphasized.
He faced different questions and criticism by members of the Assembly committee of internal affairs. It was reported that several police officers are being investigated for the violence exercised against the protesters.
War veterans announce painful protests
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
KLA war veterans are also announcing protests. They say that their epilogue might be painful. 10 February is the date when Kosovo Government must publish the list of the verified war veterans. However, Government says that the list will be published during the first part of February.
“You are at the verge of a powerful confrontation,” “We want the lists of KLA veterans,” “Government, you are the disgrace of this country,” “This is the end, we will not be patient any longer,” are some of the slogans that KLA veterans placed on fences around the government building on Monday.
Xhevdet Qeriqi, who chairs the Council for Protection of Veterans’ Rights, said that if Government does not publish the lists of veterans by 10 February they will hit the streets, and they will not take over responsibility for anything that might happen in them.
Women want 40 per cent representation in Government
(Klan Kosova, TV21)
A group of women MPs handed over an amendment for constitutional changes to President Atifete Jahjaga to integrate the gender quota for women representation in Government.
The amendment anticipates that 40 per cent of the governing cabinet must be composed with women.
According to women MPs, this initiative follows the regress marked in representation of women in Kosovo Government, in particular in the last government.
The amendment was signed by 57 MPs from all the political entities, including the minority ones.
