PDK, LDK with different positions on special court (Koha)
The paper reports on its front page that the partners of the ruling coalition, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), have different positions about the jurisdiction of the special court. According to the paper, the PDK wants the special court to address war crimes allegations from the period 1 January 1998 until 31 December 1999. The LDK, on the other hand, wants the special court to address crimes committed until the declaration of Kosovo’s independence as well as politically-motivated crimes. The paper further notes that such differences are expected to be reflected during the parliamentary vote on the special court.
Ruling coalition secures votes for special court (Zeri)
The paper writes that the coalition partners have managed to convince the majority of MPs to vote in favour for the establishment of the special court at the end of this month. Unnamed sources told the paper that no more than three or four MPs from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) would vote against the establishment of special court. A senior PDK official told the paper that there is no danger now that the vote for the special court would fail to pass in the Assembly. Meanwhile, the Democratic Leagues of Kosovo (LDK) MPs say that there are no divisions in their party in regards to voting for the special court.
Brussels inspects Kosovo (Kosova Sot)
The paper writes that during this week a delegation from Brussels is expected to visit Kosovo to see how the work is going on the draft law for the establishment of the special court. However, the Kosovo authorities are expected to submit two requests to this delegation. The first is the exclusion of the Dick Marty’s report as possible evidence in trials, and the second is the involvement of Kosovo judges and prosecutors in this court.
Zbogar: Association to be established according to Kosovo laws (Zeri)
The European Union Special Representative in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, told RTK on Tuesday that the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities would be established in accordance with Kosovo’s legislation. He said that in line with the Brussels Agreement reached between Pristina and Belgrade, the Association/Community would have competences in the fields of education, health, economic development and urban planning. Zbogar also said that there are fears within the Kosovo institutions that the Association/Community would be transformed into a Serb republic, but according to him, this will not happen.
Jacobson: Ground-breaking ceremony a success (dailies)
All dailies report on the start of the construction of the new facility of the United States of America Embassy in Pristina on Tuesday. After laying the cornerstone, Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson said this marks the continuing friendship between Kosovo and the United States. “We have gone through a long journey together, ever since we opened the first information centre in Kosovo in the 1990s. During these 16 years, we have supported Kosovo in developing democracy and the rule of law. I feel that today we are laying the cornerstone of not only a necessary premises but as a mark of our continuing friendship,” Jacobson said. Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga and Prime Minister Isa Mustafa attended the ground-breaking ceremony.
Kosovo has initiated lobbying for SAA (Epoka e Re)
Petrit Selimi, Deputy Foreign Minister of Kosovo, told this daily that Kosovo has initiated a lobbying campaign for the Stabilization Association Agreement (SAA) in European Union member states. He added that frequent visits of the Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci to these countries are in a complete synchronization with this process. According to Selimi, Kosovo has received preliminary approval from all EU member states, therefore he does not expect any obstacles at the EU Council, not even from the five non-recognizing member states.
Bahtiri: I am optimistic that Peace Park will be removed soon (Epoka e Re)
Agim Bahtiri, the Mayor of Mitrovica, said in an interview for the paper that he feels optimistic that the Park of Peace will be removed from the River Ibër/Ibar Bridge very soon. He said that together with Goran Rakic, the Mayor of Mitrovica North, they are discussing the return of displaced Albanians to the north. Bahtiri assessed that removal of the barricade would have a positive impact on freedom of movement. Speaking about his campaign promises, Bahtiri said that he has managed to stop corruption, ransom, and smuggling in Mitrovica.
