Police operation in Kumanovo ends, Kosovo journalists released
(All monitored broadcasters, TV21&KTV)
Although heavy police forces have withdrawn from the neighbourhood where the fighting occurred, tense situation goes on in Kumanovo, Macedonia. Mayor of Kumanovo declared extraordinary situation in the municipality.
In the meantime, the OSCE representatives have entered the “Lagja e Trimave” neighbourhood to carry out the investigation. They are expected to assist and look into everything that happened over the last 48 hours. This will be last stage of investigations, whereas after the withdrawal of the OSCE officials, neighbourhood residents will be allowed to return to their houses and situation will to return to normal.
KTV journalists reported that current situation in Kumanovo was calmer. Police have told residents that they will be able to return to their homes after the neighbourhood will be cleared.
Koha Ditore crew, Fitim Gashi and Lirim Hamiti, were arrested by the Police in Kumanovo. They were released after being interviewed. Their release was also made possible thanks to intervention of Kosovo Embassy in Macedonia. They were stopped by the Macedonian police, while they were reporting from the scene.
Radio and Television of Kosovo (RTK) also reported that its crew, composed of journalist Besart Galica, cameraman Arben Llapashtica and the driver Halit Rexhepi, who were covering developments in Kumanovo, were interviewed by the Macedonian Police and they were kept for three hours in Kumanovo police station. Following the engagement of Kosovo Embassy in Macedonia, the crew was released and they headed toward Prishtinë /Pristina.
Over 20 persons were killed and dozens of others were injured in the clashes that started on Saturday between an armed group and Macedonian police forces. Macedonian Prime Minister said that incident aimed to destabilize Macedonia.
Following the situation created in Macedonia, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga held a meeting on Sunday with Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and interior minister Skender Hyseni. The meeting was held to discuss current security situation in Kosovo and latest developments in Macedonia.
In the later news editions, TV broadcasters reported that the police operation Kumanovo concluded. According to Macedonian ministry of interior, eight police officers and 14 gunmen were killed in this incident.
Mustafa fears secret ballot in his party branch
(Klan Kosova, KTV)
Isa Mustafa did was afraid to face the secret ballot in his party branch, KTV reported. In contradiction with the statute and regulation on elections in LDK, Mustafa requested to be voted by acclamation and not through secret ballot, as it should have done so.
Article 22 of LDK statute says that election of LDK bodies is done through secret ballot. The LDK regulation on elections is even clearer, which, in Article 13, plainly states that delegates for LDK Assembly are elected through secret ballot and with more candidates. Mustafa has violated party decisions when he requested acclamation vote for him. All others were elected by secret ballot. Frashër Demaj was elected with most votes from the branch, which is considered the biggest and the most powerful one of LDK.
Elections in LDK, which will be held from the end of this month, are expected to elect the President and leading structures.
Maric: Establishment of the Association critical for survival of Serbs
(Klan Kosova, RTK2)
Respect of Brussels Agreement and establishment of the Association of Serb Municipalities are crucial for survival of Serbs in Kosovo, minister of local government administration (MLGA) Ljubomir Maric said.
He told Radio and Television of Serbia that Serbs enjoy the support of international community for establishment of inter-ministerial group for return of Serb IDPs.
Maric said that he is happy with the Serbian government’s stance regarding Serb property in Kosovo.
Serb family complains about return conditions
(Klan Kosova)
Zarko Belosevic and his wife are the only Serbs that have returned to Kosovo during Isa Mustafa’s Government. But this fact has not impacted at all for Belosevic to have any privilege in Cerkolez village of Istog/Istok. Belosevic said that following his return from Kragujevac town of Serbia, he lacks basic living conditions.
“I have nothing, but two piglets that my neighbors gave to me. Ministry calls for our return, but they give us nothing,” Belosevic underlined.
Nonetheless, the Serb that speaks a little Albanian has some hope. “There is hope; I have ten hectares of land,” he told Klan Kosova.
The municipality of Istog/Istok pledged that they will soon visit Belosevic family. Furthermore, deputy mayor Lulzim Blakaj said that the municipality is committed to return all its Serb community citizens.
