Opposition does not withdraw on special court issues (RTK)
Objectors to the special court replied to remarks by US Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson that those deputies who are opposing this court are doing it for personal interests. Opposition representatives said that they are doing this because it violates Kosovo’s sovereignty. Albulena Haxhiu, a Kosovo Assembly deputy from the Vetevendosje Movement, said that their objections to the special court are principled. “The only reason why we are objecting to this court is because it is an ethnic court, it is being established only for Albanians and this is unjust. Secondly, it violates the sovereignty of the Republic of Kosovo. We are deputies and it is our obligation to defend sovereignty and KLA’s just war,” said Haxhiu. The head of the AAK parliamentary group, Donika Kadaj Bujupi, said that her party has proved in many cases that individual interests are not put before state ones. “Our leaders have cooperated with both local and international justice,” said Kadaj Bujupi.
Visa liberalization and SAA depend on special court (Zeri)
The Deputy Minister of European Integration, Ramadan Ilazi, said on Thursday that the failure to establish the special court could affect Kosovo in the process of visa liberalization and the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA). Ilazi said that despite developments that might occur, Kosovo will insist on correct evaluations of the fulfillment of criteria for the SAA and visa liberalization.
Bosch: Special court is not against Albanians (Zeri)
The Netherlands Ambassador to Kosovo, Robert Bosch, told Klan Kosova TV that the failure to establish the special court is not right and that Kosovo itself should establish such a court. “I am not pleased that the special court was not voted. This is a state obligation and it should be fulfilled,” Bosch said. “The Special court is not about punishing Albanians. Innocent people have nothing to worry about.” He also said that those who voted against or abstained should be blamed. According to him, the special court should be established because other alternatives might be worse.
Osmani: We will block Thaci’s candidacy for President (Koha)
The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) MP, Vjosa Osmani, told KTV that the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Hashim Thaci, cannot become Kosovo’s President as, according to her, he has ruined Kosovo’s image. “We will block his candidacy for President,” Osmani said. She said that a group of some “dissatisfied” LDK MPs in cooperation with the opposition will provide a counter-candidate to Thaci, but have yet to decide on a name.
Montenegro refuses extradition of war crime suspect to Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Authorities in Montenegro have refused the extradition of Miras Gegovic, wanted by Kosovo on war crimes charges. A court in Podgorica released Gegovic who was originally arrested on 19 February this year on an international arrest warrant issued by UNMIK.
