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UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 31, 2023

Albanian Language Media:
Blinken: Call all parties to take immediate actions to de-escalate tensions (media)
Kurti: Democracy cannot be suspended or held hostage (media)
Kurti to CNN: Not surrendering democratic republic to fascist militia (media)
US Penalises Kosovo After Unrest in Serb-Majority North (BIRN)
Opposition parties criticise govt for “cracking” relations with U.S. (RFE)
OSCE Secretary General condemns violence in north of Kosovo (media)
Kurti speaks with Peach, “in a democracy no place for fascist violence” (media)
Mehaj: Partnership with U.S. is forever, it will remain as such (RTK)
Police: Situation in north fragile but mostly calm (RTK)
Mehaj expresses great concern for KFOR members injured in north (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:
Citizens arriving in large numbers in front of the Zvecan municipality building, KFOR strengthening the barbed wire (KoSSev)
A large number of Serbs today in front of the Leposavic municipality building, KFOR strengthened the ring with barbed wire (Kosovo Online)
Vucevic: The high-risk security situation in the north Kosovo (RTS)
Serbian List called Kosovo Serbs not to endanger safety of KFOR soldiers (N1, FoNet)
Protest in front of German embassy in Belgrade (N1)
Lazarevic: The international community should have prevented Kurti, the Serbs should have avoided clashing with KFOR, the special units to withdraw (KoSSev, Nova S)
Rajovic: KP blocked the work of Flotation Trepca in Leposavic, production is at risk (Kosovo Online)
The Eastern American bishop thanked Blinken: The violence is deeply disturbing, indicative of what happened after your warning (KoSSev)
International Media:
Kosovo: ‘Fascist mobs’ guided by Serbia causing violence, says country’s PM (The Guardian)
Nato deploys extra troops to Kosovo after violent clashes (Financial Times)
Journalists targeted for attack again on Tuesday (BIRN)
Kosovo's Largest Serbian Party Vows To Continue Protests Until Demands Met (RFE)
Nato troops on guard in Kosovo town after clashes with Serb protesters (The Guardian)
Why did ethnic Serbs attack NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo? Here’s what we know (CNN)
Kosovo 'Tactical Game' Is A Strategic Blunder, Security Expert Charles Kupchan Warns Amid Balkan Violence (RFE)
What's behind the latest Kosovo flareup? (DW)
Russia Tells West to Stop 'Propaganda' Over Kosovo Clashes (The Moscow Times)
Ethnic Serbs Gather In Northern Kosovo Amid Flurry Of Diplomatic Efforts To Calm Tensions (RFE)
Djokovic ‘raising Serbia and Kosovo tension’ after French Open statement (The Guardian)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 30, 2023

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 30, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Ongoing efforts to organise meeting between Kurti and Vucic (RFE)
• Kosovo Police: Situation in north fragile but quiet (media)
• Serbian protesters attacked journalists in Leposavic (Koha)
• Ministry denies agreement for withdrawal of special police units from north (Telegrafi)
• Osmani: Vucic's gangs want destabilisation, their actions to be punished (Koha)
• Kurti talks to Peach: "A democracy has no place for fascist violence" (RTK)
• Borrell: Kosovo should withdraw Police from the municipal buildings in the north (Koha)
• Stano: Kosovo and Serbia are responsible for the violence in the north (Express)
• Lajcak tries to arrange an urgent Kurti-Vucic meeting (Koha)
• France: Kosovo and Serbia to return to dialogue with approach of compromise (media)
• Kearns: In north Kosovo, Serb gangs paid and armed by elements in Belgrade (media)
• Hungarian authorities give details about their soldiers injured in the north (media)
• Mayors of Leposaviq and North Mitrovica in municipal facilities, the one of Zvecan, works from the Office for Communities (Telegrafi)
• Barbed wire is placed near the facility of the Municipality of Zvecan (media)
• Kurti postpones participation in Bratislava Forum, due to developments in the north (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic with Quint ambassadors: Unilateral Pristina acts lead to violence against Serb community (Tanjug, media)
• Vucic met Botsan-Kharchenko (Tanjug)
• Vucic met Chen Bo (media)
• Petkovic says Kurti sole responsible for what happened in north yesterday (RTS)
• Lawyer says Dusan Obrenovic arrested in Zvecan beaten up (Kosovo Online, RTS, KoSSev)
• Szijarto: Hungarian soldiers within KFOR performed duty under Italian command (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: KFOR should have protected Serbs, not assisting ROSU units (N1, BETA)
• Todic with US KFOR commander, tells him life in Leposavic paralyzed (Kosovo Online)
• Serbs asking Petrovic and Obradovic release, otherwise announce more massive gathering (Danas, Kosovo Online, Kontakt plus radio)
• New Zvecan mayor went to local office in Lipa village (Radio Mitrovica sever, Danas)
• Leposavic: Incident with journalists, fewer citizens at the protest (KiM radio)
• New flag of Serbia placed near monument to Milos Obilic in Gracanica (KiM radio)
• Mural of Serbian tennis star Djokovic destroyed in Orahovac (N1, Radio Gorazdevac, KiM radio, Srna)
• UNS, DNKiM condemned ban on Serbian journalists entering Zvecan municipal building (KIM Radio, Kosovo Online)
• NUNS appealed to employers to provide journalists with protective equipment (Beta, Danas)
• Nedeljkovic: Four arrested will be released, withdrawal of Kosovo police expected by 3 p.m. (KoSSev, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Chinese MFA on situation in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

International:

• EU Urges Kosovo To 'Immediately De-Escalate' Situation After Violence In North (RFE)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 30, 2023

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 30, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: “Protests not peaceful; mobs of extremists directed from Belgrade” (Koha)
• Konjufca: Serbs again showed they want north separated from Kosovo (media)
• KFOR confirms: About 25 Italian and Hungarian soldiers injured (RTK)
• NATO spokesperson statement on unprovoked attacks against KFOR (media)
• Osmani: Attacks by criminal gangs must be condemned by everyone (media)
• Hovenier: Kurti to take steps to improve the situation (Koha)
• Ziadeh strongly condemns attacks on KFOR and injuries to troops and civilians, urges immediate de-escalation (media)
• International community on attacks on KFOR and journalists (media)
• Zvecan Mayor: I’ll go to work today with help of KFOR, I have meetings (Koha)
• Bislimi: Mayors can only work from municipal buildings (media)
• Kupchan: Government to withdraw from installing mayors in the north (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:

• Situation in Zvecan calm this morning, gatherings in north continue (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• Vucic blames Kosovo PM Kurti for unrest (N1)
• Violent clashes between KFOR and Serb protesters in Zvecan, dozens injured (RTS, KoSSev, Tanjug)
• Marko Djuric presents chronology of events in Zvecan yesterday (media, social media)
• Bishop Teodosije served prayer for peace in Zvecan (KoSSev)
• Raska-Prizren Diocese statement following violent incidents in northern Kosovo (social media)
• Serbian flag in Gracanica set on fire (Tanjug)
• Part of Serbian opposition: Vucic should resign because of events in Kosovo (RTS)

International Media:

• NATO-Led Force Moves To Disperse Crowds As Tensions Rise In Standoffs With Serbs In Northern Kosovo (RFE)
• Kosovo: Fresh clashes as Nato troops called in to northern towns (BBC)
• Protesters, Peacekeepers, Injured as Violence Erupts in North Kosovo (BIRN)
• Lavrov: Situation in Kosovo may provoke new conflict in Europe (euronews)
• Kosovo ex-president on trial for war crimes allowed to visit his sick mother (AP)
• Back to the Abuser: Kosovo Women Struggle to Escape Domestic Violence (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 29, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Implementation of basic agreement, situation in north to be calmed down (media)
• Hovenier after meeting Osmani: Situation is very concerning (media)
• Szunyog : We asked them to show restraint, not to escalate situation further (Reporteri)
• Kurti: Important to intensify dialogue for full implementation of Basic Agreement (media)
• KFOR: We have increased our presence in north, ready for necessary actions (RTK)
• Media teams attacked in the north: tires slashed, and symbols sprayed (media)
• Protesters in Zvecan throw empty bottles at SL leader Goran Rakic (media)
• Serbian flag placed on Kosovo Police armoured vehicle in Zvecan (Koha)
• Von Cramon calls on Kosovo to withdraw special police units from north (Koha)
• Atic: I have asked to be connected to network and to start paying electricity (Kallxo)
• Hyseni: Kurti, Osmani definitely bringing back 1244 and UNMIK in north (Nacionale)
• Prosecution files charges against Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla (media)
• Haradinaj: We thank U.S. soldiers that served and still serve in Kosovo (Klan Kosova)

Serbian Language Media:

• Rakic: We presented our demands, mayors to leave and special police forces to withdraw (Kosovo Online)
• Milovic: Protests are peaceful (RTS)
• Protests in the north: We gathered in peace, with request that police and new mayors go home (Radio Mitrovica sever, TV Most, Kontakt plus radio)
• KFOR Region North Commander arrived to Zvecan (Kosovo Online)
• Brnabic: Situation in Kosovo tense, we must preserve peace (Tanjug)
• Dacic on situation in northern Kosovo (RTS, media)
• Mayors from Self-determination Movement didn’t attend meeting with US Ambassador (RTS, KoSSev)
• KFOR: We increased presence in north, we will ensure safe environment (Kosovo Online)
• Von Cramon visited Zvecan and Leposavic yesterday (KoSSev)
• Grenell: From peace and progress we went to chaos and occupation (N1, social media)
• Vucic no longer leader of SNS, Vucevic takes his place (BETA)
• Vucevic: By 2:00 p.m. we will finish deploying the units, we hope for a political solution (N1)
• Detention of Sladjan Trajkovic extended for two more months (Radio KIM)
• Albanian journalists for a brief time in the municipal building in Zvecan (KiM radio)

Opinion:

• Palokaj: Could it really be that Serbia met all obligations and Kosovo didn’t (Koha)

International:

• NATO troops form security cordons in Kosovo as Serbs protest (Al Jazeera)
• Kosovo Serbs trying to take over municipality building in north clash with police (AP)
• Embassies of Quint and EU condemn Kosovo decision to force access in north (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 29, 2023

• Police: Protesters threw teargas in Zvecan, we responded with spray (Express)
• Situation in northern Kosovo this morning, increased presence of KFOR (media)
• Police withdraw from cordon in Zubin Potok, KFOR members remain (Nacionale)
• Rakic asks KFOR that Zvecan mayor should not enter municipal building (media)
• Zeqiri: We will meet Hovenier in Pristina at 09:00 (Koha)
• Dacic: Albanians cannot be mayors in Serb municipalities (RFE)
• School classes in northern Kosovo suspended until further notice (Tanjug)
• Serbian List asks Vucic to end dialogue with Pristina (N1, KoSSev)
• EU and QUINT: Unilateral actions negatively affect our relationships (media)
• Borrell announces talk with Stoltenberg about situation in the north (media)
• NATO head urges Kosovo to ease tensions with Serbia (Reuters)
• Sarrazin: We do not allow chances offered by Ohrid agreement to collapse due to reckless decision (Koha)
• PM Kurti meets Rapporteur for Kosovo in European Parliament (euronews.al)
• Von Cramon: Situation in the north is tense, wise solutions must be found (Koha)
• Kusari-Lila: Von Cramon's statements about Kosovo Police offensive (Koha)

• Von Cramon to hold press conference in Pristina today (media)

• Vucic says he fears the conflict in Kosovo (media)
• US, EU allies scold Kosovo for escalating tensions with Serbia (politico.eu)
• US rebukes Kosovo for escalating tensions, Serbia puts army on alert (euraactiv)
• Serbian border police on high alert amid ethnic clashes inside Kosovo (France24)
• Serbia blasts NATO forces over inaction during Kosovo clashes (Aljazeera)
• Serbian border troops to maintain highest state of alert after ethnic clashes inside Kosovo (AP)
• Russia blames US, EU for escalating tensions in Kosovo (Reuters)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 26, 2023

New mayors in the north swore outside their offices (BIRN)
Varhelyi: Support for Kosovo's European path (RTK)
Murphy calls for swift implementation of agreement (media)
North Macedonia Foreign Minister to visit Kosovo today (media)
Grenell: I managed to convince Thaci and Vucic to undo Special Court (media)
UNDP Pulse: Lower satisfaction with work of Kurti, Osmani, Konjufca (Kallxo)
Serb reporter: Besnik Bislimi will visit Mitrovica North on Monday (media)
Administrator: USAID to continue supporting Kosovo (Euronews)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 25, 2023

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 25, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Varhelyi: Parties to implement reached agreements, including Association (Koha)
• New mayors of northern municipalities sworn in (Radio Free Europe)
• Kurti calls for full, swift and unconditional implementation of agreement (media)
• Exclusive: These are four steps of implementation of the agreement, needs to end by autumn, otherwise “consequences will be immediate” (Albanian Post)
• Haxhiu: Kosovo needs a professional and brave state chief prosecutor (media)
• Radoica Radomirovic appointed Deputy Minister for Communities and Returns (media)
• AJK: Sami Kurteshi’s language against us is very dangerous and unacceptable (Klan)
• Who is Srdjan Jurisevic, Montenegrin arrested in Gjilan on international warrant (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic receives US senators (Tanjug, media)
• ‘KLA’ graffiti appeared on children’s playground in Ugljare village (Tanjug, RTS, N1)
• Freedom House: No change for Serbia (N1)
• Radoica Radomirovic appointed as Rasic’s deputy (KoSSev)
• UNS: In four months 43 cases of attacks, pressure on journalists in Serbia (Beta, N1)
• Without presence of Serbian councillors, with flags of Kosovo and Albania: Mayor of Zubin Potok took oath (Danas)
• Hetemi took oath as Leposavic mayor in Saljska Bistrica (Kosovo Online)
• Zvecan Mayor, Ilir Peci, after taking oath, made statements next to grave of Isa Boletini (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic receives farewell visit from Cypriot ambassador (Tanjug)
• Dacic: Serbia wishes more active presence of OSCE in Kosovo (RTS)

International:

• Kosovo Ruling Party Criticised for Electing Supporter to Media Regulator Board (BIRN)
• Activists Advocate for Lower Taxes on Menstrual Products in Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 25, 2023

• Three mayors of northern municipalities to swear in today in public buildings (media)
• Rasic on swearing in of mayors: I don’t see any obstacle (media)
• Hovenier: Government to urgently prepare draft statute of Association (RTV21)
• Varhelyi to visit Kosovo today, will meet leaders and opposition (media)
• Reactions to Aliu election as member of Independent Media Commission (media)
• Kosovo to invest €1.77 mil to improve railways, water infrastructure (SeeNews)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 24, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Three mayors in the north will swear in tomorrow in public premises (media)
• Krasniqi: New mayors will exercise mandates in their municipalities (Albanian Post)
• Osmani on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue: There is more pressure on Kosovo (Dukagjini)
• Freedom House report: War deepens a regional divide (media)
• Senior western diplomat: If Kosovo doesn’t propose statute for Association, facilitators could seek solutions outside the Constitution (Albanian Post)
• LDK proposal for own source revenues will go to the Assembly (Koha)
• LDK’s Lumir Abdixhiku goes to party elections, certain of another mandate (Express)
• Faton Bislimi resigns from LDK presidency (Paparaci)

Serbian Language Media:

• Diplomatic corps visits Visoki Decani Monastery, recalls unimplemented Constitutional Court decision (KoSSev, media)
• Jevtic: The Constitutional Court assessed that Kostic, the defendant in the "Brezovica" case, was unjustifiably detained (Radio Mitrovica sever, Blic, KiM radio)
• Pristina: Ceremony of signing memorandum to organise European judoka championship without translation in Serbian (Radio KIM)
• General Mojsilovic met Brig Gen Romano (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Strong willingness of Serbs from Kosovo to come to Belgrade, despite Pristina’s threats (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Momcilo Trajkovic called on fellow citizens of Kosovo not to go to the counter rally on May 26 (N1, FoNet, KiM radio)
• Peci to take the oath at the "Tower of Isa Boletini", Zeqiri in Cabra, Hetemi in Bistrica (Kontakt plus radio, Koha)
• Orlic receives Theophylactou (Tanjug)
• Vucic: Escobar should read Brussels Agreement again (Tanjug, RTS)
• Poll: Majority of respondents believe that BG and PR authorities benefited after Serbs withdrew from Kosovo institutions (KoSSev)

International:

• Germany’s Unique Opportunity to Locate Kosovo War Mass Graves (BIRN)
• Freedom House: Democratic institutions in the Western Balkans continued to falter in 2022 (EWB)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 24, 2023

• Extension of UK commitment to NATO's Kosovo Force announced during ministerial visit to Western Balkans (gov.uk)
• 2 US Senators promote closer Serbia-Kosovo ties in Balkans visit (AP)
• Atic appoints four directors - one Albanian, one Bosnian, one Serb and one Egyptian (media)
• Mayors in northern municipalities expected to swear in on Thursday (media)
• June 1, “trap” for destabilization of the north (Radio Free Europe)
• Why is Mogherini silent about the letter she once sent to Mustafa? (RTK)
• Vucic: Kosovo has no competence to propose statute for Association (Reporteri)
• Decani Monastery says visit of diplomats is support for 24 hectares (Reporteri)
• Kosovo Ex-Guerrilla Leaders’ Trial Hears Allegations of Assault (BIRN)
• Director of Visametric in Kosovo Detained by Prosecution (Prishtina Insight)
• Inverted neon house installed in Kosovo pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale (Dezeen)