Government is legitimizing people with suspicious backgrounds

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)

When the “Civil Protection” was initially established in 2006 in the northern part of Kosovo, there were many reactions from the institutions. Nevertheless, this mechanism was established by Serbia, even without the permission of UNMIK, which administered Kosovo at that time.

Now, over 480 persons of this organization that the Government once qualified illegal will enter Kosovo institutions. With this action, the Government is only legitimizing these people with suspicious backgrounds, and who for 10 years carried out illegal tasks in Kosovo.

Most of these persons that are being legitimized by Kosovo Government are suspected of having been involved in different actions against the constitutional order.

“Civil Protection” was active in placing barricades and carrying out police tasks illegally at the time when Kosovo institutions undertook the action for taking control over border points in the north.

Ylli Hoxha of Vetëvendosje Movement says that these persons have forced Albanians out the northern part. He also makes “Civil Protection” members responsible of committing different crimes.

Members of the “Civil Protection” were integrated in Kosovo institutions without even calling a vacancy for them. This happened through a political agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, but the person responsible of this agreement, minister for dialogue Edita Tahiri, did not want to comment on the agreement.

KTV contacted minister Tahiri’s cabinet, but irrespective to the promise, they did not answer to its calls. Government did not want to comment it, either. Government spokesperson told KTV to talk to minister Tahiri’s cabinet about this matter.

In the meantime, representatives of Albanians from the north reacted about signing of contracts with Kosovo institutions by the members of paramilitary structures, the so-called “Civil Protection” which happened on Monday in the northern part of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë.

According to them, although they compose over 30 % of the population in the north, Albanians living in this part of Kosovo are discriminated by leaders of the northern municipalities, as they are not provided any possibilities of getting employed not only in municipal administration, nor in hospitals, family medicine centres, education or social centres.

Jahjaga: A solution within institutions must be found

(RTK1)

Based on Kosovo Assembly’s work regulation, the first meeting of the spring session should be held on Monday next week. As the situation is now, the majority does not even plan to call a session without a prior agreement about it. This idea is also supported by a number of political analysts.

In the meantime, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga said that a solution must be found through dialogue within the institutions and not through vandalism and violence.

“Streets are not a solution. Violence is not a solution. Vandalism is not a solution. Solutions are within the institutions and within the true inter-institutional dialogue,” President Jahjaga said.

Thaçi: It is time for dialogue between ruling and opposition parties

(RTK1)

Following Saturday’s protest opposition which ended up with violence, Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi considers the current political situation in Kosovo as unacceptable, unnecessary and undesirable. Thaçi said that time for dialogue is now.

“It is the moment for dialogue to happen between the political spectrum. Completely irrelevant issues should by no means and under no circumstances be taken as a pretext for political riots or use of violence, burning of country institutions..,” Thaçi stated.

Underlining the respect for institutions’ legitimacy, Thaçi said concrete steps have been taken for establishment of dialogue between the ruling and opposition parties.

Thaçi ruled out early elections, saying that there is no reason for them to be held.

Mustafa: Visa liberalisation criteria have been met

(KTV)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa said that visa liberalisation criteria have been fully met, and now only the completion of administrative processes is expected.

“Names of board members of Procurement Review Panel have already been proposed,” PM Mustafa said.

According to him, Kosovo is expected to receive positive recommendation on visa liberalisation this February.

He also spoke about the economic situation in Kosovo, considering it unfavourable for foreign investments. Mustafa blamed political situation in the country for the missing direct investments.

Covering the same topic, Klan Kosova reported that dispute related to the building that the Constitutional Court is currently located is the only remaining condition for visa liberalisation process. This was stated by stated by the foreign minister Hashim Thaçi to Zona B show broadcasted on Monday. He said that Ombudsperson Institution will need to be located in these premises.

On the other hand, Constitutional Court representatives did not want to make any pronouncement if they will dislocate to the Palace of Justice, or not.

Returnee house burglarised in Osojan village

(RTK2)

The window of Serb family house Repanovic in Osojan village of Istog/Istok was broken, the house was searched and money, laptop as well as clothes were stolen from it.

In a statement for RTK2, Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Branimir Stojanovic underlined that police work, when attacks against returnees are in question, is to take statements and investigate the case.

“Desecrations, robberies, burglaries, burnings in Serb areas do not rest, which are an indicator that Serbs here are bothering someone, and with these they want to intimidate and drive them away from these areas. Situation in returnee areas is the most sensitive. The ones that commit these acts are aware that incidents carried out in returnee areas have double effect, as they discourage the ones willing to live there,” Stojanovic said.

Minister for return and communities, Dalibor Jevtic, also underlines that burglarising of Repanovic family house has brought unrest and fear among residents of this returnee village. Jevtic said this was very bad news, as it will make return of those willing to return harder.

A Serb returned to Kosovo to become a politician

(Klan Kosova)

Head of the New Party of Kosovo, Aleksandar Grujic, is recently spending more time in Kosovo than in Belgrade, where he has lived for a long time. Grujic has a very strong reason for returning to his place of birth and where he spent his childhood.

He has joined politics in Kosovo by leading the New Party of Kosovo political entity with its offices in Gracanica/Graçanicë town.

Grujic considers his involvement in politics as a need for helping young people who need jobs.

However, Grujic says that his involvement in politics was left as a will by his father, Zoran, who used to be the general director of Kosovo Bank during Serbia’s system. According to him, his father left his post as he did not agree with Slobodan Milosevic’s policies.

According to him, Srpska List is acting with Serbian Government directives.

Grujic said that in case his party wins in elections, it will work differently from Srpska List by fully recognizing the state of Kosovo.