UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 21, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Ruge on Iber bridge: Decisions through dialogue, in coordinated manner (media)
Shea: It won’t be long before we see a united Mitrovica (media)
AJK submits comments to IMC law to Constitutional Court (media)
Kosovo to sign US$ 34.5 mil agreement with USAID today (media)
Osmani, Hargreaves talk latest developments, including Iber bridge (media)
Memorandum signed on safehouse for domestic violence victims in north (media)
Family of person accused by Dacic: “Propaganda, he has special needs” (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Safe House Initiative in North Mitrovica: New Facility Planned on Previously Halted Site (KoSSev)
Dacic: Threatening messages to airport, embassies and consulates sent by Albanian whose parents are from Kosovo (KoSSev, media)
Ruge: NATO stance is that issue of Ibar Bridge be resolved through dialogue and in coordinated manner (Kosovo Online, social media)
Vucic to meet Ruge today (Tanjug)
Lawyer: Detention of three Serbs arrested in relation to Banjska case extended for two more months (Kosovo Online)
Serb from Gorazdevac released after spending 48 hours in detention (RTS)
6.100 requests submitted for conversion of drivers’ licences (Radio KIM)
“Where there’s no law, there’s the people”: Fresh lithium protests in Serbia (N1)

International Media:

In Serbia, Shadow of a Mass Shooting Hangs over Trial of Another (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani meets Ruge; “gratitude for NATO’s ongoing contribution” (media)
Osmani: I know Vucic was directly involved in ordering attack in Banjska (media)
Stano: EU has not changed position on opening of Iber bridge (media)
“After Krasniqi indictment, PDK wants investigation into energy mafia” (media)
Hoti: Assembly to stop degradation of RTK; opposition must take action (media)
COMKFOR meets NATO Assistant Secretary General Boris Ruge (media)
Atiq: Fence around building of Mitrovica North municipality removed (media)
KFOR Italian soldiers patrol ABL in Istog municipality (media)
Special Prosecutor's Office begins to interview Sami Kurteshi (EO)
“Death to Albanians, Kosovo is Serbia” written at Bujanovac health center (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

Djuric: Two Serbian embassies in Europe received threats; heightened security measures (Tanjug, RTS, TV Pink, media)
Former KFOR officer in trial to Thaci: Torture room found at KLA HQ in Gnjilane in 1999 (KoSSev, BETA)
Arsenijevic apprehended again because he whistled at ministers from Pristina (KoSSev, Radio kontakt plus, media)
Arsenijevic after arrest: Whistles in hands, so next time there is no peace for people, let there be no peace for authorities as well (KoSSev, social media)
UNS: 26 years since kidnapping of journalists Slavuj and Perenic, their whereabouts still unknown (UNS, media)
Gogic: The US has already interfered in Kosovo elections; Hamza and Kasanof meeting a message to Kurti (Kosovo Online)
British Ambassador believes Serbia can develop Jadar project safely (N1, BETA)

International:

Reopening Of Mitrovica Bridge Long Overdue But Must Be Done In Consultation With Allies, Says Kosovo's President (RFE)
The silent nightmare of Balkan depopulation (euobserver.com)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti on Iber bridge: Don’t want to surprise allies, or postpone indefinitely (media)
Osmani: First joint security assessments, then date on opening the bridge (RFE)
Osmani meets COMKFOR, “success is achieved with our allies” (media)
Court confirms indictment against Gervalla for failing to declare wealth (media)
Prosecution files indictment against former chief of power corporation (media)
Abdixhiku: The energy mafia will fall on February 9 (media)
Kurti meets members of the Albanian community in Chicago (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Djuric writes to NDI: Invitation to Kurti platform for further destabilisation of Balkans (Kosovo Online, media)
Petkovic: For Bislimi attacks against Serbs are obviously not attacks (media, social media)
KFOR on meeting with Osmani (social media)
Media: Kosovo Government for three years spent 30 million euros on fuel for official vehicles (Radio kontakt plus, Tanjug, Politika)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani talks to COMKFOR about Iber Bridge: Success is achieved with allies (Koha)
Kurti in USA, participates in officialization of Kamala Harris as candidate for president (media)
Dimal Basha: Media helping Serbia and Russia to misinform (ekonomia)
The Hybrid Platform reacts to Dimal Basha’s comments on their report (ekonomia)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls diaspora to participate of population census (RTK)
Haziri: Countdown begins for this government that failed in every promise, the big comeback will happen (ekonomia)
A person arrested in Gorazhdec for singing songs that incite inter-ethnic division and hatred (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Office for KiM: Apprehension of Zlaticanin staged persecution (Radio KIM, media)
Serbian List reacts to arrest in Gorazdevac (Kosovo Online)
Sljuka: Many people drive cars registered in Serbia with authorization, there is still no solution for them (Kosovo Online)
Kosovo Property Agency takes away premises used by Pensioners Association in Mitrovica North (Kosovo Online)
Half a million euros for restoration of Xhafer Deva’s house in Mitrovica South (Euronews, media)
Gudzic: Ulpiana is not part of Albanian cultural heritage (Kosovo Online)
“Beqir’s Church” desecrated again (Radio KIM, media)
Activist: Future protests will depend on actions of authorities, Rio Tinto (N1, BETA)

International:

‘Bad Blood’ Stalks a Lithium Mine in Serbia (The New York Times)

Humanitarian/Development:

Families of missing Serbs and Albanians: Politics is blocking process of finding our loved ones (Kosovo Online)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 19, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Head of RTK Board and member resign their positions (RFE)
OSCE calls on Assembly to elect new RTK board members as high priority (media)
Kurti: Report shows Kosovo ranks 2nd in Emerging Europe (media)
Police, Kosovo Security Force and PM Kurti targeted by fake news (RFE)
Opening of Iber Bridge “for several hours a day” as the first phase? (Nacionale)
KSF supporting civilian authorities in managing fires (media)
Kurti: Fascinating excavations taking place in ancient city of Ulpiana (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: I expect KFOR to keep its word that without agreement there will be no opening of Ibar bridge (Kosovo Online, media)
Group of women from north met KFOR representatives, thanked them for swift reaction (Kosovo Online, Alternativna.com, social media)
K-Serbian civic leaders question validity of Kurti’s Ibar bridge consultation (KoSSev)
OSCE: Appointment of new members and director at RTK should be transparent and merit based (Kosovo Online, social media)
Rukiqi: False claims of successful development of Kosovo, Kurti discouraged foreign investors (Kosovo Online)
Serbian officials accuse West of backing protests amid controversy (N1)

Opinion:

Is Driving Across the Iber Bridge worth this much trouble? (Sbunker, social media)

International Media:

Kosovo, North Macedonia Book Collaboration Challenges LGBTQ+ Stigma (BIRN)
EU Warns Kosovo as Mitrovica Bridge Standoff Goes On (Balkan Insight)
Culture Wars: The Fate of Churches in Kosovo (RFE)

Albanian Language Media:

EU: Kosovo will remain alone if it does not listen to its friends (media)
LVV proposes February 2 as date of elections (Koha)
Abazi: Kurti is using the Iber Bridge for pre-election campaign (ekonomia)
Haliti: Kurti often acts like a child in politics, seeks attention by creating problems (ekonomia)
About six thousand residents converted their driver's licenses (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Situation on main Ibar River bridge unchanged, Carabinieri, KFOR and EULEX patrols present (Kosovo Online)
Drecun: Kurti needs bridge for political reasons, not for traffic (Kosovo Online, Kurir)
Gogic: Relations between Kosovo and Quint in crisis, bridge has become problem between Kurti and international community (Kosovo Online, Danas)
Kosovo police launches “I Am a Kosovo Policeman“ initiative amid bridge tensions (KoSSev)
Kosovo companies are branching out to the north (RFE, media)
Vukadinovic: Kurti achieved in Kosovo “practically everything” (Radio KIM, KoSSev, Nova.rs)
Anti-lithium mining activist says protests will continue (N1, Danas)

International:

Europe’s Electric Car Industry Lines Up for Lithium from Serbia (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

Government officials ask Lajcak why EU changed its stance on Iber bridge (Koha)
Patel: USA will do "everything" to protect American soldiers in Kosovo (Albanian Post)
Kearns: It's unfair to punish Kosovo for opening a bridge, ignoring Banjska (Koha)
Kupchan: Kosovo has right to unilaterally open Iber Bridge, but better to resolve issues through dialogue (Kallxo)
MoJ: Serbia's request on Banjska case illegal, we demand international investigation (media)
Serbia demands an explanation from North Macedonia on Ramadani's escape (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

Main bridge: Graffiti and murals created by Serbs and Albanians to cover hate messages have been painted over (Alternativna.com, social media)
Arsenijevic reacts to Osmani’s remarks about EU official (social media)
5.982 requests for conversion of Serbian driver’s licences submitted thus far (Radio Mitrovica Sever)
Former KLA members welcome Ramadani’s escape from detention, one claims he is in Kosovo (KoSSev)

Opinion:

Gazivode, a Lake of Cooperation or Conflict (Kosovo Online)

International Media:

Kosovo and Serbia Trade Blows Over Deadly Banjska Attack Probe (Balkan Insight)
Vedant Patel: U.S. Will “Not Hesitate” To Protect American Troops In Kosovo (The Pavlovic Today)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: EU spokesperson's statements are racist, Serbia has nothing to do with Iber Bridge (media)
Osmani on date of elections: a week more or less, is not a big difference (RTK)
CEC approves Regulation on election campaign, monitoring and financial declaration (media)
Kurti met head of CoE office in Kosovo, Mary Ann Hennessey (RTK)
Former KLA member Blerim Ramadani escapes from house arrest (media)
Blerim Ramadani's measures were changed, from house arrest to return to custody (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

“Those are situations we heard about from our mothers” – Andric Rakic on unpleasantries women in north face lately (Danas, Vreme)
Dacic: “Escape of terrorist and war criminal Ramadani scandalous” (Kosovo Online)
Vucevic: Opening of Ibar Bridge endangers security of Serbs, makes dialogue meaningless (Kosovo Online)
Ibar Bridge reopening faces local opposition, poll indicates (KoSSev)
Work continues on the main Ibar Bridge (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)
Shahini: EU sanction threats are real, consequences could be catastrophic (Kosovo Online)
Vulin meets Lavrov, Patrushev in Moscow (N1)

Humanitarian/Development:

‘We Manage Somehow’: Kosovo’s Pensioners Struggle as Cost of Living Rises (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• Lajcak: Claims that EU is against opening of Iber Bridge, misleading (Koha)
• The U.S. has shared with Osmani risk assessments for American soldiers (Kallxo)
• EU says Iber Bridge deal should be fully implemented, but requires restraint (Klan)
• Rohde supports KFOR's red lines on bridge over Iber river (Koha)
• EULEX does not have constant static security presence on the Iber bridge (Klan)
• Labour Friends of Kosovo and Western Balkans pro opening of bridge, but caution on negative impact (media)
• Kosovo does not accept Radoicic’s prosecution in Serbia (Klan)
• Elshani: After the deadline for conversion of drivers' licences, fines will be imposed (RTK)
• Government of Kosovo decides to host more Ukrainian journalists (RFE)
• Miners cancel protest announced for Thursday (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Media: A former member of the KLA, wanted by Serbia, escaped from house arrest in North Macedonia (N1, Beta)
• German Ambassador backs KFOR’s stance on the Ibar bridge (KoSSev)
• Sutanovac: KFOR will not move from the Ibar Bridge even if the Pristina government decides to open it (Kosovo Online)
• Colonel Rocco Mundo visited Visoki Decani monastery (KoSSev)

International Media:

• Balkans: We urge Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to refrain from attacking journalists (europeanjournalists.org)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: Opening Iber Bridge is not against anyone and even less against our partners (Klan)
Bislimi on opening of Iber Bridge: It is not unilateral decision nor unresolved issue of dialogue (Klan)
Krasniqi: The EU should tell Kosovo why it has changed its position on the Ibri bridge (media)
Tahiri: Opening Iber bridge to hide Association, Kurti has prepared draft statute (Reporteri)
Iber bridge ‘armored’ by KFOR and EULEX vehicles (Klan)
After request of MFA, Orban's advisor corrects post where Kosovo was presented as part of Serbia (Albanian Post)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucevic: Kurti plans to violently merge northern and southern parts of Mitrovica (Radio KIM)
Petkovic: Pristina did not fulfill obligations related to bridge opening, Kurti and Bislimi want conflicts only (Kosovo Online, social media)
EULEX on the Ibar bridge situation: A new unit formed; reconnaissance patrols are being carried out (euronews.rs, Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
Milenkovic from NSI says people in the north want bridge to remain closed (Kosovo Online)
Mijacic: If Kosovo Government opens bridge, EU will not lift punitive measure, nor make first installment from Growth Plan (Kosovo Online, social media)
Gracanica: The mayor initiated several court cases against individuals; Central institutions sued the Municipality for the decision to display the Serbian flag (KiM radio)
Associations from Kosovo announce the blockade of administrative crossings if the arrested Serbs are not released (NMagazin, N1, Beta)
Trajkovic: Arrest of Radoicic being prepared, Belgrade requested material on Banjska from Kosovo (N1, NMagazin, Danas)