Headlines - 15.11.2016

• ITU won’t recognise Kosovo, even after allocating telephone code (Koha)
• Code that makes Serbia’s presence official in Kosovo (Zeri)
• Limaj: Serbia remains the owner of the telephone code (Kosovapress)
• Buja: PDK should not pay the bill for Mustafa’s failures (Klan Kosova)
• PDK’s Deliu-Kodra refuses post of European Integration Minister (Koha)
• Appeals Court expected to reduce sentence for Lushtaku (Telegrafi)
• Justice Minister did not hear call of protesters, travelled to US (Koha)
• Kosovo honors General Reinhardt (Zeri)

ITU won’t recognise Kosovo, even after allocating telephone code (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) will not recognise Kosovo’s statehood even after allocating the telephone code. Pristina insists that the agreement with Serbia is for “Kosovo’s state telephone code”. State officials in Serbia meanwhile claim that the telephone code will be given for a geographic territory such as the examples of Taiwan and Hong Kong or the Falkland Islands. Relevant documents, the paper adds, do not clarify the dilemma. The documents however do note that in the technical annexes, the ITU will include the footnote on Kosovo as follows: “this designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence”.

Code that makes Serbia’s presence official in Kosovo (Zeri)

The paper reports in a front page story that the agreement on telephone code for Kosovo has made the governments of Kosovo and Serbia happy. While Kosovo says that it obtained the independent telephone code that would bring many benefits, in Belgrade they say that with this agreement, Serbia’s presence in Kosovo becomes official with a legitimate telecom. While for the opposition parties, this is another failure of the government.

Limaj: Serbia remains the owner of the telephone code (Kosovapress)

The leader of the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), Fatmir Limaj, noted that with the agreement reached in Brussels for the telephone prefix of Kosovo that the government of Kosovo allowed the Serbian telephone operator to function in Kosovo. He said that the government of Kosovo has ignored and violated laws in power. He wrote on his Facebook account that except for the other economic damages, this agreement has definitely ruined the market value of the Post Telecom of Kosovo (PTK).

Buja: PDK should not pay the bill for Mustafa’s failures (Klan Kosova)

Kosovo Assembly MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Shukri Buja, told Klan Kosova that the coalition between his party and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), should dissolve for not completing the duties for which it was created. He said that the coalition was created to move forward processes such as the Special Court, Demarcation of the border with Montenegro, Association of the Serb-majority Municipalities and economic development. He added that instead of the two hundred thousand jobs, promised during the campaign, there are only twenty thousand. “I do not want to pay Isa Mustafa’s bill,” said Buja and added that as the joint aims were not fulfilled, PDK should seek a new partner through early elections.

PDK’s Deliu-Kodra refuses post of European Integration Minister (Koha)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP, Blerta Deliu-Kodra announced on Monday night that she refused the post of the Minister of European Integration offered to her by the ruling coalition partners. She said she refused the post because according to her, Kosovo will go to early elections soon.  “Also ruling coalition partners are saying that soon there will be elections,” she said.

Appeals Court expected to reduce sentence for Lushtaku (Telegrafi)

The news website quotes unconfirmed reports that the Appeals Court has decided to reduce the prison sentence for the former KLA commander and Skenderaj/Srbica Mayor Sami Lushtaku. According to reports, Lushtaku will now serve 7 instead of 12 years in prison for his commanding responsibility whereas the murder charge against him has been dropped.

Justice Minister did not hear call of protesters, travelled to US (Koha)

The paper reports that Kosovo’s Minister of Justice, Dhurata Hoxha, could not hear the calls of thousands of protesters on Monday who were calling for her resignation due to the death of Vetevendosje activist Astrit Dehari in yet-unresolved circumstances at the Prizren Detention Center. Citing unnamed sources, the paper reports that Hoxha, together with two associates, is on an official visit to the United States of America.

Kosovo honors General Reinhardt (Zeri)

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci on Monday awarded former KFOR Commander, Klaus Reinhardt with the Military Medal for Service in Kosovo.  Thaci thanked General Reinhardt for his utmost and historical commitment for peace in Kosovo, for the construction of a multiethnic society and the integration of everyone in Kosovo institutions.  “General Reinhardt is the General of peace, stability and joint commencement of building the new institutions in Kosovo,” Thaci said.  On the other hand, General Reinhardt said that after 17 years in Kosovo he sees radical changes.  “I was here 17 years ago. At that time there was nothing, not a single school, no hospital, chaos. Now, after 17 years, I see radical changes. I am very proud to have helped somehow to this,” he said.