Headlines - 29.08.2016

• Demarcation vote could be postponed (Koha)
• Ahmeti: Demarcation does not pass (Epoka)
• Vujanović: We have not taken a centimeter from Kosovo (Epoka)
• Montenegro special police units deployed near Kosovo border (media)
• Protesters prevent visit of Serbs to Mushtisht (media)
• Mustafa: Together, for a corruption-free Kosovo (dailies)
• RTK Director: Powerful blast at my house, no one is injured (media)

Demarcation vote could be postponed (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that Kosovo Assembly’s session for voting on the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro, scheduled for Thursday, could be postponed as the ruling coalition lacks enough votes to ratify the deal. Although the Kosovo government made no official announcement, the paper learns from its sources that there is hesitation to vote on the agreement as the Mustafa-led government wants to avoid a potential failure. “If the agreement is not ratified, the government fears it will enter a difficult phase both with Montenegro and in terms of other processes. Therefore, if the required votes are not secured, the vote could be postponed,” a source close to the process told the paper. Meanwhile, Assembly Vice President, Xhavit Haliti, said it is better to postpone the session if there are not enough votes to pass the border demarcation agreement.

Ahmeti: Demarcation does not pass (Epoka)

Pristina mayor from Vetevendosje Movement, Shpend Ahmeti, told the paper on Sunday his party wants good relations with Montenegro and that they do not want to demonstrate any hostility. “However, we have to say that the border is not where it used to be, therefore demarcation does not pass. Therefore, we can start negotiations and conclude within a short time a new version of demarcation that would be acceptable for both parties,” Ahmeti said. He also said that Vetevendosje MPs would obstruct the Assembly’s vote on the demarcation agreement using peaceful means, while citizens will protest to support their position and to tell the ruling coalition that the demarcation shall not pass.

Vujanović: We have not taken a centimeter from Kosovo (Epoka)

The President of Montenegro, Filip Vujanović, said on Sunday in Kolasin that Montenegro does not need a single centimeter of land that it does not belong to it and that Montenegro wants good relations with all its neighbors. He added that there is no reason for Kosovo to express any kind of dissatisfaction. Asked whether he expects incidents with Kosovo, Vujanović said “Of course we do not expect incidents”. He added that the border demarcation agreement with Kosovo was made very carefully and signed by all parties. He said that he believes that all Kosovo citizens understand that Montenegro is a good neighbor and that it never showed claims towards anyone.

Montenegro special police units deployed near Kosovo border (media)

Most local media quote a report by Podgorica-based daily newspaper Vijesti that Montenegro’s antiterrorist police units have reportedly been deployed near the border with Kosovo. The main reason for the deployment is the possibility of conflict after objections to the border demarcation agreement. According to the newspaper, antiterrorist units are patrolling with rifles near the border area.

Protesters prevent visit of Serbs to Mushtisht (media)

All media report that the Albanian residents of the village of Mushtisht, Suhareka municipality, protested on Sunday against a planned visit by a group of Serb IDPs. The Albanian residents of the village warned last week ago that they would not allow the visit of Serb pilgrims because of crimes committed there by Serb troops during the conflict. A local resident told Koha Ditore: “until war criminals are brought to justice and until they are not sentenced for the crimes that they have committed here, there can be no visit or reconciliation”. Media report that hundreds of protesters clashed several times with the police, as a result four police officers were injured, two of them suffered serious injuries, and 24 protesters were detained. Police ultimately managed to unblock the road, but the group of 150 Serbs gave up on their visit after a several-hour delay. Instead, the group went to another Orthodox site, in the village of Zocisht. Dalibor Jevtic, Kosovo’s Minister for Returns and Communities who was accompanying the group of Serb pilgrims, said the protest is conveying the message that “Serbs are not welcome”. The Kosovo government issued a press release condemning the Mushtisht incident. “The Kosovo Government fully respects the right of all citizens to peaceful protest, as basic and inalienable right of expression and public demands. Also, the Government of Kosovo considers that the requirements of citizens for full investigation of all war crimes and punish all perpetrators of these crimes, are entirely legitimate. However, we consider that every citizen of Kosovo, regardless of ethnicity, is absolutely right to return to his property, without being prevented to do so. This is a right guaranteed by the Constitution of Kosovo and international conventions, and it is in accordance with tradition, the will and the vision of the people of Kosovo for peaceful coexistence. Nevertheless, persons who committed war crimes must face justice individually,” notes the press release. Kosovo President, Hashim Thaci, issued a media statement saying that everyone’s right to their properties should be respected. “The scenes from the village of Mushtisht are completely unnecessary and unacceptable”, said President Thaçi, who added that ‘these acts are neither in the interest of Kosovo nor in the interest of its citizens’. He has repeated that it is the right of everyone to return to his property and his place of origin. The Head of State has said that everyone has the right to return to their country of origin, to their property. “This applies for every citizen of Kosovo, regardless of ethnicity”, said President Thaçi, calling everyone to respect this right. “The issue of the missing, the displaced, and occupied properties are open wounds from the war. We must close these wounds as soon as possible and face to the future”, said President Thaçi, who stressed that the future is in peace, dialogue and cooperation. Adding that violence has no place in the new Kosovo, President Thaçi concluded that justice will deal with all those who have committed crimes in the past, since “justice is a prerequisite for a sincere reconciliation and for the building of a multi-ethnic Kosovo”. Kosovo Assembly President, Kadri Veseli, said Kosovo does not need incidents like the one in Mushtisht on Sunday. “Such events can be misused by those that want to prevent the consolidation of the state of Kosovo and to paint a negative image of our country in the world,” Veseli said. “The right to practice religious belief, freedom of movement, the right to return to one’s legitimate property, are basic rights provided by the Constitution of Kosovo and it is our legal obligation to guarantee such rights”. The European Union’s Office in Kosovo expressed concern over the Mushtisht incident and commended the police for preventing injuries and material damages. “We understand war wounds, but respect for the right to return is necessary for normalisation of relations in Kosovo,” the EU Office said.

Mustafa: Together, for a corruption-free Kosovo (dailies)

Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, took to Facebook on Sunday to say that the people of Kosovo, together can manage to defeat corruption and organized crime. “We have institutions that are proving to be committed and credible. We have police, prosecution, judiciary. The government of Kosovo will not allow for people involved in crime and corruption affairs to work for the government institutions. What we need is to be together and free every state segment from corruption, in order to create space for the judiciary to act without political influence,” Mustafa said.

RTK Director: Powerful blast at my house, no one is injured (media)

Mentor Shala, Director of the Radio Television of Kosovo, told several media on Sunday evening that his house in Matican, Pristina, was attacked by an explosive device. Shala said there was a powerful blast but that none of his family members were injured. Shala did not want to further comment on the incident saying police are investigating the case. RTK reports that Besnik Tahiri, Director of the Pristina-based Kosovo Institute for Local Governance, condemned the attack on Shala’s house. Tahiri wrote on his Facebook account that the stability of the state is at risk due to the failure of the security system. “No one should point fingers about the incident until investigations are ongoing and the perpetrators are found,” Tahiri added. Several media recall that on August 22, an explosive device was thrown at RTK premises in Pristina.