Headlines - 30.08.2016

• KFOR warns: Our intervention would return Kosovo to 1999 (media)
• Kadri Veseli to attend leaders’ meeting in Rugova (Zëri/Kallxo)
• “Key opponents of demarcation are ruling coalition MPs” (Epoka)
• “Vetevendosje is against bombs, but Mentor Shala is corrupt” (Klan Kosova)
• Fajon: First ratification of demarcation then visa liberalisation (media)
• U.S. Embassy condemns violence in Mushtisht and Gjakovë (Epoka)
• 11 Serbs who want to return to Mushtisht, suspected of war crimes (Koha)
• EU: Pristina, Belgrade to work on resolving fate of missing persons (Bota Sot)

KFOR warns: Our intervention would return Kosovo to 1999 (media)

Koha Ditore reports on its front page that “KFOR, as the third chain of security, has expressed readiness to intervene in the event Kosovo is threatened by riots”. Commenting on the fragile situation as a result of the border demarcation agreement, KFOR Commander, Migglieta, has warned that the intervention of KFOR would return Kosovo to 1999. "The United States Embassy in Pristina meanwhile has said that violence would threaten the progress achieved so far. Kosovo Police however have assured that they have taken all necessary measures to guarantee security on the day when the Kosovo Assembly will vote on the demarcation deal,” the paper adds on its front page. Zëri on its front page quotes Migglieta as saying that if the situation escalates on 1 September, and their intervention is required, KFOR will be ready to react. Epoka e Re quotes COMKFOR as saying that the level of security in Kosovo has increased and that Kosovo Police is capable of handling any problem. He added that KFOR will continue to provide a safe and secure environment. Asked about the demarcation of the border between Kosovo and Montenegro, Miglietta said that this is an internal matter of Kosovo, however he added that in March of this year, with the request of the former President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, KFOR offered the maps of the borders of Kosovo.

Kadri Veseli to attend leaders’ meeting in Rugova (Zëri/Kallxo)

Kadri Veseli, leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and President of the Assembly of Kosovo, will attend the leaders’ meeting in Rugova on Wednesday. The information was confirmed by PDK MP Ramiz Kelmendi who is organising the meeting. Kelmendi said he has already received confirmations from AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj and NISMA leader Fatmir Limaj. Kelmendi told Kallxo news website on Monday that LDK leader and Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, has accepted his invitation and that he will confirm his participation on Tuesday. Mustafa said: “I am interested in attending every meeting that will contribute to reducing tensions, to have rational decision making, to provide arguments about every piece of land here and to have the consent of all our people”.

“Key opponents of demarcation are ruling coalition MPs” (Epoka)

Shaip Muja, MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo, told the paper on Monday that MPs from the ruling coalition are the key opponents of the current version of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. Muja said that he and many other colleagues will vote against this version of demarcation. He added that even certain members of the government are against the demarcation. Muja considers that the border line was marked wrongly and called on the government not to rush with this issue.

“Vetevendosje is against bombs, but Mentor Shala is corrupt” (Klan Kosova)

Vetevendosje member, Ylli Hoxha, told Klan Kosova on Monday that his party is categorically against bombs and violence, “but this does not mean that we will stop criticising Mentor Shala [RTK Director] who is a corrupt man”. According to Hoxha, “one of the first objectives of this government was to seize the RTK and to appoint a person like Mentor Shala as its manager”. “Bombs and violence are not the solution; popular protests that will force the regime to back down are the solution,” he added.

Fajon: First ratification of demarcation then visa liberalisation (media)

The European Parliament Rapporteur for visa liberalisation for Kosovo, Tanja Fajon, said on Monday that the entire process of visa-free travel for the people of Kosovo citizens depends on Pristina and the ratification of the border agreement with Montenegro. In an interview for Radio Free Europe, Fajon said that for the European Parliament and the other European institutions ratification is one of the key elements to move forward. She added that she hopes for a positive result from the Assembly of Kosovo, because “there will be difficulties if things escalate.”

U.S. Embassy condemns violence in Mushtisht and Gjakovë (Epoka)

The U.S. Embassy unreservedly condemns the use of violence to achieve political objectives in Kosovo as seen in recent days.  “We call on all Kosovo’s leaders to do the same.  Democracy provides space for disagreement and even for protest. But under no circumstances is violence against police, the media, members of the government and other citizens, an acceptable expression of political views or a way to address past grievances, no matter how painful. The Kosovo Police played an important role yesterday lessening the violence and maintaining rule of law, and we commend their continued service to all of Kosovo’s citizens. Serious, unresolved issues remain in Kosovo, but they are no closer to resolution after these violent protests. Much work has been done to normalize relations and create a modern, democratic state. However, further political violence risks undoing much of this progress.  Kosovo can expect to move forward to Euro-Atlantic integration only if all parties re-commit to peaceful dialogue, democracy, and rule of law,” says the press release issued by the U.S. Embassy.

11 Serbs that want to return to Mushtisht, suspected of war crimes (Koha)

The paper quotes Bekim Balaj, from the Human Rights Fund, as saying that the residents of the village of Mushtisht refused to allow Serb IDPs to visit their village because “justice has not been served for 16 years now”. According to the Institute for War Crimes in Kosovo, 11 out of 12 Serbs who have asked to return to the village of Mushtisht are suspected of having participated in war crimes committed in Mushtisht and the Suhareka region during the conflict.

EU: Pristina, Belgrade to work on resolving fate of missing (Bota Sot)

On the occasion of the International Day of Missing Persons, the Assembly of Kosovo organized a roundtable to discuss the missing persons during the war in Kosovo. Thomas Gnocchi, from the EU Office in Kosovo, said that it is a human right for everyone to know about the fate of their family members. The EU office appeals to increase all engagements in this field. “More work should be done to obtain information on the fate of the missing persons,” said Gnocchi and added that the European Union is trying to offer funds and support clarifying the fate of the missing, however work has to be done by Pristina and Belgrade.