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:

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:

• 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: The Iber bridge must be opened, it is not a matter of discussion (media)
• Kurti informs COMKFOR about works and results of report on Iber Bridge (media)
• KFOR on Iber bridge: Unilateral actions can create tensions (RTK)
• Hovenier: Opening Iber bridge could endanger American soldiers (RFE, media)
• Durmishi: The bridge is stable, durable and functional (RTK)
• Haradinaj: Anyone who endangers U.S. soldiers in Kosovo will be treated as an enemy, will be in prison or will run away and hide (media)
• Osmani talks with head of CEC about preparations for date of new elections (media)
• Trepca miners to protest in front of government building on Thursday (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• KFOR calls for restraint, says decision on Ibar River Bridge to be made in dialogue (Kosovo Online, media)
• Petkovic: Kurti only wants war and chaos; I hope this is clear to everyone (Kosovo Online, media)
• Gogic: By opening Ibar Bridge Kurti would get into conflict with international community (N1, Kosovo Online)
• Hovenier: Opening the bridge could endanger American soldiers in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Dacic: “Haxhiu’s monstrous statement glorifies terrorism” (N1, BETA, KoSSev, media)
• Leposavic mayor hosts “Illyrian Eagles” promoting “Greater Albania”, says they brought warmth to our “red-and-black municipality” (KoSSev)
• Serbian Orthodox Church in Lipljan robbed (KoSSev)

International Media:

• U.S. Ambassador Says Partnership With Kosovo 'Not What We Would Hope' (RFE)
• State Department Tells The Pavlovic Today: U.S. Does Not Support Any Moves To Change Mitrovica Bridge Status In Kosovo (The Pavlovic Today)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani meets Hovenier, discuss security issues (media)
• KFOR: We regularly conduct patrols along the boundary line (RTK)
• Works on Iber bridge continue, KFOR increases its presence there (Reporteri)
• Opposition calls criminal LVV’s lack of mentioning loss of Dehari's samples and burning of the IFM (Koha)
• AJK condemns Kurteshi's statements in relation to media (media)
• Bislimi supports protest: Serbia violates rights of Albanians (RTK)
• PDK action in front of government: Youth is running away, Albin what about you (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Representatives of the Office for KiM visited Novake and promised help in the reconstruction of houses (Tanjug, RTS, KiM radio)
• SL: It is urgent to find the perpetrators of the attack on Dragica Gasic's apartment and the fire in the village of Novake (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)
• Gerxhaliu: While the public looks at the Ibar, new rules and import quotas will destroy the economy and citizens (Kosovo Online)
• The Kosovo police detained a Serb (70) for questioning based on a report more than a decade old (Kosovo Online)
• Coordination body of the Government: The meeting in Bujanovac represents abuse of the Albanians from the south of Serbia (RTS)
• In Gorazdevac today a memorial service for the children killed in Bistrica (KiM radio, Radio Gorazdevac)