UNMIK Headlines 1 February
Ban wants institutions of the north (Tribuna)
Except for the quarterly reporting on Kosovo, The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, preferred to speak in the next report more about achievements in the dialogue of 2013. This daily claims to possess a copy of the report which was submitted to the Security member states, on Friday.
In the report, Ban praised the achievements of the dialogue, however he requested constitution of the new municipalities and association of municipalities, as soon as possible. “2013 was the year of major achievements,” writes Ban. “Determination of the strong leadership in Pristina and Belgrade enabled major progress in normalization of relations.” According to him, the achievements such as elections, should capitalize as soon as possible.
Serbia does not give up paramilitary formation (Tribuna)
Serbia does not intend to disintegrate formation “Civilna Zastita” (civilian protection.) Serbian delegation in Brussels discussions explained in front of the Government of Kosovo and facilitators of the dialogue that formation was established by the municipalities in the north of Kosovo, therefore executive in Belgrade cannot take over responsibility of its disintegration. This position obliged Kosovo party to find additional arguments in order for the formation not to remain subject of discussions with local authorities in the north. According to Kosovo Government Civilna Zastita is not only an illegal formation but also a paramilitary one.
Blackmailing solution for Trepça (Koha Ditore)
According to the paper, first Deputy Prime Minister and leader of New Kosovo Alliance, Behgjet Pacolli, plans to make the history repeat itself regarding the Trepça mine. After convincing the Government to change the mine’s ownership by removing it from Privatisation Agency of Kosovo authority, Palloci intends to give management of Trepça to a British company and register the mine in London.
This resembles to actual events of 1927 when the mine was registered in London and entered its stock exchange. Sources told the paper that if Pacolli’s plan materializes, Trepça would also function in Kosovo as an operational company and would, years later, be partially privatized. Its shares would be owned by the British as well as the Kosovo Government.
Furthermore, Pacolli has also selected the person to be in charge of Trepça and the job will be trusted to the British royal, Prince Michael of Kent, who has so far visited Kosovo on several occasions and has expressed interest about Trepça.
The paper reports that the two ruling parties in Kosovo, PDK and AKR, had different visions about the way Trepça would be privatized. PDK wanted to go ahead and privatise the entire mining complex but after Pacolli threatened to break off the coalition deal if his plan is not approved, Hashim Thaçi-s PDK yielded.
Candidates, certified (dailies)
Central Election Commission, certified at today’s meeting the political parties and their respective candidates for the elections for the mayor of northern Mitrovica. The certified list of candidates carries the names of Musa Miftari (LDK,) Florent Azemi (PDK,) Oliver Ivanovic (CI SDP) and Goran Rakic (CI Srpska.) Extraordinary elections in northern Mitrovica will be held on 23 February.