UNMIK Headlines 10 August
Assembly Committee passes demarcation bill despite teargas (dailies)
The papers report that the Kosovo Assembly Committee on Foreign Affairs passed yesterday the draft law on ratification of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro despite the teargas set off during the meeting by Vetëvendosje’s Driton Çaushi. Çaushi was arrested for the incident shortly after.
Delawie: Teargas is not democracy (Kosova Sot)
The United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, said on Tuesday he was deeply disappointed with what happened at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee where Vetëvendosje MP Driton Caushi released teargas. “I am disappointed that one member has used violence for political gains. I must say that last week's debate on the demarcation is what democracy should look like. Teargas is not democracy,” Delawie was quoted as saying.
Coalition doesn’t have necessary votes for ratification of demarcation (Zëri)
The paper reports in a front-page story that the ruling coalition may fail to secure the necessary votes needed to approve the agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro. According to the paper, eight MPs of the two major parties in Kosovo are against the agreement, while several others are still undecided. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa told a press conference on Tuesday that it is the responsibility of the MPs to make a decision on the matter. “This is not a simple decision. In the next meeting of the Assembly the MPs will decide on state sovereignty, on border demarcation with Montenegro and on the last criteria for visa liberalization,” Mustafa said.
Mustafa: Opposition’s cause on demarcation: False (Zëri)
During a joint press conference on Tuesday with Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj and head of the Government’s Commission on Border Demarcation Murat Meha, Kosovo Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, said there are no mistakes in the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro and that Kosovo is not losing any territory. Mustafa also said that opposition’s cause on demarcation is false. “The government would never accept any agreement where Kosovo would lose part of its territory,” Mustafa said. He further added that the manipulation of the demarcation process is politically dangerous and encourages violence. Foreign Minister Hoxhaj said that border demarcation with Montenegro only confirms the sovereignty of Kosovo by registering as an international border. Murat Meha also insisted that Kosovo will not be losing any land with the current demarcation agreement.
Kurti: Protest against crime and treason (Koha Ditore)
In an interview, former Vetëvendosje leader and MP Albin Kurti said that they plan to protest inside and outside the Assembly on the day the border demarcation agreement is put up for vote. “We are determined to oppose this ratification,” said Kurti adding that the current version of the agreement represents an act of crime and treason.
Explosive device found near the house of Murat Meha (dailies)
Kosovo Police carried out a controlled explosion of a device yesterday near the house of Murat Meha, head of Kosovo Government’s Border Demarcation Commission.
Prime Minister Isa Mustafa condemned the act as unacceptable and that is was carried out by people who wish Kosovo no good. President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, said the terrorizing of families of government officials is unacceptable.