Headlines - 12.01.2013

Jahjaga: North not discussed with Serbia (Koha Ditore)

Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga said that discussions with Serbia about the fate of the ilegal structures in northern Kosovo does not mean that the issue of the north is becoming part of the dialogue. During her regular press remarks, she stated that she supports the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, since there is no other way to change Serbia.

According to Jahjaga, Prime Ministers Hashim Thaçi and Ivica Dacic will discuss the disbanding of illegal structures in the north, but not discuss the internal order. “Let us see…,” she said responding to media regarding dialogue on illegal structures the north. “The issues of the internal order are not part of the of the dialogue process, because this is an issue of the Constitution of Kosovo, it is a matter of the laws of the Republic of Kosovo, a matter of the citizens and I would say that there is no issue of the north, but we have issues that concern three municipalities in the north, on extending law and order and eliminating or disbanding all the structures that are induced and financed by Serbia,” said President Jahjaga.

Reinhardt: politics prevented Mitrovica’s unification (dailies)

Former KFOR Commander Klaus Reinhardt said that, when he served as the Commander of the multi-national forces, his mission was to integrate Mitrovica, however, this project did not gain the support of international politics. Reinhardt made this statement at the “Kosovo’s membership in NATO, challenges and possibilities” conference organised by the ISPE university, where he was the only panelist.

“I do not want to go into details because I do not want to accuse anyone, however the obstacle came from international politics, not local,” he said. “We had some kind of plan for northern Mitrovica, but, when political circles did not agree on this concept, then we as an army could not do more because we were not part of the politics,” said Reinhardt.

Valley requests international military presence (Koha Ditore)

The Albanian leadership in Presevo Valley are determined not to have the monument removed. They are expected to hold a Albanian convention today where they intend to arrive at a clear conclusion on this issue, which also engaged international factions in Belgrade. According to the leader of the Movement for Democratic Progress, Jonuz Musliu, they do expect the problem to be solved. He said that Prime Ministers Hashim Thaçi and Ivica Dacic should discuss this issue. “The problem is not with the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, but concerns the Albanian nation in general,” stated Musliu. He added that international military should engage to maintain stability.

Former Ambassador becomes AAK member (dailies)

All dailies report that former Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in Slovenia, Anton Berisha, joined the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo. AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj, stated that this is a great honour for his party.

Koha Ditore reports that Berisha is the most oft-slandered individual in the first decade after the conflict. He was a target of two attacks when he lead the Authority for Regulation of Telecommunication in Kosovo and is suspected for intentionally not paying “Cosmocell” consortium €16 million.

Contract with Austrians breached Wednesday? (Express)

The contract for the production of biometric passports signed between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Austrian company “Osterreichiche Staatsdruckerei,” might be breached on Wednesday because the Austrian company refuses to pay customs and Value Added Tax.

“Everything will be clear on Wednesday, when the delegation from Austria arrives for the meeting in Kosovo, however our position is clear. Customs and VAT have to be paid, in accordance with applicable laws in Kosovo. There is no other solution except breaching the contract,” stated the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Dardan Gashi.