UNMIK Headlines 18 August
Pacolli postpones the ultimatum (Koha Ditore)
Behxhet Pacolli, leader of the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR), will not announce cooperation with the PAN coalition, even if the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and Vetevendosje movement do not prove their alliance in writing, as he requested in his ten day ultimatum. Pacolli told the paper on Thursday that there are movements among LDK and Vetevendosje members as he requested. “I do not know how much are the leaders of these two parties ready to give in on the position of Prime Minister, however there are some movements,” he said. Pacolli denied that he would join the PAN coalition if LDK and Vetevendosje to not reach an agreement by Friday. He said that the LDK and Vetevendosje have started with intensive meetings, adding that this is not sufficient to reach the possibility of a broad based government.
Delawie to MPs: Find a solution, do not argue pointlessly (Klan Kosova)
The U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, told Klan Kosova that it is not up to him as a foreigner to instruct Kosovo on what it should do or make a decision that needs to be made by Kosovo’s own citizens. However he added that the delay costs to Kosovo politically, economically and internationally.
“I have to remind the members of Parliament, all of them, that they have been elected to be public servants. They are working for the people. I think it is incumbent on them to find a way to make some kind of compromise so they can create the institutions of Kosovo. They were not really elected to sit here in Pristina arguing pointlessly or worse, not even showing up to work in the Assembly. I think it is essential for the Assembly to be constituted and for the government to be constituted in order for these elected officials to help begin resolving critical problems that Kosovo faces today,” Delawie said.
PAN: Next week, crucial for creation of institutions (Epoka e Re)
Representatives of the PAN coalition stated on Thursday that Kosovo Assembly and the government will be constituted by the end of next week. The leader of the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), Fatmir Limaj and deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Enver Hoxhaj, said that there is no need for Kosovo to waste time on creation of institutions.
Abdixhiku: LDK does not accept any ultimatum (Zeri)
Kosovo Assembly MP from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lumir Abdixhiku, told the paper that his party does not accept and does not operate with the logic of ultimatums. He added that the LAA coalition has competed during elections with the offer that they would not make a coalition with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) at any cost. “This platform has to be safeguarded carefully,” he said adding that the door is open to those who decide to become servants of the PDK.
Buja: I did not have other solution but to leave PDK (Epoka e Re)
Former senior official of Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and former mayor of Lipjan, Shukri Buja, joined on Thursday the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA). Lajm reported that PDK officials claim he was dismissed due to his corruptive affairs, however Buja told the paper that he did not have any other solution as his remarks were never considered by the leadership of the PDK.
SRSG Zahir Tanin condemns the attack against Parim Olluri (Insajderi)
SRSG Zahir Tanin, Head of UNMIK has condemned the attack on journalist, Parim Olluri. “I strongly condemn the attack against Parim Olluri, the director and journalist of the online news outlet Insajderi. I wish Mr Olluri a speedy recovery. It is essential that journalists have the freedom and safety to perform their work without fear of reprisal. Perpetrators must be brought to justice,” noted on his statement.
Kosovo leaders condemn terrorist attack in Barcelona (media)
The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, the outgoing Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Kadri Veseli and many other political leaders in Kosovo condemned the terrorist attack in Barcelona, Spain on Thursday.
“In these difficult moments, the people of Kosovo are sharing with the families of the victims as a result of the terrorist attack in Barcelona," Thaci wrote in his Facebook account. "We strongly condemn this attack and, together with our allies, we remain steadfast in the common and uncompromising fight against terrorists all over the world."