Headlines - 24.08.2018

• Thaci: No division or exchange of territories, but correction of border (Epoka)
• PM Haradinaj against President Thaci’s idea on border adjustment (media)
• Serbia wants to take away from Kosovo the “Roof of the Balkans” (Koha)
• A “hot” September for Kosovo and Serbia (Zeri)
• Haradinaj: Vetting is not problematic in Kosovo (RT21)
• Haliti: War veterans’ issue cannot be resolved by the judiciary (Epoka)
• Documents confirm interference of politics in the work of prosecution (Koha)
• Opposition requests PM Haradinaj’s resignation (Epoka)
• LDK against interference in the work of the prosecution (Koha)
• Haradinaj: Kurti is a liar and a trickster (media)

Thaci: No division or exchange of territories, but correction of border (Epoka)

The President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci, reiterated his idea of concluding political dialogue with Serbia with an agreement for the correction of the border. According to him, with this correction Kosovo does not get divided, but it puts within its territory three municipalities: Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, which are currently in the territory of Serbia. ‘No to division of Kosovo but yes to exchange of territories’ this was the realistic and courageous position of President Rugova in 1994, while my position today as the President of the Republic of Kosovo has evaluated and it is clear: no division, no exchange, but correction of the border between Kosovo and Serbia, in order to enable unification of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja with Kosovo,” Thaci wrote on his Twitter account.

PM Haradinaj against President Thaci’s idea on border adjustment (media)

Several news websites report that in an interview to RT21 on Thursday, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said that President Hashim Thaci does not have a mandate to discuss Kosovo’s partition. “I don’t support President Thaci discussing border changes that will damage Kosovo’s territorial integrity,” he said. Haradinaj also said that Presevo Valley cannot join Kosovo without the latter giving something in return to Serbia.

Serbia wants to take away from Kosovo the “Roof of the Balkans” (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that the most strategic observation point in the Balkans is within Kosovo’s territory and the fact that it is only a hundred meters away from the border with Serbia, the latter is going to try to appropriate it whenever the demarcation process between the two countries takes place. This peak of the Kopaonik mountain, called Pancic, is situated at an altitude of 2017 meters and it allows observation toward the Middle East and the Mediterranean. The peak used to be the main observation point in the former Yugoslavia and it included a military telecommunications center equipped with long-range radars for the purposes of the Yugoslav Army. Because of its position, it was the first target of the NATO air campaign in 1990 against Milosevic’s troops. After the war, U.S. troops were deployed at the location. The paper claims to posses a document provided by international sources, revealing Serbia’s attempts to take over the strategic point.

A “hot” September for Kosovo and Serbia (Zeri)

The paper reports on its front page that important events for Kosovo will take place in early September, most notably the third high-level meeting in Brussels between Kosovo and Serbia. The Office of President Hashim Thaci has already confirmed that the request of Albanians in Presevo Valley to join Kosovo will be discussed at the meeting in Brussels. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is expected to visit Kosovo in September and announce a detailed proposal for resolving the Kosovo issue. A decision on the formation of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities is also expected to be taken in September, despite disagreements on the issue between Pristina and Belgrade. Vetevendosje representatives meanwhile have said they will organize protests against the current format of dialogue. Political commentators in Pristina argue that September will be a hot month and warn that if state institutions do not increase their control over the events, the security situation may escalate.

Haradinaj: Vetting is not problematic in Kosovo (RT21)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj said he would not support some vetting process in the justice of Kosovo. “We have completed vetting, we have had a vetting, we can go through a hundred vetting, who makes the vetting? The same people,” Haradinaj said. “I appeal to those who carry responsibilities: let us work based on the law”. He added that the problem is not about the vetting system but rather with officials carrying out their duties and responsibilities.

Haliti: War veterans’ issue cannot be resolved by the judiciary (Epoka)

Kosovo’ Assembly’s deputy president Xhavit Haliti, does not believe that the judiciary can resolve the problem with the lists of KLA veterans. He did not mention any concrete idea for resolution of the problems but noted that the solution should be sought outside justice bodies. He said commanders of zones and brigades, possess data on the number of the former freedom fighters. “I cannot say if there were sixty thousand veterans, ten thousand, twelve thousand or twenty as it is being said. Figures differ, but I think that none of them is right,” Haliti said. He added that the matter should be regulated in cold blood. “All those who truly contributed for the freedom of the country, cannot hide,” Haliti said.

Documents confirm interference of politics in the work of prosecution (Koha)

The paper reports on page two that a letter which Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj had sent to now former prosecutor Elez Blakaj confirms the interference of politics in the work of the prosecution. According to the letter, Haradinaj granted Blakaj with access to documents in the PM’s Office, set a deadline for the access and also asked Blakaj to report on his findings. In the letter, Haradinaj notes that “investigations [into the KLA war veterans’ lists] will last 30 days and at the end of the investigations, the prosecutor will submit to the Prime Minister a report on the investigations and its finding”. After the letter was published, Haradinaj took to Facebook to say that the letter only proves his unwavering support to all Blakaj’s requests.

Opposition requests PM Haradinaj’s resignation (Epoka)

After the recent developments in the justice system, opposition political parties are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj. According to opposition officials, Haradinaj cannot continue being Prime Minister due to his interference in the justice system. Albin Kurti, leader of the Vetevendosje Movement said it is a civic duty and political obligation to request Haradinaj’s resignation. Kosovo Assembly MP from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Vjosa Osmani has requested urgent vote on motion to bring the government down.

LDK against interference in the work of the prosecution (Koha)

Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) representatives said on Thursday that they are against political interference and pressure in the work of the prosecution. LDK secretary general, Ismet Beqiri, said that everything that was made public following the resignation of prosecutor Elez Blakaj, confirmed doubts that his party had about pressure on independent institutions. Beqiri told the paper on Thursday that the LDK finds such pressure unacceptable and that the work done by Blakaj must be seen through.

Haradinaj: Kurti is a liar and a trickster (media)

Several media report that Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said in an interview to RT21 on Thursday that Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, who supported former prosecutor Elez Blakaj, is a liar and a cheat. “Albin [Kurti] is a thief and a cheat, he tricked his own people until they found out who he is and are no longer with him. Kurti and people like him who go out on the streets in efforts to stop Kosovo, could have other agendas in mind too,” Haradinaj is quoted as saying.