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UNMIK Headlines 3 November

Kosovo unable to place conditions on Serbia (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports on page three that Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuci explained on Friday why Pristina has not placed any conditions on Serbia in the EU-brokered dialogue. "We should always keep in mind that before placing conditions on someone you must be able to apply pressure for such conditions. Kosovo is not alone in the process of dialogue, it is in it together with the international community. In this respect, Kosovo protects its interests but also takes into account the requests of the international community," Kuci was quoted as saying. He said both the European Union and the United States support unconditional dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

Government, with coordination bodies for dialogue (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports on the front page that the Government of Kosovo has called on opposition and civil society to join in coordination mechanisms for the process of dialogue with Serbia. "We are willing as a government to take part in coordination groups, which will not substitute the Parliament and Government, but groups that can better coordinate work and in this respect there is an open invitation for all political parties, civil society and others," Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuci said after the government's meeting on Friday. "In addition to what is called political management by the Government and Parliament, there is also a need for the professional management of individual topics. We will establish proper mechanisms in this respect, they will not be above the Government, Parliament and other institutions, they will be joint mechanisms that will better coordinate the work."

Zbogar: European Union is against Kosovo's partition (dailies)

Several dailies report that in an interview for KiM radio station, the European Union Special Representative in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, said that the position of the European Commission that Serbia must respect Kosovo's territorial integrity does not mean that Serbia must recognize Kosovo's independence. "This means we are against Kosovo's partition and that we will not support ideas for partition," he said.

Zbogar highlighted the need for three kinds of dialogue: dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade aimed at normalizing relations, dialogue between Kosovo authorities and citizens of the north and dialogue between northern Serbs and Serbs living south of the Iber River.

Women's Network organizes protest against unconditional talks (dailies)

Several dailies report that the Kosova Women's Network will hold a peaceful protest on Saturday with the motto "Justice and dignity before negotiations". Representatives of women's network said before the start of talks, Serbia must publicly apologize for crimes committed in Kosovo, identify and return all missing persons and compensate for all damages inflicted on Kosovo.

KFOR fails in shutting down illegal routes in northern Kosovo (Zeri)

Zeri reports in one of the front-page stories that NATO peacekeeping troops in Kosovo have failed to shut down illegal routes in the northern part of the country used for smuggling and organized crime. The paper further notes that the same routes were used by Serbian Gendarmerie to kidnap Slavoljub Jovic, one of the leaders of the Bridge Watchers.

KFOR officials on Friday refused to comment on the eventual shutdown of illegal routes in the north. Meanwhile, Kosovo Police officials claim Serbia is using these routes for smuggling and inflicting major damages to the Kosovo budget.

Kosovo Police spokesman for Mitrovica region, Besim Hoti, told the paper that KFOR has managed to shut down a large number of illegal routes. "KFOR cannot cover every point. They frequently patrol points that link these routes and have managed to prevent smuggling at a large scale. Smuggling has decreased noticeably compared to earlier years, when illegal groups were able to operate more freely," Hoti added.

Thaci calls on the OSCE to monitor elections in PDK (Epoka e Re)

Kosovo Democratic Party (PDK) leader Hashim Thaci has informed leaders of PDK branches that he will publicly call on the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) to monitor upcoming elections in PDK. "There is no doubt that the organization of elections in PDK will serve as a model for all political parties in the state of Kosovo," Thaci was quoted as saying.

Sami Hamiti released from house arrest (dailies)

All dailies report that the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kosovo has decided to release Sami Hamiti, chairman of the Municipal Assembly of Pristina, from house arrest. Hamiti was arrested on September 12 in his office on corruption charges. Hamiti told a press conference on Friday that he will resume his duties on Monday.