Headlines - 30.04.2013 Halbauer: I dream of removing the barricade on the bridge (Tribuna) According to the KFOR Commander Volker Halbauer, there is only one barricade, on the bridge of the River Ibër in Mitrovica. All the others do not block the roads. According to him, the barricade on the River Ibër is a political sign set by certain individuals in the north, whoever they are, to demonstrate their opinion on the situation, which means that they do not want this situation. “This is for political reasons and does not have an impact on the freedom of movement, guaranteeing a quiet and safe environment,” he said, adding that as far as he is concerned, a political solution should be found to remove this barricade. “I would have been very happy to remove it, together with the people on the south and on the north, with the support of the foreign community and political leaders,” he said. Virtual operator for Serbs (Kosova Sot) Kosovo and Serbia are expected to continue the dialogue on energy and telecom before 15 June. The Serb side requested that Kosovo Serbs be offered the possibility of having a third mobile operator for predominantly-Serb areas while the Kosovo side has said it is not about to give another license for a GSM operator, but added that Serbs could use the services of a virtual operator. Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and chief negotiator Edita Tahiri said that the request for a third operator will not be granted. According to her, the telecommunications field in Kosovo is not ready for another telephone network. Petritsch: No Republika Srpska in Kosovo (dailies) Austrian diplomat Wolfgang Petritsch said that the achieved agreement in Brussels between Kosovo and Serbia would be successful only if it is implemented in the field. “The agreement between parties, especially those with enmity for so many years, is welcomed and hopeful for the region. The latest meeting in Brussels between Thaçi and Dacic is successful only when it is implemented in the field, but it is early to talk about results,” stated Petritsch for Preseva Jone. Asked whether Republika Srpska would be created under this agreement, Petritsch rejected this. “After this agreement, we will have an advancement of the status of Serbs in northern Kosovo, but this advancement doesn’t mean that we can have a Republika Srpska there, because the European Union rejects this categorically,” said Petritsch.  Parties from Serbia cannot compete in Kosovo (Tribuna) If point 12 of the Brussels agreement is entirely implemented, then parties from Serbia with branches in Mitrovica should register at CEC to participate in local elections planned for this year. Belgrade is aware of this process, however it hopes for another agreement with Pristina. Serbia’s former Secretary of state at the Ministry for Kosovo, Oliver Ivanovic, admitted that this issue will be a problem, and expressed hope that during future meetings, the parties would find a solution. “There have been many political solutions and I believe that this issue will be resolved politically as well. It is natural for Pristina to insist on the registration and certification of these parties, but I believe that this will be a part of an agreement,” he said.  Eight more persons under “Medicus” investigation (Koha Ditore) Prosecutor Jonathan Ratel, after the verdict for the “Medicus” case on Monday, said that he has ordered an investigation for eight other suspects involved in the case and beyond. While he claimed that he is “very happy” with the verdict of Monday, he expressed disappointment for not having Dick Marty testify in this process, considering it “unfortunate”. “I can confirm that the prosecution has ordered for the investigations of eight newly suspected persons in and outside Kosovo for organized crime, trafficking, misuse of duty, and similar acts for activities in the “Medicus” clinic and elsewhere during 2008 and more recently,” emphasized Ratel during a press conference after the verdict. The court confirmed the prosecution’s charges committed in the “Medicus” clinic involving organized crime, human trafficking, and bodily injuries. Urologist Lutfi Dervishi was convicted with eight years in prison and a €10,000 fine, Arban Dervishi with seven years in prison and €2,500 fine, Sokol Hajdini with three years in prison, Sylejman Dulla and Islam Bytyqi each with one year conditional. Ilir Rrecaj was acquitted from the two charges against him, as was Driton Jilta.