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UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 7, 2024

Albanian Language Media: 

Serbian Language Media: 

 

Albanian Language Media  

 

Kurti: Vucic is trying to create an atmosphere of fear with false accusations (RTK) 

Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has stated that the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, with false claims is trying to create an atmosphere of fear and cause a reaction from KFOR, as was the claim of the Serbian President that the Albanians will gather tomorrow at the Bridge of Ibrer. 

Kurti, in a post on the "X" platform, said that these false accusations, according to him, are often a precursor to a planned attack by Serbia. 

"With false claims that Albanians will march over the bridge, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic aims to create an atmosphere of fear and provoke a reaction from KFOR in Mitrovica, threatening that if they do not respond, Serbia will. No Albanian is marching over the bridge, as he falsely claims. All plans for the opening of the bridge have aimed to promote peaceful interaction between the two communities. However, these false accusations are often a precursor to a planned attack by Serbia. For everyone's safety, they should not and will not be allowed to enter our territory", wrote Kurti.

Members of EULEX and KFOR stationed on buildings near Iber bridge (media)

Members of EULEX and KFOR have been stationed on the facilities near the Iber bridge in Mitrovica since the morning hours, while the experts for measuring the stability of the bridge contracted by the government have not yet been seen on this bridge, media report.

Meanwhile, at 11:00 a.m. a protest has been announced by the local Serbs, who oppose the opening of the Iber bridge, which has been closed to traffic since the end of the war in Kosovo.

French Embassy against closure of Serbian post offices in the north: Unilateral and uncoordinated step (Reporteri) 

The closure of nine facilities of the Serbian Post on Monday in the north of Kosovo was considered by the European Union as a unilateral and uncoordinated step, "which violates the agreements reached within the Dialogue facilitated by the EU". The French Embassy in Kosovo has also come out in favor of the EU position. 

"France fully supports yesterday's EU statement on the closure by Kosovo authorities of nine postal facilities of Serbian branches in the north of Kosovo. This is another unilateral and uncoordinated step, which is not in line with the EU-facilitated dialogue and harms the Serbian community," the embassy's response states.

Haradinaj appeals to Serbs: Do not protest against free movement (RTK)

The leader of AAK, Ramush Haradinaj, addressed the Serb citizens of Kosovo on Wednesday, asking them not to protest against free movement, and to fall prey to short-sighted policies that are against cooperation.

"Bridges and roads should connect us and not divide us. Do not fall prey to short-sighted policies and protest against free movement. The Iber Bridge should be a symbol of a common life without an alternative", wrote Haradinaj.

Freedom of movement as a universal value is present and future, he said "Divisions and clashes bring back memories of our past and our tragedies", wrote Haradinaj.

Serbs gather at Iber Bridge, this is what they want from KFOR (Klan)

Hundreds of citizens of the Serb community have protested in northern Mitrovica against the opening of the Iber bridge. This bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic since the end of the war, but with the agreement reached in 2014 within the framework of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue in Brussels, it was planned to be opened at the beginning of 2017.

The protest was not massive and took place peacefully, where the attendees were led by some participants. The organizers called on the protesters several times to gather on the podium, otherwise the rally will not start, saying that a few minutes in the sun will not hurt them. 

The leader of the Serbian List, Zlatan Elek, and the members of this list, Igor Simic and Slavko Simic, also participated in the protest.

The former president of the Basic Court in the North, Nikola Kabasic, gave a speech to the protesters. He said that the members of the assembly of the municipality of North Mitrovica have made a decision against the will of the citizens of this municipality for the opening of the Iber bridge. He has said that they oppose the opening of the bridge for vehicle traffic and that this issue, according to him, should be discussed in Brussels.

After the protesters heard their speech, which began by saying that with the decision to open the bridge over the Iber River to traffic, Pristina is trying to open Pandora's Box for the Serbian people there and that this bridge is a symbol of their survival.

On the placards held by the protesters, among other things, it is written "We want KFOR to protect us", "While the EU and the USA write notices, they are driving us away" and "On the bridge we defended our survival, now we defend our departure".

Police on protest: Ended peacefully – we looked after safety of protesters until the end (Klan)

Kosovo Police made a statement with regards to the protest that was held today near the Iber Bridge in North Mitrovica.

According to the police, citizens began to gather around 11:00 a.m. to express their dissatisfaction with the situation and the declarations about opening the bridge for traffic.

“Around 12:00, the protest ended peacefully, and the protesters dispersed, while the police units continued with their regular police duties,’’ the police announcement says.

Further, the police said that they have taken care of the smooth progress of the protest, maintaining order until the end of the protest. 

Svecla says Iber Bridge will open: It is not a matter of dialogue at all (media)

A company has been contracted to test the stability of the Iber Bridge, which is being announced to open for traffic. To "inspect" the works, present there are also the ministries of the government of Kosovo, Xhelal Svecla and Elbert Krasniqi.

Asked by journalists, Minister Svecla said that his visit is regular and is not something extraordinary. "Yes, it is a free country. It is a regular visit; it is not something extraordinary" - said the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He further said that the inspection of the bridge is in two stages, and that it is still in the process. "We are according to the plan that we are sharing with all colleagues, I don't see anything extraordinary" - said the minister. He further added that the issue of opening the Iber bridge is not a matter of dialogue at all. "This issue was closed in 2016, it is not a matter of dialogue at all, it is an issue of the right to open, and it is a matter of a decision, which is already public" - added minister Svecla.

Asked about the protest held today by the Serbs in the north, who opposed the opening of the bridge, the minister replied that this is their right. He said that opening of the bridge depends on the flow of the process.

The opening of the Bridge is strongly opposed by the USA, the EU and other allied countries. During the day, a protest was also held by the local Serbs, who opposed the opening of the bridge.

Minister Haxhiu visits woman who was injured by her husband in Fushe Kosove (media)

The Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, visited the woman who was injured on Tuesday morning by her husband in Fushe Kosove. She went to the Thoracic Surgery clinic where the woman is being treated and her condition is stable, media report.

Meanwhile, regarding the case, the police announced today through the report that in addition to the suspect, the 73-year-old man with the initials I.A., another person was arrested after suspicions that he took the weapon that was used to drive it away from the scene.

"It is important that we are seeking justice, and the woman also had the same message. I had a reaction yesterday, today my visit was to prove institutional support. And to call for cases like Edona's never to be repeated. In relation to this case, the perpetrator has committed several acts of domestic violence. A few hours before, he had been detained for domestic violence and was released by the court because of health problems", said Haxhiu.

 

Serbian Language Media 

 

A protest held in the northern part of Mitrovica: "On the bridge we defended survival, now we defend disappearance!" (KoSSev, media)

Today's announced protest in the northern part of Mitrovica has ended after almost an hour, the KoSSev portal reported.

At the protest, the citizens, by acclamation and unanimous shouting, verbally accepted that the main bridge over the Ibar, in the immediate vicinity of which this rally is being held, should not be opened. 

With a delay of about half an hour, Nikola Kabasic, former president of the Court in Mitrovica, addressed the citizens first.

His idea was supported that the decisions of the local self-government, i.e. the Municipality of North Mitrovica, which he called the forced administration of Mitrovica and for which he presented a series of criticisms precisely because of several decisions they made, should be overturned in the same way in the future.

"Every time they make decisions that are detrimental and against the will of the citizens here, we will gather at the same place and adopt by acclamation that we do not agree with that," he said, among other things.

The following who addressed the gathering were: the editor of the newspaper Jedinstvo, Rada Komazec, the vice president of the KiM Pensioners' Association, Duska Vlahovic, as well as the director of the work unit of the Post of Serbia in Kosovo, Ivan Milojevic, at one time a minister in the Kosovo government of the Ministry of Regional Development.

According to Kosovo Online, Kabasic said that to date, 126 serious conflicts and incursions on the bridge with human casualties, many injured, have been recorded.

"So many times forces of UNMIK and KFOR have reacted to prevent the invasion and occupation of the north. The initiative was opened by those who occupied the municipality, claiming that this is the wish of all the citizens of Mitrovica," Kabasic pointed out.

"We are under aggression because we are the Serbian people, so that we leave Kosovo? We need to get on the ball, stop feeling sorry for ourselves and expecting someone else to come here and do something instead of us. No one will, " he added.

We rely on ourselves, said the judge.

"As far as Svecla is concerned, we are all the same to him," Kabasic said.

He said that now "we are returning to the beginning of democracy".

He said that the municipality is not in the hands of the majority of citizens, but in the hands of 300 citizens who were brought, reported Kosovo Online.

"Special forces have been brought here to work against Serbian interests. When we have institutions and when we are freed from this filming, everything will be different. The number of police and the equipment they have is not proportionate to the situation. The crime rate is the lowest here. I sincerely believe that we can get together, let's find an interest and be together. I appeal to the international community: Do not agree to any actions on the ground, because it can lead to violence. If you fought to preserve Kosovo's multi-ethnicity, you must now save it," Kabasic pointed out.

He asked the leadership in Serbia to continue with the aid, to make it fairer and more equal.

"One more request for Serbia: You must listen to us, you may not agree with us, but we have the right to say so. I am afraid that sometimes you do not have a real insight into everything that is happening. Listen to us," he said.

Among those gathered are the presidents of the temporary authorities of Kosovska Mitrovica, Zubina Potok and Zvecan - Ivan Zaporozac, Srdjan Vulovic and Ivan Todosijevic.

Those gathered carried banners "We defended survival on the bridge, now we defend disappearance", "If Kurti opens the bridge, Kfor and Quint will be responsible" and "While the EU and the USA are writing statements, they are expelling us", added Kosovo Online.

The Serb protest ended, Svecla again drinking coffee in C'est la Vie caffe (KoSSev)

KoSSev reports that immediately after the end of the Serb protest today, Kosovo's Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, appeared in Braca Milic Square in North Mitrovica, almost at the same place, accompanied by the Minister of Local Self-Government, Elbert Krasniqi.

Svecla has been drinking for the second day in a row in the newly opened cafe C'est la vie, the former Dolce Vita, which was bought by an Albanian, and which has become a favorite meeting place not only of Albanian citizens, but of Self-Determination officials.

Svecla refused to answer KoSSev in Serbian yesterday, and today, unlike yesterday, the police do not allow journalists to approach the cafe where Svecla and Krasniqi are sitting. Journalists are practically moved to the other side of the street, under the pretext that it is about the security of the minister, which was not the case yesterday.

Even the fact that KoSSev's reporter insisted with the explanation that he was just doing his job did not help the police to allow this Kosovo official to be approached.

At this moment, several journalists are waiting for Svecla to leave the bar to ask him a question about the main bridge, but also the reason for his new visit today.

Svecla said yesterday that the bridge will be opened, however, he did not specify when, stating that it depends on the experts.

The issue of opening the main bridge has been actualized since May, when the local police commander in the North first announced the opening action.

Minister Starovic on the opening of the Ibar bridge: Potentially a major point of escalation (NMagazin, N1, TV Prva)

Serbian Minister of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs Nemanja Starovic assessed today that the issue of the announced opening of the central bridge on the Ibar in Mitrovica potentially represents a "big escalation point", reported NMagazin. 

''The bridge has its factual importance, but also a great symbolic value, because for the Serbs it was the last point of resistance in 1999 and for the next 25 years. The point where Kosovska Mitrovica, its multi-ethnic character, but also the entire north of Kosovo and Metohija, is preserved," Starovic told TV Prva. 

According to his words, it is clear to the international community, the Quint states and the KFOR mission that such a thing must not be done outside the framework of dialogue and before certain conditions defined by valid agreements are met.

The minister also stated that KFOR gave assurances in their announcements that they will maintain their presence on the bridge and that they believe that a solution to the opening of the bridge must be found exclusively through the Brussels dialogue process.

"I think that is a correct position. Of course, we cannot be completely calm, that there were different experiences with both KFOR and EULEX, but we must grasp the presence of KFOR, because it is the only armed force that can guarantee the safety of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija," he said. 

He repeated the position of several Serbian officials that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, by announcing the opening of the bridge, arresting Serbs and closing the offices of the Serbian Post in the north of Kosovo, "wants to provoke some kind of conflict and drag Serbia into war."

"And not into a war with the temporary institutions in Pristina, but into a war with the NATO alliance," Starovic assessed.

Elshani: Educational and health institutions are a challenge for KP, but that does not mean that we will close them - politics will decide (KoSSev)

Parallel structures in the North are a challenge for the work of the Kosovo Police, but this does not mean that we will close educational and health institutions, because such measures require political approval. As far as I know, according to the Brussels agreement, both health and education should have independence, Veton Elshani, deputy commander of the KP of the North region, told KoSSev following his statement to RTV21, which stirred up the public in the North of Kosovo.

"The security situation in the North is affected by parallel structures and illegal structures. They threaten the North of the country because we cannot remain calm while they carry out their activities. While those parallel structures are there, we have problems. I call the parallel structure the health and education service, which will be a problem for us until they are under our management," said Elshani to RTV21 yesterday.

The statement came only a day after the KP closed nine facilities of the Post of Serbia in the North of Kosovo.

"Red lines that must not be crossed"

It caused negative reactions and was condemned by the leader of Serbian democracy, Aleksandar Arsenijevic.

"I am unpleasantly surprised by this statement of yours, and again I would tell you not to play with these things," Arsenijevic said in a post on FB. He told Elshani that schools and hospitals are "red lines that must not be crossed".

"Schools and hospitals have their autonomy and according to Kosovo legislation, without even talking about CSM (ZSO)", added Arsenijevic, advising Elshani to "take care" of his statements next time:

"They can cause great intolerance of citizens towards you," he said.

Some citizens, i.e., employees in education and healthcare in the North of Kosovo, worried about their jobs addressed KoSSev portal, asking us to clarify the statement of the head of the police in the North of Kosovo. Among them ordinary citizens, parents who asked the same question - "where will our children be educated and treated"?

Not about politics, but about security

KoSSev asked the deputy commander of the KP for the North region for additional clarification of his allegations.

Elshani confirmed the credibility of the statement to RTV21, but insisted on accuracy. The word "management" of institutions, which he used in part of the statement for this media, is now changed to "access".

He emphasizes that he spoke about this topic exclusively from the point of view of security, and in the capacity of a police officer, as well as that he did not "interpret the Brussels Agreement".

"I spoke about the problems and challenges that the Kosovo Police is facing. What kind of professional would I be if I didn't list what I recognize as a challenge in my work as a police officer," he said. 

Given that, as he says, he is aware that these are departments that primarily concern the Brussels Agreement, he claims that he did not enter the "political sphere".

"As a police officer, I have an obligation to say what is a challenge for me on the field. And that does not mean that we will close and work on it, because we need political approval for such measures. As far as I know, according to the Brussels Agreement, both health and education should have independence. However, for me, as a police officer, these institutions, work, and cooperation with them represent a challenge".

Although he confirms that cooperation with health institutions exists, including in the case of traffic control, traffic accidents, and physical injuries, Elshani still emphasizes that it is difficult. Cooperation with educational institutions is also "difficult", pointing to the organization of the referendum in the North of Kosovo, and the case when the schools working under the Serbian education system did not allow their premises to be used for voting. According to him, the problem is also in everyday activities:

"If we go to school and ask something, the principal tells us - I will have a problem because of talking to you. That is a problem for them as well, because they are under pressure," he said.

In the end, Elshani says that good cooperation with these institutions, and not control, would be enough to reduce the challenges of the police.

"I know that we will not touch health care or education. It will be resolved politically," Elishani said.

Davenport: The closure of post offices  and the proposals to open the bridge in Mitrovica must be resolved through dialogue (Kosovo Online)

The head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Michael Davenport, stated that the closure of post offices in the northern municipalities and renewed proposals to open the bridge in Mitrovica for traffic had underlined the urgency of returning to dialogue, reported Kosovo Online.

"Recent events – the closure of post offices in northern municipalities and renewed proposals to open the bridge in Mitrovica for traffic – have underlined the urgency of returning to dialogue. Both of these issues should be resolved in the EU-led process," Davenport wrote on the social network "X."

In the continuation of his post, he added what the goal of the dialogue should be.

"But this must be a dialogue focused once again on improving the lives of ordinary people in Kosovo and enhancing the prospects for young people from all communities to live, work, and raise their families here," Davenport concluded.