UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 15, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

EU says Iber Bridge deal should be fully implemented, but requires restraint (Klan)
Rohde supports KFOR's red lines on bridge over Iber river (Koha)
EULEX does not have constant static security presence on the Iber bridge (Klan)
Lajcak: Claims that EU is against opening of Iber Bridge, misleading (Koha)
The U.S. has shared with Osmani risk assessments for American soldiers (Kallxo)
Labour Friends of Kosovo and Western Balkans pro opening of bridge, but caution on negative impact (media)
Kosovo does not accept Radoicic’s prosecution in Serbia (Klan)
Elshani: After the deadline for conversion of drivers' licences, fines will be imposed (RTK)
Government of Kosovo decides to host more Ukrainian journalists (RFE)
Miners cancel protest announced for Thursday (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Media: A former member of the KLA, wanted by Serbia, escaped from house arrest in North Macedonia (N1, Beta)
German Ambassador backs KFOR’s stance on the Ibar bridge (KoSSev)
Sutanovac: KFOR will not move from the Ibar Bridge even if the Pristina government decides to open it (Kosovo Online)
Colonel Rocco Mundo visited Visoki Decani monastery (KoSSev)

International Media:

Balkans: We urge Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to refrain from attacking journalists (europeanjournalists.org)

Albanian Language Media

Lajcak: Claims that EU is against opening of Iber Bridge, misleading (Koha)

The Special Envoy of the European Union for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, has said that the claims that the EU is against the opening of the main bridge of the Iber are misleading.

Through a reaction on the "X" platform, Lajcak said that the EU has repeatedly said that the issue of opening the bridge should be discussed in dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

"The EU has repeatedly emphasized that the issue of the Mitrovica bridge should be discussed in the Dialogue facilitated by the EU. Claims that the EU is against the opening of the bridge or has changed its position are misleading," he wrote.

The U.S. Department of State: Opening Mitrovica bridge now would increase chances of violence (VoA)

The US State Department said that opening the Mitrovica bridge at this time would increase the possibility of violence and called on the Kosovo government to "not take this uncoordinated action". A State Department spokesperson told VoA that the United States does not support "any move to change the current status of the Mitrovica bridge at this time."

"Opening the bridge to vehicular traffic now increases the potential for violence and puts at risk the local population as well as KFOR soldiers - including the Americans - who are working to support peace and security in Kosovo," the spokesman said.

The Department of State called on the government of Kosovo not to take this action, which it considers "uncoordinated and one-sided". The United States called on the government to discuss this issue within the framework of the EU-facilitated Dialogue.

"This is a position we share with our Quint partners – France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom – as well as with the EU and NATO. And it is a position that we have made very clear, both publicly and privately", continues the spokesperson's statement.

The State Department stressed that the objective of the United States is to work with the government of Kosovo to create the conditions in which the bridge can be opened for vehicle traffic. "Therefore, we call on the Government of Kosovo to return to close and constructive engagement with the United States and other international partners", concludes the statement.

The U.S. has shared with Osmani risk assessments for American soldiers (Kallxo)

Bekim Kupina, media adviser to the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, said that the United States of America have shared with the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, the security assessments related to endangering the lives of American soldiers.

"We confirm that the United States of America have shared with the President the security assessments related to endangering the lives of American soldiers, who have always come out in defence of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and lives of our citizens," said the adviser to President.

Kupina added that the USA have never expressed a position against the opening of the Iber Bridge to the President.

more suitable from the point of view of security and construction of a common plan for the implementation of the opening of the bridge, which is in the interest of all our citizens" - said Kupina to Kallxo.com on 14.08.2024.

"The USA, in the meetings we have had, have never expressed to the President a position against the opening of the bridge, but have simply asked for cooperation in determining the most suitable moment from the point of view of security and building a joint plan for the implementation of the opening of the bridge, which is in the interest of all our citizens" - said Kupina on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, regarding the dialogue in Brussels, Kupina said that President Osmani was the first to state that she is against discussing this topic with Serbia. "But open dialogue and coordination with the security allies, who protect the sovereignty of Kosovo together with us, is necessary," said the spokesperson of the Presidency.

Among other things, despite recent developments, Kupina said that the president's position has not changed regarding the dialogue in Brussels, or regarding the necessary dialogue with the security partners. "The position remains the same" - he said, mentioning the position of President Osmani dated 01.08.2024 that the issue of the bridge should not become a topic of dialogue with Serbia. "Such a thing would be a serious violation of sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutionality in our country" Osmani had said.

EU says Iber Bridge deal should be fully implemented, but requires restraint (Klan)

The European Union has said that the reopening of the Iber Bridge is a matter of dialogue and any decision on its opening must be made within this process. An EU spokesperson told Klankosova.tv that discussions on the opening of the bridge are ongoing and the EU is coordinating closely with its international partners in Kosovo.

"All dialogue agreements, including the one on the bridge, must be fully implemented. The EU asks all parties to refrain from any uncoordinated and unilateral actions".

"The EU plans to put the bridge issue on the agenda of the next dialogue meeting. Every meeting of the dialogue will be announced at the right time", said this EU spokesperson.

Rohde supports KFOR's red lines on bridge over Iber river (Koha)

The Ambassador of Germany to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, said on Wednesday that he fully supports the red lines of KFOR, regarding the bridge over the river Iber. Rohde said that "the unilateral actions of last year that led to the injury of KFOR soldiers and civilians" should not be repeated.

He said that international advice should be taken into account and added that he welcomes the coordination mentioned by the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti.

KFOR has insisted that any decision regarding the bridge over the Iber River should be taken through political dialogue and in a coordinated manner. It insisted that the bridge issue should be discussed in Brussels.

EULEX does not have constant static security presence on the Iber bridge (Klan)

In order to better understand the situation, the EULEX Police Formation Unit is conducting regular mobile surveillance patrols on a 24/7 basis, including - but not limited to - the vicinity of the bridge, this mission told the news website. Furthermore, they emphasized that EULEX does not have a constant static security presence on the bridge.

"EULEX carries out its surveillance patrols in coordination with the Kosovo Police and KFOR, in accordance with the three-level security response mechanism of Kosovo, where the Kosovo Police is the first security responder, EULEX is the second and KFOR is the third security responder", it is further stated in EULEX's response to KlanKosova.

Labour Friends of Kosovo and Western Balkans pro opening of bridge, but caution on negative impact (media)

The group of the party in power in the United Kingdom, "Labor Friends of Kosovo", is in favor of the opening of the Ibri Bridge.

“Initiatives that unify communities, such as the opening of the Mitrovica Bridge to vehicle traffic, should be welcomed - but they must be implemented carefully so as not to have the opposite effect. We urge all parties to set out an effective implementation plan and timeline for the full opening of the Bridge in order to maximise the economic and community benefits of doing so as safely and as soon as possible.

We however reject the notion that neighbouring countries must be consulted about the full opening of a bridge on the sovereign territory of Kosovo - this is a decision for the Government of Kosovo which must be taken in full alignment with minority representatives and with the oversight of Kosovo's allies, including the UK, which are the ultimate guarantors of security in the country,” reads the statement.

Kosovo does not accept Radoicic’s prosecution in Serbia (Klan)

The Ministry of Justice has rejected Serbia's request for cooperation in the case of Milan Radoicic. The U.S. ambassador, Jeffrey Hovenier, confirmed in an interview with RFE on Tuesday that there was a request for cooperation with Kosovo from the Serbian side. "Official Belgrade has submitted a request through official channels for mutual legal assistance".

They wanted to secure the evidence they need to prosecute the organizer of the group that carried out the terrorist attack in Banjska of Zvecan, on September 24 last year.

However, the MoD said that it considers Serbia's request a violation of the Law on International Legal Cooperation in Criminal Matters. "According to the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Republic of Kosovo, only the judicial bodies of Kosovo have jurisdiction to investigate and judge cases that are claimed to have been committed within the territory of the Republic of Kosovo", said the MoD.

The ministry further indicated that they have made a request for cooperation with Serbia as early as October 5, 2023, through the channels highlighted in point 3 of the bilateral agreement in force. However, Serbia has never responded to the request of the Special Prosecutor's Office of Kosovo.

Elshani: After deadline for conversion of drivers' licences, fines will be imposed (RTK)

The deadline for driver's licence conversion has been postponed for another 10 days. About this process, the Deputy Director of Police, in the North, Veton Elshani, said that the police will take measures, also imposing fines.

Elshani said that it is a process, which is passing without significant problems. "The driver's licence issue has been postponed for two weeks due to people's interest, but also due to some technical problems that we encountered during the conversion or application of these driver's licences," said Elshani.

Government of Kosovo decides to host more Ukrainian journalists (RFE)

The Government of Kosovo has decided to increase the number of Ukrainian journalists and their close families to whom it provides temporary accommodation in Kosovo, as a result of the war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Albin Kurti's government approved on Wednesday the amendment of a 2022 decision to increase the number of Ukrainian journalists it offers temporary accommodation.

"The number of Ukrainian journalists will increase, including close members of their families, to whom the Republic of Kosovo will provide temporary protection", Kurti said during the government meeting.

In 2022, the Government made a decision to host 20 Ukrainian journalists. It is believed that 13 Ukrainian journalists have been sheltered in Kosovo so far.

Blerim Gashani, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, spoke in more detail about the housing of Ukrainian journalists, but did not indicate how their number will increase.

"Kosovo continues to show international solidarity for the protection of human rights by offering temporary protection to Ukrainian journalists and their families endangered by the war in Ukraine," said Gashani.

"Temporary protection will be provided in accordance with the asylum law and will have an immediate impact, from the date of entry into force of this decision", he added.

During their stay in Kosovo, they will be obliged to respect the legislation of Kosovo and will enjoy all the rights that this legislation guarantees them, according to Gashani.

Miners cancel protest announced for Thursday (media)

The Independent Union of Trepca Miners has cancelled the protest announced for Thursday, after the government of Kosovo has allocated an amount of 4 million euros for the execution of salaries. In a press release, the miners announced that taking into account the government's reflection, they withdraw from the protest.

“The aim of the miners for the execution of the wages has been realised, so we consider it unreasonable to hold the protest tomorrow. This was the sole purpose of the protest and that at no time the demands of the miners can and should be given political connotations", the announcement states.

Serbian Language Media

Media: A former member of the KLA, wanted by Serbia, escaped from house arrest in North Macedonia (N1, Beta)

A former member of the KLA, a citizen of Kosovo, Blerim Ramadani, for whom Serbia issued a warrant, escaped from house arrest in North Macedonia today, the portal "Sakam da kažam" (sdk.mk) announced, reported N1 last night.

That portal states that, according to unofficial information, Ramadani escaped, after three judges of the criminal panel of the court in Skopje ordered him to return to prison custody for 30 days due to the risk of escape.

"Someone from the Criminal Court informed Ramadani today that he was returning to Sutka (investigative prison), so he immediately fled Macedonia," reported sdk.mk referring to sources from the investigation.

It is added that the North Macedonia MIA was asked whether "the wanted Ramadani fled the country today in parallel with the judge's decision, but no answer was received until the publication of the text".

Ramadani was in custody at a relative's house in Skopje, after he was arrested on July 17 at the N. Macedonia-Kosovo border crossing "Jazince" on the basis of an international warrant issued by Serbia through Interpol.

After his arrest, Ramadani was transferred to the prison in Skopje, and at the request of the Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime, he was ordered to extradition custody for 30 days.

On August 1, the competent Macedonian court changed Ramadanija's prison detention to house arrest and, according to that decision, he was sent to an address in Skopje, and according to that decision, he is expected to remain under house arrest until August 16.

Serbia is looking for Ramadani on a warrant on suspicion of war crimes committed in Kosovo 25 years ago, and according to a statement from the MFA of Kosovo, the Criminal Court in Skopje decided on August 8 not to extradite the former member of the KLA to Serbia.

"Ramadani will remain under house arrest in Skopje until the ruling (ex officio) of the Supreme Court of the Republic of North Macedonia comes into effect," the Kosovo ministry said in a statement a few days ago.

German Ambassador backs KFOR’s stance on the Ibar bridge (KoSSev)

German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jörn Rohde, today affirmed his support for the NATO mission KFOR and its established “red lines,” including those concerning the Mitrovica bridge. This support comes in response to recent warnings from KFOR, which has stated it will not hesitate to act in the face of any security developments.

“It is essential that all actors refrain from unilateral declarations and actions that could create tensions,” KFOR reiterated last night.

The mission emphasized its commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all communities in Kosovo “at all times and impartially” within its long-standing UN mandate.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/4pjv265y

Sutanovac: KFOR will not move from the Ibar Bridge even if the Pristina government decides to open it (Kosovo Online)

If the Government of Kosovo, despite suggestions from the European Union and the United States, decides to unilaterally open the main bridge on the Ibar River to road traffic without an agreement from the dialogue, Dragan Sutanovac, President of the Council for Strategic Policies and former Minister of Defense of Serbia, expects that KFOR forces will not move from the bridge and will not allow it to be opened in the manner Albin Kurti desires.

International Media

Balkans: We urge Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to refrain from attacking journalists (europeanjournalists.org)

On 11 August 2024, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić verbally abused journalists from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Kosovo during a press conference in Belgrade on the occasion of the rally against the Serbian government’s approval of lithium ore mining in Serbia.

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins the SafeJournalists network in expressing its full solidarity with the journalists who have been targeted by President Vučic. We urge President Vučić and the authorities to refrain from this blatant pattern of harassing journalists or media outlets for critical reporting and instead ensure respect for the fundamental guarantees of media freedom.

On 10 August, civil dissatisfaction with Rio Tinto’s mining project in the Jadar Valley led to massive protests in Belgrade, including the blockade of two railway stations. Demonstrations had taken place in other cities across Serbia in the days before. On 16 July, the government session adopted a decree to restart the controversial project, which had been halted by the state authorities in 2022, amid large-scale protests. During the press conference held on 11 August, Vučić took the opportunity to point the finger at journalists who reported on the protests, including Oslobođenja from Sarajevo, Jutarnji list, and Dnevno.hr from Zagreb, and N1 and NOVA RS from Belgrade and the magazine Slobodna Bosna.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2p92sc39