• COVID-19: 334 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Coronavirus: Serbia provokes Kosovo with vaccination scheme (DW)
• Ramadani: Covid vaccines will arrive soon (Telegrafi)
• Hoti: Vucic's statement does not serve peace and stability in the region (media)
• Haradinaj: Vucic's threats to Kosovo don't help regional stability (media)
• U.S. follows implementation of Washington agreement, Israel recognition (media)
• Kurti meets Norwegian envoy for Balkans (media)
• Hoxhaj: No coalition with LVV, we will lead the government (Klan/media)
• Limaj: When we fought, Hoxhaj pondered seeking asylum in Serbia (Koha)
• Serbian List MP candidate beats up a Serb opposition member (media)
• Hodzic: I do not have an agreement with Serbian List (Kallxo/Telegrafi)
• Serbia opens parallel hotline, CEC not informed (Klan)
• CDHRF slams KSC for not granting release to former KLA leaders (media)
• Serbian government official not allowed entry to Kosovo (Telegrafi)
• In Kosovo, War Prisoners Campaign to Save Their Old Jail (Balkan Insight)

 

COVID-19: 334 new cases, three deaths (media)

334 new cases of COVID-19 and three deaths from the virus were recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 230 persons have recovered from the virus during this time.

There are 6,501 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Coronavirus: Serbia provokes Kosovo with vaccination scheme (DW)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic recently announced a vaccination program in Kosovo without consulting leaders in Pristina. Officials there have called it illegal, and locals are very confused.

The majority of the population in North Mitrovica, on the banks of the Ibar River, are Serbs, as is the case in northern Kosovo generally. For weeks, rumors have been swirling that unlike the majority Albanian parts of the country, a new coronavirus vaccination campaign is set to start here — one funded and coordinated by the Serbian government. But is it really true?

On the western outskirts of Mitrovica, a grumpy looking, black-clad security officer stands guard in front of a hospital. The Serbian flag flies above it. When we ask him if we can talk to somebody about the rumored vaccination scheme, he growls, "Nobody here is providing any information," then he calls for backup. A woman in a white lab coat also comes out and shouts at reporters: "There's nothing for you to see here. Go away"

As countries across Europe and the world scramble to acquire as many COVID-19 vaccine doses as possible, Kosovo, too, is preparing a vaccination campaign. The Health Ministry in Pristina previously announced the country's vaccination program would begin in February.

However, the situation seems to be different in the north, where Kosovar authorities have very little influence. Speaking at a military airbase near the Serbian capital Belgrade at the end of last year, President Aleksandar Vucic announced that his country would soon begin a vaccination campaign in neighboring northern Kosovo. He said the first to receive the vaccine would be elderly Serbs over 75, then everyone else. Leaders in Pristina have yet to be officially briefed on Serbia's plans.

Vucic's announcement triggered a flurry of excitement in Kosovo. By making it, the Serbian president was directly infringing on the sovereignty of an independent country recognized by most European Union (EU) states — and that, at a time when the relationship between Serbia and Kosovo is already at an ebb and the EU-facilitated dialogue between them remains on ice.

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Ramadani: Covid vaccines will arrive soon (Telegrafi)

Director of Kosovo's National Institute for Public Health, Naser Ramadani, said the Covid vaccines are expected to arrive to Kosovo shortly.

"The vaccine will be here soon, we need to be optimistic and wait," he said in a TV interview. Ramadani dispelled different conspiracies against the getting the vaccine which he said have no scientific basis. "The vaccine is the best, cheapest and most efficient method against a disease," he said.

Ramadani said Kosovo health authorities have prepared a strategic plan on how the vaccination will take place. "Vaccination priorities were set based on this strategy. These priorities include first healthcare workers and the elderly and then those with chronic illnesses."

Hoti: Vucic's statement does not serve peace and stability in the region (media)

Outgoing Prime Minister of Kosovo Avdullah Hoti has reacted to a statement made by the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic who signaled stepping up military capacities citing possible threats to Serbia's security, including its problems with Kosovo.

Hoti said Kosovo remains committed in its path toward NATO integration and deepening of cooperation with international strategic partners. "The statement of Serbia's President Vucic about increasing military capacities on the pretext of developments in Kosovo does not serve peace and stability in the region, and even less so the achievement of the final agreement and mutual recognition," Hoti wrote on Facebook.

B92 reported that in meeting with the military leadership of Serbia, Vucic said: "We talked, we have to worry, you know, about the current circumstances pertaining to Kosovo and Metohija, we have regional problems, we have a third problem concerning the geopolitical disputes of the great powers, in accordance with all that we have to take care of ourselves," Vucic said. "We have done a lot to improve combat readiness, to buy the most modern weapons," he continued.

Haradinaj: Vucic's threats to Kosovo don't help regional stability (media)

Daut Haradinaj from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) also reacted to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's statement on increasing military capacities saying the language of hatred and threats do not do any service to the regional stability.

"Stepping up military capacities to a readiness level, under the pretext of 'feeling threatened by the situation in Kosovo' is a dangerous language which has caused suffering to the entire region while to Serbia defeat of wars and isolation. Kosovo has a modern defence force which is taking part in peacekeeping missions, aiming to join NATO as soon as possible. I wish Serbia joins the Western alliance as soon as possible by counting on peace, stability, cooperation and good neighbourhood with all," he wrote on Facebook.

U.S. follows implementation of Washington agreement, Israel recognition (media)

Kosovo’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Meliza Haradinaj-Stublla, had a telephone conversation with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Special Envoy for Balkans, Matthew Palmer. They discussed current political situation in Kosovo and regional relations.

Haradinaj expressed her appreciation for U.S. engagement and attention to Kosovo and promised free democratic elections in Kosovo.

“Mr. Palmer on his side, confirmed that the U.S. will continue to follow with high interest developments in Kosovo, especially implementation of the 4 September Agreement, specifically formalizing the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the state of Israel,” Haradinaj-Stublla wrote.

She thanked the U.S. for the key role in Kosovo’s achievements, on strengthening its statehood and international subjectivity.

Kurti meets Norwegian envoy for Balkans (media)

Leader of the Vetevendosje Movement Albin Kurti had a meeting with Norway's Special Representative for the Western Balkans, Arne Sannes Bjornstad.

In a statement published on social media, Vetevendosje said the meeting focused on the upcoming elections and the ongoing process of certification of political entities. "Underlining the fact that the right to elect and be elected is a fundamental constitutional right of democratic countries, we informed Mr. Bjornstad that we have already submitted a complaint to the Supreme Court whereby we expect the correction of injustices caused by the CEC and ECAP decisions."

Hoxhaj: No coalition with LVV, we will lead the government (Klan/media)

Enver Hoxhaj, candidate for the Prime Minister from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) said they do not see the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) as partner in the future government.

“We do not enter coalition with LVV since we have big differences. We cannot enter e coalition with a political part which sometimes calls the White House red and sometimes yellow,” Hoxhaj said.

“We do not set red lines with any of the political parties, but we have principles. We cannot enter a coalition without clear principles, with any political entity, and we experienced this with several of them. We do not accept unprincipled politics and non-state behavior as we have seen during the last years,” Hoxhaj said.

He said PDK will lead the new government and will chose its own partner.  “We are very clear because we have major political, ideological, program differences. LVV demonizes private sector, intends to increase tax, and these are important issues.,” he added further.

Hoxhaj once again called LVV leader Albin Kurti to participate in an open debate. “I saw him earlier citing Kant in Rubikon. I am ready to face him even about Kant, whom he read in Serbian and I read it in German,” Hoxhaj said.

Limaj: When we fought, Hoxhaj pondered seeking asylum in Serbia (Koha)

Leader of the Social Democratic Initiative (NISMA) Fatmir Limaj said in a rally in Malisheva that the acting leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Enver Hoxhaj has no idea what the fighting spirit of the Kosovo Liberation Army is.

"The difference between me and Enver is that he has never built anything, he got everything ready. The difference is that he makes the big things small while I begin with small and make them big. He is used to getting everything made ready for him. We have seen him take his party all ready, and we will see where he will take it. Another difference is that he has never led a battle in his life, in the political life either," Limaj said. "At the time when me and my fellow combatants fought for Kosovo's liberation, Hoxhaj would state that he would seek asylum in Belgrade if the KLA won the war," he added.

Limaj also had words for the leader of the Vetevendosje Movement Albin Kurti. He assused him of 'imprisoning' Malisheva while he was prime minister under the pretext of quarantining it due to Covid. "In 51 days he never visited Malisheva when things were bad, when people out of panic were afraid to pick up their phones for 51 days."

Serbian List MP candidate beats up a Serb opposition member (media) 

Goran Vasiljevic from Shterpce, activist of the Civic Initiative "For Freedom, Justice and Salvation" stated that last night in the cafe 'Kapra' he was beaten by the candidate of the Serbian List for MP in the Assembly of Kosovo, Branislav Nikolic. According to Vasiljevic, he had beaten him because he opposed the Serbian List and as such he is ‘siptar’, a pejorative term used in Serbian, when referring to Albanians.

Nikolic on the other hand denied the entire event, while according to RTV KIM, police in Shterpce and Ferizaj refused to share information.  “These are all lies, I had guests at home last night,” Nikolic said.

Vasiljevic on the other side said that he was initially insulted and then physically attacked by Nikolic who was in company of ten other people.  Vasiljevic reportedly went initially to police station in Shterpce, than to the health center where his injuries on the nose and head were proven.

The police report in Shterpce does not mention Nikolic, however RTV KIM reports that three people were arrested after the incident.

Hodzic: I do not have an agreement with Serbian List (Kallxo/Telegrafi)

Candidate for MP from the Bosniak community Adriana Hodzic, said she has not reached any agreement with the Serbian List as claimed recently by political representatives of the minorities in Kosovo.

According to them, the Serbian List plans to spread the votes of the Serb community in other communities, in order to increase the number of MPs from the ten reserved seats.

“We did not agree to bring us votes. Serbian List is legitimate in Kosovo. It is not true that I have an agreement with the Serbian List. My cooperation with representatives of the Serbian List in North Mitrovica municipality has not harmed any community,” Hodzic said.

“If I gain the trust of the citizens, I will work only for the interests of my community. My community is Bosniak community,” she said.

Serbia opens parallel hotline, CEC not informed (Klan)

Serbia's authorities have opened a hotline to encourage Kosovo citizens living in Serbia to vote in upcoming parliamentary elections in Kosovo, Klan Kosova reports adding that this has not been authorised by the Kosovo's Central Election Commission.

Officials at the CEC said they had no information about the hotline. They said the application period for voting by mail has been closed on 21 January and that a total of 168 requests to do so arrived from Serbia, which the CEC said is a record low. Of this number, 73 have been approved.

CDHRF slams KSC for not granting release to former KLA leaders (media)

The Council for Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms slammed the decision of the Specialist Chambers pre-trial judge refusing provisional release to the former KLA leaders who await trial on war crimes charges.

CDHRF rejected to argument used by the court that there is a flight risk saying that all of the accused could have fled if they wanted to but instead chose to surrender. "There is no argument that the defence attorneys present that this judge does not overrule who can easily be suspected of participating in the leaking of sensitive files that ended up before the offices of the KLAWVA."

Using offensive terms in reference to the pre-trial judge Nicolas Guillou, CDHRF further noted that he is disregarding the principle of presumption of innocence for the accused.

Serbian government official not allowed entry to Kosovo (Telegrafi)

Igor Popovic, deputy director of the Serbian Government's Office for Kosovo, is reported to have not allowed into Kosovo by the police yesterday.

In a statement by the Serbian Government's Office for Kosovo, Popovic is said to not have been given any justification why he was not allowed to enter at the border crossing point in Jarinje. The Office further said this constitutes violation of the free movement agreement and it is clear it is related to the upcoming elections in Kosovo. "Anti-Serb campaign of provisional institutions in Pristina has intensified but this cannot and should not be a justification for violation of international agreements."

In Kosovo, War Prisoners Campaign to Save Their Old Jail (Balkan Insight)

Over two decades after the notorious Gurrakoc/Djurakovac jail in western Kosovo was closed, former inmates launched a petition to preserve it as a museum to highlight the suffering of ethnic Albanian prisoners under Serbian rule.

Burim Kabashi was trying to flee the fighting in western Kosovo on May 8, 1999 when he and around 70 other ethnic Albanians were detained by Serbian forces and taken to a small prison several kilometres away in the municipality of Istog/Istok.

He recalls that it was a warm evening when the detainees were brought to the prison in the village of Gurrakoc/Djurakovac, which was already overcrowded with inmates. The violent abuse started immediately.

“I remember when we gathered here and started to go in with our hands behind our heads. They beat us one after the other. Many of us were bleeding,” Kabashi told BIRN in the yard of the now-abandoned prison.

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