UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 9, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: We want a legally binding agreement centred on mutual recognition (Kosovapress)
Svecla: Sanctions against Veselinovic's group prove our fight against corruption was legitimate (media)
UK's Abbott welcomes U.S. sanctions against Veselinovic's group (Telegrafi/RTK)
Haradinaj hails U.S. sanctions as ‘excellent news for Kosovo’ (media)
Radule Stevic and tenders awarded to him by Kosovo institutions (RFE)
Minister Aliu confirms having a contract with company sanctioned by the U.S. (EO/Zeri)
Kosovo joins U.S. in diplomatic boycott of Winter Olympics in China (Koha/Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

Covid-19: 33 news cases in Serbian communities (Radio Mitrovica sever)
I did not yield to protests; I only met people’s demands, President Vucic says (N1)
Borrell: US sanctions important step in fight against organized crime in Western Balkans (Kosovo-online)
Millions worth tenders of an entrepreneur from the north of Kosovo, to whom the US imposed sanctions (RFE, KoSSev)
Trajkovic: Serbian-Albanian connections (Radio KIM)
KLA flag in Bosniak Mahala, Mitrovica North removed (KoSSev)
Serb accused of committing war crimes arrested at Jarinje (KoSSev)
Vucic participates in online Summit on Democracy (RTS)
Admiral Bauer and General Wolters with KFOR Commander on security situation in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
Serbian Parliament Speaker says expropriation law up for public debate (N1)

International:

As Russia's Balkan Allies Toy With War, Kosovo Banks on U.S. Protection (Newsweek)

Humanitarian/Development:

Berkovo: Struggling with Covid-19, without technical and potable water (Radio KIM, Radio Gorazdevac)
Mitrovica North residents on new Covid-19 measures: political decision, making peoples’ lives more difficult (KoSSev)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti: We want a legally binding agreement centred on mutual recognition (Kosovapress)

We want to have a legally binding agreement with Serbia which defines the status of their relations and is centred on mutual recognition, Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today.

"Envoys coming from the democratic west are always welcomed and I believe this is an indication of an added interest for the Western Balkans region in general, and particularly for Kosovo and its relations with Serbia," Kurti added.

Speaking to reporters on the margins of an event organised to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day, Kurti welcomed the recent sanctions of the U.S. against a group of Kosovo Serbs and their companies for involvement in corruption and organised crime. "Crime and corruption should have no room not only in the European Union countries but in any country, like Kosovo, that aspires to become member of the European Union. What needs to happen now, and this is our task, is for the justice system to carefully observe all decisions of the United States which have sufficient information to make sure that they are not only sanctioned by the U.S. but also sanctioned, investigated, tried, and convicted here."

Kurti also spoke about the possibility of Kosovo Security Force deployment to Ukraine in case of a potential conflict with Russia. "Firstly, I hope there are no new conflicts, and I am closely following, until late in the night, what is happening between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. There is an alarm with NATO, especially the United States, but also the EU about this. Whatever NATO considers is necessary, we of course stand ready," he said.

Svecla: Sanctions against Veselinovic's group prove our fight against corruption was legitimate (media)

Xhelal Svecla, Kosovo's Minister of Interior, commented on the recent sanctions of U.S. authorities against Zvonko Veselinovic and his group saying it shows that the actions of the Kosovo Government against organised crime and corruption are legitimate.

The U.S. Treasury Office announced yesterday sanctions against Veselinovic describing him as “one of Kosovo’s most notorious corrupt figures” and “organized crime group leader”.

"Today our fight against organised crime and criminal groups was legitimised, specifically in the north, where certain structures have resisted whenever they were the target of destruction. I welcome the U.S. sanctions against the criminal group operating in Serbia and Kosovo and reiterate that we remain uncompromising in the fight against crime, smuggling and corruption that undermine order and security throughout Kosovo," Svecla wrote on Facebook.

UK's Abbott welcomes U.S. sanctions against Veselinovic's group (Telegrafi/RTK)

United Kingdom's Ambassador to Kosovo, Nicholas Abbott, welcomed the decision of the United States authorities to introduce sanctions against a group of individuals with ties to Zvonko Veselinovic whom they said is one of Kosovo’s “most notorious corrupt figures.”

"I welcome the decision of the US to impose sanctions against individuals involved in organised crime and corruption. This is in the interests of all communities in Kosovo. Breaking the link between organised crime and corrupt individuals is essential if we are to create the space for politicians and officials who work in the interest of all those they represent, not just for themselves," Abbott wrote on social media.

Haradinaj hails U.S. sanctions as ‘excellent news for Kosovo’ (media)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj said that the decision of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control to impose sanctions on a group of Kosovo Serbs and their businesses is "excellent news".

"U.S. and Kosovo are committed to the rule of law and this is a joint effort to combat corruption and organised crime. The decision will help our joint mission of striking a blow to transnational crime in Kosovo and the Western Balkans," Haradinaj wrote on Facebook.

Gazeta Express writes that although Haradinaj hailed the sanctions, he met one of the persons named by the U.S. authorities, Milan Radoicic, in his office when he was prime minister of Kosovo. The move at the time was criticised by the opposition.

Radule Stevic and tenders awarded to him by Kosovo institutions (RFE)

From the period of August 2018 to September 2021, the "RAD" company registered under two different addresses in Zvecan, owned by Serb businessman from the north of Kosovo Radule Stevic, won a total of 61 tenders worth 5.6 million euros, funded by the Kosovo Government's budget, Radio Free Europe reports.

Stevic is among the group of persons put under sanctions by the U.S. authorities.

Stevic's companies, P.T.P. "Rad" and "RAD" D.O.O., were awarded numerous tenders by Kosovo institutions for projects in the northern municipalities ranging from those related to infrastructure, construction of social housing, kindergartens, school renovation, supply of IT equipment, construction material, furniture, including production of traffic and road signs.

The last tender won by Stevic's company, in September of 2021, included construction work for the expansion of the sewage system in Zvecan.

Minister Aliu confirms having a contract with company sanctioned by the U.S. (EO/Zeri)

Kosovo's Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Liburn Aliu, confirmed that they have a valid contract with one of the companies that were put under sanctions by the U.S. authorities for ties to organised crime and corruption.

Aliu said that at the time when the tender for road maintenance in the north of Kosovo was awarded, the "RAD" company was not on the list of irresponsible enterprises.

"We are dealing with this issue. This company was not on the black list. It was not possible not to award tenders because it was not among the list of irresponsible companies," Aliu said in a press conference.

Kosovo joins U.S. in diplomatic boycott of Winter Olympics in China (Koha/Telegrafi)

President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has come out in support of the United States decision announcing diplomatic boycott of 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Osmani's media advisor, Bekim Kupina, said that the decision relates to "human rights abuses in China" and that Kosovo is joining the United States, Australia, and United Kingdom in the boycott of the games.

He explained that the athletes from Kosovo will still be competing in the Olympics but that Osmani would be boycotting all ceremonies and official activities during the event.

Serbian Language Media

Covid-19: 33 news cases in Serbian communities (Radio Mitrovica sever)

According to the latest data from the Public Health Institute in Kosovska Mitrovica, 33 cases of coronavirus infection have been registered in Serbian communities in Kosovo, out of a total of 140 samples tested.

In North Mitrovica 10, cases of infection were recorded, in Zvecan and Leposavic four each, and in Zubin Potok six cases of infection.

Nine cases have been registered in central Kosovo, three each in Gracanica and Strpce, and one each in Prizren, Kamenica and Priluzje.

There are 508 active cases in Serbian communities in Kosovo, and a total of 188 people have died since the beginning of the pandemic.

I did not yield to protests; I only met people’s demands, President Vucic says (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told reporters on Wednesday that he had returned the Law on Expropriation to the Parliament because of "insanely short deadlines," although it wasn't in collision with the country's Constitution, N1 reports.

He said he pledged with the Government to make some changes to the Law on Referendum, which he had signed to fulfil the demands of thousands of people who protested over the last two weekends against both laws, saying they were tailored to suit Rio Tinto’s lithium mining in western Serbia.

In the meantime, N1 learned that the European Parliament (EP) would discuss the protests in dozens of Serbia’s cities and the reports on “forced labour“ in the Chinese Linglong tire factory in the north of the country.

Following the news, environmentalists said new protests would not be organised if the Parliament passed the changes to the Law on Referendum. Vucic denied he yielded to the protests though earlier claimed the street would not lead politics in Serbia.

He also blamed ministers who, as he said, did not bother to organize a broad debate on the Law on Expropriation and did visit the area most affected by a potential mine to talk to people there.

International

As Russia's Balkan Allies Toy With War, Kosovo Banks on U.S. Protection (Newsweek)

Kosovo's foreign minister has called on U.S. President Joe Biden and his European allies to do more to prevent the Western Balkans from sliding back into ethnic conflict, accusing the latter powers of losing credibility and authority in the region.

Donika Gervalla-Schwarz said in an exclusive interview with Newsweek that Russia and its regional allies—particularly in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina—are exploiting European Union hesitance and stoking the same ethnic divisions that dragged the Balkans into brutal violence in the 1990s.

She suggested such a shift is opening the door for greater Russian and Chinese influence in the heart of the European continent.

Humanitarian/Development

Berkovo: Struggling with Covid-19, without technical and potable water (Radio KIM, Radio Gorazdevac)

The Masic family, in the Serb-return site Berkovo, Klina, has a two-year old child and problem with coronavirus, Radio Gorazdevac writes today. It said it met Jelena, upon returning from hospital, adding that life without water for personal hygiene is almost impossible.

Her neighbor, Radoman Jeremic is in no better situation. He keeps lots of cattle in his household.

“This (the situation) without water is really difficult. I am alone, so I can endure somehow, but there are people with families, it is even more difficult for them”, he told Radio Gorazdevac.

Sava Banjac, also a returnee to this village, said the problems with water last for months, and the situation was additionally hampered with Covid-19 pandemic.

“What is it about, I can’t tell you. Entire July until August 20, when the strongest heat was, we were without water. Currently, nine families are without water, it is a crisis here”, he said.

Apart from people, lack of water affects animals as well. Returnees manage as they can and know.

“Here, it is that water. Only to pour it out so you can see its yellow color. In fact, this is the best option we use as technical water, it is not potable and it can’t be used to prepare food. Dishes and everything else we wash using this water. You see there is coal. You see these piglets over there, they drink that water. They have to drink it, there is no other option”, Jeremic said.

“We are lucky to have the river nearby. We go there, fill in the barrels, and then have water for two, three days”, Banjac added.

Radoman Jeremic said they addressed numerous institutions, but chances that their problems will be solved are rather slim.

“I called the Klina Municipality Interim Authority representative Bozidar Sarkovic on the very same day. They, since they knew about our problem, told us they will write a request to the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, to help us and find some solution. However, no one informed us and I called him again. He told me the budget for this year was spent. How much it was, I really do not know, however, it seems illogical to me that in September the budget was already spent”, Jeremic said.

A total of 41 houses were reconstructed in the village of Berkovo as a part of the return process to this village. Currently, only 12 families live there, Radio Gorazdevac recalled.

Video reportage in Serbian is available at: https://cutt.ly/lYWJsVS

Mitrovica North residents on new Covid-19 measures: political decision, making peoples’ lives more difficult (KoSSev)

The Kosovo Government on November 30 adopted new measures relating to controlling, preventing and curbing COVID-19 pandemic, KoSSev portal reports. The portal added that decisions related to the entry into Kosovo caused the most concerns.

According to the new measures, every person entering Kosovo is required to have a certificate of complete vaccination with two doses against Covid-19, or a certificate of vaccination with one dose, not older than four weeks, together with a negative PCR test, not older than 48 hours. Persons who have a certificate of single-dose vaccination, together with proof that they have recovered from Covid-19 (positive PCR test issued not less than 21 days and not more than 180 days ago), will also enter Kosovo unhindered. KoSSev pointed out that these are the measures that are being applied from December 6 and are in force until January 3, 2022.

As of January 3, according to the latest government’s decision, all persons entering Kosovo need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Mitrovica North residents interviewed by KoSSev argued that new measures of the Kosovo government related to Covid-19 were too rigorous and politically motivated.

“First, one should ask why no one is saying that Kosovo and Albania have opened the border, and the borders with Serbia are being closed. That is the biggest question that needs to be asked. I agree that measures are needed against Covid and whoever wants or not to be vaccinated-that is their right. But why not ask the question about opening and closing the borders. It is my personal right whether I will be vaccinated or not. And freedom of movement. Is there freedom of movement? Was I vaccinated, no, I was not. My human rights are endangered”, Milorad Bascarevic said.

On the other hand, Nenad Vukmirovic argued new measures were related to politics.

“I think that all this is a political issue, that all this is connected with the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina”, he said.

Asked if he knew he needed two doses of vaccine or one dose and a negative PCR test to enter Kosovo, he responded he thinks this relates to the foreign citizens, while for Kosovo residents it would be possible for them to return within 12 hours.

“(…) This will be the biggest problem for students studying in Kosovo and Metohija. If they are not vaccinated, they will not be able to attend the lectures and have exams”, he added.

Dusan Milunovic also believes that the decision on new measures has a political background. He said new measures were quite rigorous and, as he says, unnecessary.

“They only make it harder for people. People are already complaining, there have been many problems and it will have to be solved somehow. A month ago, we had a much higher number of infected people, many more people had Covid, and yet the elections were held. They were not bothered back then, and now they do mind, so everything looks like a political decision to me”, he said.

KoSSev pointed out that citizens of Kosovo who stay outside the territory for up to 12 hours are exempted from these measures, children up to 12 years of age and persons with medical evidence that was scientifically proven regarding the contraindications for non-vaccination. Such persons must have a negative PCR test for COVID-19, not older than 48 hours.