UNMIK Headlines 9 September
Jahjaga will not intervene to resolve political stalemate (Tribuna)
President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, is not expected to intervene in an effort to resolve disagreements between political parties ahead of the Kosovo Assembly’s constitutive session. Arber Vllahiu, advisor to the Kosovo President, told Tirana-based TV Top Channel that Jahjaga’s intervention would be considered as interference in the mandate of MPs and would create an unfavorable situation. However, if the MPs fail to resolve the situation during the 12 September session of the Assembly, Jahjaga could step in and try to facilitate discussion between political parties.
US call for quick creation of institutions (Tribuna)
In a response to Gazeta Express, the US Embassy in Pristina has clarified its position regarding the current political situation in Kosovo. The US Embassy called for a speedy creation of institutions in full accordance to the Constitution of Kosovo, Constitutional Court’s decision and applicable laws. The statement however said that the US doesn’t believe that it is the role of foreign missions in Kosovo to intervene in the internal political process.
Brovina: A difficult session awaits us (Epoka e Re)
Flora Brovina, chairperson of the constitutive session of the Assembly of Kosovo, said on Monday that all preparations have been made for the 12 September session. Brovina also said she does not have positive expectations for the session. “I never believed that after so many years, we would be in a situation where we would not speak to each other,” said Brovina. She also said that the option of new elections remain open.
Bota Sot quotes Brovina as saying, “my remarks to the Democratic Party of Kosovo were that it did not manage to have other Albanian-speaking allies during its two mandates, except for Behxhet Pacolli’s party. And it is not good for any party, in this case for the PDK, to win the post of Assembly President through the votes of minorities, let alone with Serb votes.”
Thaci: Important processes await Kosovo (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci met on Monday with Samuel Zbogar, the Representative of the European Union in Pristina, to discuss recent political developments. Thaci said that processes for European integration, dialogue with Serbia, the Stabilization Association Agreement and economic development are important issues that the new institutions will have to address. Thaci also expressed appreciation to Zbogar for his contribution as well as that of the institution that he represents, for the help given to Kosovo in all areas.
Opposition bloc, Vetevendosje to sign agreement on Wednesday (Bota Sot)
Sources in the opposition coalition confirmed to Gazeta Plus on Monday that an agreement has already been reached with the Vetevendosje Movement. The same sources said the agreement will be signed on Wednesday, at 10:00 hrs, at Vetevendosje headquarters.
PDK will not change candidate for Assembly President (Koha)
A source from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) told Kosovapress on Monday that the PDK will not change its candidate for the post of Assembly President. “Agim Aliu will still be our candidate. We don’t play games with people,” the source said. There have been recent reports that senior PDK officials, Hajredin Kuci or Arsim Bajrami, could be candidates for the post.
Constitutional Court under credibility crisis (Tribuna)
The paper reports on the front page that if the Constitutional Court is made to review another case following the upcoming session of the Assembly on 12 September, political parties could decide not to recognise the court’s rulings arguing that it has no required quorum of seven judges as the mandate of three international judges is disputed. Officials from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and Vetevendosje have stated that President Atifete Jahjaga unconstitutionally extended the mandate of the three international judges and this has made the Constitutional Court dysfunctional and incapable of reaching valid decisions.
PDK youths burn ISIS flag in Pristina (dailies)
Around 20 young members of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) on Monday in Pristina set on fire the flag of the Islamic State, thus joining the world-wide initiative #Burn ISIS Flag Challenge. The action represents a sign of revolt against atrocities committed by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Triumf Sadikaj, chairman of a PDK branch in Pristina, said extreme ideologies would have no room in Kosovo. “We are never going to welcome radical religious ideologies that violate inter-religious tolerance,” Sadikaj said.
Calls for UNMIK to shut down (Kosova Sot)
More than six years after the declaration of independence, the United Nations mission in Pristina (UNMIK) is still present in Kosovo although a large share of competencies has been transferred to the EU Rule of Law mission (EULEX). Government and civil society representatives believe that UNMIK is no longer necessary, but it will be difficult for this mission to shut down as it requires a decision from the United Nations Security Council and the amendment of Resolution 1244. Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuci told the paper on Monday: “UNMIK needs to transform into a UN office in Kosovo and no longer operate as a mission. Resolution 1244 was the basis for the deployment of UNMIK and this resolution should be changed”. The paper notes that it tried to get a statement from UNMIK on Monday, but mission representatives said they would provide one in the coming days.
Appeals Court upholds decision on riots in the north (Tribuna)
Kosovo Appeals Court has reconfirmed a previous court ruling against six Serb residents of the north Mitrovica for their role in March 2008 riots at the city’s courthouse and the attack on UN personnel at the time. An UNMIK police officer was killed in the 2008 riots and more than 80 other UNMIK personnel were injured including KFOR peacekeepers and Kosovo Serb residents.