Headlines - 01.02.2013 Assembly violates Resolution, Government law on finances (Koha Ditore) The paper writes that the Assembly of Kosovo is violating the Resolution it passed on normalizing relations with Serbia by not making the Government present agreements reached in Brussels for ratification. Resolution stipulates that “agreements reached in the process of normalization of relations between the two countries shall be ratified by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo” and makes no distinction between agreements of political and technical nature. Apart from the Resolution, members of the opposition claim that the Government of Kosovo is also violating the law on management of public finances with regards to the intention to establish a development fund for the north. Independent MP Muhamet Mustafa said the law permits existence of only one fund and that is the country’s consolidated budget. The creation of a fund dedicated for a particular part of the country, argued the opposition, splits the unified financial system and leads to the north’s substantial autonomy. Jahjaga and Nikolic to meet in Germany (Kosova Sot) President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga will be able to meet Serbia’s President, Tomislav Nikolic in Munich, Germany, within the next two days, prior to the meeting foreseen in Brussels with the mediation of Baroness Catherine Ashton. There are chances for both leaders to meet at the conference on security that is being held in Germany, and where both Presidents are invited. Kosovo President’s Spokesperson, Arbër Vllahiu has confirmed that the President has arrived in Germany, however he stated that he is not aware if there is going to be a hand-shake between Jahjaga and NIkolic. Opposition against Jahjaga-Nikolic meeting (Koha Ditore) The two largest opposition parties, Democratic League of Kosovo and Vetëvendosje, have objected to the possible meeting between Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga and Serbia’s Tomislav Nikolic. LDK’s Arben Gashi remarked that such a meeting should not take place for as long as Nikolic doesn’t recognize Jahjaga as president of an independent and sovereign country and added that the meeting would be anti-constitutional. Vetëvendosje at the same time expressed its stance against unconditional dialogue with Serbia. Glauk Konjufca said that Jahjaga-Nikolic meeting is an attempt at relaxing personal relations between the two officials which Serbia is misusing in the political front by stepping up violence against Albanians. PDK to say NO to AAK? (Express) Express reports on page four that the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) is getting ready to give a negative reply to Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), for an eventual coalition between the two parties. Unnamed sources told the paper that PDK leader Hashim Thaçi does not plan to give the prime minister’s post to Haradinaj. The latter said one day earlier he was waiting for the end of the week to see if a coalition is possible with the PDK. “The PDK leader has repeated in public that he doesn’t want to negotiate with anyone about the prime minister’s post. This is the reply the AAK and Ramush Haradinaj will receive,” the source told the paper. Halbauer admits existence of Serbian civil defense (Koha Ditore) KFOR Commander, General Volker Halbauer, has admitted that he is aware of existence of the so-called Serbia’s civil defense in Mitrovica.  During his visit to the Administrative Office in northern Mitrovica, he said that since he is not a politician, he cannot interfere in commenting if this organization has legal basis to act. “If we notice that this organization is undertaking activities which threaten the security situation, then we will react in the adequate manner. According to my knowledge, it is not legal for such an organization to carry weapons,” said Halbauer and added that the only organizations allowed to carry arms in Kosovo are KFOR, EULEX and Kosovo Police and within its mandate, KSF. Rasmussen: Security situation in Kosovo, improved (Zëri) NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, stated during his yearly speech in Brussels that the situation in Kosovo has improved during the last year. However, he added that there are still many problems, especially in the north, where according to him, “stands the key of the solution for all disagreements,” during the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue. “After a difficult 2011, when many serious incidents took place, the situation in 2012 has improved thanks to the continuous efforts of KFOR in cooperation with the European mission for the rule of law, EULEX.” Jacobson, Cliff call on Deçan residents to agree with decision on 23 ha (dailies) U.S. Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson and British Ambassador Ian Cliff called on Deçan residents on Thursday to agree with the decision for giving 23 hectares of land belonging to two socially-owned enterprises to Deçan Monastery, dailies report. During their visit to Deçan, Jacobson and Cliff said their countries, which helped the most in Kosovo’s independence, support everything that derives from the Ahtisaari Plan. But Deçan mayor Rasim Selmanaj confirmed before the ambassadors that Deçan residents view the decision as political and discriminatory. Pressure for Hoça e Madhe returns (Zëri) The paper writes that the leadership of Rahovec municipality is in trouble now with the fact that it has to start implementation of the law on Hoça e Madhe which it fervently opposed or risk losing international donations. This was the reason behind the recent visit of officials from USAID, OSCE and European Commission who asked Rahovec Mayor Smajl Latifi to make haste in beginning the implementation of the law. Several internationally-funded projects have been put on hold until he does so. “We were indirectly told that they wish to see progress with regards to implementation of the law on Hoça e Madhe so that we can continue to be strong partners in implementation of many projects,” Latifi told the paper. HRW: Human rights in Kosovo, without any improvement (Koha) The latest report by the Human Rights Watch notes that Kosovo has not made any significant progress in the protection of human rights in 2012, Koha Ditore reports. The report also notes that tensions in the divided town of Mitrovica have turned into violence, while the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities remain marginalized and discriminated. According to the report, the judicial system remains poor including mechanisms for the protection of human rights.